A days drive to Kenai

So as I complained in the last post, Alaska right now is pretty dreary. In fact, we just set the first record EVER for the cold's month of January, averaging 2.7 degrees!!! WOW!!! It has been miserable. Everyone is complaining about it, even people born and raised here! We broke snow fall records for Nov as well as records for the entire season to date, and now we are setting records in Jan... yes, it has been a long month but February is almost here, so keep your fingers crossed for us that it gets better.
So Jeff and I tried to make the best of our weekend of together. On Saturday we decided to drive to Kenai... not sure what we expected but it was a nice day together. It normally takes about 2 hrs of so to drive there but because of the icy/snowy roads it took us 3 hrs. We spent an hour or two hanging out in town and then headed back home another 3 hrs. It was a very long day in the truck but it was just nice to get out. We had some great conversations, fun singing, enjoyed the blue skies (even though temps were anywhere from -18 to 1 degree the whole day). We kept nice and cozy in the truck.
We love love Kenai in the summer... it has the best fishing and most gorgeous scenery. The winter scenery didn't disappoint either though.

We were expecting to see lots of wildlife, as always Moose, and maybe even some wolves but all we got on the drive down were some Swans. They sure were beautiful in the blue water. As we were leaving Kenai, we did see 5-6 Moose but not near what we were expecting. We drove all through Soldotna and Kenai and stopped to take pics of all the different ice sculptures in front of different businesses.

We tried to let the dogs out at a park to run around, cuz they usually love snow but with the freezing temps their paws stick to the ground and then they just stand there not moving until you come pick them up... should've brought the booties my mom got them for christmas.

Despite all the driving and the freezing cold it was a nice day to visit and just enjoy each others company outside of our home. I sure love these kind of moments with my husband. I'm so grateful for him and all his patience and love he shows for me. He truly is my best friend for eternity.

Welcome home to the cold, dreary, snowy Alaska

Well we returned safely home to Anchorage this past week. I wish I could say we had a nice warm welcoming return but it was quite the opposite... we left Utah with temps from 50-60 degrees (and not an inch of snow ANYWHERE) and came home to temps well into the negatives and a fresh 25 inches of snow (on top of the 62 inches we had already recieved from Oct-Dec) UGH!!!! This winter has been rough on both of us. In fact, so much that we are both considering not even putting in to stay in Alaska for Jeff to work and just putting Utah on our list. But then we wake up to reality and remember what INCREDIBLE summers we have here and all the fun and adventures that still lay ahead living in Alaska and the great jobs I have now and the great possibility that Jeff will get a job here in Anchorage... so we will buck it up and make the best of the rest of our winter, which is until May!!!Jeff and I decided to head out to the valley to clear off the accumulating snow on our trailer and then we headed back down the Seward Highway towards Girdwood. The weather was beautiful, and by that I mean the sky was so blue!!! It was still cold as HECK but we were in our nice warm car :) Alaska has so much beauty, even in the winter.

The beautiful sunset and the iced over ocean.

No this isn't a camera error, the ice really did look this coler due to the sunset. But look how beautiful it is with the ice falling off the mountain side.

After the sun had set... definately a huge difference.

We saw these Dahl Sheep right off the side of the road. Our friends saw them the day before too but they saw a huge beautiful Ram up on the rocks, we weren't as lucky today.

The puppies loved watching the sheep. They just sat and stared and didn't even bark. They too enjoyed the car ride.

We came home to some visitors on the side of our house... we always love seeing them so up close.

The other night we went and say the play Beauty and the Beast. It was soooo good and i wished I would've had a little girl to take to it. It was so cute to see all the young girls dressed up in their Belle dresses with their necklaces and purses. Jeff and I really enjoyed the night out and really enjoyed the play. afterwards, we walked around town square looking at all the ice sculptures. Some were incredible, and some, well I guess you had to use your imagination. For example, what do you think this was suppose to be...

