The Frieden's

Before and After!

2011-04-07T15:44:00.000-07:00

My first before and after EVER!! So excited and I did this almost all by myself (thanks honey!) But you would be surprised, I did a lot of the woodwork, Matt is teaching me so I don't have to bug him so often for my projects.

Anywho, we bought this dresser at goodwill, and I wanted to make it cute. What a difference paint makes right?

Halloween

2009-11-15T14:35:00.000-08:00

Matt and I carved our first pumpkin!!! We had Iowa and Arizona and then our long journy winding all over the pumpkin! It was really fun to carve with Janell and Scott too, who were more... ambitious.

JT devouring the donut at Nanna's Halloween Party.

We all had fun dressing up and going out to Party! Scott is "Rich" from Imagination Movers from the DisneyChanel (HE LOOKS JUST LIKE THE REAL GUY!!! one kid thought it was him and was attached to him the remainder of the trip)

September 2009

2009-11-05T09:10:00.000-08:00

A family from the Branch was getting Sealed in the Nauvoo Temple so we got to drive down! It was so beautiful down there, we had about an hour before the ceremony so we drove beside the Mississippi River for a while and did a quick walk through of Old Nauvoo.

The Lot you see is where my ancestors lived while in Nauvoo.

Cronins. The Lucky family who gets to be together forever!!!

My baby brother got Married on September 11, 2009. We love our newest Sister Blaire as she is the perfect fit for Jaylen. Their reception was a blast and decorated beautifully! I was so glad Matt got to be there, since his fire job this summer didn't allow him to leave an hour away from Draper UT, let alone the state, he wouldn't havebeen able to come, so I am very gratful that he was there.

All my adorable nieces and nephews minus 1. Alyvia was born on September 4th so Rachel and her staid in St. Johns.

This is Phoenix Baker. She LOVED Matt. She was smooching on him all day.

Ah..... Brothers.

We had to say goodbye sooner or later. They zipped off to their honeymoon and we got to stay and play with everyone else for a few more days! Such a good weekend!

Another round of updates!!

2009-11-05T08:07:00.000-08:00

This is Matt and my friend from Temple Square, Paige Bremner. She met us at the Iowa state fair in Des Moines on our first weekend back!
So Matt and I moved to Iowa. I know!! It was a shock but it just happened to work out and we really feel like this is where we need to be right now. We left the 18th of August and now live in Elgin Iowa. We kept it quiet because we wanted to surprise Matts family (besides his parents, They knew we were coming) so they took his grandparents and aunt and uncle to TJ's Pizza. We had a plan that I would just walk in and go to the counter and see if any of them recognized me, then when I got our water glasses I walked to their table and Matthew walked in. It was fun to see the look on Grandma Bev's face when she realized it was him!! And it made me feel good that when I walked in Aunt Joyce said "That looks just like Matthews Jenn!" It was a fun surprise and it took a while for everyone to believe us that we moved back and not just visiting!

Meet the newest addition to the Frieden Family. Charles Rutherford Winston the Third. Just Kidding, its just Charlie. He is a Boston Terrier Beagle mix and we got him at 11 weeks. Born on June 28th. He is such a cute puppy, he loves sitting on the drivers lap in the car, he loves his bunny (pictures with Charlie) and loves sleeping! he is a little hyper at times but he is just a puppy. His first Vet appt he wieghed 6.5 pounds. Love him!!

Updates!

2009-07-21T15:35:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it has been six months since Matt and I got married! He had our Anniversary Day all planned out with fun activities and a restaurant I've been wanting to go to for 4 years (every time we plan to go there something comes up) and of course the eating of our cake! (Usually its one year but our friend that made the cake suggested we eat it before then :) Well The day before, July 15th, Matt got his FIRST FIRE CALL!! It was just a little one outside Deschene (I know I spelled that wrong) UT and so he was gone until July 17th at midnight. So no plans actually happened but we finally got the cake out Sunday and got a few bites into it and Matt got his SECOND FIRE CALL! So he whisked out the door but at least we got to spend the weekend together, which is always a blast, and we got to eat our cake too.

This is my dear sweet husband who can't wait to give me a hug as soon as he gets home from camping for a week! Near fire. and lots of boys... He said he even washed his face before he got home so I wouldn't think a stranger was breaking into the house.

