Bri's Childhood/Teenage Years

I grew up in the Seattle area during the 80's and 90's. As a child I was wild and crazy around my family and closest friends, but at school and in large crowds I was as shy as could be. In Jr. high I gained confidence from competing in Gymnastics. I made so many friends with the girls on the team and that is when I began breaking out of my shell. By High school I had developed a really great group of friends who helped me to make good choices and taught me the definition of teenage drama.

Sam's Childhood/Teen Years

Sam Grew up in the Seattle area also, Save a few years in Philli.

His Dad brain washed him to be a die hard BYU fan and it worked :)

He is the oldest of five kids

As a boy, he loved baseball and competed in little league.

As he got older he dabbled in Kick boxing and played football for his Jr. High and High school teams. He has also always enjoyed volleyball and basketball.
After high school Sam served a 2 year mission for the LDS church in the Philippines.

Upon returning he began attending a local community college and worked with some close friends.

Courtship/Newlywed Years

We met in December 2001. Sam was the Sunday school teacher of the local singles congregation for our church. Bri was attending a local community college and wanted to make some new friends since most of her friends had gone off to school or were about to leave town. We met Bri's first Sunday and were inseparable from that moment on.

Here were are on our 3rd date. (Bri invited herself to one of Sam's cousin's weddings!)

After a few short months of dating we decided that we were the perfect match. We got engaged and began plans for a wedding that summer.

We were married in the Seattle Temple and had a beautiful reception at Bri's dream location, her parent's backyard. We spent the next two years living in the Seattle area near both our families. We were very busy working full time and going to school at night. We tried to make time to have fun and enjoy our families with Sunday dinners and family parties.

Off to school

After completing our AA degrees, we left behind all our loved ones and the beautiful Seattle area and headed off to BYU. Sam was thrilled and Bri left kicking and screaming. While they were there Sam studied Civil Engineering and Bri studied Recreation Management and Youth Leadership. Despite their busy schedules, they both tried to have fun and enjoy the things the area had to offer.

Here we are celebrating after getting notice that we would be receiving scholarships. We had been living on a tight budget so it was a big treat to be able to go out to dinner at a nice restaurant.

Bri was even in a commercial that aired on BYU TV for the Student ID card 

Signature Card PSA - YouTube

While in school we also took the big jump into parenthood. That its where our leefamileephotos blog picks up.