Merry Christmas!!

We are enjoying our time in NC with Zach's family this holiday season! It has been a fun filled week and we're sad to leave tomorrow morining, but our journey home must continue!

Tacky Sweater Partyyyyy!

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and got to spend it with family and friends!



-Ashley

All Coked Up!

I thought for sure Z had been to the Coca Cola factory being that he has had family in the ATL area for the longest time.. but I was wrong! Every time we come here I tell him I want to go to the museum, but we never do - except for this time. We had such a nice afternoon together downtown! The Coke museum had a 4-D show, a lot of rooms with different artifacts/history, and even an all you can drink tasting room with 64 different sodas! (I was brave and tried every single non-US one!) It ended up being about 40 samples... my stomach hurt after! If you ever get the chance to go I don't suggest trying "Beverly" from Italy - EW! Seriously SO awful!

Anyway, here are a few photos from our day out!

Cheers!

The Coca-Cola tree!

Thought this was kind of cool...
Another cool thing... Zach is holding one of the torches used in the 2008 Olympics!

Excited about the glasses for the 4D show! lol

We leave tomorrow morning for North Carolina. We are spending it with his sister and her family and I couldn't be more excited! She has so many fun things planned for us to do! :)

-Ashley

CONGRATS!!!

To my bff Heather aka LOBE!! Her and her now fiancee have spent the last two weeks in Hawaii and they are now ENGAGED (well, they have been since they got there, but I'm a bad friend and I'm just now posting - lol)! :) I am so happy for them both and can't wait to PARTY and CELEBRATE this fabulous time in her life! After almost 4 years I'd say it's about time because they are so perfect for eachother! The week before she ran in the Space Coast Marathon (26.2 miles for those non-runners) and finished first in her division and qualified for the Boston Marathon with a time of 3:36! She is absolutely amazing and I'm so proud of her!

The pic she first sent in a text:

"I'm in Hawaii and ENGAGED!!!!" (I couldn't stop smiling!)

Nice work Todd! :)

Love you Heather!

-Ashley

Tampa Trip!

I'm really bummed I can't seem to find my camera cord to upload the pictures we took on Tuesday night at dinner (and the memory card of the camera I used doesn't fit in my media hole in the laptop - boo)... but I guess it will show up at some point! This whole moving half our stuff on a big truck, but keeping the rest is making my head spin! I feel more disorganized than usual (and that says a lot!) lol. What went on the truck? What didn't!? No one knows...


I do, however, have some random pictures from my phone to describe my 5 days in Tampa! I got back to Atlanta yesterday afternoon, but I had such an amazing time with family and friends and it went by so fast because I was so busy doing SOMETHING each second of the day!

HOTTTT Bucs game Sunday afternoon w/ Krystal
Grabbed some TCBY (The Country's Best Yogurt, Kelly!) with a friend!

Spent lots of time with Lace, Lua, and Mom!

I got PINK luggage from my parents!

(Happy graduation to me)
Dad cooked one of my FAVORITE meals...

That sauce is homemade and includes at least 6 different cheeses! haha.
I kicked butt at my interview and got a job - love the bathroom pic?!

(I have since then cut 2 inches off and dyed my hair DARRRRRK brown)

-Ashley

The Interview

I had an interview today for a tutoring position at the school my mom works at. I was pretty nervous, but she kept telling me I'd do fine - and she was right! I got the job!!! It isn't a full time teaching job like I would have liked, but it's something to "get my foot in the door", a great experience, and a way to add new references to my resume! I appreciate all the hard work my mom put in to looking around and talking to people - she's amazing!!

Speaking of my mom... she took yesterday off and took me shopping! I got some new clothes and we just had a great time bonding (it had been over 6 months since I had seen her last). I took us out to lunch and I really enjoyed my day and I think she did too! Love you mom!!

Tonight I'm going out to dinner with the girls to celebrate - I haven't even seen most of them since I've been home! and during the day I'm doing something secretive that Z won't know about until a later date! hehe. So excited!!

-Ashley

The Great Road Trip

Two exciting events happened yesterday:

• Zach and I started our move back to Tampa!
• I GRADUATED!!! I'm finally done with classes and I'm ready to have one of my own! :) So exciting!

Anyway, the 16ish hour road trip has finally come to an end! We left yesterday afternoon after my last class ended and we made our way through Arkansas and stopped in Memphis, TN. While in Arkansas we were on the lookout for a Duggar, or 20, but unfortunately we didn't spot any of them. Sad, I know. In Memphis we decided we'd look for Elvis, but we had NO luck whatsoever! We woke up and started the 2nd half of the trip and went through Mississippi, Alabama, and then finally Georgia. We're now at his mom's house about an hour south of GA and we're enjoying family time!

Crossing into Alabama, I believe...

M-i-s-s-i-s-s-i-p-p-i!
We didn't see one darn Duggar!!
Pretending to be happy!
My driver!

Glad to be going home soon.. I fly to Tampa on Saturday for an interview on Monday! Wish me luck!!

