Heres a quick Instagram Update:

[[ HomE of tHe Free, BecaUse oF tHe Brave!]]

I simply love the fourth of July.  Next to my birthday, it is my very favorite. 
I love the crowds of red white and blue, I love the smell of all the BBQ's, Parades, fireworks, and family time.  I just love it all so much! This year was no different.

Our holiday started off the night before at the Eaglewood fireworks.  Its such a great show and its always fun to be with all of Austs friends and the entire city of Bountiful!!  Roby had just got into town and was there so it was extra fun! We love a good visit from him. 

Aust has usually worked but this year he made a speical request to be off, even though it was time and a half, hes the sweetest!

The day started at the Parentals for a lovely french toast casserole breakfast.  From there we all went to the Kaysville parade.  As many people know, its the best therefore people set out blankets and chairs days in advance.  Lucky for us Chels was on top of it and did the same for us.  We got supreme seating.  I'll be honest, this years parade was more like an advertisement parade but the crowds and candy and family made it great! 

After the parade we checked out the booths and then dad treated us to some ever delicious Paces, YUM! We took a nap and then headed over to Layton to check out their booths.  Its always fun even though we never buy anything and its usually just ghetto stuff. 

That night we went to the Layton fireworks with Kasey and Chels!  It has to be one of my favorite firework shows, we really hit up like every single one and this is one of the better ones for sure.

I hope you all had a great Independence day as well.  I am sure grateful for our freedoms.  I certainly gained a whole new understanding and appreciation for all the Military does for us after having Ryan here living with us.  Thank You to all the men and women who serve!

April-June, kinda.

I guess it's time to update.  Sadly, I don't even know where to begin... maybe just a photo montage of the last couple of months.  

We are alive and well, but for a short recap...  

 Work ended for the summer and I enjoyed some much needed break time!  I started teaching summer school, but it's been nice.  That last week of June was pretty long and boring so I was ready to be back in the grind of things.  I won't even explain school, at this point I feel it's a lost cause -- I guess when I'm done I'm done! :)  Aust is great!  He's still grinding away at Murdock, sigh.  It's been quite a different summer this year without having a boat.  Aust got to wakeboard once at a little event but that's been the extent, I feel really bad for him.  I didn't think he would survive a summer without wakeboarding 3 times minimum a week, but boy he has proved me wrong!  We took care of our family vacations all in June, it was certainly a very fun month.

I didn't mention Birthday month, that will have to be another post but needless to say we had GREAT birthdays, we got our Lagoon passes, and had a fun birthday party at Boondocks with friends and family!

These are from my family vacation.  My parents rented a condo up at Powder Ridge.  We spent our days playing Clue, dirt biking, shooting, jet skiing, laughing and having a blast.

We then took the Harleys up to Yellowstone with Aust's parents.  Our butts definitely hurt by the 3rd day but it was lots of fun.  Much cooler to go site seeing while on a motorcycle.  I was amazed at all the smells and sounds- it was very cool and breath takingly beautiful!

I think that brings us up to current time, though I will go in more detail about our months later!

[ simply in love 4.27.2010 ]

" So it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day. "

I think that pretty much sums it up...

Its been 2 years. 2 completely wonderful years with my babe. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Austin Mark,

You inspire me. I know I tell you frequently that you make my day, but truly you do, everyday I am with you is a new favorite! You make me feel like the luckiest girl to ever live and for that I am grateful. I appreciate your ability to lighten any one of my moods! You are the funniest person I have ever met- seriously, I thought that 4 years ago after only knowing you for 15 min... little did I know that would become my eternity, I love that. I love that you are always in good spirits despite your numerous job disappointments. You amaze me with your personal motivation- always searching for a new job, or schooling option, anything to fit "our needs" as you say! I'm pretty sure not an hour goes by where I am not making some dumb mistake or embarrassing comment, but you love me through it. You have taught me to laugh through all my many mistakes/dumb blonde moments, thank you. You support me no matter what- that means the world to me, I know I get some pretty crazy ideas/ambitions. You are selfless, always waiting till way to late to eat with me, you make me feel special. Most of all thank you for loving me, through the ups the downs and everything else life has to throw at us. I love you and I'm grateful you are by my side for forever!

Spring Break.

We had the most lovely spring break. I convinced the Mr. to take work off for 3 days so we could head to some sun. Lets be real, he is really the one that needed the break from work, and I'm grateful he agreed.

