My Bridals

I had my bridal photo shoot at Thanksgiving Point yesterday! At first, I really didn't want to do it, but my mother and my FIANCE insisted. I'm glad I did it, though. It was actually really fun, even if it was a little chilly! I had a great time laughing at my photographer posing femininely to show me how he wanted me to look.

I realized my calling in life. I'm suppose to be a supermodel...or a photographer. Either one would be fun.

CALIFORNIA knows how to party

Last weekend, my FIANCE and I went to California for my fall break. (Gotta love being a teacher!) It was so fun showing my fiance my neck of the woods. Thursday, we spent a day at the beach just reading and soaking in the sun and had In 'N Out for lunch. (Yes, right now you should be very jealous.) We watched the TCU game that night, which, needless to say, put me in a very bad mood for the rest of the night.
Friday , My FIANCE and I spent a day at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Yeah, that's when I realized how old I've gotten. I found that every ride gave me a massive headache/stomachache! When did I become such a scardy cat? But hey, the funnel cake is still as good as I remember.
Saturday, My FIANCE and I went to see Wicked at the Pantages. Although we didn't win the lottery and get front row seats, we were still pleased with the $45 tickets we got. Afterwards, we went and did a session at the LA temple with my parents. It was so beautiful and a perfect way to end the day.
On Sunday, we went to my family's ward, where I only recognized about 5% of the ward. I had my good old pal, Karissa and her husband over for dinner. It was so great catching up with her. She told me her tales as a high school special ed teacher and it made me LOVE my students and job all over again.
Such a great trip. The thing I loved the most was spending all day every day with my FIANCE. We always have such a great time together, whether it's losing to TCU or laying out at the beach. LOVE YOU, FIANCE! :)

My Fiance

I just realized that because Mark and I are having such a short engagement, I'm getting short changed on how frequently I get to say, "My fiance." I've decided to live that title to the fullest. Hey, I'm only going to be able to use it for another 6 weeks and 2 days (but who's counting) and then I'll never be able to call him that again! (I'll have a better name for him...husband! or "hubby" when I'm feeling really lovey dovey). I'll start using phrases like,

"My fiance is on his way over," "My fiance's here!" and "My fiance and I are going out."

I have the rest of eternity to call him Mark. I'm going to use Fiance for the next 6 weeks. I love that guy.

It'll only be too soon!

So tonight I was chatting with my roommates about all my wedding plans and how the wedding was coming up in less than two months. Lynley, my adorable roommate, exclaimed,

"Holy Cow! You'll be married by the time my next gallon of milk expires!!!"

yeah...um...that's one way of looking at it!

My (soon to be) nephew

Last night, Mark and I visited with his parents and his sister and her family. His nephew, Eli, (Soon to be my nephew!!!) is 3 years old and CRACKS ME UP! He's already calling me Aunt Bre, which yeah, pretty much melts my heart.

I was telling Eli about how Mark and I are going to go to California in a couple weeks. We had the following conversation:

Me: "When Mark and I go to California, we are going to get on a big plane. It starts on the ground and lifts up into the air..."
Eli: "And then does it shoot bullets out of it?!?"
Me: "Sure hope not..."

What a boy! yeah, he definitely cracks me up!

The Engagement Story!

Ok, so by popular demand, here's our engagement story! Poor Mark was trying to come up with some way to surprise me. Since we had pretty much our entire wedding planned and booked before the ring came in and since (I thought) I knew when the ring was going to be done, it was going to be pretty dang hard to make it a surprise.

The ring was suppose to be done today (Thursday), so I didn't think much of it when Mark asked me to dinner monday night. He emailed me that afternoon, saying he had a gift card for the Foundry Grill at Sundance that expired by October 1st. Since he was leaving Tuesday on a business, we had to use it Monday. He promised to have me back in time for my group FHE (I just got called to be the FHE Group Leader...ugh) Although it crossed my mind that it would be perfect to propose up in the canyon, I didn't think he would do it and get me back in time for FHE, plus the ring wasn't ready anyway!

So, we go to dinner at the yummy (and expensive) Foundry Grill. It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL in the canyon with all the fall colors, so I asked if he wanted to drive the Alpine Loop after dinner. (Little did I know that was his plan all along...I made it so easy on him!) As we were driving, he said he wanted to pull over and take a picture of the scenery. (Which didn't surprise me. He's always whipping out his camera. Like father, like son!) Well, we get out, he starts taking pictures, and all of a sudden, he drops to one knee! I was like, "NO WAY! NO WAY! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!" and he laughed and asked me to marry him. to which I said something to the affect of, "YEAH! YES! ALRIGHT! WU-HOO!"

It was beautiful and perfect, and yes, I was one of those suckers who actually believed the jewelers when they said that it would take "at least two weeks." Liars. they're all liars! but it was worth it!

I'M ENGAGED!!!!

Yes, it's true! I'm getting MARRIED!!!!! On December 5th, in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple, I will become Mrs. Mark Ahrens. (WEIRD! good...but WEIRD!) Mark and I first met about 4 years ago in our singles ward. We randomly ended up in the same ward last september. After being friends for a really long time, we started dating at the end of June. We went on an amazing cruise at the beginning of June and realized we liked spending lots of time together. I guess sometimes it takes a while to see a good thing when it's standing right in front of you. This pic is us on the cruise. Isn't he handsome! I love you, Mark!