Introducing

5.23.12

The day our life changed forever.

We are so blessed and loving every minute of it.

May

These days I'm playing the waiting game.

What am I wait for?  The month of May to roll around.

May will bring us:

Graduation

Charmac's newest {full-time} employee

Mama Hall's arrival

Our first move

New house

and .  .  .

Baby C!

Trimester #3 is in full swing.  Let the countdown begin.

Two Thousand Eleven in Review

Dear 2011, 


You've marked the craziest year of our lives. Here's to our top moments of 2011.


January


One class closer to an elementary teaching license for me.  Another hill skied for Justin.

February


Randi and I hosted the first bunco night.  We were too excited/busy that we didn't take a single photo, but here we are prepping for the big night.  Thanks to our new Our Best Bites purchase, we were set for a great Valentine's Day theme.

March


Cat skiing in British Columbia for the original Casperson crew, ski school for the new one.

April


Weekend getaway to the Grand

May


Couples trip to Park City

June


Celebrated our one year anniversary

July


Skied on the fourth of July.

We flew to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for my best friend's wedding.

August


Hall/Casperson reunion in the Sawtooths

September


LOTOJA.  206 miles, 3 states, 10,000 feet gained, 13 hours...check!

We flew to Lubbock, Texas to visit our best friends for my birthday weekend.

October


Ran the Ragnar Relay with friends in Vegas...Riley and Tyson pretty much sum up our feelings on the last leg of the race.

November


Casperson thanksgiving trip to Kauai.

We announced that baby Casperson would be joining us in May!

December


Dallin left on his mission to Salta, Argentina.

2012, you have some pretty big shoes to fill.

Baby Cakes

My 25th birthday was one that I will never forget because on that day we got a big {surprise} that a stork will be delivering us a {very} special present around May 26, 2012. 

That's right,  Grand baby #1 is baking in the oven!

We are all SO excited

nervous/shocked,

and thrilled

for our little baby cakes to join our family.  We are already so in love with that little peach!

Redfish Family Reunion: Hall Edition

My family was able to experience Redfish for the first time at the beginning of August.  It was the first time since Christmas that were all together.  It was very fun being able to spend a couple of days together in the Sawtooths with the Casperson clan.  I am so grateful that our families get a long and that we didn't have any "Meet the Fockers" moments.  Here are some pictures from our trip.

Church in Stanley

 Hot Pots on the Salmon River

 Loving the American outdoors

Troopers

 Hiking Trail

 Water break

Redfish Lake--Christmas card photo op

So Long Red Hummer

Last week, we went to Utah Carzz hoping to test drive a truck and left owning one!  It was quite a quick process but we've been looking for some time now.  I'm pretty sure that I signed my life away and I'm not going to lie...I was little sad to leave that red Hummer...it was so easy to recognize him on the road.

But man, does he look mighty good in that truck!

I love that Idaho boy of mine.

One

On June 23, 2010 we were skipping out the Bountiful Temple and high on love.  Today, we're just as high on love, minus the literal skipping part.

I'm not sure why people say "The first year is the hardest."  Lucky for us, if this statement is true, we've got one good life ahead of us.  This year was, however, a big year of learning.  We have both learned a lot about each other over the last 365 days.

Here are some things I've learned:

1.   Justin is a violent sleeper.  After being elbowed in the ribs…twice…it was time to upgrade the mattress.  We are now king people. 

2.   I learned that the saying, “It’s not my favorite” has a literal meaning in Justin’s eyes…to the rest of the word it’s a polite way of saying, “I don’t like it.”

3.   Justin handles stress WAY better than I do.  He is calm and collected, I am emotional and vocal.  We balance each other out.

4.   I learned that Justin can get me to do things that I wouldn't normally do.  Ex:  I owned 3 bikes, that’s right, 3.  I drive a Hummer—sometimes.  I am attempting to jump the wake behind a boat.  I went jeeping in Moab—scariest thing I’ve ever done.  I skied 5 days this year—a 500% increase from last.

5.   I have learned that Justin is a clean/organize freak.  Every file is labeled, his desk is always spotless, and as I write this right now, he is cleaning the wheels on his bike.  I drive him crazy most of the time, but he is patient.

6.   He has taught me that I made a great decision with no regrets a year ago.  He’s one good catch, that Justin Casperson.

Here are some things that Justin has learned throughout the year:

1.   I learned that Ashley owns a retainer and when she comes to bed with it on it’s definitely time to call it a night.  Refer to the movie Date Night.

2.   I have learned to love the New York Yankees, which is hard for someone who believes in fairness and salary caps.

3.   Ashley can be very indecisive about the temperature in our house or car.  It has to either be freezing cold or burning hot.  She can never make up her mind.

