my jaxon.

my little nephew Jaxon turns 5 today. 

I can't believe I have had the honor of having his joy in my life for 5 whole years already! He is the light in my life every single day.  He has been a beautiful addition to our family.   

He never ceases to entertain when needed.  When I am having a bad day he is the first to ask me if I'm okay and if I need a hug.  He is very aware of everyone around him.  His smile is infectious.  He has this deep little voice that forces you to smile whenever you hear it.  I could listen to him laugh for days.  

He is one of the smartest kids I know.  He picks up on everything so therefore he knows how to be sarcastic at just the right moments to make everyone laugh.  He says grown up words and uses them correctly. 

My favorite story of the year with him.....

"There was a girl at school today and no one would play with her.  I don't know why.  She was nice.  So I just played with her today because she was by herself"  Well, Jaxon, what was her name? "I don't know." 

That shows exactly how big of a sweetheart he is.  I want him to stay this age.  I want him to stay this funny.  I want him to stay this sweet.  Jaxon I love you and I am proud of the little boy that you are.  Thank you for always making me have a better day no matter what.  

I love you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY jax.  

love.aunt aubri.

I SAID YES!!!

so I have told this story maybe a million times in person. so here comes the blog post for those I haven't told yet...

since bryce has been home.... ahh.... it's been incredible.  

we have been at a better place than ever before and it has continued to grow.  

there hasn't been a day that we haven't seen each other. 

every day I learn something new and I fall deeper in love. 

so... once we realized things were going well (better than we had thought they would that quickly).

we started making plans. dates. rings. housing.

my mom offered us to live in my grandparents house that isn't currently occupied.  I felt weird about it at first but then... I felt honored.  I felt that it would be an amazing experience to share this home with the man I love.  I could show him my memories as we created our own.  So that settled it.  Time to CLEAN. 

me, my mom, and his parents headed up there on labor day to get a start.  us girls hit the kitchen while the boys worked on the backyard.  They trimmed back the trails that led to the grass and uncovered a bench that has been overgrown for years.  

the garbage cans were full so we had to leave the branches on the grass.  the next day when bryce was done with school (at 10pm) he suggested we go put the remaining branches in the garbage can.  

He picked me up and we headed up there.  

I, oblivious, was wearing blue pants, my harry potter shirt, and my purple nike jacket (clearly not prepared).  when we pulled in the driveway-his dads car was there.  Bryce suggested that his dad had also come to move the branches because they had been bothering him all day.  Well, we all know i'm gullible.  we headed to the gate that led to the backyard.  There is a narrow path to go past the motorhome and I followed him through.  He was walking very slow but not very quietly.  I was confused and kept asking him what he was doing... but he wouldn't respond.  Once we came into the opening I saw the faint glimmer of candles leading all the way down the trail and around the bench. Me, being so shocked, first assumed that his dad was doing something for his mom here.  I thought that was weird... and then... IT HIT ME! THIS IS IT! he's going to propose right now.  he has the ring. THIS IS ALL FOR ME.  As he saw the shock on my face he led me next to the bench.  He got down on bended knee and pulled out a box that held the most gorgeous piece of jewelry I had ever seen.  He asked me to marry him. I SAID YES.  I was shaking. I was smiling.  I was so surprised.  all I could do was kiss him.  I didn't know how else to show him how EXCITED I was.  After a few minutes my sisters head popped up from behind a bush and his parents crept up the path to share in our joy.  They left us there.  Floating in the candles.  

As I looked at the bench I was flooded with emotion.  This bench had watched a couple that was in love for 70 years.  They shared memories, moments, laughter, joy.  That house was their home.  That house was where my grandpa would sing "apple blossom time" to my grandma.  He would get up in front of the family and talk about how all of us were here because he was so in love with his bride.  

Now it is our turn.  Our turn to have a love story that moves mountains.  A love story that will be spoken about for generations.  It is our turn to grow deeper in love in that home.  I feel so blessed to be engaged to Bryce Adamson Goodfellow.  He is the best thing that ever happened to me.  When I was 16 years old and I met him, I never would have guessed it would lead to this.  But, I am so happy that it did.  

