We're Engaged!

So I know this a year late, but a year ago today Dan proposed. I never really wrote anything about the day he proposed but since that was the such an important day I don't want to forget anything. (ps this might be kinda long so feel free to skip it)

Last year I had a pretty good idea Dan was going to propose. My sisters were both around and they wouldn't make any plans with me for Saturday night. When I was driving back to my apartment I heard the song on the radio by Black Eyed Peas called I Gotta Feeling. Right then I knew that "tonight's gonna be a good night."

While I was getting ready I couldn't stop singing this song and just plain being excited.

After a long wait he finally picked me up at my apartment. He looked amazing and was even wearing the sweater I gave him for Christmas a few years ago.

I really wanted to get married at Sundance but we knew that wasn't going to work out so I was thrilled when we started driving up Provo Canyon holding hands.

Once we got to Sundance we went to the Tree Room. I had never been there but it is the most romantic little restaurant ever. We couldn't take any pictures up there because my sister had "borrowed" my camera.

We were seated right next to a fireplace at this small table for two. There were candles on the table and the fire smelled delicious.

After an incredible meal of cheese stuffed ravioli (me) and apple caramelized pork (Dan) the waiter asked Dan if he could bring something out. Unbeknownst to me, Dan had called ahead and said that he was proposing that night and asked the waiter to pretend he was going to bring out a ring. He didn't.

Well, I guess we got finished a little bit early because we went on a walk. That was perfectly fine with me because even though it was the middle of winter, Sundance is one of the most beautiful places.

We stopped to warm our hands by a roaring fire. When we walked away, Dan bent down like he was going to propose. And he didn't. Instead he tied his shoe.

So after a fake proposal twice I was wondering if it was really going to happen. Maybe it wasn't the night.

We drove down from Sundance after our walk and headed for his house. Part way there he stopped at a gas station to use the bathroom. I guess he was really calling my sisters (who were decorating) to confirm everything was ready and just needed a couple more minutes so I waited in the car.

On the way to his house he asked what I wanted to do. Was he even going to propose?!

I decided to test him just a little so I suggested we watch a movie at my apartment. He said that Joel had the movie at his house so why don't we just stop there first. Finally, I agreed.

When we got to his house I was just overwhelmed by the smell of roses.

We walked down petal lined stairs and into the office.

As I looked around I saw the room covered in candles with soft music playing. The roses were still overwhelming and so romantic.

Dan walked over to the table and grabbed my hands. He told me how much he loved me and that he couldn't imagine life without me.

He unwrapped a ring box and got down on one knee. Again, he told me how much he loved me and then he asked me to marry him. I said yes and he placed the most beautiful ring on my finger.

We hugged and kissed and we were engaged! Then Dan showed me a movie he had made for me of our dating years. (That's why my sister stole my camera) It must have been hard because we don't tend to take a lot of pictures but it was beautiful.

On our first date we went to Chili's and had the chocolate molten cake for dessert. Dan had picked it up and had it ready for us to indulge on after he had proposed.

We called my parents and announced the wonderful news. Then Dan's family came in and we were able to celebrate with them.

And that's the story of how the love of my life proposed.

My Turn to Give

Growing up we had a lot of family and friends who were able to help out when my mom was so sick with cancer. Last week I was able to pay it forward and provide some help to one of my dad's sisters.

My aunt Lori has always been a woman I have admired. She is always positive and cheerful. She reminds me what it means to be charitable.

Recently she was diagnosed with cancer and needed to have surgery. Since her husband was out of town I flew up to Tualatin, Oregon to help out. We spent one day in the hospital waiting for the surgery to begin and then the rest of the week waiting for results.

I was able to give back some of what others have given to me by helping my aunt. And it was lots of fun to spend time with her amazing family. She gave me some new recipes and we had some great talks.

I'm so grateful for the time I was able to spend with Lori and her family. It was great to provide some service to Lori. She teaches me so much and is a wonderful woman. Keep her in your prayers and hopefully the next time I visit, we will be able do the P90X yoga and go hiking!

Fabulous Fondue

For Christmas my parents gave Dan and me a fondue set with the Melting Pot cookbook. The Melting Pot is my favorite restaurant and I have wanted a fondue pot for so long. So when we got it I knew that we would have to try it out.

For the appetizer we had a zesty cheddar cheese fondue. We dipped apples and bread in it and it was exquisite.

After a salad we went onto our main course. We had a Caribbean broth to cook the meat in and we had plenty of food. We had shrimp, lobster, steak, and chicken. Potatoes were added to the broth and they came out wonderfully.

Some of the shrimp were not marinated and the lobster was plain (it's one of my favorite foods). Then half the chicken, steak, and shrimp were marinated in a cilantro lime sauce and the other half were marinated with Caribbean jerk seasoning. We also made a lot of different dipping and sauces and thanks to my grandma we even had real fondue plates!

I have a huge tendency to go overboard for this type of thing and our fondue night was not exception. I think I had three or four pounds of meat for the two of us! We were able to cook the extras and enjoy leftovers for a few days.

The only thing missing from this fabulous fondue dinner was the chocolate dessert. We were so full after eating that we couldn't stand the thought of eating something as rich as a chocolate fondue. But the next time we have fondue it will definitely be chocolate!

Ringing in the New Year

We went up to Wyoming for New Year's Eve. We drove my little Chevy Cobalt and it was a huge mistake. It was not easy to drive through the Wyoming roads in a car that doesn't have four wheel drive and I don't think we will be driving there in the winter with my car.

On the way there, we got stuck in the snow and then we almost slid into a semi truck that was parked all the way across the highway.

Once we finally got there we got to see my grandma and a lot of my mom's family. And I got to do some things that I had never tried before!

We drove up a small canyon road and then walked or snowmobiled the rest of the way up. Once we got to the top I shot a gun for the first time ever!

I have to say that I look kind of good shooting a gun even though I didn't hit anything.

Dan got to shoot as well but he did much better than I did!

That night we celebrated the New Year with fireworks and chocolate fondue. We played tons of games and actually stayed up until midnight!