July 31st

We started Wednesday morning with a hike with mom.  Utah mountains - there is nothing like them.  AND that my parents live so close to so many amazing trails was something we had to take advantage of.

Mom and I used to go hiking together all of the time.  I love the conversations we have while we are surrounded by the beauty of the mountains.  It's nice to get some alone time with her.

That afternoon, I got lunch with my BYU SpEd friends.  I am so grateful for them and I love that we are all passionate about our students.  Of course, Cami and I have spent the last three years teaching together (which made it the greatest job in the world), but Sean just got back from his mission and has jumped back into his master's program at BYU AND prepping to teach a new class.  We went to Pizzeria Limone.  Delicious food and amazing conversation.  I couldn't have asked for anything better.

we love chicken

Therefore, we love Chick-fil-A!!!

We moved to Minnesota and quickly found out the only Chick-fil-A in Minnesota was located in the airport.  Major bummer.

Until tonight.  Tonight I came across a Chick-fil-A add on Facebook.  The news was amazing.

I think we should be a Chick-fil-A story.

Chick-fil-A was a part of our engagment:

And our first meal as a married couple/where we went as soon as our reception was over:

Of course, we went TWICE while we were visiting Utah.  The second time, I ran into Mijken - the teacher I interned with.  Chick-fil-A sure is a special place!

Bear Lake

Bear Lake is a long time tradition for the Smith's, but something the Thorkelson's had never experienced.

We spent the 27th - 30th in Bear Lake.  The Smith's, Thorkelson's, and the Tatton's. It was a blast.  Bear Lake is beautiful!  Ashton and I met his family up there on Saturday, bringing Hannah and Porter with us.  My parent's met us the next afternoon.  Jameson and Justin set up an obstacle course and we spent Saturday evening was spent watching everyone compete in Bear Lake Ninja Warrior.

I know it's hard to see - but here are some pictures from the obstacle course.

Sunday morning we went to church.  A storm rolled in during the afternoon, just as mom and dad were trying to set up their tent.  The grey sky with the blue water and green grass - it was beautiful.  And then there was a rainbow!

Family photo.                         Trying to keep the tent from flying away!

My studly brother.

My little beans.

Cute picture of Coree, Casey, and Dwight.

Momma love

Can't get enough of Dwight's face!          The colors.  I loved these flowers.

Somewhere over the rainbow.                    Cutest little boy.

Fiery sunset and the beautiful night sky (star picture taken by dad)

The whole gang!  (Another picture I stole from my dad)

Monday was beach day!  We played a serious game of beach football, canoed, and rafted.  My kind of day for sure.

To finish the day, we went to LaBeau's for some delicious raspberry shakes.

I got raspberry + oreos.  Oh my yum!         Sometimes we match.

Tuesday, dad made some mountain man delicious breakfast and then we packed up and said goodbye to Bear Lake.  

On the way home, I stopped in Logan to catch up with Kelly for a bit.  Kelly was one of my very best friends in high school.  She now has two adorable children and I am so glad she is still a part of my life.

July 26th - my birthday

My 25th birthday.  My first birthday as a married.  And I got to be surrounded by family.

Ashton took my to Kneader's for breakfast.  That french toast is even better than I remembered!  And it was Ashton's first Kneader's french toast experience.  Don't worry, we ended up going again before we left because it really is that good.  And probably the perfect way to start your birthday.

My family came up to the Smith's the night for a birthday celebration.  We ate BBQ, mom made a delicious bundt cake, and, of course, played games.  I love that our families have such a good time together.

My sweet siblings.

I love a man who can grill!

PDA.  This never happens.  And I am not kidding.

It is love.

Favorite cake

Sweet

Dad did something funny (surprise) and Porter could no breathe he was laughing so hard.

Cute parents

I got my wedding pictures on my birthday! Greatest surprise! = Girls gathered around the computer.

July 25th

We were in Utah!

But, we still had a day before my family was going to come up for the surprise.  Ashton could tell I was getting pretty anxious and told me we could go see my family.  I wanted to surprise them so bad and I told him I could just wait.

