14th Anniverary

Last year, we had so much fun at Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, we decided to go again for our 14th Anniversary.

The cats always crack me up when we pack to go somewhere. Usually, they try to get in the suitcases, but this time, they just sat in the tub and cried. I think they have figured out when we go away, they get a bowl of water in the tub. Its one of their favorite things. Zipper started drinking out of the bowl before Josh could sit it down all the way.

I didn't get a picture of us in the hot pools, but I had to take a picture to show that there is no snow there either. I was disappointed. We've pretty much had no snow this winter (one small storm on Christmas) and I have found myself missing the snow. I was excited to go to Idaho and see some there. So I was pretty sad when there wasn't any.

We arrived Friday night and just spent time relaxing in the pools. On Saturday, we had a Dine & Unwind package. It was a couple's massage and dinner. While at dinner the night before, we asked for directions to the Lion's Gate Manor. It was about a half a mile out of town.Parking is pretty limited up there, so we decided it would be easier to walk, especially since the weather was so pretty.

Our appointment was at 6, so we left the hotel at 5 to give us plenty of time to get there. It was a gorgeous walk.

The Lion's Gate Manor. When we got there, we had to knock on the door. When the lady answered it, she looked at us weird. I told her we were there for our massages (we were about 20 minutes early). Turns out, we were at the wrong place!

 

We were supposed to go to Greystone Manor. So we started to walk back to town. I called them to know we might be a minute late. They offered to come pick us up, but we thought we could make it in time. Which we did with a minute to spare. I think the funniest part is when we got back, I found a sticky note in my phone case where I had written down our hotel, our massage info and the hot pool hours. If only I had thought to look before we left that day!

But it was a gorgeous walk and we had fun. Our massage was so relaxing. And dinner was AMAZING. We will defiantly go there again.

Our anniversary date was actually on Monday. Josh hasn't built up any time off yet with his new job, so we decided to come home on Sunday. 

Monday afternoon, I received a delivery of 14 roses to celebrate 14 years.

The day actually ended up having some hiccups in it, so we didn't get to go where we wanted that night. We had planned to go to dinner in Vernal and stop at the jewelry store so I could pick out my gift. But the store closed at 6. When we were finally ready to leave, it was 5:45 and we knew we wouldn't make it. So we decided to eat in Roosevelt and try again on Valentine's to go where we wanted.

But in the end, that ended up working out. That night, I learned a valuable lesson. Many see Anniversary's as a time to celebrate and be happy. But instead, that night I ended up crying all night on my husband's shoulder. Not only is he there for me during the happy times, but he's also my rock during the hard times. It was a wonderful reminder that marriage is about the good, the bad and the ugly and being there for each other through all of it. So even though it wasn't a perfect happy day, it was still a day spent with the love of my life.

Josh wanted a fish finder to use when he goes ice fishing. Even though he won't get to use it this year, I decided to buy it now. That way, when it finally does get cold enough to ice fish, he will be all set. He was pretty bummed that he only got to go once this year. And since he went with a buddy, he didn't even use his new sled or ice hut. But he is now all set up for next winter.

We did make it to the jewelry store on Saturday. I decided I wanted to start a Pandora bracelet. It was so hard to choose only a few charms. In the end, I went with the things closet to my heart. A dog bone for Sage, a heart with paw prints for the cats, a horse shoe for my cowboy husband, a flower with February birthstone for our anniversary, a cross for my Savior, a cupcake for me, and a "C" for our last name. I can't wait to add to it over the years.

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Savannah's 32nd Birthday

On the morning of my birthday, Josh bought me these beautiful flowers. 

Unfortunately,  not all of my presents arrived on time. I only had two to unwrap on my birthday. The rest of the gifts showed up a few days later. 

I felt pretty spoiled, once it all came. I got an automatic trash can, a storage case, new socks and gloves and a jewelry armoire. 

Of course, with my OCD, I've already organized, and reorganized it a few times. 

Josh's 33rd Birthday

Months ago, I decided I was going to buy Josh ice fishing supplies for his birthday. Then, I saw how expensive his Christmas wish list was. I decided I would just split it between Christmas and his birthday.

Then a week before Christmas, I decided I still really wanted to get him the ice fishing stuff. I hurried and ordered everything and prayed it would come in time. 

The biggest item was the sled I bought him. He's wanted one for years for hunting, trapping and fishing. It came within a few days, so then I had to figure out how to hide it. 

On his birthday, he went trapping with a friend. While he was gone, I decided to arrange his presents in the sled for him to come home to.

He was gone a lot longer than I expected. I had his cake all finished and dinner ready to go in the oven. I called him and told him all I needed was for the birthday boy to come home.

He was so excited to see the sled.

For his birthday he got the sled, an ice fishing shelter, a heater and a new ice fishing pole. Now, all he needs is for it to get a little colder so ice will form on the lakes. This winter has been unseasonably warmer. Hopefully he'll be able to go in a few weeks.

Christmas

The kitties always enjoy the tree. This year, Zipper discovered the water bowl. It reminded me of Pyro, she always loved the tree water. 

Zipper also reminded me of why I don't put bows and ribbons on gifts. He spent the last few weeks chewing the ribbon of a bottle of juice Josh's boss gave us.

Christmas morning found the tree over flowing.

 

Josh worked out a Santa trade. He played Santa for a friend at work and she agreed to wrap his present for him. Her office is right next to mine, so it was hard to not peek. Especially when she got excited about a few of them.

Including one gift for Josh that I decided would be too hard to wrap.

We bought the cats a small bed and a new blanket for Sage.

On Christmas Eve, we ended up staying up super late because Josh wanted to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. So the next morning we slept in.  We had just enough time to open our stockings and cook breakfast before we headed to see my family.

We both bought way too much for the other's stocking and they were both over flowing.

While we cooked breakfast, we let Sage eat her bone on her blanket.

About halfway through it, Gaby figured out the dog had gotten a treat and she didn't. She was so jealous! She even tried to steal a small piece that had broken off. We did give the cats soft kitten food later, but I knew if Sage was inside, she would eat it all.

Gaby never gets that close to the dog. It was funny how upset she was. She would whine at the dog and then come whine at us. She even licked the small piece she stole. But even when she didn't like it, she still kept whining about it.

Josh's Stocking:

 

 I forgot about the iTunes card I had hidden in my purse. It was a few hours later before I remembered. He told me he was sad he didn't get one, but didn't want to say anything in case he was getting it for his birthday. But I had bought a 2nd one for his birthday, so when I remembered, I decided to just give it to him then. 

Savannah's Stocking:

 

I love that he picked out jewelry on his own. 

For Christmas breakfast we had cranberry scones.

After we got back from seeing my family, we opened our presents. I actually enjoyed opening our gifts in the afternoon. It seemed to make the holiday feel a little bit longer.

Gaby just always has to be the center of attention.

We spoiled each other this year. Josh got a skinning machine, a ton of trapping stuff, his favorite calendar, a magnetic bracelet and a few fish hooks. 

I got a new coat, a new camera, and several new things for around the house like a broom hanger, curved shower rod, and new clothes hamper.

The cats showed NO interest in their bed. Until we put it on the couch.

Since Christmas, I don't think I've seen the cats in it again. But Sage has decided she likes it.