Bryce, I love you and I can't wait to share forever with you. 

the HOMECOMING.

well it's official once the boy stands on the pulpit.  so it's official now! 

the pews were filling with friends and family.  He sat on the stand, calm.

As he began I was hanging on every word.  He spoke with the spirit as he told of his most precious experiences in Panama.  I was so proud of him.  I felt so lucky.  

He did it.  He served the Lord with honor for two years.  

I'm the luckiest girl in the entire world. 

I'm so proud of you Bryce! 

I can't wait to hear more stories from your experiences.

mission friends.

poulsen clan.

HE IS BACK!!! never letting go again.

welcome back from Panama!

bear lake.round 2.

the kiddos.

the rodeo. raspberry days. 

shakes.

Granola's Nuptials.

the water.

guess who's back!!

ok... so July 12th came! It FINALLY came! his flight was to come in from Dallas, TX at 8 pm! I was doing anything possible to keep busy: wrapping his presents, cleaning my room, watching tv, going to the store.
Around 7 I got a call... his flight was delayed.. 8:45 pm. not too bad! I can manage.
Then another phonecall, and another, and ANOTHER.
12:25am on July 13, 2012!
what was the world doing to me? I had waited 2 years already and I was getting antsy. 
All the rain in Miami did some serious damage on his, elder alleys, and elder martins travel day.
Around 11 me, my mom, and my sister headed down to SLC International Airport. 
We met up with his family and not so patiently waited.
at 12:30 am.. the words on the flight screen changed from "enroute" to "arrived"! I jumped! I cried!

now as the goodfellows, alleys, and martins gathered around the exit we all waited.  Peering down the aisle trying to catch a glimpse of boys in suits and ties.
When I saw his cute smile turn the corner it took my breath way. 
I moved to the end of the line behind his family.
When he got to me we shared a semi-awkward hand shake (he wanted to be obedient to the end).

he.is.home. those words kept playing through my mind. I was in unbelief. 
I drove my mom and sister home and headed down to Chad St. for chocolate mousse with the goodfellows.  We waited for him to get home from being released. 
When he walked in the door his family made us hug in front of them. first hug in TWO YEARS. 
Following that he handed out gifts and showed us things he picked up in the mission.  As the family filtered home around 2:30 am it was just me and him. 
me and him.
he hadn't been alone with a girl in two whole years and I imagine he felt a little uncomfortable. 
We sat on the couch and started to talk. Honestly I don't really remember what we talked about but before we knew it-it was 6:30 in the morning! we were leaving for bear lake in 5 hours. So I headed home, showered, packed and drove right back down. By the time I reached my nap on the way to bear lake I had been awake for 30 hours.  I was past tired.  the day had felt like an entire week.
By the time we hit bear lake me and him were right back in our element. 
He still was getting used to things but we could talk like we didn't skip a beat. 
It was a rainy weekend but we made it onto the lake a few times! it was great to have a combination of family time and alone time all in one weekend! This weekend was very good for us but also personal.  So you don't get ALL the details. Just know that it is so nice to have him home! It feels good to pick up where we left off as two stronger people.  I haven't smiled this much in a very long time and I can only hope it keeps going like this.
Welcome back Elder Bryce Goodfellow!

a true love story.

My grandparents met at a seminary barn dance on November 12, 1938.  My grandma was 15 and my grandpa was in his first year at the University of Utah.  He danced with her all night and then drove her home.  He asked her to the Military Dance at the U.  He then made it a habit to call her every saturday night to ask to take her on a date that night.  My grandma decided one day that she would tell him she couldn't go and that she needed more notice.  In response, my Grandpa being the charmer that he was, said "Okay, how about a date every Saturday from now on?".  The rest is a love story that would take them from high school to a 70 year long marriage and eternal love.  A love story that doesn't end with the passing of my grandfather. This love story is eternal.

