Birthday! Birthday! Coming to Earth Day!

Sooo Dahl and I are almost birthday buddies! This year, mine was Sunday (May 20) and his was Monday (May 21)! I love having our birthdays so close together! Then we each get our days but we can have a fun-filled weekend together! Plus, this year I went a little crazy with birthday coupons... like I signed up for about 40 different clubs, half of them to restaurants I never go to, just to get some free birthday treats!

All wet from the Bumper Boats!

My birthday was mostly a lot of family time! Dahl made me a delicious cake (chocolate with chocolate frosting and cream cheese frosting in the middle), and we had lunch with the Lowe's (cousin's in law- one of them, Larissa, is my birthday buddy!), and went to dinner at Sarah's (Dahl's sister)! One of my favorite parts was when I walked into my Primary class and they all sang me Happy Birthday! How cute is that?! I love them : ) even though teaching by myself is driving me a little bit more than crazy... hopefully I get a new partner soon! I also got to talk to my cute family, and Dahl gave me a CRUISE! (It was actually our birthday present from both of us to each other, but Dahl did all the research and we are going in October.) We are PUMPED!! We also gave each other cards and I followed this idea and gave Dahl 25 balloons with people's messages on them! If I did it again, I would DEFINITELY have people put the notes inside on a piece of paper, because it sure did get messy! Still fun, though! (Don't worry, we bought a balloon pump so we didn't get all germed up!)

Batter Up!!

Dahl's birthday was the funnest! We found this deal for Boondock's where if it is your birthday you get a free  unlimited pass! AND even better, if your birthday is on a Sunday, you can use it the next day too! So we both got in for free!! We rode the Go-Karts (and I totally dominated!), rode the bumper boats, used our free arcade tokens, went to the batting cages, and had an awesome time!! Then we went to Chuck-a-Rama (for free! Thanks Sarah!).

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner :)

Go-Karts!

Basically, we made out like bandits!! I love birthdays :) Especially when I get to spend them with my love! 

Dance Date!

This Wednesday I planned a dance- themed date!! :)

Now, I have NEVER considered myself much of a dancer. But, I have always thought dancing was fun. I took several dance classes at BYU just because I liked them. Heather (my sister) was always better than me, but I made out alright. I asked Dahl to take a dance class while we were dating so I could dance with him, and he did, but it wasn't his favorite. He does, however, like to dance with me, and demonstrates it by grabbing me and breaking into spontaneous dance randomly and with great gusto.

SO, I decided to try it!

This is what his invite looked like:

You are invited to an evening of dance with your favorite dance partner of all time, ME.

5:00:

I challenge you to a Just Dance competition! Winner gets to pick the dance movie we are going to watch!!

This is the one we picked!!

6:00-6:30: Let's let the fire do the dancing and grill up some dinner!!


6:30-8:30: Watch a dance movie. Options: Footloose, Step Up, Dirty Dancing... Anything dance- themed :)

8:30-9:00: Drive to the dance at "The Center"!

9:00-9:30: Dancing lessons!

9:30- Whenever: Dancing!!!

I think the game Just Dance is SO FUN!! Dahl and I had a great time competing, and he actually beat me once! But I won the rest of the times :) He even humored me and let me do a Britney Spears song. What a guy!!

Speaking of what a guy, look at this grilling man!! It was pretty fun letting the fire do the dancing :)

    

Dahl is literally the best griller EVER!  Does that not look amazing?!

At "The Center" (in Provo if you live in Utah) you can pay $4/ person if you get there before 9:30 ($6/ person after that), and you can get dance lessons for the 1st half hour you're there (9-9:30), so we got a couple of lessons first. They moved SUPER fast, so we mostly just had fun doing our own moves, and I taught Dahl some things I remembered from my country dancing class from about 3 years ago. We also ran into our old friend, Jaren, and he taught us a few tricks, too!! We DEFINITELY want to go again, the atmosphere is so fun!! We decided next time we will learn a few more moves before we go, and I found a video on Netflix that teaches basic country dancing, so we are excited to try that out, too!

Us at "The Center"- don't we look country in our plaid??

