Our First Christmas

The plan was to snow shoe up into the mountains, find the perfect Christmas tree, chop it down, and bring it back to the house for decorating. We ended up buying one next to Food Maxx.......apparently Fresno doesn't allow anyone to chop down trees anywhere in the foothills or national parks.

We still enjoyed the festivities of decorating our first tree together. We gave each other ornaments, a tradition we decided to start together. Our stocking are hung, a fire is crackling, and our first Christmas together couldn't be better.

A Minnesota Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving in Minnesota was a blast! Spending time with Matt and Alicia and the boys was such a treat. We started the day off by cooking up some eggs and pancakes on HuHot's giant grill, then played a thanksgiving day game of soccer, and topped it off by sitting down to a delicious meal that evening. It was great to be with family.

Hockey Time!!

While hanging out with Matt and Alicia, Alicia thought it would be a great idea to put me in all her hockey gear and send me out into a hockey game to get clobbered by some burley Minnesota moms. Luckily, they spared my life and I lived to tell about it. Dave, however, looked slightly frightened by my new look =)

Birthday Festivities

This weekend was my birthday, so Dave called in a sub on Friday and we headed for the mountains! There's nothing like a birthday hike up to Kings Canyon. We were worried about the cloudy skies on the way up, but the clouds descended into the trees to form a beautiful landscape and ideal weather. We couldn't have asked God for a better hike! The birthday celebration was great, minus my viral infection that had me laid up for a few days. Dave spoiled me and took care of me, and my parents drove all the way down to join in the festivities. Over all, the birthday was fabulous!

Too much fun in the kitchen

Cassie came to visit this last weekend and it was a BLAST!! We made harvest cookies, and may have gotten carried away a time or two. Dave put up with all the estrogen in exchange for extra frosting.

Pumpkin Carving - the New Art

On Saturday night, we had a pumpkin carving party. We had pumpkin filled desserts and a table filled with tools to create our masterpieces. These are the results from the party. Can you guess the shapes and who carved what?

From left to right:

Spiderweb (Cassie Reynolds), Labrador (Joel and Jeanette Hedge), Hiker (Tara Cory), Skier (David Cory)

No one told me I married an addict...

I'm reminded of those days as a kid when one kid would say to the other, "I love cake." The witty child would then respond, "If you love it so much, why don't you marry it?"

Dave should have married desserts. I had no idea his obsession with sweets was so intense - Judy, you didn't properly warn me. This is Dave eating A PLATE of pumpkin bars I made. Notice the bowl sitting on the desk - he grabbed the extra frosting out of the fridge and went to town. I caught him in the act - totally busted!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

We were CRAVING the mountains, so we got the heck out of dodge and headed up to Kings Canyon this weekend. On our way up we stopped by a gas station and spotted this sign - got to love Fresno-ites! We tried a new trail that involved 9 miles in on a one lane road followed by 2 miles on a dirt road. Results = no one in sight!!! It was about 30 degrees and just as we were finishing the day hike, flurries began dusting the trees. What an experience - the first snow!!! We packed pizza for lunch and thought it would be a brilliant idea to cook it over a fire. Crispy pizza on a cold day - it doesn't get much better than that!

Junk in the trunk

On Saturday we said goodbye to the lovely treasures that consumed our garage. Dave, as you can see by the photos, had a bit of a hard time parting with several items such as: a framed photo of a rooster, his mini fridge from college, and a random collection of Indiana Jones hats. All in all, we made a $100 and we can now park in the garage. Yehaw!!

Bulldog Pride

Fresno State Bulldogs are a division I football team. Dave and I had the privilege of attending a game free (tickets are normally $60). Seeing that we live right down the street from Fresno State, we decided to bike to the game - only Dave's bike is missing a bucket full of bolts. Needless to say, we made it 1 block from the stadium when Dave's bike literally fell into pieces and bolts rolled across the street. We were a sight!

The game itself was entertaining - picture Fresno-ites in all their glory, then picture crazy screaming fans - the combination is deadly. After we sweat buckets and cheered until our throats were sore, we headed home as Dave "Flinstoned" his way home on a bike without petals. What a night!

Engagement Weekend

Dave and I made the trip up to Chico this weekend to celebrate with Cassie and Bill in their engagement. We couldn't be happier for the two of them. The best part of the weekend was staying up until 1am playing the Newlywed Game with the fam - great memories! Team Cory kicked butt, but I think team Burks is out for revenge!

Wedding Bliss

.......It was FABULOUS!! We couldn't have asked for a better setting, and better company.

And the fun begins......

A seizmic mental shift occured. We just went from single, to married; from prowling the market, to settling down; from clubbing, to dinner at home watching Jeopordy. Yikes!!! Are we ready to settle?? I think the best thing about marrying Dave was that I found the one person in the world that was as afraid to settle down as much as I was. Luckily, our spunk still drives us, our adventure gets us into more mischeif that we know what to do with, and our child-like spirit refuses to grow up - at least yet.

The journey Dave and I have before us is one of adventures yet experienced. I have no doubt that we are entering into the most exciting time in our lives. We appreciate all of your support in celebrating with us on August 8th, and by lifting us up in prayer. We love you all and are excited to partner with you as we document our journey......