Valentine's Day

I LOVE Valentines Day!

Valentine's day is so fun! I love the pinks and reds, the hearts, glitter and cute decorations; I can't get enough! Yeah, I'm a sucker for a holiday. There was something about this holiday that I got really excited for, I think its because I have the best valentine and even though we have spent Valentines day together before, there was something about being married and celebrating this day of LOVE for the first time! Our first married VALENTINES was perfect. 

I started the day out surprising Jordan with a CANDY GRAM. I had a lot of fun making this and I think he enjoyed it as well!  The poster included some of his favorite treats (doughnuts, carmel apple, gum, Mt. Dew, airhead, hot tamales and something a little "sexy" to top it off.) 

The card said: 

"Hey Valentine, 

Don't (doughnuts) you know I'm crazy about you! 

You're the apple (carmel apple) of my eye. 

And even though you're kind of an airhead (airhead) sometimes, 

I'd still choose (big league chew) to mount and dew (mt. dew) you!

You are one (hot tamale!) 

xoxo: your valentine"

I added some candles (I think he loves them, more than I do) and of course a little V.S. We're newly weds..its acceptable right! 

After work, Jordan brought home the most GORGEOUS FLOWERS and CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES (my absolute favorite!)

 For dinner, we drove to salt lake for a little BENIHANA'S! It's such a fun restaurant and we both love it. It was such a fun atmosphere. After dinner, I had another surprise for Jordan. We spent the night at the Marriott in Salt Lake. It was such a fun little get away for the night. Our room had the pretties view too, we were on the top floor and looked over the ice rink at the Galivan Center. 

It was such a perfect night! I love my valentine and I am so grateful that he is my eternal valentine. 

Like Jordan said, "Valentine's Day is always better with a Valentine" 

Although, it sounds like such silly comment, I think I would have to agree with him. 

I hope you guys had a great VALENTINES DAY as well! 

xoxo, 

The Johnstons 

olympics

The OLYMPICS are such an amazing event, I am so glad and grateful that we, as a world, still continue to take part in the games. I feel like the Olympics are a time where we come together as world with peace in our hearts. Its a time when everyone has the same goal and everyone cheers for each other. The world supports each other and its amazing to see. It's amazing to see that there is still good in the world. I think a perfect example of the world coming together is allowing the games to take place in RUSSIA. As Jordan said, "I think it is the most profound statement in the world, that they let Russia do the Olympics. Everyone looks to them (Russia) as if they are the bad guy and now its their chance to show the world that they are not all that bad." Which I agree with him, yes, Russia hasn't had a super stellar past and Putin may have some unusual ideas about running his country, but honestly, I think he is trying to do the best for his country. Now whether his rules are good or bad I'm not going to discuss, but I think it is amazing they Olympics are in Russia. Jordan and I loved watching the opening ceremonies. Some of my favorite highlights include: 

The war and peace dancers, especially the main ballerina! She was so beautiful. 

The jellyfish dancers (a clip can be seen on my instagram).  

The snowflakes turning into the olympic rings. 

(we will ignore that one of the rings didn't open all the way- it was still spectacular)

The olympic sports forming in the "stars" I thought this was so brilliant. 

The animation displayed on the floor throughout the entire program was unbelievable! 

The lighting of the torch was beautiful 

and the firework show at the end... FORGET ABOUT IT! 

Basically, it sounds like I LOVED the entire show, I thought they did such an amazing job, but its hard not to enjoy the opening ceremonies of the olympics. Although, can I be negative for a second. 

WHAT WERE THE AMERICAN'S WEARING? 

Their sweaters were HORRIBLE! I mean come on I could have designed better sweaters than that! Hopefully next winter olympics they will have better uniforms. 

Okay next topic: I absolutely love when the athletes walk into the stadium for the first time. It touches my heart every time. It is so humbling to see a country with only ONE or TWO athletes competing; their reactions are indescribable. Both Jordan and I got a little teary eyed when we saw athletes crying as they walked through the stadium. I can't even imagine that feeling; I bet it is the best feeling in the world. After all this time all your hard work is finally paying off. You made it to the olympics- even if you don't win a medal, you have obtained an amazing goal of just being there. 

