First Snow Fall

So, normally the first snow fall is a very exciting event. I love seeing the snow on the trees and especially the morning after a good snowfall. There's something magical about it... but not in Minnesota.

You see, in Utah, the first snowfall would be at the END of October, or maybe even really in November. BUT in MINNESOTA, the first snowfall apparently happens on October 12.

Ryan and I woke up to snow on Wednesday -- but not only did we wake up to the snow, we woke up to the snow falling, and falling and falling. It snowed ALL day on Wednesday, and didn't stop until 3:00pm. Normally, I would take a picture of this, but I was so depressed that it wouldn't stop snowing that I couldn't bring myself to do that. 3 INCHES later, we had our first official snow fall. I am still praying for the weather to warm up just a little (like maybe 50 degrees) so we can have a real FALL before we have winter. The winters here are so long anyway, do we really need to start it in October? Sigh.

Needless to say my Minnesota Honeymoon is over.

I have so much to blog about -- but TODAY I want to blog about how I, err WE are now *homeowners*!! This morning Ryan and I closed escrow on our new house!! I love everything about this new house, including our new address:

Sweet Briar Lane

It's in this great little neighborhood, called Hobby Acres, in this cute little suburb of Minneapolis. The house is complete with a picket fence in the front, attached 2 car garage (with mudroom!), awesome deck and a huge park across the street!!

I am avoiding my packing right now by blogging about this, but soon I will be knee deep in packing paper and waiting for Ryan to get off work so we can officially MOVE IN! I can't tell you how exciting it is to walk into your very first home. What a sensational feeling... I love my life!! (note a few pictures below).


We even have a picket fence!


I love our fireplace. And the cove ceilings.


Isn't that chandelier fabulous?


The wallpaper is a really cute yellow toile.


The deck is Ryan's favorite part of the house.

San Francisco Treat!

With Dad working in the City for the last few years, I've been able to enjoy many many amazing San Francisco trips. So naturally, when my flight had a lay-over in San Francisco, I just hopped out of the airport and met Dad and Ashley downtown :)

Ash and I had a great day shopping, and then when Dad got off work we went to his favorite restaurant, Scomas, and then enjoyed a long tourist-y drive on the other side of the bay. I love this city!

30 Days!!!

Eeeek!! This summer has FLOWN by! Which is great for a couple engaged to be married! We are so excited to be getting married in 30 days. Yayyy.

Our Engagement Pictures:

Because I know you all will appreciate seeing these...

Reality Check: I'm a Midwestern Gal now.

After 12 official months of long-distance, Ryan and I decided that just maybe we would want to live in the same city before we get married. Imagine that!!

As a result, I am living in Ryans' apartment in Minnetonka, he is living in his friends' house in .... the country somewhere, and after 5 days, we are thinking this is a pretty great set-up. Well ok, so when we buy a house that situation will be a LOT better, but at least in the mean time we can look for houses together, I can hone in on my cooking skills and go for amazing runs every morning. Running here is an adventure every day, its so exciting and so fun to explore and realize that this is my new home!

I do have to admit that I have lots of down time since I am not working yet, but I suppose that gives me time to work on my Minnesota accent ;)

4th of July Celebration

I haven't been home for the 4th in a really long time---- I think at least 4 years! So I was looking forward to a relaxing day at home, with the babies, the pool, a good 'ol BBQ, and some fireworks. Well, I got what I asked for:





Nicolas got this really cool inflatable pirate ship for his Birthday--we couldn't get him out of it!



Nic eating his corn on the cob.


My little brother.



Haggin Oaks Neighborhood Block Party-- Classic


Matthew hated me for all these pics. But secretly he loves it.

My Current Occupation

I can't wait for the day when I use my wedding as a PAR story in an interview. I mean, with all this work on budgets, negotiations, and conflict resolution, one would think that I would have plenty to talk about when I am asked: "Tell me about a time this summer that you ... "

I created a wedding website. See the details regarding the Ryan Merrill and Kiley Hunt wedding at: http://www.ewedding.com/sites/ryanandkiley/

Enjoy!

Matthew's Farewell

My little brother is growing up! He gave his mission farewell talk last Sunday, and it was so good. He even brought me to tears--which is tricky to do!! He reports to the MTC July 8, and will be serving in SLC for 2 years. I am so proud of him to make this decision to serve a mission and to be preparing to give 2 years of his life in service. He will be a wonderful missionary. Here are some pictures from after the farewell, and at the going-away party.

I (insert white glove) Michael Jackson.

So yesterday I was driving to LA to pick up Ryan from the Airport, when I get a text from Miss Anna Montoya telling me "Michael Jackson just died". I turned on CNN, and sure enough, he died at the UCLA medical center. Don't worry, at that point, I hit traffic and I was 2 miles from UCLA med center. LA was crazy all day, and served as a representation for the chaos the world was feeling with the loss of a legend.

I know we're all sick of hearing about this, but I am just writing to say being in LA when it all went down, and I felt closer to the situation because of it.

I'm just glad that traffic wasn't as bad as I anticipated. But I'm pretty sure the accidents on the 405 were because of the stricken state of grief everyone was in. Or maybe it was because they lost their vision due to all the RIP Michael Jackson signs people were flashing outside their car windows.

An Update ...