Before we headed to St. George I was able to play with my sisters. Monday we headed to the zoo. I seriously love the zoo and it was no different this time! The kids had a blast and i loved just not having anything to do. After that I was able to paint my adorable bench, Its red which I love. Next up was Tuesday and we took the kids to Bird World. Its like a pet store on steroids. Really I just wanted to go because a month ago my sister in law got a toy poodle there and I have fallen in love and just wanted to check the remaining inventory. If ya'll didn't know Aust has promised me a dog once I graduate so I gotta keep up on whats out there! :) After the pet store we went home to make some of the cutest owl decorations ever. I would post pics but they are not all the way done. Anyways it was nice. My sister just kept saying, "Man I wish you never had to work, everyday could be like this!" It really was so nice, I forgot what it was like to not have anything to rush off to one after another!

Wednesday I picked my mr. up from work and off to St. George we went. It was the best, I absolutely loved the 5 hr. drive just us, giggling, reminiscing, nothing about work or stupid school It was perfect! Our good friends live down there, (or up I don't know?) and were kind enough to let us stay. They are always good company and I'm sad they live far away but its a nice excuse to get away. We didn't have much on the agenda so our days consisted of laughter, tons of shopping, scorpion hunting, pool sitting, visiting, Vegas, and lots of eating out! Sounds pretty perfect right?

Now we are back to the weekly grind but at least summer is coming and the sun staying out till 8PM isn't making school nights so gloomy anymore!

"Don't delay, it's getting late!"

So how about some updates. We have done some fun things, and with it being Spring Break, I finally have time to document them.

My father in law always gets hook ups to all sorts of fun things. Lucky for us we always reap the benefits! A couple weeks ago we took advantage of some ski passes and lodging up at the Canyons resort. The room we stayed in was $600 a night. We stayed for free then spent the next day snowboarding. It was on this day that I finally decided I should retire snowboarding. I am just so awful at it and the only place I like going is at Powder Mnt. during night time. Just one simple run! Park City was a whole different story. Way to much going on and for somebody who sucks, its awful. Aust is seriously the best sport. He is so sweet and always waits for me and sits with me. Its a boring day for him! But he'd never let me know it by his actions. Love him.

I don't know if I've mentioned this but we are members of a shooting range. Its been very fun, our Friday afternoons are spent there, together. It makes for a great day.

I love when spring finally hits, it becomes birthday season, general conference, motorcycle rides, and long days of sunlight! Its great! During the priesthood session, my sis and I made benches out of kitchen chairs. They turned out dang cute and I cant wait to finish my little garden display with it!

We have some good friends in our ward that invited us to a session at the conference center, Sunday. Great talks, great company, doesn't get much better! After conference we headed to a birthday party for Mr. Luken. He turned 1 and let me just tell you what a special day it was. I just kept thinking how differently we could have been spending the day had he not survived that awful day in August.And now for some serious Spring break activity-
Stayed tuned :)

11 Things:

1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 13 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/facebook and tell them you've tagged them.

11 Random/Quirtky things.

1. I hate using cruise control. It makes me feel completely out of control, I wont use it- Ever.

2. When I really like what I'm eating, I unknowingly dance in my chair. Aust always knows when I'm happy about dinner!

3. I will never, I repeat NEVER leave my house without my toes painted.

4. I have an irrational fear of people choking. When we bbsat my sisters kids, it wasn't the dirty diapers or napping or 5 days alone with them that scared me. It was the fact that I would have to feed them 4 times a day with the potential of someone choking. Its not just when kids choke either, even when aust coughs at dinner, I freak.

5. My socks never match. In fact I hate when they do.

6. I have anxiety with talking to people at church. This weirdness only happens at church and everybody thinks I'm incredibly shy which I am the furthest from being except when at church. I dont know when I picked this up or even why- but its a problem, I seriously turn bright red and stutter my words. 3 Hrs of church is usually anxiety ridden! Maybe now that Aust is in the Elders Quorum I can meet lots of people, who knows??

7. When I get obessessed with a new song I listen to it on repeat for about 2 weeks. Just that song, no others. Currently its "All about us.", by He is we.

8. I can dislocate my femur bone. I'm sure its not healthy nor normal but its looks crazy and it's always a good party trick.

9. I hate salad/lettuce. I've never met anybody who dislikes it as much as I. Its sad because I'll make Aust a salad for lunch and the whole time I think how delicious it is and I'll continually try it again but without fail, I gag. I hate it.

10. When Aust wakeboards I feel like a celebrity wife. I know that sounds hilarious but I think its the coolest thing and luckily we have never been boating with somebody who can out jump/flip/or roll like he can. So everybody thinks he's amazing which makes it even better!

11. My senior year of highschool, my date and I wore duct tape apparel.

12. My favorite ride at Lagoon is the tilt a whirl, no fail every time I get this obnoxious giggle and tap my feet while getting a good spin.

13. And possibly the weirdest thing about me. When I get excited I uncontrollably clap/ rubber my hands together really fast while making squealer noises. HAHA! I'm sure that's a weird mental picture but if you know me in the slightest you have encountered this on a million occasions, its doesn't take much!