One more thing…

 

I LOVE these guys SO much! I am SO blessed to share such a wonderful life and home with these cute and sweet boysies!

I am SO blessed!!!

Our New Car-Our 2nd BIG Purchase!

Ben’s parents gave us our first car when we got married and we could not have been more grateful. For over a year it got us from point A to point B and we were able to avoid getting our own and having a car payment. It was coming time for the registration and we knew the car was having some problems that we would need to fix. It turned out the repairs would cost more than the car was even worth, so we went car shopping the first week of August!

Car shopping is so frustrating with annoying and pushy dealerships, when you are on a budget they just don’t seem to care about. We went to a couple different ones and barely set foot in the lot before we were dying to get out of there. The 3rd time out to a dealership was a charm and we were able to work with a very helpful and amazing car salesman at the Saturn North dealership. If you live in Northern Colorado, I highly recommend him! His name is Warren Kullick. He treated Ben and I like gold and really respected our needs and wishes, and made the car buying experience a good one. Many of the cars we looked at in our price range were in the 2002 year with 100,000 plus miles on them. Lucky for me, along with having a great salesman that did all he could to work with us, I also worked at a car dealership my senior year of High School and I know a thing or two about the value of a car as well as what they are generally willing to go down in price for to make a sell. We found this 2008 Chrysler Sebring with 30,000 miles on it, that was originally close to $20,000 . It was on sale for a significant amount less than that, but I still wanted to keep within our budget. I thanked Warren for his time, but told him we really just needed to keep it within that budget. He went back in to talk to his supervisor-yet again-and came back with a price within our budget and let me tell you-it was a steal! It was a done deal in our books! I was so grateful we were able to finally find such a great car. We have absolutely LOVED our Sebring and have been car problem free for about 4 years now.

Meet “the Black Pearl”. We may or may not have played Pirates of the Caribbean in it a time or two in honor of its name.

Turning 22!

Since I had already found my main present, Ben got creative with surprises (like he always does) and when I opened my present, I found a candy bar and some jewelry…but my Audrey Hepburn DVD collection was no where to be found. I looked at Ben, suspiciously questioning him with my eyes as to what he had done with them. He got that boyish grin I love so much and sweetly informed me that he had hid them around the apartment and I would have to find them. I excitedly started turning over couch cushions over and looking behind furniture. To appeal to my competitive side, he informed me he was also timing me as I cruised around looking for my treasured birthday gifts. I found them in all of about 13 minutes, and he definitely hid them well! Gotta love my lucky 13!

Being the amazing husband Ben is, he cooked me dinner-steak, potatoes and corn on the cob-one of my all-time favorites! It was so yummy! We ended the night with ice cream cake-my absolute favorite! This year it was a delicious turtle themed one and let me tell you-it was a hit! After dinner Ben even cleaned up while I took a relaxing bubble bath in our large garden tub (I really miss that tub).

P.S.-We also bought a new car!!! I always tease Ben that because we bought it on my birthday week (yes, they are a full week at our house), it is my car. Lucky for him, I do share. I plan on giving that purchase a post of its own. Talk about a BIG and wonderful birthday week!

Can you say yum? Now I want chocolate and ice cream!

It was the perfect birthdayweek!

Water World Fun!

Ben did not get to enjoy many of the Denver adventures that I did with the wives, since he was out being a hard-working, dedicated and amazing husband and provider. That being said, there was one adventure I insisted he take a day off for to experience with me, and that is Water World! An entire theme park filled with water fun and rides-is there anything better? I think not! We got up, got ready, checked out a couple car dealerships in search of a new car, and then the rest of the day was dedicated to one of the best theme parks I have ever been to (until they closed that is). We had so much fun together that day, even if it did get a bit chilly from time to time with off and on rain. The upside? There were a lot less people and the few who were there greatly diminished throughout the day. Enjoy all the pictures-thank goodness for having a waterproof camera! It really comes in handy some days.

Waiting in line for our favorite ride! You go down a steep water slide and into a bowl-like water area, where you circle around and around before dropping down though a hole in the bottom (very much like those coin funnels they have in the mall-you know the ones-you roll the coin down the slide and it circles and circles before going down the funnel, just picture yourself as the coin and you will have a pretty good idea what this ride was like). It was so much fun and so worth waiting in the long line.

