Snow.

Finally, some snow...it is about time.

Tent Outfits

Will someone please tell me what Oprah was thinking when she put these monstrosities on her "Favorite Things" list? I thought it was a joke at first {some sort of SNL skit}, but it isn't. I mean I like camping and all, but I would never actually wear a tent. Sorry Oprah, I am disappointed in you - these outfits are a bad idea... a very, very BAD idea.

Long Weekend Update.

We had a fantastic weekend full of family, friends, and celebrations. The best part was not thinking about school or work for the entire weekend.

Highlights:

*Having an ultimate slumber party with the grandkids, which involved a pillow fight at midnight.
*Ian & Kelsee getting sealed.
*Running a 5k with Megan
*Teaching the grandkids to rock climb, and Brighton swinging fearlessly on the ropes like Tarzan.
*Thanksgiving Dinner {nuff said}.
*Shopping.
*Going to the BYU vs. Utah Game {thanks Dad}
*Two Movies in one weekend.
*Urban Outfitters.
*Girls Night Out.
*Watching Easton pick out the perfect Bionicle, it was hilarious.
*Lots of time with Oliver.
*Ikea.
*Baby Beau took his first step at his first b-day party {and it was all because of Oliver}.
*Hearing the belly laughs of all of the nieces {including Hadles}.
*The ski season is nearly here...I can feel it.
*Two babies on the way {Maeve & Nicole}.
*Asking Easton what he wants to be when he grows up...response: "Zookeeper" - naturally.
*No sitting in traffic for four whole days.

Lowlights:

*Getting peed on in our sleep by Jazzy {we were dog-sitting} - I have never seen so much urine in my entire life. I am over dogs for the time being.
*Having to say goodbye to the babies.
*It went by way too quickly.

Happy Birthday Nicole.

Today is Oliver's oldest sister, Nicole's, birthday. We hope that you have a wonderful birthday. Nicole is down in Orangeville {small town, by Price, I had never heard of it either} with her in-laws today. We hope that they did something special for you. In the meantime, check your voicemail...we left quite the "Happy Birthday" rendition on there for you.

P.S. Nicole is expecting {I think it is a boy, and I was right with Maeve}.

Thx.

Yesterday Oliver was talking on the phone with his mom {his parents have been out of town this entire month, so they were catching up}. He was downstairs, but he was talking loud enough that I could hear his half of the conversation very clearly from the inside of our apartment upstairs {really this is just a good excuse for eavesdropping}. He was discussing all of our upcoming plans, dreams, maybes, educational goals, internships, and adventures with Sherry. These are things that Oliver and I talk about on a daily basis, but as I was listening to him I realized A.) how completely crazy we are to even consider some of our dreams, and B.) how incredibly lucky we are to have so many options and everything within grasp. I am very thankful for not only everything that we have, but also for the many windows that open up to us on a daily basis. We are so lucky to have so much support from both of our parents, siblings, friends, fellow ward mates, professors, and colleagues.

Oliver's dad once said something to us that I am pretty sure I will remember all of my life. In our quest to be an independent married couple, he simply said to us "everyone is dependent on someone." I know that in 50 years when we look back at our life milestones, we will know that our work and decisions had very little to do with our own success, but rather we will be thinking of all of the wonderful people who helped us along the way.

Thank you for all that you do. We hope that everyone has a warm and wonderful holiday, Happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Birthday to the Beave.

Today River turned 9. I am a bad aunt and I was unable to make it to his birthday party, but I love this little boy and am happy that he is my nephew. River's nickname is Beaver, because he looks like the little boy on "Leave it to Beaver." See picture below. We love the Beave and we hope that he has a wonderful birthday. XOXOXO.

Sweet Pea

Tonight while Oliver is cuddling with Bella, the weiner dog, I will be cuddling with the 11 week old Sadie Olivia. She certainly is taking after her older sister; getting more beautiful every day.

Potential.

I graduate in early December, and each and every day that it creeps closer and closer my anxiety levels rise infinitely. I have been struggling with a lot of decisions recently (ie, Do I go to grad school? Do I try to go into the family business? Should I forge my own path in life?...and {my personal favorite} Does it really matter?). I am feeling a bit in limbo. I know I should probably relax, get through school, and then make a rational decision; but I am a product of Beth and I can not function without having a plan and knowing my future goals.

So, what I am trying to say is that if my blogging is sparse in the next four weeks, it is because I am solving the worlds problems and contemplating life.

Happy Birthday Lisa!

Today is Lisa's birthday, and I am so happy that Lisa married Micah. We have been really fortunate that all of the Johnston boys married such wonderful women. Lisa is the mom of sweet Brea, Gator, and Peanut. She is the most amazing mom in the entire world. Lisa has many qualities that I don't have, such as: patience, kindness, grace, compassion, gentle, and the list goes on. We hope you have a wonderful birthday Lisa! We love you.

The O.

I saw this photo on Brad's Flickr Account last night, and I like it. This photo is from Costa Rica when Oliver was trekking about in the rain. Brad really is an amazing photographer. So now, if I could only get my photos to look more like his and less like mine...

Happy Birthday Easton Dean!

It is weird to think that 9 years ago Easton was born, I was only 13. I can't believe how quickly he is growing up. Easton is the child that I compare all other children to, he is polite, clever, smart, calm, easy, well-behaved, and funny. If all children were like Easton, I think that I would consider having some of my own a lot sooner, but until then...Happy Birthday Easton! We have a surprise waiting for you in Utah!

P.S. Has anyone ever noticed that Ian and Easton have the exact same laugh?

Costa Rica

We are back and trying to get in the swing of things. It was an amazing vacation and we fell in love with the beautiful, small country. I took over 500 pictures and have not had time to go through them all, but here is a small sample of our time away. Now I must go back to studying and stop dreaming of more travel in Central America.