Happy ONE year to us!!

We did it!  Yesterday marked one year since Gabe and I sealed the deal.  On 12/12 of '08 Gabe and I got married for forevers in the Salt Lake Temple.  The day of our wedding was absolutely beautiful (beautiful for a December day in Salt Lake).  We woke up the next morning, (the morning of our reception) to a unbelievable snow blizzard.  I loved it.  The wedding was beautiful.  What an amazing day!  I can't believe a year has gone by.  It has been a wonderful year.  We have done so much.  We moved to California, got new jobs, traveled all over, and became best friends through it all.  I am so grateful to have Gabe in my life and I love him so much.  Happy one year babe!

   What a fun anniversary we had!   

We got all dressed up for dinner and Gabe bought me these beautiful roses.  I love, love, love getting all dressed up.  I feel like I'm going to prom... only way better.  

Aren't they the most beautiful red roses?!

We went to dinner at this great little Italian place called Tannin's in San Juan Capistrano.  The food was fantastic.  And we definitely stuffed our selves.  

Then we headed down to San Diego.  We stayed in the Marriott in La Jolla.  It was beautiful.  And Gabe worked his magic and got us into the suite.  

This is a horrible picture, I know, but this was the view from our balcony.  That lighted building in the background is the beautiful San Diego Temple.  You can see it a little better in the lighted picture from the morning. 

The awesome view from the balcony.

Just "hanging out" in our room.

OK.  This is my most favorite part of all. Most of you have probably seen this famous picture.  It is absolutely my favorite picture.  I always said (before I was married) that some day I was going to find some body who would kiss me like this.  Well.... I found him... 

A few months ago, Gabe had to go down to San Diego for a work thing.  He found this huge statue and immediately thought of me... He's so cute.  He kept it a secret until our anniversary.  The morning of our actual anniversary, 12/12, we drove from our hotel to San Diego.  Gabe said he had a surprise for me.  He told me we were going to take a picture.  As we were driving, I was looking for what he would possibly want to take a picture by.  As we pulled in.. I saw it.  I immediately took a huge gasp of breath.  I couldn't believe it.  The picture!  The huge statue!  I was blown away!  I loved it!  We hopped out of the car, in the pouring pouring rain mind you, and asked a guy walking by if he would take our picture. I must say....It was

PICTURE PERFECT!

The most perfect anniversary present!  

Afterwards, we drove back to Mission Viejo, went and had a yummy breakfast at Coco's, and went back to our warm house.  Since it was still pouring rain and cold outside, we rented some movies, got back in our jammies, and snuggled in front of the T.V. for the rest of the day.  

It was perfect.  What a wonderful first year anniversary. Here's to one year with my sweetheart and many more to come!  

  

A little weekend get away...

Gabe and I took off last weekend for a little trip to Arizona.  Arizona isn't too far from us, so we packed up and took off.  We met up with one of Gabe's mission companions Kreg and is wife Brittany Lewis.  It was so fun to get together and go see the lights at the Mesa Temple.  I do have to clear up one thing though... Contrary to popular belief.... Arizona IS cold during the winter time!  We did have a blast though and loved the weekend in Arizona!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

Love,

The Valenzuela's

Thanksgiving!

    

Here I am, half way through December and I'm just now posting about Thanksgiving.  I love thanksgiving, its actually one of my favorites.  And this year I have so much to be thankful for.  We were lucky enough to go back to Utah and spend it with our family and friends.  We had a great time and can't wait to see them again at Christmas.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  (A couple weeks late!)

 Luckily we got to go to another Utah game to see our Utes.  They played San Diego and definately came out with a victory! 

The Utes about to run it in for a touch down!

Lauren, Jake and Tayson... (sorry about the burned tongue bud)

Gabe and Curtis

Go UTES! 

I was so so happy we got to see my friend Kristin while we were in town.  I went to hair school with Kristin and we were inseperable.  I love this girl so much!  We only get to see each other once or twice a year now, but everytime we do its like no time has passed at all. We had an awesome time.  We went to dinner in Park City at Bandits and then made our way to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.  Kristin works there and pretty much owns the place so she let us pick out whatever we wanted.  Two kids in a candy shop.... We had an awesome time! Love ya kristin! 

Texas finally learned about the snow.  And loved it!  He was playing all over the place. But at the end of the day Texas is still a Cali dog and would rather but warm and inside.  

Thanksgiving day was quite the event.  We started out at my Grandpa Spencer's house, made the trip out to Gabe's house and had yummy dinner with his fam, then moved onto my Aunt Shannon and Uncle Jeff's house where we had an amazing dinner with my whole extended family, then continued to Grandpa Jacks for a little piece of pie.  By the end of the day we were stuffed full of food, tired and happy!

Visiting with my Grandpa Spencer and Bonnie.

Carving the Turkey with Marc.

After Dinner we went to see Gabe's Grandpa Jack.  I just love him.  I love hearing all of his stories.  This time we got to go over and see his welding shop.  It was really cool to see all of the neat stuff he creates.  Gabe also showed him the stuff he sells, hanging from his own Grandpa's shop.

Gabe's cute mom Janice!

Gabe's cute cousins, Aunt Lori and mom.

My new little nephew Colton

After we had dinner with my family, my dad brought out these awesome gifts that he had bought Gabe, Wes and himself.  He had found these awesome nerf guns.  And after he had learned that they were the "IT" thing to buy this year, he had to get them for the boys.  I've never seen three grown men so excited before!

My awesome dad

The three little boys and their Christmas presents

I'm not sure if I've ever seen Gabe so happy as I have with a nerf gun in his hands.

As a result of the shooting rampage, we terrorized the puppy and Gabe had to consol him.

Helping Hailey make a gingerbread train.  I don't think she really needed 6 extra hands, but we couldn't help ourselves.  Sorry Hailey bug!

My favorite little Hailey Bug!

Laur Laur and I

Texas watched his first University of Utah vs. BYU game.  Not only was he extremely disappointed in the outcome of the game.... He found out later that Max Hall hates him.... and thinks he's classless.

The office Christmas party!

What a crazy fun Christmas party!  I work in an office with all girls... no boys... as a result... there were no boys allowed at the Christmas party.  We had a great time, and our boss really spoiled us.  We had appetizers in her new beautiful house, went to dinner at this awesome little restaurant in Dana Point, went to the famous St. Regis hotel for some dancing, and then back to her house for gift exchange.  It was fun to be with the girls when we weren't in the office.  We had an ornament exchange.  The deal was that you had to spend 10 dollars.  So I made a "ten dollar ornament". (pictured above) We also got the cutest little Charlie Brown Christmas trees along with our bonus.  It is the cutest little thing.  And since our little tree is in storage in Utah, it is perfect for our little apartment.

Thank you Dr. Allen for the awesome Christmas party!