Broadway in Salt Lake

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Last night, Jarad and I were able to go to see the Broadway musical -The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. We went with Peter & Michelle (Thanks for winning tickets Peter!!) and it was hilarious! They had people from the audience in the first part of the show and the performers were just adlibing them into the script. We really enjoyed it!

Last Semester Life

Chicken Enchilada's & Dr. Pepper- yumm!!

We are so excited for the end of the semester to be here!!! Why you ask?! Jarad will be graduating! And we will actually get to see each other during the week!!!
Because Jarad works for the Daily Chronicle (U of U newspaper) as photo editor, he has to spend many late nights there during the week, which makes having dinner together and merely seeing each other during the week a challenge. Most mornings, one or the other of us is usually up and out of the house before the other is up, and then I am usually in bed before Jarad gets home from editing. So, we devised a plan so we can at least see each other during the week. Although it's usually for only about half an hour, it is better than nothing! I try and cook something and then drive up to the U to his office, where we eat dinner in the photo office while he works. Here is a picture of us doing just that tonight! It's not much, but you do want you have to do right?! Two more months....I just keep repeating that in my mind...just two more months!

Weekend with the Reddekopp Family

Ambar, Janna, Alan, Kayla & Jarad


Alan & Angela- I think he had one too many pain pills....


Ash, Alan & Jarad

This weekend, Jarad's sisters (Ambar, Janna and Kayla) came into town so they could all spend the weekend with their Dad. It was really fun to have everyone together and for everyone to get the change to spend time with Alan. I think the last time they were all together was our wedding a year and a half ago. We didn't do anything big or exciting...just spent some quality time in Heber at his house, played games and just talked. We laughed alot and they all had fun taking a trip down memory lane. Of course, we had to take some pictures, which turned out to be the funniest part of the weekend. Alan was quite the comedian during the pictures as you can see from his faces! We are so glad that we were able to spend time with all the Reddekopps! We love you all!!!

Valentine's Day Promenade

Jar & Ash- we look so cute!

About a month ago, our Elder's Quorum at church asked us to put on the Valentine's activity. So, we rallied some help and had a spectacular Valentine's "PROM"enade! At first we were a little sketchy on the whole idea but once we got into it, we were very excited. A cheezy "prom" theme was chosen and the theme continued through everything we did. Jarad borrowed some extra camera/lighting gear and came up with a background (kind of cheezy as you can see by our picture) and he took pictures of all the couples that came and then we printed them and passed them out a few days later at church. We also had some desserts to eat, lots of hearts and red/pink decor and what would the "prom" be without some dancin', of course! We asked two couples from our ward to provided some dance instruction and they did a great job! Everyone participated and they gave us lessons in everything from the polka, the waltz to swing dancing! We of course had the cheezy slow songs for all to sway romantically to and some bust-a-move music to cut a rug with as well. All in all, it was a great time and we had tons of fun!

Visit to Heber

Alan & Jarad

Saturday, we were able to go up to Heber and visit Jarad's Dad, Alan. We went to lunch and just chatted about life. Alan, has cancer and there isn't any more medical treatments that will help slow or stop this disease. He has been battling it for a while now and it has been difficult to see him go through the pain and struggle he has gone through. We know his time on earth will be shorter than we would all like. We hope that we can learn from him, make and share memories with him, and show him we love him as long as we can.

GIRLS NIGHT!!!

My Girls! (Tarina, Geri, Christina, Sarah, Mellie, Me- we missed you Steph, E-beth and Shmam!)

I LOVE MY GIRLS! This week, our friend Geri came home to Salt Lake! She moved to Maryland a few months ago, which is exciting and sad..because we miss her...but lucky for us, she came to visit! :) So of course we had to get together! Thanks to all my girls for coming to play!
We are all so lucky to have each other. I am so grateful for my girls and all their love and support!!! I don't know how I was so lucky to have met them all during my college years and for us all to have made and kept our strong bond as we have, but I am so glad we did! My life would not be the same without any of them! As we've all become big kids, some have moved away, and we don't get to see each other very often, but when we do, I know I can count on a great time, lots of laughs and a picture to remember it by! I love you all!!! And can't wait till we have our next girls night...whenever that may be!!

SuperBowl Sunday

Cole & Maura

Ash & Maura

Unfortunately, Jarad had to work on SuperBowl Sunday at the Chrony...but...fortunetly for me, we have great friends! I was able to go to Ogden with our friends Cole & Maura. We braved the snow and went to Cole's aunts house to watch the game. It was very intense and there were fans of both sides present. We cheered in the end for the wrong team, but it was still alot of fun. We also played Wii bowling and I must say, we all have amazing Wii bowling skills (hopefully that makes up for our lack of real bowling skillls)!

A Memorable Experience

I just want to share an experience that Jarad and I had today. Knowing that even though we live close, we wouldn't be able to attend President Hinckley's funeral, we decided to go to the viewing. So, this afternoon, Jarad and I went down to the Conference Center to the viewing for President Hickley. We had to park far away, and ended up waiting in line for about 3 hours. However, it was one of the best and most touching experiences of our life.
After we made it inside, we were seated in the actual Conference Center area to wait to go upstairs to the area were his casket was. They had music from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir playing there as we waiting. Finally it was our turn and we made our way upstairs to the floor Pres. Hickley was on. As soon as we entered that floor I could tell a difference in the spirit that was there. It was very strong and peaceful. There were many flowers around from his family and others and everything was very beautiful. As we neared his casket, we were overwhelmed by the strength of the Spirit. As we passed Pres. Hickley's casket, he looked very peaceful and happy. I, of course, burst into tears as I was just touched by the Spirit and Jarad just held my hand.
After we passed his casket, we were lead into another room which had many pictures of him and his wife and family. It was such a wonderful and neat experience for both of us. I am so grateful we had the oppurtunity to go down there. It is something we will remember for a very long time. As we left and walked to the car, we both recounted our memories of President Hinckley and all of his teachings that we will remember from his time as our prophet.
Even though we can't be there for the funeral, I know we will watch and feel of the great spirit and legacy that President Hinckley left with us, the Church and the world.