Our 1st Anniversary Trip

Yesterday marked J and I's first anniversary. For our anniversary, in keeping with the theme of firsts, we ventured down south to try things for the "first" time. Yes, we went to the same places we know and love but we made a pact to try new things while at these familiar places! On Friday evening we rolled into The Grove to eat, shop and visit the Farmer's Market. I have been to The Grove many times but had never stepped foot in the Farmer's Market. It was pretty cool, there was everything from live music, to restraunts, to little shops selling knick-knacks, to fruit stands and candy stores. The place was packed, J and I were so hungry, all the people whose plates we were eyeing probably thought we were a little weird. It all looked so yummy! When we left the Farmer's Market we decided to pick a restraunt to try for the "first" time, we landed on Marmalade Cafe. When we passed it on the way to the market the bright yellow umbrellas, cute booth cushions, and plates filled with yummy food were calling my name. The dinner didn't disappoint, we had sweet potato fries and yummy panini sandwiches! We finished up the night browsing in a few stores before heading to our hotel. It was a perfect evening!

Outside the entrance to Farmer's Market Marmalade CafeThe Grove
We woke up Saturday morning and headed to our favorite spot, the happiest place on earth, Disneyland! It was an absolutley gorgeous day, the sun was shining, and the sky was blue! We kept with our pact of "firsts." This was a little tricky because we are at Disneyland so often, so we had to try to mix it up! We picked new places to eat, we went on the canoes for the first time (which was a lot of manual labor, but the tour guide was hilarious), and rode the Disney train. As we were waiting for the new parade to start, I spotted a man walking by with a sliced apple sitting in a bowl of caramel sauce. I had to have it. Apples and caramel are two of my favorite things. Jason found the hidden, secret spot that sells these apples and ice cream. Score! Another "first," first of many I should say...I found a new favorite treat at Disneyland! We watched the new "Soundsational Parade" for the "first" time. It was really neat, each float was a different Disney movie, the characters from the movie were all dancing on the float and singing one of the songs from the movies. After the parade we figured we would tackle the new Star Tours line, which was well worth it. I am sure this was the "first" of many times on this new and improved ride. We headed back to the hotel to take a break, and change for the fun filled night at Downtown Disney, California Adventure and Disneyland! I even busted out my Mickey gear for the "first" time ever! This was hands down one of my favorite trips to Disneyland, maybe it was because we tried new things, maybe it was because the weather was perfect, maybe it was because I was their with the love of my life celebrating our first anniversary!
Waiting for the parade to start...
My delicious, new hidden treasure...the caramel was warm too!
Soundsational Parade
In line for the new Star Tours
Anniversary Kiss!The next day was our actual anniversary so we got up and headed to Newport, instead of driving straight to Fashion Island, like we always do, we decided to mix it up and head to Balboa Island. We had never been there together so it was another "first." It was another beautiful day and being at the beach made it that much better. We spent some time walking through the little beach shops, ate lunch on the pier and watched the dolphins jump in and out of the water. We even rode the auto ferry (another first) back to the other side of the peninsula! From there we headed to Fashion Island to do so me shopping. As if Jason had not done enough for me already he wanted to take me shopping! Thanks for the new Tory Burch kicks babe! We spent the afternoon oohing and awwing over all the cute dogs and reminiscing on our special day just one year ago. We ended the trip at Sprinkles Cupcakes in Newport Beach, the place where the Jason got done on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. There was no better ending to our perfect weekend away, celebrating our past year and dreaming of whats to come. Thanks for a very special weekend babe, I can't wait for the many more years of wedded bliss to come! XOXO
Shopping at Fashion Island
Sprinkles...where my happily ever after began!
My cherry on top: When we got home at 1am, we popped in our wedding video (a new anniversary tradition) and laughed, and cried til the end! What a perfect ending to a perfect weekend!

Hugs, Annie & J

One year ago today...

