Happy 30th to My Beautiful Bride!!!!

Happy Birthday Emily!!!! You have now reached my plateau!!!! I've been anxiously awaiting your climb to 30 as I sit up here all by myself . . . . . . .

As I was thinking about what to post about Emily, I thought maybe I could post about the best 30 things about her. I then decided that there are too many good things to limit myself to just 30 (come on folks, up top!!!! Brownie points for me for that last comment!!!).

Finally, since I am a little biased, I decided to list several of the comments that others tell me about Emily. Most, but not all, of these comments have been made to me without Emily present so as to not embarrass her.

1. Her smile is contagious!!! - Sherm and Irene Carlson
2. She's our own Vanna White!!!- Sherm and Irene Carlson
3. Russell, if things don't work out with you two, I'm next in line - Wesley B. Carlson (my grandpa)
4. She's so happy and content - Van Holland
5. It seems like nothing can ever get her down - Van Holland
6. Its too bad Gertrude (referring to Emily) isn't gorgeous or anything!! - Janelle Givens
7. Shantel (referring to Emily) looks hot - Janelle Givens
8. Em - You are as beautiful as ever! Russ - You're blessed.....to have Em as your wife - Darlene Svetz
9. Em you are SO CUTE! - Olivia Carter
10. I love you guys, but... Emily more. - Audra Divis
11. You are so lucky Russ to have two of the cutest girls ever living with you :D!! - Jessica Carlson
12. The two are really cute! - Kathinka Leinz
13. Where did you find this woman?! (this was a compliment but it could be misunderstood since it's out of context). - Abraham Wise

There have been so many other compliments given of Emily and in my old age, I just can't remember them all.

Emily is so creative and so loving!!! Everyday I am amazed by her!!!!!

I love you sweetheart and I hope you enjoy your birthday today!!!!! Live it up since tomorrow Mirian gets the attention for her birthday . . . . . .

Russ & Em's Story (Russ' version)

My awesome sister-in-law Olivia posted her "Quick Version of Falling in Love". I loved it so much, I copied the idea. Obviously, our story is different . . . well, you get the point. However, those of you who know me well, know that no story I tell is short. I will be as brief as possible.

Shortly after my mission to Peru (about 2 months after I returned home), I met Emily while playing Sardines at BYU-Idaho. After the game, I walked her home along with our friend Squelch. Squelch got distracted easy, so I was able to have almost a one on one visit on the way home. During our trip Emily suggest that we "go check out the stars at the observatory". Naturally I thought, "YES!!!! She wants to make-out". Stupid me. I later realized she REALLY DID want to check out the stars at the Observatory.


Only being home for a few months, marriage was the farthest thing from my mind. I just wanted to date a lot and get some kisses in here and there.

After a few other group dates while watching "Sandlot" I held her hand. She was a little slow on the affection side of things compared to what I was used to, hence "after a few other group dates". I tried to kiss her several times, but got rejected consistently. I think our first kiss was after dating for about 4 months. I felt that there was more to dating Emily than just kissing and having fun dates.

Wouldn't you know, after only dating for about 2 months, I knew we were going to get married. It took Emily another 2 months after that, to come to the same conclusion. I didn't share my conclusion with her. Her delay in coming to the conclusion was probably because her roommates would set goals with her as to when she was going to dump me . . . they did it on 3 different occasions, but she could never go through with it (thank goodness).

Long story a little bit shorter, I proposed to Emily on the stage of Guitars Unplugged (I was drumming for a friend of mine) in front of a very large crowd.


What a journey it has been, and I have loved every minute of it. Thank you sweetheart, I
love you!!!

Learn from the Best and have a Crap-Fest!!!!

Around mid-April our awesome Sister-in-Law Olivia posted on her blog about having a Crap-Fest. Well today, we had our own Crap-Fest and thought we would give credit to Olivia. Crap-Fest does not refer to the quality of the food, just that you grab whatever crap you can find our throw on the table. It was simple, no real need to prepare much, or stress over dinner, just use up all the leftovers. Everyone can have their own unique meal and you don't waste food. Our Crap-Fest consisted of grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, cashews, garlic mashed potatoes, salmon, steamed broccoli, chocolate bunny, Hershey's Kisses and caramel apple suckers. MMM, it was fun. Enjoy the photos of our Crap-Fest.