My best friend Amber Hentges moved away to Denver this spring. Do you think that stopped us from watching Harry Potter Opening night at midnight together!? NO!!! She flew out and got in Tuesday afternoon at 3 PM, watched the movie at midnight, ate at Denny's, and dropped her off at the airport at 5:30 for her 7 AM flight (which she thought was 7 PM) We have watched, since number 2 I believe, Every Harry Potter together, and plan to do so in the future. Some people called her crazy, I just call her a good friend!

Saturday July 11th Matt and I got to drive up and see our Mission President Craig Fisher and his wife. The just gt released from the Montana Billings Mission and a group of his assistants all went up for dinner. I love this face!!!

Just sitting out back, enjoying the view and the company.

Melissa, AKA sister Packer, and Cassie, AKA Elder Barnes wifey, Jumpin on the tramp.

Pres. Fisher got his 4-wheeler out and let all us sappy couples take a ride. Isn't my hubby cute?

Earlier that day we went to the Payson Scottish Festival! I discovered this last year and had a blast and I made Matt come with me this year. Something new this year, HAGGIS! (The dog food you see below... it didn't taste bad but was not appetizing to look at) We walked around and saw all the cool Family Crests and booths, and listened to the coolest guys singing. They are called Oceans Apart, partly because one is from Phoenix and the other from Scotland. Then we went on to the highland Games. This is the Sheaf toss (traditionally thrown over the pole while on fire with a pitch fork) This guy ROCKED!

July 5th We drove out to Tooele where Matt's cousin blessed his second baby girl, Madison. Above with parents Denelle and BJ. BJ bore his testimony after and explained how he felt as a new father. He said (I'm paraphrasing, sorry BJ) That he felt like when a father turns his head and hands his keys over to his car to his newly licensed son. He imagined that's how Heavenly Father feels when he sends a new child to us. He trusts us enough to give them to us but then prays real hard we don't wreck it!

Later that evening we went to his two OTHER cousins where they each blessed a baby of their own! I do have cute pictures but am not blog savvy enough to put them in here....

Richardson Roosevelt Reunion 2009

2009-07-07T08:00:00.001-07:00

The reason for all the madness, my beautiful parents!

The Whole Fam Damily! I think this is the first time, in a long time anyway, that it has been just family! We were missing Matt as he can't leave because of his job but we welcomed Blaire into the family and Toast did come for a couple nights. IT WAS SO GREAT!

Family Pictures

2009-07-07T07:45:00.000-07:00

Jody, Jake, Jacy and Jay.

Rachel holding Evanna, Jon, Avery and JT

Janell and Me, the lone girls!

Jaylen and his fiance Blaire!

Justin, Larissa, Connor, Rylee and Tatum.

Tricks!

2009-07-07T07:34:00.000-07:00

My Brothers are so talented!

Roosevelt, AZ

2009-07-07T07:14:00.000-07:00

My oldest brother Justin showing off his moves!

Little Brother Jaylen jumping the wake...

This is the coolest accidental picture taken ever! I was playing with the camera and took the picture at hip level. This was the coolest monsoon, best birthday night ever! the Power was knocked out so we sat under the carport with a BBQ pit and flashlight and listened to the family jamming on the guitar.

Janells Friend Toast came for a couple days. After a few attempts he got up on the wake board!

Janell and Toast being whipped around on the tube!

More Roosevelt

2009-07-07T06:38:00.000-07:00

Jaylen and Janell doing tricks on the Hot Dog Tube.

Jonathan, Justin, Jaylen taking the canoe around for a spin. It just happened to be sunken.
My mom is AWESOME and made us all these towels for us for pockets down at the lake! They were all so well done and beautiful!

The kids were safe from the monster but Justin was caught!

Mornings at Roosevelt Lake Arizona!

Leonal and Cassie Renteria

2009-06-15T13:33:00.000-07:00

Cassies brother Zach and I were "matched" so our flowers were matching and we got to walk down teh isle together.

Part of their first dance. They then broke out and did dances such as "the macarana" and "I'm too sexy". Very unique and cute.

In front of the St. George Temple (sorry its upside down)

Cassie bridesmaids Kelly, Denni, Mariah, Mrs. Queen B, Taylre, and I!!

My Piano Man

2009-06-15T13:26:00.000-07:00

This almost makes me cry! He was playing the piano with our niece Adria, OH they were so cute! He is going to be such a good dad... some day!

