R and R

Jaren took me to the Anniversary Inn for a little R and R from the long school year. It was SO MUCH FUN!! We didn't have tons of money to do a cruise or fly somewhere fancy, so we decided to just stay at the Anniversary Inn for a couple nights and relax! We stayed at the Lake Powell suite and I couldn't believe how real it all looked. At night we could turn on stars above us, and they even twinkled on the ceiling like the real ones do in the sky!

I must say... it was one of the best little vacations I've ever had! We didn't plan ANYTHING so we just had fun playing it by ear everyday. One day we ended up going to Wal-Mart and buying games. We bought Jenga and played it in the park. (By the way... we made it to 35 stacks, see if anyone can beat that!) We watched lots of movies and ate at fun little places.

This was just what I needed! Thanks Jaren!

Graduation

Weber State Dental Hygiene Class of 2010







I am now officially graduated with my Bachelors degree. It is the best feeling! President Monson spoke at our graduation commencement. He did such a great job! I am so grateful to all my family and friends who have supported me along the way. I could not have done it without them!... Especially my amazing husband! School was definitely not easy, it took a lot of sacrifice and dedication. But in the end, it was one of the best decisions I ever made! I am so happy that I finished! Here are some pictures from graduation...





The flowers my parents gave me have toothbrushes in them!

Graduation Banquet

Yesterday was the banquet for the Weber State dental hygiene class of 2010! Woot woot!! Yes... we are graduating TOMORROW!! Our banquet was held at the Timbermine and was for the graduates, their spouse, and their parents. We ate good food, watched a slide show of all the fun times we've had together the past 2 years, and our classmates gave us silly awards. My award was quite fitting... this program did make me stress out a lot. But in the end, everything worked out! I will miss these girls so much!! They were all so wonderful and I've made some lifelong friendships! But I can't deny the extreme excitement I have to get my diploma tomorrow!!






What a fun two years this really has been!

More Memories of an Amazing Man...

Today was my Grandpa Wood's funeral. It was hard to say goodbye, but I know I will see him again. I thought it would be fun to post some pictures of him throughout his life. Thanks Crystal for these awesome pictures!


Here's Grandpa and Grandma about 6 months after they were married. Don't they look great?! They look like movie stars!



Aren't they the cutest couple?!



Here he is as a little boy! He's the youngest boy in this picture, pictured furthest to the bottom.



What a good lookin' guy!



This was taken at the bowling lanes! Grandpa LOVED to take his family bowling, we always had a great time!



Grandma and Grandpa... aren't they wonderful?!


My Grandpa was the FIRST to graduate from Weber State's Aviation program. He loved to fly! In the Air Force he worked as an engineer on B29 planes. He and Grandma traveled all over Europe, Asia, and the United States. He enjoyed sports... fishing, golfing, bowling... (He could beat ANYONE... my husband got beat by him in table tennis!) but he also had a great love for music. His heart, however, truly belonged to his family. He made time for EVERYONE. I remember countless trips to the park, museums, walks around the block, bowling, mini golfing trips... the list goes on. Grandpa loved the gospel and demonstrated to me a life full of service. I LOVE YOU GRANDPA!! I'm so lucky I was your granddaughter.

Remembering Grandpa Wood...

My Grandpa Wood passed away this afternoon. I love him very much! I feel extremely blessed that I was one of his granddaughters. My grandpa was one of my closest friends. I admire him so much and I loved to go visit him, talk to him, and hear about his amazing life.

Not only did my grandpa live an amazing, adventurous life, he also cared a great deal about the people in it. He was such a great example of a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, friend, and neighbor. My grandpa made everyone feel like they were important, especially us grandkids. My grandpa was always involved in my life, he supported me and came to my dance and piano recitals, to the football games when I would be cheering, and encouraged me in my schoolwork. But he also did a lot of fun things with me too! I credit ALL of my bowling and miniature golfing skills to his instruction. I was privileged enough to go bowling and mini golfing with him all the time... he was such a fun grandpa!

Before he died, when he was in the hospital, I was able to spend some quality time with him. He talked to my sister and me and told us many amazing stories about his life. I will most definitely be writing them down. He also took my hand and told me how proud he was of me for my testimony of the gospel, and for finishing school. I am so happy that I was able to visit him and talk to him before he passed on.

But most of all, he LOVED my grandma. They have been together in marriage 66 years! He was in the air force 30 years and they were able to travel and live all over the world! I hope Jaren and I can someday be like the two of them. I could tell how much they loved each other every time I saw them together. My grandpa left an amazing legacy, and I am so thankful to have had him in my life. He has helped me become who I am today. He was a wonderful man, lived a wonderful life, and will always be remembered.

Families are an amazing gift from out loving Heavenly Father. I know we will all see my grandpa again someday! I am so thankful for the gospel in my life. I know families will be together forever.