Did Ya Miss Us?

So I figure eight months is about right between updates, don't you think? Ha! It's been a while. Guess I figure I should make a post about all the excitement that has been part of our lives this year. So far, it's been pretty amazing :)


WORK
Chris found a job! He has been working for Fidelity since the beginning of May and everything is going well so far. He took the Series 7 and Series 63 exams and passed both with flying colors. The Series 7 he was the top of his class with a 94%! The job is great so far and I think a lot of opportunities will open up for him in the near future. We are really excited and SO grateful for it. The best part is, we work about a half mile down the road from each other so we get to ride to and from work together every day!

My job is also doing great. I am immensely busy this month with budgeting for next year, a huge property sale, and a small team project for our upcoming company seminar in November. I've been a little overwhelmed with all the new responsibilities that have been placed on me recently, but I guess that means that have a lot of faith in me.

CHRIS FAMILY
Chris's family is doing great. His mom had a major surgery back in June but she is almost fully recovered from that. Now they just need to clear her to drive! Ashley has been here a couple times in recent months and it's been great to see her, and Kirstin and her boyfriend Park are doing great.

ASHLEY FAMILY
My family is doing great also, although we did very recently lose a member of our family. My grandfather passed away on St. Patricks Day this March. It was majorly unexpected and a huge loss for our family. My grandma had recently had one of her legs amputated, and between that and having dialysis three times a week, my family could not personally care for her. As a result she had to move into a care facility and my dad, as the only child, has taken on a huge responsibility of taking care of her home and finances. We all miss my "Papa" terribly and will always remember what a great man he was and the influence he had on our lives.

Papa's Flowers


My Dad reading a poem he wrote about his Dad to his Mom


Me with Grandma


In July my parents and youngest brother were able to come here for two weeks and we got to spend a lot of really great time together. I took a few days off of work and I got to spend a long weekend with them in southern Utah. We went to Bryce Canyon and Zions National Park and did some really amazing hiking. We also played lots and lots of games!! I'm so grateful for that time we had to spend together. I wont be seeing them again until December!

Hiking the Narrows



Bryce Canyon


Also, Eric just got home from his mission in Boston! I got to spend a few days this past week with him and it is so great to have him back here and finally have some of my own family here in Utah. He doesn't look any different but I can tell he has grown a lot spiritually and has really matured a lot. Now I'm excited for him to get married! haha

VACATION
In April Chris and I took a vacation. We weren't going to take it so early but since he was going to be starting a new job and having to study for tests we thought we should get it out of the way early. We went a little more extravagant than we originally anticipated too, but we figured a last big hurrah before he started working and before we have children. So we went to CANCUN!! It was fabulous. I'll let some pictures do the talking.

Dolphin Discovery


Our Beach


Chichen Itza




Snorkeling


Zip Lines




LEISURE
After work and everything else we both have things we like to do for fun. Together we really enjoy movies, tv, and games. We both also really like playing sports so all summer I've been playing softball and now I'm even playing two nights a week! Chris has been kinda MIA for softball and basketball because of work and injuries, but I think he'll get back in the swing of things soon. I also really enjoy reading and I recently read a series called The Uglies. If anybody has any good book suggestions, I'm always up for new ideas!

Other than all that we are enjoying it being just the two of us. We get up together, go to work together, come home together, have dinner, watch tv, play games, and just enjoy being together. We don't have the stress of job searching or studying anymore so it's great to just come home and enjoy each other. Our life hasn't ever been any better than it is right now!

Hopefully the rest of the year will provide us with even more new and exciting adventures...

...and hopefully I'll actually be around again soon to write about it! :D