A Weekend Away

We knew we couldn't do much, but we really wanted to get away for a 'mini' honeymoon. There is a small town about an hour and a half away from here called Lava Hot Springs. They have natural hot springs pools to of 3 different temperatures. We stayed at the Home Hotel where they had the hot springs water in the rooms and it was a very nice place to stay. Here are some pictures of our room... 

We left Friday night and had gotten there earlier then we expected so we were able to go out to eat. Then Saturday morning we walked around the town explored. 

There was a cool machine in the museum that you put a penny in and it told you your fortune! In the top right corner is a picture of me wearing earnings that Peter bought me at this cool trading post store that had lots of interesting things. The middle picture is us with our SQUARE ice-cream cones. After exploring the town we went and got a professional massage and it was so amazing and relaxing(: 

After the massage we met up with my parents because they were headed back to Salt Lake City and to my dad's truck so they could head out on the road. We met them at the free-way exit of Lava Hot Springs (they drove our car there with the dogs) and left the car parked at the truck stop and headed to Salt Lake City. We decided to stay the night in Salt Lake City (with patches) and my parents paid for a room for us. Of course we had to stop at In-N-Out, since there are none in Idaho and I missed it. haha Then we dropped them at the truck, which they drove to the hotel parking lot. In the morning we met them at the hotel's complimentary breakfast before they headed off. 

Sunday we decided to have some fun before we headed home. 

Here are some pictures from the Living Planet Aquarium and yes those are matching In-N-Out shirts lol. We saw lots of cool animals. My favorite were the otters, they were lots of fun to watch swim and climb around. We also saw stingrays, seahorse, penguins, and lots of other cool looking fish. 

After the Aquarium we headed over to the Hogle Zoo. It was such a nice a sunny day, but we didn't stay too long because it was super crowded and plus we didn't want to leave Patches out in the car too long. We both got hats and we also got patches a toy. 

Patches loving his elephant. I also got a monkey and giraffe,
but those are mine not for him to chew up, 

As a last-minute thing we thought it would be fun to have cool shirts to wear around the Zoo! So we made a quick Wal-Mart stop and they didn't turn out perfect, but they were still cute and fun to wear around. 

It was a really fun and relaxing weekend and I was really grateful to be able to do something. 

Let the Fun Continue...

After pictures we headed across the parking lot to the church building were we had a 'mini reception'. Thank you everyone who helped set up/clean up and make our day special! It really meant a lot to me to be able to spend time with those who were able to be there with us. Again, as I get more pictures I will post them, but for now here are some.

Announcing ... 

Mr. and Mrs. Reese (: 

Our cupcakes and mini cake!

With Peter's nieces and nephew that were there(:
As you can tell they weren't all the happy at the moment haha 

My Dad and Grandpa

As we came into the reception

 My Grandma and Grandpa Forsythe

Cutting the cake(: 

We had a 'mini' Chocolate Fountain! 

Someone was nice enough to decorate our truck haha oh boy!

For Time and All Eternity

On April 19th, 2012 I received my endowment in the Idaho Falls Temple at 8:00am. Afterwards my parents and Peter and I went to Denny's for breakfast. But we couldn't do much because we still had a few last minute wedding details to figure out and also Peter had to work later that evening. Around noon Peter got a call from his grandparents that they were in town and wanted to stop by so he gave them directions and they headed over. We hear the doorbell and so Peter walks up the stairs to open the door from them and all the sudden he screams "ASHLEE ... Its my mom!" haha it was such a shock! I wish I had my camera! Peter's parents surprised us and showed up for the wedding! It was so unexpected and we were both shocked and so happy!

Later that night Peter's sister's invited me over to their hotel room to hang out a little and Peter's brothers took him out. We had a fun night and I just want to thank Marcy, Blair and Shelbie for making me feel special and just hanging out and having a good time. I know a few pictures were taken and as I get more picture I will add them(:

April 20th, 2012 (Our Wedding Day)

I woke up early and started getting ready. First we had to go and pick up the cupcakes and flowers, then I had my hair appointment. It took a while, but I was really happy with how it turned out! Then a friend came over to do my make up and she did a fantastic job. I was getting really excited and kind of nervous. So I headed over to Peter's to pick him up and headed to the Temple. There was a little craziness and running around because at first I left my recommend in the car and then we got in a realized we left the Marriage license at home so Peter had to run back and get it real quick (luckily we only live a few blocks from the Temple). But once we got everything settled, the spirit took over and it was an amazing experience. I will never forget the feelings I felt that day as I was sealed for time and all eternity to the love of my life. It was so nice to be surrounded by family as we took this next big step in our lives together.

We came out of the temple welcome by our wonderful family and I just remember being so happy and overwhelmed by the spirit. We were lucky enough to have a photographer there to get a few pictures of everyone and also some of us too. (we have a few that I can post now, but there are plenty more to come that I will post later)

Engagement

And so the decisions and craziness begins ... our first decision was when? We decided that we didn't want to wait too long, but since Peter's parents were still on their mission we didn't want to do anything too big right now. So after talking about it and seeing what everyone had to say we decided we would have a small gathering with my parents and his siblings after the sealing in the Idaho Falls temple. Then later in the year (still not sure exactly when) we would have a bigger reception with all our family and friends. Even though we just wanted it to be small right now, there was still a lot to do! First things first we had to take some engagement pictures so that we could send some out with the announcements. So here are a few of the favorites ... 

It was a hectic time, but also lots of fun trying to get everything done. We decided to do a small gathering for everyone that was coming at the church building because it was literally in the same parking lot. Also that way everyone had a chance to visit. We got lots of help from my mom's ward with food and everything came together real nice. 

I said Yes!

In February Peter moved up here to Idaho and I was so happy to be able to see him more after being apart for so long. Well on Friday, March 16, 2012 I went down to Idaho Falls to visit Peter and at first everything seemed normal. We watched a movie and had lunch (he later told me he had planned a picnic, but the rain ruined that plan). Then Peter suggested a walk around the temple, and obviously at this point I had my suspicions, but I just went along with it and we went up to the temple. We just walked around talking and joking around, then we stopped in the courtyard and sat at a bench for a little. Then he turned to me and got down on one knee(: Of course I said YES and then he play one of our songs and made me dance with him. It was simple, but very sweet and more then I ever could have imagine. I felt so special and so excited!

It all started about 4 years ago ...

It almost feels like an "Once Upon a Time..." story, but its so much more. We were in the same Seminary class and also went to the same High School, but I don't even think he noticed me. It wasn't until the middle of our Sophomore year when we started talking. As soon as we started talking I knew there was something special about him and I knew I was the luckiest girl in the world! It would easy to say it was a fairytale and everything was perfect, but as we all know life has its ups and downs. Through everything we have been through it has only made us stronger and at the hardest points in my life he was always the one I wanted next to me to help me through. I guess you can say we are High School Sweethearts and proud of it(: To go into all the details would be way too long of a story. So basically we are two kids who fell in love and our now starting our own eternal family.