It's official: We're in love.

This post isn't about Mark and I, but a mutual love we share:

Yes, it's a couch. We love it so much.
We also love it in navy blue.


I don't think our old, free couch
will be making it to NYC with us.
It was good to us.
Anyone looking for a couch... we might be getting rid of ours.

p.s. Studying for finals is going great...I haven't gotten distracted once. riiggghhttt.

MOAB.

The group.

Canyonlands at sunset.

killer poses.

millers and ahlstroms.

Sunset at Mesa Arch.

Overlooking Canyonlands and Green River

Mesa Arch.

What a wonderful weekend. Went down to Moab with our good friends the Harts and the Ahlstroms. Ate some great food (especially the cobbler!), had a fabulous ride at Slick Rock, and enjoyed some of God's finest beauty in Canyonlands.

Besides hitting that poor gigantic jack rabbit, I'd say it was a success! Thanks guys!

Finally...some Eli pics.

Look at all that hair!!!

This is about the most precious thing I've ever seen.
Clara has been so sweet with Eli.
She will be such a good big sister.

Mark and I are busy as usual. We are almost done with a long week of testing.
Almost.
I have one more plus a monster stats homework assignment.
Mark has two more tests to take.
But, we are enjoying life all the same and finding time
to have fun with friends here and there.
We are pretty good at balancing...still a work in progress though.

Baby Eli!

Mark and I are in Baby Heaven.

Two new nephews!
Eli Brasher:
Born 11.10.09
1:31 p.m
8 lbs 9 oz 19 inches
Both momma and baby are doing well.
Doesn't Em look so great!
And so in love with her little boy!We are so happy for you Ben and Em!

And I just wanted to post this of my sister, Wynn, and her husband, James, because I love these pictures so much. Halloween Costumes. Love it!! Very creative Wynn, veerrry creative.
Yes, completely homemade by wynn.

Introducing Finn...

After 17 long hours of labor

Little Finn still refused to make and appearance.
Poor Heather only dilated to a 6 during
that whole time!
She was amazing, never complained always
a big smile on her face...very positive throughout!
Always finding something to laugh about.
Ryan was a huge support and did great keeping everyone informed.
Really, I was so impressed with how well
they both handled everything.At 9:32 Finn Miller was born.
By C-section.20 inches long
7 lbs 14 oz
And he is BEAUTIFUL!!!
Welcome sweet little Finn,We are so happy you finally made it!

Take THIS all you hard core bikers...

She rides 150 miles
(all at once!)
To raise money for MS
Every year
In a dress and heals.

Loved this story.

Click HERE to read it.

It's been a while...

I know I know, it seems like Mark and I have dropped off the face of the planet with this three week old post here. I guess we kinda feel like we have life has been so busy. Mark works 25-35 hours a week and is taking 17 credits. I work about 8 hours (research) and am taking 15 credits in three different locations. Yes, there are those days when dishes don't get done for 5 days in a row and the laundry piles up for two weeks just because we don't have time! seesh. I can't believe Fall is already so far gone.


But despite our 14+ hour work days Mark and I still find time to have our share of fun. Truly, is is one of the things we do best. This Falls activities have included a couple camping trips, making homemade apple cider donuts, drives up the canyon, biking, halloween decorations, a J-dog party at the house, rock climbing, and a sweet movie night (thanks Evansons for the projector).

Other fabulous news: Mark got his MCAT score back and he absolutely nailed it! We are oh so excited. That blasted test stole him away for two whole summers, but it payed off and we are incredibly grateful. I have never seen anyone work so hard, so long. He is such a great example to me in so many ways - this is just one. Talk about work ethic. Way to go my sweet!

I also realized I never posted about the wedding: my big brother Dane was married on September 25 to Tracie. They are such a beautiful couple - she handles Dane so well! hah. It was a perfect day and so wonderful to see two pure, incredible people be sealed in the Temple. Really I have never seen Dane giddy before this day - he was all smiles. And Tracie was gorgeous, this picture doesn't do her justice. Included are a few pics from that day:

Sibling smoosh - here we all are.

Had to have a least one of my favorite niece in here...she is such a joy!

And this one of my mom, just because she looks so great in this picture.

...he is so dang cute.

Now for a couple by Mark
(these don't do the acutal photos justice...blogger just doesn't have the greatest image quality)

I don't know what it is about this one but I just love it!


And this is the random one.
The hummingbird whisperer you see here is my 83 year old grandpa,
who we call Baba-jun (farsi).
He really does tame wild birds. I remember sitting at his house
in California when I was a little girl. We were eating
breakfast and he told me to hold very still as he placed a peanut
in my ear.
Shortly after a blue jay came out of nowhere,
hopped onto my shoulder and gingerly plucked the peanut out of
my ear.
No joke.
That's Baba-jun. One with all nature, ha.
He is also the 84 year old who is passing you on the ski slopes.
Still skiing 3-5 days a week in the winter.
What a great example to me.

Wow, how does that make up for three weeks of lost time??