His & Hers: BYU vs. Utah Rivalry

When you marry someone who loves your rivalry school, it's bound to make things interesting. Every year at Holy War time, we get seriously competitive (no wonder - this rivalry warrants its own Wikipedia page!) As you can see, our BLUE vs. RED family feud even extends into folding laundry:

 Ryan's a die-hard Ute fan, and got involved in student body campaigns, like the Go! Party (click here and check out the Go! video to see him.) Crystalee was literally a BYU Front Row Fanatic and BYU Student Alumni Vice President, planning big Homecoming and spirit events. Thus, we're both out to "convert" our future kids. Behold, evidence of our loyalties:

Crystalee won front row tickets  to the BYU/Utah game and all this BYU swag in 2007 for doing a stunt in the Front Row Fanatics contest. She made a peanut butter and banana sandwich with her feet and ATE it in front of a large crowd.

Ryan lived and breathed the MUSS for years, since his bachelor pad was literally across the street from the Rice Eccles Stadium. A Utah man, sir, a Utah man he is!

Crystalee's  known in the office for BYU school spirit - here's her decked-out cube at MarketStar in 2011.

Ryan's grin, happy to be with MUSS pals at a 2009 game.

Bring us together and what to you get?

Red and blue stockings at Christmas on our makeshift fireplace. 

A rivalry that knows no bounds - even in Sydney we sported our school colors.

Crystalee braved the MUSS with Ryan and Tami in 2010 - even wearing BYU gear. Recall the painful BYU loss in the last five seconds? Ouch.

Ryan insisted on including this picture from when we were dating. Yes, that's Crystalee in with the Utes, but she's trying to hide behind Swoop. (Don't worry, Cosmo, you'll always be her favorite.)

Tonight's game will leave one of us happy, and the other not so much. As Ryan said, "a lot is on the line with two years' bragging rights at stake." We shall see...

Gooo COUGARS and Go UTES!

The Felines on My Resume

I've found a conflicting pattern in my life worth pointing out: Although I feel about cats the same way Indiana Jones feels about snakes, I've spent my academic career at schools with feline mascots!    

                                                                      

I've been cheering for Lions and Cougars the past 12 years, and although I'm currently at a school of Wildcats, you better believe I'll be rooting for Cougars in the upcoming BYU v. Weber State football game. (I bleed blue, baby.)

2000-2004 Mountain Ridge Mountain Lions

2004-2009 Brigham Young University Cougars

2012-2014 Weber State Wildcats 

Another tidbit: Ryan's a Wildcat for the second time - the first was in elementary school, and he says he's "digressed" to go back to yesteryear's mascot. Ha!

Our Last First Kiss

Three years ago, on a sunny afternoon, Ryan and I had our first kiss. We took the photos above just minutes after, and you can see we were pretty dang happy with ourselves! The sappy girl in me can't resist...here's my journal blast from the past:

August 26, 2009

Ryan and I went on a picnic to Murray Park. We both have childhood memories there and I was glad to see it again after 10 years. We both brought yummy, healthy food (I love that he’s so healthy) and it was perfect weather – beautiful and green. We had a great talk (I love talking to him!) and I snuggled close to him.

There was chemistry in the air and he just looked so good. When we heard the National Anthem playing in the background at the Babe Ruth World series (13 year olds), he scooted closer…and in the last little bit of the song he surprised me with a sweet kiss. It was gentle, with underlying emotion, and I kissed him back smiling. When the crowd was cheering he whispered, “they are cheering for us.”

GREAT first kiss and I remember thinking, “this could be my last first kiss.” We’ll see…

Yup, I called it. Muah! Countless kisses and just short of a year later, we were married.

p.s. I remember Ryan getting a text that his cousin had her baby that day. Happy 3rd birthday, Jett! 

Tractor Time, Baby

As a farmer's granddaughter, I've grown up appreciating farming, tractors, and the hard-earned crops that result from months of disciplined work. (Shout out to Grandma and Grandpa Webb. We love you!) Grandpa is a loyal John Deere guy, and our family's quite a yellow tractor bunch, but recently I got to drive me a big ol' red tractor.

After Ryan's triathlon in Burley, Idaho, a happy twist of fate brought us across the street from the Agri-Service dealer. At my job, one of our clients is AGCO, and I write marketing material for Massey Ferguson, one of the tractor brands sold at the dealership. I couldn't pass up the chance to get up close and personal with the big red tractors. Larry and Curtis were happy to give us a look around, quite the hospitable guys.

Curtis gave Ryan and I a ride around the block in the biggest, nicest tractor on the market - and then let me drive it into the garage. Yeah, baby!

Precious Moment Two Years Ago Today

It's been 731 days since our debut as husband and wife, and there are moments I will never, ever forget. We'd prayed and hoped and prepared for this day, and were so blessed. The desires of our hearts really do come to us. Ryan and I were worthy, ready, and willing to start our lives together in the House of the Lord. Victory! We made it! 

For years I'd dreamed of this exact moment - coming out of the temple doors to meet our family. I pictured my new husband would be to my left and he'd smile at me with beaming eyes. He did. This moment was even sweeter than I'd imagined, and my Ryan went for a kiss dip. Looking through the pictures, this truly was the happiest day of my life - with family and friends and my love. It was a slice of heaven, and I miss it. I'm grateful we have pictures and a video - but wouldn't it be wonderful to transport ourselves back in time to relive our favorite moments of life?

Thank you so much to our family and friends, who were there on this big day. Especially our parents: You loved us then, you love us now. We love you. And with it's beauty and real-life challenges, we love being married. We are a team, and look forward to the future together.

Happy 2nd Anniversary, my love.

And happy birthday, William Goldman, author of "The Princess Bride." We have a few things in common, as I post here.

We LOVE you all!!!