im gonna get married

For documentary purposes, lets talk about the days leading up the wedding. 

And leave the wedding day for a long and glorious post all on its on. 

Rudy and I were to get married on June 14th. 

I work at a school where it is incredibly difficult to take days off. 

The last day of school was June 13th. 

I didn't even ask for the days off, I just basically told everyone I wasn't going to be there and luckily they understood and were ok with it. 

My last day of school was our field day.

I was in charge of planning it and I procrastinated it for week. Finally Brad helped me and we came up with a pretty awesome obstacle course. 

The teachers had to demonstrate for the students and we did a boys vs. girls race and obviously the girls won. It was really fun. 

Every year we plan a way to trick the kids and getting them wet. Last year we had a surprise water balloon fight. 

This year we backed them agains the gym and told them we were taking a class photo. 

They didn't know teachers had climbed on the roof.... 

It was awesome and the kids freaked out. 

That night Rudy and I were up late packing for our drive to California in the morning. It was really surreal knowing that we were packing for our wedding that weekend. 

We got in early start in the morning, on the road just after 5 AM. 

The good thing about being in the car for a long is that I fall asleep really easily. Anyone thats been in the car with me  for longer than 30 mins can probably attest to that. So I feel asleep really fast. 

The bad thing about being in the car for a long time is that I can get slightly annoyed with Rudy. HA

Ive almost made a no car rule with him. 

I mean, I have to put up with stunts like this...

and sometimes worse. He likes to sing ridiculously and then talks in about 5 different accents and impersonations. Funny at first....

So I am slightly surprised we made it to California. 

I woke up in St. George and we did a session in the Temple. 

Rudy's mission president is on another mission in the Visitor's Center. 

We stopped by and gave them announcement for the wedding and chatted for a bit. 

We arrived that evening and I spend some time with Christina and Lillie. 

A last little friend hang out as a single lady!

Kelly and the kids arrived that night and I was so excited that they were there. 

In the morning Laura and her family came. 

It was so special for me knowing that my whole family was there for me and my wedding.

 I loved that. 

On Friday I was excited to see this pop up on my computer. 

And I loved getting this snap chat from my roommates. Love them so much!

The highlight of the day was all of the girls went to get their nails done for the big day. 

Cute little Lyla got her nails done for the first time. She was acting crazy excited when we got there and then she got a little in trouble for dropping the nail polish by a worker and she was quiet the rest of the time. 

I had the hardest time ever picking out my nail color! How do you decide what to get for the biggest day of your life! 

I can't remember exactly what else we did, but there was hanging out by the pool, and getting dinner all together. 

That night I do remember staying up a little late and watching TV with Kelly and my dad. 

My dad told me it was my last night being a Robins girl and being single. 

And although I was fine with changing my marital status, I was pretty sad at losing my name. 

Good thing its still my middle name! 

Family. Temples. Forever.

 I have previously blogged about how much I love my Robins family and our family reunions. 

Well now is a great time to brag about my amazing Svendsen family. 

I have so much love for my Svendsen and the rich history, sacrifice and culture that accompanies it. 

My grandparents, Svend & Jytta Svendsen joined the Church in Denmark shortly after World War II. 

My Uncle was already born and they decided to move to America, the land of opportunity, and they picked little Provo, Utah to be close to the church and the temple. 

On September 11, 1952 my cute Grandparents and Uncle drove to Manti, Utah to receive their endowments and be sealed as an eternal family. 

Shortly one year later my Mom was born and grew up in a very Danish household. 

Speaking mainly Danish, eating Danish food and yet trying to fit in as an American. 

I love being Danish. I love having such a strong connect to Denmark. 

My Grandma Jytta was really the only Grandparent I ever knew and I miss her so much. 

To commemorate this special day and our ability to be an eternal family my cousin Katy organized a family reunion centered on a trip to Manti. 

My Svendsen family is so special because we are so small in numbers. 

(In comparison to the awesomeness of our big numbers on the other side)

There are just 9 cousins.

And we traveled from Nashville, Dallas, Brooklyn, Boston, Los Angeles and even Provo, Salt Lake and Ogden to be together and go to the Manti Temple.

And the rest of my family too.

I always have to catch my Uncle Rick smiling because it is such a rare occurrence!!