My dear Oenone,
       This is the last time that I will be able to write in your high school yearbook of south high.  It was one year ago that I wrote in your book as a Junior at South, and now you ahve blossomed into a fine Senior and on the threshold of graduation.  In the year and a half that I have known you, dear, I have been the happiest boy in town, and who wouldn't be.  South high is losing a very fine individual, a person who any boy would be proud to have for his friend.  Your personality beams about you with a golden radiance.  That certain little way you have and that smile which beams with friendliness characterize your personality.  Your hair is beautiful as it drapes over those little shoulders.  And your eyes sparkle with the radiance of youth, sweet seventeen. 
       In the time I have known you I have never had a better time.  We have been many places.  And those dances with my arms around your slender waist as we glided to the soft music will always be pleasant memories.  How proud I am of you my sweetheart.  I just have to have all of my friends meet you, and challenge them to find one better.  A girl who doesn't smoke nor drink, who is an excellent Mormon and who I hope loves me as much as I do her - they just can't be found any better. 
       Oh darling, I can't begin to express my feeling toward you.  But I can say that I hope with all of my heart that the day will come when I can ask you for your hand in marriage.  If that day comes I will be the luckiest boy in this city.  Because I know that you are worth more than your weight in gold for your charming individual personality and all of those hidden traits that slowly appear.  There are two objectives I have in life.  They are: 1. To become a successful dentist; and 2. To win your love and make you my wife for life and eternity. 
With loads of love and may our love last forever.
Bob Fairbanks.

teenie grandpa.

Robert L. Fairbanks
1920 ~ 2012
Our beloved son, husband, father, and grandfather, Robert L. Fairbanks, age 92 passed away Sunday, July 1, 2012 at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah from causes incident to age. Robert was born June 12, 1920 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Ethelbert and Vera Larsen Fairbanks.
Bob attended school in Salt Lake City, including the University of Utah after which he studied dentistry in San Francisco. Two years into Dental School, he married his sweetheart Joy Oenone Slack in the Salt Lake L.D.S. Temple on May 7, 1942 and together they had five wonderful children. 
He loved his profession, and his patients loved him. He worked long hours at the office for 50 years and loved it. He honorably served his country in Alabama during the Korean War. He also had many hobbies that he enjoyed including fishing, hunting, jeeping, building his boat and china closets, traveling and painting, jewelry making, and many hours in his shop helping others.
He was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints fulfilling many callings, including Scout Master and serving a full time mission to the Liberty Stake Mission with his wife Oenone.
He loved his wife and family and they loved him. He was always cheerful and fun to be with and will always be remembered as a friend to everyone. He will be greatly missed.
Preceded in death by his parents; son Barry Robert Fairbank; brother Frank Fairbanks; grandchildren Joshua Lowell Salmond and Zachary Paul Barlow.
He is dearly loved by his survivors; wife Oenone; four children, Robyn (Brian) Salmond, Sheryl (Lorin) Poulsen, Tammy (Dave) Swenson and Deanna (Craig) Barlow; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; brother Bryce (Madge) Fairbanks and sister-in-law Connie Kinsey; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 9 at 12:00 p.m. in the Monument Park 17th Ward, 2795 East Crestview Dr., Salt Lake City. Friends and family may call Sunday from 6-8 p.m at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, with an additional viewing one hour prior to services at the ward. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery.


My grandpa is a man that leaves behind a lot.  Every person that knew him has said, "I will miss him waving at me from his porch when I would pass by his house".  That is the kind of man he was, never letting someone pass him by without them seeing him smile.  I will always remember him singing to me off key while he would work on my teeth, squirting me with his water sprayer, and pretending the teeth cleaner was a snowman.  I will do my best to carry on the joy that he brought into my world.  It has been so nice these past few days to talk about his legacy and the impact he made here. I will remember him always and am so grateful to know that I will see him again. love you grandpa. you will be missed.