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

Wilson Philips

.Wilson Philips.

A couple of weeks ago, the Salt Lake County Fair brought the 90's out of us.  Wilson Philips was the guest of the night.  Chels and I have been jamming to their songs with our moms since we were just kiddos.  The guys, on the other hand....enjoyed our dance moves and their footlong corn dogs.  In case you don't remember the ladies of Wilson Philips, let me bring you back to memory lane.

Perhaps this song will ring a bell?

Thanks for the tickets, Chels!

Independence Day

This year we celebrated America's birthday by hitting the slopes at Snowbird Resort in the morning.  {You read that right, I skiied...on my favorite holiday}  

I learned one thing this day: 

Skiiers are crazy!

Justin said that he has never seen the parking lot so full...and he has skiied powder days.  There were two lifts open and plenty of snow.  I was of course in Independence Day attire--it was 60 degrees at the top.  Justin opted for the shorts and sweatshirt look, he pulled it off.  

After skiing we went home, had some lunch/dinner and headed to Sugarhouse Park for the firework show where we met up with Em, Jackson, Chelsea and Jameson.  I LOVE the fireworks!  Luckily, in Utah, we get to see them twenty days apart.

Happy Birthday, America!

Hace Calor

In July we dusted off our passports and headed to Mexico for Pashley's wedding.  It was nice to be with our amigos where technology and time never mattered.

We spent the week:

- watching two love birds tie the knot

- eating fish tacos--which were heavenly

- playing a lot of Yahtzee 

- pool games--categories with Britney Spears songs, chicken fights, handstand contests, etc.

- catching some waves

- sharing a room with Jackson and Jill--where we witnessed the invention of the breathe right nose strip

- lighting lanterns

- scooter-ing around

- an attempted fishing trip

- being eaten by mosquitos--22 on just my left leg--are you impressed?

...and...

sweating.

{"Hace calor!" was frequently used.}

We stayed in a little beach town called Salyuita.  Ash and Pat got married in a gorgeous villa overlooking the ocean--we're talkin' Bachelor fantasy suites beautiful.  We are so happy for the Giles and are grateful for the invite.  

Thanks friends, for a great trip!  Let's do it again sometime...perhaps to Asia?

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!