 We took photos on the steps in honor of my Grandparents and Uncle Peter outside on the Temple on their big day. 

Our reunion plan mostly revolved around going through a session at the Temple. 

And guess what?

I went through the Temple too. 

It couldn't have been more perfect timing and just that..perfect. 

I wish I could go back and relive it all over again. I don't ever want to forget those moments. 

My whole family there, knowing my sweet grandparents were there 61 years prior and turning around and seeing my sisters dorky and yet cute smiles and thumbs up during the whole thing. And then lots of hugs afterwards. 

We then spent the rest of our time continuing to catch up over great meals, enjoy each others company and walk around City Creek.

i love to see the temple.

My family had a perfect Sunday evening outing to the Temple to see the Christmas lights. 

I absolutely LOVE the temple. 

And I love it even more at Christmas time. 

We even had to get all bundled up to face the cold as we walked around the temple. 

There were so many people there, which made it even better. 

Mia loved the pink lights. 

Chase loved running up and down the hill. 

And then they both just loved running around the parking lot. 

I am obsessed with the lights on the palm trees. Perfect California Christmas. 

I love to see the Temple. 

And its a perfect place to be to celebrate Christmas. 

just some dam photos.

I kept up my out of town persona, and went back to Sin City two weekends ago. 

I love having a vacation home in Vegas via my friendship with Shylettera. 

This time around we took Rudy along with us and had a great time. 

We of course hit Peggy Sue's on the way there {biscuits and gravy were calling our names!} And then mostly just chilled, hit the strip for some great shopping and dinner, had two grand outings and decorated Shy's Christmas tree. 

Our first field trip: Las Vegas Temple. 

In all of my times to Vegas I have never seen the temple but have always really wanted to see it. So we set up an appointment for baptisms and although had  some bumps on the road {i.e. forgotten recommends} we got there! 

And of course with the combo of the spirit, a beautiful setting and some really nice people, the place did not disappoint.  

I also got to run into the former Jenesee O'Bryant!

 A Lanai alum and neighbor. I miss hanging out, our great chats and her doing my hair. 

Sunday's field trip: the Hoover Dam.

During our shopping spree Saturday night, I saw a sign for the Dam, and jokingly said we should go there. Next thing I knew everyone was on board! I was surprised at how cool it was to be at the dam. And it was super fun to have Shy's friend Lauren come along with us to snap some great photos as well as have great {and much needed} girl talk.

Some favorite moments while there: the massive bridge we walked across which over looks the dam,

 being in Arizona and Nevada on the same day and even at the exact same time

 dropping a Cheez-It down the dam (in hopes that it would slide right down) to be pleasantly surprised that the wind coming off the dam shot the cheez-it right up as it was propelled in the air. Not pictured. But a great moment for us. 

 Some moments that did disappoint: not saying nearly enough DAM jokes while we were there. 

And no Vegas trip is complete if there is not a photo of me and Bardi.

{and a Ragnar reunion! I think Trey's hands were getting a little frisky back there...}

Im loving all these reunions we've been having. Hopefully lots more to come of these as he is now a So Cal resident! 

my best friends wedding.

two Saturdays ago, my best friend Alyssa

aka my cousin. my sister. 

went and got MARRIED. 

She looked absolutely stunning. And I am so grateful that she let me spend Friday night and all day Saturday with her celebrating on her special day.

On Friday night I was able to go down to the Temple apartments and spend the night with the whole Richardson clan. We were all so excited and Im sure a little nervous. And as Alyssa and I shared a bed that night I loved being able to have a little sleepover and spend the night before her wedding together. We stayed up a bit late the night before and got up way early to start getting ready.

I gave her a big hug when she had to leave to walk to the temple.

And I gave her a big hug when she came out as Mrs. Clyde.

And I was a little teary eyed too.

We got to take lots of pictures.

And I loved becoming her go-to girl in fixing her hair, carrying her dress and helping her pose for the pictures.
I was astonished at how beautiful she looked all day.
Even in the rain.
Throughout the day Jaron and I became best friends too.

I love that kid. He is a lucky man!
And her reception was just as gorgeous.
I loved so many things about it.

(especially the appearance of hot dj. ha)
Us and the crew danced the night away in celebration too.

I helped her change out of her dress (I was a pro working that dress)
and she was off for her honeymoon!
Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Jaron Clyde!

I love you both.