Sweet Summer Beginnings

It has been said that "a picture is worth a thousand words" and in this blog, I think that will be true...

A last minute visit from my sister has resulted in another busy weekend.

We hiked...

We swam...

and we BBQ'd

Despite her frequent stops to rest in the cool shade, I think Rylee enjoyed her first hike.

Our weekend was non-stop and its no surprise that this week will be the same way.

With a trip to PUMP IT UP and Wild Waters planned we are sure to have plenty of fun and sun!

The weekend couldn't have had a better ending-

Sundays continue to be the best day of the week!

Jared and I are really enjoying our new ward, and are so excited to have shared that blessing with Jamie today as she attended church with us. She loved it! 

It was so great to be able to bring her with me, and feel her sweet spirit. Jamie enjoyed church so much, she says she wants to go back every week! 

I hope you all are having as great of a start to summer as I am!

A Spring Surprise

I noticed the recent trend on my blog was a new one every Monday. And who am I to ruin a good thing? (okay, so I know I skipped a few, but bear with me) I'm not sure why... Perhaps the only time anything exciting happens is over a weekend.

Well, yet again I had another exciting weekend! I suppose my weekend actually started last Wednesday when I left Jared (for the first time since we've been married, might I add) and flew to Portland to surprise my mom.

 I hadn't seen her since my wedding and it was just getting ridiculous. No one should go that long without seeing their mom. So about a month ago, maybe a little more, I emailed her boyfriend Paul. And immediately he agreed to pick me up from the airport and drive me to Canby where my mom currently resides. 

I was convinced it would be by far the best surprise I'd ever given anyone in my life- of course it was.

On the car ride over we came up with a rouse to get my mom and Jamie out of the house so I could surprise them at the same time. My mom walked around the corner where I'd carefully hidden myself under a drizzling dark gray sky, and the first thing that came to my mind was "boo!" why? I couldn't tell ya. I wasn't trying to scare her.

Well sure enough, she screamed. It echoed down the quiet street and she looked behind her-waiting for Ashton to jump out and tell her she'd been punked? Who knows, then she stood there for another moment in shock before she ran over to hug me.

We spent the weekend relaxing with our Lifetime movies and enjoying each others company. I left the rain in Reno and brought with me sunny 80 degree weather that we very much took advantage of that with a BBQ on Thursday night and at the beach on Saturday.

The breathtaking scenery made up for the wind.

Friday night included Jamie and her friends roller-blading, while my mom and I watched (I have to admit, laughing hysterically at times...)

I shared laughs and made memories with two of the greatest gals in my life. Definitely a weekend I won't forget and it was all made possible by Jared!

I'm so lucky!