The Past 4 Years Of Our Travels...
We are a family that has always been on the go since even before we were married. Our first year of marriage we worked together and lived on the road filming and writing for Sportsman's News. We are VERY enthusiastic of the outdoors in this family for those that don't know. Traveling that first year for that was a great way to spend that first newly-wed year of marriage and learn *all* about each other! Literally! Don't worry, there were only a few moments we wanted to kill each other and thats when really good music came in handy :) Our love outweighs those moments by a long shot ha-ha. But we traveled the country. We hunted, fished, rode horses into the back country, white water rafted, climbed to the top of mountains that touched the sky and totally lived out of our suitcases. We saw so many beautiful places on that journey. Along the way we met some real unhappy people and some people that we will never want to forget. It was an amazing experience. The 2nd year we traveled to Dubai. Upon our return from there we settled into a small little home nestled in a good neighborhood and had to save money. We have been very comfortable and unfortunately we have also suffered from others mistakes even when we did all we seemingly could to secure our future plans. Business jackpots and total failures, we went through it ALL! It has been a jam-packed 4 years for us together. The good and the bad has all brought us closer and taught us a lot about life.
Our Neighborhood...
Since living here, it has been a huge blessing to get to know these awesome neighbors that we have and to build the relationships we have. We have learned so much about life and what matters most. Collin went back to his niche of Real Estate that he has been doing since he was right out of High School. (He's 33 now btw) (shhh... he'll kill me!) He excelled as usual in what he's so good at. He's definitely great at what he does because he truly cares about families and he is very personable, but he also has a lot of knowledge! I married an intelligent man. He is always teaching me things. That company was a great one for that chapter of our lives but when he knows somewhere else is calling him to a better opportunity theres no stopping him.
New Job...
He has since, hung his license now with Keller Williams alongside some of his old friends. But he also is now Director of Business Development for one of the top logistics companies around. He is able to have the freedom of working from his home office and only travels when needed for meetings. Headquarters is located up North. Collin had a meeting with them so, naturally, our daughter Kyla and I get to go along and we all made a mini-getaway out of it. Hotel and room service always sounds like a great idea to me considering that means NO laundry or dishes piled up that I need to conquer? (Huge smile and big eyes) WHEN DO WE LEAVE!
The Hotel & First Day Of Trip...
I had the baby all day so when Collin got back he let me go to the pool and hot tub... by myself! ha (I now understand why parents said they love their kids but envy alone time.) I was able to work out at the gym there for the first seriously hard workout since I was in my 1st Trimester with Ky. That was too long ago for me. Had the whole little gym to myself and I left that place feel GOOOOD about myself. I rinsed off and was able to swim some laps in the pool, then relax in the hot tub. Talk about bliss. I re-focused all my thoughts and organized all the things us ladies think about EVERYTHING. I thought about my goals and where I wanna be at in 5 years. Then back to my family and we were out to go eat. Where we ran into my close friend Boston. (She was up there doing eyebrows for a client. She does feather stroke brows and she is the best!)
That night we headed up to Ogden to visit with Collin's brother Andy, wife Kourtney and their adorable clan. Looking at Kourt, you could never tell but she is expecting their 7th this month! She is super-woman. All of their kids are kind, amazing, athletic, smart and all still alive! So in my book, she's my hero! All of the cousins *loved* their new little cousin Kyla. We used up all of my polaroid film with those cutie pies. Kids crack me up. I love watching them in their own little worlds making up things of their imaginations. When do we as adults ever start to lose that ability to see magic in everything? Honestly, I'm just your average girl and those kids have always made me feel like a million bucks. I might be obsessed with the way they say "Aunt Ashwee." I die. If only they could stay small a little longer. They are growing up so fast.
Trip To The Zoo...
It only made sense to hit up the Zoo the next morning. Fresh crisp Fall air! Changing leaves make Utah even more gorgeous. We could not have picked a better time for the Zoo. We were like the only ones there and the weather was amazing.
We got to be up close with every single animal they had!
They came right up to us face to face. Kyla didn't know what
to think but she loved the Otters and the Lions the most I think.
They held her attention for the longest amount of time. That was
so cool to watch. She tried eating almost everything she could get her hands on! She thought she would even try eating some leaves until we had to pry them from her tiny iron grip. Her wonder and curiosity for the world inspires me to look more closely at the little things and appreciate them more fully.
