Sunday, January 19, 2014

twenty-four

For my twenty-fourth birthday Danny took me iceskating! We went to the Gallivan Center Ice Rink in downtown Salt Lake City. I hadn't been in years, I was little out of practice (read: a lot out of practice), but it was so much fun!


Going along with our three year running tradition, we went to The Melting Pot for my birthday dinner!
Our cute waitress brought this out for me when she found out it was my birthday. They've never done that in the past so it was a nice little surprise!

All in all, it was such a fun birthday! I felt so much love from family and friends near and far! I can't wait to see what 24 holds for me. :)

Sunday, January 5, 2014

2013: A Year in Review






January: I turned twenty-three and we celebrated at the Melting Pot!

February: I flew to Atlanta (for the first time) to visit Allie! I wrote all about it in my Adventures in Georgia series.

March: Danny and I celebrated our one year anniversary!

April: I celebrated Spring with tulips. Lots of tulips.

May: Danny and I flew out to Tyler and Ashley's wedding in San Diego!

June: Danny turned 26 and we drove to Seattle for a soccer tournament! Later that month I took a moonlight ride in Sundance with my mom and Hannah!

July: We flew out to Boston and I immediately fell in love with it. You can see our pictures in my Boston Adventures series.

August: My mom, Hannah and I spent a fun girls weekend in Park City.

September: I went on a field trip with my 6th grade students to the Spiral Jetty! It was even more impressive than I had imagined. Major bucket list item crossed off.

October: Danny and I drove to Phoenix (stopping in Vegas) to visit Ahlin and family! There, I had my first experience at the batting cages. Later that month Danny and his dad flew out to Boston to watch the Red Sox win the World Series!

November: Danny grew a mustache. And my grandma called him Clark Gable. We also made lots of pies this month.

December: Christmas time brought out the tree, Christmas concerts, gingerbread houses to be decorated, Elf (the musical), sugar galore, and perfect moments spent with those we love.

As I've reflected over the past year, I am so thankful for the opportunities I've had to visit loved ones, travel to new places, experience new things, and enjoy life and all that it has to offer me. More than anything, I am grateful for another year that drew me closer to my Savior and reminded me to fully rely on Him. He truly is my Rock and my Strength. I know that in Him I can always find comfort, peace, and hope.

I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us and for you! Happy 2014, dear friends!

Saturday, January 4, 2014

we wish you a merry christmas and a happy new year!

Happy holidays, friends! Now that it's quieted down a bit over here, I wanted to share a few photos from our festivities this year ... 

decking the halls (Danny and I made that gingerbread house!)
Danny surprised me with tickets to see Elf ... the musical! It was fabulous. 
party prep ... cookies for dayyyys
making the rounds on Christmas day
missed these two!
reunited!

Mark loved the snow!
making snowballs

our little snowman
The master of building gingerbread houses. 
Hannah helped me decorate this one!
cozying up by the tree

I hope each of you had a happy and peaceful Christmas season spent with those you love! I'm a little in denial that it's already come and gone, but I'm excited to see what 2014 holds for us!