This is a way fun date that you can do even if you don't have a place that offers cheap dance lessons! If you look around, there are generally some places that offer group lessons for a small fee, and some even offer private lessons with appointments for a larger fee if you want to get more intense about it. Another fun alternative is going to a concert and just dancing there (summer concerts on the grass are the BEST for this-- the last picture in this post is from one such concert )! You could even find Youtube videos and learn from those if you want to make it cheaper and stay at home! If you don't have Just Dance, you can play a similar game like Dance Dance Revolution, or you don't have a Wii or Kinnect, do a Zumba workout video together.

Another fun thing I recently did that follows the dance theme is I decorated our room like a dance to surprise Dahl! I added some Christmas lights and moved around the furniture to clear out a dance area, and we had a little dance party to our favorite Pandora playlists. It was so fun, and we had a great time dancing the night away!!

It looked kind of like this! (source)

Dancing is such a fun and romantic thing to include in dating! Dahl and I definitely want to do it more often now!!

Not from this dance date, but I love this picture! He's my favorite dance partner ever!!

Cinco De Mayo Date

So, this is a really late post that I mostly wrote awhile ago, just had a hard time getting all posted :).

A few Saturdays ago was Cinco de Mayo!! So I asked Dahl on a Cinco de Mayo date.
First of all, I declared it an "all in Spanish... or Spanglish" night, at least for the dinner portion. So, we had a lot of fun trying to communicate. It actually wasn't too bad, because Dahl served his mission in Long Beach, California, Spanish speaking, and I took Spanish all through high school, and ended up testing out of 12 credits from it for college. Dahl is definitely better than I am at Spanish, but I was pretty impressed with how much I remembered, and we could have pretty decent conversations.

What would be a Cinco de Mayo party without awesome Mexican food? We first went to The Blue Iguana, which was SUPER good. Above are my fish tacos, which were basically to die for!

This weird huge black plastic grass garden place is so fun to me!

You can pull the "grass" back and it will fling into others and send them flying too!

That night, we went to Mi Ranchito with Dahl's parents and got fried ice cream! (We ended up getting two of what you see below because they accidentally gave us the small birthday one instead of the big normal one.) It was super yummy!

Hooray for Cinco de Mayo!

All About the In-Laws

*This is another one of those it-seems-long-because-of-all-the-pictures-but-it's-not-really-that-long entries*


As some of you already know, Dahl and I decided to move in with his parents to save some money back in November. They have been more than welcoming, and we have really enjoyed it so far. I think a lot of people think that it would be a hard situation, and one that you should avoid, but I think they just must have in-laws that aren't as awesome as mine. I have definitely heard horror stories from friends about moving in with their in-laws, and I am grateful our experience has been nothing like that. They have been very sure to give us our privacy, and the basement is made to be its own apartment so we have a master bedroom with walk-in closet and bathroom, and our own kitchen. We even made ourselves a mini- living room in our bedroom with a couch and a flat-screen TV (Dahl's idea, of course). It's nice because when Dahl is busy with schoolwork I can go up and talk to Brenley and Savana and Eric, which is always fun.

Utah Reception that Brenley decorated super cutely

ANYWAY, that's not really what this entry is supposed to be about. What it's really about is how sweet they were to me a few Saturdays ago. Dahl had a test a few weekends ago, so he was down at UVU, and was going to be there until early evening.

With Jacob, Bro-in-Law

Mother- Son Dance

Daddy- Daughter Dance

I had resigned myself to a day of cleaning, laundry, and random internet-surfing, and had just started cleaning the kitchen when Eric came downstairs and asked what I was doing today. I said nothing, just cleaning and waiting for Dahl to get home. He said they were going to Cafe Rio, and did I want to come? I asked who was going and he said just him and Brenley. "Oh I don't want to ruin your date!" I said. "Oh no, it's fun! You should come!" he encouraged. "We'd love to have you!" So I said okay.

Being super supportive at my Graduation

First, they bought me Cafe Rio which was delicious. And while we were in line, Eric asked me if I like to shop at Kohl's. Yes, I said. He then handed me a coupon for $10 off when you spend at least $30 there. And then he handed me a $20 bill, and said, "You have to spend at least $30, so the coupon will give you $10 off, and here's the $20 to spend." !!!!! I was so touched! "You don't have to give me $20 Eric!!" I said in surprise. "Oh no, it's fun, it's fun!" he said. (He always says that... so cute!) So I accepted.

