Friday, February 5, 2010

Thoughts and Gratitude - A Wordy Post....

I think it's safe to say that I've never been naive enough to think that once I got married all my problems would be over. It took me a little longer to get married than most Utah Mormon girls...I was 23. And I was ready to be married. I had graduated from college, had a full-time job, and had the chance to live abroad (6 months in Europe!). I knew myself well and was prepared.

But I don't think I could have been fully prepared for the challenges that would come our way after marriage. We have had our fair share of trials in 3 1/2 years. But there's one particular thing that I've been extremely grateful for throughout these trials (other than the Savior, of course)...and that's my sweet husband. With everything that hasn't gone our way, there's always been one thing that has - our relationship. I'm so grateful to have a wonderful marriage and an incredibly supportive husband. My trials are his trials, his trials are my trials - we get to go through them together. And that seems to take the sting off of everything a little bit. We learn and we grow and we have happiness. We're so blessed through those trials.

So thanks to my Braden - I love this boy...

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

California Trip...

I am sorry to say that we have returned from our trip to California...we went with my parents, a brother and his family, and a sister and her family. It was much needed and we had a great time! We drove there on Sunday and met up with some good friends we haven't seen in a long time (thanks for making the trip to see us Strattons!). Monday we went to San Diego. We went to the Sea Life Aquarium, Point Loma (a lighthouse), the Midway (an aircraft carrier), and to Old Town.

Tuesday-Thursday was spent at Disneyland/California Adventure. The weather was beautiful and the crowds were minimal. We went on everything we wanted, several times over. It was fun to be with the nieces and nephews and go on rides with them. Friday we drove home.

Us at the Sea Life Aquarium
Me with Max & Mia touching a sea cucumber
Me with my dad and the kids at Point Loma lighthouse.
Us at Point Loma overlooking San Diego
In the F18 ready room onboard the USS Midway
Us at Casa de Reyes in Old Town San Diego - amazing mexican dinner!
Us on Matterhorn
Braden and Anna on the Autopia
Braden and the kids on a spinny ride in Bug's Land
Us at Goofy's House

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

A Wonderful Christmas!

Braden and I had an absolutely wonderful Christmas - our 4th together! Wednesday night was the Knutson family Christmas party with a special appearance by Santa Claus. Thursday night was the traditional Colton family Christmas Eve party (although this year was bittersweet because it was my grandma Rosie's tradition and it was the first time without her there). And Christmas morning was spent together at home. Later we went to my parents' for a very late Christmas breakfast (3:00) and spent a little time there and exchanged gifts.

From me, Braden got a book, a pink tie, almond roca, frooties, 2 shirts, Five Crowns, and a desk calendar with pictures of us. He also got a drill bit set, a shirt from Hawaii, a toolbox, and Scrabble Slam. From Braden, I got The Goose Girl book series, Gone with the Wind on DVD, a pearl necklace, bracelet, and earring set, pajamas, and cherry coke candy sticks (yum!). I also got a red puffy vest, lotion, a cute necklace, a cute shirt, a euro necklace, and a tile with a vinyl saying on it. Our big excitement was that we got a Wii (the console from my parents) - along with a Fit Plus (from Braden's mom), a recharger and extra remote/nunchuck (Braden's dad), Boom Blox, Super Mario, & Wii Sports Resort. We have been gaming ever since! :)


Of course, most important was the remembrance and celebration of the birth of our Savior. We are so grateful for Him and we know that He lives. We loved spending time together this Christmas season. We hope your Christmases were just as great...and Happy New Year!


At our Christmas Eve dinner...amazing food!
Christmas morning - on the stairs youngest to oldest (our first time actually having stairs to take this picture!)
Us by our Christmas tree and presents...
Us with our presents...

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Goodbye to My Sweet Grandma, Rosie Colton...

On Wednesday, November 25th, I lost my last remaining grandparent...my wonderful Grandma Rosie. Braden and I have been living in her basement for the past 4 months. She went in for open-heart surgery and we really thought she was going to make it. Her recovery was hard and she never left the ICU. One day she just took a turn for the worse and my dad and uncle had to make the decision to take her off life support. It only took her 5 minutes to go after that. Yesterday was her funeral and it was a lovely tribute to her life.

For those of you who know my grandma, you know she was a wonderful, happy woman. For those of you who don't, let me enlighten you. My grandma was 89 years old and stood at 4'9" tall. She was a cute little Italian lady. She made wonderful meatballs and pasta. I grew up a block away from her my whole life and she was in my home ward. We were all very close to her. She was the most generous woman I know. She played with me and spoiled me and always kissed both cheeks before you could leave her house. She had several cookie jars on her counter - always full. She had a contagious laugh. She had her quirks, too.

Goodbye grandma...I love you!

