Honeymoon to Southern Cali...Part 1 San Diego...

Joe and I were so excited to go for nine days to Southern California...we left the 3rd of July for San Diego. I was there when I was eight years old and Joe had never been there. You can imagine our excitment!! We spent a couple of evenings at Coronado Beach (I kept leaving my camera...so frustrating!!). I absolutely LOVED the beach. Oh my goodness...it was beautiful and the waves were crazy fun. We went there our first evening. What ended up just dipping our feet in the water came to a full fledged swimming fest. LOL we couldn't help ourselves. It was way too fun!! The sunset was beautiful there...we spent the next couple of days there. I really wish I would have remembered the camera!!

Sunday we decided to visited the Mormon Battalion Center. They had just remodeled it and opened up in January. It was really neat how they portrayed the lives of the men who joined the U.S. Army under the counsel of the prophet Brigham Young. The sacrifices of leaving their families, sicknesses, hunger and sufferings. But through it all the prophecy of Brigham Yound came true. That if they went they would not face battle. Most of the money they made went to their families and helped the Saints travel West to Salt Lake Valley...


We went to the San Diego temple. We both have always loved that temple and we were beyond excited to see it. However, it was under construction :0( The scaffolding covered all of it except for the west tower. But it was still beautiful and we were so grateful to do a session there. Joe and I agreed that it was one of the prettiest temples we have ever been in. I want to see it sometime when the construction is over. I can't begin to imagine how pretty it would be...






We went to the San Diego Zoo. We have heard such great things about this Zoo. And it lived up to its reputation. LOL, we loved seeing the elephants, but 15 elephants later we realized that they were a common thing ;0)


We saw so many different animals!! I have been to the Hogle Zoo in SLC, which is small but fun. I went to Cincinnatti with my brother's family, which I thought was the best. But wow, San Diego is definately one of a kind...

Joe's favorite animal in the whole zoo...who wouldhave guessed that it was the camel?! LOL, he makes me laugh ALL OF THE TIME!!



Joe by the hippos. I don't know why, but I absolutely LOVE this picture!! It makes me laugh every time. Isn't he so stinkin' cute?!


We saw our first Panda cub (I guess they are pretty rare). She was two years old and so adorable...



Joe and I by bamboo trees...


Joe and I riding the Skyfari from one side of the zoo to the other...



We went to Seaworld. We were like two little kids in paradise!! The first thing we ran into was the Sesame Street rides. We had to ride the Abby Sea Star Spin...


One of the first Seaworld animals we saw were the Beluga whales. I personally thought they looked funny, but Joe thought they were beautiful. But looking at these pictures, I might have changed my mind...


The polar bears...


These walrus's cracked me up with their whiskers...



Joe HAD to see the flamingos. They were so pink and pretty!! And there were so many...


And what would Seaworld be like without the dolphins?


Or the killerwhales?



Joe and I were very excited to find out about a ride there, Journey to Atlantis. We went on it again, and again, and again!! We had a BLAST!! It was such a fun drop off at the very beginning were you got soaked, and then you continued on a rollercoaster ride. It was the perfect mix!!



We had gone on Shipwreck Rapids (where you got soaked on a raft) and the Wild Artic Ride (they simulate a helicopter ride where you see wildlife and experience the thrill of the flight) but our favorite had to be Journey to Atlantis. Look how wet we are!!



And we loved every minute of Sea World!! We had so much fun. And with the little taste of a rollercoaster with Journey to Atlantis, we got hooked!! We couldn't help but decide we wanted to have more...

Wedding...

We were married and sealed for Time and All Eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. We have shared some special memories there together. So we were so excited to be able to arrange our wedding there. Those in attendance were: Grandma and Grandpa Neibaur, my mom Linda, Stephanie and Jeff Bare, Kevin and Rachel Hebdon. My dad Steve, cousin Allen and neice Beth watched over the kids. How grateful I am to them!! They joined us after the ceremony.













All of our family on the temple steps...



My brother in law Jeff took the pictures at the reception and the wedding. I love them and am so incredibly grateful for his talent and willingness to help us out. We love ya Jeff!!

Reception in Idaho

We were so excited to have a garden reception at my Uncle Chad and Aunt Jackie Neibaur's home in Bancroft, Idaho. Everything turned out PERFECT!! Their home and yard was absolutely beautiful and my family helped us out so much!! Joe and I felt so incredibly blessed...




Joe's dad Gary, oldest brother Phillip, and mom Sally, were able to make it. We were both so grateful that they came...


Joe and I at the reception...(side note: It was so humid that any attempt to curl my hair was exactly that, an attempt!! Out of control...oh well). The night was absolutely perfect. We couldn't have asked for anything more...


