Happy Stomaversarry!

Happy First Stomaversary Ryan!

Okay, let me explain.

Last year, my brother-in-law Ryan spent months and months of his life in and out of the hospital. Chron's disease caused him relentless GI pain. He lost tons of weight and was barely able to walk or sit up let alone work/mountain bike/hike/etc. 

He was finally able to find relief after receiving surgery to create an ileostomy (aka the suregon created an opening connecting the small intestine to a bag on the outside of the body).

It blows my mind that this type of procedure is even possible, but it has literally saved his life!

He is back to work, has been fixing up their house, carpenters, mountain bikes, gardens, camps, hikes, etc. etc. etc. 

Obviously, we had to celebrate the year anniversary of his ostomy because words cannot express what a blessing this has been on Ryan's health, his marriage, and our entire family.

Something very special was in order.

I was even able to fly in from Utah for the occasion.

We rode the light rail downtown for a show by none other than....

CIRQUE DE SOLEIL!

Be still my soul, it has been my lifelong dream to attend one of those shows and believe me, it did NOT disappoint.  

When I wasn't gobbling down my body weight in circus popcorn, I was on the edge of my seat the entire night because of the insanity of their tricks!

The unicyclists were my favorites.

But the trampoline artists, acrobats, juggler, and contortionists were close seconds.

We topped the evening off with a some quality family bonding time in the city.

It sure was one special celebration!

Congratulation Ry Guy. You are one studly/brave guy!

Graduation

Well ladies and gentlemen,
I have officially graduated!
I now have a Bachelor's of Science in Nutritional Science.
The mister still has a couple more years before he is done, so we will be around Provo for a while.

I was spoiled to have my family and in-laws in town for a bit of celebrating!
Loads of delicious food, pedicures, and hours of catching up were in order.
As well as one fabulously attractive cap and gown....

It was all topped off with a quick trip to Colorado!
Nothing beats a weekend at home.
What a perfect way to get rested, reenergized and motivated for a new job (me) and a new semester (the husband).

Cheers to a fabulous four years!
Though I am proud to say, I will always be a BYU cougar!

A Very Special Day

Today is a very special day.
In fact, it happens to be the birthday of my wonderful mama llama drama rama!
Oh how I love that lady.
She brings so much inspiration, sanity, and happiness to my life.
Hope you have had the loveliest of days mother dear.
Because you are certainly one of the most lovely women I know.
Happy Happy Birthday!

(Ain't she a smoking hot babe? Let's hope I age as well!)

Bridal Shower

Remember how I haven't blogged in *glup* 2 months?

But I think I have some pretty good explanations.

You know with 
getting married, 
having a dream wedding, 
honeymooning in mexico, 
moving into a darling new apartment, 
starting my last semester of college, 
and all.

Anyhow, I figured it was high time I played a little game of catchup.

Back in December, my mother-in-law, sister, and mama threw me a smashingly fun bridal shower.

Complete with brunch 

(think fresh pastries, a delectable fruit spread, yogurt bar, hot apple cider, etc.)

some of my favorite ladies,

and a pistacchio green kitchen aid.

I about died when I opened that thing.

I still salivate every time I look at it perched on my little kitchen counter!

 

It sure feels good to be back in the blogging world!
Check back soon for more life updates,
and some EXCITING new changes on my little blog.
Oh Happy Happy Life.

Almost Twenty Two

Mmm...
A birthday wouldn't be a birthday without one of Granny's famous black walnut cakes.
She used to make me one every year
and my Mama kept the tradition alive by baking me one this year to!
I die just thinking about the thick gooey frosting and moist walnut flavored cake.
Secretly, if black walnut were a wedding cake option, I would choose that in a heartbeat.

J and I came into town for his little sister's baptism,
which also ment a little early birthday celebration with my family.
We ate at my favorite Mexican restaurant.
I opened some classy gifts.
And then we gobbled up the cake (don't worry, i even brought 2 slices back to Utah with me).

It was a fun weekend with family.
But before we knew it and the 8 hour drive back to Provo was calling our names.
Luckily, my REAL birthday is coming up in a week!
And I have a handsome boy here in Provo to celebrate with.
Can you believe that this is the first time in 4 years that we will be together on my birthday?
I think that is the best gift of them all.

Twenty Two...
You are looking like an awfully fun year already!

1. THE cake.  Take a bite and you will propose to it instantly.

2. Taste testing some wedding sodas

3. Potential Christmas card pic

Happy ALMOST Birthday!  Oh Happy Life!

Celebrating

No mind my fast approaching finals,

being home just has a way of making me forget everything on my to do list.

As you can probably imagine,

there was absolutely NO way I could focus after J and I got engaged.

In fact,

I'm still having trouble concentrating because all these giggly/giddy feelings just keep bubbling up all the time!

To celebrate our engagement,

J took me to the restaurant where we had our first date.

Crepes n' Crepes is tucked away among dozens of other restaurants and stores

just off of the 16th street mall.

Inside it was quiet,

and the faint smell of warm Nutella wafted out as we opened the door.

Their ratatouille crepe is utterly to die for.

It was fun to reminisce about our relationship 4 years ago and how far we have come since then.

After,

we wandered around the city for a while

 eventually coming across a new little candy and soda pop shop.

They had about a hundred different flavors of root beer alone

and J was especially excited to find some Swedish candy,

but we finally decided to share a bottle of honey sweetened Cream Soda.

It was a sweet ending to a most perfect day!

(Mmm...I could look at this handsome devil all day!)

Happy Celebration!  Oh Happy Life!