Taylor Made

One week to go!!!

2010-02-08T12:55:00.000-08:00

Time for this baby to head on out! Justin keeps telling him to 'head for the light!'
Here are some pics of the last few months and some prego pics for those who've been asking.

Loves!

Sistas!

9 months...whoa!!

Grandma of the babe

Presents for Lincoln!

Shower Friends!

Christmas

With my baby daddy

With my poppa - 8 months

Thanksgiving - 7 months

6 months

Ahhh, the 'skinnier' days

2009-11-22T08:02:00.000-08:00

At 7 months prego, I'm feeling like a cow these days, so I decided to look back on our engagement pics to fonldy reflect on what it is like to look down and see my toes. When Justin and I got married, we never got engagement pictures. So when one of my dear friends who has her own photography business offered to take them for us last May, we jumped at the chance! Even though they were taken 1 1/2 years after we were married, we still call them our engagement pictures. Pretty sure we were pregnant at the time and just didn't know it yet! Here are a few of our favs. Thanks to Erin Gadd and Pink Daffodil Photography!

Justin and Melissa & 1/2

2009-11-08T06:42:00.000-08:00

I guess its about time I do a post for anyone out there still checking our blog! I discovered facebook not long ago and that has been occupying most of the little time I spend on the computer. I figured since I'm almost to my third trimester of pregnancy, I better post something, because "the boss" will be here before we know it and then who knows when I will have time to blog?!?

So to update:
We are beside ourselves that we are pregnant and Justin is just over the moon that we are having a little boy! (We were both secretly hoping for a boy) We kind of knew it was our little son even before it was confirmed. In fact we have been calling him by his name pretty much from the moment we knew I was prego. He's due to arrive on Valentine's Day and we are not so secretly hoping that he comes 2 days early, because then he will be born on his namesake's birthday, Lincoln. I don't have many pics to share because our camera broke, but here's his first debut picture, I guess you could say.

Cute little profile

Me at the 1/2 way mark

Grand Opening!!!

2009-05-19T09:58:00.000-07:00

Good news on the homefront! My dad just started a gym! When his current gym went under, he didn't like the other gym options available, so what did he do? He just decided to start his own! Its right in Sugarhouse on 2100 South and just above 7th East where Guthrie Bicycle used to be. His partner and co-owner of the gym is an amazing personal trainer recruited by other gyms across the country to manage and operate their centers. But, he wanted something to call his own, so they put their heads together and created Square One Fitness. Their gym is beautiful with brand new equipment! Its a smaller more intimate setting, like Curves or Anytime Fitness only their the monthly fees are more affordable (seriously an awesome deal), and they have equipment not found anywhere else in Utah. The best part is, Jeff his partner is an amazing personal trainer. You should see my mom's results!!! She has worked out every day for the past like 15 years and in just 10 weeks of working with Jeff she has transformed her cute little body with just a little tweaking. He tailors the program to your body type, metaboolism, etc and the results are incredible. If you are interested in joining or know anyone esle who may be please go check it out or call 801-467-4945. They have some deals going on right now too!

Ta-Da! An Update!!!

2009-04-15T13:27:00.000-07:00

I'm finally updating our blog after a long Hiatus!!! Sorry it's way back from Christmas, but that's kind of where I left off. We spent this one with the Taylors in Virginia. It was 8 crazy Italian, action-packed, fun-filled days! We miss them and wish we could see them more. Here are some pics from Richmond, Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Washington DC.

UPDATE

2009-01-19T08:08:00.000-08:00

Taylormade Readers: For those of you just dying to know what is going on in our fantastical lives, I promise I am not being a bad blogger! I really intend to upload our latest pictures from Christmas, etc., but it seems that we have lost our USB cord! Oops. I think it might be back in Virginia, but who knows? Its hard to keep track of all the cords you need these days to function! As soon as we get it or buy a new one, we will update our pics, I promise!

Trees, Families, and OG's

2008-12-16T17:37:00.000-08:00

Temple lights with friends

Grandma Annie's Tribute Day. Justin was the official photographer, so sadly he isn't in many of the pics.

The grandkids

Festival of Trees!

We just couldn't pass by the U of U Tree without getting a pic!

My favorite tree. It was made of hand blown glass.

The group I belong to: Young Survivor Sisters, did a tree for the festival of trees in honor of young breast cancer survivors! Pink tree and all! Of course Justin and I wore our "Save the Ta-Tas" t-shirts to represent!

Justin's dream tree

Wooden Tree

Beautiful Grandma Annie

2008-12-08T07:13:00.000-08:00

I am grateful to have been with my grandmother in her home at the time of her passing. What a tender moment that was. Words cannot describe the beautiful experience that event can be. No one really talks about it, but I want everyone to know although dying is horrible, death itself is a miracle and can be beautiful and sweet. We just can't see the beauty with the limits of our mortal eyes.

I love you, Annie.

Ann Clark Green 1934 ~ 2008
Ann Clark Green, our angel wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed from mortality to immortality on December 4, 2008, in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the presence of her family, a victim of the ravages of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Ann was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, May 29, 1934, to Louise Spence Clark and Sherman O. Clark. She married her sweetheart Paul Hap Green on December 6, 1954, in the Salt Lake Temple. Devoted to each other in every facet of their lives, they lovingly enjoyed the fullness and goodness of 54 years together. Their union was blessed with five children: Cynthia (Kim) Steadman, Julianne (Brent) Bawden, Michael (Holly) Green, Susan Green and Adam (Melannie) Green.

She attended West High School and the University of Utah. Ann created a home based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. She placed her family above all, taught her family by personal example the importance of faith, prayer, compassion and love. She had a deep and abiding testimony of the Lord's Plan of Salvation and the eternal nature of families. She was a true disciple of Christ whose life was a reflection of Him and what He taught. A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served faithfully in many callings. When Hap was called to preside over the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission from 1986-1989, she served faithfully at his side, welcoming countless missionaries as her own sons and daughters with her special love and devotion; establishing life-long relationships with many.

Ann was a proud descendant of noble ancestry. A great granddaughter of Brigham Young, she honored her heritage by the way she lived her life and her unfailing dedication and commitment to her family and forbears.

Affectionately called "Annie" by her grandchildren, she took special interest in their lives and accomplishments. She had a unique, special bond with each one of them and they adored their Grandma Annie.