Is that not so nice?!?! He gave Brenley one too, so we got to go shopping together and I got a pair of jeans and a shirt. Brenley was a fun shopping buddy :) We had lots of fun all talking together in the car, at Cafe Rio, and at Kohl's.

San Francisco Trip

I just thought it was so nice, because they definitely didn't have to do that. I wasn't expecting anything like that. I was just grateful for some company! And they made what could have been a very "blah" day, really fun for me. They are truly the nicest, sweetest parents in-law I could have ever dreamed of having. They welcomed me into their home and hearts, and they treat me just like a daughter.

Sisters-in-Law Sarah and Savana

When I got a picture with my parents kissing my cheeks, this was the compromise for the matching picture. Haha. 

And it's not just them! Savana is just like a sister to me, and I love her to death. In fact, we just had a girls night together and we got dinner and watched The Lucky One and talked. Dahl's sister Sarah and her husband Bryan and daughter Jessie are always so kind to me as well. And Jacob is my buddy, too. He never fails to pinch my cheeks and shout KELLBELL! at me in the most annoying possible voice. The extended family have all been wonderful to me as well.

With Nana (Brenley's Mom)

Extended Family on Eric's side- His Parents and Janelle and Dale

I'm so glad I got such wonderful in-laws. They always make a point to talk about how cute and sweet they think I am, and how pretty they think my eyes are. It's kind of funny, actually, how complimented I always am. They always say how glad they are I married Dahl and how perfect I am for him. And Eric always reminds Dahl how lucky he is to have gotten such a nice wife. 

San-Fran

Kissss

Basically, I love my in-laws, and I feel so incredibly blessed to have ones that love me so much just for being me and for loving their wonderful son (or brother, or whatever the relationship may be)!

Both sets of parents :) Don't know how I got quite so lucky to get the best parents and in-laws, but it happened!

Graduation!

My favorite picture from the whole event :)

*This post looks super long, but mostly it's a bunch of AWESOME pictures. Actually, please excuse the poor quality of many of them. I don't know what is up with my camera.*


So, I actually technically graduated in December from the wonderful BYU, but I just barely walked on Thursday and Friday! Honestly, at first I wasn't so sure I wanted to walk. I kind of thought of it as a waste of money; I mean, I got my diploma, and I would have to pay for the cap and gown on top of not going to work, and I had already walked in my High School graduation, anyway. Then, my parents told me they would fly out to see me walk, if I did. And I got a serious attitude adjustment!

I am SO GLAD they convinced me to walk. Even though no matter what I did, I would have my diploma, there's something to be said about celebrating it officially in a ceremony. And it puts a nice closure on going to college.

SO, Wednesday night Dahl picked me up and took me shopping for a graduation dress. He is the best shopping buddy in the world, mostly because he is so nice, but he will tell me if he doesn't think something looks the best on me. When we first got in the car, he asked if he could make a rule: we don't get another dress with pockets, because "it looks like a big kangaroo pouch". We found one on sale at Dillard's that I thought was really cute. Everything was perfect... except it had pockets, complete with a "kangaroo pouch". Dahl decided he actually really liked it; he said the other one I had was made of different material but this one looked better with pockets. So, we ended up getting it. I guess you can decide what you think!

Pockets! They were SO useful during graduation- you can't tell under the gown what it looks like so I carried phones (yes plural-- the girl next to me didn't know what to do with hers), cameras, the collar that I never figured out how to put on (yes, I still graduated from college...)

We picked Nicole up Wednesday night. We went out to eat at Chili's, and took her back to our house. My parents flew in Wednesday night super late and went to breakfast with Heather Thursday morning, so we didn't end up seeing them until that afternoon. That morning Nicole did a photo shoot of me in my graduation dress. She was so funny! No matter what I did she would yell, "YES!!! YESS!! The camera loves you!!" We had lots of fun.

Hair I did ALL by myself. Kind of a big deal because I NEVER do my hair. Waterfall braid with curls!

Trampoline! And an excellent view of the "kangaroo pouch" ... haha.

I feel like this is an awkward pose... but I still kind of like it. 

My parents took Dahl, Nicole, and I out to lunch at Zupas, which was amazing, as usual. Then we went to my first graduation ceremony. It was the big one, where everyone from BYU graduates together so we just sat in a huge clump. My biggest regret was not figuring out who else was walking that day so I could walk with them. I thought it would be a little more organized, but they basically let you sit with whoever you wanted, and since I hadn't prepared at all, I sat with random people. It was okay, though; they were still nice!