 

The wave pool was pretty entertaining. It was all so calm, until they set off the buzzer announcing the beginning of another set of waves and everyone would start screaming like the New Yorkers in the movie, Godzilla. We definitely took advantage of some body surfing in the wave pool!

About to go down the storm water slide. It was pretty cool-a completely dark tunnel with thunder sounds and a few flashes of lightening. The best part was not being able to see the quick bends and sudden drops inside the slide. It made for an exciting and thrilling ride!

After freezing for nearly an hour standing in line for rides in the rain, we took full advantage of the warm kiddie pools for a bit.

Ben and I LOVED Water World and hope to go again someday.
 

After our fun filled day, we headed home, took a nice warm shower, got ready and then headed to chili’s for dinner. I don’t know what it is about swimming, but it always makes me so hungry! Chili’s, being one of our favorite restaurants, really hit the spot that evening!
 

After dinner, we headed in search of a car wash to clean our car, before trading it in for our 2008 Chrysler Sebring. Let me tell you we looked and looked and this ghetto themed wash was all we found in the area. Even the sign was rusting…it was pretty classic, but it got the job done and was very cheap, so it worked out in the end.

It was a busy, fun, adventurous and productive day off! As always, the time together was greatly enjoyed and savored.

Adventures with Alyssa

Alyssa and I spent a LOT of time together that summer and had many of our own adventures just the two of us. From hip hop dance classes together to laying out to playing at the pool to working out to shopping trips to 80’s dance parties in honor of Michael Jackson, the week of his death to watching t.v. programs on pregnancy, and talking about how fun it was going to be to have children one day (while Alyssa was pregnant and did not know it yet, I might add) to what ended up being about a 2 hour workout one morning getting her very large bean bag to fit in her trunk so she could get a head start on moving since she was going home for a bit. We laughed and giggled and played and did all sorts of silly things together and it was fun to be around someone as fun, silly and crazy as me.

The birthday present I found for myself on one of our shopping trips for Ben to give me (I may or may not do that a lot), but when you find a treasure like this and it is the last one on the shelf-you just have to buy it, don’t you? And what better justification than your birthday coming up, right?

80’s dance party-also known as the music video we never finished because of having too much fun getting dressed up for it and goofing off too much. It happens.

And this was what became known as the 2 hour morning bean bag workout.

I am happy to tell you, that we conquered it! Take that bean bag!

Sister Adventures: 2 weeks, 2 different states

While enjoying a summer day out and about with Alyssa back in 2009, I got a random voicemail from a guy I used to babysit for asking me if I would be willing to fly back to Utah and babysit his 4 children with my sister Cami, while he and his wife were away on a business trip. It sounded like a great opportunity and I was very flattered. A free plane ride home, seeing my family, about a week with my sis, watching 4 adorable children, and the chance to earn some extra money sounded amazing to me! I did not have long to decide since they needed me to take the flight early to get to Utah first thing in the morning the very next day, but I talked it over with Ben, packed my bags, slept for a couple of hours and Ben drove to the airport to catch a very early flight. I was a little out of it on the flight there with it all happening so fast (less than 12 hours from getting the voicemail to the time of my flight) and I also had not been on a plane for 6 years, and this would only be my 3rd airplane trip (REALLY hoping to travel more one day-it is probably on of my BIGGEST passions and dreams in life-next to becoming a famous singer, of course). I was SO nervous to fly alone for the first time in my life (I get anxiety over silly things sometimes), but it worked out. Thank goodness! Even if several people did keep asking me if I was okay during the flight. I must have looked really out of it. I know I felt that way. Let’s blame it on the short notice, no sleep, early flight ( I am no morning person), and first time flying alone, shall we?
 

When I was picked up from the airport, I still remember how nice it felt to be home for a little bit. The babysitting was great! The children were so much fun! I LOVE these kids! This was my first time meeting the baby, Cayson (who was adorable-wouldn’t you agree?), and although it made for some long days and sleepless nights, it was kind of fun playing Mom and getting a better feel for the role. Growing up as the oldest of 10 children gives you a lot of experience, but with children, there is always room for more! It was really fun tag teaming as their babysitters with Cami, but I really missed Ben, like A LOT! Good thing I had my amazing sister, adorable children and an occasional visit from my Mom and the rest of my family to keep me preoccupied.