Ann was a gifted and accomplished vocalist. As a child she loved to sing. She spent her entire life developing and sharing her beautiful voice in countless venues. Most notably, she sang supporting roles as well as in the chorus of the Utah Opera Company. She also performed with Promusica, and presented countless solo recitals and performances. She was a patron of the arts and gave of her time and talents in numerous community service organizations. Most recently she served as President of both the Utah Symphony Guild and the Utah Opera Guild.

Everything that Ann touched was beautiful. She had an amazing aura of dignity and grace that lifted all those with whom she associated. She was warm, generous and kind. People were drawn to her by her genuine interest in them. She always considered the needs of others above her own. Ann was a pillar of strength, virtue, courage, and wisdom. She was a refined woman of elegance while firmly rooted in all things spiritual. Annie will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She leaves a legacy that will live eternally in her family and friends.

Ann is survived by her husband and children; her brother, S. Spence (Jill) Clark of Salt Lake City; and sister, Linda C. Bock, Newtown, PA. She also is survived by 17 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a grandson, Maximus Paul Green. The family extends their deepest appreciation and gratitude to the caregivers at Huntsman Cancer Hospital and Institute and Millcreek Home Health and Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made in Ann's name to Huntsman Cancer Institute. A public memorial service will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, December 9, 2008, at the Monument Park North Stake Center, 1320 S. Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City. The family will receive friends and extended family members at the stake center prior to the services on Tuesday from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. A private family burial service and interment at Larkin Sunset Lawn was held prior to Tuesday's memorial service. Online condolences at www.larkincares.com

Thanksgiving Weekend

2008-12-03T18:09:00.000-08:00

We had a great Thanksgiving with my family. Dinner was at my mom's parents' house as usual. This year my grandmother was in the hospital, so it was very different eating at her house and not having her there. But we got to visit her later, which was such a treat. Even in her weakened condition, she was able to stay awake for about 30 min to allow everyone a few minutes with her. We had to wear masks, so as not to pass any germs. Hence the sexy Dr. masks.

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without passing out on the couch in front of a football game after dinner!

Then one of my good friends from High School who I haven't seen in 5 years came in town from Vegas and we had a baby shower for her. It was so great to see and be with everyone and see their kids/babies. It seems like all of them have kids or are expecting. I've got a lot of catching up to do!

Twelve and OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH

2008-11-24T17:33:00.000-08:00

Congrats to our Utes for an amazing season! BCS bowl here we come! As a tribute to their perfect season, here are some pictures:

Some friends of our family started a new business doing logos and asked my parents if they could do some advertising on their lawn. When they said it was going to be a U of U logo, of course they said YES!!! It was awesome, and huge!!!

The family getting ready to watch the holy war! All utes and one little BYU fan.

The TCU blackout game

With the Swensons

Some of the girls from work and I dcorated my boss' office door when he was at lunch (he is obviously a BYU fan), and we just had to document it!

Go UTES!!!

Overdue Halloween Pics

2008-11-22T08:55:00.000-08:00

This year for halloween we had a blast at the Swenson's big Halloween bash! We planned our costumes way in advance this year, but then that morning at the last minute we changed our minds. And we won a prize for the most creative cotume! Here are some pics - sorry for the blurry spot - our lens had a smudge on it that we didn't notice until after the party was over! Oh well, I won't tell you wich ones we are, maybe you can guess.

The last two are work pictures when I was the un-original Sarah Palin. Oh well. It was fun!

No Soliciting!

2008-11-14T11:48:00.000-08:00

So some of you have already heard this story, but I felt it was blogworthy, so for those of you who haven't, here goes:

I love Costco. I love the deals. I love the samples. I love the crazy moms with 2 full carts of just stuff that they must be taking to some sort of bomb shelter cuz no one can possibly have that many people to feed!

I especially love the gas prices - last time I filled up it was $2.02. Pretty sure its even lower now. But I think I may be rethinking filling up there, because

I HATE THE SOLICITORS!!!!

Has anyone else experienced these cocky, argumentative, loud-mouths in florescent yellow/green vests with their trusty clipboard who won't leave you the crap alone when all you want to do is just fill up your car in peace!?!

They try to get you to sign up for one of their Costco American Express Cards and they do this by trapping you while you fill up your car. There is no way out!!! Everyone knows you aren't supposed to get back in your car after you put the pump in because static could blow your car up, and you aren't supposed to be on the phone because that will also cause static which could once again blow up your car.

So you just sit there by the pump, totally unsuspecting vulnerable prey while they move in on you!

I have dealt with these guys politely for about, mmmm 4 months, but I am done being polite. A few weeks ago, one such solicitor decided, when I didn't want to sign up for the card, that he would harass me. Here's how it went down:

I get out of the car trying to look like a bee-otch, you know, unapproachable so they leave me alone. Nope.

This bald, 30-year-old-guy (I tell you he's balding so you can watch out for him and run in the other direction) waits for me to use my Amex Skymiles card and as soon as he sees what card I used, he pulls out his script for the Skymiles Card and starts his spiel:

Guy (in a flirty sing-song voice): "Uh-Oh. You are in trouble.
Me (pissed already): Why am I in trouble?
Guy: Because you are supposed to use the Coscto Amex Gas Card to fill up here.
Me: No I'm not. I'm supposed to use whatever card I want here.
Guy: Well, have you heard of our card?
Me: Yes I have about 20 times and I am not interested. Thank you.

-So by now he should understand that I AM NOT INTERESTED, right? Right. He is no dummy. Now he just wants to argue.-

Guy (flirty voice gone): Why are you using that Skymiles Card? There is an annual fee. Our card doesn't have an annual fee.
Me (couldn't come up with a good enough comeback so I just spit out): I like my annual fee. (I like my annual fee? Whatever.)
Guy: Well, what's the point of even having that card when you can't use your skymiles during holidays? They have all these blackout dates where you can't use your miles.
Me: No they don't.
Guy: Yes they do. I even did my research. I called Delta Skymiles and that's what they told me.
Me: You did research? Hahaha. Well then you better check to make sure you are calling the right number because whomever you talked to was feeding you a bunch of crap. If there are all these blackout dates during the holidays then how come I am flying during Christmas and not paying a cent?
Guy: Uh...well you can get up to $800 a year back if you sign up for this card.
Me (done filling up so I am walking away from him and heading back into my car): My tickets cost $2,000 buddy, plus I get free companion tickets and a 24/7 concierge (Ok, I don't really use that one, but I could if I wanted to. I'm just not that important of a person to need 24/7 service - or any concierge service for that matter)
Guy: (Inaudible arguing)
Me: Good luck with all that!

Man that guy got under my skin! After I left, I quickly came up with a solution that I put into place the next time I gassed up at Costco.

