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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Engagements!

One of our friends, Chad, owns his own studio Faces Photography. He's going to be doing all of our pictures for our wedding and everything. A couple weeks ago, we went out and had our engagements done. I think they turned out AWESOME! He knew exactly what we wanted. These pictures haven't been edited yet, but I wanted to put them out there anyway. We have tons more that turned out great and our invitations will be sent out soon. I can't believe that We have just under 2 months left now.








We were so lucky that we were able to get into Rio Tinto to take some pictures! We only had 20 min there, but it was well worth it. The grass was covered with a tarp so Chad is going to photoshop them to put in grass, but who else can say they had their engagements at Rio Tinto! Too bad the team was off on a game.






Most of the big stuff is now done besides getting our invitations out. We're still looking for a house, but haven't had much luck. We're going out next Thursday and hoping to find something. If we don't find anything we found a really nice townhouse we might just get. We'll see though. We're both hoping the next 2 months go by fast! :0)

Sunday, March 7, 2010

75 days...

Only 75 more days left, but who's counting? I know I'm horrible at blogging, but we have been so busy. Philip and I got approved for a house loan, so with all the wedding planning we have also been searching for a place to call our home. We found a place that we're going to go look at again on Tuesday and decide if we want to put an offer in on it. It is such a huge step to make and it's been putting a lot of pressure on us, but we both know it's what we want. It wouldn't be that much more than going out and getting an apartment and it really is the wiser choice if we find something that fits us. I'm hoping everything works out for us.

Everything else with the wedding is coming along. We have most of the big stuff done. We just need to get our engagement pictures and get our invitations out. We'll have those done by the end of the month. I seriously can't wait for the wedding to be here. I'm so excited and anxious for it. We're still hoping that it will be a sunny day! Hopefully in my next post I'll have some exciting news about a house and some pictures of what's been going on.

Oh!! My wedding dress finally came in! It actually came in 2 months early! I'm going to try it on next Friday and I can't wait! It is absolutely gorgeous!

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Our Life...


is consumed by wedding, work, basketball (for Philip), and school (for me). I can't remember the last day we had off just to do nothing and have fun. Friday and Saturday nights are spent with me doing homework all night and trying to make Philip help. I'm over wedding planning, working, and school. I just want a day to do nothing, I want an A.j. & Philip Only Day! Can anyone make this happen? I don't know if I can go 3 more months like this....


On the bright side, I'd say 80% of wedding planning is done. It's all just a lot of small stuff left... Engagements, invitations, favors, tuxes, bridesmaid dresses, tanning, jewelry, shoes...


All I can say is May 7 (last week of school) please come fast, and May 21 come even faster... I want to be on our honeymoon relaxing together....


110 days till we're Mr. and Mrs. Gray... :)





Saturday, January 23, 2010

And the winners are...

So, a few weeks ago I entered Philip and myself into a little competition with Standard Examiner. I had to write 0ur proposal story in 500 words or less. Here is our story that I submitted... (exactly 500 words!)

On Wednesday, July 22, 2009, I arrived home after working an 11 hour day and was completely exhausted. I decided to take a quick nap before my boyfriend, Philip, came over to hang out. Philip arrived at my house with me still asleep and told me to wake up so we could go get some food “he was starving.” I hurried and got up, threw on a pair of jeans and called it good (no make up or anything). After all we were just running to grab a bite to eat. We then got in the car and instead of making a right turn to go to what I thought our destination, he turned left. I asked him where he was going and he informed me that we were just going to go on an impromptu drive to my property. I just went along with it after all it was summer and we hadn’t been able to make it up there yet. As we pulled up to the turnoff of my property he decided to honk his horn and I got all upset with him “you’re going to annoy all the other people up here.” He then humbly apologized and said I was right.
Then as we took the turn into my property, I noticed that one of our trailer doors had been left wide open! I started to freak out a little like someone had broken into it; he kind of just looked at me and laughed a little. As we pulled up and got closer I notice there is a projector and screen set up on the side of one of the trailers. I looked over and Philip had the biggest smile ever on his face. We got out of the car and my sister (who popped out of nowhere) started taking pictures. Philip took my hand and walked me over to the projector and told me to watch a video. He had made a video of pictures of us from the last 4 years with Brad Paisley’s song “Then” playing in the background. It was adorable! As soon as the video was over, Philip got down on one knee! He was proposing! I couldn’t believe it. He told me that 4 years ago on July 22, 2005 was the first day that he had told me he loved me and how he kept falling more and more in love with me everyday. He said he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me and asked, “Will you marry me?” I instantly replied, “Yes, of course!” I then wrapped my arms around him and we shared one of our most memorable kisses ever.
My sister had prepared a steak and lobster dinner for us and after sharing her congratulations she left us to an amazing candlelit dinner. We spent the rest of the night watching the sunset and talking about us and our future. I will never forget that day and how special he made it.


Well a couple of weeks ago, I heard news that WE WERE ONE OF THE 4 COUPLES WHO WERE SELECTED!!!! YAY!! Philip and I then began practicing asking each other as many silly and dumb questions you could think of. We made a trip down to New Mexico which is where the majority of our practicing came in. I looked up questions online and almost the whole drive there we practiced. It was a lot of fun. (Except when he said he would be Tiger Woods if he could, thanks for saying you'd cheat on me with numerous people ya jerk! haha) We were to compete on January 22 (last night).

