a holly jolly week full of tiny christmas trees, little anniversary parties, family, friends, gifts, and camping out in our new house

so far, our holiday season has been absolutely lovely.

we celebrated our seventh (yes, seven years!) wedding anniversary with

family, food, a museum, and a little cake and gelato.

mmmm.

christmas was wonderfully busy, hopping from one family to the next...

everyone has been so generous and creative this year.

our little old home has been cozy,

though we have been basically camping out

with all of our things still back in california.

we were quite pleased with our little christmas tree,

hanging by twinkle lights as we do not have a stand for it,

and we adored our one little babushka nesting doll ornament.

today our new washer & dryer arrived...we are finally grown-ups.

slowly, our home will come together

and soon we'll be resting on the couch with a familiar book

and watching the sunlight hit the piano keys.

can't wait!

the snow is falling...i never tire of its wonder.

i love it here.

how have the holidays been in your little world?

hoping you are warm and cozy and spending your days with loved ones.

six years ago...

i married this guy.

lucky me.

it's been perfect:

lots of ups and downs,

learning about each other

and ourselves.

i've never laughed so hard

or cried so hard.

yes, we have a perfect marriage

because it encompasses all,

the good and the bad,

and we're still together

loving each other more and more.

lucky me.

marriage has been everything i hoped for

and more.

happy anniversary ceej!

Manifesto Monday: Say 'Never'

Friday, March 14, 2003, 8:00 AM

Mom: Now, what about that CJ fellow?

Me: Mom! I would NEVER date him! (I had had enough of curly-haired mountain-men photographers!)

Friday, March 14, 2003, 9:30 PM

Let's just say I probably kissed CJ that very night.

Sometimes it's good to say "never." Once we let go of expectations wonderful things happen that we weren't even expecting.

This I believe.

photo by us. sunday 3.15.09

December 23rd

I wanted to document our lovely little 5-year-anniversary celebration. Hope you enjoy the photos and  a little of our history.

Memory Grove. Where the party happened. There was lots of dancing thanks to the best little big band ever: The Sax Machine

It was a cold, wintry day December 23, 2003. Five years later it was the same. I loved having a winter wedding.

Here we are. Wish I had some good wedding photos...they didn't turn out, and I've been sad ever since.

The rest of the park.

We stopped by Backer's Bakery for a fudge doughnut. Another one of our favorite SLC places.

One of our favorite places to get heart-warming food, and a good cup of tea-Elizabeth's on 700 East and about 550 South in Salt Lake City.

I ordered the curried pumpkin soup with dumplings. Perfect.

Thank goodness for lovely people who offer to take your photo...there aren't many photos of Ceej and I together since we're usually the ones taking the photos.

I love the bare brick walls. Want to do the same in my home someday.

Also love the elegance of the whole place. Sigh.

Dinner at the cozy, romantic, Fresco restaurant at 15th and 15th. We L-O-V-E our Italian food, and this place is oh so yummy.

The warm interior. We were tucked away in a little private corner. 

We had a lovely day. We ended our big day with another tradition: Ballet West's The Nutcracker.

Thanks, Ceej, for a lovely and Awe-some five years. Here's to forever!

 

5 Years!

Today marks our 5-year wedding anniversary! I can hardly believe it...it's one of those things that simultaneously seems oh so long, but oh so short. I feel like CJ and I have always been together, but when I think of our wedding day, it doesn't seem so long ago. I am grateful beyond words for Ceej. We'll spend the day hanging out together and going to our favorite places.