9 Years

Yep, that's how long we've been married now! I can't find a wedding picture on the computer, so I thought I'd post these gems from our earlier days.

This was taken on our first date (a blind date). The girl next door to me in the dorms set us up because we were both tall. She knew Jim from Missouri, and didn't know me at all yet! This was Labor Day 1998 (my first week at BYU). We went bridge jumping into the most FREEZING cold water in American Fork. Someone snapped this and gave it to Jim later when we became more serious. I love that we have it.

Homecoming 1998. Jim asked me to this dance about a month in advance. He sent me on a scavenger all over campus, and since it was at night, he also sent along an escort for my safety. Awww...

This kind of looks like an ad for phone service or something, but I just threw it in because Jim looks so darn cute. We had taken a trip to my grandparents' house in St. George to spend the weekend with my mom, future sis-in-law, and some cousins. This was the first time my mom met Jim and she liked him right away. I don't remember who I was talking to...maybe Melyn?

I love you babe!

Raleigh

We're been back in Philadelphia after spending 3 1/2 lovely weeks at my parents' house. We took very few pictures, which is weird for us, but it was only because we were packing in so many fun things that didn't accommodate a camera well. It was SO fun. Here are the highlights (not necessarily in chronological order):

Open house for Jack & Jo
Leftover food (cheesecake galore) from said open house
Staying up way too late playing Yahtzee with the fam
Long walks with Jo and Shama
Jelly Bellies and late night talks with mom
Wesley's first birthday
Playing in the backyard (it seems like such a luxury now!)
Pool party at the Gertsch's with dear friends and Jo's fun family
Ogling baby girl shoes with Julie
Lunch with Pinky and Sydney
Boating with Dave and Debbie
Coldplay concert with lots of good friends (this was fantastic; way better than I anticipated)
9th wedding anniversary (love my guy)
Pullen Park and dinner out with family
Marbles museum (twice!)
Mom's birthday celebration at Solomon's
Goodberry's and talking with Jack and Jo
2 days at the beach with Patrick and Julie and lots of Great Dalmuti
Photo shoot with Sue
Dinner with the Lees (Melissa and Allyn, how come I never knew our dads were so close?)
Movie night with Ben and Annie

There were a few outings Jim took without me, including a trip to Piedmont dragway to watch Dave Spencer race (the kids loved it), Krispy Kreme to watch doughnuts be made (they loved that too), and the Def Leppard concert with Patrick and Ben. Jim also spent many full days stripping lead paint off wood for my dad. It was wood from Thomas Jefferson's parents' house, and he's putting it down as flooring in his shed. BIG project.

I love my hometown SO much, and it was wonderful to see friends again. It's good to be back here too. Jim started school today though, so I'm on my own again! It was such a dream having him home for so long.

Jimmy Fallon

Yesterday I went to NYC with two friends, Julie and Kay. We had tickets to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon! It was a blast. If you know Kay, then it is no surprise that she was chosen to be on camera for a skit called "Beef Solvers". Kay is a super fun, energetic, and social girl who has a knack for getting privileges the rest of us don't (like getting her picture taken with Oprah, going to an after-party for her favorite band and actually having the band follow her car to the location, getting The Roots drummer "Quelove's" drumsticks signed after Late Night, etc. Oh, and did I mention that she dated Ludacris in high school? Yeah.) I've decided to start taking Kay with my places when I want to be treated especially well.

Below is the episode of Late Night that we watched, and Kay's segment starts at 5:28 if you want to scroll past the other stuff. At the very end, 41:30, you'll catch me and Julie on the far right-hand side of the screen.

We took the Staten Island Ferry over to Manhattan. It was very windy.

Kay jamming to The Roots after the show. I wonder why Quelove decided to give HER his drumsticks...

Times Square! A bit wet, but still fun.

Cute or cheesy? You decide.

Taking the ferry back to Staten Island. Lovely eyes on us all thanks to Sephora and Julie's sweet make-up skills.

The Life of the Party

Wesley, Tag, and Luke, all 11 months

Luke, Tag and Wesley, all 10 months