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. 

Happy Easter

The bunny visited us a little early, due to the fact that I am a snoop.
A package arrived Friday afternoon while Zane was at work, and I figured I would find out was inside eventually. So I opened it.

Surprise! It was a present for me.
My cute husband remembered my favorite childhood memory I had only mentioned once. Sometimes he can be quite the thoughtful one.

So because I ruined his surprise, it only seemed fair we both woke up Sunday morning with no presents. 

I had a little more time to make mine look cutesy. 

Saturday we had our annual Easter egg hunt with all the cousins I have a small obsession with. Naturally the get together led to picture overload. I will try to control myself and only post my absolute favorites. 

My sister mentioned on her blog that the theme she noticed in all the pictures I took was all the father-daughter love. Though that may be true, I noticed a different theme...

Anyone else see the theme here? or is it just the baby hunger talkin'?

Hope your Easter was filled with love, family, and lots of goodies. 

St. Patricks

We are festive. 

I am..

wishing everyone felt this way. 

Happy Leap Day folks. 

happy birthday Mr. President.

Similar to the last long weekend, I was hoping I could sneak out of town and have a little adventure with Zane. Turns out that though Zane did have work off, we still don't have a whole lot of money.

But I learned you don't need to leave town to have a good time.
And thats the moral of this blog story.

All it takes to have one fine weekend in Orem is, family dinner, shopping with mom, downtown provo, selfless sushi dates, twilight zone, Valentines day at the Borups, one long game of Taboo, lunch with my best friends, a family wedding and most importantly, a little nap.

Pictures taken at the wedding only, you're welcome. 

tender, worthless, creepy hand picture. 

 I hope everyone had a happy presidents day!

Christmas with my big lug

This was the first Christmas between my two families, and I loved it.
Christmas Eve is a big event for the O'Gwins, they do a big dinner, get pajamas, read a Christmas story, and watch a Christmas movie.
It worked out pretty perfect because Christmas day is a bigger in my family.
Although, I did miss my traditional family movie and dinner out, I really loved spending Christmas Eve with the O'Gwins.

Zane had a little sleepover at my house that night, because Christmas starts at my house at 7 AM. We opened presents and went to church. When we got home we had our traditional Borup Christmas Breakfast.
And I made delicious some pancakes, if I do say so myself.
After we were filled to the brim, Zane and I went over to his parents house to open some presents, and took a little Christmas nap.
Then it was time to head over to my Hirschi family Christmas dinner at my grandmas, and opened a couple more presents.

We wore our matching turtlenecks, because mom says, "everyone looks good in a black turtleneck."

Just channeling my inner mom and making some pancakes. 

Spending some time with my Hirschi cousins

Zane doing magic for the kids

And Zane gave me my cute lion hat that I just adore. 

I sure do love this guy. 

It was a wonderful Christmas. 

I am truly blessed. 

Now that Christmas has come and gone, all thats left to do is get married!!!

same, same

Sometimes we match without trying to.

I even had a feeling when I put on that outfit that Zane would wear one similar.

Sure enough, I opened the door, and there he is. Sweatshirt and plaid. 

My sister said since it's christmas season and all, it was okay, and maybe even kind of cute to match. 

So we rocked the "twinner" look all day,

and loved it. 

Grateful.

Over this Thanksgiving holiday I, like everyone else, spent a lot of time thinking about what I'm really grateful for this year.

There certainly is a lot.
The long list contains things such as, my job, my healthy body, my cute new condo, the holiday season, yummy food, nature, and seat warmers.
I feel constantly overwhelmed with blessings. Big and small.

But there are 4 blessings in my life that stand above all the rest.

My beautiful best friends. 

They are such examples to me of love and acceptance. 

They've made this little life more fun, and bright.

They got me through the roller-coaster we call high school, and really, for that I will be forever grateful. 

My wonderful family. 

The new, and the original members. The immediate and the extended. 

They are so unbelievably loving and supportive. Since I have decided to get married, those qualities have begun to shine through every member more than ever, and everyday I am grateful. 

I am also thankful for the silly, adorable, little ones that keep everything simple. 

My perfect husband-to-be, Zane. 

He is everything I ever dreamed up, and so much more. 

He has truly made me the happiest girl in the world.

And every other cliche you can think of.

He is mine. 

Last, and most of all, I am grateful for the gospel. 

I am grateful to know what I know, 

and all of the blessings that come along with that knowledge.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Family Night

Zane's professor gave the class a Halloween break yesterday. So I was pretty excited that Zane could finally come to a Borup family night!

Family night with us consists of eating out, and occasionally, a small church related thought.
Last night was strictly eating out.
(A truly adult way to celebrate, proof I'm ready for marriage?)

PF Changs hit the spot. 

Did I once write the search for my "hot" wedding bod had begun?? weeeell. 

That apparently was a lie. 

{not completely my fault due to the fact ALYSHA LANHAM is the worst personal trainer ever :) }
Zane still thinks I'm pretty though, so it's okay.

We took a picture of the occasion in the bright bright sun. 

We then watched "Drag Me to Hell", one of Zane's favorite horror movies, with some of the O'Gwin family. 

Nate left 1/3 of the way into it, he didn't want bad dreams. 

I, on the other hand, stuck it out the whole time just to discover it had the worst ending EVER! 

But I still think you should watch it.

56 days and counting peeps. 

A little halloweeny

Last night we finally got into the holiday spirit. 

Nothing says halloween more than carmel apples and carving pumpkins. 

Reese's Carmel Apple. You've gotta try it. 

My too cute hubby to be. 

Helping the boy finish his pumpkin

Yeah.. the black eyes look a little funny. 

Probably the best I've carved my whole life. 

I'm feeling ready for the holiday season now!

Can't wait to spend it with Zaner.