Celebrating Leap Day

Thank goodness for mid-week date nights. Just what we needed. And the Jazz had a great game! Thanks honey for convincing me to go despite the snow storm. Such a fun night!

5 Years

We celebrated our 5th anniversary on the 13th. It was one of the best days I have had with my husband! Benj surprised me with a couples massage along with a soak in the hot tub and cheesecake.

We went shopping, saw Thor at the IMAX theater and finished our day eating on the patio at Biaggi's, one of our favorite restaurants.

I'm so thankful for a wonderful husband. He is one patient man to put up with his sensitive, emotional, hormonal wife. :)

I love you.

4 Years

Today we celebrate 4 YEARS of wedded bliss. What a lucky girl I am. I get to be married to the best man I've ever known (and also a complete stud . . . just look at him. Love that sly smile.)

These lovelys magically appeared on my doorstep yesterday. One dozen for Mothers Day, one dozen for our anniversary. I smell them everytime I walk by. Flowers always remind me of our special day because it was so beautiful. Honestly the best day of my life.

This weekend we get to escape to St. George . . . just the two of us. I'm going to try to relax and not worry too much about being away from Logan. I can't wait to be with my hubby and act like newlyweds.

I love you Benj. Happy 4 years and here's to many more.

xoxo - me

You Make Me Feel So Young

Oh Park City, how I adore you! There is something about visiting this beautiful mountain town. It makes you feel like you've traveled a great distance to get there. The scenery, the shopping, the eating . . . sigh . . . I want to go back already! The leaves were just starting to change. I told Benj we need to go back in a couple weeks when everything is in golds, reds, and browns.

I loved the crisp fall air. I loved shopping for sweaters and jackets. I loved eating carmel apples with my sweetie. I even loved screaming (in delight and fear) when riding down the Alpine Slide and Alpine Coaster. Going down them made me feel young (I know I'm not old, but you know what I mean). I loved how Grandma and Grandpa Croft watched Logan while Benj and I could go out just the two of us.

Although told not to race, Benj and I knew what the other was thinking. Unfortunately Benj got a good start and I couldn't catch up. Plus he had no fear and rarely hit the brakes.

I think this picture is hilarious. Benj got stuck behind a little kid and I raced past him squealing in delight, "I won! I won!" He later informed me that the red banner above us was the finish line, not the red track and he had past it first. Whatever.

Although there is a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in SLC, you have to have a carmel apple in Park City. We munched on Strawberry Cheesecake, chocolate with almonds, and Butterfinger-flavored. My mouth is starting to water.

I really don't know why we don't go every weekend.

Here's to 3 Years

A lot has happened in 3 years, but I've enjoyed every minute with you. Here's to many more. Happy Anniversary. I love you.

3 Years Ago

On a Saturday morning 3 years ago, December 16th, I woke up just like any other day. Benj and I were dating long distance (he was in Bountiful and I was in Logan), and I would stay at his house over the weekends. After getting up, Benj asked me what I wanted to do that day. I asked him the same question. He said something like, "Mmmm, I don't know." After breakfast, he told me he had an idea but wouldn't tell me what we were going to do.
We left the house and he started driving toward West Bountiful. I pointed out an airplane overhead, not knowing that minutes later we would turn into an airport parking lot. He told me that we were going for a ride for an early Christmas present. Yes, I was starting to wonder it this was THE day. I started getting really excited. The secretary casually said there was a plane waiting for us, and we got into a little 4-seater plane. Our pilot was making polite conversation as I kept looking outside for a "sign".
We were able to see Benj's house, the Bountiful golf course, and the Bountiful temple. It had just snowed so it was beautiful and white. Benj had a video camera out (yes, that was a good hint). I wasn't seeing any sign on the rooftops and the pilot started us back to the airport. I truly started thinking, "I guess this WAS just an early Christmas present."
As we started descending, the pilot told me to look out my opposite window. I was shocked to see a red sign saying WILL YOU MARRY ME right along the runway. Benj's sister, mom, nephew and our 2 friends Tony and Chris were waving both arms as we flew by! Truth be told I didn't see all of the sign and we were going so fast I couldn't make out who the people were! I looked at Benj, who was smiling and holding something in his hand. Our headsets weren't working all that great so I saw him mouth the words, "Amanda, will you marry me?" I had imagined this day all my life, thinking I would just scream "YES, YES!!!" However, I was speechless . . . couldn't mutter a word. Literally couldn't breathe. When I could say something that's what I said, "I can't breathe!" I was in shock to the point that I hadn't even looked down at the ring yet! Finally I shook my head up and down and quickly hugged him and started crying. I looked at the ring as he took it out of the box and placed it on my finger. At this point, the pilot asked, "What did she say?" He saw us kissing, which I think answered the question. We flew around again and I got a better view at the sign.

When we landed we just stood there and hugged for a good 10 minutes. We motioned to the family and friends to come over and we got to share our happiness with them.

It seems so long ago, but it's still a very clear, wonderful memory in my mind. I couldn't ask for a better husband. We are a "perfect fit" as we've told each other many times. We have grown and learned so much about each other the past 3+ years. I look forward to sharing every special moment in my life with him.

I love you sweetheart!

21 Months

For our first entry, I thought I'd post a few engagement/wedding pictures that many of you haven't seen. I can't believe it's already been 21 months! Being married to your best friend in the most wonderful thing in the world.

Some of our engagement photos:

from my bridals:

and from our wedding: