Meeting Baby Gillian

After two months of waiting and the first stop in town, I finally got to meet Baby Gillian! And, I have to declare, she's pretty. dang. cute. (Erin and Mark, you sure do make cute babies!)

And, I was finally able to give her the gift I made... 

"I Am a Child of God" framed art that I made! 

(I started looking for something like this on Etsy, but they were crazy expensive and didn't come in the colors I wanted, so I got crafty and made my own. Next time I'd like to try a thicker font, but in person, this one is just the right amount of purple. )

We of course headed for some delicious food as is tradition in that town and this time tried at Vapiano. (I'd been wanting to since 2009!) Yummy.  

"You have a baby, in a bar." (: 

Over the course of the next few days we were able to see Erin and Mark a few times, but let's be honest, I was definitely interested in snuggling this little girl. Such an angel! 

Sunday, Erin and Mark let me crash at their place all day and I was able to do tummy time with her, hold her, snuggle her. It was the best. 

Snuggling with a sleeping Gilly. 

Couldn't resist. So tiny. So perfect! 

Can't wait to make it back there next month! She will have grown two more months! 

Seriously Er, you need a blog, cause I'm having withdrawals. (:

Five-Year Plan

Last fall in Sunday School, the Bishopric gave the most amazing 5th-Sunday Lesson. It was based on the talk "The Merciful Obtain Mercy" given by President Uchtdorf in April General Conference.

It was the lesson that I'd hoped to hear months ago in our previous ward, and it was touching.

The Bishopric played excerpts of President Uchtdorf's remarks and then commented, applying it to our ward. They also asked a sister in our ward to share some thoughts that she had given in a talk a few years ago. It was truly inspiring.

This lesson was one of those lessons.

The ones that were meant specifically for you. For me.

While the lesson was directed more to being kind within the ward and towards each other, I saw so many more meanings than that!

To my sweetheart.

To my family.

To my little girl.

It was wonderful.

---

But it helped me to define a part of my personality.

Friendship.

What it really means. To me.

Throughout my life I have had lots of friends. I'm fairly outgoing and I try to befriend everyone. (And try to stay as down to earth as possible.)

Naturally, some friends are closer than others, but throughout my life I've had friends in the various stages.

But it's the stages that, at times, baffle me.

Over the past two years, Ryan and I have tried to develop friendships with various families. Some have blossomed into great relationships, while others have left us wanting. The wanting has left me confused.

And then I realized, it was the stages.

For me friendship is getting to know someone, having conversations, spending time together, visiting casually... you name it.

It's easy. Uncomplicated. Natural.

It's also very easy to pick up where things were left off yesterday or a decade ago.

But I realize it's not like that for some. For many actually.

I've started to realize that for many, friendships exist simply out of convenience. These are usually friends who are in the same ward, neighborhood, classes, etc. You get to know each other, but after you part ways, you lose contact, interest. You're inconvenient. 

Ryan and I have talked about this recently and realized that some of those convenient friendships--those that left us wanting--have also made us feel a little used. (For no particular reason, that's just the feeling.)

That's when I realized that to me friendship is being a friend, when it's inconvenient.

To me, friendships that stay alive and rekindle with ease after a long period of absence are true friendships.

To me, those friends make me feel valuable. Important. Loved. They set an example, lift you up, and care.

As we've talked about friendships, we've thought about some special people in Washington (multiple), Orem, LA, Singapore, Russia, and Grenada... You know who you are. Let's start putting together our five-year plan to build our dream houses on the same street. (And in the meantime, let's plan a cruise!)

Introducing Gillian Adele!

She's here! She's finally here!

Over that past 36 hours I have been dying to be in DC.

But, last night I went to sleep full of excitement knowing that this baby was on her way. But I continued waiting, wondering, praying, hoping...

Then this morning I saw this on my night stand...

Finally! 

So, without further adieu, we are so excited and thrilled to congratulate our good friends Erin and Mark (!) and to introduce:

Gillian Adele - 7 lbs 4 oz, 20.5 inches - Born 1:35 am

We love her already! (And we are definitely itching to get back to Washington to hold her ASAP.)

Due January 2013

Ladies and gentlemen, I have been dying to make this public.

But alas, as it was not my good news to share, so I had to wait.

Until now!

Remember these beautiful people?

And their beautiful wedding last November? 

They are expecting! 

Baby is due in January 2013. 

And we simply can. not. wait. 

Of course a trip back East must be in order. 

(And of course they think that Ryan for a boy or McKenzie/Adrielle for a girl would be perfect...)

Erin told me a few months ago by spilling that "What to Expect When You're Expecting" was on her nightstand. 

(I screamed in delight and picked up the phone to call her.)

Congratulations you two! We are so excited for you!

Crackpots

When we traveled to Denver for this happy occasion... Ryan, Adi, and I painted frames as party of the wedding activities.

It was a blast.

Erin just sent us pictures of the final (kilned) products! And we're anxiously awaiting a little girl's tiny handprint in the mail.

Aren't they cute!? Such a fun wedding idea!

Ryan's fish-themed frame (perfect for honeymoon pictures? ;)

My frame (thank you crackpots for awesome rubber stamps.)

The Cutest Thing

Is this not the. cutest. thing. ever?

Happy New Year! 

Erin & Mark

After these happy nuptials, Ryan, Adi, and I headed to Denver to see our friends Erin and Mark tie the knot. 

The happy couple with best man: Nikos 

It was so. much. fun. 


After a crazy flight from Provo to Denver (more details to come), Ryan and I landed in Denver, rented our car, and drove to Crackpots in Longmont to paint with the wedding party. 

We painted ceramic frames for the happy couple; it was such a great idea. I loved the destination wedding feel, and was so happy to meet Erin's family. 


After painting, we had dinner with the friends and family and had an interesting time with Adrielle thinking Erin's aunt was my mother-in-law (more details to come). It was also a re-lie-ving evening to learn that the ceremony would be approximately 30 minutes, not two and a half hours like I had previously thought (I was racking my brain to think of how to occupy Adi for those two-plus hours.)


The wedding day was simply gorgeous. We looked up a chapel to attend Sacrament Meeting and while we drove around Longmont, we ran into a different chapel. (It's a good thing too, because we were late.) 


After church, we headed to the ceremony that was held at a beautiful barn in Berthoud, Colorado. Despite being mid-November, the weather was perfect, mid-60's if my memory serves me.


The ceremony was beautiful. Erin looked beautiful, and Mark, dashing. In fact, as Adi saw Erin for the first time, she said, "Oh, princess!" I didn't even know she knew that word. 


Erin and Mark had asked me to read a children's story during the ceremony; "My Personal Penguin" to be exact. 

I was soooo nervous. I had read it a few times, and felt prepared, but I wanted it to be perfect for Erin's special day. However, when it came time to read it, I did my best, thinking about how the book describes Erin and Mark to a "T". It was also kind of neat, because both Erin and Mark turned to listen--so I was reading it to them. 

After the rings and the "I do's" Erin and Mark became Mr. and Mrs. and we couldn't be happier for them!

I took a few iPhone photos...

About to start...

Walking together towards the isle! 

But, I also grabbed these from the wedding site; Erin's friend Diana did such a great job on the photos. 

Happy Wedding Erin and Mark!

Before the ceremony

Waiting for the beautiful bride

Towards the isle

The Ceremony

The picture-perfect day!

Erin's bouquet and Mark's boutonniere (He's got the "key" to her "heart".) I loved it, even if it was over-the-top mushy. (:

The cake made by Erin's step-mother 

He's one lucky guy. 

I still want to know what the Walruses are all about. 

One big happy family!

Cute.

Love.

Best Man. 

Smooches all around!

Erin and Me 

All of us! (Check out the sucker I'm holding that was keeping Adi quiet. :)

Two beautiful girls!

The bride

Cutest. Thing. Ever. 

Happy Wedding and Life to Erin and Mark! We love you guys!

LOVE.

The festivities begin this weekend when Bri goes through the temple for the first time. So excited for Austin and Bri... and to be able to see another live sealing at the Salt Lake Temple. Awww... memories.

And I just scheduled our hotel for next weekend. 

I am so excited. Mark and Erin are the greatest! 

And the most gorgeous couple. Totally Washington DC. I love it. 

Don't you worry. We will be documenting every moment.

Love is in the Air!

So... this event is only a month away. And this event is only two days later.

Nuptials in my favorite temple: check! Destination wedding: check!

I am dying with excitement.

And, although Adi may not know it yet, so is she. Check out her wedding wardrobe, courtesy of the GAP. :)

I Just Bought Plane Tickets!

And I am bursting with excitement!

Remember this lovely lady!? Well, a couple of weeks ago she sent me an e-mail and said she was getting married! In November! I couldn't be more happy! Erin and Mark are so darling. The perfect couple.

They are getting married on November 13th at a resort in Colorado. I just bought tickets from Provo (yep, we're flying out of Provo) to Denver on the 12th (the day after my brother's wedding) and could not be more excited!

Here's to an incredible couple and an incredible wedding! Just can't wait!

Congratulations Erin and Mark!

Erin's Visit - Long Overdue

Earlier this spring, Erin came to visit. And it was so. much. fun. 

I felt kind of bad because I inundated her with my love of BYU and to be honest, there's only so much you can do with a baby in the winter, but we had fun. 

These were the mountains and the sky as we drove Erin from Salt Lake to Provo. It was pretty gorgeous, although cloudy the rest of her trip. 

Erin and I took Adi bowling or the first time. She wasn't quite sure. 

We swung by the Bean Museum. 

And drove up to Salt Lake and Park City. We ate Jimmy John's of course and visited the Olympic Plaza in Park City. We even got to "ski" and "ski jump". 

The weather in Park City was crazy and snowy so it was kind of a crazy trip, but we had fun. Ryan tortured Adi with the monster puppets and Adi and I crashed on the drive back. 

It was great having Erin here, although Washington is definitely more fun. :)

Fall in LOVE with Pizza Again

You know how you are constantly in search of the perfect something? Well, for us, that something is pizza, homemade or gourmet, as evidenced here and here.

While we enjoy making pizza, the crust always seems erratic, unpredictable. So, sometimes we opt to grab a quick, easy slice or two. A few weeks ago we wanted to get some yummy oven-baked pizza, so we drove to a delicious little place we know, Smokehouse Pizza, but to our chagrin, it had gone out of business. 

Plan B, The Brickoven.  

However, as luck would have it, we happened upon a little franchise I didn't even know was here, Pier 49! 

It was a fun little family date, and although I have never been to San Francisco, I would be deeply disappointed if the pizza did not live up to that of Pier 49. 

While I didn't capture any pictures that evening, I did snap a quick Costco shot for Erin and old times' sake and another Pier 49 shot tonight when we picked up a pizza for our neighbors and decided to grab a quick slice ourselves. 

A Costco Combo

A Rootbeer Moment (yes, ladies and gentlemen, Adrielle is drinking out of a straw)

(And yes, my 11-month-old is drinking rootbeer. Couldn't be any worse than fruit punch, right? I digress.)

Adrielle Opens Her Favorite Christmas Gift

Do you remember this lovely lady? Well, since then, we have become even closer. We got together for a dinner group this past summer, spent time at our favorite restaurants, and I even got a chance to visit her when I went to Washington on business in November.

She is such a wonderful friend and gift-giver, and, here she goes again! This year for Adi's first Christmas, Erin sent a fun present for Adi to open.

Erin, you're the best! We don't deserve you and can't wait to see you in February!

Got This Beauty Today...

... and I absolutely love it! I definitely predict pictures in the near future.

Also, Ryan and I got a surprise package today from this gorgeous woman trapped in our favorite winter wonderland...

Thanks Er! You're the best!

Summer Recap In Pictures

This summer has been eventful to say the least, yet I find, that after all has been said and done, I don't have a lot of pictures to prove our adventures. I have found that I crutch onto my phone when I need a quick clip, and then the pictures don't end up being very good, but hey, it's better than nothing, right?

So, considering Ryan and I are ending our internships this week, I thought it would be appropriate to unleash some of the exciting things we've done in the past month via cell phone pictures...

