catching up

we spent our whole weekend catching up with our favorite people.

brandon is back after 5 weeks of being a nomad, so naturally, we had to get some wings.

met up with the Holdaway's at one of our favorite places, Shoots, for some story telling, people watching, and a family style dinner. we don't see them enough! 

and then, after running into them at target after our dinner date together, we met up with the ashby clan at the sweet tooth fairy, grabbed some ice cream from Farr's, and all headed back to mom and dad ashby's to catch up. (i love that we are all adults and all friends. that family is pretty much just a big group of friends and i love it!)

and tonight, we caught up with good old Spencer and his new lady. spencer was devin's roommate when we started dating, and he is probably one of the coolest people ever. we ate at the new-ish brazilian grill in provo across from velour. it was delicious, but we reeked of brazilian food for the rest of the night! (it's in my hair. and it's driving me nuts.)

tomorrow? we'll be catching up with the Burrell's. we're finally having them over for dinner, after too many cancelations, and I can't wait to see them all and hear what they've been up to with their adorable little girls. Devin is excited because he's going to attempt a chicken gnocchi soup, and i'm going to make white chicken chili, of course! it will be a soup feast, that's for sure. (the best kind of feast? possibly.)

tomorrow will also be our first week not in nursery. they have called another couple, so we're back on an every-other-week schedule, so we'll be catching up with priesthood and relief society, since we haven't been in 2 months! we've been watching everyone's cute kids! 

i feel like lately the weeks have gone by fast and weekends have been long. i sure like it that way! 

also? tomorrow is daylights savings. so we'll be catching up on our sleep.

photo dump friday

i've seen several people do a blog series called "phone dump friday", but since I'm not as technologically-up-to-date as 100% of society and don't use my phone to take picture solely because i can't upload them on the computer, I will just dump whatever's been on my camera on every Friday that I remember to do so :)

 

went to the Fabric store a couple weeks ago with my sister-in-law Amanda and picked out this cute fabric to make our stockings this year! 

 

cut them into strips and put back together to make a fabric block that I will cut the stocking pattern out of as soon as I get our names put on them!

and now: an update of the little miss.

i had to take pictures of this day, because not only was she getting around the room in the most difficult ways (like climbing over a table that wasn't in the way), but she is also wearing the cutest pants. i would wish i had some if i felt like i could pull it off as good as a 2-year-old!

 

bouncy ball lovin'.

 

a dress-up day accompanied by her day-long obsession with the special cup with a lid and straw full of milk.

oh, Christmas Tree

we bought a Christmas tree! we had planned on getting one early at ShopKo while they were on a good sale, but when we went to buy one, they were all sold out of the $80 one we wanted. (Christmas trees are like... $200-$400!! that's insane! so we wouldn't buy one unless it was on sale). So at that point, our plan was to just have a real one this year and buy one after christmas during sales. 

BUT

last night, we were at Target getting groceries and found a tree for $60! WHAT?! AND it's pre-lit. Ideal. It's just a little 6.5 foot guy, but it's perfect! I was so excited about it that when we got home, I asked Devin if we could put it up. He said no... Fine. I guess we'll have Thanksgiving first!

We also picked up a bunch of cute wrapping paper for $2.50 each. Target had awesome prices on their christmas stuff, so if you need any, you should go! 

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Devin stayed up until midnight last night so he could register for his classes right when registration opened. I'm glad he waited because there were only a couple spots left in a bunch of the classes! He has some fun classes this semester, which I'm excited about. He deserves it! He's taking backpacking, which is like an easy A, since he's a pro, and he's also taking Rock Climbing. It's a pre-req for his major! bahaha and then funniest part about it? Our good friend, Banner is the instructor! Devin and Banner have been climbing together for like 10 years! So that's another easy A for him. If he fails about of beginner rock climbing, i'm not sure what I'll do! I just wish I could take it with him. I miss rock climbing together. We've just been so busy!

He's also taking math online (which will suck, but he will probably just do it in the math lab where there are tutors). and he's taking ethics and values, which is required for everyone, so it probably won't be too bad!

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On saturday, we are going to spend the evening with our good friends, Shawn and Emily! Shawn has been around a lot lately, and I'm glad he's spent time with us. It seems like once you get married, your friends stop hanging out with you. Or maybe it's the other way around... either way, Shawn has stuck around, and I'm glad. And we haven't seen Emily in ages and are so excited to finally spend some time with her. She's a cute girl and I want to get to know her better.

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I feel like I have a huge to-do list today. I'm glad Kylee will be with me though to help me tackle it all. We are making a banner similar to the one I made for my wedding (the one that says "ashby" and is now in our dining room) for a family shoot devin's doing this weekend. It will say "Merry Christmas" and if I can convince him, we'll do a little session of ourselves with it too! Is it weird that I really want to do christmas cards? because I REALLY do. 

