christmas 2009

santa's house at north pole.

the maze in north pole.

ravens are demons with wings.

looks like an at&t add.

i think darryl said it all.

welcome to fairbanks. aka hell on earth. [:

we love christmas!

2009 recap

2009 was my "year of change."

January:

Chris and I officially began dating.

We shared our birthday, Jan. 19 together

at Sunset Coffee.

Sunset is held near and dear to our hearts,

because we first met each other there.

February:

We had our first V day.

We went to a monster truck rally,

dinner, and saw "The Last House on the Left"

March:

Chris decided to get serious about

figuring out his future and pursuing a career

or at least term of service with the US ARMY.

April:

Chris got our crazy dog Oliver on April 24,

to keep me company while he was gone during basic training.

May:

We had a super fun Cinco de Mayo at Sunset.

May 12, 2009 Chris left for Ft. Benning, GA.

June:

I pulled lots of extra hours at Sunset,

and was bored to death without my partner in crime.

July:

July 31- Aug 2 there was a family weekend at Ft. Benning.

I got to visit my honey!

It was one of the best weekends of my life.

August:

I despise this month, if I could skip it every year,

I gladly would.

Chris and I spent the whole month stressing

over where, when, and how we could possibly

pull off a wedding in just a few weeks,

without him being home until a week and a half before "the big day".

September:

I went to Georgia again from Sept 2 - Sept 6.

My dear friend Greg Smith came with me.

It was an amazing trip, and even though I hate Georgia,

we had a wonderful time together. haha.

Sept 4 was Chris's Graduation from basic training.

After he was released from the ceremony,

we went to the museum that is on the base.

Chris was acting very strange and he went up to one of the

workers and started whispering to him.

I was embarrassed right off the bat,

then he asked for everyone's attention.

He started congratulating everyone for graduating.

Out of nowhere he decided to call me up in front

of all of these people that I don't know.

My heart was pounding through my chest and I could

feel the heat giving off my flushed cheeks.

I walked up to him bashfully,

and immediately he got down on one knee.

I started crying immediately.

He took my hand and asked me to marry him,

and for the next thirty seconds or so I kept pulling my hand away from him.

I was so shocked and blown away I didn't know how to react.

I couldn't even say the word "yes."

Finally, Chris grabbed my hand one last time, looked me dead in the eyes,

and said, "Please, Jes."

My only response was a head nod,

and he slipped the ring on my finger.

He never ceases to amaze me,

he purchased a ring for me, during basic training,

and purposed in a beautiful museum in front of all of his peers

and their families.

It still melts my heart just thinking about it.

The day before our wedding, we had to give Oliver

to one of Chris's friends.

In July we got new neighbors below us,

and every time we let Oliver out their dog would freak out.

They complained to our landlord,

so rather than start up shiii with the neighbors, with only a month left

on our lease, we found him a good home.

We were so sad about giving him away,

but he has a great home now and is happy and loved.

Sept 23, 2009 we tied the knot in front of our friends and family

at the Carmelle Reception Center in Holladay UT.

It was a gorgeous night and we had so much fun.

Sept 28 Chris left for his duty station in Fairbanks, AK.

October:

I moved from my apartment back to my mom's house.

It was really great getting to spend my last month at home with my mom

and brothers.

On Halloween we threw a "Party Like a Rock Star" party.

It was hilarious!

November:

I left for Alaska on Nov 6.

And since the day I landed until the present,

I continue to hate this ice box and nearly all who inhabit it. [:

November 26- The Nightmare Before Christmas

AKA Thanksgiving.

Chris's Sgt. invited us to Thanksgiving dinner

at his house with his family, and other army people.

It was an awkward night.

And I knew right away that I was never going to fit in

with stereotypical army wives.

Thank the Lord the Broncos game was on,

I was distracted the whole night watching my team

kick butt. [it was the highlight of my night.]

When we were finally able to leave, we headed over to our neighbor

Josh's house. That night I met Joey, Zam, and their two year old Jason.

Since then they have become some of our closest friends.

December:

Since we had to give Oliver away,

I was going crazy without a dog.

Chris finally caved and got me an adorable

chihuahua for Christmas.

Her name is CharLie and I love her to death!!

She's our little love child. haha.