-Ashley

Festival of Lights

In a town about 45 minutes north of where we lived (we are no longer living in OK, but that's a whole different blog!) there is a city called Chickasha. Each year they do a special event called "The Festival of Lights". Zach and I had hear about it last year, but never made it, so we decided we'd go this year. I posted it on Facebook and my friend Holly said she was planning on going with her hubby and son and we were more than welcome to tag along... and we did! It was so much fun and so pretty! There were SO many lights and it was a great way to spend our last weekend in Oklahoma.

Holly and I!

Cody, Luke, Holly, Me, and Zach!

This tree can be seen from all over the city!

The Thrasher family!!
Luke is the cutest little boy EVER! So funny and energetic!
The Sechrist family! :)
Miss you already Holly!! You better keep in touch! We definitely had a great time and enjoyed ourselves in your old stomping grounds. :)

-Ashley

The Getaway

We left a little after 10 on Saturday morning and stopped at a gun range in OKC so Zach could play with a gun. He shot a few rounds and we were on our way. (He couldn't get me to do it so I sat back and watched through a nice super glared window!) He seemed to have a lot of fun though!

Look reeeeeal close! lol.Our next stop was the mall, but it was so crowded I didn't even want to look around so we left and found my favoritest store in the whole world! We do NOT I repeat we do NOT have a TARGET here in Lawton so going to one is like the best thing EVER! Zach bought a nice smelling candle and I got two shirts which were majorly on sale! Woo!
We checked into the hotel and watched the FSU/UF game and a little bit of the Miami/USF game. Both of the teams I was cheering for lost, but it was expected. FSU's QB is a Freshman who has started like 3 games and UF has "God" aka Tebow. I am SO happy I will never have to see him standing in The Swamp again. Seriously excites me!

Anyway, we left for our early dinner and had an amazing time! The drinks and dinner were fantastic and we just enjoyed each others company!

I started out with a margarita, but then Z told me to get the Love Martini so I did..

and they were both great!

Deciding what to order... hmmm!

Zach looking at his food/cooking it!

Super yummy!

We got the Turtle Chocolate... it was on fire! :)

The next morning for breakfast we stopped here and picked up a DELISH donut!
Of course our trip to OKC ended at Moe's and it was so yummy, of course! I think I could not eat for the next week and be totally okay with it....

I gave Z my camera to take to Ga/Fl with him and I also gave him my charger. The charger is now MIA and my fully working camera is dead. My favorite camera still works, but the LCD screen is totally blacked out because I dropped it. Sooo we do have a camera, but with no view finder the pics aren't the best quality! I either need a new charger or a new screen. Hmmm!

Last week of student teaching!! YIPPPEEE!!

-Ashley

I'm SO Ready to...

Watch my NOLES play those stupid Gators!

Have this for dessert... after an AMAZING dinner just seconds before!

AND

...fall asleep next to my love on a super comfy bed!

It has been way too long since I left this little city we live in and I told Z at some point I needto get AWAY! (yes, we're moving in like 2 weeks, but that's irrevelant!) Zach had his two weeks in GA/FL so he told me last night he'd take me for a mini-day/night getaway! :) He made reservations at The Melting Pot for dinner, got us a hotel for the night! Who knows what the day will have in store, except for the NOLES game, of course... and the UGA game after dinner, but I'm ready for it! I better go get ready - EEEK! Have a nice weekend!

-Ashley

Ashley Died of Typhoid

... and Zach drowned!! I found a totally cool website where you can play the elementary school style Oregon Trail. I didn't make it to Oregon and my poor passengers all got sick and died, or in Zach's case drowned, but it was very amusing. I tried to caulk the wagon and float across, but I definitely didn't make it. Zach wasn't happy he didn't make it longer than 2minutes in the game, but I found it pretty funny. Great way to spend my Thanksgiving night!

This is the third post in one day... I don't know if that means I have a lot going on in my life... or I don't have one at all! Siiigh!

-Ashley

Thanksgiving 2009!

I'm stuffed, Z is napping, and our lunch today was nothing short of FANTASTIC! Zach roasted a super juicy 12.6 lb. turkey (in a bag!), made homemade mashed potatoes, and cooked his "family's secret recipe" green bean casserole! I did the (boxed Stovetop) stuffing, gravy (with the turkey "droppings"), and I put the rolls in the oven! lol. I also "baked" Mrs. Paul's pumpkin pie! He definitely did all of the hard work, but I did help as much as I could, or as much as he'd let me! Of course, my rolls turned out burned on the bottom, but thankfully he didn't complain! hehe. We have SO much leftover... but that just means we know what's for dinner for the next 5 days! lol.

Bright and early!

With his "masterpiece!"

The whole sha-bang!

Felt like I was at Disney World! lol. Excited the popper finally POPPED!
Sitting at the table together.
Proud of my "packet" gravy!
Finished!

