Making it FOREVER!

On April 19th, at 9:30 in the morning, Kenny and I finally made it forever in the House of the Lord. What a perfect moment that was. There were tears of pure joy and relief to know that we now have a forever family. :] I feel very blessed to have Kenny as my eternal companion. I am also grateful for all the love and support of our family and friends who were there to share that special day with us. Like I said, it was a perfect moment.

Utah Lake {Adventures}

Kenny's parents were in town this last weekend and it was GREAT. One of the things that we love about having them in town is exploring and "playing tourist"- we always seem to wander around with no plans and see where it takes us. It only seemed right to swing by Utah Lake and see what it had to offer us (we had been talking about going since we moved here). We had a blast strolling along the sandy "beach" (that's what the signs called it, but I find no comparison to the beaches I love in San Diego ;] ) and enjoying the beautiful scenery of nature all around us. If there one thing you want to know about me it is that I love nature! Love love love it! Perfect weather, combined with beautiful nature, combined with people that I love, equals one really content Ashley. We had a great day, and it made me even more excited to get out and explore more nature this summer. I foresee a few hikes and picnics in the mountains in these upcoming months.

Julian {Adventure}

With Thanksgiving comes a lovely four-day weekend. I have been looking forward to this specific four-day weekend for quite a while now. You see - Kenny & I put together a "bucket list" of all these things that we want to do before we move to Utah, we call this list our "California Bucket List". On this lovely four-day weekend we had planned to cross off one our our bucket list items - going to Julian!

Julian is a quaint town up in the mountains here in California. I have fun memories growing up of going to Julian with people from church and taking those old fashioned photos - you know those awkward ones where you dress up in ugly clothes and have a serious face? Yeah, those. I also have fun memories of going up to Julian with friends from high school and getting lost in the little used bookstore. And it wouldn't be a trip to Julian without a slice of pie from Mom's Pie House!! Needless to say I was excited to go to Julian with my Mr. Norton & create some new memories.

The drive to Julian is nothing short of beautiful - driving up and down those windy roads surrounded by beautiful nature (my favorite)! It was all making me very excited to go on drives with Kenny up the various canyons of the Utah mountains. Once we got to Julian we walked around looking in all the shops. We even hiked up to the Julian "pioneer cemetery" and looked at those old tombstones. We winded through the rooms of the used bookstore & searched through those old smelly books. Kenny and I also went into an eerie antique store, where there were even more smelly old vintage things! :] I love getting away to Julian because you can escape the city, enjoy some crisp air, eat some pie, and get your walk on!

We ended our trip amongst the pies at Mom's and buying some fresh bread at Dudley's bakery. It was the perfect day trip getaway. We can now cross off "trip to Julian" on our California bucket list. :]

I love adventures with my Mr. Norton!

Music {Adventure} - City & Colour

Have you ever been to a concert where you feel like the music spoke to your soul?! Tonight we (Kenny & the little sis) went and saw City and Colour at the House of Blues in San Diego. A-may-zing! One of the best shows I have ever been to.

Dallas Green has an absolutely superb voice. Its smooth - like buttah! Everything about that concert was chills-down-the-spine & almost-a-tear-in-the-eye kinda good! I admire the creativity that musicians have and their ability to inspire people and to be able to evoke emotions through their music. It is truly a gift, and I am grateful to be able to partake of it tonight. (And I am SO glad little sis was there, it was fun to share this experience with her!)

Here is to a great night & great music! Way to go Dallas Green, you put on one heck of a show! I can now cross off "seeing City & Colour in concert" off of my bucket list. :]

Empire State of Mind

Kenny and I honeymooned in New York City the first week of August. (a spectacular gift from his parents) Going to New York City has always been on my bucket list. Being there was like a dream. It was loud, crowded, exciting, interesting, and heavenly. I love New York & everything about it. I find myself missing strolling the streets, seeing the masses of people & eating all of that wonderful food. Mr. Norton promises me that we will go back, and I can't help but dream about when that will be.

Someday, New York and I will be reunited. & it will be a wonderful, happy, so very happy occasion.