Uh Oh....

Guess what doesn't mix? I'll tell you: a garlic press and a disposal. Yes, it may sound exciting but don't attempt to try your luck. Take my advice.

Here are a couple of pictures from our anniversary dinner at Enzio's, an Italian restaurant.

Bon anniversaire!

Today is our 2nd anniversary and the time has really gone so fast! I love being married to my best friend and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.




1st Anniversary in Breckenridge


2nd Anniversary trip to Disneyworld

Mom & Amarillo!

This past week, my mom came to visit us and then we took a road trip to see our family in Amarillo, Texas. Despite being an 8 1/2 hour drive, it was actually quite fun (probably because Charlie drove 15 out of the 17 total hours!) and it was really great to be able to see our Texas fam.






My cousin Lora and I outside the Harrington House, this historical house with alot of expensive art and furniture in it. It was a really neat house and a unique opportunity. I really just wanted to run around the house and touch everything I wasn't supposed to. "This chair was a gift from the Royal Emperor of China in 1774" is the kind of thing we heard all morning. Back to my cousin: I'm so excited to meet her newest baby girl who is due tomorrow!


My mom and my aunt Mary Jane trying on hats inside the gift shop at the outdoor auditorium in Canyon where we saw "Texas" which is the official musical of Texas. So cheesy yet so fun.


Mary Jane, my Grandma Christene, Mom, me, and Charlie outside the show. We also got to see alot of other family who I sadly did not get pictures of because I forgot to bring my camera on the trip. We had alot of fun and especially loved playing with our mini-cousin Ava, who is almost 22 months old. Yay for Texas!

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Today I heard something I thought was kind of neat. At 12:34 and 56 seconds today, it was 12:34:56 7/8/9. Fun!

Independence Day

For the 4th of July, we had some friends over for dinner and then we went to go see the firework show that was just down our street. Now, ever since we moved here, we've heard fireworks at all times of the year, day and night. We kind of thought that it was just because the fraternities and sororities are so close to us. But in this past week leading up to Saturday, there were so many people lighting fireworks - I've never experienced anything like it. I guess since Wyoming is so close, people just drive 30 miles and buy all the fireworks they want.

The show started at 9:30, so we thought we would leave our house and walk down the street to the park at 8:45. The moment we stepped outside, it was like the whole city was on our street. People were going nuts!! It was kind of fun, and scary at times, to see how crazy the citizens of Fort Collins get over the 4th of July. People were riding their bikes down the street slapping everyone's hand saying "Happy 4th of July!" and everywhere we went, the whole night, groups of people were chanting "U-S-A! U-S-A!" It made me happy that people were so patriotic. But people are also stupid and do dangerous things, and there was plenty of that too.

Anyway, the fireworks show was really good - way better than any of us expected for a small town - and it was alot of fun to be a part of what felt like the whole community celebrating our country's birthday. Yay!

Saying Goodbye

After Melissa's wedding (they hadn't left for their honeymoon yet) but before I flew back to Colorado, the girls and I had a chance to have dinner one last time. It was fun but also bittersweet because both of them are moving away. Amanda is moving to Texas to pursue a career in special education and Melissa (and Eric!) are moving to JAPAN for a year to teach English. They are my lifelong friends, so I was really sad to say goodbye for what might be a year! But our friendship is so strong, and we have already survived me moving to Colorado, so I'm sure we will have lots of phone time and maybe even video chats. We took some pictures after dinner at Z-Tejas on Mill.

The 3 Musketeers




Amanda & Melissa - I'm going to miss you so much!


I look happy, but I am already thinking about how long this year will seem.


Be safe in Japan, Melissa!

Hanging Out

After church on Sunday, Charlie's family had my family over for lunch. Donna is such a good cook, yum! We took a picture for fun, but Charlie's brother had just left, so it is not complete. We really miss our family during the year. They are so much fun to be around, and we look forward to living in the same state next May.



My cute parents


Donna getting out her "2 days until retirement" frustrations - just kidding. She received this axe from the Fire Department from all her years of service with the city of Mesa.


On Monday I got the chance to visit my favorite family I babysat for when I was in high school, the Aksamits. Their girls are so beautiful, and I can't believe how fast they are growing up. Time flies. It will be so fun when we move back and we can see them more often.

Wedding Bells

Saturday June 27 was Melissa & Eric's wedding day. I was fortunate to be able to come with my mom and be there while Melissa was getting ready. Melissa is one of the most organized, prepared people I know. Her whole family seemed calm and collected right up until the hour arrived. We took alot of pictures, but these are some of the main ideas from the day.

I absolutely love her dress.


My mom gets a closer look at her gorgeous ring


Melissa holding her adorable flower girl


It's a little dark in this picture, but this is towards the end of the beautiful ceremony.


Me and Charlie at the reception - isn't he handsome?


They had gelato instead of cake and it was sooo good. There were so many flavors I didn't even count. I tried the spicy chocolate and coconut, mmm.


Us & Them - Thanks for including us in your special day! We will always remember it.

Melissa's Bachelorette

Melissa is one of my very best friends from childhood. She is so special to me, and I feel like she is my sister. The weekend of June 27 she and Eric got married.

Thursday night we had Melissa's bachelorette at a very fun place and restaurant. It was the most tame bachelorette party (isn't that a good thing?) and yet so sweet and memorable.


Kellie (Melissa's sister) and Melissa's shoes in the Phoenix skyline


Our elevator picture, taken by Melissa, the expert


It's Melissa's 2nd-to-last night being single.


The next morning we had an amazing breakfast at Le Grande Orange which I will probably think about for a long time. Johanna, Melissa, and me.

Melissa & Me

I love this picture of Amanda, Melissa, and Kellie



The 3 Musketeers