 I JUST LOVE IT! 

I love the spirit of the Olympics. 

Watching the Olympics takes me back to 2002 when I was lucky enough to participate in the Salt Lake Winter Olympics. I was apart of the awards ceremony where we preformed every night before the athletes were given heir medals! It was such an amazing experience. Driving up to salt lake everyday, spending hours in a tent, playing games, meeting famous people, collecting pins, walking around all the craziness, dressing up in our giant fluffy coats grabbing our lanterns, heading home and doing it over agin the next day. I was in 5th grade and didn't fully understand how awesome the olympics were, but looking back I am so grateful that I had this opportunity, it is an experience I will never forget! 

we were so little, and SO warm!
 "CHILDREN OF LIGHT"

WOW- I'm sorry this post was a novel! But I hope you all enjoy the Olympics as much as I do.

 I'm definitely looking forward to the figure skating and can't wait to see who comes out on top. 

 ENJOY THE GAMES! 

a weekend of sunshine

Okay, I am a few weekends behind on this post but story of my life- I'm always late. 

Anyway, over Martin Luther King weekend Jordan and I were lucky enough to take a quick road trip to St. George for some golf, a little sun and spending a few days with my sweet grandpa.
My grandpa is the sweetest man and he is so generous to let us stay at his home. It was great to see him because I haven't seen him since our wedding in October.

We got in late friday night and went straight to bed. Saturday morning was all about trying to catch a few rays and hitting the course. Jordan has the "GOLF BUG" and that was his only request that we golf and although I don't golf at all, I didn't mind because it mean that I got to sit in a cart, in the sun, with my dr. pepper for a few hours. My uncle Gene and Grandpa came golfing with us and we had a great time. That night we went to dinner and then Jordan and I hit the hot tube. I think we were born for retirement because golfing and the lounging by pool is something we live for! Too bad we haven't even started our careers yet!

Golfing at Southgate

Sunday we went to church with my grandpa, dinner at my uncles and then we hung out with our good friends ANNA and CHAD! They moved to St. George because Anna got an internship down there. It was so fun to see them, we had a fun night of pool (which, i am TERRIBLE at) talking about the ELECTRIC RUN (which we can't wait to do this summer.. this will be talked about soon in another post) and the night ended with chad educating me about STEVE BARTMAN! The poor cubs fan who took the blame for the cubs losing the world series in 2006. I felt so bad for him, anyone interested in what happened should look up his story- there is  whole documentary about it!

Monday morning came early as we went to an eight am session at the St. George Temple with my sweet grandpa. This was such a wonderful experience and I am so grateful we were able to go with him. It was extra special for me because a few days I went to the temple for the first time my grandpa has some health issues and he wasn't able to come to the temple with me. Obviously I am so glad he is okay and it wasn't anything serious, but at the time I was sad that he wasn't able to be there.

St. George Temple
such a beautiful place!

SIDENOTE-----> After my grandma passed away, my grandpa had foot surgery and lived with my family for about six or eight months, during this time we became very close and I gained a wonderful relationship with him. I am grateful for this time we had to get to know each other on a better level. He is such an amazing person. 

 I look up to him so much. 

He is such a wonderful example of what it means to love and serve someone. 

He has the kindest heart. 

He is one of my heroes. 

Enough of that rant, back to what I was saying. It was so special to be in the temple with him. I couldn't help but think of my grandma while we were there and I know he felt the same. I am grateful for that experience and the gospel in my life. After the temple we tried out a great little breakfast place called the WAGONWHEEL. After breakfast we packed up and hit yet another golf course. Jordan wanted to golf at SAND HOLLOW on our way out, I'll admit it was a beautiful course. After 9 holes we headed home. 

can't go to st. george without stopping by NIESLENS!
the BEST frozen custard around

look at his forum
he is so SEXY! 

It was such a nice little getaway, some sun was just what the doctor ordered! 

xoxo,

The Johnstons