I made a large sign that said, "NO SOLICITING" and taped it right on my back while I pumped my gas.

And it worked!!! I recommend to all.

New Home Before

2008-11-10T19:50:00.000-08:00

So most of you know what our place looks like because you have been over. Unfortunatley my family lives across the US so sorry everyone this is more for my family who live in VA than anyone else. Love you guys can't wait to see you!!!!

-Justin

Just me n' Archie

2008-10-22T11:14:00.000-07:00

In order to regain the dwindling number of our blog followers (due to the self-admitted un-interesting-ness of our lives), I decided it was time to take drastic measures!

So to all of our 4 readers (mom, dad, and Justin's mom and dad), here is a picture of me and David Archuleta!:

Yes, I am towering over him with all my 5'5"-ness!

So the story goes: Our friends, the Woods, invited us to the Operation Kids Gala at the Grand America for a black tie event that honored John Walsh from America's Most Wanted. There were a few celebs there, including Justin's favorite - President Palmer from the first season of 24 (most people know him as the Allstate guy). He hosted the event and Colin Raye was the musical headliner with Jim Brickman and some other musical guests. Even though were were all dressed up in our stuffy clothes, we had a blast! The food was good, the music was awesome, and it was a fun date night for us.

However, the room was a little chilly and I checked my coat, so after dinner I went outside the ballroom to get my coat and there was Archie standing all by himself in the hall just hanging out in his jeans and hoodie! Now, let's make something VERY clear here, I am a David Archuleta fan, but not psychotic or anything. I just liked watching him on American Idol. Besides, I felt like such a motard asking some kid 10 years younger than me for his picture! But I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get my picture with him and have a great story to tell! So I ran back in the ballroom, borrowed our friends' camera since we left ours in the car and went back out in the hall to get my picture with David. Justin is so sweet, he followed me out to take the pic, just laughing at how excited I was that I had run into David Archuletta.

He is just as shy and small in person as he is on TV but a nice kid. Here is a pic of me and my hubby, too.

Back on the Wagon

2008-10-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

I am back on the wagon people. Our 2 week free cable extravaganza is over. Just to clarify, we did not jimi-rig free cable or do anything illegal. We are law-abiding citizens. A cable company which shall remain anonymous because we hate them offered 2 free weeks of cable when we moved into our house. Well, the two weeks is over. One morning Matt and Meridith were on, the next, Nada. So what do we do? Rent season 2 of Heros and stay up all night gorging ourselves on popcorn and turkey jerky and watching the exciting adventures of Hiro and is buddies!

Just a couple a Utes in Cougar Country

2008-10-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

I have been a Ute fan ever since I can remember. When I was little (I mean like 4 or 5 years old) my brothers and I used to fight with my two cousins about who was better, BYU or Utah. Their parents went to BYU, ours went to the U. So my allegiance was defined at a very young age and my cousins basically initiated any judgements I may have about stereotypical BYU fans. Over the years, I have become an even bigger U fan (even more than when I was attending the school) but I have also become tolerant of BYU fans as I have matured. Then we moved to Utah County...Dun Dun Dun!

We are nowhere NEAR Provo and we are inundated with BYU fans and their bumper stickers, flags, shirts, mugs, etc. We can't even go into the grocery store without BYU everything on display. AHHH! So, we did what any true blue (red) Utah fans would do in our situation - drove back up to Salt Lake County and purchased as much U paraphernalia as we could get our hands on to decorate ourselves, our house, and our car with.

Now we have a flag in our window (inside so no one steals it), a sticker on our car, and various red t-shirts, hats, beanies, coats, and sweatshirts all sportin' the U. Our house has yet to be egged.

NOW, we can't go to Costco with our U stuff on without 10 dirty looks AND comments from BYU fans! What the? We are proud U fans, but at least we are respectful! Occasionally we will get a random U fan pat us on the back for our bravery, but seriously folks, we are just representin'. We don't want to start anything! And now those old BYU fan stereotypes have started to creep back up. BTW, its just the BYU fans I don't know who feel the need to come up and make some snide comments that bug the crap out of me - not my good friends who happen to be BYU fans.

We were so fed up with Utah county and the BYU fans down there that we decided to go back up north and watch the Utah away game at Iggy's Sports Bar on the TV. At least we can hang with fellow utes and get a break from the crazy BYU fans, right? NO. A lady I had never met before was sitting at the table next to us while Justin and I were being seated. She was about 55 and was there with her whole family it looked like - kids, grand kids, etc. Now you tell me if you can't blame me for being a little miffed at crazy BYU fans:

Me: (seeing the lady staring at me) "Hi"

Lady: "Don't worry, we won't beat you up!"

Me: "Oh I'm not worried, lady"

Lady: "Haha...Ha....Ha......Oh...."

I think she got the point. But honestly, people. Who SAYS that?

And didn't BYU get a spanking last night from TCU?

GO UTES!!!!

Horsey Ride

2008-10-16T11:34:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago our friends intived us to go horse riding up the canyon with them. 4 hours and two bruised bums later (Justin and I aren't regular riders - I used to be when I had my own horsey, but due to an almost life-threatening accident I had to get rid of Bandit, aka "Satan"), we finally made it down the mountain. It was a blast and the fall scenery was beautiful!

I Caved....

2008-09-27T07:16:00.000-07:00

ALRIGHT ALREADY!!! I gave in. No sooner had I bragged about my "no TV" streak than I caved and plugged the dang thing in! I just couldn't resist the presidential/vice presidential debates. Not to mention General Conference coming up and the U of U games. Fall is a bad time to try to detox off TV. I still hate TV, though. I guess you could say its a love/hate thing.

45 days

2008-09-26T21:55:00.000-07:00

That's how long it has been since I have watched TV. If you know me well, you know that reaching this number did not come without a major sacrifice. I love TV. TV is my best friend. TV puts me to sleep. TV lets me come home from work and just blaaaaaaahhhhh the rest of the night away if I want to. When Justin and I moved, we decided we would go without TV if we could. Yes, WE decided that. I agreed to it and so far this TV detox hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. I do miss the Today's show in the mornings while I am getting ready for work, but other than that I have managed to survive. In fact, I don't really have much of a desire to get my beloved TV back. Actually, we technically still HAVE a TV. A pretty nice flat screen sitting right in our front room in the entertainment center. Its just unplugged. And the rest of our TV's are in storage. Now that is will power!
Its amazing how much you can get done when there is no TV! Laundry is folded, dishes are washed, carpets are vacuumed, thank you notes are written, dinner is made. Now if I can just get myself to the gym....

Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls

2008-09-26T15:36:00.000-07:00

We hiked up to Stewart falls again this year. It was beautiful. Here are some pics:

Now that fall is here....

2008-09-24T13:05:00.001-07:00

...I thought I would post the rest of our summer pictures, finally!

Happy Anniversary:

Justin surprised me for our 1 year anniversary by taking me to La Caille for dinner! Justin had the steak and I felt sassy, so I order the duck. It was Justin's first time eating a La Caille and I think he was a little shocked at the prices. Under one of the entrees (lobster), where the price is usually listed it said:

"Financing Available"

Oh those French have a good sense of humor!

They also gave us a free dessert, because it was our anniversary. Don't expect La Caille to do anything ordinary. Instead of a candle, there were fireworks on top!

And yes, that is our wedding cake - 1 year later. Justin's mom kept it back east for us in her freezer and surprised us by mailing it to us so we could have it for our anniversary. And it was surprisingly very good! Thanks mommy Taylor!

Park City/Deer Valley

2008-09-24T12:51:00.000-07:00

For the past few years the Tab Chior has done a concert outside in Deer Valley at the bottom of the ski slopes with the Utah Symphony. My dad sings in the chior, so we like to go and support him. It is beautiful up there. We fit right in with the artsy fartsies with our cheese and baguette dinner on our blanket.

Alpine slide with some friends. Justin and I raced again (we raced last year)

Score:
Melissa 2 for 2
Justin 0000000000000!

Newport Beach with the Steadheads

2008-09-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

We celebrated the 24th of July by going to Newport Beach with the Steadman Family for a week! It was Justin's first time to California - he being an east coaster and all.

SEVEN

2008-09-11T14:05:00.000-07:00

IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO WERE LOST........

SEVEN YEARS!!! Can you believe it has been seven years?!?!?! I remember like it was yesterday, and yet in my daily routine, I froget to to be greatful for this amazing country that I live in. I know that some of my views may not be shared or even popular but I am PROUD to be an AMERICAN! I belive that regardless of how the media portrays the USA we are a good GOD fearing nation and when push comes to shove we will stand up for what's right, and do what we have to do to protect that freedom. So if you haven't already today, call those you love. We are not out of the fight yet and won't be until the the 'ultimate fight' is over but let us not live in fear but in HOPE, not in shame but in GRATITUDE. I guess that leaves just one thing to say- GOD BLESS AMERICA!!! --Justin

The Other Side of the Story

2008-08-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

So, Justin and I are ok. I should have maybe put that in the previous post. Basically what happened was, Justin was driving home from work around 5:30 in the middle lane on I-215 and a 17-year old girl's tire next to him blew, forcing her into him and subsequently into the wall and sign. Air bags went flyin'! As you can see from the pictures, her car ran into his door and luckily the sign just missed the windshield. Justin didn't have a scratch and the girl was ok too. He is sooooo lucky! We were hoping so bad that the car was totaled. We did not want to be driving around in a car that had been in that bad of a wreck! Luckily the insurance company totaled it!

The funny thing is, I was complaining that very day about the seriously cracked windshield and not wanting to pay $500 to replace it, seeing as though it was only 4 months old! How the windshield got cracked is a whole other story - lets just say we hate driving behind 18 wheelers carrying rocks! And the city/county paying for car damage done by debris in on the freeway??? Forget it!

Anyway, at least we didn't have to worry about replacing the windshield or the dents and scratches on the hood of the car from the rocks, because now it was totaled!

To add insult to injury, the scooter was in the shop getting repaired and my jeep decided it needed a new rotor-gasket-whatever - who cares what it was, it was so expensive to replace! So with ALL of our vehicles in the shop and the bad luck we have had with cars this year, everyone said we should just get a chauffeur. Not a bad idea! But since Justin isn't P. Diddy and thank goodness I am not Britney Spears, we settled on selling the Jeep and just getting one car for now. We just really don't need 2 cars right now - especially with the scooter in the warm months. Maybe one car will decrease the odds of accidents, repairs, car insurance, speeding tickets - oh did I forget to mention that?

We'll save that for another time. The good news is we are safe and couldn't be happier together.

WTF???

2008-07-30T21:00:00.001-07:00

Hey. Member that one time when both Justin and I blogged about the crappy car troubles we have been having this year?

May I present.....our four month old car parked on I-215 with the 2000 East exit sign on top of it: TOTALED

And we thought we were having car troubles. Ha!

Justin and Melissa's Summer of Fun!

2008-07-12T14:10:00.001-07:00

Here's a little snapshot of what my best friend and I have been doing this summer:

Green Family Reunion at Deer Valley

We took a tram up to the top of the Deer Valley Ski Resort to do a little hiking

Overlooking Jordanelle Reservoir

The Dudes

The Chicks

Justin doing his impression of Karate Kid, "Yes, Sensei."

Trying NOT to fall

There was still quite a bit of snow up there.

Its not a trip to Park City if you don't stop by the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and get a piece of seafoam and an "Apple Pie" caramel apple

Star Valley, Wyoming

Justin had a softball tournament up in Star Valley with his old mission companion and our mortgage broker. They won! Here are some pictures of Star Valley. I've always driven through it on the way to Jackson Hole but never stayed. It's beautiful. BTW, I wonder where they got the "Hole" in Jackson Hole. Anyone else ever wondered that?

"Annual Steadman, Grandchildren, Graduation, Dinner!" at Archibald's in Gardner Village. Last year Justin proposed to me at this dinner. Now we have 2 new members to add to the family: Justin and Brianna.

Crazy Cousins

100 mpg baby

2008-06-07T07:41:00.000-07:00

So about a month ago Justin took me to a bike shop in American Fork to "look" at scooters. I was naive and thought we really were just going to look at scooters and then maybe ride a few just for fun. Um, no.

Justin pretty much had been scoping out these scooters for some time now and had every intention of buying one that day. Ha. I was like, "why do we need to drop a wad of cash on something we don't need when we are in the middle of buying a house???" Then we test drove one. Has anyone ever driven one of these things? WAY easier than the 1980 Honda 80's that I first learned to drive at my cabin with 3 gears that you have to change, heavy as crap, and if you happen to tip over on one, well...its over.

Justin was pretty quick to tell me all the good things about getting a scooter and as soon as I heard that it only costs $4.00 to fill up the tank and that it will get 100 MILES PER GALLON -that deserves repeating- 100 MILES PER GALLON!!! - I was sold. We bought it right then and there and we have loved having it!

