At the hop!

Happy Birthday to my sweetheart, my best friend, my love, and my eternal companion! Today the love of my life turned 24!

We had a blast celebrating 50's style...doing a murder mystery dinner!

It was so fun having my family there with us as well! They all got into it; dressed and acted the part!

*Sorry, it's not the best quality!

Kelly and her date, Colton

Kristell and Cody

Kaitie and Austin

The Whole Group!

A big thank you to Ken's parents (Chaz-burger and Barbie-Q) for hosting the whole evening! And a big thank you to my parents for always being so supportive!

Birthday Trip

This year for my sweetie's birthday I decided to surprise him with a quick trip to his family's cabin! We had such a wonderful time! We enjoyed dinner and then to the movie theaters to see 2012. It was so fun to have snow on the ground and be able to light a fire! Love it! It was so nice to have a little getaway with my sweetie! Hope you had a wonderful birthday trip my love!

Gotta pick up some QT for the trip!

Share the love and end it with a good ol' snow ball fight!

Introducing...

Mr. & Mrs. Rowley!!

Saturday was such a special day...full of love and happiness! These two could not stop smiling...or kissing! It was adorable!

I love my beautiful family!

And now the sweet couple is living it up in Hawaii for the week!! Congratulations! We love you two!

Blessings

RN160197

That is my RN license number!

On Thursday, October 8th I went to take my state board licensing exam to officially become an RN! The next morning I found my name on the Arizona State Board of Nursing website with a license number! I am beyond excited and am so grateful to all those who helped me to accomplish this goal...let's say, 17 1/2 yrs in the making! :) A special thanks to my sweetheart who is ALWAYS by my side and is even willing to listen to my lectures (hilarious lady with a huge southern drawl) with me during our long road trip to and from Utah! And for the sweet blessing he gave me the night before my exam...I have never been so calm going into a test. Thank you sweetie for being such a righteous priesthood holder. And I know it is through my Father in Heaven's blessings that I was able to be so calm and pass this difficult exam. I love living the gospel and seeing how Heavenly Father pours his blessings upon me when I am doing what is right!

My sweetie gave me those beautiful flowers and took me out to an extra yummy dinner to celebrate!

And speaking of blessings, this week was absolutely wonderful...on top of passing my exam, I got a call from the Mayo Clinic! I have an interview set up to enter their new grad program! I did my preceptorship there and their hospital is BEAUTIFUL and the nurses are so kind! It would be incredible to work there!

Here's my adorable and so incredibly fun sister Kelly (student council spirit director)...
Once in a while we get her to show this side...like, when she's nominated for Homecoming Court!
But, no worries...she's still there, under all the makeup, sparkles, and tulle! :)

We love you Kel! You are gorgeous and have the best personality...no wonder you were nominated! Congrats on making it from the top 10 to the top 5!

The Great Outdoors!

Over the river and through the woods...to the KUZDAS cabin we go!
We love cabin trips...and this was no exception!
For labor day we...

Rode around on this awesome dirt bike!
Ken's family has had this dirt bike for YEARS and
it still runs GREAT! We had a blast riding around the trees and chasing a DEER!
haha... it quickly ran away as it heard us coming!
Okay, okay... I needed a little help with the helmet... :)
...we also played horseshoes (don't think I've ever played in my life!)

Challenge: can you find the horseshoe??

...and finally topped off our weekend with a trip into town and to yummy Kendall's!

Happy Birthday Code!

This

funny

smart

handsome

awesome musician

stylish

who has great taste

brother

turned 25 today!





Missing my sweetie (DO NOT like that night school)... gotta love Kevin's silly faces! :)
FUN night Cody! Happy Birthday! We love you!

Change!!!

A bit of brown later...

Bye bye blonde!!

Very scared doing it, but I'm loving it! :) What a fun and refreshing change!

I Feel My Savior's Love...

"Let us remember—trials are an evidence of a Father’s love. They are given as a blessing to his children. They are given as opportunities for growth.... the trials will still be there; but with the companionship of the Spirit, our approach to trials will change frustrations and heartaches to blessings."
-Bishop H. Burke Peterson, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric

Just as the quote above states, through trials blessings are brought about. They may be subtle, but they are there. Through recent trials I have been able to strengthen relationships with all those mentioned below. I know that those strengthened relationships are some of the greatest blessings that have come because of these trials. Even though it may be difficult at times, my faith has increased tremendously! And even though this large trial in my life has not yet passed, I know it one day will. I know with a surety that my Heavenly Father and Savior are aware of me and love me. I am extremely grateful for the beautiful temple and for the place of refuge it is. Thank you to my amazing hubby, my sweet mom, dad, and family, my wonderful in-laws, selfless visiting teachers, and supportive friends. I love you all!

A Fantastic Fourth!

So tradition in our little family has it that we head up to Prescott for the 4th of July!! And we did not disappoint this year! We packed our bags, matching Old Navy 4th of July shirts and all, and headed up to a cooler part of this sunny state! First stop, Ken's parent's cabin... so beautiful and secluded and filled with awesome company...including:

this adorable little girl (note the matching necklaces)

and this cute little guy!

After relaxing and playing games (we are the proud winners of trivial pursuit...thanks to my hubby's history knowledge...I'll stick to the entertainment questions) for a bit we were off to the world's oldest RODEO!!

Who are those cute cowgirls?? :)

So impressive!!!

Thanks Mom and Dad Wray for treating us to such a fun night (and to my first rodeo)!

The next morning we got dressed in our 4th of July best and headed out to the parade! It was a neat little parade! Afterwards we strolled the little tents they set up, had some yummy pizza, and bought some of the most delicious dip to make at home (that is my favorite tent to visit)!



And afterwards relaxed...

under BIG beautiful trees and gorgeous weather!

The evening ended with a beautiful fireworks show and yum-filled Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream!!

Thank you to everyone for a FANTASTIC FOURTH OF JULY!