First, in June, Ryan and I celebrated the Senate Seersucker Thursday by wearing our Seersucker Suits and going to the Senate Ice Cream Social.


The week before, we drove to Leesburg, Virginia to look at suits for Ryan, and I absolutely LOVED one at Brooks Brothers--of course, right? So, we ended up getting it, and Ryan looks amazing in it! I'm excited for him to show it off in Utah considering Seersucker is all but unknown their in suit form.

Our next adventure, was to Philadelphia. I can't remember if Ryan posted about our actual trip--I think he did--but I wanted to remember the most memorable part: the parking ticket. This just adds insult to injury considering the chunk of change that I just spent to defer my speeding ticket in Indiana, but memories aren't always planned on, right?


This summer, it has been neat to live on The Hill, especially because the Capitol Visitor's Center (CVC) is complete! Two years ago when I was here, the CVC was under construction, and I was able to tour it hard hat and heels with my supervisors. Today, the area above the CVC is the most b-e-a-utiful view of the Capitol from anywhere in the city--in my opinion. See for yourself...


And finally July was QUITE eventful. I was basically MIA for anything social at the end of June and into early July, but bounced back and had a lot of fun with our friend Erin and Brad. Erin invited me to a Nationals Game. She was really excited and had bought tickets... little did I know they were 3rd row seats at 1st base! They were AMAZING! And, I loved being front and center for the President's Race...



Jefferson Wins!





That night is filled with great memories, including pouring rain, raspberry sorbet, front row seats of 'hotties' (according to Erin) :) and another reason why Erin really is an incredible friend. She's definitely the kind of person who will be there when others are not.

And, last but not least (unfortunately no pictures), last Thursday, July 30th. Ryan's old roommate, Brad, flew into Washington to spend a few days touring around. It was a lot of fun having him here, and while he was here, Ryan, Erin, Brad, and I went to Color Me Mine in Adams Morgan. In June a GroupOn had appeared saying if you spend $25 you would get $50 worth of Color Me Mine product and sitting fees. So, we decided to go. We all thought it would be fairly simple... choose a piece, choose the colors, paint the ceramics, and call it good. Ha. Little did we know that it would take 20 minutes to choose a piece and an addition 5 to 10 to choose the color palette and that we would realize that painting was more difficult than it seemed. We soon realized that we weren't going to have enough time, but when all was said and done we had an orange and blue bowl (Brad), a red and blue pot (Ryan), a colorful vegetable tray with painted vegetables (Erin) and a cryptic birthday cake plate (me). It was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, we kind of ran out of time, and there was some extra money left over, but Erin choose a cute mug to take with her so she could come back, and our total was just a few cents over $99! You really can't beat that! It was so much fun...

The Color Me Mine story leads to what happened next. Erin hadn't eaten before our pottery experience, so we decided to grab some pizza. She quantified that the pizza is the best in the world, but that she might not have the clearest memory as to whether or not it actually is the best in the world. But, we decided to go for it. She ordered a slice of pizza... $6! But... get a load of how big this pizza was...



Please forgive the cheesy face. And yes, pun was intended. :)




It was HUGE! And it was delicious! We especially liked the crust because it was doughy and delicious!

Oh and I really need to put a plug in for my sweetheart Ryan! He is such a trooper! Yesterday, I was away from the computer at 11am, a pivotal hour considering that was the time that BYU Student All Sports Passes went on sale and we were planning on buying 5! So Ryan and I called back and forth (despite the fact that Ryan's phone is all but shot and that he had to walk out of the intern office every time in order to answer) and after a long, frustrating, difficult hour, we are now the owners of 5 sets of tickets to each and every home game! We are SOOOO excited! I can't wait until September 19th! It's going to be a very, very long wait! We're excited to have friends and family to games with us... and are hoping that two special people make it out to Utah for some games: Yep! Adriel and Erin that means you... start planning your trip now! :)

Anyway... Ryan and I are headed to the Dominican Republic this weekend. T-minus 3 days and COUNTING! We're going to spend some much-needed time on the beach and in the pool. Then, it's the long trek back to Utah. We'll post pictures of our trip when we get back!