Dear Blog

Dear Blog,

I'm sorry I've let it come to this. Occasional flings, no phone calls, one night stands...I'm going to have to try better to make this relationship work, aren't I? I'll give it to you straight, I've been seeing someone else for the last month. I know, I hate to admit this to you, but I must. You see, this other being is taller, darker, more flesh-like, and has bright green eyes, instead of the filmy-gray you possess...and when it comes to spending time with you or him, hands down, he wins. But now that he has left me again for Carol (law-slang that they call their study desks), we can probably get together more often. What do you say? How bout lunch tomorrow? I'll try and make it up to you.

Love, Ashley

So You Think You Can Dance?

For those of you who didn't know, I grew up my whole life dancing from the age of 3 on up: tap, jazz, and ballet. I absolutely love dance, which is why it's only natural that I love the show, So You Think You Can Dance? This year has been no exception because they've had a summer season AND currently have a fall season going on now. And you can watch it too; next week is the season finale of the show. And I don't know about your favorites, but as for me, I'm pulling for Jakob or Russell, or Ashleigh,...who am I kidding? I love them all!. They're fantastic! The show airs on Tuesday nights, and results show on Wednesday.

So when the So You Think You Can Dance Tour was at the Portland Rose Garden two weeks ago, Marcus surprised me with tickets! I couldn't have been more excited because the Summer of 09' show was my favorite season yet! And what really surprised me was all the dances they did from the show! All of the dancers were amazing, to say the least! For those fans out there, and for personal remembrance, here was the lineup (the one's with the * were my favorites):

(*If you click on the pictures you can make them bigger)

Opening Routine

*Brandon & Janette- Disco, by: Doriana Sanchez

Evan & Randi-Contemporary “The Bum Dance” by: Mia Michaels

*Janette Solo-“I’m In Miami”

Jason & Kayla-Broadway, “Mr. Monotony” by: Tyce DiOrio

Ade & Melissa-Contemporary, by: Mandy Moore

Randi Solo

*Jason & Caitlin-Bollywood, “Jai Ho” by: Nakul Dev Mahajan

Superheroes Group Dance (Melissa, Kayla, Jeanine)

Jason Solo

*Kupono & Kayla-Contemporary, “(Twilight) Vampire Dance” by: Sonya Tayeh

*Ade & Janette-Hip-Hop “The hair pick dance”, by: NappyTabs

Ade Solo

Melissa & Evan- Broadway “The Wedding dance” by: Tyce DiOrio

Brandon & Jeanine-Pop Jazz, “Love is a Battlefield” by: LaurieAnn Gibson

Kupono Solo

Brandon & Janette-Argentine Tango, by: Leonardo Barrionuevo

Melissa Solo

*“Calle Ocho-I know you want me” Group Samba Dance

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INTERMISSION
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“One” by, Mia Michaels, Group Routine

*Brandon & Janette-Pop Jazz, by: Wade Robson (favorite choreographer...ever!)

Jason & Kayla-Hip-Hop “Zombie dance” by: Shane Sparks

Evan Solo

Ade & Melissa-Pas De Deux “Romeo and Juliet” by: Thordal Christensen

Phillip Solo

Brandon & Kayla-Broadway “Bye Bye Love” by: Tyce DiOrio

Willy Wonka Group Dance (Brandon, Ade, Evan) by: Sonya Tayeh

Kayla Solo

Russian Folk Dance, Group Dance-Phillip and Jeanine

*Brandon Solo

*Kupono & Kayla-Contemporary “Addiction” by: Mia Michaels

*Jason & Jeanine-Contemporary “Jason Mraz-If It Kills Me” by: Travis Wall

Brandon & Janette-Cha Cha by: Jean Marc Generaux

Jeanine Solo

*Ade & Melissa-Contemporary “Cancer dance” by: Tyce DiOrio

Brandon & Jeanine-Paso Doble by: Louis Van Amstel

“Brand New Day” from The Wiz, Group Routine

We had such a great time, and you know as soon as we got home we were busting out moves in our living room. I love what this show has done for the world of dance. And it was so fun to watch one of the best dance “recitals” I'll ever see! The cast had such great personalities, and you could tell they all just got along. How crazy fun would it be to travel around with a bunch of friends, and dance!

So, do you think YOU can dance!?

Quarter of a Century

Today is Marcus' Birthday, and he's 25 years old. It sure goes by fast considering I've known him since he was 17! And since it is his birthday, and instead of celebrating he is busy in the library studying for finals, here is 25 reasons why I love him:

1. He works so hard at everything he does.
2. He is kind and caring to others.
3. His testimony of the gospel and his faith.
4. The way he treats family, he'll do anything for them.
5. He's pretty nice to look at!

6. He loves to travel and try new things.
7. How much he adores his nieces and nephews.
8. He's really smart, I mean, he married me right?
9. How athletic he is; he can play any sport--and do well at it.
10. He can run crazy fast, and I love to watch him.

11. The way he can spit out sports stats like it's nobody's biz-naz!
12. His jokes-he makes me laugh, a lot.
13. He likes to bake, and he's great at it!
14. He likes to hold my hand wherever we're at.
15. His blue-green eyes.

