I hope they call him on a mission...

And by golly he's sure grown a foot or two. My little brother {I should really stop calling him that because he's not. Little. At all!} Okay, my younger brother, got his mission call last night! The video is on Facebook. 

{Click here to watch}

I am beyond proud of my brother. He will be so blessed by going out to serve the lord for these next two years. Plus, He'll grow up a lot, FINALLY!

Before we all got there... where's he going to go?!

San Fernando, California!

Love this kid..

The reason we were at Bahama Bucks was because my parents were going to go there for Family Night anyway, but they got the call from Carsten's Dad saying they got the call. So we all decided to meet halfway at Bahama Bucks. It was cute. Plus- a yummy treat after! 

Love you Bro! I'm so excited for you, I know you're going to be a great missionary!

Oh and did I mention.. He's Spanish speaking!

Bahaha all that French down the drain! Good Luck Carst!

A miracle has occurred!

After a lot of digging and searching- I found my blog posts!

I'm sticking with the new ULR and every  thing but I was able to recover most of my posts. PHEW! I'm so happy I could cry!

For time and all eternity...

May 8,2011

 I recently made a goal for myself to take at least one day every week (and on the 6th of every month) to go to the temple. 

It is amazing to me the spirit I feel here. I feel closer to my Heavenly Father than I ever had in my life. Not only do I feel this wonderful spirit, I feel  a calmness, and contentment.. Any pain or stress of my life is put aside while I am here. I even sometimes feel Allen with me. I feel like he's giving me a hug. This reassures me that I will see my brother again, and that he's much safer and happier where he is.

The promises of being with our families for 'Time and All Eternity" sets my heart at peace.

 I have grown to love this beautiful building, not just outside but inside as well. It is simply gorgeous. I have such a testimony that this is a place where sacred blessings and promises are made. I'm so grateful for this knowledge, and I hold it so close to me. 

Sibling bonding time!

May 6,2011

"To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time. "

Alex and I got a croquet set for our wedding and he has been dying to play. We had my brother and sister and Deanna over, and they agreed to play too so we took a walk down to the park right by our apartment complex and set it up. It had been a long time since I had played [and I'm not so good...] and I had forgotten how fun it really is!

I was so glad that we were able to hang out with Carst this weekend. With him leaving soon for his mission, we want to get as much of his time as we can!

Gabrielle and Carsten really love Alex. Promise!

Love my little sister.  Who's not so little anymore shes getting SO tall!

After we played croquet, we played a grueling game of  Skip-Bo and then watched a scary movie! Gabrielle swears she wasn't scared and likes to act tough, but I know she was terrified... 

Loved having such a fun night with my siblings. 

I cherish these moments even more now that our family has had the experience of losing someone in the blink of an eye. It makes me so grateful for these little moments. 

Anniversaries and Cucumber Hearts

April 20, 2011
Sunday was such a beautiful day. I love how nice the weather is getting here. We ate our lunch outside on our balcony and just enjoyed the beautiful day. 

I'm thankful every day to be married to this wonderful guy. Especially when he makes me smile at dinner...

Food art isn't the only sweet thing this guy does-

Yesterday, was our 2 month anniversary! Usually we don't celebrate the little milestones like this, but Alex did  on this one! He surprised me by bringing flowers, candy and a card to work. Totally made my day!

[You might be thinking, Where's the candy? Welp.. definitely already ate it.]

Love the PS. 

I can't express enough how thankful and lucky I feel. Looks like Alex is taking lessons from Richard G. Scott's talk at this last conference. 

Read these amazing words by clicking here!

The fair's in town!

April 2, 2011

We've had such a fun weekend! Tonight we went to the Maricopa County fair! I love fairs, even the small ones like this.

Our view from the top of the ferris wheel.

We rode a ride called 'Footloose' about 6 times. it flips you upside down and its so fun!

Love this action shot! we we're on the swings. what a goober.

he he...

The best things about the fair- cotton candy that makes your teeth fuzzy from all the sugar, and over priced, stale diet pepsi. Ahh the good life.

Mini roller coaster ride. So intense.

Bumper cars... He's a ca-raazy driver!

I just love the fair. I was so excited to have such a fun date with the hubs :)

Phoenix Rules- LA Drools!

April 1,2011

We had an extra ticket so we nabbed our favorite 7 year old nephew, Issac and took him with us.

I went all out when it came to showing my Suns spirit...

