Tuesday, June 29, 2010

ENGAGED!!!

Okay, okay...you want to know the story, huh? Here it goes:

Thursday June 3rd Landen and I were talking and he was really quiet, more quiet than his nomal self...because sometimes he is just quiet, that's just him. But it was different. Well, Friday morning, June 4th, I get this text from him that says that he tried to call my home number but no one was home. He was trying to talk to my dad!!! Well, I gave him their cell phone numbers, but of course this is the one week my dad looses his cell phone charger!!! AHH!!! He tried to call my dad's cell phone but of course it was dead. I knew he wouldn't propose without talking to him first so I was pretty sure it wasn't happening that night. And I had just kinda put it in my mind it wasn't going to be happening that weekend so if it didn't I wouldn't be disappointed. So, I drive up to Logan after work and we go bowling and get ice cream with some friends then head back to his house.

Let me set the stage: I'm driving, it is late and dark and slightly raining. I notice Landen is really quiet again and ask if he's okay and he has this look on his face that shows he has something on his mind, but I didn't let myself think anything of it. I continue to drive and he reaches in the back seat and pulls out this box (not a ring box...no worries). He opens it and it has 2 cupcakes inside. I was like, "Aweeee!!! You got us cupcakes! That is so cute!!!" I was totally all excited about the cupcakes :) As I continue to drive he pulls one out and starts unwrapping it for me. I tell him, "I can't eat that while I'm driving!" Landen, "Yes you can, you'll be fine." Then he hands me the cupcake. Picture me driving, in the dark, in the rain, holding this amazing cupcake with like 2 inches of icing on top! Eventually I finally take a bite out of it still protesting, "I can't eat this while I'm driving!" First off, the cupcake was delicious!!! After I take a bite I look at it and see there is something plastic inside. I ask, "What did you put in my cupcake? What did you put in my cupcake?!!!" Landen, "Nothing...I don't know what you're talking about..." Hmph. At this point I lose all ability to rationalize and don't think to pull over so I keep driving, holding this cupcake, looking back and forth at the the plastic thing and then at Landen not knowing what to do or what to think. By the way, I am literally still oblivious to what is going on. Finally I see a church and think to pull into the parking lot so I can stop...but NO! There are 2 cop cars sitting there! AH! So I keep driving. At our next turn I look and there is nobody around on the road so I pull over to the side and finally stop and pull the plastic thing out of the cupcake. A little plastic bag unfolds and in lies a ring!!! Landen takes the bag and pulls out the ring and holds it up for me to see and I realize it is THE ring...the one I've had my eye on for like a month!!! OH MY GOODNESS!

We both sit there for what seems like longer than it is, he's smiling ear to ear which is so adorable! Finally he gets out of the car...and steps in a puddle! (Of course I would pull over in a puddle!!!) He comes around to my side and opens my door and gets down on one knee and I say, "HOLD ON! I need to put my cupcake down!!!" As I fumble to find a napkin he scoots in closer, kneeling in the MUD (he always makes sure that is part of the story!), and I turn around to him right there holding the ring...and he says simply, "Aubrie, will you marry me?" I say (of course), "YES!!!" Then we hug and kiss and all the fun stuff and then some cars started coming so he got back in the car and put the ring on my finger...and we were engaged :) :) :) Happy Day!!!

Now, some other interesting facts: 1. He told me that he DID end up getting ahold of my parents so he was able to ask my dad if he could marry me! Yeah! That made me super happy...and made my eyes get all teary...that meant so much to me. Oh, and it was the first time EVER he has spoken to them...what a brave soul. 2. He apologized for being so quiet on Thursday night. He told me that everything he wanted to talk to me about had to do with the engagement b/c his mom, sister and him went to the ring shop on Thursday to make sure everything was ready to go. That makes more sense now :)
Anyway...he totally got me, he surprised me BIG TIME!!! Now, you may be thinking things such as, "He did it while you were driving???!!!!!!" or "You could have swallowed the ring!!!" like many other people have expressed. But no worries, there is absolutely NO way I could have swallowed that ring. And yes, he did it while I was driving!!! That's just him...to do things at the most inopportune moment...this is our relationship!!! HA! It was perfect for us. I was so happy :) :) :) And still am!!!
The Cupcakes:
The Ring:
My Favorite View...the part that goes, "BAM!"






Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Rexburg Extravaganza

This past weekend Landen and I took a little road trip up to Idaho to visit some friends. We got to see a few friends from our mission which was really fun! The main purpose of the trip was to visit my friend Kailee from home...she was diagnosed with diabetes a few weeks ago so I was able to get up there and help her out some this weekend. We did some meal planning and grocery shopping so she could find some things she can eat and get some ideas of meals and all that jazz. The most important thing though was that I helped her de-stress some...MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. She told me I helped her forget that she was a college student for awhile and helped some of that stress go away. Yes! That makes me happy :) We had fun just hanging out too. Friday night we went with her and her roommates and a ton of other people out the to sand dunes and had a bonfire! Good times all around. I love that girl so much...she's like the little sister I never had :) Thanks Kailee for the great weekend!!!






I LOVE TO SEE THE TEMPLE!!!

I had the opportunity to go to the Salt Lake Temple a few weeks ago and it was amazing! I love the temple so much. This is one of my favorite times to be there and walk around the grounds...the flowers and trees are all blooming and absolutely GORGEOUS!!! So I took a few pictures and here is my favorite:



Tuesday, April 27, 2010

I'm so blessed!

I was pondering my life a little today and was thinking about all the things I am grateful for. I truly am so blessed. Sometimes I'm not sure why, but I still am blessed. It is amazing how the Lord blesses us when we try to do what's right. I am so far from perfect but He recognizes my efforts to do good and be better. What a loving Father we have! I need to remember to thank Him more often for all I've been given. I'm happy. Life is good. And it is all because of my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Friend and Brother, Jesus Christ. Have a great day! :) :) :) Keep Smiling :) :) :)

I have to admit...one of the many things I am grateful for:

Monday, April 12, 2010

Wow...I need to be better at this!!!

I guess it is time to play catch up on "A Day in the Life of Aubrie." The past few months have been awesome!!! Life is good. I'm happy...the pictures show it all :)

Miss Rylie
Mr. Nathan...I can't get that kid to smile...but I like it :)
Enjoying the BEAUTIFUL spring day!

An afternoon at the Living Planet Aquarium with Landen, Brad and Emily!!! Such a fun day! They have a new penguin exhibit that was awesome!


The coolest sting ray I've ever seen! He's polka dotted!

Emily, Penguin and I had a blast!
Landen and I doing what we do best...taking amazing pictures!!!

The Largest Penguin in the world...I'm not much taller! AH!
Introducing the Boy: Landen Scott Hardy...




Amber and I had a date to The Sweet Tooth Fairy Bake Shop for the most amazing cupcakes ever!!!

I like the Boy :)


Sonya and I had a fun filled day when she flew up from Arizona to visit me for the day. We went to Temple Square and the Training Table for lunch...2 of my favorite places :)





Getting to see some of the Sisters from my mission! And the walabee :)

Cami, Tiva, Shauna and Me

Friday, February 26, 2010

Back in Utah...

MY NEW CAR!!! I absolutely LOVE it!!! It is 3 year old but looks brank new :) and only had 8100 miles...it was a steal!

Seeing some of my best friends from my mission!!! Ryan and Tiva


My friend Sonya flew up from Arizona for the day to visit me! She has free flight benefits :) I like that!!!
Our family tradition...TUCANO'S! Jared, me, Riley, Dad, Mom and Nathan...Megan is behind the camera

It has been so fun being back in Utah cataching up with old friends and getting settled into my new life. It was great to have mom and dad out here to visit and help me get a car...THANKS!!! I've loved being able to see Jared, Megan, Nathan and Rylie...it's the first time I've seen Riley since she was born (she was born right after I left on my mission)! I love being close to them. I'm still job hunting and hopefully I'll find something soon. I gotta keep the faith, I know it will all work out...this is where I am supposed to be :)

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Super Bowl Party!

Pre-game 3-layer pumpkin pie :)
Even Alex was "dressed" for the occasion!

Katie-schmatie!
Kim...the party planner!




Me, Alex, Mike, Courtney, Kelly, Kate, Steve


It was such a fun time watching the Super Bowl this year at the Clark's house! They always throw great parties :) We had games and prizes and TONS of food!!! We were all stuffed for sure. Good times, good times. It was kinda sad to watch the Saints beat the Colts, but it's all good. That's what happens when you play a game, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. It was a fun game to watch. The Saints played a good game. No fair weather fan here.
I STILL LOVE MY COLTS!!! Blue and white through and through...for life.