Even The Sun sets in Paradise

Catching up is what I need to do. I've been kinda lagging in posting new things lately. Mostly it's because life has just been really busy. So here goes nothing.

On May 3, 2012 at 7pm Central time, one of the greatest women I've ever had the privilege of knowing, my grandmother, Joanne Allen, Passed away at the age of 81 (almost 82). She was a beautiful lady who over the years survived so much. She grew up poor on a little farm  in the Dakotas' and had a twin sister. She met my grandfather on a blind date, and had 6 children. 4 boys and then 2 girls. My mom was the first girl. The whole family picked up and moved to the Panama Canal Zone where my grandfather was a tug boat captain, and my grandma was a secretary at the school. My grandmother loved to fish, popcorn was her favorite snack, and her dogs were her little babies. She loved putting bows in their hair and dressing them up. When she turned 50 she started having heart problems and ended up receiving a heart transplant 18 years ago, she named the heart El Vira. My grandma was a tough lady and her and my granddad were married 62 years.

I was able to fly to Alabama the following Sat. so I could attend the wake and funeral of this beautiful lady. It was great to be surrounded by family and friends. It was a beautiful service that did her justice.

I stayed in Bama for the entire week and flew back Sunday (yesterday). I was really glad I was able to be there and spend time with my family. I took lots of pictures and these are just a few from my trip there this last week.

Granddad and I at the BBQ after the funeral

My dad and I at Wintzel's Oyster House after the wake

Me and Momma

Kids and mom…just missing my little brother Aaron

Yeah! I caught my 4 yr old nephew with his pants down outside at the BBQ bahahahhaha…..priceless (Black mail)

Fairhope Pier! Dad and I went for a Walk!

My dad

Uncle Stuart and I at Lulu's (Jimmy Buffet's sister's restaurant) 

The clan

Bahaha

Me and Mom

I love these ladies (aunts and mom)

I hope I look as good as my mom when I'm 53!!!!

She's crazy..my mom thought the water was too cold so she would only put her toes in! It's the Gulf of Mexico people!!!! It felt AMAZING…She is a sissy!

The girls

Ugh…did I mention how much I miss this!

Jumping for Joy

HAHAHA she tries.

Sisters

AWWWW

My uncles doing there Baywatch run

The 5 surviving Allen Children

I also got to go watch my old High School Softball team play in the Regional softball tournament, which my best friend Brittany is the assistant coach for.

A little reunion with a few of the old softball girls..Brittany, Marissa, and Tiffany

This is me at the end of the trip….Sunburned/tan, exhausted, and missing my husband.

A few of the other things I got to do while I was home is just spending lots of time with friends and family, shopping, eating out at a lot of my favorite places before having to go home, going to bootcamp with my mom at 5am (worth it), running in some of my favorite places, movies, and just enjoying good ole southern hospitality. Can't wait to go back!

Love Note

I am a very blessed girl. I don't always see things so clearly, but one thing I know is that I married the most amazing, loving, and wonderful man for me. I was blessed to marry my best friend, and I know no matter what I'll always have him by my side, which is the most comforting thing in the world. We have forever written all over us, and I especially love that he loves me back even harder than I love him some days. Last night I came home from a long 12 hour day of work, and sitting on the kitchen table was a beautiful vase of pink roses, a sweet love note, and a couple movies Eric rented for me cause he thought I would like them. He's a keeper let me tell ya. When he came home from a late day at work too, he went straight to the kitchen and made a late night snack for the two of us. Can you see now why I'm so blessed? Who does that!?! He is pretty special!!!! I am more and more grateful everyday that we found each other somewhere on this crazy road of life we've both been living! He is my prince charming, my white knight and shinning armor daily, and my very favorite person!!!!

What woman does not appreciate a romantic love note every once in a while? :) A line from the love note he left me read.."Here is to the most amazing past year of my life." I can't imagine my life without Eric. Most days it feels like we've always known each other. Some days we just can't stop laughing, he makes me so happy. Life has never been the same since the day he walked into our Com 150 class 6 yrs ago.

I know this is a very mushy post, but since I use this blog kinda like a journal...(exception...I don't put super personal thoughts, and happenings on here..bahaha) I hope you will all forgive me! I truly hope everybody gets to experience the kind of love I have with Eric at least once in their lifetime.

