The 12 Days of EJ..

Emma was one of the lucky few to attend the Royal Wedding Part II this past weekend.  Her sister Eliza got married in London so she has been there since March 30th and comes home April 10th.  That makes me a bachelor for 12 days... Not cool.  So before she left, my sweet wife used her amazing creativity to let me know she was thinking about me each day that she'd be gone - and I call it "The 12 Days of EJ."  Pictured below is our Mexican serving dish (thank you to whoever gave that to us for our wedding) that Emma pulled out from under the bed before she left. It was filled with 12 eggs that I was told to open while she's gone, 1 per day!  So I've been doing pretty good and haven't looked ahead at all.

Day 1: opened and read..

What did  I find?

I had no words... Best wife ever?!  

So each day has been a new scavenger hunt within our home here.  Here are a few more surprises that I found tucked away behind books, in cabinets, and hiding in closets.

Today is Easter and yes that means another egg.  

She went over the top with this Easter basket that has been hiding in our closet for the past 9 days.  I am most impressed with Emma's hiding abilities - I can usually notice something that has been moved in the house, but she has outsmarted me in every way.  I hope she knows how thankful I am for her.  At times life gets in the way and I'm not as "clued in" as I should be, but we have eternity to figure it out and I hope she hangs in there with me.  She really is the best thing that I have going on in my life.  These past 9 days have helped me realize how much I love being with this girl and how much fun we have when we are together.  Thank you Emma for being amazing.. I love you!

Test Entry - Emma in her Element

Last trip we made to Encinitas (for Seth and Shane's sealing) I took this picture of Emma when she was snoozing outside.  Being home + perfect weather + hammock + not having to worry about work = the ultimate relaxation experience.

I've never posted anything on Emma's blog, so I'm using this as a test to see how it turns out.  Emma and I have talked about using this blog as a sort of timeline that we can publish into books at the end of each year, so this is my attempt at figuring it out so I can contribute.  Also this will prepare me for when I get a job with the Travel Channel in the future (probably as Emma's co-host) and I have to be flown around the world to write reviews on the different experiences during my travels.  Hey it never hurts to dream right?  Well they say practice makes perfect, so let the practice begin.

The Happiest Place On Earth!

For Christmas this year the Ahlstroms took us to DISNEYLAND!!!! The ENTIRE family packed up and caravaned over to the California coast... some took longer than others (stupid traffic) but we all met up for a few days at the happiest place on earth. It could not have been more fun. Anytime you have this team all together in one place you know it's going to be a blast. 

The whole gang! 

Outside of mi mamasita's favorite Disney spot, Club 33! Go KK! 

Getting into the holiday spirit with some of the most amazing Christmas decorations!! Gosh it was so beautiful! 

Goofy's kitchen... yum! 

Walking down Main St with my man and babygirl Kendyl

Sure we'll hang in Toon Town! 

It was such a fun trip and the GREATEST break from work. Amasita and Big Papi spoiled us rotten and made us all feel so special. Something I love about being an Ahlstrom is how much this family enjoys being together. Regardless of the circumstance, whether it's a home or at Disneyland, you get this group of people together and you're sure to leave with a better set of abs -- It's constant laughter and constant fun. I feel so lucky to be part of such a solid group of people who I love and look up too. Can't wait for many more fun times with such an amazing family. I love you guys! Oh yeah, and your brother is super hot... just sayin'.

CaLOVEfornia

Before we headed up to mingle with the Mouse we stopped for a couple of days to visit mi familia. I worked on Thanksgiving but we headed over a day late and caught up with some of my brothers and sisters who were able to make it home for the holiday. It's a rarity to get all the Braziers under one roof at one time, which makes me sad, but it's a blast when you can catch up with the people who know and love you the most. There's something about family that just keeps you centered, balanced, and in good spirits. Every time I go home and walk into my parents house I'm reminded of how remarkable my gigantic family unit is. We have an artist in St Louis, a lawyer in San Diego, a doctor in training in LA, a journalist/free spirit in London, a perfect mother in Colombia, a crazy wannabe in AZ ;), a fashion designer in SD and two twins in Idaho. We may be far apart but I know these are my brothers and sisters, the people I chose to be with in this life. I love them. They have each contributed to my life and my character in some way. I admire them all and hope to be like each and every single one of them. Tim, Noah, Seth, Eliza, Christina, Beverly, Colton and Thomas -- I adore you all!

Good to see the twins, Barn and our boys Rocky and Boston. 

Love these baby brothers! It's sad how old they're getting... sweet pumpkins!

Catching Up Item #1: HALLOWEEN!

