Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Last the best of all the game.

Well, it's official. All my friends are married.
Saturday, October 24th was the happiest day because LeAnn Paulsen became Mrs. N8 Nielsen.
We have all been waiting impatiently for this day, and it finally came!
Ann and Nate started dating shortly after Dan and I did and they got engaged two weeks after we got married. And then Nate moved to San Francisco! So when I say we've all been waiting impatiently for this day to arrive (especially Ann), I really mean it.

Their wedding day was perfect. They were sealed in the Draper temple and marched out of those golden doors with the most genuine, beaming smiles. There is no joy that compares to that of a newly married couple. And Nate and Ann were just oozing love. Ann was the most stunning, gorgeous bride there has ever been!
They followed their sealing with an intimate luncheon that suited them perfectly. We got to hear from those that are closest to them, and watch them cut the cake and share a dance. I consider myself so extremely blessed to call myself one of those people for Ann. She has been my best friend, roommate, and person for the last six years. She is the most kind, caring, giving, loving person, and I know that Nate will treat her right. I wouldn't have let her go to anything less.

While it was the happiest day, it was also a little bittersweet for me because they now live in San Francisco. I lived with Ann for six years and now she lives in a different state. And while I selfishly would like her to please get back here ASAP because I miss her constantly, I am so excited for their new adventure and know that a little distance will not harm our friendship at all. (And now we have more excuses to plan fabulous girls trips to get us all together!)

From September 2014-October 2015 four of my best friends, and I got married. I can't think of a better way to lose all your friends to their new husbands, than to do it all at once. It has been the best 13 months. I've been able to share the happiest time of my life with those who I love most. No bride left behind!

(kacey.ism 375)

Monday, November 9, 2015

East Coast extravaganza


A couple weeks ago Dan and I took off to Boston to explore the east coast with his parents and his sister and her husband. We were all visiting Boston for the first time and we were excited for a new adventure. We stayed at a charming apartment thanks to AirBNB, and we hit the ground running.

On Day 1 we did the ever famous Freedom Trail. It is a trail set up to take you all throughout Boston with stops at all the famous historical sites from the Revolutionary War. I loved it. We saw where John Hancock is buried, we saw Paul Revere's House, we saw the ship, the USS Constitution, we saw the church where the Boston Tea Party was decided...we really saw it all. We also walked about 10 miles. Needless to say, we came home with tired feet and quickly fell asleep.

On Day 2 we started the day by driving out to the charming town of Rockport, Massachusetts. It is a tiny town right on the coast full of darling shops, ice cream parlors, boats, lobster, and a beautiful view of the ocean. It was the kind of place that you can't help but picture what your life would be like there. From there we wound our way to Salem. There is nothing like being in Salem aka the city where the witch trials were held around Halloween. People were nuts. I felt like we were surrounded by a whole city of people who work at haunted houses. I don't think I will experience anything like that ever again. And, Bonus! We saw where Max lived in the movie Hocus Pocus.
Day 3 was Sunday, so we decided to attend the singles ward right next to Harvard. That area of Boston is beautiful. From there we hopped in the car and drove north toward Maine. The drive was stunning. I can not believe the amount of trees that exist back east. They go on and on and on. We were so lucky to see all the leaves just as they were just starting to change. Eventually we ended up in York where we had the most amazing view of the Nubble Lighthouse. It was Caiti's wish to go to Maine, and I'm so glad we did. From there it was back on the highway until we made it to Lake Winnipesaukee. It is a giant, peaceful, gorgeous spot. We were all itching to flag someone down and go waterskiing.
On Day 4 we woke up and jumped back in the car (can you tell we did a lot of driving) and drove South toward Cape Cod. It was a beautiful day, 75 degrees, and we couldn't wait to plop down on a beach for a little while. FYI, Cape Cod is really big. We ended up driving three-fourths down the cape before we decided to stop and find access to a beach somewhere. We found a stretch of sand in front of a bunch a beach houses and took a minute to sit back, relax and enjoy getting some sea salt in our hair and sand stuck between our toes. Mmmmm the beach, oh how I love it.
From Cape Cod we hit the road for Newport, Rhode Island. If you've never been to the Newport of the East Coast, you must go. It was the most charming, stunning little town full of incredible mansions. It made for a long day, but we were all so glad we got there.
On our last day in Boston we decided to spend the day exploring the city of Boston. Imagine that! We started the day with a tour of Fenway Park. I may not be a devoted baseball fan, but after that I can tell you that Dan and I will get to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park someday. That is a really special place. Dan and I took off on our own for the rest of the afternoon. We explored Harvard, had lunch with our friend Liz, wandered through various neighborhoods, and enjoyed watching the rowing teams on the river as the sun set. We met up with everyone for dinner at the Barking Crab, and we treated to the most delicious meal (thank you RJ!) full of lobster and crab legs. It was the perfect way to end a wonderful week.


I know that we will always cherish that vacation with Pam, Ron, Caiti, and Will. I think we crammed it all in, and made it a memorable, fabulous trip (and thanks Dan, for the helpful selfie stick!)! I can't wait to get back there again someday.

(kacey.ism 374)