(Side note: Jeff has been addicted to the humor on PINTEREST. So after we took this pic he decided to post his first pin on pinterest. So if it looks familiar all you pinterest stalkers, it's from Jeff :)

January 14, 2012: The start of Eternity

The day has finally come... Jeff and I have waited 2 1/2 years to be sealed for all eternity in the House of the Lord. Saturday January 14th, 2012 at 1:30pm in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple it was official. Our sealer was PHENOMINAL, James M. Hunt. Everyone who came told us they have never been to a more amazing sealing. My dad was in tears and he said he even learned things he never knew. Jeff was touched, I was touched and it was just the most amazing experience ever. We both couldn't be happier. I fell deeper in love with him today and we have noticed what a huge difference it has made in our marriage already. We had soooo many family and friends come to support us. And I was so glad my mom was finally feeling well enough to be by my side before and after the sealing.

So back when we got civially married and knowing this day would eventually come, I wanted to re-create our wedding day. So sure enough I was able to enjoy the day in my wedding dress and Jeff in his tux. My amazing mom had my bouquet re-created as well... that thing was my favorite part of my wedding... besides my dress. I had my good friend Annie re-do some bridals/groomals and take pics of all who came to support us.
Here are just a few pics Diana got with her camera while Annie was snapping away with her's... (can't wait to see all the pics she got to capture our day)

What would a girl do without an incredible father... I love my dad more than words can say.

Me and my "little" brother Conner... who before long will be much taller than anyone in our family.

If you haven't ever met this guy, then you should. Gary is the best father in law a girl could ever ask for. I sure was blessed to marry into some amazing in-laws. So glad we are all together for eternity.

Jeff and his little brother Scotty.

We had a luncheon after the sealing since we knew we were having so many travel to come and support us so we wanted to show them our appreciation by feeding them :) Amanda went ABOVE and beyond to decorate and make 2 different soups to help feed 60 people as well as some killer homemade raspberry lemonade. My mom made a soup, Kim made a soup, I made a soup, and our neighbor Mike Hatch made his famous homemade Tomato soup. So we had 6 different kinds of soup, bread knots, and Diana's famous homemade brownies. JEff and I both couldn't have asked for a better day.
So just a side note, as we pull up to the church for the luncheon, Sheridan yells to me, "Tricia, your dress!" So apparently my dress was hanging out the car door.... so yes it swept the roads all the way from the temple to the church. Luckily I just laughed it off. If this was my actual wedding day I would've thought it was the end of the world... could you imagine standing in line greeting people with a dress looking like this...

I'm sad Jeff isn't in this pic with us, but we were both so busy playing host/hostess it was hard to catch a good pic together.

My poor mom was so sick and she hates this pic, but I love it!!! I don't care what you look like Mom, your my mom and I'm so glad you were well enough to make it to our sealing.

Me and my amazing sisters with my Grandma and Grandpa Nye.

Elder Simmon and Elder Fishburn... some of the best missionaries to ever server in Alaska.

So for scrap book purposes, all who came:
Grandparents: Tip and Lola Ravsten, Don and Norma Nye, Willis and Joanne Burton.
Parents: Gary and Diana Harris, Scott and Cherie Burton
Jeff's siblings: Josh and Sheridan, Tipper and Nikki, Scotty
My siblings: Scott and Amanda Burnett, Kim Williams (Dan was sick), Conner, and Bradley (in spirit) as well as Jonny (who wrote me and email and said he thought about me all day)
Nephews and Neices: Remington, Kennedie, Halle, Raegan, Jaxon, Hadley (Lexi wasn't able to make it, and poor little Brooklyn was sick and spent the evening in the ER)
Jeff's extended family: Jerry and Bonnie Harris, Joe and Kathy Ravsten, Reggie Ravsten, Neil and Iva Owens, Merle Romer, Garth and Vickie Anderson, Buck and Linda Conder
My extended family: Tom and Susan Speedy (Aaron), Gary and Sue Field (Lauren), Matthew and Cindi Field family, John and Haley Schurter family, Doug and Tonya Jewel, James and Andrea Nye, Ryan and Tori Tonnemacher, Mark and Natalie Nye family, (All my mom's siblings came minus Vickie who had to stay in St. George due to family emergency but Jeff and I were able to see her the week prior when we were there) Craig and Cinda Morgan.
Friends: Kurtis Simmons and Bryce Fishburn (Elders from Alaska, some of our favorite missionaries and now life long friends), Megan Goodwin (Ryan was in OK training for ATC)
Wow, what a list. And we had many other friends and family members call or text us to congradulate us. We are so fortunate to have such a great support system. Thank you again everyone for ALL you have done and continue to do for Jeff and I. We will never forget this day and will cherish the it forever.

