Michigan and Chicago!!

Ty and I just got back from a week long trip to Michigan and Chicago!! We had SO much fun!! Ty served his mission in Michigan and we knew if we didn't make the trip back now, it probably wouldn't happen! I am so happy we did it:) It was so fun seeing where he spent 2 years of his life.. and he was so excited to be back, which made it even better:)!!

Lucky for us my cousin lives in Grand Rapids, (where Ty served 15 months of his mission) and was so nice to let us stay with her. She took us to the Green Well the first night to eat.. and it was delicious!! Then Ty showed us around town... a little ghetto in some parts!

Ty's first apartment.. doesn't look too bad:) But apparently the inside is pretty bad!

The next day Ty showed me more of the area in the light, and then we went to the John Ball zoo! He had done lots of service here, (I even have a few pics from the mission that he sent me, we wrote a few times as friends:) and it was something to do:)

Lucky Ty, he got to ride a camel!! It was a pretty dumb ride, but at least he can say he has rode a camel! I was a little jealous!!

That night we had a BBQ with some members that Ty spent a lot of time with! Everyone loves Ty!! They cooked us some really good authentic food, and we played Michael Jackson dance dance! Ty loved this family! Everyone was super nice, and it was fun to finally put a face to the names!

We drove to Traverse City where Ty spent a few months in the area. The town was soo cute! I think I could live there. The beaches were so pretty! It looked like a scene from the movies! We saw a few light houses, japanese lanterns, shopped, went to dinner, and drove around. We stayed the night there with plans the next day but it was pouring rain:(

Another family that Ty loved in Traverse City had us over for lunch before we went back to Grand Rapids. Seriously AMAZING! She made homemade flour tortillas that were to die for and meat and rice (she didn't know what the meat was it was really funny, but so good)! They were the sweetest, happiest family! The parents don't speak much english but tried so hard with me there! (I'm going to learn spanish... I'm sure I looked really dumb trying to get into the conversations haha) We had a blast seeing the Estradas!

This is one of the families Ty baptized, the Mendez! Ty was SOOO excited to see them and know they are still active and going to church! They were such a sweet family! The parents don't speak english either, but the kids were so nice to translate everything for me! I loved hearing all the good things they had to say about Ty! They didn't want us to leave! and of course they made us some really good food! Ty never went hungry while he was there, everyone cooks so good!! We also went to church and saw lots of other people Ty taught! After hearing so many stories while dating, and while being married its so nice knowing where he was and who he was talking about...!!

Cutest town in Michigan, (besides Traverse City) is Holland... I loved it! Right on the beach, people were fishing, swimming, riding bikes, running, flying kites.. So cute! If I lived there I would be in Holland every day!! It was so cute! I just wish it was a little warmer the day we were there!

CHICAGO!! The last 2.5 days we spent in Chicago!! We ate the BEST pizza, and cheese bread ever! and I can't remember the name of the place, but it was so packed because it was so good!

On Tuesday we walked everywhere... We saw the bean of course, then walked to beach front (which was awesome.. it was a running/walking/biking trail with nike signs telling you the miles... I want one here) to the Navy Pier!

The Navy Pier was fun! Had cute shops, rides, and good food! But we didn't stay long cause we wanted to go shopping!

Eating some McDonalds... Can't believe I am admitting this.. but their hamburgers are SO SO good!!! Ty will get them and I end up eating most of it:)

Our hotel was right on the magnificant mile, where all the shopping is! I was in HEAVEN!

and of course we had to go to a Cubs baseball game.. It was FREEZING cold! I think I was the only one there with 2 jackets, and 2 blankets.. But I know the girl next to me was jealous! It was cold and windy!! But we still had fun.. :)

The next day we flew back home! It was so fun to go just the 2 of us! We always have so much fun together!!

Sorry this is so long and kind of boring!! Had to document everything though!!!

~summer~

I feel like our summer flew right by! We have done lots of fun things, but sadly I haven't taken many pictures! We have had lots of family in town, lots of short weekend getaways, lots of time at the pool, BBQ's, camping, and just hanging out! It's gone by way to fast! But I am so ready for the fall, I can hardly wait for it to start cooling down again!

Ty might kill me for posting this picture, but he broke his hand the other night playing flag football, and ended up needing surgery! I feel so bad cause it was his 1st game of the season and he was so excited! But he says he will be the water boy for the team instead! He is a trooper and so tough.. (I'm the biggest wimp alive when it comes to pain) he has only complained once about his hand hurting him!

Ash's parents have the coolest backyard. We had a camp out back there and it was seriously so much fun! I forget how much I like to camp:) We even saw the cutest owl in the middle of the night! Me, Dyami, Katie, Jess, her 2 cute girls Tae and Savy, and Ash!! The boys were there to just no picture!

