Katie, Lately

i'm not sure i've ever done a post like this that didn't include a photo of coop.


when i pout about being sick, so does cooper.


have i told you about these candles yet? probably. each and every one of them is absolutely amazing. bath and body works. but i'm becoming very partial to Autumn. we've also since added Harvest Coffee to this list.


and this! did i tell you about this yet? i went to this website, logged in with my instagram stuff, and selected about 150 photos to print (you choose the size). i've already covered the entire side of my fridge (i ran out of magnets) - i don't know what else i will do with them, but i love them!


i took my sister in law to Afternoon Tea at The Grand America Hotel in SLC for her birthday and it was so incredible. more on this later. i would recommend it to absolutely everybody.


did you know the cutest bakery in all of history exists inside the Grand America? La Bonne Vie. you're welcome.


they had macarons!


now, as soon as I saw that they had macarons, i immediately had to try almost all of them. i took them home, because after tea, i was just sugared out, but devin and i had a macaron taste test the next day. i either loved or hated the flavors. coconut: loved, hazelnut: hated, pistachio: hated (which is weird, because pistachio is my favorite one at gourmandise!), passion fruit: loved, salted caramel: loved, strawberry: loved (the only flavors i didn't get were chocolate and vanilla. conclusion: these were cute, huge, and had a better variety of flavors, but they were the worst macarons i'd ever tasted. i even like my own better than these. oh well. they were still good, just not my favorite.


i accidentally made 3 jars of salsa (oops.) so we ate 1 jar during the holy war, took 1 jar to a family party, and then i brought the last jar to work the next morning and the guys ate it all in less than 5 minutes, including the chip crumbs in the bottom of the bag. so i guess i make good salsa.


i also make a dang good cup of tea. if you ever want a cup of tea, come to my house. and i will prove it to you. except, i just tried this celestial brand sleepytime nutty vanilla tea and had to plug my nose to drink it. it was horrid. worst taste ever. but i think it worked, because i slept like a baby. so if nutty vanilla sounds like it would taste good to you, i've got a bunch of tea bags left!


dinner prep


balsamic crusted chicken caesar salad. chicken made in our cast iron pan. we don't have a grill, so the cast iron pan works as a replacement, and it's so great, but it's such a pain to clean that we hardly ever use it. in fact, this was dinner for tuesday night (i think?) and the pan is still sitting on the stove. dirty. because i don't want to clean it.


when monday and tuesday are the worst, you stop in the middle of the work day, go straight to starbucks, buy a tan hot chocolate (milk hot chocolate + white hot chocolate) and an orange cranberry scone. and then you feel a little bit better. also, i'm now determined to try making these scones. this one was huge, and a bit too indulgent for me. i think i could make one i like better at home. i'll let you know how it goes.

Zac & McKayla | Engagement Video

When we were up in Park City with McKayla and Zac to take their engagement photos, Devin worked the camera and I followed behind with our video recorder, trying my hand at videography. I've made videos before, but nothing like this, and I'm pretty happy with how it came out! Kayla obviously knew I was taking footage during the shoot, but I surprised her with the edited video at the bridal shower Kelli and I threw for her a few weeks later, and now I've finally uploaded it to share! Most of this footage is obviously just inbetween and during shots and poses Devin was having them do, but I love that they kept laughing and making jokes. They are so great together. Kayla and Zac, I love you guys! Thank you so much for letting us be such a big party of your wedding!

Zac and McKayla: Engaged from Katie Ashby on Vimeo.

Mr. & Mrs. Morck

*instead of splitting this post up, I decided to just throw it all together. sorry in advance that it's longest blog post in history*

I don't even know where to begin! I've got about two thousand pictures I want to post (perks of being married to the photographer and having access to his memory cards...), but there is a lot to cover before we get to that.

First of all: The bachelorette party. Kelli (my older sister) and I took Kayla out for the night before the wedding. We did a little shopping in Salt Lake, got manicures at the cutest salon (they did an amazing job on all of us, and they were so affordable and so nice), and had dinner at Per Noi Trattoria (an amazing little Italian place near Sugarhouse). It was such a fun night.

I think I've finally figured out my relationship with my sisters. I have realized that when I'm one on one with them, we will always butt heads, but when the three of us are together? We couldn't possibly have more fun. We laugh until we cry countless times when we're all together. My sisters are my best friends, and it's so much fun to go through adulthood with them. We had the greatest night, and kept Kayla out pretty late, especially for the night before her wedding! It was the perfect way to celebrate.

All of the sudden, Saturday was here. McKayla's wedding day! It didn't even seem real. Devin and I tried to sleep in a little, but Zac texted Devin at about 8:30am saying their photographer had gone to the hospital the night before, and they needed him to stand in! We had originally turned down Kayla's request to photograph the wedding day so we could enjoy ourselves, relax, and help where we were needed, so I was a little bummed that Devin would be working the wedding, but it was also nice to know that they knew they could count on him, and were impressed with the other work he had done for them with their engagements and bridals. He was more than happy to help, and I even took the camera for a little while at the reception and tried it out!

The weather here has been so rainy and gloomy lately, and we had all been stressing all week long about the outdoor ceremony and reception. The days surrounding the wedding were filled with flash floods all across the state, and we didn't have a plan B! 

The morning of the wedding, Devin and I drove to Salt Lake to rent the equipment he needed for his camera (thank goodness pictureline had what he needed on such short notice!), before driving down to Orem to help set everything up for the ceremony. We couldn't help but stop at gourmandise while we were up there for some breakfast! The weather was so clear this day! The skies were overcast and grey, which helped keep the weather nice and cool, and also makes for better photos! We couldn't have had better luck with the weather. It was perfect!