We take it everywhere we possibly can instead of the cars. We drove it from the point of the mountain all the way down to Rice Eccles Stadium on the frontage roads to watch David Beckham play Real Salt Lake and it only took like 15 minutes longer to get there than if we had taken the freeway, plus you basically park wherever the heck you want in that thing. We go on all our dates on it, plus you get these sweet nerdy half-helmets to wear and when you catch your shadow while you are riding, you look seriously ridiculous but it is so fun! Justin and I joke about getting chaps and skull-and-crossbones jackets just to look stupid. I think last month we saved almost $200 in gas.

So now we have 4 vehicles - we are still trying to get rid of the piece of #$%& Acura - but I love the scooter.

10 REASONS TO GET A SCOOTER

1. 100 mpg

2. Park anywhere you want

3. Little kids think you are cool

4. 100 mpg

5. Comes with sweet helmets - anyone ever seen Wedding Planner? (Mossimo)

6. Your husband can pretend he's riding a Harley Davidson - Justin knows this is the closest he'll get to one any time soon

7. 100 mpg

8. You can do the cool motorcycle nod to the other bikers out there

9. It has a sweet racing stripe

10. Oh, and 100 MGP!!!!

Beep beep

Race for the Cure

2008-05-20T20:36:00.001-07:00

Last weekend Justin, my mom, and I did the annual "Race for the Cure" for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Its a 5k walk/run that we do with the whole fam ever since I was diagnosed. Last year we had a whole entourage show up, but this year we procrastinated a little and only the 3 of us could make it. No matter, it was awesome as usual! For those of you who do not know about this race, it is incredible. Thousands of people show up to the Gateway Mall at 8:00am in the morning to show their support for family and friends who have battled breast cancer. This year we hit a record with 20,000 people! The experience is indescribable. The foundation provides pink signs for everyone to pin on their backs with the words "In Memory of" or "In Celebration of" and then you can write someones name on it who has battled breast cancer - mothers, daughters, grandmothers, etc. Some people write some pretty hilarious things on them too. I think the best one I saw was on some guy's back that said "In Celebration of...Boobs!" And people get seriously decked out for this thing! Pink Boas, tutus, fairy wings, and anything crazy and pink they can find. There are all kinds of signs and t-shirts that people wear. My favorite T-Shirt said "Save Second Base," and Justin wore his "Save the Ta-Tas" t-shirt. We also ran into the "Prostate Posse." Seriously the coolest old guys I have ever seen. 90-year-olds, all wearing blue, with makeshift horses around their waists, cowboy hats and boots, all walking the race together. I love it!

After the race is over, they do a Survivor Parade and all of us survivors walk around the grounds to Amazing Grace being played on the bagpipes. We end up on the stairs by the water fountains where dozens of white doves are released into the sky. Its a very emotional moment for everyone present.

Its difficult to get through the experience without tearing up and reflecting on my life and the gift I have been given of a second chance. I am so lucky to be alive and healthy and to be able to have a sweet husband to share the rest of my life experiences with. I can't say enough how grateful I am for an AMAZING husband!!! I remember the first year I did this race, and let me tell you, its much different now! I am so grateful for my mother too. She and Justin share the spot as my number 1 fans. They, along with the rest of my family, are always right by my side and would do anything and everything for me. Thank you loves!

Here's to all the strong women who have battled this disease

To their courage through the treatment

To their bravery during times of uncertainty

To their laughter amidst the tears

To their strength along the journey

We see the fear

We experience the pain

We feel the heartache

And we know the sadness

But we see the beauty

We embrace the blessings

We feel the Joy

And we WILL find a Cure

Kristopher and Brianna's Wedding

2008-05-18T18:21:00.000-07:00

These are a little late getting up, but here are just a few pictures of Kristopher and Brianna's wedding in April.

Bridesmaids!

The newlyweds

The grandparents

Tag Team Back Again

2008-04-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

So, I got tagged. I guess that means I'm supposed to answer these personal questions and put them on my blog for everyone to see? Ok, here goes:

What is your husband's name? Justin Page Taylor

How long have you been together? Friends first, dated for 6ish months, engaged for less than 3 months, married for 7 months

Who said "I love you" first? That would be me. He didn't say it back right away, but then said it over the phone the next day - we were living 250 miles apart at the time

Who is smarter? I am smart enough not to answer THAT question!

Who does the housework? Justin does a lot. I would say he does about 60% and I do about 40%

Who sleeps on the right? Justin, and mostly backwards with his feet on his pillow and his head at the end of the bed

Who pays the bills? Me

Who cooks dinner? That's about even steven. We like to cook together

Who drives when you are together? J-dawg

Who is more stubborn? Me! Justin is so easy going. He would do anything for me

Who kissed who first? This has been up for debate since it happened! I say he did, he says I did. How do we get confused on this? It's a long story!!!

Who proposed? Justin of course. I was at Tucci's at our annual Steadman Family Dinner with all the 20+ grandkids (my grandparents take us all out together on one day of the year for all our birthdays) and we went out on the stairs in the courtyard to take a picture after dinner and there was Justin at the bottom of the stairs with a dozen red roses and a HUGE sign 2 1/2' by 4' that said "Melissa, I love you. Will you Marry me?" I was completely shocked! And the reason he was able to pull it off and surprise me was because he planned it about 2 hours before. I know him so well, that if he had been planning it any longer than that, I would have totally known it was coming. It was perfect!

Who has more siblings? Justin - he has 4. One older sister, one younger sister, and one younger brother. I have 2 bros

Who wears the pants? He has one leg. I have the other!

Tag, you're it!

Happy 30th Birthday!

2008-04-03T16:16:00.001-07:00

That's right. This is what I wake up to every morning. So can you blame me for wanting to brag a little? Happy Belated Birthday to my sweetie! I knew exactly what I was getting into when I married this guy!

He cooks, washes dishes - ours and other people's, does laundry, lets me watch whatever I want to on TV, loves my family, loves HIS family, would spend every minute with me if he could, and tells me I am beautiful first thing in the morning. He's an unbelievable friend, loyal, honest - I really don't think he could tell a lie if he tried. In fact, he did try once when he wanted to surprise me and he still couldn't do it. He's sincere, light-hearted, playful, authentic, thoughtful - the other day he brought home a new skirt for me, just because. He is always serving other people, he's humble, talented - yeah one of those people who is good at everything - sickening!, always happy, has never lost his temper, works hard, plays hard, and DANG he is hot! But most important, he really does love me.

