An Anniversary Series: "I Do"

If you missed Monday's post, I shared a few of my favorite pictures of Randy and I from our wedding day. I absolutely love looking through all of the pictures, and with our 1st wedding anniversary coming up in just four days (can't believe it!), I felt as if it's the perfect excuse to share more pictures from our day! Today's post is all about our ceremony and the "I Do!" 

My cousins, Emily and Kelsey, did an amazing job of being our candlelighters. This picture makes me wish I could go back to this day in more ways than one. Kelsey passed away last October, so it makes having these pictures all the more special to remember her and think of the fun this day. 

My gorgeous mother-in-law and handsome father-in-law!

My brother walking my beautiful mom down the aisle!

Our flower girl was a little timid, but she did such a great job! It was fun to have her walk down the aisle with my dad and I. I started crying as soon as I peered out and saw Randy at the end of the aisle. We didn't do a first look, so this was the first time I saw him on our wedding day, and I couldn't have picked a better moment. :) 

"Thank goodness I'm down that aisle, and we can get married!" Just so thankful. :) 

Lighting the unity candle! 

Our gorgeous bridesmaids!

I knew Deacon Pat would be the best person to marry me because I had grown up with him in church. But, I couldn't even have imagined how amazing of a ceremony it would be! He did such a great job, and I'm so honored he married us!

And made us laugh quite a bit!

My sister: "Oh no, I forgot the ring in the dressing room!"

Quite the hilarious moment and one of the best memories for sure! :) 

"I got it!"

"With this ring..."

"We're MARRIED!!!!"

All photos courtesy of Grindstone Studio. 

So many amazing memories of that day, and again, I couldn't ask for anything better. Thank you to all those that have been there for us time and time again. We love you!!

And a special happy birthday to my amazing sister who was such a wonderful maid of honor on my wedding day! I love you, Nik!

An Anniversary Series: Just the Two of Us

In less than a week, Randy and I will have been married for an entire year. That seems absolutely insane to me because I can vividly remember scurrying around getting everything ready this time last year, and it seems like it was yesterday!

Our wedding was January 18th of last year. It was a cold winter day, and I had never thought of having a winter wedding before it just happened to work out the best for both of us. But, with the help of my mom, sister, Randy, and so many others, it was an absolutely gorgeous wedding with a winter and snow theme. It was quite cold, so I give all of our wedding party major props for standing so long in the cold (plus a huge thank you to Kelsey, David's wife for standing out there with us and being my go-to girl if I needed anything!). You wouldn't be able to tell (except maybe in a couple pics, ;) ) that it was cold, though, because everyone did so awesome, and I think we all had a great time! I know I did. It was the perfect day, and I honestly don't know what could top it until we have children. I could never have imagined anything more beautiful, and I am still so appreciative of everyone for all of their help and support.

Since I started the blog last July, I didn't ever have a chance to recap some of my favorite moments from our wedding, so I'm spending most of this week before our anniversary doing just that! If you haven't read our engagement story, that is posted here! And I'll talk more about how we came to be "us" soon. But for now, enjoy some of my favorite shots of our day featuring just the two of us!

Yes, we were lucky enough to use an actual plane as our backdrop. Thanks to my amazing dad and West Plains Municipal Airport for the plane and airport! You guys are the best, and it truly made our wedding photos one of a kind and more than we could have dreamed of!

All photos courtesy of Grindstone Studio. Thank you again, Brooke!

Stay tuned on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and next Monday for a recap of the ceremony, reception, details, and some of our favorite shots of our wedding party and families! :)

Also, have you entered the giveaway to win $80 worth of amazing fashion and beauty products?! If not, enter here! Giveaway runs until January 26th at midnight!

Currently: January 2015 Edition

It's been a while since I've done an update post. I didn't really post much about Christmas or New Years, so when Jenna and Anne reminded me of the Currently link-up, I was definitely on board!

We had a fabulous Christmas in Washington with Randy's (and mine now, of course!) family. We got to celebrate our nephew's 1st Christmas with him, and that was such a blessing! It was also a blessing that we arrived safely. Our route was a dangerous one that evening (Christmas Eve) due to all the snow and ice, but thankfully my husband is a terrific driver in horrible conditions and got us there safe and sound.

When we arrived back, though, we were greeted with the Utah winter we had heard about! So much snow everywhere. Honey is LOVING it, and we are enjoying playing with her. The other day we went up in the mountains, intending to go snow-shoeing, but with the snow so packed down, we decided just to hike. After hiking the trail for a little while, we found a spot to sled (just me, daredevil through some trees haha), and I had fun making snow angels while Honey and Randy threw snow balls. It was a fun, crazy day, and I love that we are always having those great moments to share.

