Valentine's Day

I love my honey bunch! He is so good to me! We celebrated Valentine's Day this year on Saturday because Bryson has a class on Monday until late and doesn't get home until 8:30 or later. Bryson surprised me with a beautiful bunch of tulips. Bryson has given me tulips on Valentine's Day often over the years - it's almost a sentimental thing to get tulips! He gave me tulips on our first Valentine's Day when we were 16 and 17, he even sent me tulips on Valentine's Day while he was on his mission. Sweet hubby of mine. :) He also got me a hilarious card that he ordered from Etsy (cute!). He even drove all over to find me the best camera bag for my new CAMERA (which I finally ordered!). We spent the evening at California Pizza Kitchen, which ended up being the BEST deal. We decided to splurge and order "froo froo" drinks, an appetizer, salads AND pizzas. We knew it was going to end up costing an arm and a leg, but we thought, "We only do this once a year, let's go for it." Towards the middle of our meal, our waitress comes over and says, "I'm so sorry your pizzas are taking so long. We're just going to give you the pizzas on the house." SO, we ended up paying HALF of what we should have paid because of a slight delay. Needless to say, we were SO excited and LOVED that we walked away with full bellies and a GREAT deal! :)

I love Bryson MUCHO! 7 years ago, we celebrated our first Valentine's Day together and each year, I have loved my B more and more and more! Thanks for being the best husband for me, hubby! Happy Valentine's Day!

New Hair (again)! :)

I guess I like to change my hair. I do it a lot, I know. This time, I am hoping it will be for good...that I will stay brunette forever! After all, brunettes have WAY more fun!

I'm so excited!

So, for my birthday and Christmas I asked for only money. This might sound boring...but I told everyone that I was saving up for a new camera and it would all add up! And tah dah! It added up perfectly! Now I am shopping around, trying to find the best camera and lenses for me.

Thankful

Today I've been thinking of the people that I am thankful for. I just feel so lucky...to have people who love me, people who believe in me, people who care about me, people who inspire me. I am lucky.

So, to all of you who have made a difference in my life...thank you. I would not be where I am or who I am without you. Je t'aime!

25 Things To Do Before 25

I have been waiting to turn 24 so that I can make a list of the 25 things I want to do before I turn 25. So...here it is. :)

25 Things To Do Before I Turn 25

1. Buy a nice camera

2. Go to California

3. Send a package to Brad in St. Louis

4. Learn a new song on the piano

5. Switch banks

6. Organize our “important document” files

7. Go to 2 new temples

8. Become a "runner"

9. Ride a tandem bike

10.Read the Book of Mormon

11. Go on a spontaneous trip for the weekend

12. Read one book a month

13. Go to the temple twice a month

14. Go camping

15. Go 24 hours media free

16. Learn to do my taxes

17. Contribute to a Roth IRA

18. Donate plasma or give blood

19. Make a pie from scratch

20. Run a 5K

21. Follow a sports team

22. Move to a house/apartment where we can paint the walls

23. Do one random act of kindness every day

24. Try a new type of food

25. TOP SECRET

What Shall I Give Him?

When I was a little girl, my mom liked to have us (my sister and I) memorize little poems. For Christmas one year, we memorized this cute little poem that has always stuck with me.

What shall I give Him, as small as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I'd give Him a lamb.

If I were a wiseman, I'd do my part.
What shall I give Him?

I'll give him my heart.

Dear Santa...

For Christmas, please bring me the following...

1. Scene It? Box Office Smash for the Xbox 360 (with the cute little big button controllers, pretty please) :)

2. A Nikon d90...or, heck I'd even take the Nikon d5000 (feel free to throw in a nice lens on there, too and I'll leave you extra cookies and whole milk!) :)

3. Snow on Christmas, lots of time with family, warm cups of cocoa and a couple weeks of noooo school! :) :)

Merry Christmas, Ho ho ho!!

Sincerely,

Ashley :) :) :)

In My Wildest Dreams...

<...In my wildest dreams...>

I would be a photographer.

I would have 6 kids.

I would live near the beach

I would live near the mountains.

I would have the best of both worlds.

I would be a world traveler.

I would know how to water ski.

I would be a great cook.

I would have a beautiful, clean, organized home.

I would have a black baby-grand piano.

I would be a good singer.

I would live near my sister and brother

I would live near my sister- and brother-in-laws, too.

I would be athletic.

I would have a golden retriever.

I would have it all...

...in my wildest dreams.

Luckily...my wildest can be, if I make them into dreams come true.

i. love. my. life :)

Melt In Your Mouth White Chocolate Popcorn

While wandering Smiths, Kaitlyn and I noticed the asiles adorned with everything Christmas. Trees, lights, peppermint, evergreen and red and green. "It's not Christmas yet!" I huffed, "They completely skipped Thanksgiving!" "Ashley, you just have to embrace it. It's Christmas SOON enough," Kaitlyn answered resolutely.

SO, in the spirit of embracing "Christmas SOON enough," here is our VERY easy recipe for Melt In Your Mouth White Chocolate Popcorn. Enjoy!

You will need:

1 1/2 bags of unsalted, unbuttered microwave popcorn

Mini M&Ms (red and green if you are truly in the spirit of Christmas)

1 pound white chocolate (or vanilla candy coating)

What you will do:

1. Pop the popcorn. Remove all unpopped kernels and throw them away.

2. Place HALF of the popped popcorn in a large bowl. Set the other half aside.

3. Melt the white chocolate or vanilla candy coating in the microwave.

4. Pour half of the melted white chocolate over the first half of the popped popcorn. Stir until evenly coated.

5. Add the remaining popped popcorn to the bowl. Add the rest of the melted white chocolate and stir until evenly coated.

6. Spread popcorn onto wax paper or aluminum foil to dry. Sprinkle with mini M&Ms while still warm and while white chocolate is still melty.

7. Once white chocolate is dry, ENJOY! :)

Tis the season...or SOON enough, right. :)

With Love,

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Which is the best...

None of these are the real picture because none of these are my real hair. Some of them look real, it's crazy. Some of them look creepy (according to Kaitlyn). :) Check out the Hollywood Hair Virtual Makeover from InStyle. Haha, time for a makeover?? You can "Try on" celebrity's hair styles.

Lauren Conrad

Jennifer Anniston

Mila Kunis

Reese Witherspoon

Vanessa Millano

Maria Menounos

Julia Roberts haha

Fergie

Ashley Olsen

Jennifer Love Hewitt

Claire Danes

Haha, oh I should be doing so many things right now...but what did I do instead? yeeeahhh

With Love,

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