Lots to Celebrate!

We've had so much to celebrate since we moved to Minneapolis: my 23rd Birthday in February, our ONE YEAR Anniversary and Easter in March....And, you better believe I celebrated when it finally started to look like Spring around here! We had two days at the end of April where I thought it might, then it snowed again. Oh, Minnesota. But, the past two weeks have been blissful!

Here's a brief re-cap of all of those fun celebrations, and Part Two of my blog "catch-up:"

MY GOLDEN BIRTHDAY

It was my golden birthday this year.Chad planned a lovely evening for us. We went to dinner at Bar La Grassa, my new favorite restaurant in Minneapolis. The flavors of their food is simply incredible! Honestly, if that was all we did for my birthday, I would have been satisfied. The food and atmosphere were perfect.

The fun didn't stop there though. After dinner, we went to the Mall of America for some mini-golfing. It was a lot of fun and we had our own little competition.

Last but not least, Chad spoiled me with a new Chi hair straightener, the new Maroon 5 and Fun CDs, and a new pair of shoes. I'm a lucky girl!

OUR ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

It seemed pretty surreal to celebrate our one year anniversary. It went by so quickly and I definitely didn't imagine we would be living in Minneapolis. Life is an adventure, but it's so great when you take that adventure hand in hand with your best friend.

We started our celebration a few weeks early by going to the musical Spamalot. It was only in town for a few days and we loved it! It was hilarious.

On our actual anniversary we went to Murray's steakhouse and shared their famous silver butter knife steak for two. It's a 28 ounce strip sirloin that they carve tableside. I think my jaw dropped when they brought out the massive block of meat and began serving me my "portion." It was absolutely delicious though! I had so much fun getting dressed up and enjoying the famous Murray's experience with my sweetheart.

We also had a good laugh about a few things that happened on our wedding day. Here's a few of the laughable moments:

1. As we sat holding hands in the celestial room, excitedly waiting for our turn to be sealed, the temple worker telling us how some couples have made it all the way to the celestial room before deciding they couldn't go through with the sealing and "it's not too late yet." I think she thought she was funny.

2. Our temple sealer calling us "Chandace," then quickly correcting himself as the Hyland clan had a little laugh because that's what they called us after we were engaged.

3. Me looking at my mother in-law when the sealer referred to me as "Sister Hyland." One year later and I'm still quite sure that "Sister Hyland" is my mother in-law.

4. Chad's friends keeping him hydrated throughout the day with a Camelback full of Mountain Dew.

5. My sister, Natalie, running through the tables at our reception, grabbing Chad's brother Cody's plate, setting it on the table, and pulling him to the dance floor. He still had his breadsticks in his shirt pocket.

6. Chad's very *creative* friends re-arranging our reception sign because I wouldn't let them decorate our get-away car.

EASTER

Easter was our first big holiday away from family. We would have loved to have been with our families, but we are so grateful for such good friends here that invited us to their Easter Dinner. It was absolutely delicious! I even channeled my Aunt Julianne and made some homemade croissant rolls.

We gave each other Easter baskets. My Easter basket contained the new Les Mis DVD and some yummy candy, most importantly being my favorite Easter candy, Cadbury Mini Eggs. I filled Chad's Easter basket with candy and a pass for us to go do some glass blowing. I'm so anxious to get that scheduled and go do it!

SPRING

We celebrated on the two days that it got above 70 degrees, along with the rest of Minnesota, by going to the lake and enjoying the sun--some of us more than others. As you can see below, people were out on the "beach," in their swimwear, laying out on their beach towels...with the ice still on the lake. I repeat my prior sentiment, "Oh, Minnesota." It snowed again after this.

I'm so glad it really is Spring now. I may admit to having teared up at the sight of blossoms. We've been able to go on bike rides and to the Farmers Market. I'm in heaven. These pictures are from our bike ride to the Mississippi.

We're now excited to celebrate our Memorial Day Weekend in Duluth! 

It's time for FALL!

As you have read, we had a busy and interesting summer. Now it's time for Fall! I love fall because it means the fruits and vegetables are ready to eat, football, the leaves are changing colors and providing beautiful scenery, football, extra time with the family, football, Thanksgiving and Halloween, and did I mention football? But, before I get caught up in those things, I want to tell you about a few things that have happened over the past month. Warning: It's not the shortest post you'll ever read. Clearly I need to post more often.

NYC

We went on an amazing trip to New York City as soon as Chad finished his internship. Chad spent the first few days there visiting with companies like Google, Bank of America, Citi, and Wells Fargo, through the Pathways to New York program. I flew in a day after him and spent my first day there tagging along with the Walkers--who were kind enough to let me join them on their adventures.

So, while Chad was busy learning about career options, I slept in, went on a bike ride around Central Park, ate yummy food, caught up with Amanda, and explored the city. It was a great day and I can't thank the Walkers enough for letting me join them.

