Return from AK

He's finally home! Jake had a blast in Alaska this September. He loves the wilderness and all the joys of hunting. He had wonderful hunters and luck with the big game. I'm so relieved he's home safe now. Picking him up from the airport is my favorite day of the whole year! It's 10x better than Christmas.

Once he was home we caught up all day and just relaxed. It's so nice to have him all to myself again. We had the whole weekend to be together and do whatever we wanted. We went out to dinner, to the new house, baby blessing. When he saw the progress on the house he was so excited. They finished the exterior while Jake was gone.

Airport 9.24.09

Jake and Rodrigo with moose

Jake, Rodrigo and Chris with Griz

Jake and Dave with moose

Jake and Chris fishing

Maily Watson

It was back to the grind Friday and Saturday. We picked up the tile and wood floor and got to work. Jake and I had the mud room and both bathrooms tiled quick. Jake worked on the fancy patterns in the shower and around the tub. It looks so amazing. I don't know how he figures out all those tricky pieces. I just cut the tiles for him and watched him do his magic.

Mud/laundry room

Master bath

Master shower

I'm grateful to have such a wonderful husband. Jake is great at everything he does. He's so sweet to me and always makes sure I'm happy. I can always tell how much he loves me. Building this house has been very stressful at times and Jake just keeps us going. We're almost finished. Probably around 20 days or so we will be in! Crazy to think, but we're rounding up all final work. We are estimating our move in 3 weeks.

Skipping Ahead

The house is almost finished! The floors and cabinets are about all that is left. Jake is going to Alaska for a bit on Monday and he will finish the rest of the house when he comes home. Then we will be ready to move. Our contractor will finish the exterior while Jake is gone. But see our progress? It looks so different every day.

Sheet rock and textured walls. One picture is enough, let's get to the good stuff.


Paint and light fixtures

This is in our room. I love the rope lights around the tray ceiling.

Landing out back door.

This is the wood for the kitchen floor and our cabinets

In the meantime...Jake's mom made us the most beautiful blanket, just because. Isn't she sweet?! She is such a seamstress. It is so beautiful, I don't know how she finds time. I love it on our bed.

A picture says a thousand words

It really looks like a house... our house! The progress is amazing. I can't take pictures and update the blog fast enough to keep up. Every day something new is in and it looks different. These a few of my pictures since Pioneer Day.

I helped Jake sheet the trusses before everyone came to help put them on. The crane came a couple weekends ago and the Kendal boys again and James to set the trusses. It was crazy watching everything happen so high. I still can't believe no one got hurt. Amy and I threw the boys anything they needed while they balanced on top of the walls.














Jake built my stairs and landing into the mud room.



Tayli and Amy


Here's how it looked at the end of the day.

Pioneer Day

This was probably the best pioneer day ever! Jake's awesome buddies came up to help frame the house and they worked like lightning. I have never seem such team work. We were even lucky enough to have overcast skies the whole day. It seemed like the perfect day. Here's what we started with and then the finished product by the next afternoon. They had fun working together and hanging out and I loved every moment, seeing wall by wall turn into my beautiful home!

Here's the dream team on the second morning.

First wall of the day... ever. Main bearing wall.

Floor joyces on. Mud room progressing off the garage.

Floor is on all exterior walls up. Mini hole for stairs.

Garage.

Interior walls almost all up. This is looking down the hall from living room.

This is our kitchen.


Bedroom.

Living room.


This is the mud room/ laundry.

Cold storage.

Basement.

Picture from the road. Aren't these guys amazing? Jake and I couldn't be more appreciative. We love this time in our life and couldn't do it without all the help we've been given. Thanks Leon, Miles, Juck, Andrew, Chris, Jaren for the awesome work this weekend!

This weekend we'll be working on the trusses for the roof.

Starting a New Life

With Jake out of school and being the handy man he is, we decided to put his skills to our own use. We're taking advantage of the tax credit from the government and building a house! We pondered on many different lots and locations but finally decided a few weeks ago on this beautiful lot up against the east mountains in Smithfield. The house plans are just the way we want them, we couldn't ask for anything more. It's our dream home!

The progress has been quick paced. They started digging a week ago on Thursday and look how far they've come! I can't make color decisions fast enough.

