Man & Wife

June 23, that blessed day, couldn't have been any sweeter. Our best Photographer of all time, Suzy O Photography, did an amazing job capturing our big day. Go check her out and if you are looking for someone to photograph your wedding, baby birth, family or business products...she is just the talent I am sure you are looking for. You can also follow her on instagram HERE. We are so grateful! 

We wish all the time that we could go back and relive that day. 

Seeing so many people that have influenced our lives throughout the years, our dearest friends and our sweet families is what made the day so incredible. The details (flowers, band, dancing, food) were all icing on the perfect cake. Hope you enjoy a taste!

-The Reception-

  

 Was that an overload? I'm sorry-kinda, I just can't help it! Suzy O Photography caught some of my favorite moments at our reception. I love the faces, dance moves, and reactions in her photos that will always be a treasure. My personal favorite: when Cameron ripped his pants in the middle of droppin' it low. I don't think it was possible for me to narrow these pictures down anymore. I'm smiling ear to ear while constructing this post.

 The Details:

Shaved Ice: North Shore Shaved Ice

The Pizza: Malawi's Pizza in Provo

The Cake: Steph's Cake Creations

Flowers & Reception Design: Holly Fowler of Culinary Crafts

Band: Joshua Payne Orchestra 

DJ: Bradon Welker

Mother/Planner of the Year: Jacquelin Thayer 

Funding/Best dance of my life: Bryan Thayer

Handsome Groom: the one & only Cameron Ricks 

Even though it was 2 years ago, B I G thanks to my darling family, in-laws, and friends for everything you did to make this, absolutely, the perfect day. We love you forever. xo

Made in the U.S.A

Last night Cameron reminded me about how we will look back on our memories of summer sales and the 4th of Julys spent around the country in our early years of marriage. We talked briefly about what we would reminisce on, and this list was short but sweet.

Simple celebrations because he had to work all day

Enjoying time spent with the people around us, friends, some family and co-workers

Usually small firework shows, this year it consisted of PopIts (and PopIts only)

Searching every store in a 20 mile radius to buy a fire pit to roast mallows, just to be reminded of how crazy we must be to want to ignite a fire pit in TEXAS in JULY! (we were missing Utah)
-We held a sweaty fire pit anyway-

BBQs starting at 10pm when the guys get home

The cops shutting our small, soda only, no fireworks BBQ down because the neighbors felt we were partying "too loud". 

Twinning wife outfits

A game of signs 'til the late night hours

And plenty of quick reminders of the beautiful freedoms we enjoy in this here America.

I am very thankful to live in this amazing country. I know I am blessed to have freedom of religion, speech, assembly, and so many others. Many of my current fellow Texans are passionate about their right to bare arms and my point is we can live with different interests and beliefs happily and together enjoy freedom in a whole. God bless America and yee-haw. 

(I'm currently listening to Brad Paisley in my Fort Worth apartment and feeling extra American.)

 

Okay...Okay....

I'll share the big secret of where we found these awesome pants and I think you would be wise not wait 'til the last minute (like we all did) to get yours for next year- they were a STEAL! 

Ya'll get 'em right HERE 

In the Details

A few days ago, Cam and I were in a bit of an argument. Of course about something silly that I already can't remember. I was being sensitive and lame, and he was being slightly stubborn. 

Why do we do that?

That morning we were talking it out in the car on the way to run an errand. I was drinking my smoothie while he was talking. Out of no where, he had to hit the brakes fast to avoid hitting the car in front of us. When he turned to make sure I was okay, below is the sight he found. Smoothie mustache perfectly on my face, that of which to find on Mario from Nintendo 64. 

We couldn’t stop laughing and instantly recognized it as a tender mercy from our Heavenly Father who was definitely aware of the situation and knew exactly what we needed to make light of the matter and remember how much we love each other and how dumb we were being. It worked of course.

This week my testimony of our Heavenly Father being involved in the details has really surfaced. I know that when we invite Him to be involved, He is all in. I know he loves us on a level we will never comprehend in this life. My faith in that simple principle helps me to rely on him and put more in my Savior's hands. I'm definitely not a pro at turning things over to Him as quickly as I should, but I'm learning it more and more. 

I'm also grateful for his sense of humor. 

-Not my most beautiful moment-

I found this great news article of an interview with President Thomas S. Monson that added to my testimony of God being in the details. Enjoy it HERE. 

April Showers

Before we left for Texas, I was scrambling to celebrate my different friends and their upcoming weddings, babies, etc. That is one of the bitter parts of this sweet job we have. One of the greatest friends I have been blessed with, McKenzie Palmer, is pregnant with a baby girl. SO EXCITING! She is going to be such a hot mom. So naturally we had to celebrate and spoil the little babe before the summer separated us.

Kenz and I met as random roommates halfway through my sophomore year of college. Funny thing about that... Before she moved in, we were pretty content with the current roommates that year at Belmont in Provo. When we caught word that we would be gaining a new roomie, we were not thrilled. We plotted a number of terrible things to sabotage this stranger's experience and make it "her choice" to choose an alternative living space...

Then Kenz walked through the door. You can't help but adore her within 10 seconds of knowing her and all plans were aborted without further discussion. From summer adventures, setting her up with her husband via Skype, Belmont living at its finest along side our boyfriends who turned into fiancés, and bridesmaids at each other's weddings...I'd say McKenzie has turned into one my best friends.

{so excited for you to start your cute family girlfriend, love you dearly}

With the help of Shelby Tracy (her blog is awesome, check it out HERE), we put on a fun shower to pamper baby Palmer. 

We had a baby food testing game, not everyone's favorite, but I thought it was a hoot! Shelby brought the most darling memory matching game filled with baby words and a corresponding candy price for each match. Definitely a crowd fav! 

Once again, the invitation was made on Pixingo. I don't know how I would do these things without it. I create my card/invite online, they print, they address, they send it. Saves me so much time. I'm a big fan! 

- C E L E B R A T E -

BNO - Bride's Night Out

Luckily for me, my freshman year of college blessed me with the greatest friends I could ever dream of. It all started in apartment F316, but it didn't end there.

If you are looking for:

-Laughs

-Honesty

-Support

-Loyalty

-Generosity

-Respect

-Fun

-Forgiveness

-Love

...these girls are it. More about our sisterhood and fun memories on my girl Stefani's blog here.

Out of the 6 of us, 3 are married and that is soon to be 4! We were able to celebrate the soon to be Mrs. Taelor Mangleson up at Deer Valley Club in Park City a few weeks ago before I headed off to Texas. Here are some pictures of the night!

We enjoyed delicious treats provided by Whitney & Lyndsi. Whitney makes the best white chocolate M&M popcorn ever and its a must have at every GNO (or BNO). I don't have her secret recipe but I found a similar one HERE. 

Lyndsi brought the best Italian Soda and Dirty Diet Coke equipment that we sipped on all night long. Don't know if I could have made it to 4am without it.

These girls sure know how to party. Love them with my whole heart. 

Someone wise once said, "Best friends don't let you do stupid things...alone."

#soblessed