Bball and I have had our share of Halloween extravaganzas but nothing compares to Halloween 2011. With just a few hours to go until our ward party we decided to get into the spirit... after a trip to Walgreens and 50 bucks later, I give you M and M:

Turns out kissing is a little more difficult when you're round.

Yep, this really happened.

Bball and I teach Sunday school and this is one of our Valiant 8s, Hayden. He thinks Harry Potter is life and I catch him almost every Sunday with something different up his sleeve. Literally. Sometimes a fake snake, rocks, a whole slew of rubber bands. One time Brad decided to flip him upside down and you wouldn't believe how many tiny treasures came out of that kid's pockets. 

Turns out you shouldn't let your friends dress-up and drive. We decided to head to Sunday dinner in our Halloween finest to spook up some laughs at Bball's mamasita's casa! It was so fun. 

Ready for my favorite Halloween joke?! Q: Why can't ghosts have babies?!... A: Because they have Hollow-weenies!!!!... too much? HAPPY HALLOWEEN!... nearly two months late.

A YEAR?!?!

I am just in awe that this month marks one year since my move to Arizona. One of the most defining moments of my life when everything came together in a way I never thought it could. I was days away from going to St Louis when a single phone call changed everything -- a single phone call plus a lot of pleading, begging, dying, etc. -- but somehow it ALL WORKED OUT. I am now married to the man I've loved for 5 years, I work at a station that was only fathomable in my dreams and I have a home, a new extended family, friends, and I'm out of the snow!! To say this year has been full of happiness is an understatement. To think in one year I got a new job and have already worked my way through 3 different positions is just unreal. How can so much happen in 365 days?

The highlight of this year was of course our wedding day. I still can't believe that I married my Bball. To have all our family members together to celebrate our day is something that I will never be able to get over. I tell Bball all too often how I wish we could get married every day. Weird? Nah. Fiji wasn't too bad either... if I'm wishing for stuff then how about a wedding and honeymoon on repeat for the rest of my life!!??!?

I know that all of this is attributed to one thing, and that's Heavenly Father. I KNOW NONE OF THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED without Him. That's it. The moment Bball and I committed to each other, life changed. Blessings literally spilled out from heaven and into our lives. Seriously! It wasn't normal. It was the most spiritual experience I've ever had in my life. While blogs aren't really a spiritual outlet it's impossible to look back on this year and not realize how much of a higher power had to have taken control, because it just isn't possible. I don't think I deserve it all but you better believe Bball and I are trying every day to earn this amazing life that we live. So rad. Life is just cozy and sweet. Gotta spread the love and live with an attitude of gratitude. Lucky little ducks!

It's been awhile

Yikes! Sorry blog world -- all you millions of followers, I know you've been waiting with baited breath for the next Bball&ejeezy update. Mom, I apologize for the delay. Yes, you're the only one that really cares. Everyone else, whatevs, I don't have a cute pup for you to stare at or radical things happening in my life so this update is probably meaningless. Meow. Read on, friends!

We are days away from our six-month anni. You're probably expecting to hear, 'oh it's gone by so fast!' but honestly I can't believe we're only at six months... maybe it's because we've known each other for so long but it feels like we should be hitting our sixth year... which in all honesty we are, at least of knowing each other. Go team.

For knowing this crazy kid as long as I have I sure have learned a LOT in the past six months, mostly about myself tho -- selfish much? I've learned I can be a HUGE grumpypants, especially to the people I love most (namely, Bballbreezy). Most of which is spawned by a lack of sleep, thank you J.O.B., love you tho! I've learned I have to stop focusing so much on myself and turn to the man that I gave my life to and put him before my tired, grumpy self. He is number one and making him feel that is so important. Still learning. Him being super hot helps tho.

We are both just plugging away at our jobs. I adore my early mornings. My job inspires me every single day and there is nothing better than spending my time working towards something I am so passionate about. Feels so good to be investing my energy into a career I feel so excited about. Bball is killin' it with his job and learns something different every single day. So important.

This past weekend my homegirls came to tizzzown -- you know your friends are legit when they can go to a family bday party and rock it out the entire night with your in-laws they just met. We rented a mechanical bull for Amasita's bday bash and died laughing for three days straight over how amazing everyone looked on it. See for yourself:

We had such a great September. First... this guy got married:

And this girl came home for a visit, finally!!! 

Sure love my Tinybear and her sweet Colombian baybay, Nigey!

Little pumpkin found a killer Halloween costume while home in the states -- seriously die for this kid. My little pooh bear!

And some exciting news on the BRAZIER-sissy-front... but that's going to have wait until another post... or until it's officially confirmed... you never know with these chicas. Go KKQueens!