Little Sister's Graduation

I had the wonderful joy and slight scare by realizing that my adorable baby sister graduated a few days ago.  Can't believe it.  Wish I could have been there and wish I hadn't handed down the tradition of getting the flu right before graduation.

Congrats Doll!

That's my Girl!

A few random things

Here are a few random fun pictures from the last few months.

Ryan thought it was very funny I was asleep and he was awake.

Since the weather has started getting nicer, Ryan and I have started taking lovely walks around our complex.

For spring break we went and painted our own giant mugs.

We also have been playing alot with Ryan's parents cat Ice.

He is so cute with those big blue eyes.

 And he is very long.

It is all about the little joys in life.

Final bedroom Look

I know I love posting my home decorations, but this I feel is the pinnacle of my luxury in our little apartment, I sprang for a headboard.  Comfy and Beautiful.

A Quick Trip Home

I feel like I haven't blogged in forever and they I realized it has been several months.  But don't feel bad for us, we have had a few fun things occur in our lives other than just the usual school and work. 

One of those fun things was a fairly impromptu long weekend in Louisiana to visit my family.  It had been at least a year since I had seen any of these amazing folks and I was thrilled to be with them even for a short time.

We had lots of fun...

On the deck

 My wedding was my father's excuse to build this wonderful deck by the way.

 Nothing better than a loving family around a fire pit.

There was quite the game of fanning the smoke so it would follow someone else.

Hence the flailing limbs. 

  My mom makes the best breakfasts ever, 

which is probably why it is pretty much my favorite food.

 I had the fun of handing down the tradition of BYU gear to Ethan, but neither he nor Jared were very happy about taking a picture to commemorate such an occasion.

 It was Valentine's Day weekend and we had a Heart Hunt for candy.

 Really love seeing kids running around the yard.

 Checking the score!

 Trevor entertained us often with his wonderful instruments of guitar and voice.

Music is such a wonderful part of our family fun.

 My sister is pretty handy with a camera and did me the greatest favor of taking a few pictures of Ryan and I as I haven't had any really good ones since the wedding and as you can see

his facial hair has increased tremendously since then.  In fact he hasn't shaved 

since the morning of our wedding.  My very one mountain man!

 She did take one where you can actually see how much taller he is than me.

 The kids couldn't get enough of hunting for the hearts and then sharing them.

 The men got in some practice with the ax on our old picnic bench.

 Everyone loves Grandma.

And Aunt Melanie is always good for a tackling hug. 

 It was so pretty we played apples to apples with the kiddos outside.

 Everyone had a partner

 We got some very interesting combinations.

 I tried to video chat with my other sister and her girls and this is what happened.

I am not sure who wanted the most attention.

 Then it was craft time.

 It was Valentine's Day weekend but it was also the weekend before Mardi Gras. 

Which meant I couldn't leave without some amazing King Cake.

 Cake on a fork.

 We took a trip to the pool and had so much fun.

 A few years ago I taught Ethan the proper way to splash and I have to say he was an enthusiastic student and still keeps in great practice, as you can see.

 Always have to make sure people know the photographer was there too.

One of my favorite traditions is bedtime stories.

Best cuddle time ever.

It was a short trip but well worth the time and effort.

Family is forever.

Early Christmas in Utah

Ryan and I decided it was time we visit some very important family in Utah...

Our Grandmothers.

So glad we got to meet each other's grandmothers for the first time.

They are amazing women and well beloved by both of us.

Ryan and Grandma Ellsworth

(He makes her look small, but then again Ryan does that to most people.)

Grandma Newton and I

(Now this is the amazing thing, she makes me look tall, meaning she is really really short :) )

Now while we were in Utah we decided we should see some of the sites, 

which mostly include all the beautiful temples.

Ogden Temple

And it had this amazing nativity.

 Salt Lake Temple

 You will notice our tradition to get both of us in the picture with the temple - this makes 2.

 We also went around the Conference center, and Temple Square.

There was an organ recital going on and the Tabernacle was decorated lavishly for Christmas.

 Always have to go by the Visitor's Center and look at all the displays.

                                                                                          Provo Temple

 They also had the nativity.  I guess all the temples do for Christmas, 

I am not sure I have ever been there around that time of year before to notice.

Ryan found an Authentic Mexican Restaurant that we had to visit.

Cannot say how impressed I was by the fact he was satisfied by Mexican food that was not in Mexico.

 Tacos - they were pretty good, even if simple.

 Then of course, while we were in Provo, I had to visit BYU campus.

Yummy food at the Creamery.

 Ryan wanted me to leave him alone to eat his ice cream and stop taking pictures.

 So I started taking my picture and then eating my ice cream.  :)

 Good Old "Y"

Ryan asked if I wanted to climb it - not this time.

I am not sure if we will ever make a trip where we drive during winter again, 

but it was amazing and so good to see family.