i never loved this holiday till He came along...

To be honest i have never been a fan of this holiday. I always looked at it as a reason to spend more money on the person we love.. I love spending money on Jared, don't get me wrong.. However, being the wonderful poor college students we are, i have been given the gift of making the most of a special day without any money. I laugh and say that Jared made a bad financial investment in marrying me ( my tuition is OUTRAGEOUS!!), but he has been so willing to work hard and support me through all my mood swings (they are often), the stress of school, knowing that our thursdays seem to depend on how i do on my tests i have every week. He works so hard and goes to school at night. Jared is my true knight in shining armor. To get married at 26 was not something i thought would happen in my life, but in all honesty i would do it all over again!!  Yes, i know we have only been married 9 months, but he completes me in so many ways.. Here is a list of why i love him
1. he makes me laugh
2. he tells me how wonderful i am even when i know i do not deserve such a compliment
3. he would walk to the ends of the earth for me no matter the consequences
4. he is worth of his priesthood and is always so close with our Heavenly Father
5. jared has this amazing way of reaching out to others and making all feel accepted
6. he will do dishes, vacuum and take out the garbage without being asked!!
7. he is great with our nieces and nephews
8. he never gives up hope
9. each day he strives to be better and helps me when i want to give up
10. he is my best friend, my EC (eternal companion), i would honestly be lost if i did not have him


The lord works in mysterious ways. i know jared and i  met when we were both ready to. Things moved amazing fast, but i have never been happier in my life. I love you jared and i am so proud of all you do!! thanks for putting up with me!! I hope as valentines day comes up you take time to reflect on those you love and remember the amazing people we have in our lives.. I will let my "scroogeness" go on this Valentines day..

trying something new, no gluten in this recipe but the taste is all there!!

Recently my adorable friend anna gave me a recipe to try..I am always looking to try a new recipe and i thought "why not?" she gave me a recipe for banana bread with out the gluten. My friend Anna and her sister are gluten intolerant and so they needed a recipe for their upcoming birthdays... I thought the bread was amazing and i had this girl who is a whiz at cooking to help me.. the only thing we changed in the recipe is we added almond extract and some cinnamon.. but i think these pics speak for themselves!! Anna i am glad you had a great birthday!! if you have anymore recipes, let me know and i will try them out!! the recipe is on this website... i loved it and i sent it out to family that had NO idea it was gluten free.. 

meet my sis in law and her wonderful hubby!!

I finally got the chance to meet this amazing girl. This is Jared's sister Elise and her husband Kris.. We met them for lunch and i immediately knew i liked these guys!! Its been a really long time since Jared saw his sister and i am so grateful for her being in our lives. We know the Lord brought her back to us and I am thrilled to have another sister!! I now have 3 sisters!! woo hoo!! her husband Kris is hilarious and we have lots of fun laughing at/with Jared and Elise as they are so funny in the random things they do.. Here are a couple of pictures.. I hope you enjoy them, i have not seen my husband light up like this except for our wedding day.. it was truly a blessing.. 

Kris and Elise WE LOVE YOU!!

11 lbs 2 oz, 22.5 inches later,

Zack Colton Thomas was born on Jan. 22. We were all excited to see this new addition Katie and Colton were adding to their family, however, Zack took us all (yes even the medical staff) by surprise by weighing 11lbs 2 oz and 22.5 inches long!! "he looks like a 3 month old" was the comment to be heard all throughout the hospital that evening. Katie is doing great and Colton seems to be loving the idea of being a dad.. I have LOTS of pictures so sorry for the overload.. Look at those rolls on his legs!! i love it!!

I am not sure if Colton is shocked at how much Zack weighed, or the idea he is a father is sinking in.. i just love his eyes in this pic, it makes me laugh!!

Here is Lisa, she loves being an aunt!!

Here are both Grandma's!! they were delighted to have Zack here.. I love his hair and his cheeks!!

This is mine and Katie's favorite picture. They finally had a moment to themselves with the C-section, everyone rushing to make sure everyone is ok. I think we will have to blow this one up and hang it in Zack's room!!

I think this is their first family picture.. So cute...

I love it, he is sooo mad.. but look at him, don't you just want to hold him and love him?

uncle scott. how adorable is this? they are already buds!!

last but not least here is Colton's little sister.. so much love going on it was a great day!!

Thanks Katie and Colton for letting me take some pictures. Zack is adorable!!

They called Jordan on a MISSION!!

My little brother jordan opened his mission call last night.. We have been so excited and anxious as to where he is going. We have had guesses of Tonga, France, Canada, and anywhere NOT in the U.S. Well, he got his call and we all rushed over there for him to open it. Jordan is called to serve in the Billings, Montana mission. We are so proud of him and know the people of Montana are going to have a great missionary come their way. My mom was in St George and so she was on speaker phone. Jordan is to report to the MTC on March 24th. We are so proud of you Jordan, we know you will be a great missionary!! Enjoy the pics from last night!!

our nephew parker and my mom were on the phone listening while he opened his call..

I have never seen such a smile on Jordan's face...

Leana, Peyton, and Malia all full of smiles!! i have such a beautiful family!!

I think this little guy is going to be who Jordan misses most..

Jordan reports to the MTC on OJ's birthday.. when he gets back Oj will be turning 3!!

isn't she lovely?

This is my friends little girl Sophee.. she was such a trooper letting me follow her with my new camera.. she was so much fun.. she is absolutely adorable and i can't wait to take more pictures of her!! thanks Tilisa for letting me practice with Sophee!!

Best Friends

Jared and his friend scott have been through everything together.. Scott came with us on a random road trip to st george.. Scott is like another brother to me. Jared was always at Scott's house growing up and so Jared is another one of the "kids".. I took this picture during one of our fun hikes in st george and loved the symbolism it meant to me.. Two kids brought together through the different roads of life and have stayed close. Scott was in our line and i am sure he will be there for all the adventures we have, as we will for him.. I am learning words can not what i see in pictures. Once again its in B&W as that is what i am practicing with and i think it went perfect with this pic..