Baby I love you so much. I don't know what I did right, but my life is a fairytale with a happy ending because of you. Happy Birthday!

P.S. I am in so much trouble for putting up that picture!

Easter Brunch

2008-03-26T17:55:00.000-07:00

The Annual Green Family Easter Brunch at Market Street Grill

Getting the ITCH!!!!

2008-03-26T15:09:00.000-07:00

Those of you who share the passion for trying to place 1' diameter ball into a 3' diameter cup in the least amount of strokes possible will understand where I am coming from. Spring is upon us and I am getting the 'ITCH'! I have suffered through the worst winter UT has had in years and I am ready to hit the links. As spring brings new life to the earth, I think it also wipes away my memory from last year... as I believe that I will play Par Golf this year. HAHAHA its funny how good we think we are before we step out on the course and make double bogey on our first hole of the year. Golf is a funny game in that it only takes one or two good shots to keep you coming back for more. The pure joy of hitting that perfect shot and sinking a birdie putt (very rare for me by the way) while only moments later throwing your club further than you actually hit your ball is undeniable!!! Being out on a beautifully groomed fairway leading to a smooth cut green is breath taking. Even though I spend more time in the woods looking for my ball than actually on the fairway, those rare shots that actually do find the short cut grass provide a spectacular view. The season is upon us... GOOD LUCK ALL!!!

"Happiness is Just a Curly Fry Away"

2008-03-21T11:43:00.001-07:00

How true that is. I saw this slogan on a cup from Arby's the other day and for me right now, happiness is merely a greasy, spicy, soggy, curly "vegetable" away. I have for the 4 time, decided to subject myself to a "cleanse." What am I cleansing you ask? I don't really know, but I'm supposed to feel good and it makes my liver happy.

Basically I can only eat veggies and fruit for 3 weeks. But if you follow the cleanse to the letter, you can't have any potatoes, corn, peas, or avocados. You know, the good, sugary, fattening veggies, if there are such a thing! Man, I am so sick of onions, carrots and brussell sprouts! Oh, and did I mention you can't have salad dressing??? Just oil and vinegar. Yummmm...

I am going on day 18 of the cleanse and yes I am totally going to cheat on Easter! The first time I did the cleanse I did not cheat once. Not even to lick my finger if I happened to spill something while making cookies for someone. Oh, I was so disciplined! My only form of cheating was to make Justin eat chocolate and then kiss me. Haha. No joke. I'm pretty sure he looks forward to my cleanses now. 3 days to go!

I LOVE MY WIFE!!!

2008-03-19T15:11:00.001-07:00

I never knew that relationships could be so healthy, so strong, and most of all so FUN!!! Well I want you all to know that it doesn't just happen and it takes some work but when you find that person; the one who'll let you be you and love you for it, yeah that person... relationships are never better. I have found mine! Meliss is the most kind, supportive, caring, fun and B_E_A_U_T_I_F_U_L woman I know. Those of you who know Meliss already know all of this but those who don't need to. She makes me laugh when I don't want to but probably should. She keeps me focused when I, as a typical guy, get distracted. She stands by me when I need her the most. MELISSA I LOVE YOU!!! This blogs for you LOVE.

Sincerely,

Your Forever Grateful Husband

Moab Half-Marathon

2008-03-10T12:15:00.001-07:00

Last weekend Justin and I went down to Moab with my fam for the Half Marathon. The original plan was for Kristopher, Brianna, Ann, Justin, my dad and me to all run the half marathon and Daniel and my mom would cheer from the sidelines. Ann, Kristopher, and Brianna are the only ones who ended up running it. We lost 3 soldiers during the training. My dad got a bad case of the flu, Justin's knees started to flare up, and I had some wacky issues with my back. 3 out of six isn't too bad. Secretly, I am not overcome with sadness that I didn't run the half marathon. I am NOT a runner. I am a dancer, yoga-er (made that one up myself), kick-boxer, swimmer, and basically any other form of exerciser other than runner. Justin and my dad ended up running the 5 mile run, and yes, I couldn't even do that.

The runners at 7am before the race

Ann crossing the finish line

Kristopher kickin' up dust

The 5 milers post-race

Finish line hug

They had a band and food after the race was over and these two hippies from the 60's IN their 60's were the only ones dancing. I tried to get the picture of him with this hands in the air and her twirling around flipping her head back, but there is too much of a delay on our camera. They still look awesome, though!

We hiked to delicate arch the next day. Although I couldn't run the 5 mile, somehow I managed to hike 3 miles. Go figure.

There are lots of piles of rocks like this along the way to help you find the path since much of the hike is not on a specific trail. There were also no bathrooms on the trail either......

There it is...breathtaking. I see this thing on the back of license plates all day long here in Utah, but to see it in real life is so magnificent. Last time I did this hike was 15 years ago. I seemed to have forgotten how powerful the "delicate" arch is in real life. Its amazing how this giant rock of sandstone can be so strong and vulnerable at the same time. It stands alone, by itself, exposed to the harsh elements that carved out this statue. Yet it remains solid. A monument to the beauty that adversity can create.

We decided to make our own arches.

"Double Arch"

Regular Arch

Not an Arch

3 Cars - I'm not bitter

2008-03-06T08:10:00.000-08:00

I hate cars, by the way. A few weeks ago Justin's sweet '91 Acura Legend broke down and needed a new transmission. Does severyone know what that means??? $2,000. We decided to fix it, since Acuras are supposed to be good cars, even though this one was brand new when I was 10 years old. We thought we would just drive it to the ground since we didn't have any car payments. So after the transmission was fixed, we were feeling pretty good because at least we have one good car, my Jeep Grand Cherokee, and then hopefully the Acura will last at least another year.

Nope.

About a week later I was in Big O Tires getting MY car looked at because the power steering was wacked out. I see Justin pulling into Big O and his car is smoking so bad he can hardly see out the windshield. All I could do was laugh. Turns out his car blew a head gasket and basically needs a new engine. Another $2,000. If any of you know how much '91 Acura's are worth, you know it would be idiotic to put any more money into this piece of crap car. So we set out to find another car, which after about a week and a half we decided on a brand new Subaru Legacy. Hopefully it will last us a long time! But what do we do with the Acura??? Now we have 3 cars and we may be making a phone call to the kidney foundation. We've got to get rid of this thing!

But we weren't done with the car troubles. When I took my car in to get the power steering looked at, they found that I needed a new power steering pump, power steering hose, rear brakes, rear rotors, and hood shocks! Why do I need hood shocks! That's only for their convienience, right? I never look under that thing! Blah!

