Our First Anniversary!

I know that I've graduated to my baby blog, but this post only felt appropriate (and it is my 150th post!) for my wedding blog.

One year later... it blows my mind to think of the fact that I was a newlywed just one year ago today. I remember waking up and feeling that first hint of sadness that it was all over. But then I quickly got to go down to our breakfast and gift opening, and then spent the day watching football and playing trivia in my favorite environment to make it all feel ok. Not to mention, we left for our honeymoon the very next day and Tahiti certainly helped to ease the post-wedding blues.

Then an entire year flies by, and  I found myself in tears as Kyle and I danced at our friends' wedding to "God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys, one of our wedding songs, on Saturday. I can blame it on the pregnancy, or I can admit that I can't believe how fast time seems to go, only reminding me of the limited time (although it may feel like eternity) we have here. Perhaps it is just the overwhelming thought of all the changes that are about to happen and a little bit of the fear that we will never get a chance to accomplish our goals as a couple once we are no longer "just the two of us".

Who would have a thought that our first year of marriage would have given us so much?! A dream vacation to Tahiti, numerous weekend mini-trips all over the U.S., family celebrations from births to engagements, memories to last forever. Here's to many, many more anniversaries and many, many more celebrations, vacations, and of course, new adventures.

The moment we sealed the deal- September 29, 2012! (photo courtesy of Devon Adams)

We visited Sedona for our first anniversary (although the plan was to revisit Vail, my big bump has some travel restrictions)

Wishing today...

I wish for more fun traditions with Kyle after we get married (perhaps starting with the wedding day!) like the one we just partook in this past evening- attending concerts together!

Back in the day when I was in high school, I fell in love (kind of literally) with live music. My first major boyfriend was a base player. Attending his concerts in coffee shops with twenty people in attendance was my gateway into a much deeper passion for live music that I now feel.

Fast forward to meeting Kyle, we found that we both shared this love for music and we have the same taste in bands. (Ok, maybe he won't go see Taylor Swift or Lady Gaga with me, but Incubus or Dave, no problem!). Kyle and I have now attended nearly twenty live shows over our relationship, from local shows at Tempe Town Lake, to destinations like Red Rocks.

Last night, we attended our 7th O.A.R. concert together. Kyle's is the true fan, having followed them since before college, but he has turned me into just as big a fan throughout our time together. I remember him picking me up in his red Honda Accord with the gray door and key that wouldn't ever come out of the ignition, listening to O.A.R. CDs on repeat, and soon after I had memorized the entire song "Crazy Game of Poker" (or just "Poker" to true fans).

So here's to one of my favorite traditions so far. It is these shared experiences that make our relationship unique and special to us, and that help us keep our dates fun and exciting! I believe this wish for more fun traditions will come true for us!

O.A.R. at the Marquee in Tempe

Mumford and Sons Railroad Revival Tour- April 2011

2011 Review

Of all the years of my life, each one seems to get progressively better. 2011 was an amazing year. I have so many wonderful people in my life, as shown by the tremendous support I've received for my wedding, my blog, and all of life's other activities. I cannot wait to see what 2012 will bring. Here are my top 11 memories of 2011 (in no particular order).

1. Our 2-week fall road trip through Colorado in October. Seeing the beautiful colors that covered the state instilled a sense of awe at Mother Nature and renewed (like it was ever gone) my love for the mountains and fall colors. I got to see Aspen and hike the Maroon Bells, go to Crested Butte for the first time and stay in my first hostel, and visit Palisade and the Colorado National Monument.

2. Experiencing the births of many of our friends' first children. It has been amazing to watch (from afar) the little ones grow and learn.

3. Camping trips with two great groups of people, my coworkers and our annual camping trip friends, and getting to tour Tonto Natural Bridge and enjoy all of Payson's natural beauty, namely tall trees and the Rim.

4. Getting 8 ski days in last winter, with the best snow Colorado had seen for years. I skied Winter Park, Copper, and Steamboat with family and friends.

5. Running in the City Search Challenge in Phoenix, a sort of "Amazing Race" for the locals. It was more work than I anticipated, but a memorable and fun experience. 

6. Getting to go to Chicago not once, but twice, for 2 conferences for work. Common Core left some things to be desired, but NCTE (National Council for Teachers of English) was well worth my time.

7. On that note, getting ENGAGED in Chicago on June 26/27 and feeling more loved than ever before while enjoying each minute of our engagement thus far.

8. Christmas with both families, 3 in 24 hours to be exact, and making it work out so that we could be with everyone and see their faces while they opened all the gifts. 

9. Wedding planning, when it was not too stressful, meeting our photographer and planner and getting excited about the final product (our wedding) with everyone's creative input.

10. Sedona, AZ engagement photo session, from climbing in the freezing cold Oak Creek to get that "perfect shot" to changing outside the Chapel on the Rock to get pictures in my favorite outfit before the sun set altogether.

11. Going to Tucson for Kyle's birthday in January and touring the Mission San Xavier, Colossal Cave, and horseback riding through the desert.

Of course, there were many more memorable nights with friends and family, too many to count, and I have realized how lucky we really are to have the life we have. Aside from the events mentioned, successfully reaching over 5000 views on my blog has made me feel even more blessed and has been more rewarding than I ever imagined. Continue on! See you in 2012.

Maroon Bells October 2011

Kyle lounging with Maroon Bells

Fall Color!

My first family bar outing (the youngest is finally 21) in Denver October 2011

"The Bean"- Chicago, IL

City Search Challenge Starting Line

Christmas #3 in Minnesota

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Marry Christmas to All!

Pun intended.

Hope you and yours have a fabulous holiday. We are splitting this Christmas between 2 families in 2 states once again. Started Christmas Eve with the future father-in-law, moving into Christmas morning with the future mother-in-law, then onto a 4-hour plane ride for Christmas with my family in Minnesota. It may feel like a lot of work and stress right now, but it is all worth it to continue all the family traditions on both sides of the family while we still have the luxury of doing so.

Zoo Lights at the Phoenix Zoo- one of our many holiday traditions.