New Things

I think it's about time I catch up on my blog. There's been a couple of new things going on in our lives.

Number 1: I am now working full time as a dental assistant! I was working 3 days of the week for the past while, since I wanted to teach piano also. I had a great schedule and still kept busy, but things must have been going too well in life for me, so of course they had to change! I won't go into all the details of why this happened - it's a very long story - but I will say it included one bad day at work where I called Jeff quite upset that morning. When I came home after work Jeff had this ready for me:

So sweet of him! Anyways, I ended up having to work full time and I'm trying to also keep my 8 piano students so I am busy! Let's just say there won't be as many inventive dinners waiting for Jeff anymore...

Number 2: Me and Jeff bought a truck! It's a dark grey 2010 Chevy Silverado. We got a pretty good deal on this truck from someone we knew, but we were still a little scared to spend a fair chunk of money on one thing. We haven't done this before since we are renting an apartment and have never bought anything very big. Jeff's car was giving us troubles though, so we needed something newer. We are so excited about it! We think this will allow for some great memories ahead, will be great on the snow in the winter time, and will hold Jeff''s dirt bike he wants to purchase this summer. It's also very pretty to look at!!

Well, we also had Valentine's day last month so here's a picture from that night. We ate home-made macaroni and cheese with sausages...maybe not the most romantic meal, but one of our favorites!

Me and Jeff also finally bought a camera so I'll have something else to take pictures with besides my phone. Yay!

Hanging with the girls!

Today is February 1st! Again, I can't believe how time flies. I've had a great month and have been keeping myself very busy. One of my goals this year was to attend Relief Society events. I've always had a hard time with Relief Society and girls nights - I just don't understand why you wouldn't hang out with the men if you could! Maybe that's just the newlywed in me talking, but I decided to try it out. 
We had our Stake Relief Society event this month which included dinner and classes. A bunch of the girls from my ward went to a late movie afterwards, so I thought it would be a fun time. Late movies aren't my favorite, but I had a blast! I was starving so me and Melissa purchased popcorn, nachos, candy, and pop. So, I definitely enjoyed eating for the entire movie! Oh, and it was 3D so we got a fun picture!! I think there were about 10-15 girls that came to watch Hansel and Gretel.

Yesterday I went to book club. I've never been to a book club before but I'm actually really excited about it! It will be a great way to get books read, since I have a deadline. Maybe it'll make me a little smarter too =). 

The book we are reading for February is called "These Is My Words," which is actually the book I brought and suggested! My mom had told me about it and I had started reading a bit of it, so I hope it's good or else everyone will blame me!! So far it's a good pioneer type story, with a romance of course. 





So the weekend is already here and I've got plans with my best friend, Sarah, who I hardly ever see anymore. But don't worry, I didn't forget about my hubby! We are going out for dinner tonight - our favorite thing to do! Oh and last week Jeff brought home some beautiful flowers from work so our apartment smelled and looked amazing.

Unfortunately I kill flowers really quickly, but we got to enjoy them for a couple of days! =)

Our weekend to RELAX

Since we are well into January, I thought I'd share a few thoughts about 2013 so far. It has been a bit of a stressful few weeks, more so for Jeff than me. We are coming close to the point where we need to buy into a business and be in some debt for a while. I have no doubts that it'll be worth it, but it comes with a lot of stress for Jeff at work in coming to an agreement with his coworkers. So this weekend we thought it would be a great idea to get away from Calgary and completely relax! We booked a hotel in Banff and left right after Jeff was done work on Friday. I packed a bunch of snacks for us to eat on the way, but we were still very hungry when we arrived. We dropped off our stuff at the High Country Inn - nothing too special, but we had found a deal - and then started walking to find a restaurant. It was slightly chilly, since it was nighttime, but it was so nice to be out and about in such a beautiful place! There's something MAGICAL about Banff...me and Jeff have been there a few times while dating and after we got married, and I only have great memories there. After walking a ways and trying to find a restaurant, we stumbled upon an Italian place called Giorgios. We both LOVE Italian (and will be going to Italy in April!) so we thought it was the perfect place. It also had a calm, romantic setting which is what we wanted. We couldn't have been happier when we got an excellent waiter and got to start with bread and balsamic vinegar. Give me this anytime and I will be happy!! There were so many things I wanted to try on the menu, but I ended up picking the Duck with risotto, and Jeff got a pasta...