So, we are DONE with the car crap! Why can't we all just ride bikes like they do in Amsterdam???

STUPID CARS

2008-02-26T09:31:00.000-08:00

So I am going to tell a story and I am sure some will be able to relate!!! In 2001 I was managing a place in Orem, UT called Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. I was feeling pretty good about my position there and at the time my favorite litter sister Jessica and I were sharing a car. This was a fun little Eagle Talon that had some minor problems but no big deal. So being the generous brother that I am decided to purchase a new car and let Jess just have the Talon. I looked for about 2.5 seconds and was confident that I had found the right car for me. It was a 1997 Nissan Maxima GLE. Gold in color, black leather interior, automatic everything, Bose sound system, with chrome alloy wheels. I was in love! This car was beautiful. It ran like a champ for 4 1/2 years right up until i ROLLED it on I-80 heading to a softball tournament in Richfield. OUCHHHH! I was fine but my beautiful car that had a good 100,000 miles still left in her was totaled. I was not happy! I had one more payment until the car was payed off and was worth way more than what the bank offered me. But in desperation i took the money and bought a VW Passat. WOW.... I will NEVER do that again. This is where my car trouble really begins. I bought the car from an auction (first mistake), thought i was getting a killer deal! They told me it was a 2000 VW Passat with 64,000 miles on it for $4500. I was stoked. Bought the car on the spot!!!!!!!! Then I found out what they didn't tell me- cracked head, blown head gasket, and a bad Oxygen sensor. I was so happy because all sales are final at any auction and I had no way of getting the car home:) Right.... I WAS PEEVED!!!! So I'm stuck in SLC needing to get back to Cedar City about 300 miles south and luckily found a ride with my bishop who was up for work back to Cedar. I tow the car home, not cheap, and took it to the only place in Cedar that even works on VW's. 3 1/2 weeks and $2600 later the car was ready to run. At first the car ran great, however it didn't take long before it started acting up again:( Took it back the same place 3 separate times before they found the cause of what was wrong... Long story short it took another 2 weeks and $1500 to fix that problem, so that killer deal i thought i was getting ended up being a bust. By this time I am moved up to SLC and figuring that I have fixed just about everything you can possible fix on the car so I'm feeling pretty good right? WRONG!!!

I had a Softball tourny in Delta UT about 2 hrs south west of Salt Lake and I decided to drive. Well my good friend Jeff and Melissa's friend Kira went with us. Yeah I know you can see where this is going!!!! The drive down was fine but about 10 miles out side of Delta my check engine light comes on and my car DIES... besides being completely embarrassed I was so mad i could spit! Cynthia, Meliss's mom had to drive all the way down at 10pm to pick us up in Delta. So the problem was that the oil dip stick was broken and the place i got my oil changed filled it with way to much oil. WOW i am getting mad all over again!!!!!

That was the end for the VW and my relationship... it was over i was finished. I sold that car 1 week later, which in hind sight i maybe should have waited until I had another car picked out and ready to buy, because I sold that car just wanting so bad nothing else to go wrong before I got ride of it that I did not have an alternative mode of transportation.

This is a NOVEL sorry!!!! I obviously have some issues with this topic.

I will try to keep this section shorter. So I had to find a car fro about $4,600 because that's all I had to spend on a car without having a car payment. I jusmed at basically the first decent looking car that I thought would last at least 1 1/2 yrs. Well those who know anything about cars know that Honda's are very reliable and supposed to last forever. I bought an Acura Legend which is made by Honda. And like always at first it was a great car but SOON after my transmission went and Meliss and I struggled whether or not to even fix that but we got a killer deal ($1600) and decided to go for it figuring that we would get some good use out of the car after that fix. Man we got the car back and it shifted and ran great. Yeah for exactly 1 week! Then guess what happened???? My engine blow up... what the CRAP... can I not catch a flippin' break here. It would have been another $3000 to fix that! NO WAY... SO ends the legend of the LEGEND.

Meliss and I were not real happy about needing a new car but we also were not going to get screwed over again so we decided to just go new, something with a waranty and something reliable. Hence the 3 cars! I did however call the Kidney Foundation and they are going to be picking up the Legend in a few days!

So that ends the car trouble for the Taylor's, oh wait no it doesn't.... not 3 days after we pick up the Subaru Melissa's power steering pump goes out ($700)!!!

STUPID CARS!!!!!!!

Engagement

2008-02-22T09:07:00.000-08:00

I can't think of a better way to spend Valentines, than helping my brother propose to his girlfriend! Thanks to the connections of my dad, Kristopher was able to pull off an incredible proposal. He had originally planned on proposing to her on the Salt Lake Temple grounds on Valentine's Day. When my dad heard of his plan, he made a comment that the Choir which he sings in, has their rehearsals Thursday nights and this one happened to fall on Valentine's Day. They practice right on temple square, and my dad thought he might be able to get something arranged with the choir to make the proposal more special. So, Justin, Daniel, Ann, my mom and I all went down to the tabernacle with a dozen red roses for Brianna, hid in the "cry room" in the back, and waited for Kristopher and Brianna to come into the tabernacle to listen to the choir rehearse while they waited for their dinner reservations. After the choir warmed up for about 20 minutes, the President of the Choir, made some opening announcements before the rehearsal got underway. In the announcements he mentioned that in order to remind everyone what Valentine's Day is all about, there are two special guests in the audience. Then he introduced Kristopher and Brianna and said, "Go ahead, Kris." Kristopher then got down on his knee in front of the whole choir and orchestra and asked Brianna to marry him. The women of the choir started gasping, and clapping, and then the whole choir and orchestra started singing "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" for Kristopher and Brianna. The rest of us ran out of the "cry room" with the roses and hugged them and took pictures and videos. It was such a fun way to spend Valentines. Congratulations Kristopher and Brianna!!

Happy Valentine's to my sweetie!

Waiting for the happy couple to arrive!

Hiding so they can't see us through the glass!

Engaged!!!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

2008-02-03T08:24:00.001-08:00

Justin plays 2nd base for the Young Guns, a softball team from Southern Utah in the Men's U triple-something-or-other league. They play about twice a month and I LOVE IT! Mainly because we get out of the snow and down to the warmer weather in St, George, Vegas, and Mesquite. Don't get me wrong, I love to watch my baby play, but 8 games of softball in a row can get a little...hmmm...well, you know. Love you babe!

