Mike + 3 minute brownie recipe = Disaster (but cute!)

So the other night, I came home from a long day's work to find Mike in the office doing homework. Once he knew I was home, he jumped up and said, "I found this awesome recipe with tons of reviews... want to try it? It only takes 3 minutes!" Of course I said yes. So there he was, following this short recipe to make a deliciously yummy brownie. He was SO excited! He followed the recipe perfectly and mixed all the ingredients together in a microwave safe mug. After about 2 minutes of it cooking, it started smelling Super good! I was actually getting excited for this interesting treat. Once it was done, Mike opened the microwave door and found this....

Somewhat of a disaster! It smelled SO good regardless of its looks so we gave it a try... Let's just say it smelled much better than it tasted. It was really dry and pretty spongy. We both ate a bite and we had had enough. Mike went back and read of few of the reviews... as to be expected, they all said how terrible it was. After a good laugh, I realized what a great hubby I have. He is so thoughtful because he know's how much I LOVE chocolate. He was so cute and excited to make me this "tasty" treat. I'm so lucky to have Mike as my eternal companion and best friend. He can always make me laugh and constantly takes such good care of me. I love you babe!

- - Halloween - -

What a fun Halloween weekend!! We all had a total blast with each other. My sister Michelle and family were able to come down and go trick-or-treating with us. Here are a few fun highlights from our holiday week!!

* The Richard's, My parents, Alacia, and us went to a pumpkin patch where we went through a fun corn maze, went down some crazy big slides, and went on a wagon ride to pick out our pumpkins. It was lots of fun!

* On Halloween, all of us piled in the cars and went to the Wirick's, Grandma and Grandma Johnston's, and we visited Grandpa Olsen. Everyone was so excited to see the kids in their cute costumes. Kellie was a little concerned about Grandpa in a hospital bed so we asked him "What happened, Grandpa?" and before we knew it, Tommy answered her and said, " He's just really old, like almost 100!" It was super cute!

* All of the kids in their Awesome costumes. Alacia - Witch... Ryan - Vampire... Ashley - Cowgirl... Kellie - Maleficent... Tommy - Yoda... Katelyn - Sleeping Beauty... Whitney - Lady Bug... Kayden(Not Pictured) - Monkey

~Birthday~

Wow... I'm 23 already, that sounds a lot older than 22!! With the depressing number of age set aside, the day was great!! I worked all day... which turned out to be way fun. I got lots of fun phone calls from family members and had a way fun time at my birthday party put on by my family. Mike was so wonderful and treated me like a princess all day. He's the best!! He gave me some great presents.... the book, "Eat, Pray, Love", the movie, "Letter's to Juliet", President Monson's new biography, some fun decorations for our house, some awesome socks... it was Perfect! I got more house decorations, clothes, and a fabulous purse from the rest of the fam. It was great. Thanks to everyone for making me feel so special on my special day! Love you!

This is the cute decoration my parents gave me... I can change out the blocks according to the season/month. Love it!!

I LOVE both of these movies!!! I can't wait to read EPL!

I'm to glad Mike gave this to me... President Monson has been my favorite ever since I can remember. I'm excited to start reading more about him!

Mom and dad gave me this great clutch with matching purse... I think it's a sign that I need to be more "girlie"!!

~ Temple Cleaning ~

This past Friday night, we went down to the Temple. Now this wasn't just a typical temple trip, we signed up at church to go and clean the Ogden Temple.

We went to the Temple at 9pm and didn't finish until 12am. We both had such an amazing spiritual experience while cleaning.

One of my jobs was able to vacuum some of the sealing rooms and it was amazing to just be in there by myself and to think and remember the day that we were sealed. Mike did a lot of vacuuming too.

So many beautiful things happened that I think we both will remember forever. We absolutely loved being "cleaning angels in white". We hope to be able to clean the Temple again soon. We highly recommend it to everyone who can!

Crafty!

The past couple of days, I've turned my outside porch into a painting/craft area. It's been super fun! On Saturday the 9th, we had our Super Saturday in our ward but I didn't have time to finish the crafts. So, I had Alacia help me with this cute spider and Ryan, Ashley, and Tommy helped me with the witch. Alacia painted her own spider and we put it together but I haven't had time to get a picture of it from my mom's house. My adorable niece and nephews wanted to paint the cute witch for their mom. They were so cute while painting. Everyone was so proud of the pieces they painted. It was such a blast. My next project - 24day Christmas advent calendar.

Blog Tag!

My cute cousin Courtney tagged me in one of her blog posts to fill out these fun questions! This was fun to fill out and I hope you people I tag will fill out the questions at the bottom. Enjoy!

1. What is your dream job and why?

This may seem lame but I'm already working my dream job!! Being a dental hygienist has been my dream for many, many years. I guess the only thing that would make it better would be to work 3-4 days in an ocean front office with my dad. What a dream!

