go girl. it's your birthday.

Well, Ashley's birthday was a success. She is now officially no longer a teenager! Here's how the day played out:

We started out the day with a delicious breakfast of unlimited french toast at Magleby's. BUT WAIT! Let's not forget what Ashley saw on her way out the door. . .



A beautiful array of hearts from Sarah! ( a couple hearts from random, not nearly as funny people) Each heart has a different inside joke or memory. It was just fun :)

Anyway, Magleby's was BALLIN. We went with our roomies, Jess and Whit, and Kristin, Martin, and Jennifer.


And then. . . our lives were changed forever.



TUCANOS. oh my lanta. So. Good.
And Ashley got a special birthday treat :)

cute.
(p.s. didn't Ashley look SMOKIN?!)

Then we went to Brandon and Maryellen's for cake (made by Sarah) and ice cream.

(hecka thoughtful wishing)



It was a beautiful day.

peace love and temple marriage.

p.s. we like to eat.
eat.
eat.
apple and bananas.
And whatever food boys make for us.


oh the beauties of self timers. We're a pretty attractive group.

20 years ago today. . .

. . . this beautiful girl was born.




HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY INCREDIBLE BEST FRIEND ASHLEY CHRISTINE HESS!!!

love you shmootsy :)

p.s. photo credit goes to the ever-talented jana beck

peace, love and temple marriage

obsessions

Obsession #1:

The Bachelor



We know, it's kind of embarrassing, but Tuesdays were definitely our favorite night of the week for the past few months. Here's what went down on those fantastic evenings known as "Bachelor Tuesdays":

We couldn't watch the show on the night it aired, Monday, because Sarah's the FHE mom and so her presence is always required at FHE. So, we would all go to our roommate Whitney's boyfriend Sam's apartment on Tuesday nights and he would play the Bachelor on his fabulously large TV via Hulu. We would also always have a treat (often something from Pizza Factory since we'd pick Ash up from work on our way to Samuel's). It was a very beloved ritual in our apartment. So, for the finale this past week, we knew we needed to do something special. We decided that we would make a yummy dinner, complete with dessert, and bring that to enjoy while we watch Brad give out the final rose. But Sam and Whit had a little something extra to surprise us with when we got there. . .







Such a fun surprise! The food was wonderful, as was the final episode. YAY EMILY!! ;)



Cute roomies!



Obsession #2

BYU Basketball

Have you been following this?



It has been such a great season and so much fun to be a part of it! Everyone at BYU has been going just a little crazy over it. We might have waited in like for 4 or 5 hours just to get decent seats. . .



TOTALLY worth it. And now we're into March Madness. GO BYU!! Oh, how we wish we could be in the crowd.







Obsession #3

Nail Polish

You will not see either of us without nail polish on our fingers. Usually in a crazy color. We feel naked without it. But just fyi, from personal experience, don't let boys paint your nails. . . bad idea.



Obsession #4

California

WE WANNA GO BACKKKKK!

ugh, we can't talk about it anymore.



Obsession #5

each other

duh.



peace, love, and temple marriage

In Loving Memory.

Yesterday, March 2, 2011 I lost someone very near and dear to my heart. My grandpa, Wendell Hess. He was truly the most amazing man I have ever known. He was an amazing husband, father and grandfather, as well as coach, teacher and war veteran. He lived a great life and was loved and looked up to by many. Our family feels so incredibly blessed to have had him stand as the patriarch.

One of the things I loved and admired most about him was his love for my grandma and the relationship they had. He would have done anything for her and visa versa. They were the perfect example of true love. I could see their love for each other every time I was around them and you don't see that kind of love very often. I appreciate that so much, mainly because my dad saw the way they loved and respected each other and was taught to do the same. Now my parents are the exact same way. I have seen the blessings that come from a happy, eternal marriage from both my grandparents and my own parents. It sets the bar high for my future husband because he sure has big shoes to fill considering the examples i have been blessed with.

Another thing I loved about this man was his wisdom and sincere care for each member of his family. Every time our family would go visit, he would pull me, as well as every other member of my family, aside and check up on me personally to see how i was doing, how life was treating me and if there was anything he could do for me. I loved that so much and looked forward to it every time i visited. He always gave the best advice and knew exactly what i needed to hear, whether it was before we had the chance to talk or not. He lived so close to the spirit and had such a strong testimony. And who can forget his sense of humor! He was so witty and fun to be around. He had a way of making you feel happy and comfortable. I'll never forget his infectious smile.

So grandpa, I want you to know how much I love, admire and respect you. You have inspired me to be a better person and to live up to the bar you have set so high. I want to thank you for being the incredible person that you were and living the incredible life you lived. I also want to thank you for teaching, loving and raising my dad into the man he is today. I love listening to him talk about you because i see the love and respect he has for you. He has so many of the great qualities you had and i see those same qualities in my brothers. I love that. So thank you grandpa. Thank you for being the best grandfather any grandchild could ever ask for. I'm a lucky girl.

I know you're in a better place now and were welcomed with open arms by loving family members. I look forward to the day when I'll see you again. Until then I will love and miss you, forever and always. <3

Peace, Love and Temple Marriage.