Hottie

Stretchin'

Me and Ali "watching" the game

Our Friends, Todd and Jenica

Sledding and Snowboarding

2008-01-08T19:13:00.000-08:00

The title of this blog says sledding and snowboarding, but as you can see we are not snowbarding in these pictures. Justin bought me snowbaording gear for Chirstmas and he took me to Brighton to snowbaord for the first time. He took some videos with our killer new hi-tech video camera, but its too high-tech, we can't figure out how to upload them on the computer! So all you get are dumb sledding pictures for now. Also, that is why this posting is so old. We've been trying to upload those dang videos for almost a month now! More to come...

Some pics of Justin and I sledding in Daybreak with friends from our ward. As you can see, not the best snow for sledding. We gave up after about 1/2 hour. It was so cold and the landings were narly!

Our First Christmas!

2008-01-08T15:16:00.001-08:00

Christmas Day:

The Kids on Grandma and Grandpa Steadman's Fireplace

Kids with Grandma Annie

3 Generations!

Christmas Eve:

Annual Christmas Eve dinner! Seafood! Yum! Oh, and those hats? An English tradition. Ever since Kristopher went on his mission to England, my mom has given us 'English Poppers.' I don't know if that's their real name, but they are kind of like a firework. You pull on the ends and a treat pops out with these tissue paper crowns/hats. She makes us wear them every year. Fun.

Night Before Christmas Jammies

Just playin'. Its what we do best!

Temple Square:

Visitor's Center - Temple Square. Its been a while since I've been there. They have some awesome stuff there now! An interactive model of Jerusalem, videos of the 12 with their testimonies, etc. Good FHE activity.

Company Parties:

Justin and I got invited to a company Christmas party for a company that neither one of us belong to. Ha. My hubby is just so likeable that everyone wants him at their party! We played Yankee Swap and I got a GINORMOUS can of Steven's Hot Chocolate and Justin got some Cheerios in a glass container. Boo.

Family Parties:

Grandma Steadman reading "The Night Before Christmas" at the annual Steadman Family Christmas Party

Grandpa Steadman reading Luke 2 for the Nativity Pageant

Tabernacle Choir Chirstmas Concert:

Temple Square lights after watching my dad sing in the Mo-Tab Christmas Concert with the King's Singers

Me and my baby

Me, Justin, Ann, Daniel , Kristopher, Brianna

Silly faces. Kris, you look scary!

Memories

2007-12-19T13:06:00.000-08:00

Well it is rainy and cold today!!! So I thought I would post a few pictures of sunshine and warmer times!!!! Daniel, Ann, Melissa, and myself went on a hike in August '07. Meliss and I had never climbed this hike before so we were excited and amazed as we approached this breath-taking scene!!!

We had so much fun and took lots of great pictures. So when it is too cold and dreary, i like to look at these pictures and remember what spring will bring.

I hope you enjoy them as much as we do! Feel free to visit us on your frost-filled overcast days and take a beautiful scenic sun-filled hike.

Thanks for the Giving!

2007-11-28T15:45:00.000-08:00

What a fun weekend! We spent our first Thanksgiving as marrieds here in Utah with my family and it was so nice to have some time off work since our wedding!

On Thursday we got together with my mom's side of the family at my grandparent's house for Thanksgiving dinner. My grandma always does the cooking and we all bring a dish, but this year was a little different. My grandma was diagnosed with Leukimia right after she returned from our wedding in New York. She is undergoing harsh chemotherapy treatment right now to kick its butt, so my parents stepped in and did a lot of the cooking this year with my grandpa. I was so grateful that my grandma could come home from the hospital to be with us on Thanksgiving. She is so cute. We weren't sure we were going to be able to do the dinner there or even that she would be well enough to come, but she was determined!!! Even though her strength was weak, she was planning the dinner way in advance and even had the table set a whole month before! Loves to Grandma Annie.

My Aunt Holly made this apple pie. It was freakin' huge!

After dinner we all went to see a movie like we do every Thanksgiving. This year we saw "Dan in Real Life." This is a cute movie and I highly reccomend it. It's hysterical. Justin and I are huge fans of Steve Carrell.

Ok, so this year I did something I have never done before and have never wanted to participate in: BLACK FRIDAY!!!! Don't ask me why I had the urge to go this year, but my mom, Justin and I all decided to wake up at 3:30am and go to Kohl's and Old Navy. We had a blast! I can't believe the deals we got - 50% off almost everything and we got most of our Christmas shopping done in 2 hours! And I just want to say what an amazing husband I have. He was actually looking forward to going shopping with my mom and I! And I think he had just as much fun as we did, even though he was waiting in line most of the time while my mom and I shopped! My mom is so cute. I think she had the most fun of the three of us, laughing and exclaiming how crazy it was. She now wants to make this a new tradition!

Married!!!!

2007-11-21T10:58:00.000-08:00

Lake Canandaigua

Kissy Kissy!

Kickin' up ma heels

Melissa's favorite Pic

I know it was a long day, Jess

Hot Mamas!!!

Sonnenberg Gardens

We just HAD to put this picture up. It's Melissa's aunt and her husband at our wedding. Justin says it looks like someone hired a private investigator to take pictures of them to catch one of them cheating!

My Italian Stallion!!!

We are standing on the temple grounds and that is The Sacred Grove right behind us!!!

Oblivious to everyone else around us

Justin's Favorite Pic

Beautiful Temple Grounds

We got married on September 1, 2007 in Palmyra, New York! Palmyra is Justin's home town. It was an absolutely beautiful and perfect day!!! Both our families were able to come and spend the weekend, including grandparents. The weather was perfect. Misty in the morning, sunny with big clouds in the afternoon, and cool in the evening.

We were married early in the morning in the Palmyra LDS Temple. Afterward we took pictures at the temple and then went to Sonnenberg Gardens - the oldest and largest gardens in New York - to take more pictures. Then we took even MORE pictures at one of the finger lakes - Lake Canandaigua - where we ate our wedding lunch. The food was sooooo good, and the atmosphere was amazing! After the lunch, we all gathered together for traditional Italian cooking at a backyard bar-b-q at Justin's grandma Pulicini's. It was a magical day!

We've made it!!!!!

2007-11-21T10:34:00.000-08:00

I am so greatful for Melissa, she is so ontop of things!!! I had no idea that 'blogging' was the next 'in' thing!!!! Wow were we out of the loop. Melissa wouldn't let that happen though, she has brought us into the 21st Century. We would like to welcome you all to OUR blog. What a great way to keep everyone up-to-date as to the on goings of our little family.