The Nutcracker Ballet

It's a family tradition - every year we go to the Nutcracker Ballet as a family!

We went last night at the Covey Arts Center in Provo, and it was amazing! I loved the whole show, but I think Allie was so excited. She literally squealed with excitement probably twenty times or more each time the dancers would come onto stage!

Thanks Mom and Dad for a fun night!

FREE PHOTO SHOOT

I am giving away a photo shoot - if you would like to be entered into the drawing, please email me: ashley.warner88@gmail.com GOOD LUCK TO ALL! (visit my photography blog: http://www.ashleywarnerphotography.blogspot.com)

The WINNER will be announced on January 10th, 2010!

Best of luck and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

hopeless romantic

hopeless romantic: Someone who believes in the fairy tale love story and the happy endings. Very romantic and stuff like that.


Yes, that's me.
And in spite of it being Monday morning, work is slow, and I am bored, I decided to get my feelings down.

Yes, I admit it, I am a hopeless romantic.

I dream of meeting that Prince Charming, of being swept off my feet, of meeting that one person who makes time stop, of that man who'se smile makes everything in the world happpy. I dream of happily ever after, I want to be loved, but be loved for my personality, my faith, my dreams, ambitions, for my values, for my good nature, for my quirky sense of humor, I want to be loved for me.

So what's a girl to do? Sign up for the latest online dating service? Desperately reach out to long lost friends and ask to be set up? Always be on the prowl? Be seen in public, in a desperate attempt to find Mr. Right?

WRONG! I am done playing this whole so-called game of love.
I have been hurt and broken hearted for the past little while and I have decided that there is beauty and goodness to life - regardless of having someone to share it with. Yes, it would be nice to have that one person whom you would do anything for, have that one person who makes your world go round, but I have decided that life is too short to be passed up.
I want to live life to the fullest - I want to check off points on my bucket list. I want to make each day acceptable, meaning make each day count. Make sure that I do something good for the world.
Life is too short, so I say that when you're depressed about being single, when you're down and out because you don't have a hot date on Friday night, take my advice and check into reality. Make your life what you want it to be. Who cares if you're a hopeless romantic? Live life for YOU!

I know I am going on and on, but it's taken me awhile to learn this lesson. But I know that with good friends, a great family, awesome parents, a great support system, working out, listening to MADONNA, becoming a better member of my faith, and serving others (just to name a few) that LIFE IS GOOD.

The world is a good place. "Life is meant to be enjoyed, not just endured"
Life is a constant journey, not a destination, happiness is what you make it up to be. No one can live your life for you, so start living today!!!

Country Girl's Heart

Times like this, driving on a little two-lane road in the country make me wish I was a country girl (but only for a brief moment...

Giving Thanks

happy thanksgiving all ya'll!

Vitamin C

This is the best source of Vitamin C! :-)
Don't believe me, go to the grocery store and get some!
If this isn't the best O.J. you've ever had, I'll *buy it for you!


*Disclaimer: I won't actually buy your orange juice for you, but I thought if I said I would, maybe it would prove to you just how AMAZING it is!*

I'm Thankful For....

I've got a lot to be thankful for!

I'm trying something new (thanks to my dear friend Joey!). Every single day this month, I've tried to focus on something I'm thankful for. It's made all the difference in the world for me. I started out today feeling kinda bummed, but then I remembered her challenge and I thought of something I was truly thankful for.

Today, I am thankful for: President Thomas S. Monson.
I'm so grateful for his leadership, his dedication to the LDS church, for his wisdom, his example, his love for me (he prays for me and you, ya know?), his love for the Savior, his love for the temple, his love for God. He is a wonderful, inspiring man and I am so grateful for him.

Take a minute and click on this link: What-Matters-Most

There are so many things in our day to day life that don't really matter - this was a great reminder to me to take a second and get back to the things and people in my life that truly matter.

Have a great Wednesday, and remember to be thankful, it might just change your attitude!

R.I.P. little mouse

EEEEEEKKKKKKK! That's exactly the squeal that came from my mouth this morning when I walked into my office. There was this mouse (which was very much dead) strewn on the ground. I was scared at first, but then I felt terrible for the little guy. I hope he didn't have a painful death (because I noticed the mouse poison under my desk had been consumed...)

I thought about having a funeral like the "Grief Counseling" episode on The Office ...but I decided against it and just buried him --- in the dumpster.

R.I.P. furry friend

TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW

Hey ya'll fellow bloggers...

Wanted to let you know about a killer SCRAPBOOKING sale my company is having for the next three weeks!!!

