Happy 8th Year Wedding Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to Us!

8 years of marriage,
7 places of residence,
6 marathons completed (Sam), 6 years serving in Young Women's (Mel),
5 years living outside of Logan and yet still traveling to Logan to stock up on cheese from Gossner's (never purchased cheese from anywhere else),
4 completed college degrees,
3 car titles owned,
2 beautiful children,
1 happy couple--growing closer together with every new experience.



We're now officially beyond the "7-year itch." I dare say I'm more in love now than I was 8 years ago! It's funny to think we've been married eight years. It doesn't seem like that much time has flown by, and yet at the same time it seems it's been a lot longer than that. I'm happy to be married. Of course there are differences that need to be acknowledged (and sometimes ignored), and times we are too easily irritated, but I know I'm a better person because of Sam and our 8+ years together. Love you, Sam!

My Brother Vance: Rest in Peace

The youngest of my older brothers, Vance (32), passed away last Sunday evening, not long after a family party. Much to our heart break, he sadly took his own life. We are very saddened--both for his passing and for his anguish and pain through the years. Click here for the obituary of Vance Roger Blackham (also in text below).

Brian, Jason, Vance & Sam on a backpacking trip in the Uinta's.

Sapphire is a picky little baby, but she always enjoyed playing with Vance's hat and mustache.
Taken the day he passed away.

Vance and Winston enjoying each other's company on our trip to Yellowstone in 2011.

Last week was an emotional week, but also full of many kind words and deeds from friends, neighbors, coworkers and family. I can already think of many lessons I have learned. My heart is full of so many emotions, thoughts and prayers.

Winston (as a baby) and Vance.

All of Vance's siblings.

Vance is buried at the feet of my Grandpa Jack,
who passed away about 1 1/2 years ago.

Vance Roger Blackham, 32, of Orem, Utah, tragically passed away on May 19, 2013. He was born May 15, 1981 in Provo, Utah to Nancy Thacker and Earl Blackham. Vance graduated from Taylorsville High School in 1999. He married Krystal Husbands and together they had one daughter; they later divorced. Vance loved to cook. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, camping, horses, model cars and trains, bike riding, country music, movies, and Nascar, but most of all he loved spending time with his daughter and nieces and nephews. Vance had a kind, tender heart and his loud booming voice will be greatly missed. Vance was survived by his daughter Danielle Dakota Blackham, residing in Gray, Louisiana, his parents Earl Blackham of Kemmerer, Wyoming, and Nancy Thacker (Darrell Noble) of Orem; siblings Jason (Merrilee) Blackham of Ogden, Eric (Becky) Blackham of Helper, Brian (Jana) Blackham of American Fork, Melanie (Sam) Jewkes of Taylorsville, Melissa Noble of Clearfield, Mitch Noble of Orem, Emily Noble of Pasadena, California, and Alex (Tiffany) Noble of Orem; grandmother Elna Blackham of Orem; 11 nieces and 10 nephews, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. His grandparents Dallas and Norma Thacker and grandfather Jack R Blackham precede him in death.