GAME 2!

Wasn't as clean a victory as we might have hoped, but we got the job done.

Oh, and our official videographer (Meagan Hollman, in pink) had a long overdue reunion with her boyfriend Taran during the game thus the distraction in the video clips ;) Enjoy!

A Clark Weekend!

Last weekend, Brittney's aunt Jodi and her husband Marshall Clark asked us to watch after 4 of their kids while they attended Brittney's uncle Jack (and new wife Jill!)'s wedding. We were delighted to have the opportunity and had a BLAST with the kids! Here's a quick video recap of our wild adventures:

5 Years in the Making

Tonight, Brittney and I celebrated 5 YEARS since we first began dating back in High School. We've been through many adventures, in many places (often apart!), but 5 years later, we realize that it was all part of the plan. And we're together now. That's what matters most.

Jan. 13, 2006 - I asked the prettiest girl I knew to be my girlfriend.

Jan. 13, 2011 - After 5 years and many adventures later (including a wedding!), we enjoy a calm Italian dinner and reflect on the night she said, "yes."

New Year's Resolutions!

With the new year upon us, Brittney and I are all set to conquer the world! While our Christmas break was spent mostly in Provo (with me working at Best Buy and Brittney pulling her hair out back at our apartment!), we stole away for a week to be with our loved ones in Sunny California! Our drive through Donner Pass was horrific (driving 20 mph in a blizzard, "Okay Brittney, you look out your side window, and I'll look out mine; tell me when we're getting close to the wall.") but we made it safely to our destination (Tracy, CA this time) and a day early to surprise our mothers :)

We had lots of adventures and received many thoughtful gifts, but in a crazy coincidence, both of our mothers looked long and hard to find us a Flip camcorder.



...which we took to mean, "Hey guys! Take more videos of your life and share with us because we miss you!" So that is our New Year's Resolution: to record our lives, edit the video, and share with those we love.

How will we do it? On facebook, in emails, and right here on this blog. Our tentative goal is to upload at least one video every week this year. So stay tuned!

Here's our first offering: A compilation video of our co-ed soccer team, The Awesome Whistles, and our first game. Enjoy!

January 7th, 2011, a joint task force of assassins unite, representing the fabled Whistle Tips and already legendary Team Awesome. The ensuing onslaught of goals, moves, skills, and complete domination left onlookers stunned--mouths agape.



12-0 read the scoreboard. Game over.

"Leaves are falling all around, on the rooftops on the ground"

The season of Fall in Provo is absolutely beautiful. As days grow shorter, and nights grow longer and cooler, I ponder about the biochemical processes in the leaves that paint the landscape with Nature's autumn palette. And for reasons like this...this is why I am studying science! I love learning about molecular functions of Christ's marvelous creations. I am loving it :)

Life at BYU is quite busy! Jake and I are doing well in school, we're working hard, and enjoying our first semester as a married couple :) So here's a recap of our journey through Fall in captured moments...



About 2 months ago, Jake broke his LEG (right fibula) while longboarding. This time period has definitely has been a test of patience! Jake loves to be on the go doing any physical activity...but since he fractured his leg...he has been resting and taking care of it the best he knows how. Since day one, Jake has been high spirited and always thinking positively about his situation and I know that we are both growing from this experience. In this photo, here are the remnants of Jake's injury...the torn up shoe worn from the incident, the boot he wore during the healing process, and now the ankle brace to help secure the bone. Slowly but surely, he should be back to playing sports by January :)



In honor of Jake's recent injury, we attended our ward's Halloween party as LONGBOARDERS!! That was so fun!! However, throughout the night, people kept asking us if we longboarded to the party and wondered if we dressed like that normally . Uhhhhh...well...we thought the crutches would give it away, but I guess we needed a sign that said "Jake broke his leg longboarding." We'll conjure up a poster for next time ;)



Jake's work (Best Buy) threw a Halloween party!! Our last minute costume we put together was MISSIONARY COMPANIONS! Aren't we the cutest companionship?? ;) Throughout the night, I definitely grew fond of wearing a tie, I think ties should come in fashion for women...maybe I'll start a new trend ;)



Yayy! Becca's Birthday :) Becca sure is excited to be 18!! We were glad to be with her to celebrate!!! Thanks to Lisa's birthday package, we had lots of fun decorating Becca's room with balloons, streamers and confetti!



