Well, 4 years ago today we got hitched.  It was a blizzard...Oh well, that's what we get for getting hitched in December.  Anyway, I planned a fun yurt trip for Derek and I to celebrate 4 years of awesomeness in marriage, but there were a few glitches, aka, I didn't read a few details and we ended up not being able to go.  That is the short version.  But we still spent the day skiing at Alta, had a bomber awesome lunch at our new favorite restaurant The Kathmandu (you should all go there.  Nepalese food is to die for), went climbing, and watched the Croods.  Still a good day.  But since I don't get to brag about our awesome yurt adventure...you get a photo montage instead.  Hooray.

It really got going on this trip to Moab that I randomly went on with his family.

Adventure and a love of the outdoors has been something we have always shared

We spent a summer in Moab (even though this is the La Sals) and it was awesome.

We had a bit of a scare when Derek got Catfished...but this is how our parents met and our moms were already planning the wedding.

I just really like this picture

And this one, me thinks this is my favorite one of us

So we got en'gagged' and Sven took our en'gaggement' photos in Cisco.  If you aren't a river person, you have never heard of it and will never go there

 We got hitched 12/29/2009 in the Salt Lake Temple.  It was the best decision I (and I am assuming we) ever made

 Rain, snow, or shine...we are up for fun

We went to Hawaii after I graduated from BYU (and an early graduation for him) and it was awesome.  Except for the part when I got sick and threw up 4 times...

He started running with me, and although we don't run our races together, we have done 4 marathons together

Adventure is out there: aka we took a 7 week backpacking trip in South America.  This is us in Machu Picchu

Iguazu Falls

The Patagonia

We heart climbing.  A lot.

Another favorite...why are all the favorites somewhere in Moab?

We won this mud race.  We were Power Rangers.  Hence why we won.

Adventure is out there

Spartan Race.  Don't have pics of the race, but I have a pic of the worst part...hosing down after.  You can tell by Derek's face, it wasn't pleasant

Adventures backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park

Our children...we went from none to 16 of them at once.  It was awesome.  He will be a grrrrrrr-eat dad one day

This is why I love him.  Because he is silly.  Not because he loves pickles more than any sensible human should

And he will play dress up

Dominated 5 (kind of 6) 14,000' peaks during our stint in CO

Best adventure partner ever

He graduated from PT school and I couldn't be more proud and he couldn't be more happy because A. no more school and B. he actually gets paid for working now.

Yup, it has been an eventful 4 years.  Can't wait to see what year #5 brings.  And all the rest of them as well.

Hallelujah

Yes, think Handel's Hallelujah Chorus.
That is what went through my head on Friday, December 13 starting at about 1:00 and ending at about 2:30.  But it really picked up speed at around 1:45-2:00.  Why?  Well I will give you a hint.  I didn't go to a performance of the Messiah, nor have I even listened to any of the songs this Christmas season.  The reason is far better than that.

This is the reason

Yup.  Derek is officially done with school.  After 4 years of undergrad and 3 years of PT School he is officially Dr. Storrs.  But you don't have to call him that.  But yeah, he is now a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) and I could be more proud.  I am guessing the feelings I felt were akin to how I will feel when my own children do something great like color on the wall for the first time or start to eat vegetables on their own free will and choice.  Just kidding.  But really, I am so proud of him.  He worked really really hard.  He graduated with a 3.87.  From PHYSICAL THERAPY SCHOOL.  That is not easy.  Like I said, he worked really REALLY hard.  And yes, sometimes it sucked because it felt like I didn't have a husband.  But it was worth it.  Because he is a hot commodity.  As in, he had a job before he even graduated.  

Yup.  My hubster is just that awesome.  He landed a job with IHC (for all you non-Utah people.  It stands for Intermountain Health Care and they basically own the state of Utah as far as healthcare goes. And their benefits are AWESOME.)  He is part time and PRN right now and he starts on 12/23.  Hooray.  But they think he should be transitioned to full-time within 6 months.  Pretty excited.  The rest of the story shall be told via pictures.

