Father's Day + a birthday.

Happy Father's Day to the greatest dad in the whole world! Yes, I realize that I'm a day late...but it's only because I spent yesterday with my fathers. Happy Father's Day first to my papa--the smartest, funniest, hardest working dad that I know. Thanks for everything dad!

Thanks for teachings me how important an education is, for always having such a strong testimony of the church and always encouraging me to gain one of my own, for always making me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world, for always hugging and loving me even when I'm mean to you (especially when I'm mean to you), for all of the lunch dates that got me through middle and high school, and for always having the best advice when I don't know who else to go to. You've been the best dad that a girl could ask for and I'm so blessed to have you in my life.

Happy Father's Day to my father-in-law Terry! You've made me feel like a part of the Reynolds clan from day one and I've always loved being around you. You always make everyone laugh and smile, and I'm grateful to have you. Love you Terry!

And finally, Happy Father's Day to my future baby's daddy, Justin. Even though you're not a dad yet, I know that someday you're going to make the sweetest little daddy ever and I can't wait to raise my kids with you. You're going to be the best. Love you sooooo much!

And on a side note, Happy 50th Birthday to my mom-in-law Corinne! You are absolutely incredible and I can only hope and pray that I'll look half as good as you do when I'm 50. You're the best! We love you!

Three birthdays and a graduation.

This past week we have been busy, busy, busy celebrating birthdays and a graduation with our families. And we've loved every minute of it...even if we have both gained a few lbs. in the process. So what if "celebrating" to our families means eat a lot, and than eat some more? We wouldn't have it any other way. 

On Saturday we were able to celebrate Justin's Grandpa's 79th birthday! We partied it up in Grandpa's backyard with the whole fam. Cousins even flew in for the event--so much fun to finally meet everyone! We spent hours sitting out in the yard, talking, laughing, and (yep, you guessed it) eating lots of food. I loved being able to just sit and listen to all the cousins talk about their memories growing up with each other and playing at Grandpa's house. I honestly married into such a great family, and Justin and I both had a very hard time finally saying goodbye to everyone that night. Happy birthday Grandpa Jennings! We love you!

On Sunday we spent the night at a BBQ at my parent's house to celebrate my dad's birthday. We ate lots of my mom's yummy food, went for a family walk around the neighborhood, and spent the night visiting, opening presents, and eating chocolate pie (my mom's chocolate pie is seriously to die for.) Justin's mom and our favorite family the Paulsen's came to join the celebrating. Such a fun night! We love you so much dad! Happy happy birthday!

And on Tuesday we had an extra special day...Elena's birthday and Maddie's graduation! This beautiful girl has finally finished High School and is off to bigger and better things. In August she'll be packing her bags and moving out to Orem to attend Taylor Andrew's. Can't wait to let her try all her new skills out on my hair. I know, I'm such a good sister.

Really though, Maddie has been my best friend growing up, and I got a little teary-eyed watching her get all dressed up in her cap and gown and receive her diploma. Maddie is such a kind, loving, hardworking person, and I am so, so proud of the woman that she has become over the last few years. Even though it breaks my heart to know that soon she'll be moving a whole 30 minutes away from me, I can't wait to see what life has in store for her. Congrats Mads! We're so happy for you.

Tuesday night, we finally got to celebrate this cute girl's 11th birthday! Elena was so patient and so nice to let Maddie share her big day with her. She waited all day for us to finally give her some attention, and then we spent the night bowling, enjoying some Costa Vida, opening presents, and eating cake and cupcakes. I always say that Elena is the little sunshine of our family. She is always smiling and laughing, and will chat your ear off with stories if you let her. She is such a happy girl and I love her to pieces. It blows my mind that she's  old enough to be starting middle school next year. When in the world did my family get so old?? Happy birthday babe! Love you!

Justin and I are so blessed to have such great families and there's nothing we love more than being able to spend so much time with them. And good news! With Father's Day and Corinne and Joey's birthdays coming up soon, there's only more celebrating to come! We can't wait :)

Memorial Day Weekend + a new car.

This weekend, Justin and I FINALLY had some time for some sleep, relaxation, and lots and lots of family time. Our lives are super busy these days with work, school, and the house, and to finally get a long weekend with nothing that we had to get done was fabulous. We've loved every minute of it. 


Friday night we went to the temple with my parents, then my dad introduced us to Salt City Burgers for dinner, which was incredible. I highly recommend the garlic burger and sweet potato fries. I was in heaven.


Saturday after homework and yard work, we hit up Olive Garden with Justin's parents so we could use one of our many gift cards from the wedding, then frozen yogurt at Golden Spoon (graham cracker with marshmallow topping. Sounds gross, but I'm obsessed), and then we cuddled up on the couch and watched a movie.


Sunday we slept in, made waffles and hot chocolate for breakfast, slept some more, and went to Justin's parent's house for dinner, then my parent's house for a visit. We left both houses with heaping plates of brownies and cookies. Our moms take such good care of us :)


Then we started out today with some Kneader's french toast and shopping in Park City (I heart Jcrew's Memorial Day sale...) 
and we ended it with a BBQ with my fam, and some Bachelorette. 


This weekend has been so so nice, and exactly what we both needed. Now that we're all caught up on our sleep and filled to the brim with good food, we're ready to face a new week. Good thing we have sushi with Ashley and Ben tomorrow :) Hopefully they'll bring this little guy...I can't get enough of him.

On a side note, I finally got my car! It only took four months, but I guess that's what we get for choosing the cheap, Argentine labor. Jk, Argentine's are great. But now we have it and love it and it looks so good! Justin is way too good to me. Look how pretty...


Happy Memorial Day everyone!

For My Moms.

Today Justin and I got to spend the day with our two favorite people...our moms. We both have absolutely incredible mothers, and as we went throughout our day visiting with them, I got to thinking about how blessed I truly am to have these two women in my life. They are both so giving and loving, and I hope that one day when I am a mom myself that I will be able to be half as great as they are.

My mom and I are very close. She's not only my mom, but she's one of my best friends. 

I can't even tell you how many nights we've spent staying up together talking, laughing, and crying. Or how many lunch dates and shopping days we've had. Or how many times she's taken me for a late night ice cream run just because she can tell something is on my mind. 

My mom is honestly the most selfless, giving person that I have ever met. Her one goal in life is to make sure the people she loves are taken care of. I go to my mom for everything, and not a day passes that I don't call or text her with good news or something to complain about, because I know that if there's one person that will rejoice with me, or just listen, it's her. 

I hope that one day if I ever have a little girl of my own, I can have the kind of relationship with her that my mom and I have together.

My other mom, my mother-in-law Corinne, is the most hard working and kind woman that I know. Not only did she raise three incredible young men to be just as determined and hard working as she is, but I have never heard her say one negative word about anyone. She is just filled with love for those around her, and she has given me such a warm welcome into the Reynolds family that I feel like I've been a part of it for ages. 

I feel so blessed to have these two beautiful women as my mother's and my examples. I love them both so much, and on this Mother's Day, I just want them both to know how much I look up to them and how incredible I think they are. Happy Mother's Day, moms!