This past month (December) has been filled with a whirlwind of emotions, memories and journeys for our still growing relationship.
At the beginning of the month Kevin's brother-in-law, Jeff Turner, unexpectedly passed away. It was a very hard time for all of Kevin's family and our hearts and prayers continue to be with Marianne, Kevin's sister during this time. Both Kevin and I are so grateful for our knowledge that families can be together forever. With the passing of my brother in June and Jeff this month we have absolutely come to appreciate the time we have with our family members here on this earth and for the relationships that can continue on the other side of the veil.
We made a quick two day trip to Seattle to be with Marianne, the Fords and the Turners as we attended a lovely service for Jeff and remembered him.
December 10th was my last day with AT&T so I could be home for the holidays with my family. Mid December my mom and Aunt Rene flew to Utah for some birthday, wedding dress shopping fun! I was so happy to be with my mom on my birthday and finally start doing some wedding planning.
December 16th I celebrated my 23rd Birthday. I can hardly believe it, 23 snuck up on my faster then I imagined!
I complain that 23 is old (not as old as Kevin of course) but its up, there and I am so blessed to have amazing people like Momma Ford who inform me that 23 will be the most amazing year of my life. I am truly looking forward to all of the things twenty eleven has planned.
Kevin took me to the Cheesecake Factory for my birthday. My absolute favorite place to eat and then we attended the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert with David Archuleta. It was incredible. Amazing music and talent and an absolute tribute to this holiday season.
On the 17th of the month, the Goold family welcomed the newest member. Amee Dewey married Kenneth Goold (my uncle) and a huge party was held in their honor in American Fork, Utah. After this party Kevin had officially met ALL 6 of my dad's brothers and their wives. Kevin definitely has a skill for remembering names and faces. In a family the size of mine that is a great skill to have!
On Sunday the 19th we began the first of hopefully many road trips together!
With rain the whole way, a three hour stop in Vegas to visit cousins of mine, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California we finally made it to our Anaheim CA destination. A 13 hour car ride for two days in Disneyland in the pouring rain: totally worth it.
Now, Kevin and I have been planning this trip for months. Literally from the beginning of our courtship since Kevin had never been and I wanted to go for my birthday.
Disneyland was a blast! Even though it only stopped raining for 2 or so hours the whole 2 days it was so fun. We spent the entire first day in Disneyland and the second day California Adventure and Disneyland. We got awesome Disneyland poncho's to keep us dry (sorta), ate churros, took tons of pictures and walked miles and miles around the park. We were a little bumbed we missed the Fireworks and the Parades due to the rain, but just an excuse to go back soon. Kevin can't have a "TRUE" Disneyland experience until he gets to see the fireworks and parades. Southern California was a blast and we can't wait to go back!
We drove up to Sacramento after Disneyland. We stopped and had ice cream at a great little shop in Bakersfield with Kevin's sister Melissa. This was supposed to be the first time meeting Melissa and Doug, but we all met the week before after Jeff's passing. I absolutely adore Doug and Melissa.
The night we got to Sacramento we went to the temple with my parents and it was an awesome experience to be in the place Kevin and I will be sealed for Time and all Eternity. A reminder that no matter what obstacle Satan tries to toss at us to slow us down, ultimately God wants Kevin and I together and has great things planned for us and it will all start there at the temple. It was a great session.
I was so happy to be home this year in Sacramento with my family. A little nervous honestly because it was the first Christmas without Hunter but I think we had a lovely holiday.
In Sac we did a lot of neat things. Lots of sleeping in of course, amazing breakfast's, sushi dinner, Christmas lights, Old Town Sac tour, San Francisco, New Years and Engagement photos. Kevin played Golf with my Dad and Uncle Blain and we had a big Goold family game night.
I always love coming home. Especially after moving to Utah and being so far away, there is no place like home and I was so glad to bring Kevin to my home town. This Christmas season was incredible and we are both so happy to have spent it with family. Next year: Seattle for Christmas :)
For the first day of 2011 we couldn't have asked for a more exciting day. We took engagement photos today and it was a blast! Stephanie French, a girl I grew up with, is doing both our engagement photos and our wedding day. She is so talented and wonderful and we are so lucky that she is able to use her talent and capture our magical moments. We tried to do our photos on Wednesday last week but the rain prevented us from doing it. This morning it started raining again but we wouldn't let it get to us. Luckily with just a slight sprinkle and an umbrella we were able to get some great photos.
You can check out other photos from today's shoot at Stephanie's website: http://frenchphotography.blogspot.com/2011/01/future-mr-mrs-ford.html
Look forward for lots more to come!!
Well, I think that's it. I know I was going to try and be better at this blogging thing but as you can see December has been kind of a crazy month for Kevin and I.
It kept us busy, we made it through and here we are in twenty-eleven. The year that we know will be the best year of our lives and we cannot wait for each day together.
We hope our friends and family had a lovely Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
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