two and a half weeks

We are leaving Minnesota in two and a half weeks and my emotions are all over the place.

Our amazing friends out here threw us a going away BBQ yesterday. It was a perfect day, spent with people we will never forget. This little world we have created in Minnesota is all Ashton and I have known as a married couple, and beside the below freezing winter, we have loved it.

We love our Minnesota friends.

 

one year

I can't believe our beautiful, perfect day was already a year ago!

Sometimes, it feels like it was just yesterday (probably because I look at the pictures at least every week).

See my wedding posts here and here.

Other times, it feels like Ashton and I have been together for years and years.

Either way, it is amazing.

Ashton and I had a few ideas for what we wanted to do for our anniversary, but we wanted to keep it simple because we bought ourselves something super crazy great (but we will get to that closer to the end of this post).

We ended up at Valleyfair - a theme park that is less than 10 minutes from us and it was a blast, though Ashton and I joke that we have aged 20 years in the one year that we have been married. After four rides, I needed a good half hour break because my head was spinning.

 We happened to take most of our pictures on the ride that made us the most sick. I couldn't even look at it the rest of the time we were there.

We only lasted at Valleyfair from about 11:00 to 4:00 (see, we are old!), but we were able to do everything we wanted and then take a nap at home.

After the napping, Ashton found a fun restaurant for us to visit in St. Paul. It was delicious and, if we weren't leaving so soon, we would probably become regulars!

Remember that something great I told you we bought? This restaurant is the only clue I will give you until June 5th :)

 The cheese curds! Yum.

 Photobombed by the chef.

Hit and Run 5k

5.10.14

Ashton and I got tickets from friends to participate in the Hit and Run 5k last Saturday.  It was a perfect day for a run!

 getting ready to run

 the power went out and the starting line deflated on us! 

 one obstacle down. four to go.

 ran into the wall and got a fat lip

finish line celebration

THE VIDEOS!

The run wasn't much of a run as we had 5 obstacles to stop and do every little bit. There were lines between the obstacles, which weren't nearly as intense as they looked. It was fun to pretend we were doing something like wipeout. A good Saturday adventure!

mother's day

four generations. not even my awkward stage can keep me from loving this picture.

My mom. She is perfect. She has killer hair. Lovely freckles. A beautiful smile. And she is the best person I know! She is always there. always always always. Even after I got married and moved all the way to Minnesota. She dropped everything (including one of Porter's big post cancer scans) to spend a week with me after I miscarried. It still makes me cry to think about. She has raised 5 kids - 5 kids who I think are most definitely the greatest. I cannot wait to be back in Utah, hiking, going to Costco, and just being together.

This year I got married and it was obviously the best decision ever. I got my handsome Ashton. BUT I also married into the most amazing family. I am so grateful for Michele. For the boy she raised. For her constant help - she searched for jobs in Minnesota for me and is doing the same in Utah! I love the emails I get from her. She is so positive and upbeat. Her constant laughing has been passed on to her children and I love it. When she has come to visit, our walks have meant the world to me. It is just the two of us and some of the best heart to heart talks ever. She is also the only person I know who loves pictures as much as I do!

Both of my moms are the only ones who have come to see us in Minnesota TWICE. I think that says a lot about moms. :)

My sister recently became a mama. She is raising one beautiful chunk of a girl and I love seeing her in this new role.

Remember when I said I married into the most amazing family?! Well, here is more proof. My sister-in-law has raised one of my favorite boys. They came to visit us in Minnesota and I was blown away with her patience and love. She is a great mom.

Grandmas! They have lived amazing lives. They have stories that I could listen to for hours. 

Grandma Thorkelson passed away when I was 15, but I have lovely memories of her that I cherish.

 Isn't it crazy how much Sydney looks like her?!

Mi abuela is compassionate and has taken so many under her wing. I love her broken english and happy smile. 

Grandama Fry is Bountiful's Mother of the Year! I have loved spending time with her.

Grandma Smith is a sweetheart. She is always wearing a smile and loves to be with her family.

Michelle. My aunt who taught me how to shave and took me to get my first bra. She is the most giving person I know. My first few years at BYU, we did everything together and I loved those years. Not everyone has an aunt like Michelle, but the world would be a better place if they did.

These are just a few of the moms in my life. I have many many more, all whom I adore and have learned so much from.

Happy Mother's Day!