The Miles Wedding

Thursday Eric and I were blessed to attend the sealing/wedding of my friend Ariel in the Salt Lake Temple. Ariel and her family lived in my homeward in Alabama for a few years, and her mom Debby was my YW President. After I graduated High School and moved to Rexburg for school their family picked up and moved to Colorado. :( I have missed their family a lot when I go home and visit my old ward I grew up in, so I was so EXCITED when they invited us to be their for the wedding. It was so great reconnecting with the whole family.

Unfortunately it turned out to be quite a rainy day for them. You can't tell in these pictures but it was coming down pretty hard. Needless to say, we all got somewhat wet... even with our umbrellas!

!!Jared and Ariel!! I thought her bouquet was super cute! They used felt and buttons! Oh and Ariel's shoes were  Toms (purple sparkly ones)

After we were soaked we decided what the heck and walked across the street to the new city creek mall. We had to buy some time before the reception started and it was fun to look at all the new stores. We went to a store called Lush where they make homemade beauty products and Eric and I bought some really cool fizzy soap there! We went and ate lunch at the Food Court and when we walked back outside the sun was shinning and there wasn't a cloud in the sky....go figure. 

Spring time in temple square is quite a sight!!! All the beautiful flowers, smells, and green trees...you kinda forget you're right in the middle of downtown SLC.

It was so fun to be there to celebrate with Ariel and her family!

This is Sis. McCown....one of the most AMAZING women I have ever met! I LOVE this lady so much, and I'm so grateful for great examples of women in my life like her. She played a huge role in my life in helping shape me to who I have become! LOVE HER! :)

!My Babies!

I love my family sooooooooooooooooo much!!!!! and I have the two cutest nephews!!!!! They are best friends and love playing with each other. My mom bought the boys matching outfits for Easter and then my sister and SIL took them to get a picture taken of them. Thought they looked too cute not to share!!!

Gabe is my sister's little boy and he is 3 1/2 and Thomas is my brother's son and he is 4 1/2.

Easter '12

!!WARNING, WARNING, WARNING!! (Beep..Beep..Beep)

It was a holiday so lots of pictures!

Easter was really great this year! Not only was it Easter, but our nephew Rhett was blessed.  We headed up to Wyoming for a quick trip Saturday night. Before we left I gave Eric his Easter basket because I didn't want to lug it up there.

He was pretty excited about his basket!

Sunday, turned out to be a beautiful day! After we woke up, I discovered the Easter bunny left me a basket too, although I was spoiled far more than Eric was this year. He left me a...... yeah..and he left me Just Dance 3 for our Wii, War Horse (a movie), lots of yummy candy, and a really pretty flower! Like I said very spoiled! Then we all went to church and were there witness the blessing of cute little Rhett!

Then we came home and took family Easter pictures!!! I wish we could have gotten everyone all together but no such luck!

Eli (Eric's brother), Cami, Caellie,Maddie, and Kamdyn

Susan (Eric's mom) and his brothers Eli and Kory

Our 4 nieces Brookyln, Caeliie, Maddie, and Kamdyn

Caellie, Maddie, Kamdyn

Kyli (Eric's sister), with Dan, Brooklyn and Rhett

Me and Eric...they all thought I looked like I was going to the Kentucky Derby...hahaha so I know my Sister-in-law Rebecca who's from Louisville, Kentucky will appreciate my hat! I had to bring a little southern belle to my western spent Easter.

Before Church, Eric and I hid some Easter eggs to add to all the eggs that were hid the day before so the nieces could have an easter egg hunt. All in all there were 168 easter eggs hidden around the yard. They loved it and we all had a blast!

Kyli helping Brooklyn find an egg

Maddie and Brooky!

Love this cutie

Eric helping Caellie

Little miss Sassy Kamdyn

Caellie found lots of eggs!

Kamdyn

Maddie counting her eggs

We had an awesome time this weekend with the family, and had a delicious BBQ to end the trip! Sadly Eric and I had to head home afterwards Sunday for work on Monday...

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Also, Eric and I hit our 10 month mark of being married and had a date night to celebrate on Good Friday! We went to the California Pizza Kitchen and then I took him to see the Hunger Games afterwards (he was lame and still hadn't seen it). He loved it!!!!!!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter Weekend!