budger. and cards.

yesterday was a perfect day to not be busy. the only plans we had when devin got home, after i made dinner, were to go to kyle's baseball game.


we were there with my mom and mostly just talked and lost track of the score, but MV WON!!! Kyle is such a great player. I'm so impressed with how attentive he is on the field. He doesn't mess around! He plays first base, and he is incredible at it. He works so hard to be where he's at and it definitely shows. He made some awesome plays tonight!


He had told Mom before the game that his whole plan was to intimidate the pitcher, and it was funny to watch him point his bat at the pitcher as he was getting ready to swing, and stare him down! After the game, Kyle said the ump called him out on it, which only made it more funny!


He's definitely turning into a teenage boy, and it will be interesting to watch him these next couple years! Mom even broke down and let him try out for football this next school year, so we'll see what happens!

 #11 at bat!

 pointing at the pitcher to scare him! haha

my wonderful husband watching the game



I love you, Budger! You're the best little brother ever!


today...


i got off work extra early today, which could have made for a boring afternoon, and even though it's only about 2:00, i've still got plenty to keep me busy.


so far... i've spent the last 2 hours writing thank you cards.

lots and LOTS of thank you cards.


i got these boxes of 40 cards from Roberts for 12.99 each, except I used a coupon, so I got a deal! (Roberts coupons are totally worth using, btw) The brand of cards are all really cute prints, and the insides are blank, which I love. We've been using them for everything! I think it's time to restock though.

aside from cleaning the rest of the afternoon, I'm hoping my little sister will take me up on my offer and show up some time to paint her nails and eat all the treats we have (we never eat them!)... cross your fingers McKayla makes an appearance some time in the next couple hours... :)

weekend:

such a great weekend. as busy as the last. and probably the next, for that matter!


friday: we were headed up to Sandy, so on the way, we stopped at Cabela's, and finally got Devin's birthday present (one month later... sorry love!): all new fishing gear! I loaded him up with waders, boots, and a new rod and reel. We're both more excited then ever to head up to the Grey's in less then a month!


After the Cabela's detour, we went to a wedding reception for Jon and Jenaya. Jenaya served in Dev's mission, and I met her and John at the mission reunion several months ago. A lot of people from that mission got married these past few months! Including, another guy, Richard, who was married on Friday, too! The reception was in Pepperwood, which is that HUGE fancy neighborhood in Sandy with the giant gate, and you have to stop and tell the gate man why you're trying to get in. It was pretty advanced stuff.


Their reception was BEAUTIFUL. Tons of lace. Very vintage. It was awesome. Jenaya looked absolutely gorgeous, and her and John make such a great couple. We're so happy for them!


Dev saw several other people from the mission, and the Fontaine's were even there! We were so happy to see them. They are good people.


It was getting late, and when I finally coaxed Dev out of all the conversation, we headed home, skipped grocery shopping, and went to bed!


saturday: we had spent at least 2 weeks looking forward to this hike with Kylee through out-n-back. I was so excited for the first hike of the season, and Devin would never complain about some extra time outside. but then... disaster struck. Our alarm didn't go off! It's a pretty new alarm, so we don't really know how to work it, and apparently Dev missed a button and we didn't wake up on time. I was mostly sad just because I knew it meant a lot to Ky to have us there. I felt horrible! At least it was only the first hike, right? hmph.


Later in the morning, Dev's mom came over to bring us some mail and see the APT all dressed up and looking like a real home. I love it when we have people over! Even if it's just family, or a friend dropping by really fast. I love it! I never realized that I would want to entertain so much! Luckily, Devin feels the same... so hopefully we'll be having some more things going on over here soon.


We spent the afternoon running lots of errands, including the previously neglected grocery shopping. We stopped at the Ashby parents house and got Dev's old fishing gear from when he was about 14... and now it's my fishing gear! I have waders! hahaha D also found his old BB gun... yeah, that came home with us! After that, we stopped at a family reunion for my mom's other side, mostly just because family reunion translates into free lunch in our family. Pulled pork sandwiches? Don't mind if we do!


Around 3 or 4, we headed up to South Jordan and did a session in the Jordan River temple! I had never seen that temple up close in real life. I guess I just never had a reason to before. It's really unique, and very pretty! I was so glad we were able to make it up there to spend some time in the temple. It's my favorite way to spend time lately.


With the looks of things, we probably won't finish our temple goal within the month of June, but we're going to keep going! Only 2 temples left, and if we go once a week, we'll be done pretty soon here. I can't wait to go to the Draper temple. It's so beautiful.

this isn't a very good picture of me. but i have such a handsome husband, that it doesn't really even matter.


sunday: baby Molly was blessed!!! Christian had asked Devin if he would be in the circle to bless Molly, so that was a really cool experience. We had all sorts of fun entertaining Joanna, who continues to be the world's cutest 2 year old! At one point during the meeting, Christian (who was sitting behind us) handed Molly to me and said, "I figured since you came, you deserve to hold her" haha thanks? She's the sweetest baby. She's so content and calm. I hope our kids are like that.


