Tyler and Corinne's Open House

I have not yet posted about one of our most anticipated summer adventures - we helped Aaron's mom and dad host a wedding open house for Tyler and Corinne. 

Our major contribution was cookies. We made oh so many yummy cookies. I think I made around 40 dozen in the couple of weeks leading up to the party. We made chocolate chip, white chocolate chip macadamia, M&M, chocolate M&M, chocolate chocolate chip, and pumpkin chocolate chip.  Sadly, the white chocolate macadamia and chocolate M&M didn't make it to the open house. The white chocolate ones went to the bridal shower, and the chocolate M&M were Nora's favorite to steal. 

In addition to our cookies, we also moved a lot of tables and did a lot of setting up. It turned out beautiful. 

After all of the work was done, we went home to get ready and by some miracle got everyone shower and dressed in about 45 minutes (with only 1 bathroom). 

Then it was time to relax and enjoy. The gardens looked amazingly gorgeous, as did the bride. And we got to spend the next couple of hours chatting with friends and family and keeping the cookies and drinks refilled. 

I thought it was a perfect evening. 

Kyle and Hayley's Wedding

We had a wedding last weekend; Aaron's youngest brother married his sweetheart on a beautiful cold winter day. We walked around the temple while we waited for them to come out for pictures, and by the time pictures started Zeke was sure his hands were going to fall off!

Nora and her 'cute bow'. If you ask her about it, that's what she'll say. 

It was a beautiful ceremony for a wonderful couple and we were glad to be there to share it with them. 

The next day, we got busy transforming our townhome community's clubhouse into a magical, romantic winter wonderland. With many hands and several hours, along with lots of borrowed items, we had an amazing wedding reception ready by nightfall. 

Aaron and I spent most of the time keeping the hot chocolate flowing and the cookie plates filled. It's always fun to mingle with family and friends at events like this, and it was a wonderful evening. 

Best Days of My Life

About a year ago I was driving to work and heard Bryan Adams' Summer of '69 on the radio. I wondered to myself if there was a 'best time' of my life that I wished I could relive. It only took the minute or so between exits on I-15 to mentally flip back through the 8 years I had known Aaron and come to a realization. There have been so many wonderful times and fond memories, but even the most blissful times weren't without their problems. All things considered, I would rather have the combined joys and challenges of now than any other time.

That's as true now as it was last summer. Our wedding day was seven years ago today (truly one of the very best days ever!) and life gets better all the time.

A Virginia Wedding

The catalyst for the DC/Maryland/Virginia trip was Draper and Carrie's ring ceremony and wedding reception. So after a few days in Washington DC and Maryland, we headed for Virginia for some more wedding fun.

It rained hard the morning of the reception, then let up into a misty drizzle by afternoon.

Zeke loved the fountain so much. Here he is driving his cars and trucks through it.

The ceremony was beautiful, even with the misty rain and dripping trees. It wasn't cold so it was fairly pleasant even if it was wet. I quite enjoyed it and I wouldn't mind more weather like that at home!

Even though the dinner moved inside, Zeke wanted to eat at a table. So we ate outside in the mist. He sat on the one dry-ish chair we could find, and Aaron and I ate standing.

And of course, dinner was followed by the beautiful and delicious wedding cake. Zeke's favorite part.

After the wedding reception on Saturday, we went back to Maryland Sunday to visit Uncle Tyler for a while. Even though it was a lot of driving, it was quite restful (well, except for the very rainy parts of the drive) and just what we needed. We were glad to be able to see Tyler at his home.

Together Forever

On a beautiful spring day

we celebrated with Draper and Carrie at their wedding.

Zeke pulled lots of crazy antics, most of them occuring when we wanted him in a picture. Aaron and I both walked a lot of steps trying to keep him close.

But most of all we just loved being out and about together.

Congratulations Draper and Carrie - we look forward to celebrating more with you soon!

Living Happily Ever After

My little sister got married on Friday.

She was absolutely radiant. Both bride and groom were, actually, although I didn't get any great up-close shots at the temple. I did get these fun far-away pictures while they were under the umbrella to stay out of the light snow that was falling.

Because we were on time to the luncheon we didn't have seats (apparently everyone else had been waiting at their table while we were chillin' - literally and figuratively - on Temple Square). So we got to sit at the table marked 'Bridal Party', directly across from the couple of honor.

Aaron and I made the wedding video, which made it's debut at the luncheon. Big project but great results. And Heather was there to help us chase Zeke (thank you, thank you!) for the day, which was such a big help.

At the reception, Zeke spent all 2.5 hours running around the reception center. Every time we looked away (which is frequent when you have a room full of people you haven't seen in 5+ years) he disappeared into the crowd or up the stairs to the bride's room. We did get a few moments of stillness when we got him some reception treats

and while he was fixated on Dynna's carousel.

Here's the happy couple during the cake cutting; no smashing (wahoo!) despite encouragement from the crowd.

Congratulations to Dynna and Ryan! May the times ahead be as wonderful as your wedding day.

Shower Power

Last week my mom and I threw a bridal shower for Dynna. For those of you that know her and wish she updated her blog more so you could know what she's up to, here you go. For everyone else, you get to 'meet' my cute, nearly-married sister.

The food. Oh so good. Interestingly, at clean up there was only one peanut butter bar left and only one brownie gone. Peanut butter bars were the clear winner with this group!

Candiss made her place among the shower gifts for most of the shower. Partially to chew on the ribbons, and partially because I was sitting in her chair.

Popcorn buckets, a recipe for caramel popcorn, and the ingredients to make it. What a great idea!

And green oven mitts. We had a kitchen shower, can you tell?

Five Towards Forever

The best thing I've ever done is marry my best friend.

Pre-Family Time

I realized this weekend that we passed an unofficial anniversary of sorts. Funny, I don't think I have ever recognized this 'anniversary' before. Aaron and I started dating at the beginning of April a few years ago. This came after about 8 months of getting to know each other and becoming inseparable best friends before we dared admit our feelings to each other.

Maybe what made me think about our start of official dating is I got some of the pictures Aaron's parents had taken of our early days together. Ah the magic of young love (and how quickly a baby in the family can turn young lovers into responsible adults...). But really I wouldn't have it any other way.

A Sweet Holiday

Aaron introduced me to White Day, a Japanese celebration similar to Valentine's Day. On February 14th girls give guys milk chocolate, and on March 14th the guys return the favor by giving the girls white chocolate. Hence the name White Day. Our first White Day celebration was five years ago when Aaron gave me white chocolate and white gold.

We have since switched it up a bit -- because Aaron is a white chocolate fan he gets the white chocolate today and he gave me milk chocolate for Valentines. Not exactly traditional, but that's what makes traditions fun.

Happy Anniversary

Today is our fourth anniversary. And, according to the etiquitte experts who know what we need this year, the chosen gifts are fruit, flowers, linen, and silk. If you're interested.
We're not doing anything great and special today, but it's still a special day. It's a wonderful thing to celebrate a companion to be with forever. Having a friend right there makes the trials easier and the happy times even more fun.