 

 Derek's and his parents

 Derek, Me, and My Parents

Derek with Tim and Sue Flynn.  Tim and Sue owned the PT Practice that Derek worked at in Fort Collins.  No worries, they are still trying to get us to move back so he can work there.  We will just say there was some pretty funny banter going back and forth between Tim and our parents.

It was a good day.  Now he just has to study his brains out for his Board Exam in January.  So much for being done....

Boredom

I am bored.  Can you tell? 1. What time did you get up this morning? 5:30.  The usual.  Except instead of me waking up on my own, Derek's alarm woke me....weird 2. How do you like your steak? Still mooing.  As in still part of a live cow.  Meat = yucky 3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Hunger Games: Catching Fire = AWE-SOME 4. What is your favorite TV show? Don't watch TV.  I like the news.  I watch Glee after the season has come out.  My mom introduced me to Modern Family.  But only via season on DVD 5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Fort Collins, CO.  Or somewhere in New Zealand or El Bolson, Argentina. 6. What did you have for breakfast? oatmeal with 1/2 a banana and chia 7. What is your favorite cuisine? Indian and Thai 8. What foods do you dislike? meat and dairy products and mushrooms 9. Favorite Place to Eat? Sweet Tomatoes, Cafe Rio, and anywhere with good Indian or Thai Food 10. Favorite dressing? I like to actually taste my salad 11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? Toyota Tacoma 12. What are your favorite clothes? pajamas aka sweats or leggins and a t or long sleeve shirt 13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Everywhere.   Top 10: (not in order) Alaska (Denali), India, Thailand, Costa Rica, Switzerland, Spain, Mt. Kilaminjaro, Egypt, Israel, New Zealand (again) 14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? 1/2 full of course 15. Where would you want to retire? right here where I live: close to my family 16. Favorite time of day? Morning...especially breakfast... 17. Where were you born? Salt Lake City, UT 18. What is your favorite sport to watch? Soccer and Rugby are the only sports I can watch 19. How many siblings? 2 older sisters 20. Favorite pastime/hobby? Dancing, Climbing, Running, Road Biking, Hiking, Skiing, etc. 21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? Huh? 22. Bird watcher? ZZZZZZ 23. Are you a morning person or a night person? Morning.  I start to shut down at around 9 or 10 24. Do you have any pets? I wish.  We want a dog so bad. 25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? I started a new job last month.  I am a recreation therapist at the U of U's Neuropshychiatric Institute.  And, Derek graduates Friday and has a job with IHC.  Hooray! 26. What did you want to be when you were little? A professional dancer and a mom 27. What is your best childhood memory? Too many to choose from.  I had a really really great childhood 28. Are you a cat or dog person? dog 29. Are you married? Yes. 30. Always wear your seat belt? Yes, ever since I was a little girl.  Mom and I would have a race to see who could put their's on the fastest. 31. Been in a car accident? Yes.  On Thanksgiving morning.  Someone rad a red light and we clipped the back of them.  They ran for it and there was a cop at the intersection.  Bad call on their part. 32. Any pet peeves? when people don't put their carts away at the store.  Slow drivers, stupid drivers, and when people are constantly sniffing and coughing and don't leave the room 33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? spinach, pineapple, tomatoes, peppers, artichoke hearts 34. Favorite Flower? Daisies (not gerber, just the little white ones) and any wild flower 35. Favorite ice cream? I don't do ice cream.  But I love to make vegan pumpkin ice cream 36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Does Cafe Rio count?  That is about as fast food as I get 37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? None.  96% baby. 38. From whom did you get your last email? Found it online 39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? None, I don't believe in debt.  I think it is irresponsible.  But if I had money to pay the card off immediately...probably, REI/Patagonia and this awesome eclectic furniture store at Gardener Village that I can't remember the name of. 40. Do anything spontaneous lately? Every day.  