YELLOWSTONE RANCH

Gordy's family has a ranch.  Yes, it's perfect. 

Yes, we are both obsessed with it. 

I first heard about this ranch on our blind date.  Once we started getting more serious and it wasn't winter anymore, Gordy took me up there.  Holy cow...I was in heaven! I remember smiling from ear to ear while I watched my cowboy show me the ropes and walk me around the ranch.  We went up there a lot with his family that summer, and the ranch started to become very special to me and not just Gordy.  In fact, that's where we first said "I love you."  It's also where Gordy proposed on top of Eagle Rock one night.  The ranch is one of our most favorite places.  It's one of the things we have missed most while living here in Bama.  So naturally, we were jazzed out of our minds when we got to go home in August and go to the ranch.  Here are a few pics...and if you check back soon there might be more from our pack trip! ;) 

^^MY COWBOY^^

^^ Utah, you take my breath away! ^^

^^ the most beautiful sight to see ^^

^^ badger hunting! ^^

^^ I got distracted while badger hunting...^^

^^THAT LIGHT OH MY GOODNESS^^

^^ Our love tree may have died, BUT OUR LOVE NEVER WILL!!! 

Thanks Alison, for the cutest bridal gift ever! I'm still praying it will grow again.^^

MY "LITTLE" BROTHERS

I grew up closest in age with my two younger brothers.  York is 20 months younger than me and Russell is 18 months younger than him.  I'm not really sure how my mom handled the three of us...we could be so rowdy at times! But I do know that it was a lot of fun! I always had friends to play with and people to pull pranks on.  To this day we laugh and laugh over the creative ways we would wake up our older siblings, the time that the boys rolled me up in a rug and belted it so I couldn't escape, the airsoft gun wars where they would fight over who DIDN'T get me on their team, me insisting that we have "Matchy Tuesday" while the three of us were in high school for a year together, and teaching them how to drive stick shift while almost dying multiple times.  I have been so blessed with such awesome siblings...and I mean all of them! (not just my little bros).

This week I've been especially missing these two "little" brothers of mine.  (They passed me up in height and strength a looong time ago).  They are both serving two-year missions for our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  (To learn more about our church visit here.)They are doing amazing things and seeing miracles every day.  Even though I miss them, there is no where else I would rather them be.  Serving the Lord for two years will be one of the biggest blessings in their lives...and I think that is already manifesting itself! It has been incredible to learn from them, be inspired by them, and to see their growth.  They are becoming such amazing men and making me even prouder to be their big sis.  I love them lots!  

^^ Reads: "Smile God loves you. God is love." ^^

Aren't they so cute?! I love seeing those name tags on them and those big smiles on their faces.  As we get into fall (although it's still 85 degrees here...love it!) I am always drawn towards Thanksgiving and re-focusing on gratitude.  Today, I'm so so thankful for an amazing family.  My siblings are the bomb.com! And my parents are truly people to emulate.  Gordy and I have been so appreciative of and buoyed up by the love we feel from our families even when we are a few thousand miles away. Love you guys!

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

Has it already been a month since I last posted?! Holy cow...life is flying by! Life has been extra busy lately with me taking 17 credits this semester and G applying and interviewing for residencies that we were so excited to escape for a few days to Atlanta last weekend and celebrate the big 2-8 for G$!!! We had a blast! I think Gordy enjoyed everything about his birthday except for when I stopped and said, "Wow! I wonder what I'll be doing in 5.5 years when I'm 28!" hahaha. Sorry babe...sometimes I talk before I think.  But like I kept telling him this past weekend...he is aged to perfection! ;)  Here are some pics from the weekend! (And sorry our iphones were the only cameras we took).

We got a steal of a deal at the CNN Omni hotel right in the heart of downtown Atlanta.  Our view was incredible! I love the feel of big cities.

Saturday (G's actual birthday!) we slept in which was amazing! We spent most of our day at the Georgia Aquarium and I CAN'T STOP TALKING ABOUT HOW COOL IT WAS!!! You may seriously think I am 5, but I am obsessed with aquariums.  It is one of the biggest in the world and did not disappoint.  It is a MUST SEE if you are ever in Atlanta!

^^Okay, the penguin exhibit was amazing! You could crawl through these tunnels and see them swimming around you and then you could pop-up in these cases that were right in the middle of their habitat (shown below). I love penguins!^^

^^They had this cool exhibit that was like body worlds but for ocean creatures!^^

^^Whale sharks. Duh-nuh. Duh-nuh.^^

^^Look at the tiny human compared to the manta ray! 

This is the biggest tank in the world.^^

^^The piranhas devouring their fish.^^ 

^^Did I mention I love penguins?^^

After walking around the city for a little bit, we got ready for the much anticipated and long awaited GARTH BROOKS WORLD TOUR CONCERT!!!!!!! If you know Gordy then you know that he is obsessed with Garth.  I didn't really ever listen to Garth before I met G, but now I know most of his songs don't you worry. ;) Since Garth hasn't toured for years (he's been in Vegas for a while) we knew we would have to see him if he came close to Birmingham.  The concert was phenomenal. Seriously!! It's no question to me why Garth has been Entertainer of the Decade for a few decades now...he is like this almost 60-year-old man who rocks out so hard on stage! We were screaming along to every song and I could not help but just watch G's face light up as he lived one of his dreams.  I love my husband more than I can articulate.  He is my favorite earthling (he prefers that to human) and I cannot imagine a single day without him by my side.

^^He was so embarrassed when I asked the cookie man if he could take a picture with the birthday boy. hahaha I think I'm funny sometimes.^^

^^WHY, HELLO HANDSOME!!!!^^

^^I seriously love this cowboy of mine!^^

^^Left: Garth, Right: My man G$.

My mom made him this shirt for his birthday gift.  He's been asking her to make it for years! Isn't she incredible?!! I hope to be half the seamstress she is someday!^^

^^We scored awesome seats!^^

^^Gordy took some secret pictures...^^

^^Our girl Trisha (also Garth's wife).^^

^^I was just glad his finale song was "Friends in Low Places,"

 I mean what could be better to end with?^^

On Sunday evening we invited a few friends over for some cake and ice cream.  This is the best cake I think I've ever had!

Happy, happy birthday Gordy! I love love love you! You make me the happiest girl in the world.  I hope this year is incredible for you! 

XO, your darling