Happy 4th

Last year this time, I met the O'Gwin family for the first time. So much has happened since then, 

but nothing about the way the O'Gwins celebrate the 4th changed a bit. 

We made a day of it to be sure. 

We woke up around 5:30 to see the balloons, unfortunately we were a little late.  We made it in enough time to see them rise over the hospital, as we watched from the parking lot. At least that way we missed the traffic and the breakfast rush. 

Next, we were off to Village Inn for some breakfast, and then headed home to relax, and shoot off a couple parachute fireworks. And by a couple, I mean, a ton. 

Followed by my personal favorite part of the day, Spiderman!

My husband is quite the Spiderman nerd/expert. Those words can be used interchangeably can't they? 

I believe I'm allowed to say that considering he is my husband and I love him for it. 

Since Zane has come into my life, his loves became my loves. Well, actually not really, but at least the love for super-heros has (though not quite as much, I assure you.)

We absolutely loved the movie. It is probably my favorite superhero movie yet. Sorry Avengers, nothing personal.Andrew Garfield, and Emma Stone?! Two of my favorites to be sure. Plus their dating in real life? I do love a love story within a love story. 

Go see it. 

After the movie we all lounged around, eating some delicious food, taking little naps, watched Independence Day, waited for the sun to go down, and the temperature with it. 

Finishing the night off, of course, with a couple hours of fireworks. 

wellp, it is what it is1

 Our first 4th of July murried

A firework addict right here, and a cute couple over there

I am so grateful for all the freedoms we enjoy here in the United States.
It was a perfect day of celebrating all our blessings with family.

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!

Now back to reality, what a mean trick to have the 4th be in the middle of the week. 

A musical event

Saturday morning Zane and I had the opportunity to go see a little production called "Cries of Freedom" at a local park.

I have two beautiful cousins who were performing in the show, and the did a fabulous job. They've got more talent in their little bodies than I've ever had. 

It was a perfect start to July, and all the patriotic celebrations that are around the corner. 

Some of the songs brought tears to my eyes, remembering all those who fought for our freedom here in the United States, and all those who are currently sacrificing their lives to do the same. 

I consider myself blessed to live in this beautiful country, and I am excited to celebrate that blessing all month long. 

Bring on the anthems, flags, fireworks, rodeos, productions,  parades, and bbq's!

For those of you who live around Orem, Utah, Cries of Freedom is still currently being preformed at the Scera Park. I encourage anyone who can, to make the time to go visit. It's a great way to celebrate with the whole family, and it's FREE! 

They all hand out little flags after the show. 

Ours are currently decorating our flower pots.

Congrats to Halle and Kaelin on doing such a great job!


How are you guys celebrating this month?

Day 3

Are we sick of hearing about my big birthday yet? 

Me too. 

But Sunday my O'Gwin family went out of their way to make me feel special, and it deserves to be mentioned. And documented, of course. 

It started out with breakfast made by Zane. French toast, my favorite. 

Followed by dinner, cake, presents and games at the O'Gwins.

Ignore my nasty hair. It's in the works.  

And of course, we watched the eclipse. Through pin holes in pieces of cardboard, no fancy glasses for us.
The damage to my eyes probably won't register for a couple years anyway.

It was a perfect weekend.
I have officially left my teenage years behind, but it's still a good life.

Day 2

Saturday morning I helped my cute dad plant flowers as our Mothers Day gift to our Bethy.  

We've done this service for my mom years past, and mostly I only enjoy the end product. This year, I actually enjoyed all the diggin in the mud (with gloves on of course). Gardening can be kind of meditative. I am finding myself wishing to plant some pots of my own, and look forward to the day I have my own garden. 

But most of all, I enjoyed spending that time with my dad, and pooch, in the sun. 

 Tell me this isn't the prettiest pooch?!

That night we celebrated with my side of the family. 

It was my Uncle Brian's birthday a couple days before mine, so we decided to celebrate together. 

We had an absolutely delicious dinner at Chilis, followed by games and cake at my parents house. We even got to Skype with Bri to complete the Borup family circle. 

