Bear Lake Trip

After graduation, Carly and I took a trip to Bear Lake last week and stayed at the Creamery in St. Charles, Idaho. The Pedersen's have been going to the Creamery for many years and Carly's uncle was gracious enough to let us come this last weekend. Carly's parents and most of her siblings and their children were able to come, as well as my parents and K.C. We mostly hung out and relaxed, but we had a couple family meetings. One of the meetings was on Mother's Day and we shared what we liked about our moms. Another meeting was about our favorite scripture and we learned a lot of new insights.

Playing games with some of my new nieces and nephews was really fun. In fact, there happens to be a firepole that most of us went down and I'm proud to say I was the first Native American to go down it!

It was super fun for our families to get to know each other better and enjoy each others company. Some of the best parts were sitting on the couch and just chatting.

Carly and I went up a few days before to hang out in Utah and spend time with friends and family. The day after we arrived, I got to participate in my first baby blessing for our new nephew Andrew. We also got to see Carly's alma mater, Weber State AND we got to see the Avengers, which totally rocked!

We are looking forward to many more trips up there in the future!

Christmas Break

Christmas Break was a blast! Carly and I flew to UT and got to hang with her family, meet old friends, and just have some fun. The first night Carly had her bridal shower and so her Dad and I went to the "man party" with my future brother in laws and nephews. We played some X-box Kinnect and had some hot chocolate. Afterwards I was taken to the bridal shower since apparently the tradition is for the guy to come to the last five minutes. It was fun because I got to see all the presents and get some of the food!

The next day we went to Provo and met one of her good friends Christen at Kneaders Bakery and had all you can eat french toast. Then we saw one of my college buddies Neil. Finally we dropped by my to see my best friends from my childhood, Pace and his wife Joy, along with Stephanie. It was fun to catch up and have them meet Carly. Steph said they needed to approve before we tied the knot!

Saturday, Carly, her parents and I got to see the new Mission Impossible. It was killer! Later on that day we had a dinner with some of the extended family and had a nativity scene with some of the smaller children. Loved it!

Christmas day was great of course since we got to have a musical program for sacrament. It always a great day when we get to recognize the Savior and his influence on our lives. The next best part was opening the presents! It was fun, especially with all my future nieces and nephews!

One of the best parts of the trip was visting the Bountiful temple, where Carly and I will be married in just a few weeks time. It is a beautiful place and I can't wait to go back there and marry her. I'm so grateful for temples and the authority to make it possible for marriages to last in the eternities. I know the Priesthood and the sealing authority in that Priesthood is real. That is one of the greatest gifts the Lord has blessed his children with.

Best. Christmas Break. With My Fiance. Ever!