After spending sacrament meeting in that ward, we were both so much more grateful for our new ward. We've had a little trouble adjusting to all the screaming children in our new ward, but Christian and Sarah's ward was quite louder! I think it's because their ward is entirely made up of young families, whereas ours has a little more variety. It was still a great afternoon though.


When we got home, I declared a Grey's Anatomy marathon. And I convinced Devin it was okay because it would keep him on the couch for a good 2 1/2 hours while we finished season 3, and that way he could have some sit-down time to edit photos for all the shoots he's done this month. He's been so busy with photography lately, and I definitely won't complain about that! He's amazing at what he does. I'm such a proud wife :)


After our marathon, and a dramatic season finale, we decided to try our charcoal grill again. We failed last time we used it and ended up pulling out the George Foreman grill. We were much more determined... and prepared this time.


I chopped all kinds of vegetables while Devin marinated steak with fresh garlic and rosemary, and in the end....we had a huge delicious meal. Unfortunately... the steaks ended up on the foreman again. I think Dev's about ready to give up on the charcoal grill. I wish we could just figure it out! Any tips?


Right after dinner, we went to the Patriotic Service at the Mariott Center with Devin's parents, and the Wagstaff's. The service was beautiful. Amazing performers, and really cool speeches and stories. They honored Matt [Jason (Amanda's husband)'s brother who was killed in Afghanistan in Sept. 2010], and it was really beautiful. I am very impressed with the respect that is given to fallen soldiers and their families. It's very humbling.


monday: mondays are FHE, of course! Devin had an early day of work, and he came home with a golfing itch. So we went to Sleepy Ridge and luckily, they got him in on the front 9. We went to the range first, and I only hit a few balls. Mostly to practice with the pitching wedge--- we don't get along too well.


Then Devin played, while I drove the cart. I like Sleepy Ridge's carts way better than Cascade's. They have all sorts of technology, and they can really zoom! Dev played great, and even though it was at least a bajillion degrees outside, we had a good time.


Right when we were done, we went to Muse Music Cafe and had some turkey pesto sandwiches and then went to the Secret Show. The Devil Whale and Joshua James were playing (look them up!). And two doors down at the Velour, they were having an Occidental Saloon party to premier the new Book on Tapeworm video.


As much as we love the music and as much as we love rubbing shoulders with people like Brinton Jones and Stuart Maxfield... it's becoming too much of a hassle to brave that crowd. So we ducked out early, and are now camped out on the couch. Devin's "shooting things" (playing James Bond) and the quote of the night has quickly become "I just walk around and die."


Oh, that Devin Ashby!


as for today: work was a slow kind of busy, which just made it drag on. i came home a little early, and now i'm watching the episode of grey's anatomy devin watched last night while i fell asleep. tonight, we'll hopefully go to Kyle's baseball game, and catch up on housework. nothing very exciting so far.


the rest of the week should be slow, which I won't mind. But we're very much so looking forward to the Stadium of Fire on Saturday, and camping at the wedge the next week! It's about time we tried out all our awesome camping gear!


also: we need to play a little bit of picture catch up. so here are some photos that have been waiting patiently on my camera for a few weeks:

 best salsa ever.

 mums from Kelli and Sean's open house... they ended up as our table centerpiece for about a week. they're so pretty though!

so... this is how i sometimes spend my afternoon. goofing around with my camera, and [still] obsessing over my ring... :)


oh, and also... just a reminder for the anonymous readers... :)

grandparents/landlords

i just want to take a moment and talk about my wonderful grandparents/landlords.

my grandma is my mom's mom. she is a housewife extraordinaire. and even though she's a great-grandmother of 2 now, she's still in practice.

and i don't mean "housewife extraordinaire" in the normal way... i mean this is a woman that still spends hours upon hours making scrap quilts, making jam, and still uses the clothing line in the backyard. 

i'm serious.

she's incredible. did i mention that she sews? and i mean she SEWS! she sewed EVERYTHING my mom and her 4 sisters wore, including swimming suits and underwear... when they were all younger.

she is the genius behind my bridesmaids skirts. she totally saved the day when i cut the patterns wrong, and they still turned out absolutely perfect- just how i wanted them.

she has done so much for devin and i, and we've only been living here for a month! i couldn't be more grateful for a grandma like her. and i'm so glad that she's always right upstairs. 

grandpa... he's a whole other story. 

he is the most clever, witty, hilarious man. sometimes, he doesn't quite get it- he won't understand what you're trying to say, but there is no filter on him, and he'll blurt out whatever is on his mind. literally.

devin and i love that we can always find him outside "puttering around". he is always so busy with some project.

you know what else is awesome about my grandparents/landlords? they are currently serving their SECOND service mission as a couple for the church. a few years ago, they served at Cove Fort, and now, they are doing digital processing in a building right next to where i work.

they recently retired, and are being more productive then ever. not to mention, traveling to some of the coolest places in the world-- just for fun.

they are amazing, i love them, and i couldn't be happier to have them as my grandparents/landlords! this will be a great 2 years.

this picture is old, but it's all i had! they're the coolest, huh?

