Happy Birthday Sean! and the rest of the year

Sean's birthday was in November. All he wanted was to have a quiet dinner at home with me (how sweet), and of course we went to the Jazz vs. Blazers in the beginning of November, we justified it as an early present. Which he loved since Portland won 108 to 92. At first I was rooting for Jazz, but then I felt a little bad cause that would make Sean the only blazer fan in the section, so I switched teams (sorry mom) The game was awesome both of us love Basketball. He saw a little bit of crazy come out of me when the ball handling was not to my standards, and still loves me all is well ;) but in reality it was fun to share a passion and be just a tad bit crazy at the game.





Thanksgiving was at the Butlers this year. We had a lot of fun being all together. Our family is growing so fast, we officially can no longer fit in the kitchen. I love sharing holidays with Sean. Most of my memories gather around holidays and camping so during these times I feel like I'm sharing a little more of me, and it shows just how much he loves me since he puts up with funny traditions, and weird family members. This year I kinda got a glimpse into the future, we're all growing up so fast with kids and spouses. I'm so excited for our expanding family each member is so precious!

Christmas was really fun, I kicked off the season by running a 5K with Sarah. I forgot how rewarding it can be to race, definitely got me  motivated to run We spent actual Christmas with the Whitnahs, who were gracious enough to fly us out . We had a lot of fun spending time with the family, going to see the temple, and had an especially good time hiking Multnomah Falls! We took a picture with some snow we found up there since it was a green christmas in Oregon. One of my favorite things was to have Sean either play the piano or read to me, I seriously lucked out with such a stud. We had a great time with Sean's brother's family, and Robbie was good enough to let me come shooting with the boys! I held my own and hit the first target Woohoo!





I have found that I really like shooting! Especially since we got up into the mountains.



                                                                                                   
                                                                                          Melts my  heart every time!











My stance is super pro! there was a video that went along with this where you can here me freaking out, first time with a hand gun.

Engagement Story

Before

 12:30, I'm desperately running around from shop to shop with Alissa (what a trooper for letting me drag her around town) trying to find a plain white dress for the cutest couple costume of the century, dishes aren't done, my room is a mess, I know make-up covers the ENTIRE counter, everything but the clothes on my back are in the wash, and Sean is patiently waiting at my house for our special date. Now back up to the night before. Sean had left a voicemail on my phone in which he states three times that he's excited for the next day, hmmm very suspicious. ;) Later that night Sean picked me up from school, and somehow the topic turns to the next day's plans. Jokingly I said something like "Oh, haha ya I thought you were going to propose!" Sean laughed it off and told me that my ring would take a couple weeks to get since they didn't have my size. I felt a little disappointed, but also more relaxed .

and after

O.K. now back to the mayhem. FINALLY I found a dress that would work at a not outrageous price. Not even taking the time to try it on I buy it and hurry home. One of the things I love about having Sean over at my house is that he is a beautiful piano player, so the second I walk in I'm greeted by a gorgeous melody and when i get downstairs Sean takes me into a big bear hug. All the while I'm trying to explain why I look like a homeless person and why the house looks like Katy Perry had had a sleepover, he smiles and say's that its fine, then keeps me company while I put my life back in order. The whole time I'm stressed and embarrassed I'm not ready Sean is almost serenely looking on and happily chatting about his day and the dance we were going to that night. I get my clothes moved over to the dryer, make-up applied and put away, and my room in a move recognizable state. While we waited for my clothes to dry I try to tell Sean that the hike should wait for another day since I was so hurried and by this time it was about 1:30 he convinced me that we still had plenty of time. I know how much Sean loves hiking, and he's always doing nice things for me the least I can do is go on this hike with him. If I had known what was to come I would have been halfway up that mountain.
Fed and more appropriately dressed we head out the door around 2. This is a hike we had done at the beginning of dating, but didn't get to finish because it had gotten dark, and this time we were supposed to finish it. Super cute right? He came up with it himself. Any who, we get up about half way and while we, well I, had to take a rest we notice another couple coming up the pathway. Being a little too competitive me and Sean decide that to prove our love was greater than theirs we should beat them to the top of the Y, and we totally did!! therefore our love conquers all.

The picture that started it all! 

Now the Y is not my favorite hike, its not very pretty and it's basically just steeply walking, but the hike beyond that is amazing! Still laughing about our silly race with the couple who is probably oblivious that we were even there let alone racing them, we start talking about all of our adventures and how much we've grown and fell in love over the last seven months. Then we came to a clearing that was full of trees who's leaves had already turned fiery red and orange, it was so beautiful. We took a second to appreciate the world that our father in heaven had so thoughtfully made for us. When Sean asked me to take a selfie of us I didn't think anything of it, and when he put his arm around my should it was in a weird position, but then again he is from Portland ;), it wasn't until I looked through the pictures that I noticed Sean was holding something in his hand...and that something was small and shiny...and that he looked way too happy for just a regular selfie...and that small, shiny thing in his hand was an engagement ring!!!!! OH MY GOSH!!!! I'll never forget the way it felt when he put it on my finger for the first time or how i felt when i had to take it off to put it back in the box on the way down. He wasn't lying when he told me that they didn't have the right size, so to avoiding flinging my ring down the mountain we had to put it back :(. I can't express how excited I am to start this journey with the man of my dreams.

Our cute costume with the date (also the day we got engaged)

The ring (he picked it out himself!)

Man Crush Monday!

Okay, so it's Thursday... sometimes I do what I want

For those of you who don't know I'm Amanda and I'm marrying Sean! YAY!!

I'll never get tired of his sunshine smile or the way he is always serving. He is such a great example to me and helps me to become a better person. I love Sean so much it sometimes bubbles over into giggles, I mean just look at him!

This blog is the place where I will be keeping a record of our fabulous life together. Feel free to follow along on all of our adventures! We have the best family and friends :)