16. How loyal he is to his friends.
17. He's my best friend.
18. His ambition.
19. He likes everyone.
20. He's from the same town as me.
21. He's really patient.
22. He likes to help others .
23. He likes to watch tv shows with me.
24. He's a great husband.
25. And I love that it took me almost no-time to write this list because he has so many great qualities. He's pretty much awesome.

Happy Birthday Marcus!

Is it Spring yet?

Check out this dress giveaway featured by Grosgrain. She's extremely talented and has entered her dress into the Shabby Apple dress competition, and is even a finalist! And did I mention you can win her dress? Who doesn't need an adorable new dress for this Spring? Especially, one as lovely as this.

Trick-Or-Treat

Little People, Big Pumpkins

This weekend Marcus and I went to the Roloff Farm. What's the Roloff farm, you ask? Well, have you ever heard of the television show Little People, Big World? The Roloff's own a Pumpkin Farm at their house that is open during the month of October. The family is from Oregon, and when we found out we were going to Oregon for school, we knew we had to go see it. We're HUGE fans of the show!

We were lucky the day we went, because it rained all day (in typical Oregon fashion) but when we made it to the farm in the afternoon, it was blue skies and all of the family was out! Our first stop was the gift shop and when we came out, there was a familiar face we couldn't wait to meet!

Amy Roloff is my favorite from the show. She's hilarious. We were lucky to snag a picture and an autograph with her. Here was our conversation:

Ashley: It's so nice to meet you! We are huge fans of the show!
Amy: I love your sweater, is it from Banana Republic?
Ashley: It's from H&M (I almost ripped it off my back and gave it to her).
Amy: Well I like it because it's smaller, you know me, I like short sweaters.
Marcus: Well Banana Republic is her 2^nd favorite store, maybe you guys should go shopping together?

So basically, me and Amy are going shopping next weekend.

Oh look, there's Zach, driving the tour tractor, and Jeremy. Ain't no thang. Actually, I screamed hello to both, while waving profusely, they looked at me like I was nuts. Maybe it's cause I am.

There's the TLC crew with Matt and Jeremy. The crew was around everywhere!

Picking out the perfect pumpkin, there was only about a gazillion to choose from. Which got me thinking...why do we spend so much time finding the “perfect” pumpkin. In two weeks it'll shrivel up anyways, right?

We took the tour of the place, and saw the house, their sa-weet soccer field (that they made just for Zach's team the Grasshogs to practice on before they went to Ireland, watch the show this season to see how they do!) basketball court, and volleyball court. I'd totally be there friend! And probably never leave. Then we went to Western town, one of Matt's many ideas.

At Western town we met Ma and Pa Roloff, and Molly! They were the nicest people! Marcus spent at least 10 minutes talking to Grandpa Roloff about law school and politics. It was hilarious.

And here's Molly's castle we saw, it was from this year's season premiere. It took Matt 10 years to make it,...Molly's now 16. I bet she'd rather have a cool car now.

We had such a great time! We're definitely making this into an October tradition.

Couponing

I need your help blogging friends! We're trying to save money in this Henry Home, so I've decided to pick up the craft of couponing. I hit up all the best websites on coupons, printed off coupons from the best places, organized them and then took them to my local Winco to use.

At the checkout I placed each item with it's coupon and the young checker-man said, "Oh we don't take internet coupons, where did you get these?" I almost started to cry as I sat there with all my food! Luckily, he said he'd take half of the ones I brought. But, what I'm wondering is, these were actual, legitimate coupons from websites...

So where can I use coupons and get my grocery shopping done, any ideas?

Any other tips you'd like to give me? I'd love to hear them!

Where Have We Been?

Well to start, we've been busy! Over the last few months we've had fun celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and family reunions. These past few months we've felt like our life has been on a roller coaster, literally!

We had fun celebrating our anniversary at this bed and breakfast. Check it out and make your reservations...today! It won't disappoint. It was my first time staying at a bed and breakfast, and won't be my last. From the fondue dessert, to the themed rooms, and fuzzy robes, Cameo Heights Mansion is a dream come true!

The Henry Family Reunion took place at the Oregon Coast this year. It was great to spend some quality time with the Henry's and have the whole family together. We also had the Mathews Family Reunion and let me tell you, this is no ordinary reunion! We had a packed weekend and some of our favorites included the adult family dinner, Newlywed game, family auction, and of course, the Amazing Race. Thanks for such great memories!

A trip to Silverwood was a must this summer as well. We had a great time with the Henry, Haertling, and Cazier families and there really is no place like Silverwood. Okay, maybe there is, but no where has ice cream like they do! And P.S. a big thanks to the Henry family for letting us go with them. They really are the funnest people to travel with! I mean really, how can you not have fun with this little guy!?

The last of our travels took us to the German town Leavenworth and up to Seattle. We had fun at a wedding, seeing the town, and then going to the amazing Melting Pot. So good, I die. This place is unreal. It was nice to have a little getaway for us before we separated for the next month and half when Marcus went to law school while I finished work.

AND NOW...we're finally back together! And in Salem, Oregon nevertheless. Pictures of our apartment to come soon! We live in an octagon. That's right, an octagon. Are you intrigued?