I married my best friend (I guess technically it was yesterday, it's late at night, early in the morning) . This time last year I was doing the conga line to "We Are Family," my new husband had the mic in his hand and was letting out, "oohh, oohh's" to make sure everyone stayed on the dance floor. In this moment I could finally relax, I was done running around, meeting with the florist, the photographer, the caterer, the DJ, and the list goes on and on. In this moment I realized our wedding day had far exceeded my expectations. It was perfect. How could it not have been? I was marrying my soul mate, my perfect match, my everything.

Throughout the past year I have had some friends get engaged, they have asked me the question, "was having a big wedding worth it?" Without hesitation I would say, "absolutley!" I told them that there is nothing that can replace the feeling of having all the people you love so much in one room, watching you commit the rest of your life to the person you love more than anything in the world. I remember sitting at the head table, surrounded by my bridesmaids, and looking out at all the people, I had an overwhelming feeling come over me, abundant love. I like to think of this moment when I start to think about Heaven, when I think about overwhelming love and what it will be like.

I sit here a year later, reminiscing on the day, and I find that I can't stop smiling. I remember planning the wedding, seeking advice from people and I often think about the one thing I heard over and over, "the first year is always the hardest." I think this sticks with me because I doubted it when I heard it, I didn't understand it, so I kept my eyes open to it. Reflecting back on our first year, I have to disagree. Yes, there were adjustments, yes, there was compromise, but we grew together, we got better together and we fell deeper in love. I hope the years to come are even better.

Jason,
Thank you for being the perfect husband for me, for embracing my faults and loving me on my hardest days. This past year has surpassed all my hopes and dreams; thanks to you. You have gone out of your way on a daily basis to make me happy, make me smile, make me laugh, and build me up. You are a man of integrity, and a man who knows what he wants, and a man who is worthy of and demands respect. God knew just what I needed, and I thank him on a daily basis for sending me a man as steady and constant as you. You are full of passion for everything in your life, rather that be baseball, friends, family, or me. Being on the receiving end of your passion for life and for me is undescribable. I am beyond excited for the things to come this year. Everyday with you just keeps getting better. I love you to the moon and back!

To everyone who was a part of our special day, we love you and we love that our friendships and relationships have only grown deeper over the past year!

Big Hugs, Annie & J

Trevor and Emily's 21st: Vegas Style!

Last Wednesday we boarded a plane and headed to Las Vegas to initiate Trevor and Emily for their 21st birthday's! Our whole clan included: J and I, Emily, my mom, Trevor, Teresa & Randy, Kyle, Doug, Greg, and Trevor's grandma and grandpa. When we landed in Las Vegas, Teresa surprised us with a Hummer limo to take us to Caesar's Palace! What a treat. Here are the pictures of the excursion there...

When we arrived we checked in and did a quick wardrobe change before heading out for a bite to eat...about 12:30am...but hey, we were on Vegas time! After dinner we headed down to the Carnaval Pit where there was some gambling and dancing! Emily and I called it a night about 2:30, J and Trevor stayed up until 5am...playing black jack...Jason was up $125.00 (don't ask him what happened the next night)!
The next day we headed out to the pool...Caesar's pools are beautiful! The sun was out and it was hot but the wind was blowing and it was just what we needed to stay cool! The four of us layed out all day! That night we headed to Margaritaville with the whole group! There was lots of eating, drinking, singing, dancing and entertainment throughout the night. It was a blast to watch my sister and Trevor have to take shooters...against their will; they only turn 21 once! We headed back to the Carnaval Pit for some more dancing that night and this is where Jason lost the $100 dollars he won the night before...did I mention it took a total of 15 minutes to lose it?!

Notice all the balloons in the pictures...this was our entertainment. A guy on stilts walks around the restraunt and makes balloons...it is pretty neat to watch. He made Emily and Trevor 21 hats, J and I a heart and a bicycle (he said it would make it easier for me to control him) for our anniversary and Teresa a glass of beer! We had a blast, Trevor's family is so much fun! Trevor's mom, Teresa is the most generous person I have ever met...Thank you for everything! You planned an amazing weekend for Trevor and Emily! We can't wait for the next trip...I think I heard New York!?

Hugs, Annie & J