From the top...

We started this blog together before we got married. Let's just say it failed.
Seriously failed
In the three years we've had this blog, we have a total of 14 posts. Sad, I know.

So, I've decided to start fresh. And I can't think of a better way to restart our family blog than with introductions (even though I doubt anyone who doesn't actually know us will ever read this). But anyway, here it goes:


I'm Joy
I'm 21 and just about to graduate from BYU with a BA in English and an editing minor.
I love rock climbing, snow boarding, and surfing (although I haven't surfed in years, but I guess that's what I get for moving to Utah).
I also love my new job—I'm a stay at home mom to my sweet little girl, Kara. I won't lie; becoming a mom was a huge adjustment for me, but it just keeps getting better as she gets older. Aside from playing with and taking care of Kara, I love to clean my house and to cook for my sweet husband.
One day, when I get a little more adjusted to this whole mom thing, I want to start a freelance editing business. But for now, I'm just loving life!








This is Alma. He's 25. (Sorry he looks like he's 12 in this picture—it was the closest I could find to a picture of just him, and it was taken a few months before we were married)
He is also about to graduate from BYU, but he will earn a BS in mechanical engineering with a math minor (showoff).
He works for a company called LucidChart as a web developer and he loves it (most of the time). [It really is an awesome tool; you should check it out if you have time.]
He also really enjoys rock climbing and snowboarding.
He is a wonderful husband and father, I couldn't ask for anyone better (and even if I did, I doubt I could find better).









This is Kara. She's just about 3 months old and is such a smiley baby. She started rolling from her tummy to her back a few days ago (although she's stubborn, and won't do it much, especially if there's a camera involved). She's very vocal and loves to squiggle and wiggle. We love her to pieces and are so enjoying watching her learn and grow every day.














Sorry that this picture is so tiny, but here's me in high school. Before I met Alma I lived in sunny Southern California. I played water polo and swam in high school. And I loved to hang out at the beach with my friends whenever I could. I worked at McDonald's my senior year (my first job, and, hey, Bill Gates started out at McDonald's!) and drove a 1992 Toyota pick up truck. Life was good, but not as good as it was after I met Alma ;)


Before meeting me, Alma grew up in Northern California. In high school he played volleyball and had a number of different garage bands. He and his family loved to go backpacking and camping. In July of 2005 he left for Denver, Colorado where he served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He got back in July of 2007 and we met two months later!






Finally, here's a picture of us around when we met. We met at school on September 7, 2007. I was reading at a bench outside of the bookstore and he came and sat next to me. We talked for about an hour, went on our first date that night and have been inseparable ever since! :)



So that's us in a nutshell.
Now let's see if I can actually keep this blog thing up...