All this first-time-parent stuff is pretty neat. I totally get why people are so stoked on their littles achieving something new! I mean before I was like, "Awe" and now I'm *that* mom like, "OH MY GOODNESS DID YOU SEE THAT! SHE'S AMAZING! YOU'RE AMAZING HONEY! JUST INCREDIBLE! YOU MAKE MOM SO PROUD!!!" ha-ha... its true though, not even ashamed of it. Love when my offspring learns something new. When they do something new, you are the proudest person in the world for your little bun. I have loved this more than anything. Seeing her discover things for the first time and seeing her simple joy in it all is so refreshing. Ive loved being her mama. Being a mom is my jam. 
We only took a couple pictures. Okayyyy... a million but remember, "First-time-parent" here people! I probably take a lot of pictures because growing up in the 80's/90's cameras were not what they are now and we hardly had any photos taken then. (you that are reading this know what I mean because you were all there in those same 80's/90's too right haha) Im obsessed with 'documenting' all of our moments though. I can't wait to get all of dream-photography equipment one day. Then I shall capture and document those beautiful moments daily for our family and others.
Kyla loved the stuffed animals because she could touch them and try to put them in her mouth. A funny thing about that is, she's currently teething and loves rubbing her gums. We kind of tease her about being "verbally abusive" to her stuffed animals at home. ha-ha :) She gets SO excited that she almost cannot control it and she shakes and smiles and makes loud happy noises at them. Just like that little girl in Despicable Me that says, "SO FLUFFY, I COULD DIE!" yep. That is exactly like our daughter. (quoting and comparing to cartoons... also another thing we think about more as a parent.)
We went on the short little train ride which is *very* short by the way. It took us longer to get her out of her stroller and in the train with us than the amount of time of the train ride but I'm sure kids still like it. Its a cute addition to the park. The Giraffe Mama and baby were out together and it was adorable watching them hug each other with their long necks and nudge each other endearingly. I'm such a sap for motherhood in all forms that even that made my eyes a little teary! I'm too sensitive with mom stuff. I just think its so special. Its neat to see the family-unit even among all the animals. 
There were a couple moments at the Zoo I thought was just so cool. The lions were giving us quite the show. They had the whole Lion family and extended family right in front of our noses. I was a kid on Christmas about that. I could stare at those pretty kitties all day long. The way they behave and just command things with their strong movement and the way they stare at you. They wrestle each other so playful but you know if you tried it that it would kill you. That kind of 'awe' that they are just so powerful but so graceful. Im sure if we caught them all at lunch-time maybe there would have been much less 'gracefulness' ha ...but really, I was intrigued the whole time. Love the picture I got with Ky staring at the male Lion. My heart was happy watching these beautiful beings that I love just stare at each other. It was as if the Lion just stopped and acknowledged Kyla as a precious baby.
Another cool moment was when I saw the huge grizzly bear walking over to the glass and nobody else was even close to us so I ran over and caught a glimpse of him. I tried taking a picture of him and I put my hand up on the glass and for a brief moment he stuck his bear nose on the glass right in front of my face like he wanted to smell me (or eat my face off) haha but he was so calm seeming. I just told him "You are amazing!" His gorgeous golden eyes looking back at me. Life recognizing and appreciating life. It was incredible to be so close to him.
You really get a reality of just how big these animals are up close like this. Its amazing how they are all so intelligent in their own ways. We watched their behavior and they seemed to care so much for the other animals of their kind there with them. Some of the animals were rescued and brought here. Im sure they get sick of being cooped up in here but I also think they know they are serving a great purpose. At least I hope they know it. They brought us joy for sure.
We loved watching Kyla with the Otters swimming together. They loved twirling right in front of her. They kept doing somersaults and staring at her or putting their adorable paws on the glass. she would furrow her brow then let out a little laugh through her gummy smile.
He is so involved with Kyla as her daddy. It's a great thing to see him love his little girl so much. They have always had a special bond. Without ever having a father growing up myself, it is always bringing a smile to my face knowing she will never have to feel that absence of that important role in her life. I realize not every family has the blessing of the mother and father in the home. I grew up knowing very well how that can be. I know that family comes in all shapes and sizes and variety of culture or blends. and those are all okay too. But for me personally, seeing him for her like I only dreamed of having as a child, is a life of answered prayers. He is there for her and its a choice he has decided to make from day one. Its a pretty great choice to see a guy make. Especially being the guy you love and get to call your husband.
much love,
XO
Ash
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