Randomly left cookies on a neighbor's door step... 41. Like your job? Love it! Recreation Therapy is my passion 42. Broccoli? Yes please 43. What was your favorite vacation? The Patagonia and Peru 44. Last person you went out to dinner with? Family. 45. What are you listening to right now? Man of Steel 46. What is your favorite color? Orange and Teal 47. How many tattoos do you have? None. 49. What time did you finish this quiz? 7:45 pm 50. Coffee Drinker? nope.  But I love the smell of it. 51.  First thing you did this morning: Go to the bathroom.  You asked... 52.  My greatest strength: My ability to love and forgive 53.  My weakness: impatience/try to do everything myself 54: Weekend plans: Derek's graduation etc. and Christmas Party on Friday, Work on Saturday and Sunday  55. My guilty snack pleasure: cereal.  granola. 56.  My first kiss: was on the Bingham baseball field 57.  Someone who makes you laugh: Derek 58. Last book I read: Ummm, the Book of Mormon.  I don't read much... 59. I cannot start my day without: breakfast 60. My idol: don't have one 61. If I were on a desert island and could have one person with me, who would it be: Derek 62. If you could have 3 wishes what would they be: Health for myself and my family, money for my needs aka able to do what I want when I want and never go into debt, and........to have a family and be a stay at home mom with kids, a garden, chickens, and to do my art. 63.  One word to describe me: loyal 64. Surprising fact about me: I bought tickets to Celine Dion when she came to SLC and then couldn't go because of a dance performance.  And having to sell those tickets was the most horrible things ever and I want to see her in concert SO BAD 65. Favorite object in your room: my bed 66. Do you own guns: Let's not open that can 67. What flavor do you add to your drink at sonic: Don't know, never been 68. Do you get nervous before Dr. Apts: Yes, you'd think I would be good at them by my age.  But I always worry that I am going to get bad news.  Or that I am going to have a cavity for the first time at the dentist. 69. What do you think of hot dogs: There are no words to explain how despicable they are 70. Favorite song: Glory Bound by Martin Sexton 71: What do you drink in the morning: Water and tea (sometimes) 72. How many push ups can you do: Um...depends on the day.  In a row.  20-30 73. Can you do a pull up: 1 or 2 74: What is your favorite piece of jewelry: My wedding ring.  It is all I wear. 75: Do you like blue cheese: Nope, nor any other cheese 76: What is one trait you hate about yourself: I don't hate anything about myself 77: Middle Name: Ann, but I changed it to Paxton when I got married 78: 3 things going through your head at this moment: I am thirsty, this movie is really cool, I want Derek to be done with Young Mens 79: 3 thins you bought yesterday: Triscuits and Peppermint Tea.  Only those 2 things. 80: 3 drinks you drink regularly: water, water, water, and tea sometimes 81: 3 foods you eat regularly: green smoothies, cereal/oatmeal, almonds/peanut butter 82: Current worry: family 83: Current hate right now: constant thirst 84: Who do you spend Christmas with: my family 85: How do you bring in the New Year: with friends if I am awake 86: Where would you like to be right now: In my own house, not my parents 87: 3 people who will complete this: hopefully no one 88. Do you own slippers: Yes, 2 pair.  Awesome mocaisins and slippers Ali made me for my birthday 89. What shirt are you wearing: long sleeve gray pj shirt 90. Can you whistle: yes, but it took a lot of practice 91. Right or left handed: right 92. Would you be a pirate: Sure? 93. What songs do you sing in the shower: I try not to....but sometimes Celine and I belt it together 94. Favorite girl's name: Annabelle 95. Favorite boy's name: Paxton 96. What is in your pocket: no pockets.  In pj's 97. Worst injury you've ever had: Ummm....I bruised my lung.  Hurst my hips/kneem but no breaks.  I've had some wicked ankle sprains 98. Do you love where you live: Yes and no. 99. How many TVs do you have in your house: My parents have 2 100. Who is your loudest friend: I have many loud friends 101. Does someone have a crush on you: I hope my husband does 102. What is your favorite candy: don't have one 103. Favorite sports team: Real Salt Lake 104. Where is the next place you want to travel to: Anywhere I've never been 105. What were you doing at 12 AM this morning: Sleeping 106. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up: I recapped my dreams from the night before