2009-06-15T13:02:00.000-07:00

The Cutest Lumberjack ever! This is at Matts first project, took them 7 days to an 8 day project (they worked LONG hours!) in the mountains of Weber canyon. He is on the third project now in the same area. I like the shorter projects and hopefully they will continue to be 3-4 days. We have been really lucky and gotten a lot of rain lately so no fire calls yet. Here he is posing with his daily companion "Daisy".

They work in pairs or threes. This is Matt with his "swamper" Hyland (He calls them all by there last name so I don't know his first name! I'll update it when he gets home). You can see in the background what they do with the trees that they cut down. All the brush and limbs get stacked and then the bigger pieces get put like a tee-pee. Then in the winter when there is tons of snow they pour a chemical on it and burn them up! Things you don't know till your husband gets paid to do it!

These are some of the rigs for his crew. There are usually 17-20 people on these projects. And sometimes they overlap with other crews as well. So far Matt really likes the job. Its hard when he is gone but then when he is home we get some quality time.

Math is continueing to keep me busy and work isn't bad either. Kathy (Our landlord/roomate) is leaving for Bolivia tomorrow for two weeks so that will be nice. We really like living here and the cheap rent but its hard mesh two households and budgets and expectations. So I will be excited when we get our own home.

:( Oh poor me...

2009-05-28T11:39:00.000-07:00

This is my self pitty post. Matt is gone on his first big project and allthough we have spent a night apart before (twice) 8 days kinda sucks! But we get to talk at night when they are all in camp and done for the day so thats nice. He is on a project up in Weber Canyon cutting trees down to make a 250 foot line to protect against the wildfires that are predicted this summer. He loves his job, LOVES his job and so I couldn't be happier, unless of course he got to come home at night.

Bridal Shower Fun

2009-05-20T19:13:00.000-07:00

My Friend/roomate/mission buddy is getting married in June and we got to go to her Bridal shower this weekend! SO FUN! We lived together for a long time and most of the time it was just me and her... needless to say LOVE THIS GIRL! Congrats Cassie and Leonal, let the games begin!

Cassie Russell soon to be Renteria, Brookie and I. Roomates reunited!

Updates!

2009-05-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

My husband is so talented! He made these check book covers for my parents. I designed them and he did all the leather work!

This is our cutest Primary class EVER! We teach the five year olds and this week we only had a few of them :) Owen, Noelle, Braden, Isaac, Trex, Avery, Kolton.
We have loved teaching them, they are so sweet and have the cutest little attitudes. Matt might say otherwise when we basically CRAWL out of the church building every Sunday. But its a good tired.

DATE NIGHT! We have date night every thursday (with his new job its basically any night he is actually home). One wednesday night we were talkin' before bed and he said "Oh crap it's date night tomorrow." He meant "oh crap I forgot! Its date night tomorrow... YEAH!"

This is us AFTER Primary.

Got the Job!!

2009-04-20T07:38:00.001-07:00

Thanks to all! Matt got the Dromedary Crew job for the State of Utah. He starts the 4th of May. We are so excited and I am so proud of him! We can't wait to see what he actually does and what kind of a schedule it will be!
A few more cool updates! We are house/teenager sitting for a family friend. We actually moved into their basement. She runs an adoption agency (and has a house and husband) in Bolivia so is done there a lot. Her daughter just graduated and moved out so she didn't want to leave Alex alone for a month and a half. Well the month and a half has turned into a semi-permanent state which is such a blessing for us as it is free rent! This will help us so much to put aside for the future and get caught up on student loans and get a really good financial head start for a family we eventually want to have! (Eventually!!)
I GOT A CAMERA! I have been begging for one ever since mine quit on me in New York over new years. (Did I ever mention that?!) Janell and I and one of each of our friends went to New York City for New Years and had a blast! I can't post any pictures, as stated above, no camera. So new pictures will be posted soon!

Cross your fingers!

2009-03-16T10:07:00.000-07:00

Last wednesday Matt had an interview with a UFRA (Utah Fire and Rescue Academy) for a Dromedory Crew AND a Hand Crew! This is something that he has always wanted to do!!! If he gets the Dromedory Crew he would be doing project work around the state clearing land for developments and if there is a fire instate he will get to go. This will give him a LOT of experience with the chainsaw (he wants to be a Sawyer) which will give him a jump start for next season. But if he gets the Hand Crew he will get more experience on actual fires, as the travel all over the west. I'm stuck between which one I want him to get because I know he will love either! It will be hard having him gone for weeks at a time and home for a couple days, so he will be missed but I know it will be good for him and will help him get ahead in his career. So we are excited to hear back but please cross your fingers (and send some prayers our way) that he will get the job that will help him the most!