The kids were so great during all of this. We set up for quite a few hours, then the reception was a few hours long...and the whole time I never heard fighting, chaos, or anyone getting into trouble. They were so wonderful...and incredibly cute...


The beautiful wedding cake that my mom created. Stephanie helped her to put it all together...I absolutely loved it...didn't they do a fantastic job?!

Idaho fun with the Hebdon's

Kevin, Rachel, Beth, Jake, Adam, Benjamin, and Caleb were able to spend a couple of weeks in Utah and Idaho. I was so excited!! It is a yearly event, however it is NEVER enough. So we are grateful to get them when we can. And it added even more to the excitement because I have never met Baby Caleb...what a blonde cutie.

Stephanie and Jeff's family all made it to Idaho at my parents. I am always amazed at how well the cousins get along. With the age difference being younger than 1 to 14 years old...you couldn't ask for better friends.

We were able to go fishing at a friend of my dad's pond. We are pretty spoiled there. We had each kid catch 2 fish, and just within a few hours. All of the kids with their trophy catches...

Jenna and I waiting patiently for a bite...

Jeff, Mom, Jenna, and Beth...

Joe and Kevin demonstrating the art of fishing ;0)


Having a lunch and playing at the McCammon City Park. Once again, all of the kids just have a blast...



Stephanie, my mom, and Rachel threw me bridal shower for my extended family. The decorations were absolutely beautiful and fun. Our wedding colors are red, light pink, and a medium pink.







They did such a wonderful job. The theme was Emergency Preparedness/Camping. We played a few games and everyone seemed to enjoy the evening. There is one game in particular that I will never forget...me answering questions about Joe. I thought "piece of cake!! I know him inside and out. Bring it on!!" Well, needless to say I realized that there were so many things that I didn't know...in fact things that I would never have thought to ask. What a fun game!!



We received so many wonderful gifts. To name a few: Dutch Oven, tent, latterns, mess kits, first aid, homemade patchwork quilt, hot dog roasting sticks, cooler, 72 hour kit, flashlights and more!!


We were so excited because we dont have anything for this. We are so grateful. And when it was all over, we had to keep the Neibaur tradition, make a wedding dress out of wrapping paper...when they were done they invited Joe in. LOL, I couldn't tell if he was having second thoughts after he saw me in the dress ;0)


But he was a trooper and took the hotseat to answer the same questions about me. It was great fun.

Thank you, Stephanie, Mom, and Rachel for doing this. And thank you to my family for your kindness and joining in on the fun. Love you all!!
What a fun weekend!! Thank you

Wedding Updates....

Wow!! I can't believe that it's only ten days away!?!! Oh my goodness....it has been a pretty crazy few weeks. We have both been incredibly blessed. Things have gone pretty smoothly and we couldn't ask for more. May 15th my brother-in-law Jeff Bare took our engagement pictures at Thanksgiving Point. Didn't he do a fantastic job!! We are so pleased with how they turned out. He and Stephanie also worked on the announcement with us, and hopefully soon I can post a copy on here.

Here are mine and Joe's favorites....






May 27th some friends from the hospital threw me a bridal shower. It was held at Deb Johnson's home, so nice and relaxing. I asked Joe if he would come to the shower when he got off work. I have received many complaints about us not having an openhouse here in Utah. So I thought the chance for them to meet him there at the shower would be a perfect compromise. He is such a great sport and the ladies loved him.

Friday of Memorial Day weekend we drove to Nampa, Idaho to spend the night at Sally (his mother) and Phillip's (his brother) home. The next day the four of us headed to Sumpter, Oregon to meet up with Gary (his father) Mark (his brother), and the rest of Joe's uncles and aunts from his father's side. There we spent time talking with the family, going on a old west train ride, and shopping at flea markets. Later that evening we had a BBQ at his father's home in Union (near La Grande), Oregon with the rest of the family.

The rest of the weekend went great, and it was so much fun to get to know all of Joe's family. One of my favorite parts was listening to everyone bragging about how wonderful Joe is, how much they love him, and how lucky I am to have him in my life. I totally agree =0)But the highlight of the weekend was getting to hear all of the stories behind the man. His mom and dad were willing to share their memories with me while we looked at old photo albums.....I was in heaven!! And I have never seen Joe so embarrassed!!

I couldn't find my camera so I don't have any pictures of the weekend, but I absolutely loved every minute of it. I am so grateful for Joe's family and their open arms. I must admit that I was superly nervous to meet them all. Now, I am so excited to see them again when they come to the reception!!

This weekend we are heading to Idaho for a Bridal Shower my mom and sister Stephanie are putting on for me with the extended family. I am excited to go home and see everyone.