Yes, it was very delicious! We had such a great time here and would go back any day!! Afterwards, we were so full but were able to walk off the food a little bit and decided to go back to our hotel for the night. In the morning we got up just in time to catch the free breakfast, and once again stuffed ourselves. The rest of the day was really fun and very warm outside - it was a great weekend to go! We shopped a lot, bought some things, and made sure we hit the candy store for treats to eat on the way home! (I'm quite a big fan of candy stores!!). I also love the white hot chocolate at Starbucks so we chilled there for a while also. Our plan was to hit the hotsprings, but we were having to much fun strolling around, there wasn't any time for that. We do love going to the hotsprings, though, and seeing all the crazies there! We always find some interesting people whenever we have gone.

Anyways, this was a great way to give ourselves a boost for the week to come! Once we got home from Banff we had 2 functions to attend - Nick & Kierra's open house and my brother-in-law Jeff's surprise birthday party. We were able to get to both, so it made for a crazy, but FUN weekend!

This pic is so fuzzy but I'll put it up anyway, it's us at Giorgios. We've been meaning to get a camera but haven't gotten to it, so we use our phones...which obviously don't take great pictures! Anyway, I can't believe that we are well into January...time is just flying by for me. I'm ready for another week of work, piano, gym, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, etc. That pretty much sums up my weeks! I'm getting super big into working out lately and absolutely love the classes at Good Life Fitness. I go 5 times a week, and have started to become addicted! I just don't seem to feel as good when I miss a day. I'm also trying to be more inventive with my cooking and find some new meals Jeff and I will enjoy. Jeff LOVES when I try a new recipe so I'm trying to be a good wife! Along with Dental Assisting and piano and all that. I really enjoy my life a lot right now, and I'm making the most of it before Jeff and I start a family.

New Years 2013

Happy New Year!! It's a bit late, but better than never. I seem to have been neglecting my blog so it's time for that to change! On New Years Eve we had a super fun time! Me, Melissa, and Alicia planned a little party with 6 couples. It was held at Melissa's house, of course, which has become the party house...or at least the place we use for events! We had a great time eating lots of food and playing some pretty rad games. Here are a few of the couples and the amazing food we had. I could not stop eating all night long with all my favorite foods - shrimp, spinach and artichoke dip, caramel apples, chips and dip, the list goes on. Oh and later on in the night we broke out the chocolate fondue. I probably gained a few pounds that night!

I have to say we played some pretty interesting games. The celebrity game and the hot potato game were big hits, but there were many others as well...

 In the hot potato game, when the music stops, the person holding the prize has to open it with their elbows. I thought this pic was pretty sweet!

We had a picture poster as well, which was pretty fun...we got pretty dressed up to celebrate the new year! =)















I had a great time with all my close friends and the night flew by! It was midnight before we knew it, and we all made sure that our first kiss of the year went to the one we loved. I'll leave ya hanging on who that was for me...

haha jk!

 I can't believe it's 2013! It's amazing how fast a year can fly by. I love the beginning of a new year because it really does feel like a fresh start. Me and Jeff made some goals, and I made some on my own as well. I'm very excited for this year as I think it will be filled with some big and exciting things! My motto of the year (or maybe my whole life) is WORK HARD PLAY HARD. I have no problem working hard when I have something to look forward to where I can play hard. I will try to update my blog more frequently and document this year well!