Since many of you have been requesting more blog posts, and more updates, I decided I would acquiesce the request :)

The last month has been totally crazy--- right after I got engaged, I spent some time in Utah, and then went to VEGAS for my moms' first TRIATHALON! Yes, she is officially an IRONGIRL! I was so proud of her!! I totally ran her in the last 2 miles and felt like that was my contribution to the event :) From there I went home to Bakersfield for Mothers Day, and then spent the week at home beginning to plan the wedding. Then, I flew out to Miami and went on THE BEST CRUISE EVER! With a few fabulous girls from school (shout-out here to Katie, Heidi and Geneva!) The Bahamas will never be the same now that we have spent time on those islands ... After the cruise I flew to Minneapolis to see Ryan for the FIRST TIME since we got engaged!! We had such a great time!! We looked at homes (we are looking to buy), explored the countryside, went for walks to the lake, and so much more. That trip made me all the more excited to move there this summer!

After the trip to Minneapolis, I came home, and really got to work on wedding plans. My mom offered to make my dress, so we headed to LA and got the fabric and lace for that. We began our plans for the reception here in Bakersfield, and also started perusing the St. George options for flowers and dinner after the ceremony. Mom and I also took a trip to SF with my dad and found my shoes, perfume, mother of the bride dress, Ryans suit, and so much more! It was such a productive trip! And so fun to spend some time in the city!! After San Francisco, mom and I drove to Utah to get some things going for the wedding in St. George, and then we headed to Provo to pack up my apartment. While I was there I got to see a few of my favorite Provo people, which was so wonderful.

Now, I'm back in California. I spent most of last week spending time with my favorite people in Orange County-- I stayed with Debbie on Balboa Island which was amazing, as well as with Miss Anna Montoya!! I love love Orange County and will miss living and visiting there ... sigh. Now I just have 2 weeks until I'm back in Utah again taking Matthew to the MTC and picking up Ashley from the airport. And THEN I will be MOVING to Minnesota!! Eeek!! Its coming up so fast. A few bridal showers in between, a few more wedding planning to do lists to take care of, and I'll be with my Fiance living in the Mid West!

Phew. So there's my update. And below are a few pics.





The Lake.

I'M ENGAGED!!!

I know its been forever since I've blogged, but a lot has been going on. I don't love blogging my personal life, but I had to finally make it public. I will be Mrs. Ryan T. Merrill on September 10, 2009!

Graduation.

I am so loved!! My entire family drove, long distances (and some endured many trials) to attend my graduation and share this special moment with me. I can't believe my graduate experience at BYU is finished, and that 2 years have gone by. Its been an incredible experience, and one that has definitely shaped my life. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for enlightening me to take this opportunity, and also to my Father, who introduced me to the option of an MPA :) Thank you to everyone for your support and love throughout this stage in my life. WE DID IT! :)

My Birthday.

So this is a bit over-due, but its been a BUSY week for me this last week! So, this is me catching up. Last Monday was my Birthday, and it was such a fabulous day. It started off with flowers from Ryan :) And then a mani/pedi with my roommate, and then a PICNIC at the park with my favorite friends. I couldn't have asked for a better day. Great weather, great activities, great friends, and LOVE from my family and loved ones. Thank you all for being a part of my big day! :)

Waiting for my candles.

So, its my birthday ... and my mom blogged about me. Check it out here.

I just want to take this chance to say THANK YOU for all of you who have put up with me for the last 24 years. I can honestly say I wouldn't be the woman I am today without each of you, and your influence for good in my life. I am so so so blessed with wonderful family and friends who LOVE me and show me that love every single day. What a glorious day to look back on my life and realize how truly blessed I am.

Thank you.

I've learned that in Utah APRIL = SNOW.

We got 6 inches--- 6 INCHES! Last night alone.



This is a view from my house this morning.

An Ode to my brother, Matthew

I guess I'm behind in my blogging since my family has already blogged about this, but it's my turn to brag-- My little brother got his MISSION CALL!!

The whole thing was quite ironic-- I was able to attend conference on Saturday, and as I turned my phone on after the afternoon session, I had a few texts from my parents saying:

Mom: Guess what came today!
Dad: We are conference calling at 4:15 your time

[Note: Matthew lives in Hawaii as he is attending BYU-H, and the call was sent to my parents house. So mom and dad actually scanned his call to him in an email for him to read, without them looking at it themselves]

Well, good thing it was exactly 4:09 my time, and I was in the chaos of the conference center with 20,000 other people!! Once I got outside (which was actually much quieter than the inside of the conference center) I stood between the temple and the conference center, and intently waited for my brother to read his call.

He began ... Elder Hunt, you have been called to serve in the "wait... I can't read it" (we all begin thinking he can't pronounce his own mission call when he says) Salt Lake City, Utah--- uhhh silence. We can't believe what we just heard, and he can't believe what he just read!

"Dad, is this an April Fools joke?"

After all the commotion had died down, and we realized this was indeed his call, I told him "Hey Matthew, I'm walking the streets of your mission field!" I'm not sure if that helped.

Needless to say, Matthew is very excited to serve the Lord and the people of the Salt Lake City Mission. He will serve well, and we are so proud of him!

Oh, another piece of irony. We just found out Ashley gets released July 9. Matthew enters July 8.

An Ode to my Nephew, Nicolaus

So I was running out of the house this morning, wanting breakfast, and so naturally, I grabbed a bag of Cheerios and sliced Strawberries to eat in class. As I sat in class with my cheerios and strawberries in hand, I couldn't help but think of Nic -- who loves cheerios and LOVES strawberries. Maybe I'm a child today... and I'm totally ok with that.

LOVE YOU NIC

March Madness

This is a momentous day--- the first time I have ever filled out a March Madness Bracket. Too bad I'm loyal to BYU, and am already losing :(