New Years was very low key, thankfully! We had some friends over to play games with (a fun post about games you should check out coming soon!), made great appetizers (my husband made these amazing buffalo chicken wings!), and had some drinks. We watched the ball drop twice (for East Coast and then watched it again for us), and even though we could barely make it until then, we rang in the new year next to our loves and friends. Couldn't ask for more!

We spent New Year's Day with more friends watching bowl games... go Mizzou! It was filled with more great food and great friends.

Other than that, we're just getting back into a routine. I'm really trying to exercise more, eat better, cook better, and make sure to prioritize as I start my school program on Monday and am still working. Fingers crossed it will be a good semester!

Now for the Currently Props!

Planning: Every bit of my life. From school schedule to work schedule to errands to chores to meal plans! Probably even more. :)

Hoping: Hoping for a good start to the year. I'm nervous that I'm not going to be able to handle everything coming up and still spend as much time with my husband and family as possible, so prayers would be appreciated!

Baking: Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake! Recipe coming soon! So delicious. :)

Wearing: Lots of layers! It's been freezing. Did you see my outfit posts (This Was a Gift & My Style Icon)?

Resolving: To be content with my life. To not worry about the future so much because I am constantly worrying about the little things and "waiting for the ball to drop." I'm so blessed, and I need to enjoy life!

Linking up with Jenna and Anne for this edition of Currently!

What are you planning, hoping, baking, wearing, and resolving? I'd love to hear your comments! 

Highlights of 2014!

I can not believe another year has flown by. This year has been so amazing and full of so many changes that it's hard for me to even imagine how change-filled 2015 will be! I literally can't wait! But until then, here's what 2014 had in store for us!

January

Definitely the most exciting month of the year for me and my family. I married my best friend and the love of my life on January 18th. We're loving married life and have absolutely enjoyed this first year of marriage together. Looking forward to our first anniversary in a couple of weeks and to another fun-filled year together! Stay tuned for a Wedding Week Series in a couple weeks for more photos from our big day. :)

Wedding Photos Courtesy of Grindstone Studio.

Thanks to all my friends and especially my best friend and sister for throwing me an amazing bachelorette party two weeks before!!

And thank you to my mother and mother-in-law for a beautiful Bridal Lunch and Shower the day before!

Took a mini-honeymoon at a beautiful lodge in Branson, MO. Perfect for the wintertime and low-key before our big move! Plus, the people there made it so special for us!

February

February consisted of wrapping up work for the two of us. We both finished our jobs in early March, so this was the last full month of work. We also started packing up our place in preparation for our big move! And of course, our first married Valentine's day!

March

Going away dinner with our friends!

Traveled to the Pacific Northwest (Oregon Coast and Portland) for my sister-in-laws wedding!

My husband and I, along with our adorable dog and cat, packed up and made the cross-country trip from Missouri to Utah! Can't believe we've already been here 9 months!

And, I turned 26 and went snowshoeing with my husband and pup for the first time!

April

First Easter as a married couple!

May

We visited Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks with my husband's family, and I visited home to be there for my cousin's wedding and enjoyed a ton of family time!

June

Randy turned 26!

July

We got to meet our nephew for the first time (born in May) and visited Randy's home!

I started this blog, "New Home, New Name, New Adventure!"

August

Randy surprised me with tickets to "Wicked," and his mom came to visit! We hiked to Timpanogos Cave National Monument while she was here for the second time!

September

My best friend and I met in Vegas for a fun weekend together!

October

Tragically, my 22-year-old cousin passed away due to a car accident. Think of her every day! She's the one who inspires me to live life to the fullest, just like she did during her time here on Earth.

Pumpkin carving, seeing the fall colors, a haunted house, you know, the traditional October things!

We also took family pictures for our first married Christmas cards. :)

November

I traveled to Washington, D.C., for work, and then my husband, Honey, and I road-tripped to Southern Utah to visit five separate national parks! Such an awesome trip! :)

Celebrated our first Friendsgiving with amazing friends and had a great Thanksgiving day with more friends! We're so blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing people that we love! It makes being away from family so much easier.

December

Traveled home to surprise my mom (and family, but I couldn't keep the secret!) for my brother's college graduation; went skiing for the first time; and traveled to Washington with my husband for Christmas with his family!

Other Highlights

The blog grew tremendously in November of 2014 increasing to over 100 followers on Bloglovin', 180+ followers on Facebook, and more! I can't wait to watch it grow even more in the upcoming year with some big changes. 

We also have been loving all of our hikes this past year and couldn't feel more blessed to live in the beautiful, mountainous area we do!

It's been an incredible year, and I'm so excited for the next. I feel so blessed always, but especially as I look back on all of these special times. Here's to a fabulous 2015, filled with more trips, more goals, and more memories!