Also? Next week, I'm going to a bridal shower. I have NO idea what to get the bride! I got so much awesome stuff at mine, but I'm drawing a blank. I know from experience that she'll get a billion muffin tins and too many sets of measuring cups and spoons, so I want to get her something useful that nobody else would get her, you know? The only thing I can think of is to get her a rubber spatula like the one I have. I swear by that thing, and use it for everything I can, but I can't find another one like it! I don't know where it's from! hmph.

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things I am grateful for today:

1. holding my ground with Aria. she wouldn't eat her sandwich, but wanted a treat. I'm glad I didn't cave, because I was close! I sent her to bed, and she wasn't even too whiney. fwew!

2. a sweet text from my mother-in-law!

3. hot chocolate. i'd been out for like a week! my morning drive was much better with a cup of hot chocolate in the cup holder.

4. brandon's home! he'll be vegging at my house with devin while i'm out with kylee. yay! glad to have him back after over a month of traveling back east!

I lied.

Coldstone does NOT have the best mint ice cream.

My good friends Ben and Jerry do.

no seriously. this ice cream is ridiculous.

friends in cool places

I have so many friends that do so many cool things, and they can all be beneficial to YOU!
So what I think should happen is this: you should take advantage of the talents of these amazing people that I so fortunately get to call my friends.


Devin is my husband. And if you didn't know by now, this must be the first post you've ever read on my blog EVER. Because I mention all the time that he is an AMAZING photographer. He has been so busy lately doing a lot of family photos and engagement shoots, but we are putting together some awesome stuff and finding some new locations to make your Christmas photos PERFECTION! Captured By Dash Photography is based out of Utah County (also see CAPTURED BY DASH tab)


visit his website, visit his blog, visit his facebook page.


I met Lee through my sister in law, Chloe. Lee is one of her very best friends. I just ordered some ADORABLE lace-topped boot socks from her! Lee also makes custom hoops and mobiles! Lee is also based out of Utah County (but on etsy, she would ship practically anywhere in the world!).


She just opened her etsy shop and she's also on facebook!


Valeri Jones is a hairstylist extraordinaire. She works out of Platinum Studio in Orem, and I don't think I will ever trust anybody else with my hair! She always has amazing tips and awesome product recommendations. Val is in Orem/Provo.


Baylee is the genius behind my favorite beauty secret: eyelash extensions! She does an incredible job for an incredible price! She is in Saratoga Springs (it's a simple 20 minute drive from Orem!)


Chloe (sister in law) has a twin sister, Maddie, who is ALSO a photographer! Maddie is also based out of Utah County, and her work is so interesting, like nothing I've ever seen!


See her website, blog and facebook page!


My sister in law Amanda is the one-woman-show that is Addison Renee Boutique! Her hair accessories, shoes and bloomers are the cutest I've ever seen. She does amazing work, is SO affordable, and very one-of-a-kind. I am LOVING all of her newest pieces! (also see PRETTIES tab). Amanda is based out of Utah County (you can buy her products at The Quilted Bear and Pebbles in my Pocket), but also sells nation wide on Etsy.


See her etsy shop, blog, and facebook page.


Kelli is my older sister, who lives in Layton Utah, and she offers piano and voice lessons! Kelli graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Choral Education, so you better believe she's the best at what she does! She is an amazing teacher!


Kylee Hillman? Yeah. Her family own Out-N-Back in Orem. It's an awesome shop for everything you need for outdoors. They have a shop to tune skis/snowboards (do you tune a snowboard? i have no idea), and they sell lift tickets! They've seriously got everything you need!


See the website.


Devin's good friend, Matt Wilson is the spawn of the owner of Wilson Diamonds. Devin and I got each other's rings from there and have been 110% satisfied! I've been wearing my ring for 8 months and I still admire how beautiful it is on a daily basis! They do incredible work and have amazing prices. Wilson Diamonds is in Provo.


Visit their website and facebook page.


Devin has made so many of his amazing friends through his mission (Manchester New Hampshire Mission), including Owen! Owen's awesome wife, Sydney? She's a PERSONAL TRAINER at Anytime Fitness. I'm pretty sure she is just in the Bluffdale area, but I could be wrong!


Devin's mom, Vicki? My wonderful mother-in-law? Also a Personal Trainer! She's in Orem, and I think just mostly goes to the Gold's Gym by the mall.


And last but not least, my Dad (general manager) and his brother Dave (owner): Take-A-Break Spa's and Billiards. Coolest hot tubs. They sell them to all kinds of local celebrities, I hear. And also, pool tables, ping pong tables, all sorts of tables (bahaha). The store's in Springville!