I love my family. 

These goofy people complete me. 

Birthday Celebration: Day 1

I really only had one big wish for my birthday this year, a new camera.
A nice, fancy one. One that will take crisp clean pictures of my future babies, and other adventures.
A camera I knew would cost a pretty penny.

Zane, as gentle as possible, convinced me that this was just not in the cards this year.
So I told everyone to not get me anything, but to help me save, so I could eventually buy myself a little camera.

But I came home from work on Friday, to a little surprise gift from Zane.

Some simple chairs I wanted, so we could spend some summer days reading on our little porch. 

Followed by a trip to the aquarium, in honor of my obsession with all things water. (If you haven't gone since they got their River Otters, you should go. They  truly are, "Otterly Adorable")

We took a lovely little nap afterwords, and then ate my weight in Chinese food at Shoots. It was a perfect day of celebrating. 

When we were home, Zane said he had one more surprise for me. "It's really small, and I don't know if you are going to like it."

Ta-da! My DREAM camera!!

I was surprised to say the least. Tears literally welled in my eyes, which is admittedly a little dramatic. 

We finished the night off by playing games with all my O'Gwin siblings.

The really great thing about having your birthday on Sunday, is you get the whole weekend to celebrate. And Friday was the perfect day to kick of the farewell to my teenage years. 

Thanks to Zane for a perfect day, you know me too well. And thank you to everyone who helped Zane keep my big surprise, a big surprise. 

Life is good, and the partying continues. 

Titanic

Yesterday I enjoyed another little gift from the hubs.
Titanic 3D.  They gave out "collectable" glasses, as well as posters. Too great.

I realized I have never before seen the full, unedited version of this classic film.
Thus, I got to see Kate Winslet's boobies for the first time in 3D. Truly did not know I had been missing that little detail my whole life, and am sure I would have survived without that "artistic" touch. I did make it through the scene without giggling like a 4 year old, or gasping like a grandma, unlike many other fellow viewers.
I'm so mature sometimes.
I also managed to get away with not shedding a tear, just some watery eyes. A miracle really.
Zane, on the other hand, was not so tough. In fact the movie got Zane in what I call, Mushy Mood.  For me, "Mushy Mood" is a common, and openly admitted, consequence of watching chick flicks. But this was the first time I'd seen the cheesy love portrayals work their magic on the husband, and I was happy to get extra kisses, and I love you's, on the way to the car.
He is such a tender.

Today, if you were wondering, I woke up early and went to Pilates, just to discover the candy we smuggled into the theatre still in my purse. Thus, I had a lunch of Mike and Ike's, Skittles, and Rolos.
It's a good life.

February 28th

Yesterday was a special day. 

Free pancakes at IHOP, and Justin Bieber released his new single (which sadly is no good)

It also happened to be me and Zane's 2 month anniversary. 

And yes, until we reach 1 year we will be celebrating such ridiculous stepping stones.  

I am happy to say, that similar to my 2 week analyzation of marriage, 2 months is just as wonderful. 

There are times we disagree, and a few tears have been shed, but I have the same problem with Ben on The Bachelor, so I'm not too worried. 

Most days with Zane are simple and easy. 

It's not a fast paced adventure, but an adventure nonetheless.
(like the first couple minutes of Up, if you're in need of a visual.)

My new favorite part of being married is waking up every morning, staring at this man I've only known 8 months, and knowing without a doubt that I made the right decision. 

Which I really do consciously recognize everyday. 

So cheers to me and Zane.

Zane O'Gwin:

I have always known I don't deserve you. I knew that day one. 

I also knew from day one that somehow I would end up with you anyway. 

There were times that I doubted that feeling. There were days I barely dared to dream about being yours forever. It was, you are, too good to be true. 

You know more about forgiveness and patience than I'm afraid I'll ever understand. 

Thank you for choosing me. 

I'll love you forever. 

Your Wife. 