4.  I learned that Ashley loves animals and wants a puppy more than a child.  I'm ok with this for now.

5.  Ashley’s definition of cleaning is putting things in drawers, closets, under the bed, or in the garage. 

 6.  But most of all, this year I have learned that I am truly the luckiest guy in the world to be married to Ash.   

Cheers to one year down, here's to many more to go!

Moms

We feel very lucky to have such great women in our life, but are especially grateful for our moms.  Call us crazy, but we believe we have some of the best moms around.

Growing up I was always told that I looked my dad, however, over the past few years I've heard from lots of people that I look like my mom.  We have stood in the mirror next to each other (several times) trying to see Donna's mini-me...still haven't seen it yet.  True, we are the same height, have similar voices, and I'll give you mannerisms, but the mini-me mystery still remains.  I am grateful for my mom and everything she has done for me.  I was a little brat at times, but she still managed to keep me around.  I feel so blessed to have a great mom in place of the sister that I never had.  I love you, mom and hope to be like you to my future children.

--Pearl

I have yet to see the Donna look-a-like either, but I do see the kind, loving, and understanding Donna come out in Ashley every day.  I'm so thankful for a mother-in-law who has loved and accepted me into her family so well, and for all she has done to help Ashley to become who she is today.  I'm truly one of the lucky ones.  Donna, thanks for all you do.  I love you.

--Justin

I am so grateful to have such an amazing mother-in-law.  I have always felt so welcomed in the Casperson family and have loved every second.  Tara's efforts to raise such an amazing son, have truly changed my life.  I am eternally grateful for the guidance, love, and fun that she portrayed to Justin growing up.  Thank you for being an example and for showing me a new level of fun!  I love you.

--Ashley

I can safely say that I have the coolest mom around, and I confident no one would argue with that.  Mom, I'm so thankful for all you have done for me.  Even when I was a complete pain in the butt you always loved, helped, and supported me and did everything you could to get me on the right track.  I love you so much for it. You always taught me to be happy and love whatever you're doing, and you still show me up and teach me to have more fun, but most of all thank you for the great example you have always been in everything.  Thanks for being awesome! I love you.

--Justin

...What We Love About Our Moms...

- They are friends
- They love to dance
- They're fun
- They love to travel...and have taken us on some pretty great trips!
- They karaoke
- They read us good-night stories
- They've made us better people
- They support us

Happy Mother's Day, Donna and Tara!  We hope you have a wonderful day.  We love you and are proud to call you, "mom."

Another Decade Down

Good-bye 2010, you've been good to us!

**Here's what we were up to in 2010**

1. Skiing in Sun Valley

I am not the world's best skier, in fact, I hardly skied at all...if you don't consider being in the 5th and 6th grade ski club. Justin, on the other hand, is quite the skier and has been hitting the slopes since he was little. So skiing is slowly being adopted into my winter lifestyle. For President's Day weekend, in February, I was able to check out Sun Valley. I LOVE that town! As for my skiing experience, it was a good one...but one that needs a little more practicing before I post any pictures of me in the act.

2. Bear Lake Lookout

On February 26 I went up to Logan for the weekend. It had snowed the night before and I got to Justin's house he wanted to go take pictures up the canyon...nothing unusual. I threw on a coat (not my nice one) and almost forgot to bring shoes (because it was so cold and we've taken pictures from the sun roof before) and tagged along to Bear River Lookout. When we got there it was beautiful! I was so excited that we were going to get great pictures so wanting to contribute I asked to take a few. After taking a couple, Justin said, "Hey Ash.." I turned around with the lens still to my face and snapped one last quick shot.

This is what I took...

3. Jobs

We feel very blessed to both have jobs, we enjoy, in this economy.

I left my job at American Preparatory and the School for New Americans. I LOVED every second teaching at that school and being mentored by the best teachers. It was such a hard day saying good-bye to those precious refugee children who walked in the doors in September knowing maybe 50 English words and leaving at grade level. There was such amazing improvement in these kids who touched my heart and love for teaching forever.

I am now teaching fourth grade at Bear River Charter School! This is the first year of Bear River Charter school and I feel blessed to be apart of it. This is also my first year on my own and it's been fun...and difficult at times...having my own class, but I am enjoying it and am very grateful for a teaching job in "teacher county" Utah.

Justin works for Charmac Trailers and it's so convenient for him to work from home after his classes. He is planning to graduate in May 2012. If Justin isn't studying or working for Charmac, he is thinking of other companies he wants to start up. Seriously...as of today, he has 5 other business ideas he wants to start up! I woke up one morning and on his computer was a post-it note that said, "I can't do everything." Oh the mind of an Entrepreneur...

