Family Fun

We really enjoyed having family here for graduation this weekend. We had such a great time trying to fit all sixteen of us into our two bedroom apartment, and visiting with everyone.

Jane and her family were here from Utah along with Toni, and Mary and her family were here from Idaho Falls, and Mom, Amber, and Shane came down from Butte. We did commencement and convocation on Friday night, and then on Saturday we had a barbecue at Porter Park, and Justin did a wonderful job on roasting our meat. I was quite proud of his mean barbecue skills.

The kids also got to play in the Spray park. It's part of the park that has fun playground type equipment that sprays water everywhere. I even went down the slide with Ainsley and Emily and got all wet.

Speaking of Ainsley and Emily, they were so stinking cute together. They like to run around and scream mostly, but they are pretty adorable. Here's a picture of them Friday night in their pajamas.

Hail the Conquering Graduate

Graduation was this weekend, and it was such a wonderful time. Graduation time is bittersweet, I think, because never taking a test again is so great, but leaving behind classes and learning so much everyday is sad. I've had such a wonderful time at BYU-Idaho, and I've grown so much here. I've had wonderful teachers, roommates, friends, and classmates. So many people here have taught me lessons I will never forget, and I am so grateful for those experiences.

I've been thinking a lot about what I've learned in the last four years, and after all this thinking I believe these are the most important insights I've gained:

1. Learn to ask the right questions in life

2. Keep your personal standards high, and never settle for less than the best you can do.

3. People are more important than things

4. It's service that counts

5. Leadership is really serving those around you

6. Never shy away from a chance to stretch, grow and change

7. The Lord knows His sheep, and He knows what they need

8. Hard does not mean bad

9. It's not about you so get over yourself

10. The greatest happiness in life comes from family

4th Of July

We spent Independence Day in Montana with the Stevens clan this year. We enjoyed the fireworks (and the rain that quieted down the rowdy Butte crowds) and the parade, and the Dobb family reunion...(even though we didn't really know anyone there). Mom made a flag cake like old times, and I enjoyed it thoroughly despite the fact that I didn't get a second piece since somebody who will remain nameless ate the rest of the cake during a midnight feeding.

Justin had his first official rousing game of marbles while we were in Montana. I beat him, but it was an extremely close game. We were tied the last few minutes of the game with both of us just needing to roll a two that last few turns.

We also enjoyed some great food being at home. Toni treated everyone to yummy KOA chicken and Mom served some delicious homemade pizza.

We only wished that more of the family could have been home.

Sleepy

So I have a gorilla that I used to sleep with every night before Justin and I got married. Moreso out of habit than attachment to the stuffed animal. After Justin and I got married I didn't sleep with it any more, until I got morning sickness alot and Justin would tuck it in bed with me to make me feel better. I guess one time I rolled over and the gorilla ended up in this position. Justin couldn't resist taking the picture.

Our Home

So Justin has been anxious for people to see our apartment. I think he said Emily particularly wanted to see pictures of it. So here are a few pictures of our little home that we've lived in for the last six months. It definitely has its quirks, but it's roomy, lets in lots of light, in a nice neighborhood, and it's within our budget.

The bathroom
the living room

the kitchen (sorry about the clutter, I think we just ate lunch when justin took the picture.)

The Lost Wedding Files

So when our photographer gave us the cd with our pictures on it, we couldn't access all the ones with Justin and his family, and a few other ones. We were tired of dealing with our photographer so we didn't say anything to her about it, we just figured we'd deal with it. However, yesterday I was on campus trying to do somethings, and I tried the cd there, and lo and behold the missing pictures were accessable. So here are a few that I really liked.

The Justin and Jill Story

I decided there are not enough pictures of Justin and I on here so I'm devoting this entry to the history of us.
We met through our singles ward. Justin was ward mission leader then later became elders' quorum president, and I was RS president so we got to know each other through ward welfare and ward council meetings. He thought I was cute so he volunteered to set up my technology for a RS activity I was having. After that he threw me a surprise birthday party...my first ever surprise birthday I might add.
Then we started going on dates. Below is a picture of us on our second date...we went on a scavenger hunt, made rice krispy sculptures, and then watched, oh yes, a family favorite on both sides: the Ghost and Mr. Chicken starring Don Knotts.
Our courtship consisted of two months (much to our surprise; we'd thought we'd date at least a year). We liked going on walks, playing with my silly roommates, running away to Wyoming, going to Montana for the 4th of July, and having breakfast picnics in front of my apartment.

We got engaged on July 24th, 2007 in Las Vegas. he proposed on the Las Vegas temple grounds, and then we went to his house for cheesecake and sparkling cider. I flew out the next day for a five month long distance engagement...sick.
We were married on December 22, 2007 in the Logan Temple, and we are oh so happy together. Just earlier today I told Justin "I can't believe how perfect we are for each other." Well, I guess that's our story.

Mesa Falls

Well we took a little trip to Mesa Falls. These huge waterfalls are located northeast of Rexburg about 45 minutes away on Henry's Fork of the Snake River. They are so beautiful. We didn't take a picture from the lower falls so these pictures are only of the upper ones. Amber was staying with us then, and although she didn't let me take a picture of her, she thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of the falls and the magnificent picnic I packed.