Because my memory is bad…

I'm going to do a little mid-year update for my own sake. I have been creating yearly books of things we have done, places we've been, where we live... just little odds and ends… So I'm doing this so I can remember! I will warn anyone reading this, It's going to take a while, so run now!

 I'm doing this mainly because my memory SUCKS and a) I would like to remember things. b) I want our kids to know things about us and things we did and c) also for the grandkids and greats to know who we were. To know what we've done. I love hearing stories or seeing pictures of my grandparents or parents or great grandparents. I found a journal of my great grandpa, it had church talks he had given, poems he had written about my great grandma (talk about charmer), and other odds and ends. So maybe there will be somebody down the line in our family that will appreciate the same things!

January: 

We started the NEW YEAR off with a BANG. (Do we sound so cool?) Ok, maybe it wasn't so full of Bangs. We headed to Panama City to go out with my Sister & Brother-in-law. Had Sushi. Went home stayed up til 1am with lots of chatting. Super cool. But definitely at our speed.

That Morning we went out to Breakfast at this "super good place" that I forgot the name of. And that's when we took our FIRST PICTURE OF 2014. Definitely have to put that one down in the record books. 

We take really impressive pictures :)

The 4th of January we went down to Orlando to the Temple. A good friend of ours, Kayla went through the Temple for her First time!  So glad we got to be there for that experience. We love any opportunity that we get to sneak down there.

Karina, Kayla & Myself

The following week we packed up to head out to Denver. Since we've gotten married and I've been working for my dad we've gotten the opportunity to go out there every year for the WESA Market. It's basically a boot and apparel market for Western Stores. And he brings me along to do the buying. I like to buy things, so I'm really perfect for the job! My brothers think that we're just getting a vacation, but let me assure you, it's LONG DAYS, Think of FOUR DAYS of shopping for 9am - 6pm… YEAH, even I get tired of that! But it must be done.

There are a few good perks to go along with it. . . like flying… and eating, which we seriously ate like 1 meal a day this last trip. That's how busy we were. pretty insane. 

I think i take this same picture every time we fly anywhere. I am obsessed with this earth we occupy.

When we arrive in Denver we Immediately went out to eat… the only problem with that was I had on Nike Slides, and we googled Steakhouse (because we don't ever have steak living on a farm and all)… we decided to go to Elways (aka John Elways Resturaunt)… Let's just say I'm surprised they let me wear slides, or jeans in the place for the matter. It was one of those places where your steak costs x amount and then every.single. side you want to go with your meat costs another x amount. 

The following Morning we did manage to have breakfast for our ONE TIME on the trip. We ate at SNOOZE. If you're ever in Denver - I HIGHLY recommend this place. French Toast & Hot Chocolate. It was so delicious, these pictures aren't telling a story.

February: 

February stated with a BANG  - literally. Check out Grandma! I decided to forgo the scary, bloody pictures. Apparently someone should have trained me that head injuries bleed really badly. I was freaking out. I just knew she was going to die on me in the car on the way to the hospital. Fortunately the hospital is less than 10 minutes from the house... and 2 red lights away (in a town of 8 red lights). Regardless. We got there pretty fast. At one point I jumped a large hump/bump in the road. Her head hit the ceiling. and I laughed. Which I'm glad happened because I really needed to laugh for a moment. She said not to worry about her head, she'd be more likely to die from my driving. which is quiet possibly true. Anyways, grandma ended up with somewhere between 10 - 16 stitches and made it out just fine!

I also started to discover/uncover some talents. This only lasted for about a Month, so don't become too impressed. However, I almost completed the top of a quilt. I had bought this fabric not long before Blake and I got engaged, when I was taking a sewing class. I decided to start on a Herringbone Quilt. Maybe one day I will have a finished product.

Mid-Late February I flew out to Vegas for another Market. This time one called Magic - it's basically 10 different shows all packed into one week. So there is everything from Accessories, High-End Apparel, Boutique Apparel, Shoes, Sourcing & more. It can be a little overwhelming, and it's a whole lot of work. But for those of us that like to shop, it's most fun that it's not my money I'm spending. 

