Love ... Is a Beautiful Thing

Valentine's Day was a few weeks ago, but it was so fun, and Daniel did such cute things, I had to post it!

I woke up Valentine's morning, and I ran into this in the bathroom:


Daniel taped children's Shrek Valentines all over the house. The biggest display was in the bathroom. But he stuck them on the computer screen, by the kitchen sink, on the front door... He even left little surprises in my purse (conversation hearts and more valentines, stickers, etc. I think I ate all the conversation hearts the same day I found them. So much for cutting back on sweets). I still haven't cleaned them up yet. The bathroom mirror still looks like ↑ that. They're still strewn about the house.

We went to Applebee's for dinner, using a giftcard my parents gave Daniel for his birthday (thanks Mom and Dad, for our Valentine's Date!!). And, of course, we had to make sugar cookies. We kind of cheated, though, and bought cookie dough ready-made from the grocery store. Trust me, they were still delicious.

Daniel, decorating his Valentine's Day Cookies.

A Tribute to the Old Man Himself

Last weekend, Daniel and I took a short trip down to California so that we could attend my Grandpa Fernandez' funeral. He passed away peacefully January 24th. The funeral was wonderful. My Dad and his two sisters did the life sketch for Grandpa, and they told all sorts of fun stories. We'll all miss Grandpa, and it was sad to say good-bye, but the funeral was more of a joyful occasion.

Grandpa was so funny! He has a great sense of humor; he made such funny comments. He would always stick his finger in everyone's ear and call it a finger holder. He loved playing games with us and taking his family out for dinners. The last time Daniel and I visited Grandpa, we spent all day with him, and he took us out for lunch and dinner, and we played games in the time in between. It was always fun to hang out with him!

He also loved treats. It's been hard on him, these last few years; with his health problems, he hasn't been able to eat the things he loves. Ice Cream. Cookies. Lemony desserts. When my dad and Aunt Lynn went out to his apartment to start sorting through things, they found the freezer full of ice cream and the cupboards and drawers full of all kinds of cookies and sweets! How delightful!

Well, we are going to miss him. But we are all glad that he's in a better place, and I think he's probably happy to have moved on. We'll miss you, Grandpa!!

Got a job, headed to Burbank!

After a tiresome search I (Daniel) found a job. And it's actually a really good one. I will be going to work with an accounting firm called King, King, Alleman, and Jensen (KKAJ).

The firm is located in Burbank, CA which is really close to where Leslie was born and where some of her extended family still live. For those of you who aren't familiar with the area, it's just north of L.A..

We are really excited! I start during mid-August so we'll be headed down there about then.

It will be really nice to get away from the cold cold cold Utah weather. In fact this morning I was thinking about how nice the weather will be so I looked it up and the high for tomorrow in Burbank is supposed to be 74 degrees Fahrenheit! Doesn't that sound awesome. Burbank is also right by Hollywood, and the headquarters for Disney is there too.

Family Pictures!

We did family pictures while in Medford with the Fernandez during Christmas break. Didn't they turn out super awesome!!
I couldn't leave out this picture of Drew.

2011

A new year! YEAY! You know, when I was growing up, I was always so sad when the end of a year came. It meant the end of all the holiday joys, along with some really good stuff that happened during the year.

But this year, something new happened. This year, I'm not very sad at all. In fact, I'm excited for the coming year. Of course, some really great things happened in 2010: Dan and my 1 year anniversary; I graduated from BYU; Dan and I had an amazing experience in Washington, D.C., to name a few. But I am excited for all of the things that will happen, planned or unplanned, this coming year of 2011. I am excited for the things that I will do and work on, and I'm excited for another chance.

How many of our friends (that means you) make New Year's Resolutions? Any good ones for 2011?

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The month of December went by way too quickly, as it usually does. I was busy with my two jobs and training for my second job, and Daniel was finishing up a rough semester. I almost feel like we missed some of the season.

We went to Oregon for Christmas and had a very wonderful, relaxing time! We watched movies and ate a lot of good food, sang Christmas songs and enjoyed buying presents for each other. I'm a little sad that it's all over, but fortunately, Christmas comes every year!

This is our little fakey Christmas tree. We got it free on KSL and then spent a little money to decorate it thus.

In the spirit of the past season, we want all of our friends and family to know how happy we are that Jesus came to this earth! What a marvelous gift God has given us for Christmas, a gift in the form of His Only Begotten Son! We know that He lived and died for us all. Daniel and I would also like to tell you that we love you. Our lives are greatly enriched by having YOU in them!

...And the "Best Husband Award" Goes To...

I graduated in April, but for the past few months I've been looking desperately for a job. I found a very part-time job teaching Spanish at a troubled youth facility. And I learn much everyday I go, but I'm really fired up about it.

Last week, I got another part-time job as a receptionist at a doctor's office. So, of course, this week I'm training all week. And I'm working full-time just to train. As you can imagine, this week has been very busy and crazy ... which is new and exciting for me!!

As you can also imagine, I'm pretty wound up right now ... and tired. So, last night, when I got home at 8:00 pm after teaching Spanish, this is what I came home to:

Daniel cleaned the bathroom (YEAY! I hate cleaning the bathroom ... it's the only chore I really have to make myself do. Sometimes it just doesn't get cleaned ... ). And, he drew me a hot bubble bath, lighting the bathroom with candles.


I'm pretty sure the last time I took a bath I was 5. I just have never done it. But when I came home, Daniel said that I needed to relax and take a little break. In the bath. Reading my book. I've decided now that it's my favorite thing ever! Any of you sisters out there with me?

And look! He even provided me a bowl full of CHOCOLATE! I was so surprised and delighted with the whole thing. I don't think I thanked him enough ... and I did it several times! I'm sure he got sick of me saying thank you.

So ... who does the "Best Husband Award" go to? DANIEL HOLBROOK!!! A MILLION TIMES OVER!!!