Crate Paper, Inc. (http://www.cratepaper.com/home.html)is having a HUGE Warehouse Sale!

Starting November 5 - November 30.
Monday - Thursday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Everything is marked down anywhere from 20%-80% off.
It's a GREAT deal!

So tell everyone you know about this fabulous sale!

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=8623161&cat=74&lpid=

cookie cookie

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 C Sugar
2 C Brown Sugar
2 C Butter
4 Eggs
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. vanilla
4 C Flour
2-3 C Oatmeal
1 bag chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cream butter, sugar and brown sugar until well mixed. Combine dry ingredients into separate bowl and mix well. Slowly add to the rest of the ingredients. Add oatmeal and chocolate chips. Bake at 350 for 9 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for a couple of minutes and remove to wire cooling rack. Makes a LOT! Enjoy!

Sigma 24-70mm Lens

I'm SOOOOOOOOOOO happy!!!!!




I just spoiled myself, again, and I bought this fabulous lens for my camera!
I'm trying to get back into photography and I decided that I probably needed a better lens if I wanted to get anywhere with my skills.

If anyone is interested in booking me for a family shoot, portraits, engagements, or just wants some great head shots, shoot me an email and we can get ya booked.

Ashley Warner ashley.warner88@gmail.com

Thanks for your support everyone!

Girls Night Out

Last Night, Ash and I had a girls night out! Talk about FUN!!!!

We started off the glorious evening with massages! I've never had a massage before and it was incredible! I highly recommend getting one!

Then we went to dinner at our favorite place, Mag's! I had the usual...Blackened Chicken Pasta and a Ceasar Salad. It was so yummy and it was fun to chat and catch up!

Then we hit the mall - I'm a white female addicted to retail! Seriously, it was so much fun to go shopping!!
We hit the jackpot at Nordy's last night - I spent a certain amount of cashola and I landed these fabulous NEW MOON premier tickets!!!
I am not that huge of a fan, but now I am super ultra excited to go to the movie!
Here's to another GREAT girls night out!




Yes, I bought this NEW MOON shirt...I had to! It's darling!

Adieu, Sayonara, Ciao, Hasta Luego, Tchau, Goodbye

Elder Allen Warner is embarking on his 2 year LDS mission on Wednesday. On Sunday he had the opportunity to speak in church before he leaves for this great journey. We had a great family/friend get-together at our house afterward!

Here are a few photos from the joyous occasion....

A Change of Pace...

Yes, the rumors are true! I quit my job! I'm leaving my job as the surgery scheduler/receptionist at Riverwoods Surgery Center (www.rwsurgery.com). I've been with the Center for 4 years, which have been so wonderful! I couldn't have asked for better co-workers, job opportunities, and the various things I've learned. However, I've been offered a fabulous opportunity to be the Office/Warehouse/Marketing Manager at Crate Paper (www.cratepaper.com) and I'm very excited for this career move. Along with changing jobs, I've also been able to start a better focus on my other love in life - photography!

photo courtesy of flikr.


I'd like to announce that I'm going to be focusing more on my photography 'career'. I've already been booked for the first two weeks of October and I couldn't be any happier! I've been very blessed and looked after, and for that I am very grateful. (my blog address is: ashleywarnerphotography.blogspot.com)

If anyone is interested in being a model for me for some 'practice' shoots, please leave me a comment with your information, or simply email me and let me know!

Here's to a happy FALL and a exciting change! I hope everyone is doing great! Until next time...

Happy 25th Anniversary

My parents celebrated 25 years of marriage in August! Allen and I threw them a surprise party, which was a lot of fun! here are some photos from the big day!

musical bliss

Yet again, I have found a new band that I am IN LOVE WITH! Meg and Dia. Allen and I were having a music party on the way home from the cabin yesterday and he showed me this song by them: "Bored of Your Love". I LOVE this song (and no its got nothing to do with my feelings for me hunny - I still love him!) But I just love this song! Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9hErSfk4Uk

Orlando

Went to Orlando for the CHA convention. It was a lot of fun, but lots of work!! We had a great turn out and Lisa's paper was a HIT! :)


My favorite line at the show {SEASON}

Lisa and I in the booth

Crate Paper




My love came and surprised me at the airport! :)

I Need a Vacation

I just decided that I need a vacation!
I don't really mind where I go, but I want to get away...

St. George, Zion National Park, Park City, San Diego, Texas, Hawaii, Manhattan, Italy, Greece, Logan, Spain, San Francisco, Germany, Disneyland, Mexico, Canada, Palmyra, St. Louis, Vegas, Yellowstone, the Cabin, London, or camping.

