We got married...

The proposal: June 20, 2011

WARNING: THIS IS PROBABLY NOT WHAT YOU'RE EXPECTING...

I knew the ring was ready as I was with Nick when he received the phone call. So, when Nick picked me up at 8:30 PM and took me up the mountain , brought dessert and a blanket while we watched the sunset (something he’s never done), I knew this was it. Plus, I could tell he was nervous. After sitting there for what seemed like an eternity, he told me the ring shop was closed today and that he wanted to do something nice for me because he felt bad because he knew how heartbroken I was that he had not yet proposed. I believed him for about 2 seconds and then realized that was not the case. But I played along and got a little sad, since I know that was probably the best he could come up with. We packed up the stuff and headed toward the car. He then told me to set everything down, held me tight as he told me he loved me more than anything in the whole world and that he wanted to be with me forever. He then got down on one knee and proposed. I said yes. By this point, I was exhausted and not looking cute because I was in my comfy cozy clothes. Plus, I found out neither of my parents knew he was proposing – so I had no idea how to go home and tell them that we were engaged and would be married 6 weeks later. My dad was good with it (even though it’s too bad Nick didn’t get the memo that you should probably ask or at least hint to the father of your interest in marrying his daughter – but who am I to be all traditional?). My mom’s reaction was interesting. I’ll leave it at that. If you know my mom, you know exactly what I mean. I went to bed not knowing exactly what to think and didn’t call a single soul to tell them. I waited until the next morning. Needless to say, my excitement levels were not usually where they ‘should’ be after a proposal. I love Nick very much and there are many things about him that cause me to know without a doubt that I want to marry him, but he has no romantic side to him whatsoever. So, was I kind of disappointed in the proposal after I TOLD him some great ideas and that he had lots of time to plan it while I was in Florida for a week? Yes. But, did I expect something more? No – although I hoped. A girl can dream can’t she? At least I know without a doubt that Nick will love me forever and do the best he can to take care of me and our family. And that’s the most important thing. However, I still pray for the day when Nick’s little surprises are more than a loud burp or something… Haha.

Now I understand that some of you have even better (and by better, I mean worse) proposal stories than me, but it's all the same idea - it wasn't quite what we had hoped. But we love them anyway, right? :)

Before:

I only have before pictures, because we found a place to live! It was one of my biggest stresses and we feel very blessed to have found something so great. Our landlord is 92 and moves better than my 70 year old grandma. Haha. I am nervous, but excited! Stay tuned for the after pictures!

The living room:

The kitchen:

The bedroom:

The bathroom:

Here goes nothing...

Date night

Even with a 6 week engagement, we found time to have a date night. Something very fun and VERY needed. The best part - Nick planned the WHOLE thing! He was so excited about his authentic picnic basket. I'm not sure what bands we were listening to, but we were up at snowbird and had lots of fun spending some quality (as opposed to 'let's get wedding things done') time together.

Yep, we're in love

Man, she made us look good!

Check out her website: www.bigacci.blogspot.com

July 29, 2011

Yep, we're doing it!

T-minus 26 days.

Check!

Another item to check off my list!

Ragnar 2011!!!

So much fun - but not too much fun to do it again. Haha

Imagine driving in a van for 33 hours, running ~16 miles in the heat of day and dark of night, not sleeping, and eating peanut butter sandwiches, crackers, etc, and drinking gatorade.

You must be asking why on earth I wanted to do this?

BECAUSE RUNNERS ARE INSANE!!!

I had a lot of fun and actually beat my predicted time in 2 out of the 3 runs.

But then I got quite sick for my third run (yes the 4 mile, 1800 foot elevation gain one)...

And if this picture is any indication, I was NOT enjoying it. Running, not sleeping, and eating in a van does wonders for your digestive system - and I'll leave it at that.

Florida

I am having a heck of a time getting pictures to upload onto this blog! (So Becky, I'm using some of yours - for some reason the ones from your blog work much better! Hope you don't mind...)

Anyway, June 2 began my adventure to Pensacola, Florida! I'm happy to announce that my fear of flying has nearly been cured as I road ALL the way across the country BY MYSELF!!! And I lived!! Haha

Our adventures included:

The Pensacola lighthouse. Yes, I climbed the 177 steps to get to the top!

Beaches, beaches, and more beaches.

WARM water and white sand!

The pier with yachts worth more than my life earnings.

Alligator Alley.

Alligators GALORE!

Sunset dolphin cruises. Yep, we saw dolphins!

Destin. Fun tourist town.

Beach cruiser rides and watching the blue angels practice! Probably one of the coolest things down there!

Florida, you were fun... but next time, could you make it a little cooler and less humid there?

Becky, you're the best!!!

Savers - you have earned your name!

Check out my finds at Savers!!! The pictures don't do them justice, but I swear I'm never buying clothes at full price again - these are practically brand new!!!

Blue skirt from Charlotte Rouse: $6.99

Pink skirt from H&M!! (P.S. H&M is coming here!): $7.99

White skirt (because my other one had a giant hole in it): $ 5.99 (I had to sew it to fit me a little better, but it's as good as new now!)

GRAND TOTAL FOR 3 SKIRTS: $20.97

I know you're jealous...

St. George Round II

Yep, we went back. The unbelievably wet and cold weather in Salt Lake is driving us nuts, so why not head down south where the weather is BEAUTIFUL!? This time we were lucky enough to spend the weekend with the Linthorst clan.

Despite my best efforts to get some pictures, I ended up with only a couple - as always.

The boys (minus Isaac):

The girls (minus Mia):

We had TONS of fun and a big thanks to the Linthorsts for EVERYTHING!!!

P.S. Actual text from Nick the day after we got home, "I miss Baby Mia and the sun, in that order."

(See my previous post? That's baby Mia)

I didn't even make it on the list - granted I'm not nearly as cute as that smiley girl!

Love these kidlets

You are an Ironman!!!

As the athletes crossed the finish line, the announcer shouted, "[NAME] YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!!" Although I've never wanted to do an Ironman, I so badly want someone to yell, "Elizabeth Swensen, you are an IRONMAN!" Nick was kind and shouted it for me, but for some reason it just didn't feel real. Haha

We spend the weekend in St. George's 92 degree, not a cloud in the sky weather to cheer on the crazy, insane, but awesome Ironman runners.

We rode bikes from my Uncle's house into town:

Checked out the finish line (at 4:30 hours, no one had arrived yet...)

Watched bikers come in and transition to running. Then cheered on the first Ironman at 8 hours 31 minutes. The crowd was wild! He didn't even look phased after swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles (on the hardest hill course in the world), and running 26.2 miles.

We then went to dinner and came back to cheer on some of the 'normal' racers (ie: not freakish-like guys who finish in under 9 hours!), into the night. The cutoff time was midnight. They started at 7 in the morning and 12 hours later were still going at it! 12+ hours of high intensity exercise - painful!

We spent the weekend soaking in the sun, biking lots, swimming, and wishing we were cool enough (or crazy enough) to be Ironmen!!! For now, I'll just stick with the Ragnar being my Ironman race...