cortney and laura nelson

"I want real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love.” - carrie bradshaw

that's what i dreamed of, that's what i got. thanks husband, for giving me everything i've ever wanted.

xo

st. john, vi

I'm not one to post pictures without much of a story behind them, but these speak for themselves.....

honeymoon highlights:

- the scenery

- drinking 3 pina coladas a day (at least)

- the constant sunshine

- tour guide, jimmy (both knowledgeable AND animated about the island)

- every second of every minute with the husband...i am truly the luckiest girl in the world.

just cause i can...

I refer to him as "husband" just cause i can...

we are home, and i'm the happiest i've ever been. 

an obnoxious amount of more pictures of the honeymoon and wedding to come....

if you need me, i'll be here....

and here....

...and here.

i know you're jealous. i'll report of my pina-colada drinking, beach bummin' and paradise-living when we get back.

happy easter

I really miss my family on holidays, and easter is by far one of my favorites. going to the salt lake country club with my whole family, where they would parade around a 7 foot easter bunny with bug eyes and a mischievous smirk that would leave the little ones running to their moms in sheer terror and tears brings back a flood of memories.

on a more serious note, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave us an Easter statement (4.10.09):

At this Easter season of hope and renewal we testify of the glorious reality of the atonement and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The empty tomb brought comforting assurance and provided the answer to the question of Job, "If a man die, shall he live again?" (Job 14:4).

Because of the Savior's resurrection we will overcome death and become the beneficiaries of His mercy and grace. In a world of trouble and uncertainty, His peace fills our hearts and eases our minds. Jesus is in very deed "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). 

We give our sure witness that Jesus is the Christ. Though He was crucified, He rose triumphant from the tomb to our everlasting blessing and benefit. To each member of the human family He stands as our Advocate, our Savior, and our Friend.

An Apostle's Thoughts on Easter.

happy easter, from my heart to yours.

sea "dawgs"

i've got myself a bit of a sea lion problem. 

normally this wouldn't be that big of a deal, but a girl needs her beauty sleep. i woke up at about 2 this morning with them barking up a storm on the dock outside. cort and i tried to meet some of them a few months ago, and snuck ourselves onto the dock where they were playing. don't let this cartoon fool you, they don't look anything like it. in fact, they are terrifying. i was so shocked by how massive they were, that i couldn't get very close. cortney was convinced they were friendly, but my heart started racing as one couldn't take his eyes off me. i was picturing him knocking me in the water with his huge fin and dragging me down to the depths of the ocean. don't worry, i was able to escape in time. since then, we have heard them on a number of occasions, but last night, they were having some kind of party on the dock. and since this is the closest thing I'm getting to a real dog in the next little while, I thought I should learn a little about them. here are some interesting facts about sea lions:

-often confused with seals, sea lions are called sea dogs due to the barking noise they make. seals make more of a grunting noise.

-both sea lions and seals belong to the scientific order, pinnipedia, meaning "fin-footed".

-sea lions spend half of their time in the water and half of their time on land, which sets them apart from other marine mammals (whales). 

-a male sea lion of a certain species can tip the scale at over 600 hundred pounds, compared to less than 400 for the average seal. 

-sea lions normally coexist peacefully with other marina mammal species, but breeding males and females with newborn pups, may threaten and chase intruders.....

....such as cort and myself.

quote of the day

via creature comforts

taste of perfection

no, i'm not talking about my future husband (though he is too), but he did introduce me to one of the favorite parts of my day. i can't go a day without the magic machine because it gives me this little delicious treat. 

i've been known to drink one for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

laura and cortney's dream protein shake

1/2 cup rice milk

little bit of water

1/2 cup of whatever frozen berries i have on hand

3 ice cubes

1-2 scoops protein powder

1/2 tsp probiotic antioxidant powder

butterflies

in approximately five days, these two nuts are flying into town....

....and I couldn't be more excited. life just gets easier and more fun when they are around. i am so thankful that they can hold my hand, calm my nerves, make me laugh and squeeze in my bed with me, a week before the big day. i have butterflies, i'm so excited.

many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. ~ eleanor roosevelt

the best of the best

sometimes i sit in awe over how doting, caring, involved, {insert cute word here, etc} and handy the fiance is to have around. i have literally dragged him all over the city over the last 6 months to look for flowers, venues, go to food tastings (he didn't mind that one), appointments, etc....and all the while him thinking that it is "part of the job," as the groom, always with a smile. planning a wedding without your nearest and dearest around isn't the easiest thing to do, but he has not only made it a breeze, but also something fun and that has kind of become our own little project. i'm not an easy bride - once I get an idea in my head, it is near impossible to get it out, but he goes with the flow and does his best to help me accomplish my goals. we both share a love for crossing things of lists, and the last couple of weeks we have been getting excited seeing our list get smaller and smaller as the day gets closer and closer. he's a good one to have around, and truly is, the best of the best. 

this is cort working on a little project i have planned for the wedding.

 

he is the best handyman....

doing this all while nursing a cold....

....and while i sat in the sun....

...and picked spring flowers....

....and tried to make an arrangement (obviously not very good yet)....

....and made "indoor smores".....

he deserves an award.

xo.

procrastination tastes good

i can't help it. it's been staring at me for 2 weeks now. 

this little wonder was the ultimate shower gift to me, from my favorites (those being shanna-banana, lacey, c-rod., lindsey d., ashley l., ashley b., karlee a., joci, sister-erin, tricia, kenzie, andee belle, holly, rachelli and jules). i'm down to the wire and up to my knees in school work - procrastinating a m-m-monster of a paper that i'm trying to complete before the big day. how am i supposed to concentrate with so much on my mind (that being, the wedding and the bosch)?

so, in addition to staring into the abyss, dreaming of flowers, bride.groom spice cake and island paradise, i decided to act in true rebellion and make something truly delicious. it was ambitious, being my first bread attempt, but also an easier recipe for a virgin-bosch-user like myself. i found this delightful recipe from the baking blog i frequently stalk.

chocolate chip banana bread

1 c. butter, softened

1 1/4 c. sugar

2 eggs

1/2 c. buttermilk

3 c. flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3 mashed bananas

chocolate chips (as much as you like - i used a lot)

preheat oven to 300. spray 4 mini loaf pans (i used 3 medium sized) with Pam. in bowl of electric mixer, cream together butter, sugar, eggs and buttermilk. add dry ingredients. stir in bananas and chocolate chips. pour into bread pans. bake for 45-50 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean.

the bosch is a dream - thank you girls, you made my year. xo.