 

 

This kid is the coolest, I love being his aunt!

Oh yeah and most importantly- WE WON! 

New Hair!

March 31,2011

I don't know what it is with newly wed wives wanting to change their 'look'. and I didn't think I would fit the stereotype. Until... I got a 'trim yesterday. I'd been thinking about ditching my locks for a while just because it's a little dry, but I've been growing it forever and I've always wanted long luscious hair! It was a tough choice.. but I know my hair thanks me. It finally feels so healthy again! So without further adieu....

I feel like a new woman! [Okay, Not really, but I really love my cut.]

Thanks Brigitte!

How Much do I love Married Life?

March 31,2011
At work yesterday, I decided to clean out my purse because for some reason- it was messy! I noticed a piece of paper towel in there, and thought that was mighty odd, considering i had no recollection of using a paper towel that day, until I almost threw it away and realized- there was a secret message on it! 

Yes. This is how much I love married life. 

Seattle Road Trip/ Seattle Wedding Reception

March 19,2011

Due to our procrastination in buying plane tickets, we ended up having to drive to Seattle for the Reception there. It was a looooo-oooonng drive that's for sure. We started out at about 10:15pm on Wednesday. We got to LA at about 2am their time Thursday morning, where we would stay the night [or few hours] at one of Alex's old mission companion's houses. at about 8:30 am, and after a much need breakfast at Denny's, we were back on the road. Of  course we didn't think about LA rush hour! After the clogged up interstate was clear, we cruised at 90 for pretty much the rest of the way. Sounds great, right?! Well... let just say 18 hrs is a long drive in one day and my beloved husband is a total trooper, so any crankiness was taken with a grain of salt. I can't think  of a better person to be squished in a truck with all flippin' day long.

It wasn't the greatest day for any bugs out there.. yuck!

There was one point that the wind kicked up really hard. So hard in fact, that the hard top on the bed of the truck started flying up! Alex braved the wind and locked it down for us... but I had to go sit on the back for him to get it locked tight.... 

my wind blown hair... eek.

Crisis averted! after a quick picture- we're back on the road!

We finally made it to Seattle at about 1am Friday morning. It was nice to have all day Friday to catch up with friends and just relax. 

Caleb, Alex, and me at Heather's parents house!

On Saturday, we were setting up the gym all day long..

it turned out a lot like the one in Seattle, So pretty! 

About 15 mins before the reception started, I couldn't find anyone to lace up my dress...

So Alex had to do it! He did such a good job I was so impressed!

 My Mom got tons of yummy food.

 The cake turned out so cute too!

It was so fun getting to visit with old friends and seeing everyone that I grew up with. We had some of my old young women leaders helping in the kitchen and helping with the decorating, and we were so grateful to them!

We left Sunday Afternoon after opening presents and going to church with the family. It was such a short trip to have to turn around and come straight back, but We went through Vegas on our way back so it was nice to have a pit stop to enjoy for a couple hours. We rode the roller coaster at New York- New York, and ate some lunch. 

While this trip was so fun and I was so glad to see my family and friends, I was anxious to get back home and  get settled in to our little home and begin our new life. 

[Although I wish I could wear my wedding dress again!]

{Mini} Honeymooners!

March 18, 2011
Ok I've GOT to get caught up on my blogging! Married life is awesome so far, but let me back up to...Our mini honeymoon! 

We drove up to Sedona on Sunday after our wedding. I only had a couple days off of work so it was going to be a short trip, but it was amazing just the same. We're planning on saving up to take a longer honeymoon when I get more paid vacation in July. 

Sedona is beautiful this time of year.  Alex's Mom has a friend that gave us a great deal on a condo there. 

The View from our room was amazing!

 we went to dinner later at this amazing little Italian restaurant

It was so yummy!

The next day, we went to a little village that my family loves to go to called Tlaquepaque.

They have adorable little shops and some places to eat.

we ate at the Secret Garden Cafe. So yummy! 

We had such a relaxing weekend. I just loved being with my new hubby! Married life is the best! 

Going back in time...

Just a few months. My next couple posts are just going to be recaps of some of the more major events and fun things I have pictures of. I'm sorry if it seems repetitive, but I've got to have some sort of record of the beginning months of this year. {especially my wedding!} So continue to be patient with me, these next few post are mainly for my benefit- but I hope you can enjoy them too... {again! :)}

You make me wanna say I DO!