That was until my mom called to tell me how much she missed me.  It was so hard knowing that she was only 30 miles away.  My heart couldn't take it.  After the phone call, everything changed.  Ashton and I were soon headed to surprise my family at home.

Mom squealed.  Porter smiled huge.  Dad was in shock.  Kelsey was on her way to Oregon for the weekend.  Hannah was at Girl's Camp.  And Sydney recognized my car before I could surprise her.

My family from Chile was also visiting.  Sadly, la jose had to go home early, so I didn't see her.  But I got to spend time with Mike y mis primos.  I can't believe how big they are!

It was wonderful to be back with the family.

And it surprised me how much I had missed Utah.

Spontaneous Utah Trip

A few weeks ago, Ashton started getting these stomach pains.  He was miserable.  He said it was pressure in his stomach, just below his chest.  His insurance only covered urgent care and emergency room visits in Minnesota.  After a week of not knowing what to do, we drove to the hospital.  It was going to put us out a bit financially and then stressed him out even more.  We started talking about driving back to Utah so he could get some real treatment.

Eventually, he self diagnosed himself, thanks to the internet.  He found some treatments online and was soon back to himself, but the idea of a visit to Utah stuck with us.

We called his mom and she was all for it.  I needed to change my name and get some little errands done, plus, my birthday was coming up and that seemed like a good enough excuse to go home.  So, we created a plan.  We were going to surprise my family.  Michele had already called my mom and they set up a dinner together so that both families could skype me for my birthday.  Ashton and I were going to skype with them from inside the same house.  I couldn't wait.

On July 24th, the 19 hour drive back to Utah began.

It was a long trip to make in one day, but we did it!

Minnesota

So we have lived here for almost 7 weeks and here are some things I have discovered about our new home.

1.  Eden Prairie was ranked the number 1 best place to live in 2010.  We are pretty lucky to spend our first year married in such a great little city.

2. Green - I know I have talked about this, but it is STILL so green here.  I have gotten used to the brown Utah summers.  That doesn't happen here.  Everything is amazingly green.  And there are trees, lots of trees!

3. Lakes - It is called the land of 10,000 lakes for a reason!  And I love my lakes.  We have found a few beaches to catch some rays, but we are still looking for a chance to go boating.  Though, we have found paddle boats to rent!

4. Friendliest people you will ever meet - They are genuinely kind.  Plus, everyone smiles.  It's the best.

5. Storms - Thunder and lightning brings out the 10 year old in me.  There is something so magical about a summer storm and Minnesota storms do not disappoint!  Sometimes it rains so much, the pond outside floods!

6. Jucy Lucy - Think I have said enough about this in previous posts.  We went three times in as many weeks.  My offer to take you if you visit is still out there.

7.  Humidity - doesn't help my hair curl like I was hoping it would...

8.  $5 Tuesday afternoon movies! - It's going to be sad when I have to start teaching again.  These have become a favorite weekly tradition and what a score!

9.  The Bloomington Ward - What an amazing ward family.  They have welcomed us with open arms since day 1.  And I am working in the nursery with the most darling kids ever.  They already have my heart.

10.  Being with my husband.  All of the time. - It's like we are still on our honeymoon.  That all changes when I start work though.  Enjoying it while we can!

11.  Fruits and Veggies - I miss Utah produce.  Nothing here seems to be quite as good and it's all a lot more expensive.

12.  Traffic - Like all of the time.  8:00 in the morning, of course. 5:00 in the evening, you bet.  Noon, surprise! There is traffic!  Luckily, it doesn't typically last too long.  Most of them are only two lanes and  there is no shoulder to pull off to if anything happens!

13.  So many freeways - There are freeways and highways everywhere.  So many number.  Take the 169 to the 494 to the 35.  Oh, and the on and off ramps happen at the same time.  Talk about dangerous.

Ashton says he likes (there are some repeats, but I wanted his contribution):

14.  The mosquitoes.

Just in case you forgot how much they like him too.

15. The thunderstorms.

16. Relatively nice outside - referring to the weather.

17.  Traffic is fun.

18. Gas and food = more expensive

19. The greenery is really nice.

All in all, we are loving the little home we have made here in Minnesota.  Plus, being married is a lot of fun.