Our Engagement April 2009

Since I haven't ever posted our story of how we met and have been prompted to do it by several, here you go. Gabriel and I met late in the year 2008. I became friends with his friends and they invited me over for dinner or family parties. I got to know Gabriel through these activities and we became friends. On February 13th we had our first date. We went to see "Taken". After that we dated exclusively and it didn't take long to realize that this was a long term thing. We got engaged in April 2009.

One of our first dates with the girls. We went sledding.

The Girls were darling and so photogenic!

The night Gabriel asked me to marry him we were going to a friends house for a dance party. As we walked in to their Street of Dreams type home I noticed their dining room was set up for a dinner. There were roses, candles, place setting for two people. I thought, "Huh, that's odd that they keep their dining room staged" Then Gabriel walked me in that room and told me this was for us! I, of course, said yes. Who could turn down a proposal over sushi?

What follows is history,

After the sushi and proposal we headed to the ballroom to join our family and friends in the dance party.

Next Post: Engagement period.

My Not Bummer Summer

In an attempt to make sure we do not run out of things to do this summer we came up with a list of anything and everything we'd like to do this summer. This is what we came up with. It's a work in progress.

The Niculescu Family List for Summer Fun:

Swimming

Waterpark

Hiking

Bike rides

Trafalga Fun Center

Attend Baseball games

Play Basketball

Attend Living Planet Aquarium

Go to Rodeo

Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum

Go to an outdoor musical

Attend Storytelling Festival

Visit Antelope Island at the Great Salt Lake

Play with Friends!

Library

Play at park

Play games with family

Learn to cook with mom or dad

Have a Raiders of the Lost Ark Marathon with friends

Make play-doh from scratch

Learn to play a song on guitar

Camping

Campfire

Spa night with mom

Picnic

Water Balloon Fight

Cascade Springs July 11

It's been hot down in the valley so we decided to head to the mtns and introduce the gals to Cascade Springs. Located on the Alpine Loop, Cascade Springs is a series of natural springs spewing forth from the mtn and creating some very beautiful wetland features.

First stop: Theater in the Pines picnic area for some grub!

Even though under construction, the theater was the perfect place....

For the girls to reprise their favorite dance to "Baby" (sung by that pre-pubescent Justin Bieber)

Then we were off to the Springs...
For some perfect photo ops...


Then a little tree climbing...

They look so sweet and helpful~
(taken a nano-second before the whining started about who had more one-on-one time with Mr. Drinking Fountain)

Hopefully they'll remember the beauty...


Can you see the bee in this one?



I love Cascade Springs!

Our Coolest Christmas Gift!

Among the fun gifts this year, our favorite as a family had to be the painting my sister-in-law did of my new little family. She sent it in a pretty black frame and we now display it proudly on our piano. Thanks Victory!

The Squirrels Do It-Building Food Storage Pt 1

Food Storage Made Easy

In an effort to be more prepared for future calamities and emergencies, I found this great site. They have a bunch of tools, articles, suggestions on how to store food and supplies in an organized and non-overwhelming way. Check it out!