California!!!! (bound)

On Friday (05.18) Jake and I left for California

we were so excited for a much needed break

We hit some crazy weather in southern Utah

Photo taken on my iPhone

but it got better as we drove further south

Photo taken on my iPhone

We stopped in Vegas (as usual) to see our friends Jon & Ashlee

we had a nice dinner w/them then continued on our road trip

Photo taken on my iPhone

We stopped in Apple valley, CA (my g-parent's house) Friday night

We spent Saturday (05.19) my birthday with them

and my Aunt Vickie and Uncle Wayne

We had a nice birthday lunch w/them then left for Anaheim

We met my best friend (Kellie) by our hotel for dinner

We had a delicious dinner at the Cheesecake factory

Photo taken on my iPhone

Sunday (05.20) we went do Disneyland and California Adventure

We had two day park hopper passes. So that was nice

if we ever got sick of one park, we'd just leave, go to the other

We were able to get Southern California discounted tickets through our hotel

sooooo nice

Jake originally wanted to propose in front of the castle. So this was special

We had lunch at our favorite restaurant in Disneyland

The Blue Bayou 

mmmmm

We love New Orleans. Some of our favorite rides are on that side of the park

We were able to see "The Wonderful World of Color" Sunday night as well

it was so beautiful

Last time I was at California Adventure (three years ago), they were finishing it

so I was really excited to see it

this is California Adventure at sunset

Photo taken on my iPhone

Jake had never been to California Adventure

so I enjoyed being his tour guide

I think he liked the ride Screamin California

can ya tell by his photo?

Photo taken on my iPhone

We drove to my parent's house Monday night after the park (s)

we went to Hurst Castle the next day Tuesday (05.22) with mah rents

The coast was beautiful. The weather was beautiful. I was in love

chillin with shorty at the pool at the castle

We had dinner at Moro Bay at one of Jake's favorite sea food restaurants

We had a window view during our dinner. Gorgeous

Wednesday (05.23) we just kinda hung around Bakersfield

I had some errands to run, so I went with my mom

Jake tagged along too. Poor guy

I loved being greeted by Roxy every time I walked in the door

I miss that little puppers. So much

Photo taken on my iPhone

Photo taken on my iPhone

Thursday (05.24) Jake and I headed up to Kernville

his parent's have a house up there

it was nice to have some alone time while we waited for his fam

They arrived on Friday (05.25) and we went to MacNally's while we waited for them

Photo taken on my iPhone

Found this in Kernville while antique shopping with Jake's sister Saturday (05.26)

I can't wait to put this in our future baby's room. For now= pictures of us

Photo taken on my iPhone

Sunday (05.27) we drove to Glendora

Jake met my dad's side of the family. Finally

We had a high school graduation party for my cousin, Tim

it was nice just hangin by the pool talking with everyone

After the graduation party, we drove to Vegas to stay the night with J & A

We love The Baird's. Thank you for your hospitality

On Monday (Memorial Day 05.28) we went to Valley of Fire

It was warm. Totally worth it though

The warm weather didn't stop Jake from playing

he climbed away

I've always wanted a picture like this. I dunno why :)

Jon's goal was to catch one of these. Obviously he accomplished his goal

of course he set him free too

On our way back home, I was actually really excited our trip was done. I know that may sound silly, but after all that driving & all that time of being in a car= I was ready to be back at our own home, just the two of us. I was (also) really excited to not be living out of a suitcase anymore! I was ready to head back to work and get back in the swing of things again. Don't get me wrong= it was nice to have time out of Utah, and away form work. Breaks are always nice and it's always great to take a vacation with Jake. I was just ready to be back. We've decided we need two trips a year (or every six months). Our anniversary is coming up (well- in October), and we've already started planning that trip! Maybe not quite as long. Ten days might be a tad bit too much, but we have anxiously started planning, none the less. It's always nice seeing family in California, and spending time w/friends. Maybe... Just maybe... We'll be back for the Holidays. See ya whenever, California. 

Tulip Festival (round two)

I know I'm a little late. Better late than never right?

We went to The Tulip Festival April 28th, 2012

We went last year April 30th. So it was almost within 365 days exactly

we planned it this way

We decided to make The Tulip Festival our special anual thing.

When we went last year, it was our special date. We spent all day together

And that was the day we went engagement ring shopping as well. Sigh

here are some of our favorite photos from this year:

Tulip Festival 2012

Tulip Festival 2011

Yes we took a picture by the same tree. This was planned

Jake and I really liked these tulips. They were so cool!

They're like.... Upside down lookin

It's so cool to see all these flowers, part of the Tulip family

there's definitely a lot

Pictures never do justice of this place. Ever

Go check it out for yourself. Thanksgiving Point, in Lehi Utah

After the festival, we went to one of our friend's going away party. He's moving up to Salt Lake for the summer, until he gets married in August. We're so excited for you, Mark and Breanne. Congrats and it was great seeing you once last time, before things get crazy, busy for the summer. Until next time= We'll see you (Tulip Festival) in April 2013

I caught a Bug

A couple weeks ago, I had my siblings stay with us

Kelsey (Bug) flew into SLC from FL 

(where she's been living/working for the last few months)

Tyler (and his girlfriend, Carlie) and my other sister Courtney drove from CA

I've never been able to hang out with just one sibling. Five kids in our fam. Hard

So I was really excited to pick up Kelsey from the SLC airport

We grabbed some lunch at one of my favorite Chinese restaurants in Sandy

Kelsey loved it.... Of course... I have good taste!