Here she is! All marked up ready to dig.

During all the digging.

Footings drying.

Forms holding in the cement while they pour the foundation.

Foundation all set up. Getting some plumbing and window wells. This is what is looks like now.

It's a very exciting and STRESSFUL process. But we love looking forward to the finish, which will probably be by the end of October. Jake and a few buddies will be framing it in a week. Jake will also do the roof. And we... mostly Jake will do the floors and finish work and cabinets when he gets home from Alaska.

More exciting news.... I got the job at the hospital! It was nice to have my first day yesterday. We have so much to be grateful for, especially all the people helping us.

Independence Day

Jake and I had a great 4th of July holiday. We grilled some burgers and went up by the Stadium to watch Logan's spectacular fire works show Friday night. Saturday morning we drove up to Jake's family's cabin in Black Smith Fork canyon and had breakfast with the whole clan. It was fun to see everyone. We stopped by the Hyrum parade after breakfast with our niece and nephews to make the mad dash for candy in the street. Kids make everything so fun!

I threw a bridal shower with a couple of my friends for soon-to-be Mrs. Carrie Belnap. The four of us have been a little click since early high school. They are my besties. Jake finished my parent's pantry while we played at the shower. Look at a little bit of his work. He also did all the closets and floors. It all looked amazing. It's he so handy?

On My Way

I received my results for my radiology board examination... I PASSED! What a relief to have that over with. I worried for weeks. Logan Regional has a job position available in the x-ray department. Once I receive my license in the mail from the State I can apply for the job! This is what all my education has been for and I'm excited to finally get to use it. I still have until next Spring before I graduate from my program, but it's so nice to have the oppurtunity to work now. Wish me luck!

09 Graduate

He did it! Jake's a College graduate! He's worked so hard to get his degree and he is finally done. He has earned a bachelor of science degree in Agricultural Business and a minor degree in Spanish. What a guy! I'm so proud of him. He has wanted to give up so many times but he never did. We are so relieved he is done and educated. It will be such a blessing to have that degree the way our economy is. Graduation day was great. It was very formal and short. We even had both our parents there. We appreciate everyone's gifts and support! Here are some pictures from that day.

Jake and his Dad. Handsome guys!

Jake receiving his diploma from the Dean of the college of Agriculture

Here is Jake with the other Agbusiness graduates

Other exciting news... I took a limited board exam for a license to take x-rays on the 5th. Here are the flowers Jake set out for me the day before my test. I was so nervous! Isn't he sweet? I haven't received my results yet, but hopefully I can work at the hospital soon. I plan to graduate from the radiology program next spring and received my RT license then.

Spring Rush

Jake and I feel like we've have been running a 100 miles an hour for a few weeks now. Time doesn't seem to slow down in our busy life. With spring semester winding down for both of us, we have plenty of homework and studying to do for our finals. Jake's been searching for a job because he's about to GRADUATE! We're so excited. I've been working on his announcements and getting everything he needs for the celebration. I'm so proud of all his hard work!

Here's a few pictures we've taken lately.

Snowmobilling up Cub River with Chris and Kelsey. I'd never ridden a snowmobile. It was so fun!

I got huge air! sort of.

Jake's in the red. Chris is in the yellow they really do get "huge air!"

Here's a shot of our cute, little Turtles! They're are so fun to watch swim around.

Jake's so excited to start his turkey hunt this Saturday! And we're ready for our Easter Holiday on Sunday. It seems to always be such a spiritual day and a time to reflect on our Savior.

ReXbUrG

We had an eventful trip to Rexburg a few days ago. We made the 2 1/2 hour drive ultimately for Jake's cousin Tanner's wedding. But we planned a few other fun activities. We stayed with my friend Liz and her cute little family, Brett and Avery. We had so much fun playing Wii and basketball up on campus. We felt out of place since our gym clothes didn't match the other BYU Idaho students! :) The next morning we met Jake's parents @ the luncheon for the soon-to-be couple, very delicious. Then to kill time we went to a flee market. Luckily we did because we wouldn't have found our new TURTLES! Sorry I don't have a picture. But they're about the size of a half dollar, and they're sooooo cute! We named them Rex and Colada. The sealing was wonderful, the temple was beautiful and the weather... frigged, bone chilling, painful. :) But don't we look warm?

