Bahstun

Hello, Greetings from Bahstun! We haven't written in a while cuz we've been so bussy! :) We just enjoyed an ahsum vacation in Massachusetts with Jen's family. Her Aunt and Uncle and Grandparents live on Cape Kahd (Cape Cod) out on the tip of Massachuestts. We left on Saturday the 7th early in the morning and flew to Denver and then to Baltimore and then arrived in Providence, Rhode Island. When we were down at baggage claim we heard our first really thick Bahstun accent - hence, the funny spelled words in this entry - we'll try and give you a sense of the culture. ha! It was then a two hour drive to the Cape - so it was a long but very fun day! We totally relaxed on Sunday and just enjoyed the family. Boy the humidity was amazing! Jen's hair got really frizzy! :) Monday was a packed day - we went in to Bahstun and took a tour of Fenway Pahk - where the Red Sox play. We got to sit in the Press Box where the newspaper reporters sit. We were both reporting from the Boston Globe. Braden got to ride on his first subway - on the "T" as they call it here. We saw the Boston Commons and we rode on the swan boats. We ate at a great little pizzer place recommended by a cop! It was fun finding it and knowing we couldn't get it back in Utah! On the way we saw "Cheahs" - Chears - the bar from the TV show. We then walked the freedom trail ALL over the city! It was great to see the history of Boston. We saw old grave yards, some headstones were from the early 1700's! We saw the USS Constitution - and timed our "tour" perfectly. I think it was all closed for the day when we got there, but they had this HUGE group come through that we blended right in with! It was great. After the USS Constitution we had one more stop to make - Bunka Hill Monument - we were so so tired and when we saw where the monument was Braden offered to get a cab! :) My mom asked if we would be disappointed if we didn't go see it. I gave her a big hug and said thank you! We then walked back to Quincy Hall for dinner. That is a cool place - it's just a huge eatery with foods from all around the world. Outside it has quaint shops and souvenir stores. One of the last things we did there before we left to go back was Braden found a great Red Sox hat! He is definitely allowed into the family now! :) Tuesday we took it easy again. That evening we went to a local beach on the cape. It was so pretty as the sun was setting! We played frizbee and got covered in sand! Wednesday morning Braden and Kathy (Jen's mom) left for home. Braden has finals this week and next and had to get back. We can't wait until we don't have to say good-bye anymore! TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY!! :) I hope you're all ready to party hard with us! Well, be watching for some pictures from the trip. Jen will post them soon. We love you all! See you soon!

Wedding Video Stuff

Hey Hey Hey!!!

Well, as things are beginning to get closer and closer (really that's how it's always been, just now we're REALLY excited!), we are getting down to the nitty-gritty stuff. One of those things is a wedding video produced by yours and yours truly - US!! We kind of want to take a whole new twist on the idea of matrimonial cinema and let all of you have a say in a portion. So this is what we're asking (Plus, this is a good way to get feedback, also, on the blog!):

Leave a comment on this entry and ask us any question you want about us - it can be specifically about Jen, about Braden, both, or general questions too. (i.e., how'd we meet, first kiss, holding hands, likes, dislikes, how'd we know each other was "the one", and etc.)

There's really no good or bad question. The better the question, the more likely it'll end up in the video. So c'mon, be creative and have fun! We are! Please get us the things you want to know ASAP because we're going on this next week. Thanks and we can't wait to hear from ya'll!

Luvs :)

Jen's Graduation Video

I know this is long overdue, but I've been really busy as you can imagine. But I hope you like it. Let me know what you think!

The Last Little While

Hey there everyone! So, it's been a little while since either Jen or I have written, so I figure it's about time we update you on everything that has gone on. Since Jen has been home, things have really began to roll forward. We always knew that they would, but now that we're in the thick of things, we realize how crazy things can really get. So, here's the scoop on what is happening, and what has happened, I guess, in the order they happened. Here goes.

Joe and Kathy went to Italy for two weeks. They're back now. That meant that Jen was to run the business. I helped where I could - packaging things and servicing. But through the thick of it all, Jen and I were able to spend a lot of time together. Andrew was there too. We did a lot for the wedding as well. We finally got registered at Target and Bed Bath & Beyond. That was extremely tiring and I'm glad that's out of the way. We got the invites ordered and they're on their way. Watch out for those soon. Overall, things went really quite well while Joe and Kathy were gone.

My mom, DeLanea, graduated. After about 10 years of school, she's done. No, she's not a doctor, she's a mom!! I can't tell you how proud I am of her. Her perseverance and determination are an example to everyone.

Jen got a job! She'll probably tell ya'll about it in another post, but I'll briefly explain it. It's at a place called Cedar Fort Inc., in Springville, UT. She'll be one of their graphic designers doing posters and book covers and things. It's a great job that will make things a little easier in the first year of marriage. With that said, I'll appease eveyone's frustration and say that we got an apartment. This time we're sure because we've already paid the deposit. It's a great place a few blocks east of BYU. Jen's job made the place possible.