Saturday and Sunday were extra great though because I felt like I was back in Europe--sort of. Nothing in New York City can compare with the beautiful things I saw and experienced in Europe, but exploring a new place, with Chad, brought back the same exciting feelings I had in Europe. I'm so lucky I get to have a lifetime and eternity of adventure with him! (Okay, so that may have been cheesy, but it's true!).

Saturday morning we slept in. First, because it was a vacation and your supposed to. Second, because Chad was exhausted from his early morning meetings with companies and late nights listening to Amanda and I talk for hours and hours (Oops!).

Our first activity of the day though was to visit the 9-11 Memorial. It was such a touching experience to be there and think of all those who lost their lives that day, those who lost their lives in the fight for freedom after that day, and those who continue the fight for freedom today. I got especially emotional after reading about the first responders who lost their lives. I consistently pray for our military members, but I forget to pray for our firefighters, police officers, and paramedics. I'm going to do a better job of remembering them in my prayers, because they are heroes too!

A little blurry from my phone. Sorry!

After the memorial we ate lunch, walked around Central Park and the Fashion District, and purchased tickets for Sister Act. We did things along the way, like watching a soccer game at Central Park, reminiscing outside Brioni, contemplating buying Psych shirts at the NBC store, and a lot of other fun and random things. We had a wonderful evening at Sister Act, then went back to Amanda and Derek's for another restful night.

Sunday was our day to travel home, so after sleeping in we went to brunch at the cutest cafe. The food was so good! After brunch we caught a taxi to the airport. It was my first time in a taxi so I had to take a few pictures. I'm pretty sure the driver thought I was crazy...He may have had a point...

A little blurry from my phone. Sorry!

...Chad may have been a little embarrassed too, but I did make him laugh and got an awesome picture out of it.

A little blurry from my phone. Sorry!

We made it to the airport in plenty of time after Chad "motivated" the driver. He truly is his father's son. We checked in and found out that both of our flights were overbooked, so we volunteered to be bumped to a later flight. The moral of the story is that we each got $300 travel vouchers, a free dinner at the airport, and we got home earlier than we would have. So. Lucky.

Needless to say, it was a great trip! As always, I wish we could have stayed longer, but it was so great to see Amanda and Derek and explore NYC.

YUBA

The "end of summer, beginning of fall" fun continued with a day boating at Yuba. We went with the Pope side of the family and had a great time!

My uncle Jason was nice enough (and patient enough) to take Chad and I out wakeboarding and slalom skiing. We learned about our muscles and the random places they can be found in the days following (Ouch!). It was great though and well worth it! We also rented jet skis, which were a lot of fun. It was great to see and spend time with family. We love them!

Sorry there aren't any pictures! I may have been too excited about being on the lake that I forgot to take any.

BIRTHDAY

Finally, the most recent of the big events was Chad's Birthday! Woohoo! I planned a couple of separate celebrations and he wasn't especially happy with me. First, because he hates the attention, but mostly because I made him  stop watching the University of Utah vs. Utah State football game.

Here's the story:
The night before his birthday, September 8, I planned a surprise party. Unknown to me was the fact that the Utah vs. Utah State football game was starting one hour before the party. I love football, but I definitely don't  care when the U or Utah State are playing--unless of course they are playing my Cougs. Well, Chad turned on the TV to watch the game. Right as his friend Dale came to pick him up to "go get dinner," Utah State blocked a punt and scored. Of course the response from Chad, at the urging to go get dinner, was "I can't leave now! Utah State might beat the U!" After a lot of convincing, Dale and I talked him into going about 2 blocks away to get Sensuous Sandwiches--a grand total of about 8 minutes or so for me to get the cake out, prep the apartment, and usher all of the guests in. As you might have guessed, it didn't work out so well. He raced back into the apartment, with the sandwiches, and two of us yelled "Surprise."

What can I say? I married someone who was born on the day BYU upset #1 ranked and defending national champion, Miami. He loves his football!

Epic failure: The only picture I have from that night is me stuffing my face with a sandwich after the party.  

It turned out great though and has provided a lot of laughs over the past week. It was fun to see so many of our friends that we haven't seen in awhile.

We celebrated his actual birthday by eating Cafe Rio for lunch, going to the BYU Football game, and going to dinner with our families at the Old Spaghetti Factory. It was great! I love that boy so much! It amazes me sometimes how much I love him more and more every single day. I'm so proud of all he has accomplished and all he is preparing for. Especially right now as he is preparing to graduate and start full-time work, I'm feeling extremely grateful for the type of man I married. He is so hard working, thoughtful, and loving. The company that hires him is getting a one-in-a-million kind of recruit. I love you, Chad Hyland!

Now, on to fall!