Monday, July 30

Baby Bumpin' & Birthday Fun

I can't believe how fast the weeks and months are going by for little baby A.

It's already time for another baby bump pic! 


They are so cute. Baby A will be adorable! 
Madison's bump is starting to really look like a preggo belly and it's super cute!! I get baby hungry for a few minutes and then remember I'm completely not ready to be a mom; but I am ready to be baby's favorite aunt :D 

Ryan's birthday isn't until Saturday the 4th but we celebrated early since they're going away for the weekend. 

I can't believe Ry is already 29!! It's his last year in his 20's before he becomes an old dad next year :) so I decided to make his present nostalgic so he could enjoy his last 29 years.... 

good times :)

Great movies, candy, t.v. shows, and games

Ryan LOVED Ninja Turtles so I made him a special card (and envelope) from scratch. Also made a mix of our favorite songs growing up - seriously the best mix I own now 

My cute parents, the birthday hat that's been around for about 12 years, Ry enjoying his new gifts

a little Sunday golf to break in the new clubs - yes I have crappy form... At least that ball goes flyin! haha
Happy Birthday Ry Guy!! 
I can't wait for you to see your 30th Birthday gift I'm already planning :) 

Saturday, July 28

Historic New York

I've been meaning to post my New York pictures but my flight got in at midnight Tuesday and I've been busy with things until late tonight :).

This was my last trip to see Tyson where we would be able to site-see so I'm glad we took the tour to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Enjoy the pics!
Waiting for the L.I.R.R. ** this lady dresses up her dog every weekend and goes to Time Square to hang out
Beautiful memorial statues

I definitely love the views of southern Manhattan better than the actual inner-city

LOVE this!

One of my favorite sites to see ever - so much meaning 

Ellis Island
 Time to vent...

Ellis Island was once a place where millions of immigrants came through to EARN their way into America and live the American dream. There are rooms upon rooms of testing and medical centers to filter out the sick, etc. There were even detention centers for those who were here illegally and were to be deported.

New laws began limiting the number of immigrants that could be accepted into America and soon after, they were further limited from mass-immigration. Ellis Island soon just became a place to hold WW2 enemies. After the 1950 Internal Security Act, which banned immigrants who had been members of Communist and Fascist organizations, and after the Naturalization Act of 1952, fewer and fewer came through Ellis Island and it officially closed its doors in 1954. Later becoming a national monument and added to the Statue of Liberty tour.

It was such a long and NECESSARY process in order to become an American citizen. It made finally becoming an American so worth it and they strived to be great and productive citizens.

I find it sickening at how our country has turned a complete 180 on this process. Now our President is letting anyone in through the gates at any cost; and these illegals will be voting during our elections this year (along with dead people and cartoon characters apparently). They are not citizens (Mr. Prez is looking pretty guilty himself lately) and SHOULD NOT be allowed to enjoy the rights that I have has a citizen if they are not legal; ****it would be this way in any other country.****

I wish We had another Ellis Island. We need to secure the borders and know exactly who is coming through and who is taking advantage of what we have here.

I'm leaving it at that because I'm not one to go all publicly political on everyone lol.

This sums up my thoughts for the next election: 

moving on..... :)
One of the new WTC towers - said to be the tallest in the Western Hemisphere
 I 100% completely love that they are rebuilding the Trade Center Towers; and even making them even more beautiful than before.

To me, this is such a proud sign that our enemies can try to tear us apart and burn us to the ground, but the American people will rise up stronger than we were before. (I was feeling very patriotic and so proud to be an American) :)

Empty subway after a long day of walking the town. 

This is Tyson's bedroom. We literally slept in that twin bed the first night I got to NY lol. Needless to say it was an uncomfortable sleeping situation.

I wish I had taken the before picture of his room - I OWNED it and made it spotless! haha I just couldn't help myself. I cleaned and he played his games; worked out for the both of us :)

My last day there Tuesday, after a movie (Ted....eh) and some lunch, we had some time to kill before my flight. So we went on a little house hunt for a home I didn't realize was just around the corner!

AMITYVILLE HORROR!! 
(my pics are in color)



Ryan and I have been obsessed with this horror story since the Ryan Reynolds movie came out (still need to see the original). Parts of the story seem to have been proven false, but I still believe no one will ever really know what REALLY went on in that home.

They remodeled the famous pie-shaped windows, gave it a new paint job, and even changed the address to try and throw visitors off - didn't really work obviously cuz we found it in no time.

It was just fun an eerie to see this bit of history. Who knows what was going on with the De Feos, but the murders did actually take place. I bet this place would be awesome during Halloween :)

That was it for our last fun visit; the next time I fly out in 3 weeks is a one-way ticket to drive back home with him! I can't wait! It'll be so nice having my hubby and best friend home again.

*************
I feel like I've been attending A LOT of bridal showers, bachelorette parties, baby showers, and weddings lately lol. Tis the season! Yesterday, I was lucky enough to take a trip back to O*town with my mama for an old friend's bridal shower.

I love Brooke and we have known each other for quite some time! We danced at the same studio for a bit growing up, grew up in the same ward, and even got to cheer together my senior year.
Brooke is the cute little blondie :) (and yes, we are all burned, and exhausted in the bottom pic lol)

Love this cute girl and can't wait to see her on her big day.

Hope everyone has a fun weekend!! I'll be posting early next week since we are celebrating Ryan's 29th Birthday Sunday!! My big brother is growing up so fast ;)

Nighty night!

Wednesday, July 11

Ute Nostalgia

Since Tyson is away for the summer and starts school two days after he gets home, I decided to get a head start on getting his textbooks ready; so I took a little trip up to the U's bookstore. Even just being on campus for half an hour brought back SO many fun memories and feelings. I wouldn't have changed ANY of it!

Well, thanks to my nostalgia, you get to enjoy my college experience in photo montage :) It was so hard trying to pick the few pics I chose from my EVENTFUL three year experience... enjoy!
First Football game of college - sideline seats :)

First Dorm room

First Roommates

First Summer Apartment

Sophomore football season!

Alpha Chi Omega Pledge Class 2008
Pledge class causin problems :)

First Spring Formal Dance 

Parties!

New pledge sisters Spring 2009

Sorority girls Spring Break in Mexico! 

Cruise to Mexico 2009

Cabo Spring Break 2009 
The day I saw Tyson for the first time in college - hit him up on Facebook that night :)
Summer fun with the girls 2009
Our new room! 
Love these girls forever
First day of school Fall 2009!
Waiting for the Fall 2009 pledge sisters  
Our Fameree! 
Pledge night!  
Service Day (top) - haha the Black Hole; you can try to study but you'll be sucked into anything but

Junior year of Football!!! 

Welcome to the Lives of Utah's Elite...xoxo :)

My first dance with Tyson - Moulin Rouge

Havin some fun during Initiation week for the new girls 

Homecoming Week - Don't worry, we won house decorating! 
Last game of Junior year. 

Senior Football Season/my last months of college
Classes with Madison Sr year and introduced these two soon-to-be parents :)
4 amazing football seasons with this chick!! so much fun! 

Graduated Fall 2010, Ceremony Spring 2011
I seriously couldn't have asked for a better college experience. Dorms, strange roommates, football galore, sorority, parties, amazing classes, gorgeous campus, working on campus, finding my husband, all nighters for finals, Spring Break, BEST INSIDE JOKES and creating friendships and memories that I'll cherish always. 

I'm so proud to say that I LIVED THE DREAM COLLEGE LIFE in 3 short years.