The Wedding Day

It's officially been a week, which I believe means it's time to come back to the real world. I had my first day of work since the betrothal, and I can't say I was extremely excited to be back.

But, if I am being honest, I have been missing the blog world.

Unfortunately, we are still internetless at the O'Gwins. 

It seems there is too much to talk about, but I am going to blog it one by one. They way I know you all want it. 

My wedding day was amazing. 

I woke up nice and early to get my hair and make up done, then we were on our way to the temple. 

Temple workers are so nice, they make it impossible to feel stressed about anything. 

The ceremony was absolutely perfect. I was so glad I had so many loved ones there with me. It was everything I dreamed it could be, perfect combination of spiritual and funny. And I may or may not have cried a lot. 

Driving home to the luncheon was surreal, I couldn't believe the man sitting next to me was my HUSBAND. Even now, I don't think it's truly hit me. 

The luncheon was perfect, except for the groovy music during the prayer...

Everyone near and dear to me was there to eat and celebrate.

Next was the reception. 

My aunt made everything come together, and the venue looked gorgeous. 

She truly is brilliant. 

Although I was getting really tired, I actually enjoyed standing in line to greet everyone. I hugged friends and strangers a like. 

We cut the cake, which was delicious. (I've craved it everyday since)

And I tossed my bouquet, and my adorable 5 year old cousin caught it.

Then our friends sent us off with sparklers, and we drove off in a condom and energy drink filled car. 

The happiest day of our lives. 

Zane is the best husband a girl could ask for. He is my angel. 

Waking up to his morning breath, and scraggly hair is my heaven. 

One day real soon I hope to have pictures of the big day, but for now I stole some that miss Alysha took. 

my eyes are closed.. its fine. No one was able to get one with them open.

My best girl friends!

My cute husband and me, happy as can be!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this wonderful day.

It meant so much to me, and I'm grateful for all the support. 

I couldn't be happier to be Mrs. O'Gwin.

the last hoora, or however you spell it..

Yesterday was my last bridal shower, and I finished it off right celebrating with my best girl friends.
They kind of surprised me with a night up at Hillary's cabin.
It was only half a surprise, because they realized I would have to get work off. They ended up informing me Wednesday night. I'm lucky my boss at Mozy is so understanding about this crazy month for me, and let me take Friday off last minute.

The party was a success!
We decided to combine the shower with our annual Christmas party. It was like high school all over again to have all 7 of us together, and I loved it.
We ate junk food, laughed, watched a slideshow Lysha put together of all our old memories, exchanged gifts, played ridiculous games, chatted, and fell asleep to a movie.
I loved it. I love those girls.
Although having a wedding, and Christmas in the same month has been beyond stressful, it has also been such a huge reminder of how blessed I am.
Blessed to have such a wonderful future husband, blessed to have an incredibly supportive family, and blessed to have beautiful, crazy best friends.

Doin' what we do best

Love this nut!

Aren't they the cutest!

We really are the luckiest 7 :)

Thanks to everyone who helped put this little celebration together.

I love you guys!

Whaaaaaat?

Guess who came home last night?!

Miss Hillary Ann!

Finally home from her 4 month service abroad!

And who greeted her at the airport?! none other than her best friends, and family of course. 

We were so excited waiting for hill to come out. Our little hearts were pounding like she was our missionary. We just love each other is all. 

She had no idea we were coming to meet her there, so she was definitely surprised when she turned the corner to see us all standing there. And because she didn't know we would be there with cameras, taking all sorts of pictures, she also didnt have a spec of makeup on. But she was beautiful, as always of course. 

We're so excited to have her home!

And she is so excited to have her car...

haha completely candid. 

After we got home, we all sat around at hills house and talked about Ecuador for a couple hours. We also got some presents. Hill gave us each a cozy blanket especially picked out with the colors we requested. She's the best!

And most important event of the night...

Added stickers to the poster of course!

I'm so happy to have Hill home. I can't wait to have my bestie in Orem with me.

And even though I didn't get home last night till 2 in the morning, and I had to wake up for work at 7, picking her up from the airport was worth it.