Lets go fly a kite....

I had heard of a huge flag hanging in one of the canyons in Sandy, and we found it. 

Standing on top of the Y over looking Provo. It was a day of "firsts."

Salt Lake has these really cool Green BIkes to rent throughout the city.

For the past two months Tim has been living in Utah completing his internship with Deseret Book, so that way he can receive the paper stating that he is officially a college graduate. It has been a long two months of separation. When Tim was offered the internship in Salt Lake, we knew he needed to take it. We were both happy with this offer, since we weren't having the greatest luck here in Washington, but sad that we would be apart for about four months. Talking it through, we decided it would be best if I stayed in the Pacific Northwest, and he would move into the extra bedroom of a family friend. Thank goodness for modern day technology, texting, phone calls, and Face time, have been our greatest friends. Now if only modern day transportation was just as convenient in that it was more affordable. If I could fly down every weekend to see him, I would. 

For the Fourth of July weekend I finally flew down to see my husband. It was a much needed trip. Two months too long. Only two months to go. This was a weekend of 94 degrees, no humidity  amazingness. How could it not be? We spent a few days in Salt lake and a couple in Provo. I've never been a fan of Utah, but I'm starting to warm up to it. 

Utah was amazing. Fingers crossed that I will be joining him soon. 

3 More Days!

A few weeks before Tim left for Salt Lake for three months, we headed up north to Skagit County to see the tulip fields. It was a chilly, rainy day with threats of rain, but we were lucky it didn't until right as we were leaving. The fields were gorgeous, with so many pretty colors. Even though it was cold, and windy it was worth spending time with my husband since we are going to be apart for three months. 

I'm feeling pretty proud of myself at the moment. The master piece above? That's mine. Well not so much the words. Those came from a pretty awesome man who's words always touch my heart, but I mean the design. That's mine. I created that, along with the help of my Illustrator pro husband. That man of mine is a genius when it comes to creating things. He knows all the tricks and shortcuts. I got this quote from President Uchtdorf's talk this past weekend during General Conference. The words spoken were very much inspired, and were definitely what I needed to hear. This was the first time that I actually took notes all four sessions and really listened. In the past I have listened, but not put full attention in to what was being said. I am so grateful that I chose to really listen. Afterwords I decided to create a poster of one of my favorite quotes to help me remember what was shared. Like I said, I'm pretty proud of myself for how it turned out. Especially since I don't have very much knowledge using Illustrator. 

We took a drive through Point Defiance yesterday, stopping to admire what Spring is bringing us. 

We loved having Tim's parents come spend time with us. This was such a special and emotional visit for all of us. It's hard having family spread across the country, only seeing them a few times out of the year, but the time that is spent together is so wonderful. We took this time to share our piece of the country with them. We shared the PNW with them. The last day was spent just soaking in the rare winter sun, and taking in the beauty that the Sound has to offer. There was even a friendly pup who only demanded that a stick was thrown to help us enjoy this precious time left together. It's fun to be behind the lens capturing the sacred moments amongst family. Watching my niece interact with her grandparents. My husband sharing a moment with his father, while looking taking in the Seattle landscape. My mother-in-law throwing a stick to an overly anxious puppy who we still don't know who it belongs to. These are moments that I was able to capture and observe. Moments that will be forever remembered and loved. 

Until the next visit these are what we will hold on to. 

Here's to 2014. 

You are bringing in so many new possibilities, new beginnings, new changes to our lives. You are the now and the what is to come. May you be kind to us and understanding as we continue to move forward towards our hopes and our dreams. May you be patient with us as we are young and are still learning. We are as young birds learning to leave the nest with our young wings spread ready to take flight. The challenges that we are bringing over with us from the past year are meant for us and you. You are the hope that those challenges will be conquered. You are the hope that we will succeed through our toughest obstacles. We welcome you with our arms wide open. We are laying our cards out on the table for you. We are an open book. Our gift to you so that you may understand who we are in hopes that you will be generous to us. 

We are few but you bring new beginnings for our family of two. So many adventures are planned for you, that are exciting and scary all in one. To you we are not beginning any new resolutions, but continuing on with the now. We are refining the current to be what it should. You will help us in succeeding in our goals and desires. You will help keep us in check and pressing forward. May you love us for who we are. For what we stand for. Understand what you are bringing to us and what you mean to us. 

This is my ode to you 2014. Be good.

In the two years that Tim and I have been married each Christmas we have rotated between his and mine parents.  First year Maryland, then second Washington. This year was Tim's parents turn. In May his parents moved to St. Louis and we had every intention on flying out there. Tim and I were excited to see the new home and to spend time with his folks. But due to still being poor newlyweds and not affording the cost of flights, plus lack of time off from jobs on our part his parents came to us. We are sad and disappointed that we weren't able to go to them, but at the same time happy that they could come party with us in the best city on earth (in my opinion). Also Tim's sister and her family live in Port Orchard so it worked out that we were able to spend and celebrate Christmas with them. 

This has been much needed family time with them. Seattle was on the top of the list of places to visit, but even though they had been there before, Seattle is just big enough that we were able to take them to places they had never been before. The tour of Seattle manly consisted of driving around trying to remember how to actually get there such as the Freemont Troll, and Queen Anne Park. Thank goodness for modern day technology and luckily there is always something new to see so it didn't matter too much that we got lost a couple of times. This particular visit was memorable for me in that I actually fed a seagull at Ivars on the pier. It required some hesitation, squealing, squawking, flapping of wings and running away at one point, but it was a success. The bird was fed and I fed it. We also went up the Smith Tower, and in my opinion the view was better then the Columbia Tower. 

It's been great having Tim's parents here with us, and we've been having fun. 

Tim and I have been married for two years now. Two years! Happy two year anniversary to us! This past year has gone by so fast. It feels like only yesterday we were in Park City celebrating our one year anniversary. In reality this is a short time considering we have eternity, but when I think about it, two years is a long time to be with someone. The past year has been the best, together we have grown a lot, creating so many memories to last with more to come. It's been fun to reflect on this past year, and to compare it with the first. We have had our ups, our downs, and I would not change a single thing. For our anniversary I made a small book of Instagram pictures throughout the year, something for us to look back on and remember. Tim loved it. 

We took a weekend getaway in Seattle to celebrate, even though our anniversary was Monday. We love love love Seattle. There is so much to do and see, we weren't able to do everything in just three days. An incentive to keep going back. Seattle has a uniqueness of its own, such as blue trees. Since this was a special weekend we splurged and stayed at the Sheraton in downtown. The location was perfect for us, we were able to walk to all the restaurants and shops. Also the view. Let me just say, amazing. Amazing. The pictures I took of it, could not do it justice. Plus the elevator was perfect to actually get pictures of us, since I'm too shy to ask someone on the street. The weekend  was a lot of walking, taking us into shops... ahem Forever 21 a few times, and just taking in the city. Sunday was spent mainly in the Seattle Art Museum. Tim was loving the Peru showcase, since that was where he served his mission. There is an amazing small waffle house that we found and ate at for breakfast. My love for waffles have grown, now to find a place that specializes in french toast. The day of our anniversary was spent driving to see the troll under the Fremont bridge, driving across a different bridge to Alki beach, and then gradually making our way back home after dinner and a movie. 

A perfect weekend to celebrate two wonderful years.