I think that's about it really. I started school again, but that's nothing special. I'm making a website for one of my classes, so when that's up and going, I'll send you all there. Other than that, nothing much. Life is going still. Only a few weeks till Boston, then the wedding. So, we'll keep you "posted" on things happening between now and then. We love you all, and until next time...

Together At Last

Last week, a whole week ago exactly today - I (Jen) graduated from BYU-Idaho with my bachelor's degree!!!! It feels SO good! It was great, my mom and dad came up along with Braden and his parents. I hadn't thought I'd want a big deal made out of my graduating, but as it got closer, and especially when I was sitting with all the graduates in the Hart Building, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of great accomplishment. Education is so important, my dad stressed it's importance to me all throughout my growing up, and he made me promise I'd finish and get a bachelor's degree. I am honored to say I have and I will encourage our kids to do the same. Elder Ballard spoke at the Convocation Ceremony and talked a lot about communicating and being missionaries. With the technology available today, we can be missionaries and examples of what we believe every minute practically.






At the Commencement Ceremony - where I received my amazing diploma "cover," we had performances including an interesting chicken/rooster opera! All of us were wondering, "What the heck?!" It was pretty funny! :) We went out to dinner to Craigos - a great pizza buffet, then went to my apt., packed up my things, came home that night and - Braden and I have seen each other every day since!

Last Sunday, was one of my last companion's homecoming - Sister Palmer - I can't believe she's home. It was so good to see her and her Russian - AMAZING! This Sunday is the homecoming of the first girl I trained on my mission, my greenie, Sister Brunson. I can't believe how fast time goes by. I look back at my time with each of them and it didn't feel like it would end, that I would always be a missionary in Ukraine. Now, believe it or not, I have been home for just about 9 months.



Monday we received hard news that over the weekend, our "soon to be landlord" forgot about us and gave our apartment away to a couple getting married this weekend. It was really hard news to take, but I feel like we have grown a lot together because of it! So, we're on the hunt again for a new place. If you know of anything, please let us know.

Yesterday and today have been really fun! We have been taking or engagement pictures! Dad did them and now our only problem is going to be too go through like 400 pictures to find only a few as our favorites- having to eliminate!



Braden is finishing up his finals! Today was his class's film final and we watched their final movies! - and tomorrow his live "Operation game will be done and we get to play it! :) Well, for now, I'm signing off. Take care everyone!

Conference Weekend

Well, this last weekend was General Conference and it was really good. First of all, let me say that Jen somewhat surprised me by coming down from Idaho on Wednesday, a whole day earlier that usual. That was awesome. She had to finish a project so on Thursday, we got down to BYU at 6 AM!!! 15 hours, a website and a good chunk of my research paper later, we called it quits and finally got to relax. I relaxed so much, that my immune system took time off and let in a nasty head cold. As I'm writing this, I have a cool movie-announcer voice and frequently have the opportunity to blow my nose.

Anyways, we had the priveledge of watching Genereal Conference. I won't talk of any specifics, but I want to mention a few things I thought were really cool. I don't know if it's been done before, but I loved how we were able to sustain all the General Authorities. We had the chance to actually stand up and sustain Pres. Monson, the 12 Apostles, and other general authorities. The spirit, at least for me, was really strong and I knew that those I was sustaining were actually called of God to do what they are doing. Another good experience was the Priesthood Session. I overcame some early tiredness and was able to really enjoy what was said. All the messages, for me again, pointed towards knowing our divine potential - that we can be with and like the Savior and Heavenly Father. It just really motivated me to be better and to help others also.

I loved conference. Admittedly, I was always waiting for Pres. Hinckley to get up after Pres. Monson, but it was still awesome. I can't wait to start studying all the talks further.

As far as other news goes, Jen and I were able to secure our first "home." Its in north Provo by the riverwoods. For those that are interested, it's in Donny Osmond's stake. Cool, eh? Well, until next time...

Easter

Happy Easter! I can't believe it was in March this year! It was such a great Easter though - I'm not complaining. Braden's family had my family over for Easter dinner and we all brought some food. Oh, it was all so good! Then we had an Easter egg hunt in the backyard and the boys had so much fun! I took some pictures and thought I'd post them of the boys on their scavenger hunts!




Ok, from top to bottom are Braden's nephews: Jackson, Jerik, and Gibson! :)

Now this last boy had a lot of fun early that morning at my house! The Easter Bunny found him and surprised him by hiding his first "hidden" Easter Basket! :) As tradition goes at my house, the Easter Bunny finds a new tricky hiding place for our baskets each year and this year he had one for Braden! It was so fun watching him search our house! :)