Love is Grand.

Last week Marcus and i celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary. We unfortunately both had to work on the actual day, but we decided that weekend would be good enough for celebrations--so Friday night we went out and had a delicious steak dinner and Saturday we planned to take a day trip somewhere cooler (in more than ways than one) than Mesa.

Saturday morning I woke up and asked Marcus where he thought we should go--we named a few places we had been before, like Flagstaff, Prescott, or Sedona, but then Marcus said, "Ashley, you were born and raised in Arizona and you've never been to the Grand Canyon--that's where we need to go!" He made a compelling argument...so we threw some things in a bag, hoped in the car with Poppy, and we were off!

It was lovely to watch the car thermometer drop the further we drove.

Because it's a canyon--there's not really anything to see until you're right on the edge of the cliff, as we parked and walked toward the look-out I was a little confused as to how anything that's supposed to be so spectacular could really be in front of me when all I saw was some desert forest, but oh-my-gosh was I wrong! When we got to the edge my breath was literally taken away--over and over again, every time i looked down into the canyon, I felt like the wind got knocked out of my chest. I'm not even one to fear heights--I'll always go to the edge of a cliff for a pretty picture, but this was unlike any cliff I had ever experienced--and as I looked out at it's expanse my mind had no way of comprehending that I was only seeing a tiny portion of this truly grand canyon. It was no wonder to after that, why Arizona holds one of the Seven Wonders of the World titles. I hope you all get to experience it someday.

We ate dinner on a restaurant porch overlooking the canyon as the sun began to set and talked about our future. It was such a beautiful evening with my best friend. I'm so lucky.

i propose a new tradition.

Yesterday, when no one was home, I dug through our guest bedroom closet and pulled out my wedding dress. After seeing/pinning so many beautiful wedding dresses online I had begun to second guess my very impulsive dress decision (see full story here). So I decided to put it back on and see if the flaws I had built up in my head had any relevancy.

They didn't.
It felt amazing to put it back on and think about the day i married my best friend.
And honestly, I could never be one to regret a polka dot.
I love that I got my dress for $3.
I love that I bought it because I thought the fabric was pretty--never because I had any intentions of using it for my real wedding one day!
I love that my mom took it apart and rebuilt it just for me.
I love that she put buttons up the back.
And mostly I love that i felt beautiful on july 24, 2010--my wedding day, and that's really what matters, right?

if you care.

planning the wedding
the wedding dress ordeal
a naked groom?
something blue
at the temple
the reception
and
a video glimpse of the big day

anniversary week: a penny a pape.

two years ago today we were at this gorgeous art deco government building in San Diego getting the paperwork needed to do the most exciting thing of our lives thus far. 

and then with a self-timer and a crafter purse-turned-tripod, i had the pleasure of finding out you knew how to Newsies jump and the rightness of my decision was confirmed ten fold.

i'm gonna need to see that one again, mister.

++blowfish giveaway announced here.

a few from the phone.

they may have taken the good ones, but here are a few from my phone:

with a few changes, this guy made it's second appearance. 

my famous flowers

the cups for the afternoon.

Cents of Style Winner Announced HERE!

today's the day! i'm a new aunt...

Today is the day that my college friend becomes my niece!

PC Lang Photographers

i remember sitting in biology 101 with her. i had just gone on one my very first dates with Marcus, and she excitedly informed me that she grew up going to school with his nephew Ben, who I had never met since he was on a mission. she talked of what a great family he grew up in.

Jamie laughed as she threw the idea out about how funny it would be if I ended up marrying Marcus and she ended up marrying Ben...

well, well, some ideas aren't so silly, I guess.

congratulations, new niece and nephew! married life is such a fun and happy one!

now, don't even thing about calling me auntie.

a reception.

 

there was the scent of orange blossoms in the air.

 

there was a pretty adorable toast.

 

one even more adorable flapper girl.

 

two of the most amazing photographers.

 

some great live music from friends and family.

a performance by the groom.

 

plenty of guests.

 

a very well dressed man, if i do say so myself.

and a very happy new husband and wife.

my mama taught me...

this wedding was a DIY wedding, because my mom taught us we could create anything we could imagine, and we've pretty much always believed that. 

afterall, we're each pretty closely related to one pretty fantastic Creature. 

Leisel put me in charge of all the chalkboard art

the sister-in-laws made all the delicious bruschetta and salads

Leisel collected glassware from thrift stores and sale racks for months

the flowers were ordered wholesale, succulents found at home depot, and the random greenery was collected from abandoned alleyways. the giant chalkboard was a large piece of backer-board sprayed with chalkboard paint.

tables were rented and decorated by leisel and i.

the fabric banner was made by leisel from walmart sheets and rope, furniture was thrifted.

many family members and friends worked on the baby-jar chandeliers that were hung from a 200 year old tree.

the cake was made by a talented friend of ours, mrs. samantha.

and both of leisel's dresses were made by my mother the week of the wedding. this one from a tablecloth, turned curtains, turned heavenly wedding dress. ya, she's pretty amazing, that women.

a wedding.

 

When you're really good as a kid, eat all your vegetables, and make really, really good choices in the friends department, you get super lucky and your sister falls in love with one your four best guy friends from high school. 

the other three who could keep you laughing for days.

At first, this worries you--what if she dumps him and then your friend circle is tainted? But then you remember your sister's smarter than that, because you only had really awesome friends, and she knows better than to let go of something really, really amazing, and hand-picked by you. 

So after two years of courtship, he pops the question and she {finally} says yes, and you get to help plan the most beautiful and exciting wedding for two of your most favorite people in the world. 

And then that magical day comes when one your very best friends becomes your brother-in-law, and somehow you knew that was where he belonged all along.

my siblings

my niece, ruby june

my handsome dad

 

 So kids, what I'm trying to say is, choose your friends wisely, and don't forget to eat your veggies.

a little giftbox DIY

and then there was that one time that you needed to wrap a bunch of cute lingerie for your sister who was getting married that week, but you didn't have any wrapping paper, just some old gift boxes from Christmas, so you grabbed some Sharpies and you doodled away, and then you were really proud of yourself. and that time was today.

my big sister is getting married this week! to one of my very best friends from high school, so ya, i'm pretty excited. 

HAPPYNESS!

Perfect Little Details.

Did I ever tell you that Marcus did an immaculate job on designing my engagement ring?

Well, he did.

This weekend we will celebrate our one-year anniversary 

(we're calling it our honeymoon number 2, because for some reason 'anniversary' sounds weird).

We're off on a spur of the moment adventure, you can follow along on Instagram (via twitter) if you're curious.

Sailboats on the side

a&m inside

Have a Beautiful Weekend, Full of Rainbows and Lollipops!

{Tunes} on Tuesday: Featuring Audrey Hepburn

Today is Ma & Pa Nielson's 48th wedding anniversary!

via Lizzy Writes

We're going to the temple as a family and then to their FAVORITE Mexican Food Restraraunt--Tia Rosa's.Oooo Baby! 
This is 'Their Song,' isn't it beautiful!?What's Your Song?

and then we got engaged.

Records show that it was one year ago today that a certain question was asked, and a careful answer was given.

It was one of the most beautiful days I've ever lived,

with one of the most wonderful men I ever lived it with.

(and the answer came along with the prettiest little thing I've ever owned.)

and then our camera battery died, so you are spared the kissing pictures what would have undoubtably followed...

I love you Marcus, today and forever--

I'm glad you will one day be the father of our nuggets.

(and no, that's not an announcement)

You can read Marcus's side of the proposal story here if you're interested.