Donning my cap and gown for the first time!

I love this candid... look how happy everyone looks, and what a cute laugh-er my mommy is!

Then, we took some pictures around campus, which was fun:

 Forever Sisters <3 

Connors

Awkwardly getting lifted up to sit in the Cougar. Hey, it's hard in a dress and slippery graduation gown!

Kissers!

Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve

Ignore Dahl's face...

After that, we went to Los Hermanos with my Aunt Carol, her son Jonny and his wife Tiffany and little boy Joshua, and my Aunt Lila. It was so fun to see all of them!

Parents :)

Joshua is SOO CUTE!

Aunt Carol, Aunt Lila, Me, Tiff

  The whole fan- damily except mom (taking the pic)

Hubster

My parents and siblings were SO GENEROUS, and gave me a beautiful doll ornament from Williamsburg, and an iPad!! I was SO surprised! I honestly wasn't even expecting anything except to see them, and they were so kind to give it to me. Dahl and I have been having lots of fun playing around with it :)

Me being surprised out of my mind. Heather looks so cute!

!!!!

That night, we went back to watch an episode of Lie to Me at Heather's. And then I stayed up until 2 AM chatting with my parents. I love them!

Friday morning we went to the more specific graduation ceremony for just Marriott School grads. This one they actually called my name and I got a fake diploma.

Me walking

They had us in alphabetical order this time, and it ended up being really fun because I was next to a girl I knew who actually was one of Heather's good friends from her freshman year. She was really fun to chat with. Thanks for being my graduation buddy, Bridgette! On my other side, was a couple who were getting married the very next day! They were so cute! When we were walking out to get in line to walk across the stands and get our diplomas, it was super funny: The girl passed her family, who told her to grab him for a picture. So she did... except she grabbed the wrong guy and pulled him close for the picture! Somewhere in the walking, her fiance had gotten behind a random guy, who was fortunate enough to almost get his own date for graduation! How funny is that?? I hope they got a picture :)

Fake Diploma Awesome-ness. In front of me is 1/3 of the girl who grabbed the wrong man!

Next there was a reception at the Tanner Building which was lovely.

Then we went to lunch at Cafe Rio with Brenley and Eric, who were kind enough to come to my graduation! I'm so glad I have such supportive parents and parents-in-law!

Best in-laws EVER!

We went to visit Heather's elementary school that she is interning at next year (!!!). It was super cute! Then, we took her back to go to work, and went to Pizza Factory for a delicious dinner.

We also watched Chasing 3000, a movie my dad has been wanting to show us for awhile.

The next morning we had breakfast at Heather's with Troy, one of our good friends, and then it was time to say goodbye.

I got a little teary bidding them farewell... It was SUCH a quick visit, but it was so fun to see them. I have the best parents!

*Here I go with the boring, why I'm glad I went to BYU segment, so you can skip if you don't care.*

I'm so glad I went to BYU. I never even considered going to another school-- it was always the one I wanted to go to-- and I can't think of another place that would have been better for me. I love the environment, the people, the professors, the standards, and the fact that I met my sweet husband while attending this school. I feel like I got an exceptional education for a ridiculously good price (especially considering I was blessed to be able to maintain a full tuition scholarship for 3 years, a half tuition for 1 year, and the last baby semster I only took 7 credits. Plus I got grants and my work paid for it, too. Basically, I got paid to go to school. How awesome is that?!), and I truly loved my time there. Also, becoming a BYU student marks the first time I ever cared about sports. And I still don't really care about them unless the Cougars are playing. LOVE my Cougars :) 

I already miss going to school and being a student-- it is always amazing to me when I think about how this is probably the only time in history where someone like me, a middle- class woman, not only could but would be so encouraged to go off to school thousands of miles from home, by herself, to pursue a higher education, and I always felt like I was part of something so amazing and big and wonderful. I am so grateful that getting an education is something I was privileged and blessed enough to be able to do. I know that no matter what I do with my education, it will be time well-spent, and I hope I can pass that on to my children.

(Nicole: I love where you're going with this, the "Y" like BYU! Me: Oh.. Not what I was going for but yes! I will definitely use that reasoning!)

Go Cougars!