Somehow had room for dessert...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

-Ashley

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!! I'm so thankful I am able to spend today with a happy, healthy husband! Three years ago on Thanksgiving Zach was working a 12-hr day shift so the turkey was post-poned, two years ago he was in Cuba, and last year he had just had back surgery the week before so he was able to eat, but wasn't too much help in the kitchen and not in very happy spirits! (Thanks to Zach's Meem for being there last year to help us - or our house probably wouldn't be standing! haha). Anyway, I'm also thankful for my family, friends, the food I'm going to be able to consume later today, the roof over my head, and the experiences I've been given in my wonderful life... and I can't forget all of the mass texts I've already received/I'm going to receive! hehe - I actually really do appreciate them!

Zach and Ash - Thanksgiving 2003

(Our first one together.. what was up with my hair? I obviously didn't have my Chi yet!)

-Ashley

Tis The Season...

... to give! Around here we have been very giving, especially Zach! I woke up this morning to my alarm at 6:15. I couldn't breathe, I was freezing under 3 millions blankets, coughing, and had the worst headache ever! Zach asked me if I was going to school and of course my answer was yes! I don't ever miss school - I'm known for being afraid to call in to anything or not show up for classes, but I took my temp and it was almost 101. Nothing too crazy, but enough for me to say I'm not going! I made the calls in my head a few times before I dialed each of the numbers: 1 to my mentor teacher, 1 to my supervisor, and 1 to my school. They were all very sympathetic and were okay with the fact I was staying home. My mentor teacher is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met. She invited Z and I over for Thanksgiving dinner and she has showered me with many little gifts/ideas/compliments throughout the semester and she is just SO caring. I feel very blessed to have someone like her to turn to for help. (and no, she doesn't read this blog! lol). My supervisor knew I must've been sick to miss a fun day like "Party Day". We were going to have ice cream today and play (educational) games and it was going to be fun! Sadness.

I ended up taking two pretty long naps and a couple of doses of Tylenol. Right now everything feels okay except for my pounding head! Ughh. Anyway, thanks Z for your generous gift - I owe ya one! :)

Hoping I get better soon so I can enjoy the next FIVE days off!

-Ashley

Big Sick Baby!

My poor hubby is sick. VERY sick! How do I know?? He said no to these earlier today...

Yesterday he had a really sore throat/nasty cough, but today I thought I'd make him feel a little better by baking and giving him some of his favorite warm, fresh, chocolate chip cookies! .. and he told me NO! :( We got the thermometer out and it got up to 102 this afternoon. He has the muscle aches, a headache, the shivers, and just about everything known as a flu symptom... but we're keeping our fingers crossed it's not! Luckily he doesn't have anything planned for tomorrow so he can lay on the couch or in bed all day - but Tuesday he has a lot to do (including a dr. appt!)

Anyway, his mom mentioned going to the hospital and getting checked out and I told him I'd call my bff who is an RN and ask what she thought. He responded with "she works with little babies, not big ones!" Lol. She's a L&D nurse, so he was right on that one! haha. He is my big baby and I've gone to the store three times the past 2 days for him and his wants/needs! I'm trying to be a nice wifey, but he sure can make it tough! ;)

Get better soon Z!

-Ashley

Mexican Date Night!

Zach and I have been married for only three years, but we've been together for almost 7... and yes, I do have a point with this random information! lol. Last night was our FIRST time EVER in our almost 7 year relationship to get Mexican food (minus Moe's) out to eat by ourselves, like just the two of us on a date! I kid you not!! Now, we've been to Mexican together with his family before - they are all Mexican food lovers - but Z could really take it or leave it! When he picked me up from school yesterday afternoon I mentioned I really wanted Mexican food and as we were getting ready to decide what/where to eat later that night he mentioned a local favorite called Los Tres Amigos. I was so happy! I couldn't wait to load up on chips/queso/salsa.. and have a LARGE margarita! :)

It was so good! I got "The Lawton Dinner" which included 2 chicken enchiladas, one beef taco, some rice, and some beans... and of course we shared two baskets of the complimentary chips/salsa/queso, and each enjoyed the free cinnamon/sugar dessert baked good at the end. lol. I was pretty buzzed/full/happy on the car ride home. Hehe! He got two cheese enchiladas/rice/beans/etc. We both thought it was pretty good and I was rather surprised at how cheap our final bill was! It was no Outback or Chili's bill - that's for sure! lol. I do hope he will take me again soon, but if not it's Christmas with his family this year so I'm sure we'll do a "Mexican restaurant" at some point! :)




We also had planned on seeing The Blind Side, but we stopped before dinner to get our tickets (2hrs prior) and it was already sold out. I blame it on New Moon being sold out and everyone not having any other options! lol. We might try again this afternoon if Z is feeling up to it. He left this morning at 4am to get cough medicine from Wal-greens because he just couldn't stop! :( I have really bad cramps this morning and my throat is pretty sore as well. I hope this will all pass soon because we don't have time to be sick!

HAPPY WEEEEEKEND!

-Ashley