Before the Thanksgiving break, we hosted a potluck dinner at our home with Becca, her roommate (Hannah), Kayla and her roommate (Keelia), and Blake! We love visiting with all of them:) Since our table is too small to fit everyone around it, we decided to have a picnic on the floor! Yeah, it was a bit crowded...but we were cozy and we had a good time :)









Thanksgiving, we went to Uncle Kurt and Aunt Wendy's place up in Ogden. Uncle Mike, Aunt Connie and Tyler came from Sacramento and Davis and Derek came from BYU-Idaho :) It was so fun having some of Jake's family together!! We played in the snow, made some pumpkin pies, ate Uncle Mike's deep fried turkey (yum!!), and relaxed together :) It was a wonderful break from the craziness of school and work.

Now, what am I grateful for?!?
I am so grateful for having family on both sides living so close to us!! :) I am grateful for our dear, loving family in California. We wish they were closer :/ I am grateful for our good health. I am grateful for our opportunity to attend and gain knowledge from Brigham Young University. I am grateful for various scholarships we have received to help assist our educational journey. I am grateful for our trials that we have encountered thus far as a newly married couple--through them we have overcome and grown together.

Happy Holidays!! We love you all :)

BYU at Last!!!

Recently, the hate mail has been piling up because of our lack of updates. Especially from a certain, very persistent young lady in Idaho (KRISTINA PATTON) so we voluntarily decided that it was time for an update!

When we last left our love-struck heroes, they were sizzling in AZ and loving it! The wild world of Pest Control came to an end, and with the new semester fast approaching, they saddled up to return to BYU. Mama Bean and Annelise were quick to come down and help us uproot our few belongings (and many presents! Thanks again!!!) to Provo!



Then, DISASTER STRUCK!



Yes, that is the middle of nowhere.

After extensive repairs in AZ, we thought we were good to go. The first tire blow-out wasn't too bad, because we quickly emptied our jam-packed trunk and changed it out for the spare. The second blow-out was incredibly frustrating, however!!! Not only did we not have a spare to change out, but my AAA membership was 10 days expired and no one would answer the phone at any tow yard.

Lucky for us that day happened to be the FIRST DAY OF DEER SEASON, which, for all the rest of us who don't enjoy climbing a tree drenched in deer urine, means no males anywhere in the nomad-like portions of Utah run their businesses. Our tow truck driver, Scott, is the mechanic for his towyard, in CEDAR CITY (an hour the opposite direction) who kindly towed us to a hotel near a Wal Mart where we could go in the morning to get new tires and be back on our way.

Making the best of a bad situation, the four wearied travelers rented a movie from RedBox and promptly fell asleep 3 minutes into it.

...

But don't worry, we awoke the next morning, got the new tires, and made it to BYU where we have quickly adapted to our new life!









One of our MANY highlights thus far has been the visit of Brittney's cousin Jamie with her husband Tyler and their daughter Avery!







It's been amazing being back in school and just buckling down to do well! So many distractions have dissipated being married, and we are loving every minute of it!

Brittney continues to work as the all-star receptionist and do-it-all secretary at the on-campus Pre-School/Kindergarten and has recently taken on more responsibility preparing the food for the kids in preparation for her new Dietetics (Nutrition) Major.

I had planned on keeping work to soccer referee jobs and graphic design after the summer burn-out, but recently had the opportunity to work as a portable electronics salesperson for Best Buy (iPods, car audio, digital cameras and video games? YES PLEASE!) so I'm back in the workforce again ;)

Between acing tests and dominating our classes, we've spent a lot of time playing with other married couples, hosting Kayla and Becca at our place, organizing epic longboarding journeys and most importantly: PLAYING SOCCER!!!

Oh how we've missed you, Provo.

Wedding Photos!

Wow! We sure are late in uploading all the wedding photos! Brittney did a spectacular job of updating everyone about all our happenings here in AZ, but since we all looked SO GOOD at the wedding (ya, even you!), we all want to see our glamour shots! Here ya go:



Facebook Album Link

Here's one of the group, and a link to an album to see them all! Make sure to tag yourself in the shots if you haven't already!

THANK YOU Bro. and Sis. Whitaker!!!