I've joined the cutemarriedpeopleblog club!!

So this is where I write about recipes, trips, crafts, projects and how much I love my husband right? If so then I am totally IN. Blogging seems to be huge right now, and I'm no Pioneer Woman, but I'm ready to start my own! I have been thinking for some time now "oh after I get married and life settles down I will start a blog.." well here goes! To give an update on the last few months, Zak got home from his mission for our church in April where we started dating immediately. (He kissed me 20 minutes after he was released and my world changed forever!). Let's just say writing letters wasn't the easiest-but blogging is a whole different story right?? Ha. The true test will be to see when my next post will be. He got down on one knee on June 10, 2012 and asked me to marry him, and of course I said YES. 

Then began the crazy start of wedding planning, which I decided is NOT my favorite thing to do. I think Zak would agree that he likes me much more now than when I was busy planning. ;) With a quick engagement and an out-of-state mother, planning was difficult but we made it and everything turned out perfect! (minus the fire drill at our wedding reception but I guess that's a story for another time). September 14, 2012 we were married in the Portland, Oregon Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had our reception that evening at a beautiful shabby-chic (new favorite style) barn in the Salem Area. For an Oregon September, the weather was PERFECT, and the colors of the temple gardens were perfectly coordinated with our wedding colors (Eggplant purple and Burnt orange) and I would like to say that we called the temple to coordinate... just kidding, but seriously we lucked out! We were so blessed to have a ton of friends and family with us that day at the temple. 

 

 

Thanks to my friend Hillary who scavenges Groupon frequently, we totally scored on an awesome deal for our honeymoon. We stayed for 3 nights on Orcas Island (one of the San Juan Islands north of Seattle) in a beautiful cottage on Deer Harbor Marina. We went on a whale watching tour-where we saw Orca Whales, had some amazing local food (seafood for me and beef for Zak), gazed upon the beautiful stars, shopped at local shops, and spent time exploring the beautiful island! We loved our trip and can't wait to return.

Since being home, we got Zak all moved in to our adorable two-bedroom apartment in Salem, opened and put away mounds of gifts, and organized our new place together. We had a ton of fun sorting through our new things and using new appliances. :) We even brought in Zak's cat Sheila. She loves being on carpet versus the hard wood floor she is used to and still loves running up and down the hallway. It's been fun to bring our furry friend home (good thing we scored an awesome new vacuum for our wedding that can handle pet hair!). We had our first experience entertaining guests today, Zak's family came over to watch General Conference and to have some taco soup with us :). It is SO nice to have new dishes (a matching set) as well as a full set of silverware...no more mismatched flatware! 

More than all the excitement of moving in, opening gifts, going on a dream vacation, and playing dinner hostess, I am overjoyed to be able to spend time and all eternity with the love of my life. I feel like I have already learned so much about Zak and love spending time with him daily. We have already grown closer together as a couple and have instilled lasting habits and traditions together. He makes me laugh constantly and is always in a good mood. I love and appreciate him so much and can't wait to see what lies ahead. Love you babe!