----------

as of right now? i'm sitting on the couch. alone. snuggled up in a blanket because it's 90+ degrees outside and probably 68 degrees inside... it's FREEZING in here.

i'm watching Princess and the Frog. by myself. willingly.

it's one of the best disney princess movies ever. and i'm surprised how classic it is. it was made 2 years ago, but i think it fits in with the greats: Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, etc. which were made... in the 90's? yeah. awesome.

when my husband gets home, he'll probably laugh at me. and then we'll head out for a friday night of a typical newlywed couple.

2 of devin's mission friends are getting married tonight (not to each other)... so we've got some reception-ing to do. which i don't mind. because receptions always have great food, and they give you a reason to dress up a little bit. which i also love.

and then we'll do some much needed grocery shopping, or some much needed fishing-gear shopping.

both much needed. 

we're going to the wedge in 2 weekends, and then we'll be in WYOMING (!!!!!!!) the entire last week of July. I am thrilled. I can't wait to finally go camping!

today at work, we finally got busy again. we started doing some work for another department, and i spent the day using the behind-the-scenes part of the internet that nobody knows about. it was fascinating. i'll show you sometime, maybe. 

after work, i went to the bank. devin and i finally joined our accounts, but since i didn't have my SS card, which has my new legal name on it, they made me go on under my maiden name. so i went back and changed it. 

it feels GREAT to be an Ashby. in case you were wondering.

as for tomorrow? we'll be hiking 5th water with Kylee via Out-N-Back, and i'm very excited. it's been too long since i went on a hike. so i will probably do a great job of embarrassing myself with my complaining of heat and "are we there yet?" questions. yaaaayyy

yup

so... i tease devin relentlessly about how he takes a picture of himself every time he gets a hold of the camera, and he makes practically the same face every time?


we've reached a point here, where i feel it is necessary to post a gallery of the "yup" face.


i am being entirely serious.


behold:

i think i'm missing a few...

anyway. there he is. my hilarious husband. always making me laugh and smile.

i love him!

new love/weekend

i have a new love. and it's name is pinterest.com

i mostly love it, because it makes my long, boring hours at work much more tolerable. 

it's nice.

you should go look at it. you'll be hooked, just like me.

yesterday, kylee and i went to the pool. i got a little burned on my back and the back of my knees (ouch!) but feeling much better today.

when devin got home, he wanted to go golfing. i wasn't in the mood, but offered to drive the cart.

we wanted to go to sleepy ridge, but they were having some golf marathon, so we went to cascade again, to play the front 9. 

they couldn't get him in by himself, so they let him join someone else's tee time. we ended up with this father-son duo. they were awesome!

they couldn't remember devin's name for the life of them, though, and kept calling him darryl or derek. it was so not okay. but also hilarious. 

as for the rest of the week: we're crazy busy. what else is new?

tonight, dev's going up to sundance to photograph a mountain biking race. he's is on a team of photographers for a company called Karmabe, with some of his friends, and they've been hired by Sundance to cover this race. I'm excited for him-- i think this will open a lot of windows! 

tomorrow, we're going up to the Art Institute to tour the campus. Devin is considering going there. We haven't made any decisions yet, but are looking into it. I'm excited for him, and I think this could be really great for him, and for both of us. We'll see, though.

on Friday, we're going to another wedding reception for Devin's mission friend.

Saturday, we're hiking 5th Water with Out-N-Back, and going to the Jordan River Temple.

it will be a goooood weekend.

plus also, baby Molly is getting blessed on Sunday. 

early

wish granted.


we did have J-Dawgs last night for FHE. and it was delicious. best hot dogs EVER. 


after that, we went to Sportsman's Warehouse and we bought some camping gear! In 2 weeks, we're going on our first camping trip out to the wedge. Just a short trip, but I'm so excited! 


The end of July, we'll spend a week at our favorite place ever, The Grey's River. I'm even more excited for that!


after we bought our camping gear, we came home and watched Valkyrie. Well.... Devin watched it. I didn't have the attention span. So I half-watched. We had kettle corn, but we both just really wanted muddie buddies. so we made yet another batch.


I think it's become a staple food in the APT.


As for today? Work has hit it's slow period, so if people don't volunteer to go home early, our supervisor Paul draws names out of a bowl. It's like russian roulette! Today, my name got called. So i'm home 2 hours earlier than normal, but don't fret.


I'm watching the bachelorette, and then Kylee and I are going to the pool for some vitamin D. 


I think that's good use of a short day of work.


also-- yesterday was Chloe's birthday! She's the kind of person that I say "i want to be like her" haha she's hilarious and creative and smart and friendly and gorgeous. I'm so glad she's my sister. Love you, Chloe! 

dinner

conversation just had between my husband and i (texting while he's at work):

D: dinner?

K: j dawgs or turkey bacon avocado sandwiches

D: I'll let you choose. I'll be home within a half hour

K: I want j dawgs. Plus i have some cuteness that cant be wasted. The world needs to behold my good hair day and prime outfit choice. Plus i've been craving a jdawg since forever :)

bahaha

we're awesome. 

and i love him