Sunday, April 21, 2013

Two Years

Saturday April 20, 2013

Dugan and I celebrated our two year anniversary.
Before I tell you about our vacation, I want to give a BIG should out to our friends Julia & Rd for helping us out. You guys are a great blessing to us. We are so grateful for you and for your help in us having the anniversary we wanted. Forever grateful.

So this is how it went: Early in the morning, we headed to Sedona and took along our picnic basket full of muffins, quiche, fresh fruit, and orange juice. When we got to the red rocks we pulled off and had ourselves a lovely picnic.

After our picnic we took a nice hike to the top of one of the red rocks. It was only about 2 miles each way but it was nice and was beautiful when we got to the top. Odin loved the exercise, too.




So, then Dugan and I went to our appointment for our massages. Let me tell you. that massage was so needed and so relaxing. It was my very first one and it wont be my last one. Yes, a little pricey but we decided not to worry about money on our anniversary and just do the things we want for once. I wish I had a picture of this place. So beautiful and relaxing and personal. The owners even let us bring Odin into the yard and helped us by watching him for the hour and a half we were getting our massages. Here's the link in case any of you are interested in having a great experience.


After our massages, we ate lunch at a bbq in town and then we checked into our lodge. We spend a few hours between then to relax in our room and get ready for dinner.

 Odin felt right at home.
 Tired boy took a nap before dinner while I got ready.

My hair for dinner. Thank you Pinterest.


In the morning, we were served breakfast by the lodge. It was pretty peaceful and very much delicious. 



We came back home and recovered from spoiling ourselves in Sedona. As we got in the car, I notices one rose Dugan pulled off a bush and placed for me in the passenger seat. So sweet. Oh, there was chocolate there, too. Because, you know, it's chocolate.



Our 2nd anniversary was much different than our first anniversary, which we spent in New York City.  We probably spent the same amount of money. But NYC was really fast paced and busy and crazy and exciting. This year was relaxing and we had lots of time to enjoy each others company without feeling like we need to fill every second of the day with touristy things to do. At one point before our message, we were sitting at the spa drinking hot tea and sitting on a swing in the yard and just breathing in the fresh air. It was so refreshing to slow down for a full 24 hours. Thank you Sedona for being so close by and for giving us the calming atmosphere we needed.

In my post last year I listed a few things I love about my husband and (you bet) I am going to do it again.

I love that he holds my hand on every walk and every car ride, even if it's just to the store.
I love that he lets me talk along to movies I love... and sing along to songs in the car.
I love that he snuggles me at night. Still.
I love that he calls me beautiful first thing in the morning when I look like THIS.
I love the wrinkles around his eyes when he smiles.
I love, though it drives me crazy at the same time, that he doesnt care what he wears as long as it's comfortable.
I love that all he wants is to make me happy.
I love that his biggest hero is his Dad. 
I love that he is nerdy and could watch a different Japanese action film every day. 
I love that he loves antiques.
I love that he's supportive.
I love that he is positive.
I love that he is so patient and takes nothing personally.
I love that his dreams consist of gardens and teaching our children about life.
I love that he loves animals.
I love that he loves me.










Love you, Dugan. I am so lucky to have been married to you for 2 years so far. I look forward to the rest of our lives. Thank you for all you do and all you are. You are kind, loving, patient, gentle, handsome, wise, generous, charitable, thoughtful, romantic, and tender-hearted. I am the luckiest lady on earth to have landed you as my man.
Year three, here we come!

Momma

Admittedly, there has been a number of begging and pleading to get my mom up to Flagstaff to see me and spend a little quality time with me. We both only have one car so oftentimes it's hard to see each other but I can't help it, I need her.

Mom came up Friday.
It was a great day. 
We went to Pita Jungle where I had my favorite black bean burger in the world. We then strolled around a few thrift stores(shocking, right?). After thrifting, we came back to my house and baked up some yummy carrot cake muffins and some mini quiche cups for the breakfast picnic Dugan and I went on for our anniversary. More on that in the next post.

I love my mom. I love having her around to talk talk talk about everything. I love that she is so A.D.D.. I like that she likes to snuggle me when she sees me and that it takes a miracle to get a good photo with her. I like that she likes to take me shopping so I can try on all the silly things she picks out for me. I love her hugs and her kisses and her comfort. Love you Momma. Come back and see me anytime.









Saturday, April 13, 2013

As The Days Go By

Well, world. I'm still not working and spending my days at home cooking, cleaning, and with the dog. My day to day life is uneventful and not very exciting but it's the way I live and I don't mind it. I thought I would throw up a few random photos from the last few weeks so no one out there things we fell off the grid. We're still here.

1. Easter
At Easter we went to Payson to see some family and some friends. We always enjoy the time we spend there and I didn't feel like cooking an Easter Dinner for 3 people. We went to church, went for a nice sunny walk, and then had dinner at Terri Legassie's house with some good friends.




2. Birthdays
Last week we went to phoenix to spend some time with Amantha and her family and so that I could take her out shopping for her birthday. We went to the park, relaxed at home, and got to walk around the mall a little bit and try on clothes. Always fun when the sisters get together.


Monday night, which was also Amantha's birthday (April 8), my dear friend Jessica had her baby Briella. Julia and I drove back down to Phoenix to meet her and give Jess our love. Briella was born with long, beautiful hair and long fingers and toes- just like her mama. She has a million and one people who were anticipating her arrival and I am so glad she made it out safe and sound. I am also so proud of Jessica.

I want to give an online congratulations to our friends Emily and Seth Trader, too. Their little girl, Rosalie just came to meet the world too last week. She is beautiful and I am so happy for them. Welcome to the world, Rosalie!

3. Cooking- of course.

Keeping lots and lots of fresh fruits and veggies in the house. I've recently been noticing that the chips and cookies in my house will go away much quicker than the apples and strawberries and cucumbers. So, now I am bringing a lot less of those things into the house and keeping the fruits and veggies stalked up. I'll cut up a cucumber or a cantelope melon and leave them on the coffee table and before you know it, the peeps in my house will have devoured them. Easy.


Last week i also successfully made lots of new things like a vegetable lasagna (no noodles!) and some stuffed bell peppers. In the peppers I had a mixture of quinoia, ground turkey, corn, onions, and parsley. In Dugan & Rachel's peppers I put bacon and cheese on the top of them. They were a success and we will be doing them again!

5. House Hunting
Looking for a house to move into next month. I check all the rental sites every day hoping to stumble across a miracle. Everything in the area we want is way over priced and I am keeping my fingers crossed that as soon as the NAU students begin to move away for the summer, some places will open up. It's been a bit discouraging at times but we still have about 2 months until we have to be out so I'm just trying to stay eager without too much investment in it just yet.

4. Running
Lastly, I've been running as often as I can with Odin. He loves the exercise and the fresh air and so do I. We go on many different trails but our favorite lately has been a 4.3 mile train around the University Heights area. We walk the first mile and run the last three. It's really great because my lungs are finally used to the climate up here and I get back from my 3 mile run wanting more. That is the best!


Alrighty, that's what we've been up to the last couple weeks. Nothing too special but that's not always a bad thing. Hope everyone out there reading is enjoying all this warm spring air as much as I am!

xoxo