Quality Time Together

For the last few weeks Joel and I have been trying to get all the drywall up in our basement so that we can start the mudding and taping. And with Joel working full-time and taking night classes, we just do what we can when we have some free time. Last week Joel had spring break from school which allowed us to have more free time in the evenings, and we finally finished putting up the drywall on the rooms downstairs. Even though I can honestly say that putting up drywall, especially the ceiling, is one of my least favorite things to do...it was nice to spend so much time with Joel.

I know that I give him a hard time about projects dragging out and taking long to complete, but I am honestly amazed at all he is doing right now. He is so extremely busy providing for us and bettering his education, and still finds time to spend with me and finish our home. I am truly blessed to be married to such an amazing man.

Look at who we got to spend time with...

Today Joel and I got to watch Joel's nephew Gage. Gage is Joel's little sister Jill's son. Joel came home from work early to watch Gage while I taught piano lessons. Gage is growing up so quick and is such a little man. We sure had a great time with him.

(Uncle Joel and Gage - right before naptime)

(Aunt Jen and Gage)

Such a happy little guy. Gage is 6 months old and loads of smiles.

There is a Birthday Boy in the House...

Today is Joel's Birthday!! He is not too excited about being a year older, but I think that he still looks very young. In fact, most people who do not know us well, think that Joel and I are about 5 - 7 years younger than we are.

Joel is the most amazing person I know. I truly do feel like I am the luckiest person alive, because I get to spend my life with him. He is the best husband, and my very best friend.

I love you Joel more than anything, and hope that you have a great Birthday!

Splish Splashin Weekend

This last weekend we went to Kellogg Idaho with some friends and stayed at the Morning Star Condos. With each nightly purchase you get free passes into their new indoor water park. We went with two other couples - Beth and Wes, along with Ben and Kim. The room only came with 4 indoor water passes, so we shared the passes with Ben and Kim. They went on Friday, and Joel and I used them on Saturday. But all and all, it was just nice to get away for a night and spend time with some of our closest friends.

(Wes, Beth, Joel, Jen, Kim and Ben)
Friday night we made dinner and played some games and watched a movie.

And then on Saturday we got on our bathing suits and hit the water park with Beth and Wes.

(Joel and I getting ready to go have some fun)

The water park was very family oriented and had tons to do for children. We would love to go back with our own kids someday. But there was also quite a bit to do for older kids and grown-ups. They have a thing called the surf runner that you can surf or body board on. I chose just to body board due to everyone having sore necks from wiping out the day before we got there. Here are some pictures of Joel and Wes surfing, and Beth and I body boarding.

(Joel surfing)

(Wes surfing)

(Jen body boarding)


(Beth body boarding)

They also had a few tube rides. The one that holds four people was extremely fast and a little scary at times because you are in a pitch black tube. Lets just say there was a lot of screaming.

It was fun to be in a warm (85 degrees) indoor water park and looking out the windows and seeing snow falling. We had a great time, and are looking forward to summer even more now.

Saturdays Happenings

Joel and I had another busy weekend. It is crazy how fast weekends can fly by, and come Monday morning you are ready for another one. However, even though it went quickly, we had a lot of fun. Friday night we hung out with some friends and saw the movie “Australia”. All of my friends never listen to my movie reviews because I am not a great critic – so they say. I am very picky about movies and do not LOVE very many of them. The movie was ok; not my favorite, super long, but it had some good parts. Anyone else would probably really like it. Then on Saturday, Joel and I got up and went to the temple. I love going to the temple with Joel. It totally made the whole weekend great! It was a beautiful cold sunny day, and I thought it would be fun to take a few pictures with Joel.

Then after the temple I headed over to one of my best friends (Bev) house for a baby shower she was hosting for her sister Brenda. I grew up next door to Brenda and Bev and it is fun to get together with them and spend time. Brenda is anxious to get the baby out, but she seemed to be doing great.

(Bev, Jen, Brenda, and Gaddy - Brenda's oldest)

Saturday evening Joel went to his parents to watch his brother Justin for a few hours and I went to the one of my best friends houses to watch her two twin boys. The boys are adorable and I have so much fun with them. And then to top off our Saturday evening, Joel and I had a soccer game that started after 11:00 at night. I know…It is crazy. But even if it is a late game, we always have fun and enjoy playing with some of our closest friends. We did not play very well as a team, and ended up losing which we rarely do. We all decided to blame it on the game being so late.

It ended up being a great weekend!