currently: busy & happy

this year is a christmas of firsts.

we also went up to the rim, got a permit, and cut down our very first christmas tree which we decorated last night.  it was such a lovely drive and poppy was the best little doggy in the world the entire trip. it's also the first year we're also not doing presents (although i already cheated and bought just a couple for marcus and and poppy). we decided instead we would use the money to get more projects done in our house--which i'm really excited about :) we're sending out our first christmas cards using cardstore that are currently 70% off and easy to create. I'll try and remember to post one when i get to see them printed. how are your holidays going? anything exciting going on? if you're from another country, i'd love to hear your traditions! we're always looking for new ones to incorporate! xo, ashley p.s. thank you all for the great advice and well wishes in the 'what makes you itch' post. i appreciated not feeling like we were alone in this feeling and loved hearing your ideas. 

Halloween Dinner--it's a thing.

This weekend reminded me why Halloween is my favorite.

As I mentioned in this post, the show Parenthood has inspired us siblings to do more 'hanging out' and to create more family traditions. We decided it would be fun to each pick a holiday and get together to celebrate! 

Leisel chose Halloween, even though she's 7 1/2 months pregnant, and probably could have opted out{!}, but instead she threw the most beautiful halloween dinner on her back porch. 

 Each of the siblings brought something, and we dined on two different types of chili, delicious root beer and apple cider, corn bread (have you tried my recipe yet!?), and pumpkin bars. 

We topped off the evening by noshing on kettlecorn and watching Tim Burton's Beetlejuice--which reminded us of why it was in the discount bin at Walmart...entertaining none the less--i say day, i say day, i say day-ay-ay-o...

What do you all do for halloween? Any Fall traditions?

nativity scene+white elephant=christmas eve at the bagley's.

it was a joyous evening before christmas with delicious food, gourmet hot chocolate, cute kids, a traditional nativity reenactment, and a hilarious white elephant gift exchange packed with true, true treasures!

what's the best white elephant gift you've either given or received?!

Sundevil.

I had a lovely post all written out about my {Top Five} Things I Learned and Loved about College, but stinkin' blogger has been having some serious issues for the past for days and the scheduled draft is gone...

(are they ever coming back???)

Maybe later I'll re-write it.

Until then, I'm going to lounge around in my new ASU maroon welovecolors leggings--which happen to be the best leggings ever! 

Mmm, I may just be living in these for the next few days...

Here are pictures from graduation:

Commencement Night:

dotted tights c/o We Love Colors

Ladies and Gentlemen, you are witnessing pure, genuine magic right there. 

I would simply tap my foot, and **Vwalah**, my robe would appear! It really kept the crowds entertained.

Until the fireworks show caught a nearby mountain on fire--then my attentive crowds were lost...Crazy night.

Found out I graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Which basically just makes me feel cool, because, um, did you read that title outloud? 

It's just cool.

Turns out moving your tassel from the right to the left after your degree is conferred upon you feels pretty awesome. I love traditions like that.

Convocation Morning:

I woke up to the most awesomely decorated car ever! 

My big sister wasn't able to come to the ceremony, but she showed her support via car art. It was amazing. and yes, that does say 'chizarts.'

This dress was my mom's in the 80s. 

I'm in love with it, and it happens to be one of my school colors.

So, naturally, it was my graduation dress of choice.

It was a great last few days. I feel so good--and I strongly endorse graduating! :)

A-S-U,

A-S-U!

Scenes from Grad Weekend

Oh, what a lovely weekend we had! 

We were visited by The Boss and Ma Nielson, who treated us to dinner and dessert at Carino's before Marcus's pinning ceremony Friday night.

Then Saturday morning we woke up early and went to the boys graduation from the Nursing Program. 

I felt a lot like I was in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry--all the professors in their fancy gowns and hoods, it was awesome. 

They even gave Marcus a rose that he used as a wand for the rest of the day.

I thought after I graduated with my Bachelors degree in May that I would surely be done with my formal education, but those amazing robes really got me considering a master's program...Do you think that's why they wear them, to lore the kids who are suckers for costumes?

After having lunch at Craigos, we loaded up Ma & Pa Nielson's truck with most of our belongings and sent them off. 

Sunday we feasted on Fondu and Marcus used the Red Plate.

While I'm not the biggest fan of the aesthetics of this plate, I do love the tradition that goes with it.

When ever someone is being honored (birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations) they used 'The Red Plate' and they sign their name on the back along with the date and the occasion. 

I think the kids will like it, don't you?

As we were eating, we had visitors:

4 Teenage sized deers and 2 babies! 

It was so precious. We sat and watched them for about 30 minutes before they leaped away.

Then we took an exploratory drive around the farmland of Idaho.

Along with one beautiful sunset, we saw a llama farm, a moose, a pony, two falcons, 10 baby cows, three long horn bulls, and at least 30 peacocks perched in the trees. 

It was so delightful! 

I think we'll be going on a few more of these before we hit the road for Arizona next week.

I hope your weekend was magnificent! 

I'd love to hear the highlights!