The Big Day!

2009-02-16T10:28:00.000-08:00

All of our family that was able to make it to the Temple! There were other friends that were not in the picture but were there to support us as well! We are so gratful to have such an amazing family who was willing to travel for the wedding!

Our friend Artie Baker performed a ring ceremony for us at the reception center. All in attendance enjoyed the hula hoop which taught us many things about marriage. Thank you Artie!

Our First Dance as Husband and Wife! If you can't tell by my smile, I kinda like him!

We walked away to "I feel good"!

On threats of an early divorce, he didn't smash cake in my face.

The reception was such a blast and we had so much fun dancing and eating (we actually did get to eat) and chatting with friends and family.

Updating on Pictures!

2009-02-16T10:07:00.000-08:00

These were some of our engagemnt pictures. Summer Green took them for us up in Salt Lake and one of my favorite spots, Memory Grove. Thats where he took me to propose, too! We had such a good time and GREAT TIMEING as it stopped raining right before we took them and started again as soon as we were done!

We got to go to Disneyland with my family (and the SJ4) last novemeber. It was a couple weeks after we got engaged so I made him pose with me. He was just gratful that I didn't make him wear it all over the park, we just took pictures in the gift shop!

Wedding Pictures

2009-02-05T08:56:00.001-08:00

We were so lucky to have SO many people taking pictures at all of the events! I will get as many as I can up here as soon as I can but for now you can see the pictures that Matthews cousin Greg took and put on his website.
www.gregfrieden.com : enter site: click clients: password is mattandjen

Married life is still bliss, and real life is crashing in. Apparently whatever I touch breaks. My 2005 Saturn Vue, died. My phone (which is ancient) stopped allowing me to HEAR what the other person is saying. And our game night was held at a Clubhouse where the Theater projector was burnt out at the TV cables were broken. All within 3 days. But I can't complain, The car is now fixed, I have an upgrade on my phone in a few days and instead of watching TV and movies we all had a great time sitting around and visiting! (pictures of that will not be posted as my camera is dead, has been for a while, and everyone else forgot to bring theirs... SAD) But fun was had by all and we really appreciate those that traveled to be with us!

My name is legally changed, but only with the social security office. So DMV, school, work, passport, banks and everything else you can think of I am still Jennifer Richardson. After 24 years of saying that it's HARD to switch! not emotionally but just try saying a new name for something that has been the same for 24 years. Not easy!

So a HUGE thanks to all of our family and friends! We love you!

I'M MARRIED!

2009-01-22T07:45:00.000-08:00

I'm really bad at keeping this current! SORRY! Well I am now Jennifer Frieden (but have yet to sign my name as such since I haven't legally changed my name) and I am LOVING married life! My husband is so good to me and helps me and is patient as I try to learn how to be a good wife. School has started and we are both back to work and normal life has commenced and we are just living the dream! :) Love to all our family and friends who helped us celebrate this weekend and hope to see you at our Utah Game night or our reception in Iowa!

Pictures will follow shortly~

I'M GETTING MARRIED!

2008-11-09T11:36:00.000-08:00

I got engaged! (I told you it was subject to change!) Matt and I are getting married on January 16th in the Mesa Arizona temple by my first Mission President, Milo LeBaron. Matt and I met on November 29th, 2006 in Billings Montana. We met in our mission home! :) We served around each other for 6 weeks and then I headedback to Temple Square but we kept in contact. We started dateing this February and he finally moved out here to Utah for school (and me) in august. These past months have been amazing to just be together and not do the long distance thing. So now life consists of wedding planning and shopping and planning for my future life with the love of my life! (I must admit I have amazing family that is halping planning, from my older sister Jody doing most of the reception planning as I am a state away, Aunts, cousin and roomates dress shopping, Thanks to all! )

2008-09-25T14:04:00.000-07:00

I've conformed!

2008-09-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

Due to the fact that I want to be just like everyone else in my family, I want a blog. Since I am going to school full time I don't have much to write about unless you want to hear me rant about World War II. I'll save the rant for another day.