Smile Jake! He was hungry...

After we got home that night Jake got to shoot for a new car at the Aggie basketball game! He made his lay-up and foul shot, but couldn't quit pull off and extra 3 pointer and half court shot in 25 seconds! He did so awesome.

Delivery

Jake came home the other night with a surprise from his parents. I was shocked when Jake and his friend came through the door with their hands full! After a few trips to the truck and back look what I had in my living room.



Sweet Leon and Becky gave us a new mattress set. We had been indecisive about a wedding gift (I know like almost two years) and they just decided to get it done.

Here's the finished product. I have to use a little hop to get in bed now. It feels so fancy. Thanks so much, we love you!

Jake's newest piece...

TADAAA!


We had a wonderful Valentines Day! We both had to work a little during the day but we're grateful for the opportunity to work. (A simple blessing you can't take for granted.) We had decided earlier in the week that for Valentines we wanted to just grab some yummy Pizza Hut and watch our favorite team on t.v. (GO AGGIES) So we got an amazing deal at Pizza Hut. Two medium pepperoni pizzas for $8.60! Yeah ask them to give you a "real deal" and they'll cut your bill by $5! And I made some fun "love cake." Who doesn't love a night to stay at home with your best friend and relax?

Unfortunately the Aggies lost after a 19 game winning streak but we're fans none-the-less. And.... the newest addition to Jake's crafty collection......

So beautiful right?! Well as skilled as he is... he actually just sanded and repainted it. It used to be white. Our sweet friends Chris and Kelsi gave it to us and Jake vowed to fix it up for me. Look how he scuffed the slats and edges. I love, LOVE IT, and I LOVE my Jake!

Spontaneously Sweet

Jake does more than enough to show me he loves me everyday. But look at this sweet, little suprise I found when I can home the other day.

He also jumped right on my request for a larger bookshelf. He cut it all out at the shop and had me a new one the next day!

Before

After

Jake's friend made this for us for Christmas. Jake and I loved it so much, he made one for my family for Christmas. Really creative!

I need to keep a record of all these wonderful things Jake does for us. He's such a handman and I love bragging about him. Don't forget Jake's other passion.... hunting/fishing. Here's Jake sturgeon fishing with my dad in Hegerman, Idaho over the weekend.

Our friend hooked Jake up with some great duck hunting just last week. He conveniently forgot all about class and played outside with his gun all day! He came home so sunburned. Little boy.

And he's been begging me to take pictures of this old boat he restored. It's absolutely amazing. I'll post that soon.

Vomit, Diarrhea, Dehydration...oh my

Here's the aftermath of Jake's 24 hour illness. Luckily Walmart is 3 minutes away and they never close! Good wifey. I made some apple pie at his request to celebrate his recovery. I waited a couple days so he wouldn't purge that too.

Our Holiday

Christmas was so fun this year. We spent the 23rd through the 26th in Burley and then through the 29th in Highland. I know... that's a lot of driving. Especially when all the roads are CLOSED and you have to take the long way around! But we were so happy to spend time with both families and not have to pay a fortune in gas. (knock on wood)

(It's a boot drier)

Jake's ready to go Duck hunting in his new boat.... (future post soon coming illustrating "new boat")


I definately got spoiled as well. This was just the best shot with my new running shoes.

My little sisters were a hoot Christmas morning! (as always) They are so fun to be with. I love being the big sis.

We had a sleep over in Highland with our nieces and nephews. They were so excited to have us. We watched Karate Kid!

We went to a party with all Jake's hunting guide buddies. Check out all those good lookin guys.

Other great things we did not captured on camera:

1. Body Worlds... AMAZING. I know my focus now is a little more centered on bones but I can't say I HAVEN'T studied the whole body in my day. Love it all!

2. Loa (a.k.a. Jake's favorite place in the world! Jake's grandparents live there. He spent Summers there working on the farm. He wants us to live there.... now you're filled in.

3. New Years Eve! We watched the Aggies win in over time in the Championship game at the Duel in the Desert tornament. Then counted down with some friends after.