ROSE COLTON

Rose Marie Colton 1920 ~ 2009 West Valley City, Ut -Our beloved mother and grandmother, Rose Marie Colton, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on November 25, 2009, at age 89. Rosie was born August 21, 1920 to Francesco and Theresa (Aquila) Mangone in Castlegate, Utah. She met and married her sweetheart, David S. Colton on April 26, 1941 in Helper, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Rosie and David founded and operated Colton Inc. (David's Drapery). Rosie was a faithful member of the LDS church, serving in many callings in all organizations. She and David served LDS missions in the Italy Rome and Washington DC Missions. David passed away on April 15, 1992. Rosie's greatest joy was cooking meatballs and pasta for her family. She was very proud of her Italian heritage. Rosie is survived by her sons, David W. (Maralyn), and W. Bryan (Teddy); 13 grandchildren and 43 great grandchildren; and a brother, Bennett Mangone. Preceded in death by her husband, a daughter, Janet Tresa, her parents and two siblings, Lea Haslam and Gabe Mangone. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 12:00 noon at Hunter East LDS Stake Center, 5000 W. Pavant (3750 South). A visitation will be held Monday evening from 6-8 at the Stake Center and Tuesday morning from 10:30-11:30 at the Stake Center prior to services. Interment - Valley View Cemetery.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Happy Birthday to my Sweetie!

Today is my Braden's 25th birthday!


Here are some of the 25 reasons (for 25 years) why I love him...
  • He asked me to marry him!
  • He's a great cook...
  • He has insanely beautiful eyes...
  • He's so tender with me...
  • He's always up for playing games with me...or snuggling on the couch and watching a movie with me...or going on a date with me...
  • He sacrifices so much for me...

I love you so much sweetheart - happy birthday!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Quilt #18 & Movie Night...

My first nephew was born when I was 13 years old. I was all excited and decided that I was going to make him a quilt. Well, the next was born a year and a half later and I couldn't not make him a quilt...and so on, and so on. Well here is our sweet little Will with quilt #18!


On Saturday Braden and I had a movie night at our house for my 11 oldest nieces and nephews (those Kindergarten and up). We happen to be the favorite aunt and uncle... :) We arranged everything via email with all their parents to coordinate dates and times and asked it to be kept secret. Then we sent out the invites with tickets included. I was so excited all day leading up to it! We watched Monsters vs. Aliens in our pj's, had a fun concession stand, and just had a really fun time!

Me with our concession stand - they ate every last bit of it!
All of us
Watching the movie

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Carving Pumpkins...

Ok, so maybe our pumpkins are a little boring this year...but with our crazy-busy week it's a wonder they got carved at all! And for the record, I picked out my pumpkin idea before Braden did... :) We had an at-home date night - I made one of Braden's favorite meals, we carved pumpkins, and we watched our favorite Thursday night shows.

Braden cleaning out the pumpkins (I hate cleaning pumpkins, but for the record I did gut my own pumpkin and he did the finishing scrapings)
Me carving my pumpkin
The finished product

Monday, October 26, 2009

A Mostly Awesome Weekend...

Well, we mainly had an awesome weekend! Braden took off from work on Friday at 11:00. We drove down to Manti, ate at a pizza place in Ephraim, and checked into our bed and breakfast - the Manti House Inn. We are bed and breakfast junkies and love trying new places. This did not disappoint... We walked around the temple (unfortunately it was closed), watched a movie, went to a malt shop in Ephraim, and had a great night's sleep! They served breakfast in the morning and then we we were off.

We came home and watched the U game, and although they didn't look great (at all), we still won! And to make things even better, TCU beat BYU! Then we went to Crown Burger with some of my family and to the Real Salt Lake game (which was super fun!).

Sunday brought the birth of a new nephew (9 lbs. 9 oz.!) who is still unnamed (Tori and Dave's third). Unfortunately, late that afternoon I got sick (it hit quickly!). And let's just say I don't know how much more my stomach muscles can take! A miserable night. Now we just need to keep Braden healthy! He makes an excellent nurse, too. Luckily we made it through all the fun before getting sick.

Us in front of our bed and breakfast
Us on our walk around the Manti Temple
Us at the B&B
Braden in our room
The awesome view from our room
Sweet little baby boy...

Monday, October 12, 2009

It's Official...

Well, it's official - Braden is a graduate of the University of Utah! Although he walked in May, he technically didn't graduate until August, and he just received his diploma about 2 weeks ago. Here it is in all its glory! :)

Braden with his diploma

Our diplomas displayed together...awwww, cute! Mine's been all lonely for 4 1/2 years...

Monday, September 7, 2009

More Hawaii Fun...

We just recently got our underwater pictures developed from our little disposable camera. The pictures turned out great, but unfortunately the digital images didn't turn out as well. But here are a few nonetheless... Some are from snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, and others from snorkeling at Pupukea beach (which was awesome!).

Braden at Hanauma Bay
Us at Hanauma Bay
The snorkeling terrain at Pupukea
Us at Pupukea
Tons of sea urchins at Pupukea
Jamie at Pupukea