Last night we showed up at the Union Station in Ogden. We had to get there a little early to check in so I had plenty of time to get myself all sorts of nervous. We were sitting there waiting for the show to start and more and more people just kept showing up. I could feel myself just shaking! See I HATE being in front of people or talking in front of people. I do not like to be in the spotlight and I do not like to be the center of attention. Philip on the other hand doesn't mind haha, but he admitted he was getting a little nervous so he couldn't imagine how bad I was doing. Well at 6 o clock sharp we headed on stage to start the competition. The winning couple would receive a night's stay at Wolf Creek Resort in Eden, UT, a $100 gift card to Wal-Mart, a free photo session with Inkley's Photography, an Oster blender, 1/2 karat diamond earrings for the girl, a Kenneth Cole watch for the boy, a cookbook, and sees candy! So I thought to myself, here goes nothing..

AND WE WON!!!!! We only missed one question the entire time (well actually Philip missed one question, probably the easiest one haha). But I still can't believe it. We made out so well and it actually wasn't that bad doing it. It was really funny though because we were the last couple to answer the final question which was worth 25 points. Philip and I had only missed 1 question at this point where as everyone else had missed at least two, but still if anyone else got the question right and we didn't, we would lose. The question was "How much money is in your fiance's wallet right now?" The answer had to be within $2. How tough is that? haha I know Philip and I are broke, but he also just had his payday and usually gets some spending money out. So I had no idea what to put. Well one other couple had got the answer correct and that put them in first place. The girl started freaking out thinking she had won, hilarious! Then the pressure was all on us... I put that Philip had $2 in his pocket, the actual amount was... $0! We won the entire competition! I'm still so surprised.

I am just so thankful that I have an amazing fiance who not only would participate in something like this, but didn't complain once about it. Thanks Philip. You're the best and we totally killed the other contestants! Good job babe! Can't wait to redeem all of our awesome prizes!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Goodbye 09

Well... Another year has passed by us! There were plenty of good and bad times in 2009, but I can't wait for what 2010 has to bring!

Goodbye 09!
- landed a new job at IRS
-bought our awesome furniture
-celebrated 4 years with Philip, then I
- got ENGAGED to the love of my life!
- went to Disneyland for the 3rd time and absolutely loved it.
- planned and stressed over our wedding next May.
- visited Phil's family in New Mexico
- BROUGHT IN 2010 WITH THE LOVE OF MY LIFE!

Only a little under 5 months till our wedding. I hope it goes by quickly. I can't wait to be married to Philip. I am so lucky he is in my life and I really couldn't ask for a better guy. May 21, I will not just be marrying my fiance, I will be marrying my best friend! Cheers to a great new year! :)

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Cali with the Grays!

In September, I was able to travel with Philip and his parents to California. We met up with Michael, Heidi, and Harrison while we were there too. It was such a good time and we did so many fun things. I appreciate them letting me come along, it was a blast!

On our first day there we went to Crystal Cathedral. This place was beautiful. I have never been to a place like this. They even have a drive in service where you can listen to the sermon in your car. It was very interesting and I'm glad that I got to visit such a beautiful place.








And then for the next part of the trip..... DISNEY LAND!!!! Although I have only been to Disney Land a total of 3 times now. I absolutely love it there. We had such a great time. Filled ourselves up with plenty of churros and Dole Whips.







It's a Small World. The previous 2 times I had gone to Disney Land this ride was closed. This was the first time I got to go on it. I loved it. I thought it was such a cute ride. I completely loved all the shrubbery of the animals outside too. So cute!


Harrison and Philip.





I love this picture. :)


Arriving at the beach. Every time Philip and I go to Cali together it is tradition to go to the beach and get us some gelato. So we kept the tradition going!


Philip and his parents.



The Angels game. Before this, I had NEVER gone to a MLB game. It was such a blast. We enjoyed the game and baseball food. To top everything off the Angels WON!






Sporting my new Angel's hat.



Overall California was a blast. I had such a good time. I'm so thankful that I was invited on this awesome trip. It was a great way to use my last vacation time I could use before the wedding. I can't wait for the next trip I get to take with the Grays, hopefully next time the whole family gets to go. Thanks again Mike and Dixie. I had a great time!

Friday, December 4, 2009

I'm Lost Without You



Tonight, Philip is in some town (he told me the name, but I forgot) and has no phone service. For the most part, I have not gone a day or night without talking to Philip since he went on a mission trip to Turkey for about 3 weeks. This is killing me. I miss him so much. I am so thankful that he is in my life and he will be the person I get to spend the rest of my life with. We have been through so much together and I know we can make it through anything. I love him SO much and he is my everything. So babe, when you see this, just know that I am sitting here missing you and loving you. You are the best. You still give me butterflies in my stomach and you are the best thing that has EVER happened to me. I will love you FOREVER!!! Can't wait to hear your voice again. Hope basketball is going well... :) Thanks for everything that you do for me...