Together time

I can't think of the last time, (besides on vacations this summer), Steve, and I had more than 24 hours together. Crazy, yes. He's been working hard so we could get a little ahead and also so that he could support me while I've been at home, looking for and waiting to start up my jobs...that I now, thankfully, have 2 of.
Anyway, the other day he had called me while he was at work and with a torn down and broken, sad little boy voice said he was watching the guys at work play volleyball, while he sat it out. He told me that about a week before while he was lifting a patient in to the ambulance on the stretcher, he heard his knee pop really loud. Then it started giving him a bit of pain. (He didn't say a word about it to me, though... I'm learning everyday how much of a non-complainer he is, -opposites do attract :)) So now, a week later while he was playing volleyball, he had landed on it funny or something and the pain got even worse. With another 1/2 day of work at the fire station to go (filling in for someone), he toughed it out and then came home for the next day and a half. We had 36 hours together!!! I tell you what, practically all of those 36 hours together we were absolute bums- and we loved every minute of it:) (He had done some research online and pinned it down to believing he had perhaps a bit of a torn ACL.) Aside from the consistent icing his knee we had to keep track of, we did what felt like absolutely nothing!!! We did do a lot of blog stalking, face booking, napping, playing chess, talking, reading and just laying in bed staring at the ceiling. And no, I wasn't hurt at all. I just wanted to be with my husband :) It was so great.

about our names

steven is the #18 most common male first name

0.78% of males in the US are named steven.

Around 955500 US males are named steven!

source: namestatistics.com

crystal is the #102 most common female first name

0.207% of females in the US are named crystal.

Around 253575 US females are named crystal!

source: namestatistics.com

A little family visit

In our BYU touring limo of a golf cart. Nice how the only face you can see is mine. FYI: Mom, Holly and Dallin are also in there.
Silly Holly... your toe ring got you stuck in the blanket :)
Steve and I enjoying the luncheon.
This was funny. We went "back to school shopping" at the outlets between the luncheon and the reception for me. Holly and Calli wanted to go too. So Steve, seeing how this could be boring for them made up a contest. Who ever could pick out an outfit for the other person to wear that would make me laugh the hardest- won... no prize, just the pride of winning and a little laughter. They took it and this is what they came up with. It was a tough call, but that yellow afghan shawl had to be appreciated.
Little sis and little bro. One of the moments we caught of Dallin not eating the reception food :) jk.

The Fox Girls

These Foxy ladies have brought so much joy and happiness to my life. This picture was taken in the brief moment I got to see them before Carrie (right) left for the provo mtc. I hadn't seen Andrea in a year and a half as she just finished serving a mission in Michigan. My life was momentarily complete as I got to see the two of them together, like we'd had the good ole' days back again for a moment.

Lauren's wedding

We got to go to St. George for Lauren's lovely wedding day. She was a gorgeous bride, seriously gorgeous. We're so happy for them and wish them the happiest life as the newest newlyweds.

Our camping trip

No make up, a camp fire, dutch oven and my husband. Doesn't get any better than this here. Our first (and sadly, last)solo camping trip of the summer! We are so making camping a tradition as it was such a highlight of both of our family's childhood summer days.
Okay, so Steve's little camoflauge gun lighter thing ran out of whatever makes the flame and we actually forgot to bring matches, so we were left to our own resources to start a fire to cook our German pancakes. Steve impressively started a blazing fire with the coals that had been put out the night before and this here frisbee. Believe it.
Our nice and spacious little cute campsite. And Steve in his camping chair, establishing our territory. He is so funny when he's camping. He's always very manly, but it's taken to a whole new level in the wilderness. He just does everything with such thought, masculinity and pride. You have to be there :)
Our map that we had been given of the area showed a lake just a couple miles away. We decided it'd be cool to go on a hike and find the lake. So that we did, and little did we know.... half of it would be on a 99.9% grade up a mountain. Here we are not even close to the top. It really was higher up than it looks like in the background. This face I am wearing in the picture is my "please shoot me" look. Steve was a beast- didn't even sweat. The ends of each strand of my hair was soaked by the time we reached the top. Yes, it was gross.
But when we reached the top, somehow the hike up didn't seem all that miserable. There was this beautiful lake with fish jumping every second. Aside from that, it was completely silent. Lovely destination and a wonderful couple of days we got to spend with each other.

My Tough Daddy

This is my dad. Of course he is the best dad ever, because he is my dad. My dad is basically the toughest guy around. Last night, he survived quite the accident. He climbed out of he passenger side of a burning and exploding Highlander with only some singed hair and a scratch or two. It was no minor miracle. The other man involved was not nearly so lucky...at all. In the hours of sleep I missed last night after hearing the bittersweet news, I thought of how different my world would be without this man. I know that even if death phased him, he would still be my daddy for eternity. Still though... I can't imagine how difficult life would be with out him. I'm so glad God saw fit to keep him here on the earth a little longer. He's such a strength and a true friend to everyone, especially his children. He is all of ours (his 6 kids) #1 fan. Ask any of us. From this, I've found it's time to start appreciating the physical presence of my family in my life. I hope to take advantage of the time we have with one another... the reality that it could dissappear any day has suddenly become more of a reality. I'm inexpressibly grateful for the preservation of my daddy's life.