NASCAR Feb 2010

We went to Nascar with Chad's family and friends - another thing I'd never been to before. The first night in Mesquite, we all met at the buffet. You have to be careful what you eat at a buffet- when there is quantity, it's not always quality. But one thing that never fails me is the soft serve ice cream machine. MMMMM. I had several bowls with chocolate sprinkles on top. That is some expensive ice cream. :) The first day at Nascar, it was raining and cold. We ended up buying ponchos and a blanket- and the race was delayed until they could dry the track. Chad helped me pick a driver - and I got my very first hat- sponsoring Brian Vickers. The next day was sunny and warm. It was a great race- much better than watching it on TV.

Our First Christmas - 2009

This Christmas was the best I've ever had. When we were putting up the tree, it was my old tree from years before and it was falling apart, so we packed it back in it's box and headed to Home Depot. Together we picked out a new tree- OUR very own. Then we picked out decorations and lights. It was such a small thing, but it was so fun doing it together. We set everything up that night and our Christmas decorating was done. Shortly after, presents started appearing under the tree- "To Chad, Love Ryan." I love presents and I get so excited to wrap them and make them look pretty. :) Chad knows how excited I get and so he made sure to show me all the boxes that were for me before he wrapped them, but I wasn't allowed to touch them or shake them. Christmas Day was wonderful! We woke up and sat around our little tree ...exchanged our presents one at a time...Chad is so thoughtful. He got me an IPOD- I've never had one of my own and he knew I would never buy it for myself. It's purple! He always gets me the best there is. His face didn't light up when he opened his new DC hoodie, but he wears it everyday so I know he loves it. He wanted something he could "play" with. Electronics, remote controlled things, BluRay DVDS - except he already had everything I could think of. Except- a video camera to take jeeping. BINGO. :) He was excited when he opened that one. After our little Christmas morning, we went across the street for breakfast at his parent's house. I loved that too. I love family and I love that his is so close. We had a great Christmas!!

Moab - Thanksgiving 2009

This was such a fun trip. I had never been to Moab and I was new to the jeeping world. (well, I still am...) Going anywhere with Chad is fun. The drive down was entertaining- I heard him sing his version to every song that came on the radio. We had fun out on the trails, and even though it can get scary at certain places, I trust Chad 1000% and I know he's an awesome driver. He's a professional behind that steering wheel!

Family Pics

The Schoonovers

I couldn't be blessed with a better family.

The Cruise - Our Honeymoon

We left for a Mexican cruise the day after our wedding...it felt so good to just be able to relax-together. We slept in every day, and then laid out on the deck in the sunshine drinking Pina Coladas and Diet Coke. Each night for dinner, we had fun getting dressed up and sitting at a table with a strange couple that drove us crazy. We made frequent trips to the soft serve ice cream machine -I'd say around 8 times each day. It was the best thing on the boat to eat. Towards the end of the trip, the boat started to get really rocky and we both got a little sea sick. We had to buy two boxes of Dramamine- 8 tablets for $16. We were glad when we made it off the boat. :) But we still had a blast...