Christmas!!!

We spent our first Christmas in Virginia with Garrett's family. It was so much fun. There was tons of food, wrapping paper and love. And within a few days there were tons of people of all ages enjoying the season - just like a Utah Christmas. :) People kept asking me if it was too much, but it just made me feel more at home the more we played games and laughed.

We ate a lot, so there were a lot of dishes. Derek and Shauna weren't the only ones playing with the suds.

Toby is very loyal when you have ham, turkey, cheese...what a good dog!
Here is the Rose clan! I'm so blessed to be a part of this. Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving in Utah

Not only was it Thanksgiving but it was a major family get together. We decided to celebrate my mom's birthday which was actually in August (something else took most people's attention from her birthday...sorry!). Garrett was happy with the turkey, corn puddin', chess cake, birthday cake, and of course football. You'll be happy to know VT and BYU both won.

Fairy Stone Necklaces - by Garrett S. Rose

The Legend:

Once upon a time in a wondrous land we now know as southwest Virginia there lived many happy fairies. These fairies lived a somewhat carefree life laughing, frolicking and doing all sort of marvelous things that fairies typically do. One day as the fairies were enjoying their favorite fairy games they received word from an angel that the Lord Jesus Christ had been crucified. Now this was news that made the fairies very sad - so sad that they began to cry. A wondrous thing then happened - as the fairies' tears hit the ground they formed into small stones shaped like crosses. It has been many years since the fairies last lived in the forests of Virginia but their tears still remain in the form of fairystones.

Two small fairystones are displayed in the necklaces Betsy and her mother are wearing in the photo above. My father has shaped fairystones for years now and both of my parents often make these necklaces together. Just a little taste of the Virginia Blue Ridge to share with the world.

The Roses host The Hales

Judy & Steve put together a wonderful Sunday lunch for my family the day after the reception. It would have been easy and really good to have left overs from the night before, but that is not a Rose tradition! We had Darrell's famous hamburgers (I learned the secret ingredient since I'm now family), green beans, chips, potato salad, baked beans, and more. Plus there were lots of desserts. I told my parents that Thanksgiving was twice the food for half the people - I don't know but that may entice another trip out. j/k

Manly corn - taller than Garrett

Master grillers caught in the act

Virginia Hootenanny

The Rose-Hales really know how to PARTY!

Monticello (aka TJ's home)

We had so much fun in Charlottesville.  After the surprise breakfast, Derek & Ashley joined us on a tour of Monticello - Thomas Jefferson's home.  It was beautiful!  I did get bug bites, but it was worth it.

Surprise!!!

Garrett and I visited Charlottesville, VA for a wedding of one of his friends.  He was so excited to show me the UVA campus and his old stomping grounds.  I was really excited to meet all the people he had told me about.  

The adventure began  with a 7-hour drive from NY to VA.  We were so exhausted that when his former roommate wanted to go to breakfast the next morning we didn't think much about all the details...trying to get us out of the house early, only giving one choice of restaurant, wanting to drive himself...it goes on.

Little did we know that at IHOP a whole slew of people were waiting for us.  His parents and siblings drove 2-3 hours just to have breakfast as well as local friends joining in the celebration.  It was so sweet!

Bridal Shower

My dearest friend, Lori, and my Mom threw me a lovely bridal shower when I was down in Utah last month.  Everything was so well coordinated including a fun advice book.  I'm continuing to gather advice to add along with pictures.  

Here is just a taste of the fun we had.  Thanks Lori, Mom and Libby!

Not an Engagement Photo

This is a great photo of Betsy out and about in NYC, but not what we're looking for in an engagement photo. We need faces . . . and Garrett!