4. Trips

2010 has been the year of living out of suitcases. This year we've been able to take a couple trips together and made many memories from each one.

I have found my favorite travel partner!

Justin's role--holds the tickets, passports, itinerary...rolls the heavier suitcases and loads the car...lets me lean on him during the flight.

My role--holds the treats in my purse...takes the middle seat on flights...DJ's fairly...and fills Justin in on the latest celebrity gossip.

I think we travel well together!

5. Wedding

On June 23, 2010 single--Ashley Hall turned to married--Ashley Casperson. I LOVE my new last name and all the people I can now call "family." Our wedding day was perfect! We were married and sealed in the Bountiful Temple and had a gorgeous reception at the Eldridge Manor shortly after. A few days later we had another beautiful reception in Twin Falls at the Blue Lakes Country Club where we able to book the Hot Flash Girls and danced the night away.

6. Hawaii

Our first trip with just each other. We loved it! We did whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted all day long. It was great! We honeymoon'ed in paradise on the North Shore of Oahu. Hawaii is one of the most amazing places I've ever seen. I love it there and want to move there! We couldn't stuff ourselves more with pineapple pancakes!

7. Wakeboarding

If you haven't seen Justin wakeboard before, you need to get on the boat! He is so talented and so fun to watch! We were able to spend our summer on the Snake River wakeboarding at least four times a week. There is nothing better than waking up early to glass and spending the morning on the river, followed by the afternoon at Grandma Coats' pool.

8...LOTOJA

Justin, Lloyd, and Tara all participated in LOTOJA; a bike race from Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 206 miles...3 states...1 day...they are my heros. Justin was on a relay with Kristy (Tara's HS friend) and Greg (Kristy's husband) and represented team Novembr. Justin did one of the hardest legs--biking from Preston to Montpielier, Idaho where he climbed almost 3,000 feet for 40 miles. Lloyd and Tara did the whole 206 miles. I still can not comprehend sitting on a bike seat for 12 hours. I can't even stay in an airplane seat for 10 hours!

9. Moab

We had a Casperson Thanksgiving in Moab, Utah this year.

This was the first time I had:
been to Moab
been Jeeping--thought I would die.
mountain biked...for a period of 8 miles
seen Arches National Park
watched the entire season of Modern Family in 3 days
ate a buffalo and elk steak...the list goes on and on.

We had an amazing time with the Casperson clan and I feel so lucky to have married into one of the best families!!

10. Asian Christmas

We were able to spend Christmas (day) in...Thailand, Hong Kong and China this year with the Halls. Santa was a day late this year because he forgot that we moved to Asia. We had a great time in Asia and were pampered from the second we got off the plane to when we went back to the states.  Detailed post to come...

We had a wonderful year and hope you did as well!

Exploring the Big Apple

In the words of our friend Frank "I want to be a part of it....New York, New York." I just love the city that doesn't sleep. It truly makes me so happy! Here are some pictures of our last trip back east before the Halls ditched us for China.

Highlights of the trip:

- Gorgeous Connecticut reception...thank you Donna!
- Exploring Palmyra
- Being with my new family
- Playing NYC tour guide
- Pretending to live 4 blocks from the Met for a week
- Running through Central Park
- Yankees vs. Sox game, even though our boys let us down
- Wicked

...the list goes on and on.

Pics of the tent, lanterns, and backdrop.

Saying my good-byes to Candlewood Lake. I love it there and hope to own a house on this lake one day...but seriously.

A day in Palmyra, New York.  In front of the Palmyra Temple and in the Sacred Grove.

Yankee pride from the Halls to the Caspersons. They've been well taught. LOVE it!

I love the busy-ness of the this city; it brings me back to my Asian travel days.

On the Top of the Rock. Tara and I ran in Central Park a couple of times and loved it! So many trails and trees, you'd never know you were in the middle of NYC. That's one to cross off the bucket list.

Taryn making new friends...for money.

Seriously one of the hottest days I've ever experienced in New York. We're on the night tour of the city after a long day in the city. We started with Times Square then down to Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, and then took a tour around lower Manhattan. This may be a justification for our appearances in the picture above, but well worth documenting.

Brooklyn Bridge + Skyline = Classic New York Photo

In the hood, aka Harlem. Dallin staring intently at Dwayne Wayne inside. Taryn slept through it and talked about missing it for the rest of the day.

My favorite building in New York. This is where Eloise lived, the Plaza.

This was the end of a summer long vacation. Now back to the real world where the alarm rings at 6:30 and where we have responsibilities...so long summer 2010, you've been very good to us!