See their facebook page, and their website. And? If you want an extra good laugh? Take a look at this commercial for Take-A-Break I was in about 3 or 4 years ago!


**If I didn't give you any links, please let me know if you're interested in anything, and I can give you all the information!

november

can hardly believe October is already over. it seems like that month always goes by too fast.


not minding the chilly weather one bit! it is definitely giving me the chance to use my awesome Patagonia birthday coat from Devin on a daily basis.


life has been too good to my lately. devin was sick for 2 days and stayed home from work, but he still managed to be the best husband of all time. my job has become so much more to me than just "work". 


I find myself missing Carter and Aria on the weekends, and when Devin wakes me up in the morning (because I never hear the alarm clock), and I'm all grumpy and feel like it can't possibly be 7, it must be 4:30, I just remember that I get to spend the day with those two, and I instantly become a morning person.


I love hearing Aria wake up from her nap (which she usually goes down for SO easily, it's a dream!). She will call my name, or I will just hear her playing with her toys. When she was in a crib, I would walk in to find her standing up with the biggest smile on her face, and she would start jumping up and down, so happy to see me, but now that she's in a big girl bed, she's taken to squealing and running to me to hug my legs when I open the door. How could that not make you smile? 


I love it when I leave the living room to go up to the kitchen to clean or grab something, and Aria is only a few steps behind. Following me, just because. And even better, when she holds her arms up and says "want Katie". Melts my heart!


I love hearing about Carter's day at school. He's a genius and I am so impressed with the kind of conversation I have been having with a 5-year-old over chicken nuggets and apple slices. He is so smart, and knows so much about so many things. 


It cracks me up when we all get a little rowdy and I find myself under a pile of ticklish children and pillows.


It's going to be a very depressing day when I have to leave here.


I'm so glad it's November. It means we are that much closer to Christmas! I started making our stockings last night, and I am so excited about it. I think I will have a lady in my parent's ward do some embroidery on them (the kind that you see all over high school on the kids' letterman jackets and cheerleading duffles.. she's actually the one that does all of that for MVHS, my old high school!). The fronts of them are quilted, and I already know this is going to be a challenge, but I also know that I gave myself so much time for a reason. I want them to be really good, because we'll probably have them for awhile!


This last weekend and the beginning of this week haven't been as exciting as I anticipated, but I'm glad for it. It's been nice to relax and have time to get reorganized. 


We spent Halloween at home with Ernie's and an oreo carmel apple from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. We knew we wouldn't have any trick-or-treaters since we live in a basement and our ward had done trunk-or-treat, but just in case, we dug 3 hershey bars out of the cupboard, that ended up being of no use. And we spent the beginning of the night watching Amityville Horror, circa 2005 (the one with Ryan Reynolds). We turned it off after he killed the dog, because it was obvious it would just get gruesome, and naturally, we opted for some Ghost Adventures instead! As much as I love that show, and love making fun of watch a tool Zak is, it's still not a good idea to watch it at night! 


Kayla also came over for a minute and showed us the photos she had just modeled in. My best friend, Valeri did Kayla's hair and make-up and Val's good friend, Clark (who was also her wedding photographer) took the photos. 


Speaking of Valeri, I am ECSTATIC for her pregnancy. She's the first of my friends to have a baby, and you can bet I'm gonna spoil the bejeezus out of that little baby! I love Valeri and Garrison, even all their weirdness that I poke fun at regularly, but in all honesty, they are truly going to be the most amazing parents. I wouldn't have it any other way than for them to start us all off and show us how parenting is done in 2012!


As for some other news, Devin's work has made some changes, and he has made some changes with his schedule, so he can have some time in his days for school (reaching a point where the classes he needs to take aren't offered online or at night), so it will be an interesting adjustment, but I know it will be worth it. I love the company Devin works for. They have been so great to him (to US), and are all wonderful people. 


Tonight is a grocery night. I love grocery night. It's weird, but I do! Devin and I always seem to have a really great time when we go to the grocery store. Mostly just because my husband is HILARIOUS, I think.

happy valley

I've reached a point where I'm afraid to like (or tell people I like), or do (or tell people i do) certain things, because here in the valley, absolutely everything has become a cliche. 


but doesn't that make me really cliche?... 


(sigh)


and i'm pretty sure that can be taken literally. everything from shoes to ice cream is cliche. being an individual is cliche, but so is being a follower/jumping on the bandwagon. it's unavoidable. 


maybe i'll just go buy some sperry's and listen to adele all day. 


i wish there was nothing wrong with that sentence. (no sarcasm, promise)