As soon as we got all her luggage, which, Belive me- It was a lot

(I've never seen so many Disney things in my life! Seriously)

We immediately drove up the Provo Canyon for picture adventures! YAY!

I was so excited to take her to one of my favorite places! Jake's fave too

I was showing her all sorts of different settings on her camera, like TV mode...

This is TV mode. It just makes the water look smoother. 

The only thing is- You have to have a tripod to make the camera steady.

I have a tripod, thank goodness, but for those who don't? Sad day

This (below)is without TV mode. What a difference!

These (below) are all shot in TV mode. Anything with water= Shoot in TV mode

Kelsey and I just had fun goofing around with our Cannons.

Good times. I wish you lived here

When Courtney, Tyler (and his girlfriend, Carlie) arrived, we all went out for dinner, Friday night. It was so much fun having all my siblings here (minus the youngest, Austin). I definitely wished they lived here. They all go to school at BYU-Idaho, so they're on an every other semester track. They've always stopped and stayed with me (wherever I've lived), to help break up their drive between California and Idaho. It's a nice little pit stop for them, so they only have to drive the rest of the four hours at another time. I love it! This is the second time they've stayed with me and Jake (at our little place). It's like we're all one big, happy family! 


The twins woke up early Saturday morning & drove the rest of the way to Idaho. They had to check in & get their books. 


Tyler and Carlie drove up to Salt Lake with me and Jake, and we spent the day shopping at the new City Creek Center (which is so nice and owned by the church). It was pretty much the best feeling ever, to shop and see the temple where Jake and I were married in. We played on our Kinnect, when we got back Saturday night, and just had an all-around good time with them. I'm so glad they were able to stay an extra night with us. It was sad to see them go Sunday morning, but I was exhausted, so it was time. 

COME BACK SOON GUYS! WE LOVED HAVING YOU VISIT

we'll see you in July/August ish when you drive back through

Wuv. True Wuv

I recently was asked to photograph a wedding for my friend, Ashley.

Congrats to the new Mr. and Mrs.

The groom is actually my old bishop's son. Ashley (bride) was a good friend of mine.

Ashley was one of the first girlfriends I had in Utah

She helped a lot at our reception, so I'm glad I was able to return the favor.

 Ashley and Bryan Nay

03.10.2012

Manti (Utah) Temple

CONGRATS AND BEST WISHES

Duran Duran

IT'S A BOY!

our friends (Jenn & Joey) had a baby 

03.24.12

Of course they had him while we were in Vegas

I texted Jenn while we were on the road, telling her not to have the baby 

yeah that didn't work

We are so excited baby Tegan is here though

I love his name! So different

I love snuggling with baby Tegan

He's so tiny and very snuggly. oh I just love him!

Congrats to the new parents. We want you to come back over soon!

Viva Las Vegas

Last weekend we went to Vegas

We visited Jon and Ashlee

history

Ashlee did our flowers for our wedding

Jon used to live with Jake

Jake got John and Ashlee together 

They got married a month before us (Sept. 29th)

and the four of us just became good friends

that's enough 4-1-1 there

We had so much fun! Not much sleep buuuut... It's Vegas

Jon and Ashlee were great tour guides

they showed us all the cool secrets

we went to this new hotel/casino

Cosmopolitan

they had a giant chocolate fountain

I was in love. Here are some cool facts about it

super cool (random) waterfall

Vegas is all about the cool looks and effects. All show

The Bellagio 

this is straight out of my camera

no editing

I just changed the coloring. That's all 

Ashlee and I rode the New York New York

my favorite

It's definitely a must when I'm in Vegas

the boys stayed off and held our bags

Ashlee and I also did some shopping at H&M

another favorite

The H&M in Vegas is THREE stories high. That's right. Three

We also went to the Cheesecake Factory at Caesar's Palace

yum

We walked around Fremont on Saturday. It was better than the strip

what a difference and way less dirty

um I'm definitely not pregnant in this picture

just a bad angle I guess

or it was windy and my shirt puffed up

?

We had so much fun visiting The Baird's 

and can't wait to go back

Living in North Las Vegas is nice. We like their pad

Don't worry Vegas. We did and we will

Babysitting? for 15 minutes

Two weekends ago, Jake and I babysat

We met my cousin (Kristin) and her two monsters (M & B) in Murray

they were so funny

we took them to a park

B had this Barbie in her hand the whole time. No joke

she (literally) would not put it down

She was also a little hesitant to try most things. Not M though

taken on my iPhone 

these two sisters are evidently more than just sisters

they're friends

M would translate for B whenever we couldn't understand her

and she would say things like "Her says ------ " etc. It was funny

I know their little noses look red and cold. It was chilly outside

but that didn't stop them from playing on the playground (s)

taken on my iPhone 

My cousin (Kristin) met up w/us at the park and then we had lunch

We met at Crown Burger. So good. Highly recommend it

Here is a vide of B talking. She's a doll

taken on my iPhone 

M was such a little flirt. She kept smiling at Jake

She was telling her mom how she wanted to marry Jake hahaha

She kept asking Jake "what are YOU doing?" 

These two girls are very fond of the Wizard of Oz

they kept quoting it and talking about the witch

I wish they lived closer. Logan is too far

HOPING TO SEE YOU GUYS SOON

miss and love ya