2. What is your all time favorite TV show or movie?

TV: Grey's Anatomy!! Mainly the older seasons but I'm completely in love with it!!

Movie: The Proposal. Straight up hilarious and a great love story!

3. Where is your ideal place to live?

I would love to live in Tuscany, Italy. It is Gorgeous there and I'd love to have a house next to a vineyard and ride horses all day.

4. What is your biggest pet peeve?

I have lots of silly pet peeves but the only one I can think of at this moment (which is by far not the biggest) is when Mike shaves his face and doesn't wash down all the little whiskers in the sink. I know it's a little ridiculous but it does bug sometimes!!

5. What is the first thing you'd buy if you won a million dollars?

Probably a new Honda Accord. They are just beautiful cars and super reliable.

6. What is you're worst fear?

Spiders... hate them.

7. If you could be any celebrity who would you be?

Julia Roberts. Don't know a ton about her personal life but she just seems super down to earth and I love the movies she is in.

8. Go to the 8th picture in your fourth album and tell me the story behind it.

This is the picture. I was babysitting my nephew Kayden a few months ago and he was totally smiling at everything. I took about 15 pics of this same thing because he was being so dang cute!

Now it's your turn to fill out these fun questions...

Michelle Wirick

Amy Stuart

Caitlin Thompson

Casey Hill

Shalyce Harrison

Darin and Rachel

1. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

2. What is your favorite way to relieve anger/frustration?

3. What was the last good movie that you watched? Why?

4. What is the first thing you think of when you wake up?

5. Name 5 things that make you happy!

6. Describe your perfect day.

7. What is the worst job you have ever had?

8. If you could relive the best day of your life, what day would it be? I want details! :)

Things I'm thankful for...

After 5 long days of working, I had some time to finally relax this afternoon and think about all the many blessings Mike and I have. Here are just a few things I was thinking about today (in no particular order) that I'm thankful for:

- My loving Husband and best friend

- My incredible parents

- The gospel

- The beautiful fall leaves

- Our apartment

- My 3 jobs

- Mike's job

- Weber State being so close

- The power of music

- Living so close to both of our families

- 2 working cars, with no car payments

- Weight watchers

- Thunder and lightening - when it's not too close

- Working out at the gym everyday with my hubby

- Great friends and extended family

- The Temple

- Grey's Anatomy / Modern Family

- Chocolate peanut butter and/or playdough ice cream

-Fresh, toasty sheets on the bed

- Randomly being able to play the piano

I've had a great day just thinking and pondering to myself. I have an incredible life and feel so blessed to have such a great family and circle of friends.

Fun Family Conference Weekend

What a great weekend!! We had 3 full days of family fun!!

Friday - Michelle and Brady came down with their cute girls for General Conference. All of my siblings with kids got babysitters (except baby Kayden) for their cute kiddos and all of us adults went out to dinner. After dinner, we planned to go back to mom and dad's and play lots of fun games together. On the way home, Darin and Rachel's car decided not to work properly so instead of game playing, we all sat outside and chatted for a few hours while dad and the boys fixed the car. It was SO FUN!! Something we haven't done in years. We just laughed and talked and laughed some more. After the car was fixed, dad, mom, Cory, Michelle, Mike and I went to the late night showing of Wall Street. It was such a great show! Mike and I really really enjoyed it. We just had a wonderful time with my fun family. Love you guys!

Saturday - Mike and I got up super early and headed off to Park City to meet up with his family at his brother Brian's Cross Country meet. He did such a great job. It was way fun to watch all the boys run. After the meet, we went down to main street and ate a yummy pizza lunch at the oldest business in Park City - The Red Banjo Pizza. DELICIOUS!! Oh, and on Main

Street....yeah... a total Dodge Viper car show. Hundreds and hundreds of Vipers!! I don't really know what kind of car that is or how cool it is but they sure looked Awesome!! And there were TONS of people there that were just going crazy about all the cars. It was tons of fun!! After we strolled the street, we went back to the condo and watched conference. It was a great session! After that, the boys went to Priesthood and us girls went Shopping!! So fun! We had such a wonderful day together.

Sunday - We got up early and left back for home. We listened to Conference on the way home and finished up at Mike's parent's house. Another wonderful session!! After that, we headed over to my parent's house for a fun lunch with all the kids and grandkids. We are quite the group these days!! We watched the last session of conference and headed back to our home sweet home!

Mike and I feel so blessed to live so close to both of our family's. It's so great to be able to spend so much time together. We've learned this weekend that TIME is truly the most valuable thing. We love spending time with our family's, making new memories and sharing so many wonderful experiences together. We love spending time with just each other- laughing, playing, talking, crying, and more laughing. I truly have the best husband in the world. That a wonderful weekend!!

Fun Picture

I just happened upon this old picture! This was taken on my cell phone towards the end of my first year in Hygiene school - March 2009. I needed a bunch more xrays to finish up my requirements for the semester so Mike came up inbetween classes and let me take a couple xrays. He was such a good sport! He was always so supportive during my stressful years in school. Love you babe!