Christmas Adventures

It's about time I catch up on my blog and write about Christmas! I can't believe it's already come and gone and that the new year is almost here...time just flies!! Well, me and Jeff had a great second Christmas together. It almost seemed like our first since last year we had just come home from our Minimoon and didn't have long until Christmas...so it was a bit of a blur. We had a great time this year with all the festivities, despite a bit of sickness. 

Before Christmas we had my staff party which was held at Alina's house this year, the dentist I work for. I was AMAZED at how gorgeous and huge her house was. Her bathroom was bigger than our entire apartment, not to mention covered in crystals. It was unbelievable, and very fun to get a tour of this dream home. The basement was where the party was... there was a bar and a dance floor and lots of food! We had fun socializing with everyone and also did a White Elephant gift exchange...the game where you can steal gifts from each other or take from the middle. Me and Jeff decided to make the party really fun and bring a ridiculous gift just to see the reactions. So we brought...a vibrating sex ring!! It was quite hilarious when my boss's husband opened it! It took a while before he realized what it was, but it sure got everyone laughing. Somehow everyone seemed to know it was us who brought it...why they would guess that I have no idea?? Must be the newlywed thing! We ended up with a monkey mug, bubble bath, and a Caramilk fondue set. Here's some photo's of the party and the super fun people I work with...

A shot of the assistants with the dentist...

 

We also got to go to my Dad's staff party, since we are technically staff. Me and Jeff clean his office every week as a great side job to earn some extra cash. He took everyone to Stage West, which was such a blast! The show was 'Two Hit Wonders,' which was very good. I was more impressed, though, with the food. They had anything and everything you could think of. It was a large buffet with my favorites being sushi, crab, and deep fried chicken with delicious sauces. The red velvet cake was also to die for! We had a great time and were very glad we could join his staff.

 This year we decided to do Christmas Eve with my family, and Christmas day with Jeff's family. So, for Christmas Eve we went to Jordan and Melanie's house for some great food and fun. We spent the evening with my parents, Cooper grandparents, Jordan and Melanie's family, Melanie's mom, and Tamara and Lee's family. We played some Minute to Win It games and had a lot of fun with that. It was more entertaining to watch the kids try to do these activities, but of course me and Jeff put in our share of participation as well. I stole this photo from my sister's blog and thought I would share it...

We also had a talent show and acted out the nativity. There were some great piano players this year (my wonderful students) that played some Christmas songs, and of course there could be no Christmas without magic tricks. My dad is an amazing magician and never forgets how to do any of his tricks...ha ha! Oh wait, he does forget just about every year! It's always so fun to watch him stumble with these tricks he's "prepared." Even though we make fun of him and he shouldn't quit his day job, he creates great memories with these tricks and it just shows how lovable he is!! Jeff also did a magic trick, just to show up my Dad. He levitated a 5 dollar bill, and actually did it very well. We were all quite impressed!

After the program we exchanged gifts with my side of the family, since we would be with Jeff's family for Christmas day. It was fun to open some presents early. Although those weren't the only gifts we exchanged early...me and Jeff may have been impatient and opened our gifts to each other even earlier. Oops!! In my defense though, I had been sick for so long and needed something exciting in my life that I could do at home! Also, it's a great way to spread out Christmas. I would do it again! Anyway...my parents gave us an amazing gift that we already knew about...a trip to Europe!! We were surprised to also get some luggage! What awesome parents I have!

Me and Jeff then went home for a good nights rest before Christmas! When Christmas morning came, we woke up bright and early...ugh...Jeff's family likes to start at 9am. I would've loved to sleep in more...but what can ya do? We went over to the Ady's and got right to opening presents. I was surprised by how many gifts that came to me with my name on it! Jeff looked over and realized I was the spoiled one even at his own family's home! All my gifts were wonderful, but I will share one that was very special and it was a Fossil purse. When me and Cindy went to Las Vegas together I had looked at this purse three times and wanted it so bad. Every time I looked at the price, though, I couldn't get myself to buy it. What a surprise when I opened it up! Cindy had remembered and found it for me...I thought that was super thoughtful! Anyway, we had a big breakfast and dinner and otherwise just relaxed and hung out with the family. Jeff had quite a bit of extended family come over that day so it was a full house!