A bunch of us went to Lava Hot Springs, thanks to Jess and Matt, and had a blast! We ate really good food, went tubing down the river, played lots of games, stayed up late, went on walks, got ice cream, played our own version of minute to win it, and just relaxed! Love getaways with friends! We had so much fun:)

The boys going down the river!

We also went to East Canyon with my family for a weekend! Last time going with out my cute brother on a mission!! We all can't wait to go again with the whole family!!:)

I don't know what happened to Ty but he loves running half marathons.. I think he is trying to make me jealous! Can't wait to run one with him:) Him and my dad rocked the Timp half, and us girls and Ty's parents had fun watching them at different parts in the race. I even got to run for a second with Ty!!

After the race..;)

HAWAII 2011

We went to Hawaii with Ty's family the end of May and had so much fun! I love that place and did not want to come back:) Oh and I always upload my pics backwards, so here is our trip from end to beginning!

Taking the red eye flight home:( I was not ready for real life again!

This grill was so good... We ate at Ted's bakery 3 times so decided to branch out a bit!

Ted's Bakery! OUR FAVORITE place to eat on the North Shore! It was really close to where we stayed so we ate there 3 nights in a row! I was not complaining!! The hit was the coconut pie! They made some good money from us that week:)

This cute girl got her ears pierced! She did soo good and her new earrings are so cute!!!

Taking a break from shopping at the flea market!!

LOVE HER!!! She would come hang out with Ty and I every morning!! We missed her a lot when we got home!

Sharks Cove!

Waimea Bay!! my favorite!!

Ty and I and his parents went the the PCC! We had so much fun seeing all the different countries! We had a blast there.

PCC

We had to go see the lost beach set again!!! and the big turtles that swim so close to the shore!

We were there for my birthday... best birthday ever!! Ty spoiled me rotten as usual! We beached hopped, then shopped and ate at Cheesecake Factory for dinner in Wikiki :)

I really wanted to paddle surf, and I loved every min of it! Ty and I went together and just laughed the whole time.. Ty would paddle me around, and I would paddle him, or he would just push me while I tried on my own. It was so fun, and really funny!!!

They whole gang!!! We missed Ty's sister and her family though! I already can't wait to go back!! LOVE HAWAII!!

READY FOR SUMMER!!

So this is going to be my longest post ever... sorry!! I am always scared my computer will loose all my pics so I put them on the blog so I won't lose them!! Lucky you.. (if anyone even reads this ha!) May has been the CRAZIEST month for us, but it went soooo fast! Now if the weather could just stay nice life would be even better!

Celebrating our 4th anniversary a little early eating some pizza!!

We had to stay low key on our actual anniversary! Im a little drugged haha! But we had lots of fun and got spoiled:) I still can't believe it's been FOUR years. But it's been the best!

Us girls did the ropes course at the Provo Beach Resort! It was really fun, but I was soo scared being so high up!! Jess, Katie, and I getting ready to go!

and Ty and Bray right behind us!

We went on a hike in Pl Grove and had a blast!

Someone finally graduated in December!! (just came in the mail) We could not be more excited to be done.. I got my husband back:)

1st time laying out this summer! Our pool is still closed but we still had fun getting drinks from Sonic and chatting the day away. I love days like this!

Sam and Nat blessed little Hailey.. We love this little girl and were so excited to be there on her special day!

Char, Kristi, and Nat!! Love them!!

Girls night out.. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard in my life being with these lovely ladies! We got a little crazy!! I don't ever want to grow up! Ash. me. Jess, Katie, and Dyami!!

Some of my favorite cousins, aunt, mom, and grandma getting my little sister ready for her Jr Prom!! She looked so pretty!

Ty ran the Salt Lake half marathon in April and ROCKED it! I was totally jealous of him but was so proud that he did it and trained so well and got his best time!! I think he is hooked on half's! and makes me pretty jealous but I'm so glad he loves to do what I love most!

Braydn ran to and did awesome.. Katie and I cheered and took lots of pictures!!

These pretty ladies are Ty's mission buddies wife's and their cute girls! We were able to get together for lunch while Samara was in town! Their babies are so cute!! and it was so fun catching up!

Finally done.. sorry so long!

number 4

Celebrating 4 years today!! and it was the BEST DECISION EVER!!:)

May 17th 2007!

2008 {cali}

{cancun}

{our 2nd christmas}

2009 {cancun.. again}

{st george}

2010 {cruisin'}

{boston}

{hawaii}

...and 20011...

We have had the best 4 years and I can't wait for a million more together! We are hoping year 5 will be even better:)!!