Year Five

 

Have we really been married for five years already!?

 

Let's see... since we got married, we've managed to live in four different places; I started and completed cosmetology school and worked as a hair stylist for a few years; Chris graduated from CBU and commissioned into the Marine Corps; and we brought two beautiful children into the world... not bad, right?

 

Thankfully, Chris was home during our anniversary this year so we were able to go out and celebrate a bit. (First off, I want to give a huge THANK YOU to our dear friends, Crystal and Marcus, for watching our little rascals. It's been so great meeting new people and developing life long friendships)! So, Chris and I drove out to DC and went kayaking in the Potomac River. (Man, what a workout)! After splashing around for a bit, and some serious racing, we changed in the car and headed down to a nice romantic, candlelit dinner. This french restaurant, Bistro Cacao, is such a memorable place to dine, I highly recommend it! It is so intimate, with dim lighting, curtains for privacy, and the most comfortable chairs. We whet our pallet with garlic sauteed escargot, I ate SNAILS, and it was actually really good. We ended our meal with vanilla, chocolate, and mango creme brulee, complements of the chef, (Ooh, I feel fancy)! Our server was french and I just loved how he addressed me as "mademoiselle" ...but that was about the only thing I understood from him.

 

I had a great time with my love and I'm so thankful we had this opportunity to spend some quality time together before he starts IOC (Infantry Officer's Course) and is constantly gone.

I love you honey bunny! 

 

 

Here's to five more years ...and then some!

 

Four Years In...

It's been four years since Chris and I were sealed for time and all eternity in the Newport Beach LDS Temple. It was such a beautiful ceremony filled with loving family members and close friends. The Spirit was so strong in that room. We were both kneeling at the alter holding hands and it felt as if it was just the two of us there. I was just so happy being in the temple with the love of my life. As the temple president started marring us, I bowed my head and tears came streaming down my face. I looked up at Chris and noticed even he was tearing. The feeling of being there was just so right. We finally kissed over the alter as the newly married Mr. and Mrs.

Chris and I have accomplished so much together and we continue to strive to do our best. He is my absolute best friend and companion. He brings so much happiness and assurance to my life. He is my protector and provider. I feel like the luckiest person to have such a wonderful man in my life.

So to celebrate our 4th year of marriage, Chris and I spent a few nights in a gorgeous hotel out in Newport beach. (We went in July before Ella arrived and we left Lincoln with his grandmas.) It was the first time, in a very long time, that we got to sleep in and actually sleep through the night! Although I did miss my little Lincoln and was constantly thinking about him, it felt amazing not having to get up at 1, 3 and 6 am to a crying baby.

Chris and I had a great time just the two of us. It felt like our dating years again!

Of course we went back to the temple that we were married in. It was so beautiful and so nice seeing everything again. We even spent some time at Crystal Cove Beach where he proposed to me.

Here I am 9 months pregnant with little Ella

That weekend flew by so fast and we had to go back to reality. Now we've got two babies and our lives somehow keep getting busier, so this is one memory I'll cherish for a while!

Summer Love

How it all began...

       It was 5 years ago today that I met my prince charming. Chris and I were both so young; I was only 18 and he was 23. I had just graduated from high school a few weeks earlier and my next plan was to go on a mission for my church. I planned on going early because I know 2 other female missionaries that served when they were 19. I loved going to the missionary prep classes. I felt so much joy and enthusiasm knowing that I would be sharing the gospel with so many people. And since Chris was one if the teachers, it made it much more fun too. The first time I saw him was when he was teaching. He looked so "cute". I couldn't hold back my smile every time I looked at him. He was wearing a white shirt and tie with gray pants and glasses. I went up to him after class, shook his hand and thanked him for a great lesson. (I don't even think I was listening to his lesson ha ha). I kept it short and sweet. I even cut him off and said I had to go... A girl's gotta keep a guy on his toes! So I left and saw him again the following week. This time he made it a point to sit right behind me. At the end of church as I was walking to my car, he "ran" after me to get my phone number. (Of course he says he didn't chase after me, but he did).
       June 21, 2006 was our first date. At this point I had only seen him at church where he wore a white shirt and tie and glasses, so I was anxious to see what he was really like and if he was dorky. He picked me up for our date looking cuter than ever and I was surprised that he wasn't wearing any glasses! turns out he was a contact wearing guy but when I met him he had just ran out of them. We went on a double date miniature golfing. Then after wards he took me to Jamba Juice where we sat on the bed of his truck talking for hours about random things. It was the best first date I had ever been on and not because it was the most creative or anything, but because I felt something I had never felt before with any other person. Chris and I had a blast dating. We went hiking, camping, tubing down the Kern river, we saw a fancy play in L.A, there were of course many beach and river trips, and we even went bungee jumping.

       June 21, 2007 he proposed in the most romantic way! He blindfolded me as we drove to our surprise destination. He walked me out of the car, down a few steps (that's where trust came in to play ha ha) and finally untied my blindfold. I was looking down onto the ocean as the sun was setting and reflecting a combination of beautiful colors onto it's surface. In the sand was written "EMMA, MARRY ME." I quickly turned around to see him and he was down on one knee. Do I need to say what my answer was... We hugged for a while. As we continued watching the sunset, Chris was telling me all the reasons he loves me and why he wants to spend the rest of his life with me. Three months later we were sealed together for time and all eternity in the Newport Beach, California temple. I feel so fortunate to have such a wonderful man in my life.
  June 21, 2011, here we are 5 years later, happily married with a beautiful baby and another on the way. It's amazing how our love for each other keeps growing and growing. I look forward to the adventures the future holds for us.



One of our many water adventures



I'm great at holding the flag!



Ducks hockey game



ha ha! Birthday surprise

Down Town Wednesday Night



late night hot chocolate date



his work Christmas party at Disney Land



Hanging out after church

  

3 Years in the Making

Today is our 3rd year anniversary! It really does feel like its gone by so fast. This year is definitely different. Chris still had to go to work and later that night he went to school and I was home all day busy with Lincoln. When Chris came home he told me "some people may consider this a lame anniversary, but I think it's a great one 'cause we have our baby with us." This really was a very special day.

I feel like the luckiest girl alive! Chris is such a great person. He is so supportive, thoughtful, loving, hard working, determined, not to mention sexy, and so much more. It's great knowing we'll be together through out all eternity.

Celebrating in Baja!

The 15th is our 2 year anniversary and what better way to celebrate than to go on a cruise to Ensenada! It was definitely a very relaxing get away. We laid out in the sun, soaked in the jacuzzi, and ate like there was no tomorrow! Most importantly, I enjoyed being there with the love of my life. These 2 years have gone by so quickly and everyday I fall deeper and deeper in love with Chris. I am so lucky that he is mine and I look forward to spending forever together.

The view was beautiful!

I have a coconut friend!

This is "La Bufadora" it is the largest blow hole in the world. When it shot up it got me soaking wet!

We walked around the flea market for a while bargaining with all the Mexican merchants. They are sly, but we know better. Chris got this marble chess set, they asked for $45, Chris talked them down to $20! Then she asked for her tip. hahaha

I even got my hair braided!

When we drove through the city we saw a "Zonkey" Its a donkey painted as a zebra! haha

They were even selling portraits of Joseph Smith! When we asked them who that was they said, "Ah, you know..." haha Then they kept referring to us as "eh Mormon!"

We got a little frisky at the 'Habana Banana' but they kept offering us free margaritas so we couldn't help ourselves!

I'm trying to convince Chris to grow dreads! He looks so good with them!