We had a wonderful Christmas...although it started out with some fights between me and Jeff about where and who we would spend what parts of Christmas with. We worked it out though and decided to switch Christmas Eve and Christmas day every year. We look forward to having many more Christmas's together!

Ward Christmas Party

One topic I haven't mentioned is our ward! Me and Jeff are in the New Brighton ward, which is filled with young families and the primary is massive. When we first moved in we were super overwhelmed with how loud it was, and we also didn't know a single person in the ward. For a while, I have to admit, I didn't have a very good attitude about it and was kind of just thinking that our time here would be temporary. However, we soon realized how great many of the people are and became friends with many of them, and now feel a part of the ward. I got called to play the piano in primary and was super nervous at first. Although I teach piano, I didn't have a lot of experience playing for kids as they sing. After a year now, I can say that I've gotten a million times better at sight reading! And I also don't tend to get nervous anymore, it's more just second nature to play for these kids. Me and Jeff are really enjoying our ward! Jeff sees that I'm getting attached and gets worried because we will be moving at some point and he knows he's going to have a hard time pulling me away from the friends we've made...we'll see what life brings!

Well, our ward had a Christmas party last weekend and it was a lot of fun! We had a turkey dinner and a program. In the program the primary kids sang a couple of songs and Jeff took some pictures...

 How adorable are these kids???!! I get to see them every week!

Here I am focusing on my playing. 

We just had our primary presentation last week (yes, ours was a little late), and the kids did a great job. I had fun playing for them and listening to them in the rehearsals as well. 

I should also mention what Jeff does in the ward - he does a great job teaching priesthood once a month and loves it! I think he's a natural teacher, he comes from a vocal, smart family so it seems about right. 

Jeff and I are excited for more Christmas parties coming up and for Christmas itself to come! Today I wrapped all my presents and am now just waiting to give them...

Our 1 Year Anniversary

 Dec. 2, 2012

So we did it! Me and Jeff made it through 1 year of marriage. The first year is the hardest year right?? I think that saying must be a joke because it was no doubt the best year of my life! If that's the hardest then life will be bliss...haha. I made a list of reasons why I love Jeff and was going to post it but then decided against it. Some things should probably be kept just for Jeff! But, it made me realize just how very lucky I am. I think the biggest thing that makes me so lucky is how committed to his job he is, and making a living for us. He's dang good at it too! I'm so glad I didn't have to put him through school as well. Although we do have to put a big chunk of money into buying a business...but that's a great investment. Anyways, I am thrilled with how things are turning out for us!

So for our anniversary this year we decided on a low key celebration. Jeff made me dinner (steak) and then we did gifts and put up our Christmas tree! And then we went to bed =). We thought it would be a great tradition to always put up our Christmas tree on our anniversary because we both love Christmas and I love putting the tree up! It's a fairly small tree right now, but I love it that way!

Jeff's dinner included steak, baked potatoes, asparagus, caesar salad, and of course the sparkling juice! Not too shabby!!

Gifts:

I got the most amazing gift! So for my wedding I never got a wedding band because, well, I didn't want one. Since my ring is a split band I thought it would look too much to have another band. But...I was quick to change my mind. So here are a couple pictures of my ring now, with the band I just got!

Kind of pretty right! Actually I love it!! I got some cheesy shirts made for us that Jeff didn't want a picture of. But, since he loves me, he let me take one of the back and put it on here =). 

He thought it was pretty hilarious! The front just says I <3 Jeff or Ashlyn. We wore these to our family dinners to show them off to everyone...haha!

So me and Jeff are super excited about the next year of our marriage! We have some exciting things coming up, including a trip to Europe in April, and we can't wait for our lives to continue on together!