If anyone needs a travel buddy, or wants to getaway as desperately as I do, lets plan a road trip!!!

Ashley Warner Photography

Check out my newest blog!

www.ashleywarnerphotography.blogspot.com

Going PRIVATE

This is long over-due. I am making my blog private so no creepers will stalk me online. So, if you'd like to continue to read my lovely blog, please send me your email address so we can continue our lovely blog-relationship. :) xoxo

Privacy Act Enforced July 31, 2009.

Blast from the Past

Yuppie: noun (often initial capital letter)
a young, ambitious, and well-educated city-dweller who has a professional career and an affluent lifestyle.

Elder Clowney tagged my dad on facebook in these photos, and I had to laugh. These are from the "yuppie" phase of life. These were taken at our home in Stamford, Connecticut. Look how young and cute we all are! awww!

fathers day 2009

(photo courtesy of pebblesinmypocket.com)


Look at this cute idea for Father's Day! Since I am stuck at home sick today, I thought I would look for something creative to do in my sickness... Since Father's Day is upon us, this looks like a cute, and easy thing to make dad! I had a hard time finding this example on pebbles.com - so I found this other blog that gives you SHIRT FOLDING INSTRUCTIONS: (http://marielovestostamp.blogspot.com/2007/06/shirt-folding-tutorial.html)

Good luck, and Happy Father's Day!

efy - june 2009

Juliet and I

Love these girls - we became really good friends!


Brit and I


Although I had such a blast with my youth during my first week of EFY - I had the opportunity to grow close to these two fabulous ladies! Such great girls and examples! (they're single fellas...)

Juliet was my roommate for the week! She is such a fun girl with a great sense of humor, I loved staying up late (later than we should have...) talking about boys, life, and facebook stalking! She got so sick during the week, but you would've hardly known - she was such a trooper and always looking out for everyone.

Britney is such a doll! She is going on a mission to Rochester, New York - more specifically the Hill Cumorah Visitor Center! I am so excited for her! She is such a fun, outgoing girl who made everyone in our group feel welcome! BLESSINGS!

Our signature "move" throughout the week was our "Single Ladies" dance we would do all around campus. For those of you not familiar with this dance move, we stole our idea from the Beyonce music video for "Single Ladies". We had fun singing and dancing all over BYU campus! No wonder so many BYU students dislike having EFY during the summer - the annoying counselors who go around singing, "All the single ladies, all the single ladies --- whoah oh oh uh uh oh!"

I was so nervous about my first week, but I was so blessed to be given such great co-counselors and friends. I am one blessed girl - I am always looked out for! :)

More than the World

Purple skies. Hazel eyes. Fireflies. New horizons.
In the spring grey turns green, hope once dead is brought to life.
Shady tree, shoes in hand, with my bare feet in the sand.
Spanish poems, skipping stones, the dusty road that takes me home.

People have told me how to be happy, but I find their remedies empty.
These are my pearls, God's treasures unfurled, mean more to this girl, more than the world, to me.

Photographs from the past, summer nap time in the grass
Constellations in the sky, northern lights will make you cry.

People have told me how to be happy, but I find their remedies empty.
These are my pearls, God's treasures unfurled, mean more to this girl, more than the world, to me.

Grant me twenty thousand wishes, cover me with lavish things, but
I believe in loaves and fishes, miracles, and mustard seeds.

People have told me how to be happy, but I find their remedies empty
These are my pearls, God's treasures unfurled, mean more to this girl
More than the world, to me.

Purple skies. Hazel Eyes. Fireflies.

Ah, behold the power of music. This song comes from the 2009 EFY "Be Thou an Example" CD. It is one of my favorite songs at the moment - such a great reminder of what truly matters in life. :)

Alexandria's Baptism

Elder Allen Warner

Allen opened up his mission call on June 5, 2009. I was at EFY during the week, so I was unable to be there in person for the actual call, but Allen did call me as he was reading the call. As soon as he read where he was going, I felt the spirit and KNEW that he is supposed to be serving in the Baltic mission!!
Oh ya, for those who don't know, Allen has been called to serve in the BALTIC MISSION (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia) and he will be speaking Lithuanian. He reports to the MTC on October 21, 2009. I am so proud of him and I am so excited!! He is going to be a great missionary!!!



"I can't believe it!" - Mom

Steve, Lisa, Grandma, and mom all re-reading the call

the future Elder Allen Warner

Everybody all listening to Allen open up his call