Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Good Afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Hardcastle


To celebrate our 1st Anniversary, Gordon had planned (with a little help from me) a romantic weekend getaway to Park City. Romantic it truly was. Romance is included when you stay at the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley. The drive up to Deer Valley is one of my favorite drives. No matter which way you drive up there you are surrounded by the beautiful mountains. It's simply magnificent! As we pulled up to the Stein, we knew we were rollin' high class style...we were greeted immediately by our bus boy and valet parking in their underground locked garage (not only did we get star treatment, but my Subaru did too! Garage parking...what a dream!). We could not even think about carrying our bags because the bus boy was right on it, following us from our car to the check-in desk, then on a tour around the lodge, then to our room where he showed us where everything was and how to use all the amenities that our room had to offer. Checking in was a whole new experience all by itself. The gentleman that took our reservation was there (he was not the clerk that was checking us in) and recognized our name greeting us "Good Afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Hardcastle, how was your drive?" to which Gordon managed to spit out "Uh, um, good." First, we are not use to being spoken to so properly, and second we have not been called Mr. and Mrs. Hardcastle since our wedding day (Mr. and Mrs. Hardcastle are Gordon's parents and grandparents, not us).

Our room was spectacular! It had a fireplace and on the deck it had our own private hot-tub! Both of them were nice to have because it gets chilly up in the mountains at night, and I love to sit in a hot-tub when it is cold outside.



One of the highlights of our stay was when we returned to our suite from dinner that evening to dimmed lights, a turned down bed, our robs and slippers laid out, a handmade mint on our pillows, and a tray with two bottled waters and an ice bucket with "fancy" glasses set up on our bed. There was even romantic music playing in the background!


That next morning we had our breakfast delivered to us. Even though it was the regular eggs, bacon, potatoes, and toast breakfast, it had a five star taste that was to die for! Gordon and I love breakfast food, so it was exciting to have such a yummy meal. We ate breakfast in bed...oh the bed...it was a king size bed, with six huge, fluffy down pillows, and fluffy down comforter on top a soft, pillow top mattress (the bed was one of my favorite parts of the room). All in all, both pretty amazing!


Our anniversary weekend was more than I could have asked for. Spending that quality time with Gordon was just what I wanted. The thing that makes this weekend even more special is that I know that Gordon did this all for me. He is not into fancy smancy places like this, but he knows I love them. He is such a wonderful husband. He is my best friend. I am so excited that we hit our first year of marriage mark. It has been the best year of my life, and I owe it all to him!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

It's a BBQ!!

When my family has a BBQ, we really have a BBQ! So much food: all kinds of meat (no one will forget the "Heart attack burger" that my Uncle Larry made which included a hot dog, chicken, hamburger, and bacon all on one bun!), tons of different salads and chips, and then the best dessert which is usually home-made ice cream and my Grandma Burton's famous hot fudge. The Mother's Day BBQ is no exception, it's even better! This year we had it at my Aunt Lyda's. It was her family and my family that came together for the BBQ. It is always a blast when we combine families. I love having all of the cute little girl cousins around to play with. I also love my Aunt Lyda's backyard! There are two tire swings, a hammock, and a trampoline that we drew on with chalk. There is so much room back there that the girls, Gordon, and my nephew Skyler played a game of soccer.

Sydney and Brinley, the cutest little girls in the world!
I had to be an artist and draw whatever the girls asked me to
Brinley and Sydney were all giggles when Gordon is around
Kaylee and Madi wanted to go higher and higher!
Gordon playing with the kids
It's Gordon's turn!
My sweet nephew writing 'I love you G-ma' on the trampoline
Gordon, Kaylee, and Madisen eating ice cream (Madi has a bit of a crush on Gordon. So cute!)
Brin and Syd eating ice cream
My cousin Kevin and Me enjoying a Mexican Coke (I recommend them...so smooth)

As I get older I realize more and more how amazing my family is. I am in such good company when I'm with them. They all are such neat people. I am so blessed to have such an awesome eternal family!
After the BBQ we went over to my mom's house and celebrated Mother's Day with just our family. It is so fun to watch my mom open up her gifts. She gets so excited about everything.

Tim always gives my mom the BEST gifts...
She had no idea she would be getting the camera that she had been eyeing for awhile.

I love you Mom! Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day

Hi mom! You keep asking me to blog so I'm finally gonna do it for you on Mother's Day. Thanks for being my mom even though I was (and still am) a stinky dirty boy. I love you! Happy Mother's Day.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

What a great day for a hike!



Hiking boots....check.
Water....check.
Snacks...check.
Dogs...check.
Sunblock...oops.

Friday, May 9, 2008

They call it a career.

"So what exactly can you do with that degree?" That is the question I have heard for the longest time. To those people I always replied, "Oh lots of different things. I can be a wellness coordinator, work in public health..." and that's usually where the conversation stops because a new question is asked about one of those two things. That is only two things...not lots of different things I can do with my degree. I know there is more that I can do, but those are the two areas that I am most interested in. I have been on the look out for jobs, or should I call them careers since I'm graduated, that have to do with those two areas. I am becoming more and more nervous as I am looking: there are not a lot of prospects out there. Those I have found I have applied for. I guess we'll wait and see where the applications take me...wish me luck!

Thursday, May 8, 2008

When life hands me lemons I say "Now what?!?"

What a crazy, hectic, relieving, wonderful day! Graduation brings out so many emotions, most of them I felt for a split second and then a new one came. I did not go to the commencement ceremony early that morning. Everyone told me that it's a waste of time and to enjoy sleeping in one last time. I should have just gone because sleeping in was not an option for me...I was too excited to sleep! I did go to my convocation ceremony. It was short and sweet. I enjoyed the speakers. But most of all I enjoyed the company. From the moment I got to the Browning Center it was chaos: pictures, pictures, and more pictures mixed into the hooting and hollering of excitement with graduation. Everyone that I had become good friends with in my program was there. It was exciting to be graduating with all of them. Especially Keri and Shelli (we'll be waiting for you Katherine, this Fall).







I love my new laptop! Thanks Gordon!

The after party...

Karoke anyone?


But most of all I am glad that my family was able to come and support me. I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful family that is always there cheering me on! I love you guys! THANK YOU!





Well...I did it. I am officially a graduate from Weber State University. Now what?!