I probably won't be able to post until after the wedding, but I just wanted to put up our engagment pictures and express my gratitude for the love and support of our family and friends. You are all truly WONDERFUL!! We love you all!!

I am excited to announce.....

...that I will be getting married to my best friend, Joseph Henry Johnson!! I have promised to include "details" here in this blog.....I might have to edit it later, but this will have to do for now.

Joe is working full time and studying Computer Science at BYU. He is from Enumclaw, Washington. It is a town just outside of Seattle. He will be 28 in June. He is the youngest of three, with two older brothers. His dad now lives in La Grande, Oregon, and his mom lives in Nampa, Idaho. I have yet to meet them but I'm so excited to be with his family Memorial weekend!!

Joe is Rachel's cousin....for those of you who are trying to figure out the family tree, NO there is no blood relation at all!! ;0) I often get a confused look when I tell people that!! Anyways, just over 2 years ago, Joe and Rachel's grandfather died. They were both at the funeral. Rachel and her mom invited Joe to come and stay with their family for a week in the summer. Joe loves being with family, especially little kids, and jumped at the chance!! He was going to school and would be able to be there for his break.

Joe had heard about the LDS church and knew some good people who were LDS, but like many had heard a few confusing stories. So when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio he started talking with his Aunt Joan (Rachel's mom)about the Gospel. Then she asked Kevin to help with some questions....and those of you who know my brother, he knows his stuff!! And can teach the doctrine by the Spirit. Joe asked questions and ended up meeting with the missionaries, going to Kirkland, and through many special experiences decided to be baptized August 2, 2008. What an amazing testimony!! I love to hear him share his insights and learning moments from his scripture study and temple attendance. I am truly blessed to have found such a righteous man!!

Joe with Kevin and Rachel's family and his Aunt Joan....




So.....no doubt you are wondering how we met? Well, thanks to a brother that is very persistent ;0) He asked me if I would email Joe and keep in contact with him. Joe was going back to Washington for school and he didn't have any family nearby, didn't know any members, and would be new to so many things. I thought it would be a great experience to get to know Joe (I had heard so many wonderful things from the family) and feel the missionary spirit again!! I had missed the excitement of sharing the Gospel, and what a wonderful opportunity!! Needless to say, we emailed each other and became great friends. I had planned a trip to Seattle to see an old roommate of mine, Ashley, in June of last year. Joe's mom still lived in Enumclaw and so we where able to meet and be together for a couple of days. I have some earlier posts of my trip, but here are some pictures from it. (The only picture we have together is blurry =0( Oh well...). We had so much fun together, and never had a boring moment!! We went to the aquarium....


We went to a Mariner's game....


And we did baptisms for the dead in Seattle....


Joe received his endowments in the Columbus, OH temple in September 2009. This is a picture of Joe with Rachel and Kevin Hebdon....


Joe just outside of the Columbus, OH temple....


He was accepted into BYU for Winter 2010 and I was excited to have my friend here with me!! So....we have been dating ever since January, and the last few months we've been pretty inseparable. I absolutely love to be with him and have so much fun. Not only do I truly love him, but I get to be with my best friend. And one of the greatest thing about Joe, is that my family absolutely LOVES HIM TO DEATH!! Kevin and Rachel's family were already adopting him as one of their own before we met. We have been with Stephanie and Jeff's family a few times, and they love them. In fact, I tease him that he has already stolen Kevin's family from me....that he's in BIG TROUBLE if he steals Stephanie's family away from me too!! We were able to go on a trip to Moab, see Grandpa and Grandma Neibaur in Mesa, and then went for a quick peek in Las Vegas in March.

Moab, UT....


Mesa, AZ....


Las Vegas Temple....


Along the Vegas strip....


And you would think of being together the whole time for 4 days, and half of that time being in a car, we would be sick of each other. But, if anything, it made us closer.

Joe came up to Idaho with me for Easter to be with my family, and he met my dad. (He was in Ohio visiting Kevin's family when my mom went down for Caleb's blessing....and she could do nothing but share how much she thought of Joe). And....as history would repeat itself, my dad likes him too!! I LOVE the fact that they all get along so well =0)

Joe asked me to marry him at the Bountiful Temple grounds this last Sunday, May 2nd. Due to my class/clinical schedule and then his school schedule for the fall.....we decided to get married the last weekend of June at the Salt Lake Temple. (We both love that temple and have done a few sessions there together. It is a special place for us.)....and it just so happens that a year from June 26th is when we went to the Seattle Temple together to do baptisms for the dead. How special is that?!!

Thank you all for your shared excitement with us!! We are truly blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. I love you all!!