February 19, 2011

Happiest day of our lives

Today, We got married! I can't describe how happy and excited I am to start my life with this wonderful guy. Most of the details of the day went off without a hitch. Except one big one. The weather was terrible!

Waking up- it was a little windy... Okay, I might be able to deal with that.

We're ready for the day, about to leave for the Temple- the wind kicks up- hard. 

{My stomach is starting to churn now}

Loading everything in the car.. My hair is everywhere...

{I'ts official, I'm panicking}

Alex and I rode together to the Temple and the whole way, he's telling me that everything will be okay and trying to distract me by telling me about all the fun we're going to have today.

{I'm still a little panic-y}

We get to the Temple, and the ceremony and everything was beautiful. We were lucky to be able to be married by my Grandpa Wiser. He also married my sister and her husband. It's fun to have someone with that power in our family. 

After the ceremony- We're ready to leave the temple and 'wahoo!' in front of everyone outside the front doors of the temple....

BUT...

The tears start to form when I see everyone waiting for us in the lobby because it's pouring outside. 

{I'm trying to be strong- I didn't want to be the bridezilla who cries at everything.}

So needless to say, pictures of the bridal party and everyone outside the temple were ruined.

{Side note: Thank goodness we took our bridal pictures the week before and had beautiful weather!}

But we did get a few cute ones on our run out to the car...

My step-Mom always comes prepared with cute things like umbrellas for such emergencies.

I love him. <3

After we all decided to meet at the church where we had the reception, Alex and I made a run for it. Literally. 

Alex was so good at keeping a positive spin on things. He knew how upset I was, but he made me realize that  the good thing about this 'damp situation' was that now every time it rains- we can think of our wedding day. I think that's a pretty awesome outlook. 

{I'm not going to lie- even though I have this new sunny perspective on things, I was still pretty bummed out in this picture...I tried not to let people know though}

While the church is a perfect, inexpensive place to hold a wedding reception, it is a terrible backdrop for pictures... I was able to edit a few...

The best in-laws!!

The groomsmen

I seriously had the BEST bridesmaids. They were so supportive and took such good care of me. I'm so blessed to have wonderful sisters and friends. 

{A special shout out to my sister Briana, who couldn't be there. She was a bridesmaid in my heart:)}

The rest of the family pictures and everything I'll just save for myself. These are just a few that I was able to salvage.

I had a personal parade of people following my everywhere to make sure my dress was covered and protected from the rain.

We went to Tia Rosa's for our luncheon.

Yum!

Ha, ha I never noticed: Alex looks so excited! Great food always make him look like this!

Next:

The reception was a blast, and everything turned out perfectly!

{A special thanks goes out to my step-Mom for everything she did to help pull this off. We were able to make everything work out so nicely when we put our brains, budgets, and ideas together and I'm so glad I got to spend this fun planning time with her.}

The details looked something like this:

Shelby Weight did such a wonderful job on our cake. 

check out her other adorable creations here

Some of the fun details... I had so much fun making the center pieces, card box and watching everything come together on set up day.

Our friend Bronson was the DJ for our reception and was just awesome! He player a couple fun games, like one where Alex and I were asked a series of questions like, "who is a better cook?" "Who is more likely to clean  the bathroom?" ect. 

alex and I sat back to back and help up the shoe of the person we thought would fit the answer better. 

{we kind of disagreed on a couple of them}

Cake fight :) Alex got cake up my nose!

Our first dance was to the song, 'Divide Me' by Kalai

This was the first song we ever danced too. 

I Love it. 

The Daddy daughter dance was something I've looked forward to since I was a little girl. I'm such a Daddy's girl. Love my Daddy!

Alex and his Momma!

Garter and bouquet toss...

and then, we dance!

and then we left :)

I loved this day. Rain and wind included. 

{well, kinda}

It was the perfect celebration to start our new lives together.

I just have to thank everyone that came, and everyone that helped with putting this together.

We are so blessed to have such a supportive family. We love you all!

Starting From Scratch

It was so devastating when I found out my blog had been deleted. It was like my journal/ scrapbook all rolled into one. BUT. I'm done cryin' and ready to roll out a whole new blog. I'm starting from scratch and I'm feelin' good. 

{ except for the one nightmare I had last night that all my pictures had been deleted off my computer too. Luckily it was JUST a dream. Phew.}

So bare with me as I get things going again. I promise it will be worth your while.