Valentine's Day and President's Day weekend

My present from Brandy. He also gave me the book, Twilight. If you haven't read this series, you're missing out.

We had chocolate caramel fondue at home after we went to dinner. It was super good, but it was a huge batch so we had tons leftover.

Brandon got a call from his alarm company Thursday to see if we wanted to go to Vegas for the weekend for him to install. They comped our gas and hotel so we said yes. Plus, we've been meaning to go to Sin City for a while now, but hadn't had the time or money. We stayed at a new super nice Hilton. It's a timeshare place so it had a kitchen and beautiful interior. Brandon worked all day Saturday and Monday, but we got to go out on Sunday.
We went to Shark Reef(a small aquarium at Mandalay Bay), a bunch of malls, and at night Brandon took me up the Eiffel Tower(that's probably the closest I'll ever get to Paris, sadly.) We loved watching the Bellagio fountains from up top, but I think it's better from the street. The last picture is neat. It's of these parasols on the ceiling in the Wynn that randomly move up and down slowly. Check it out if you're in Vegas. It's really something.

This was part of my Valentine's gift to Brandon. I also made him a mini scrapbook. The game was so fun. We hadn't been to one since we were engaged, two years ago.

What an adventurous long weekend!

My First Shoot in the Studio!!!

Today was my first time shooting in a studio. It took me a few minutes to figure out what the heck I was doing, but I think the images turned out pretty good. I really like the first 2. I was super nervous last night, but I prayed that I would have confidence in the morning. Everything went smoothly, and I truly enjoyed what I was doing. The models were very helpful and did a great job. Thanks Mom and Chris for being my guinea pigs.

Great Guests - Week 2

The crew. Becca, Tim, Jesse, and Linny

Gorgeous Gals

Overexcited much?... Just kidding Tim

Cute kids(who would probably make cute kids...)

Blue steel?

Boys trying to moonwalk

Bec and I

Bec bowling

Brandon and Tim got along really well. Too bad the guys live in Tennessee.

Becca, Linny, Tim, and Jesse came to stay with us for a couple of days. Bec and Lin are my cousins, and the boys are Bec's friends. They snowboarded most of the time, but we got to hang out a little. One night we went bowling at Fat Cats in Provo, and the next night we just watched a movie at our house. Everyone got along really well, and we had a blast. We really loved having them come. You guys are more than welcome to stay with us anytime! (That goes for you boys as well!)

Great Guests - Week 1

Jenny, Katie, Linny, Me, and Lilly

Lilly with her best friends Kye Kye and Lauren

Look at those eyes!

Linny, Katie, Kylie, and Lauren came down for a couple of days. We shopped like crazy and ate even more. What a fun visit.

I've been tagged!

I have to write 10 random things about me. Here goes...

1. I have freckles on my lips.

2. I became a certified scuba diver at age 12.

3. Anything I try to cook gets botched one way or another.

4. I have canyoneered (going down slot canyons with technical rappels where permits are required) in Zion at least 12 times. One hike had 13 rappels in a row.

5. I have never dyed my hair, ever.

6. I have snorkeled with humpback whales and bull sharks (one of the 3 man eaters. Tigers, bulls, and Great Whites are the 3 if you're curious.) without a cage. Both were too dangerous to scuba dive with. I am deathly afraid of sharks (well, more of the surprise attacks,) until I'm in the water with them.

7. I have been to Hawaii 4 times.

8. My perfect day consists of hiking with Brandon, Brucey, and my camera to Stewart Falls.

9. I am really really good at body surfing.

10. I can pick things up and pinch well with my toes.

If you are reading this, YOU ARE TAGGED!

Christmas 2007

Brandon on the couch at my mom's. This was his first Maggard Christmas!

Mom opening her big present from the kids. It's a gold ring with our birthstones in it.

Jenny and Alison made Dad this sign. Cute!

Jenny, Gracie, Chris R., and Mom

Nate, Alison, Rylie, and Dad

Presents stacked high! What a haul!

Santa must've stopped here a few times...

Us at Christmas Eve dinner at Mom's.

Liller's getting ready for dinner.

I love the plates, goblets, and placemats. We've used them every year for Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner for as long as I can remember.

Troublemakers. They can both crawl now!

Our first big tree!

Rylie trying on a cute snowsuit.

Santa?

This year Brandon and I had Christmas at my house. It was really fun, but we wish Chris M. and Mitsue could've been there. Although, I'm not sure how they would've fit. The living room was crammed beyond capacity Christmas morning. I'm sad Christmas time is over again. I love the music, decorations, and happiness you feel that time of year.

Hawaii Nov. 2007

Us on the North Shore getting shaved ice from the famous Matsumoto's

Chris, Jenny, and Lillers

Alison, Nate, and Rylie

Me and Brandy at Waimea Bay. Check out those guns! Rarrrr!

We saw lots of turtles, eels, fish, and an octopus snorkeling in Hanauma Bay. We went diving too, but there were 10 foot swells so it was a barf fest.

I look ridiculous

I couldn't get Brandon out of the water

Waikiki sunset

Hanauma Bay

Dole Pineapple Plantation

So hot! Brandon at Waimea Bay. Total stud machine.

View of Waikiki from the top of Diamond Head

Jenny and Chris. I love the random guy in the corner. Peeping tom.

Manoa Falls. A hike through the rain forest to a waterfall.

Brandon and Gracie Goo Goo

My entire family(even my dad)went to Oahu in November. It's was chaos with that many people(12) but so fun. It was my 4th time to Oahu and Brandon's 1st. It was fun to make new memories with him there. The boys thought we shopped far too much, but hello, we're Maggards. That's what we live to do.