A week in Utah County

So after a few days in Southern Utah with the Harris clan, we headed north to Pleasant Grove to be with my family for a few days. It's always so fun to see my family, and I feel fortunate to see them every 3-4 months. It was really fun this time cuz Jeff hasn't seen Brooklyn since she was 4 months old and now she is 16 months and little Hadley is 3 months old. I sure soaked up my time with these little girls, giving them lots of hugs and kisses. One of the main reasons we will never do this trip again in January is because everyone was back at work and school and we sure missed spending the holidays with them when they had the time off. And my poor mom got a nasty flu bug so we spent alot of time at Amanda's house while she was recovering.
Brooklyn was OBSESSED with our dogs... poor KO had to learn patience with her but they soon became friends cuz Brooklyn always shared her food with him and let him lick her fingers... which she thought was hysterical.

We spent lots of time in the hot tub... but Jeff and I mostly got in at night with Conner and my dad. it was always a clear night so it was so nice to sit and stare at the stars. the nights were so clear and beautiful. Brooklyn gets in during the day when it is a little warmer. she too, like Jeff's neices and nephew, is a little fish and loves loves the hot tub.

Jeff never had a hard time getting little Hadley to smile. I have never met a happier more patient baby ever. She NEVER cries, unless she is super hungry. She is has the most adorable addicting smile and laugh in the world.

And yes, this is how Hadley has learned her patience...

Brooklyn LOVES her Pa Pa. And my Dad sure is obsessed with his little grandkids. He can't even go a whole day without seeing them. My parents truly are the most loving grandparents. I hope Jeff and I are back in Utah by the time we have kids so they can be surrounded by their grandparents.

Kim and Jaxon were able to come down to spend time with Jeff and I. Jaxon is one busy 3 year old. He sure has grown up so fast and I just love love his little voice. He really is so sweet. He is best buds with Brooklyn and Conner. Sadly, Brooklyn got sick so they weren't able to see each other while we were in town but I'm just glad I got to see him. He too loved playing with the dogs, especially Chewy.

Jeff's dad gets tickets to the Jazz game every year from Phillips 66 so this year he was nice enough to have Conner tag along with him Jeff and Scotty. They sat 9th row, right behind Mark Eaton and even saw Pres. Uchtdorf with his wife. Prior to the game they were fed a nice meal and got tons of goodies. The Jazz played the Lakers and lost by 1 point in overtime. Jeff said it was the best basketball game he has seen in a long time. Conner had a blast and even wore his Jazz ticket and lancet to school the next day.

I wish this little stink could stay in my luggage all the way to Anchorage... her and little Hadley just mean so much to me and I really wish they were my own!!!

Jeff and I were even able to jump on his bike and go for a ride. We sure miss this bike but we are glad my dad is taking good care of it until we get back home.

While in Utah, I was able to go through the temple for my endowments. What an amazing day... and it was just the beginning of a beautiful weekend. Sadly, my mom was still sick and wasn't able to be my escort for the session so Amanda stepped up and was there for me. She really was a life saver for me and it was such a sweet experience to be in the temple with her. I remember looking back and seeing my in-laws and dad walk in and my heart just melted. I love having so much love and support from both our families. After the session we all went out to eat at Marleys (a must for Jeff and I when we are in Utah county... in fact we ate there twice this trip :)

Here are the dogs in their carry on kennel at the airport. They travel soooo well, and I don't even have to sedate them. It was fun to bring these guys along and let everyone play with them.

Spending time at my parents house is always memorable and it gets harder and harder to leave. It's crazy to think the next time I'll be coming back home is for Jonny's homecoming. Soooo crazy he has only 4 months left. The count down is on!!!!