Christmas Surprise!

About 3 weeks ago Zack and I decided to go home for Christmas. It was a totally last minute decision. Because it was so last minute, I thought it would be fun to make it a surprise! Well as usual, Zack couldn't keep his mouth shut, BUT I still managed to keep it a secret from my parents.

Not too long after we rolled out of our snowy home I wanted to just turn back, but we pressed on. We had planned to stay with Zack's great grandma along the way, but we didn't make it there Sunday night. We crashed in Boise and then finished the trek on Monday (skipping great grandma). We pulled into the driveway right behind my mom on her way home from work, she was so confused, it was awesome! My dad was so happy to see us that he started to tear up (which was SO unexpected, you don't even know).

It's so nice to be home for Christmastime. We're having a lovely stay visiting friends and family, doing Christmas activities (Christmas lights, baking cookies, watching movies), and doing all the special things only our hometown can offer. Things couldn't have worked out any better! We hope you have a Merry Christmas wherever you are!

2012

Since we (more like I-Ashley) decided not to do Christmas cards this year, I'll share our past year here. :)

In no particular order:

Went to a New Years party with some neighbors.

Ephraim Albaro, Mark and Elle Jensen, not sure, Us, Danielle Albaro, Jeree and Kyle Marostica with their little one Chloe

Went to Miles' 1st birthday party (he now has an adorable little sister named Luna).

Elle and Miles

Ashley trained contestants for Biggest Winner. Biggest Winner is a program at BYU-I based off the TV show Biggest Loser.

 Ashley Walker and Hanna Pruder

 Ashley Walker, Kristen Follet, Kristina Nye, Hannah Pruder, Ashley, Bradly Webster, Tanner Wilson

 Ashley Walker, Kristen Follet, Kristina Nye, Hannah Pruder, Ashley, Bradly Webster, Tanner Wilson

Ashley Coached two competitive soccer teams at BYU-I.

The Knights (April-July)

Ashley, Jessica Tenny, Katie Webb, Kristy Gulbransen, Kayla Olsen, Julie Rice 

Tessa Warner, Kimber Logan, Rifka Gorden (soon to be Jensen), Kayla Greenwood, Kayla Olsen, Katie Webb, Flavia Tapia, Ashley, Julie Rice, Kenna Gurel, Brianna Evans, Mary Orchard, Shani Harmon, Elora Thompson, Brianna Parker, Kristy Gulbransen, Jessica Tenny, Angie Howes

The Titans (September-November)

Taylor Bly, Natalie Schmidt, Kristy Gulbransen, Julie Rice, McKenzie Jeppson, Aubrey Schmidt, Mari Anderson, Christina Stastney, Kimber Logan, Kayla Olsen, Kilie Ellison, Cynthia Leal, Ali Rackley, Ashley

Kimber Logan, Taylor Bly, Julie Rice, Natalie Schmidt, Kilie Ellison, Cynthia Leal, McKenzie Jeppson, Aubrey Schmidt, Christina Stastney, Kristy Gulbransen, Ashley, Mari Anderson, Ali Rackley, Jessica Porter, Kayla Olsen

McKenzie Jeppson, Julie Rice, Ashley, Natalie Schmidt, Christina Stastney, Jessica Porter, Kimber Logan, Ali Rackley, Mari Anderson, Aubrey Schmidt

Poor Kayla broke her tib and fib in our second to last game.

Ashley's calling at church is with the young women. She's their sports coach. Here's some of the basketball girls from this past year.

We saw Bill Cosby live!

Ashley auditioned for American Idol (if you click that, read the article and check out the 'related galleries', Ashley's in there as well) in August.

This gents name is Landon Cleverly. He didn't make it either, but definitely should have. I know these things.

We visited our friends and family in Oregon for one week in September.

Patricia (Ashley's mom) and Ashley wait outside Mo's in Newport to get some amazing food!

Ashley's family took Zack shooting. He loved it!

Elena and a GINORMOUS teddy bear at Costco.

On our way back we stopped by Zack's great grandmother's in Kennewick, Washington.

One of only two photos I was able to get. Great grandma was not fond of the camera unfortunately.

Ashley made Sesame Street Martian Costumes for Halloween.

The martians spotted a Sesame Street record!

Zack and Ashley

Ashley's parents visited us in May.

Mark holding Proton, Patricia holding Ninja Kitty, Ashley, and Zack.

Ashley and her parents went to Yellowstone for the weekend.

Getting extra close to the wildlife at Yellowstone Lake.

The Grand Tetons.

Old Faithful!

The beautiful view from our campsite at Mammoth.

Zack's Dad, little brother, and sister visited in July.

Waiting for Old Faithful to blow!

Ashley and Jacob

Zack with his mouth full of the 1 lb. burger at world famous Big Jud's. Dave (Zack's dad) thought it was the grossest place he'd ever eaten at. Ashley agrees.

Attended two weddings.

Braden and Kaitlin Beer (April)

I couldn't begin to tell you who all these people are. The awesome Beer family, and a bunch of folks I've never met before.

Ashley among the tulips outside of the Salt Lake Temple.

Newlywed bed shopping. This photo is too funny to pass up.

Nicole and Trevor Kendall (September)

I'm really sorry I can't name all these wonderful folks!

Ashley, Nicole Kendall, Camille Kraft

Zack completed his internship on campus.

We did some more shooting.

The range was a filthy mess, and our safety officer was an idiot, but no one got shot....so I guess life goes on.

I'm in love with this photo.

Zack is just too cute. I can't handle it!

Ashley has been volunteering at the Rexburg Family Crisis Center to stay busy.

Ashley's note to the food bank participants. :)

We went to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra in Salt Lake City the day before Thanksgiving.

We were incredibly close. On the end of the closest section to the left of the stage, 2nd row back!

Look! He's ABOVE us!

It was amazing, as always!

Ashley completed the Lazyman Ironman Triathalon (Run 26.2 miles, Bike 112 miles, Swim 2.4 miles over the course of a month. True Ironman Triathalons are completed in one day, in under 17 hours).

We had some summer fun with friends floating the river, BBQing, and watching fireworks.

We went out to dinner with the Beer family when they visited. Here's Connor with a blurry Braden and Kaitlin behind him.

Our BBQ, thanks to our awesome friends Jeff and Alison Durfee who left it when they moved and said we could have it! It's gotten a LOT of use!

On the greenbelt in Idaho Falls listening to music before the fireworks. We rode down with our new neighbors Ashlynn and Jason Green.

Floating the river with Sabrina and Quinn Lear. They are definitely our best friends up here.

Here are the dancing men from Ray's Chevron in the 4th of July parade (they are Ashley's FAVORITE).

Ashley completed her internship with Eastern Idaho Public Health District and got her diploma.

Zack got a bass guitar and is mastering it!

We went home for Christmas and Surprised everyone!

Zack, Ashley, David, Patrica, and Mark

Zack, Patricia, Ashley, Mark, Blanche, Cathy, Mary, and David

David, TC, Ashley

Patricia, David, TC, Zack, Ashley, Mark, Mary

We had all kinds of amazing adventures during our stay, but we were enjoying our time too much to sit down and blog about it. :)

Next year:

Zack will graduate.

We will move.

We will celebrate our 3rd Anniversary.

Zack will be a quarter of a century old.

Ashley will be not quite that old.

We will hopefully have many cool new adventures!