ANOTHER JOB!!!!

My very best friend Kara, called the other day and said that the Dental office she is currently working in, is hiring for Monday's. That's one day that I haven't been working as a Hygienist. I jumped right on it and took in a resume. I really liked the atmosphere in the office and the Dr. seemed very very nice. He didn't have time to interview me then but said he'd call me. Kara then called me later that night and said he wanted to hire me and start this coming Monday!! She said she told him all about me and he really liked what he heard!! Dr. Packard called me the next day and offered me the job!! I'm SO excited and feel so blessed to have such a wonderful friend like Kara. I'm so thankful for our Father in Heaven who keeps an eye on us and gives us such wonderful opportunities to grow and progress. I'm really excited to be working 3 full days of hygiene. I'm sad to not be with my dad everyday and work with him in his office but I'm happy I get to be with him for 1 1/2 days a week. Live couldn't be better!!

Peach Days :)

What a Great day!! We stared out with making a delicious breakfast for us and Mike's younger brother Brian who stayed the night at our house. We then cruised our way up to Brigham with my mom for Peach Days. We met lots and lots of our family there and we just had a blast!!

The parade was awesome! After that my mom and sister's walked us through their old house, which at that time was a very nice mortuary, (now a Coldwell Banker's office) and told us lots of fun stories as we went from room to room.

We then walked up the street and got legendary 'Scuba burgers' and ate them on the lawn of the City Hall. We just wandered up and down main street, window shopping and eating yummy Idle Isle chocolates.

Once we all got pretty tired of walking, we went over to my aunts and just sat around and talked with all of the family. It was such an incredible day!! I LOVED watching my mom reminisce with her sisters about their childhood and talking with such great people. I'm so happy we're going to make it a tradition again!

~ Lion King ~

For Mike's birthday (way back in April) I gave him tickets for us to go see Lion King down at the Capital Theater. For the past several months, he has been singing songs from the show at the top of his lungs!! I sure hope our neighbor hasn't minded his African music!!

We went on last night (Sept. 9) with my parents, adorable sister Alacia and Melinda (not pictured). He saw this Incredible Musical several years ago in New York with his parents and has wanted to go again ever since.

I was so excited when my mom told me she had bought a bunch of tickets and that I could buy 2 from her. We headed down early and ate dinner at Sizzler and then enjoyed the fun atmosphere of the show. It was one of the BEST musicals I've seen. We both just loved it!! We went with my parents, Alacia, and Melinda. Mike was in Heaven the whole time!!

School and Work!

Just to update everyone on what we are doing......

Mike is continuing his education at Weber State University on a choral music scholarship with a major in Computer Science. He still loves singing in the Chamber Choir. He has about 2 more years to complete his Bachelor's degree and then possibly go on for a Master's. He loves school and is working super hard. He also works part time in a small business here in South Ogden as a computer programmer and continues to do some free lance web design on the side. He's such a hard worker!! I couldn't be more proud!

He thought I was weird to take a picture of him on his first day back to school but was a good sport and let me take it anyway!!

As for me, as I'm sure most of you know already, I graduated from Weber State University back in April with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. I never thought this day would come! I completed and passed all 4 of my board exams and received my Hygiene license in May.

I luckily and gratefully still work for my dad in his dental office for two days a week and work for Experienced Dental one day a week. It's perfect!! I'm finally living my dream of being a hygienist.

Anniversary Trip

Mike and I had a wonderful anniversary weekend! We went up to Logan.... ate a yummy dinner at El Sol... walked around the temple... went and relaxed on the beaches of Bear Lake... rented a Jet Ski... got a famous Raspberry shake... and made lots of fun memories together. I'm the luckiest girl in the world to be married to such a wonderful man!

YUM!!

So Beautiful!

Cutting our yummy anniversary cake! Thanks mom for freezing it for us!

Our toes in the sand!

What a Fun trip!!

One Whole Year!!

WOW!! We can't hardly believe that we have been married for 1 whole year already! It has been a great one for sure!! Full of laughs... hugs... love... tears... success... blessings... and so much more! We feel so blessed to be married and sealed together for time and all eternity. Here's a quick recap of our first year together as Mr. and Mrs. Jasper...

Married September 4, 2009 @ 9:40 am

Salt Lake City Temple

Dental Humanitarian Trip

Casas Grandes, Mexico

November 2009

Our First Christmas

December 2009

Fun Ice Skating Date

February 2010

We attended General Conference

April 2010

Yellowstone National Park with the Richards Family

August 2010

We sure had a Great year!! We are excited for the many more years ahead of us!!

New Blog!!

Welcome to our blog! This has been a huge work in progress for me to put together but I just decided that it doesn't need to be perfect. The most important thing is to actually blog so that family members and friends can be updated on the Jasper family! Both Mike and I will post fun things as the days go on. Please feel free to comment! We're excited about our fun blog! Enjoy! :)