The photo I have to take every time I fly

I think this is Lake Mead in Nevada

I am so obsessed with the sky

One thing I love about my Mother is she enjoys good food. And we both share a love for Sushi & food in general. We clearly over-ordered for this meal. And don't really regret it one bit.

Had to send a snapshot to Blake to rub it in. Thank goodness he introduced me to Sushi!

At the show the different Vendors go ALL OUT on their booths. I didn't take as many pictures this year, I guess because it wasn't my first time and I wasn't in such awe because I expected awesome things. But I did snap a picture of the Roar Booth. The had an entire showroom that was surrounded by walls of Folded Shirts. It was insane.

A little reading for the flight home. I HIGHLY recommend this article on Jabari Parker

March & April 

In March we celebrated my Grandma's 85th Birthday! The whole Family got together at a restaurant, her nieces and nephews were there and she was so Happy to have everyone together to celebrate her life. The whole restaurant sang Happy Birthday and clapped for her!

So grateful for this lady!

We've had several Nephew Sleep-Overs over the months - they keep us all on our toes. The "baby" loves anything that has a motor. He was upset I was riding Cam on the Moped so we had to improvise and this was the only way everyone can ride. Whew! It was ridiculous, but so much fun! 

We then came up with an even better idea. Let's knee board behind the Moped. I mean that's safe and all right? Surely. I pulled my Mom & Cam behind it. Then she pulled me. Let's just say it's a whole lot easier to do on water. Baby L wasn't so sure about it.

We also said goodbye to our Favorite Chicken, Goldie. Surely it was her time to go. Pretty happy I snapped this last picture of her before she got got. RIP Goldie.

She seriously knows how to work a Camera.

One of Blakes Favorite things about Spring is the Spring Football game at Florida State. Thank goodness we talked him in to only staying for the half, but he was happy he got to scout the team for this upcoming season. This boy loves Florida State Football  & I love him!

Blake also celebrated his 27th Birthday in March - we went out to eat for his birthday (two nights in a row)… he must be really important around here. And took a trip to SAMSclub ; we literally closed down the place, he was so sad we had never been there before. I really think that night was a true sign he is getting old.

obligatory Birthday Picture!

Blake adores all of his nephews and he got the coolest videos/pictures from them for his Birthday!

Make sure to push play, this video is the cutest!

Diesel (the dog) loves Blake as much as the boys do. So I laughed really hard when I saw he was in the picture.

For his Birthday I got him the tickets to see Darius Rucker that he had non-stop been talking about. I kept brushing it off like I didn't really want to go, and wasn't that in to him, and wouldn't be able to get off work. And Blake was supposed to be working cows the day of the concert so there was "no way" we would be able to make it anyways. Well I don't really know that he fell for my bluff, but he was happy to have the tickets nonetheless. And we had so much fun at the concert. The second night we went to a different concert in a different city to see Little Big Town.

Here's a Video of Darius - we seriously loved his concert. He was good live. and watch him move!

The Man himself, Darius

My dad owns a boot store, how could i not snap a boot picture?

Eli Young Band

In April we Celebrated our THREE YEAR anniversary. Slightly ridiculous how fast time is flying by.
And we've spent every year in Destin, eating at my favorite restaurant. The Louisiana Lagniappe. AMAZING stuff. Excuse me as I overload you with pictures we took. My mom has been our annual iPhone photographer for our Anniversary. And Blake loves pictures now, just as much as he did on our wedding day!

can't ya tell?

formal engagement posein - Still adore this guy!

Three Years!

Blake also had some cyst's removed that day from his head. Pretty big day!

Aside from our Anniversary, we went down to the Fort Lauderdale Temple Open House, and enjoyed a nice long weekend on the beach in Hollywood. I believe I've already met my personal limit for information and pictures, so I will continue in the next post about that and finish out through July!

I can't believe how fast time is flying. So glad we have handy dandy iPhones to capture memories!