Seriously, aren’t these kids adorable? And you would not believe how sweet and fun and well behaved they are. Meet Carter, Taylor, Cayson, Celeste and Chassie the Chihuahua.

After saying goodbye to the kids-which was a little hard after so much time together, Cami and I spent the night at my parent’s. We had fun doing makeovers and all sorts of girly stuff while having a sleepover, before our flight together in the morning! That’s right, last minute Cami decided to exchange her babysitting money for a round trip ticket to Colorado! I was SO excited to show her around Colorado and get the honor of taking her on her first plane ride ever! If you can’t tell, I was pretty excited! First plane ride: check! First plane ride alone: check! Assisting someone on their first ride: check! I’d say I was moving up in airplane experience!

 

We got to the airport thinking we were late and missing our flight, but it ended up being delayed by 2 hours and so we grabbed some snacks as a fix to our munchies, walked around, and then spent the remainder of the time taking silly photos (a ton-I spared you and only shared a very select few) trying to pass the time. I will never forget the excitement that spread across Cami’s face when they announced it was time to start boarding the plane for our flight. It was so neat getting to be there with her and share it with her.

Just before take off, it was stormy outside and I still remember Cami saying “This is the perfect weather for my first flight!” thick with that famous Ahlstrom sarcastic humor. That storm made for one bumpy ride to Colorado and since I had given her the window seat (a must your first time, right?) I got really a bit sick and claustrophobic. Cami handled it all like a champ and luckily it is only an hour flight after all-thank goodness for that!

We spent our time in Colorado together out grabbing junk food, buying more junk food to take home with us to accompany our chick flicks, goofing off, taking pictures, having deep philosophical conversations about life, shopping, grabbing Jamba Juice, laying out by the pool, playing in the pool, visiting cousins, having a blast together at Water World and chilling at the lake. It was such a fun few days and all went by much too fast. Before we knew it, I was dropping her off at the airport for her first plane ride by herself. Her plane travels have come a long way since then. She just got home from Ecuador today. She spent the past 5 months volunteering in an orphanage, and is now spending a couple months back home in Utah, before leaving to serve a mission to Oregon. I am so very proud of the person she is and all she has and will accomplish. She is without a doubt incredible, sweet and absolutely amazing. We have had our ups and downs over the years, (as sisters and best friends often do) but I am so grateful for all we have together and all we have gotten through together and I love her so very, very much! After all, I strongly believe it is not where you have been in life, but what you have become that is important with any situation or relationship. Thanks for being such a good example to me of living life to the fullest, being compassionate, and for carrying with you such an amazing light and testimony of Christ and the Gospel. I love you, Cami!

4th of July 5k and Fireworks

Since our men had to work on the 4th of July-lame, I know-“the wives” and I signed up for and prepared for a 5k. We all went shopping together and even bought matching outfits and proudly wore the “EcoSure Wives” logos we designed with fabric paints. I may or may not have gone all out with mine (I tend to do that) and had a little too much fun with the paints. Yes, I just had to also do an 09’ on the back of mine, accented by flowers and other girly things. We had so much fun together that day and it was the best it could have been in beautiful Colorado (other than our men being away, of course). These girls are fit let me tell you, and this was an event I felt a little less than terrific in comparison, but I had fun. One day I will stick to a fitness plan for more than a week or two at a time…one day. We ended the event with a huge and goofy photo shoot and then went to breakfast together.

As much fun as I had with the girls, I was excited for my double date with Ben, Julie, and her husband Ben. We treated them to Applebee’s for dinner-it was delicious-and then headed to the grocery store to grab snacks before setting up our blanket and getting comfortable to watch the fireworks. Ben and Julie’s  puppy Brutzie even tagged along for our firework adventure. We got quite the firework show as there were about 6 other firework displays around us. From where we were, we got a panoramic view of all of them! Which honestly, was pretty terrific!

As much as I missed my family’s tradition of camping out in my Grandparent’s backyard and enjoying the Huntsville festivities, it was all-in-all a pretty good 4th of July!