The ceremony and reception were both held in Zac's parent's backyard, and the did so much work and preparation to make sure it was perfect! They rented a big tent for the reception and a giant chandelier hung from the middle. It was beautiful! Each table had several lit candles, jars of baby's breather and photos of Kayla and Zac. It was so simple and elegant. I loved it! 

The ceremony was very small with just family and a few close friends on the patio. Our home ward bishop officiated and it was absolutely beautiful! Kelli, Zac's sister, Cass and I were the bridesmaids and Cass' daughter, Diana was the flower girl. We all walked down the aisle, and then my dad walked Kayla down. I was so afraid of passing out as we stood there during the ceremony, but luckily I was okay! It was so simple and sweet, and Zac and Kayla were both glowing and so happy. I had never seen her look so genuinely happy in her life, and i absolutely mean that.

I held it together all day until after the ceremony when everyone had lined up to hug Kayla. I was standing to the side of her with my family and I noticed my sweet little brother tearing up. As soon as we made eye contact, we both just lost it. Kyle is the sweetest boy I've ever known. He is so sensitive, and he and Kayla have become SO close over the last few years as Kelli and I moved out and got married. Nothing can make you cry hard like seeing your baby brother break down! 

Onto the reception...

They had hired the most amazing catering company who served fruits and vegetables, meatballs, teriyaki chicken, and the most amazing pulled pork sandwiches. Family and friends of Zac's also made desserts ranging from baklava to lemon bars to sugar cookies, and it wouldn't be a party of Kayla's without loads of sweet tooth fairy treats, too! Cake bites and mini cupcakes galore! All of the food was so good and we ate so much.

I had been put in charge of bringing a few things to decorate the dessert table, and we ended up using my decor throughout the entire reception. It looked so pretty and everyone loved it - everyone kept telling me I'm "the next martha stewart" - I'll take it! Minus all the fraud and everything... haha. I was just glad it worked out, and it's what kayla wanted.

McKayla's good friend, Matt Orr is in a well known local band called The Arcadians. He came by himself to the wedding and played every love song he knew. He was so talented and it was the absolute perfect sound and entertainment for the wedding. It was probably my favorite part! And he was the nicest guy!

SO many people came, including a surprise appearance from Kayla's childhood best friend, Colton. We didn't even recognize him, and just saw Kayla crying! Once we realized what was going on, we were all so happy that he came to support her. It was a really sweet moment.

A lot of people from my parent's ward came, and it was so nice to see and catch up with them. That ward is all so close, and I love them all so much! It was so great to see people I hadn't seen since my own wedding! 

After too much food, a cake cutting and bouquet toss, the night was winding down. I sent Devin home a few hours early, because Cooper had been alone all day, and he was exhausted (plus, had to work the next morning!). After Kayla and Zac left, we cleaned everything up and that was it! It was over! My baby sister was off with her new husband!

Right before Kayla left she came up to me and I asked her how she was liking the night. She just beamed and squealed and said it was the best day ever. Her dream wedding had just gone off without a hitch and she couldn't have been happier! It took a lot of will power to keep it together as I hugged my new brother in law goodbye. I couldn't be more thankful for him. He truly adores her and it means to much to me that he will take care of her. I think a lot of people underestimate the kind of commitment these two have to each other. They make a perfect couple. Zac is the greatest addition to our family. He fits right in and is already a great friend. The most impressive thing to me about him is that I have never heard a single person say a bad thing about him. He is so kind and respectful, and just the kind of guy I had hoped Mckayla would end up with! The other great news is that Zac and McKayla are actually expecting! She's due in February and although it took me a little bit to warm up to the idea, I am beyond excited to have another niece or nephew. I know a lot of people think Kayla and Zac just had a shotgun wedding and were thrown together, but they made a lot of conscious decisions and truly, truly love each other, whether people choose to believe it or not, it's the truth. I honestly believe they were meant for each other. The more I see them together, and the more I get to know Zac, I know they are doing the right thing, and I know they are doing what makes them happy! I begged Kayla to let me throw her a gender reveal party - so that is coming in a few weeks! We are all dying to know if it's a boy or girl!

I am so happy for them, and am pretty relieved the stressful wedding planning is over! But seriously. It was a perfect night.

Now some photos! I wanted to include some photos from the actual wedding day, but I was so busy running around all day that I didn't take a single photo after the one of that cherry turnover from gourmandise! Also, Devin hasn't edited any of them yet. So here's some of the engagements and bridals that I've been waiting to share!

Devin's Last Hurrah | Backpacking and Climbing in the Uinta's

a few weekends ago, Devin and Brandon went on a backpacking trip in the Uinta's to get in some climbing before school started, and the weather got too cold. Brandon had raved and raved about Ruth Lake, and Devin and I were both anxious to check the area out, and around the fourth of July, we set a date to make the trip.

and so, things go the way they tend to sometimes do, and we also scheduled mckayla's bridal shower for that same weekend. i was surprisingly not bummed about it, though, and told Devin to make it a boy's trip. He was fine with that.

so when Friday morning came, I went to work, and Devin headed into the mountains. while i stayed at my parents and enjoyed plenty of time with my sisters, devin was here:

He said it was some of the best climbing he's ever seen. The walls at Ruth Lake now house his new favorite route, Black Elk, and he came back so stoked. I love watching him tell me about things that excite him and inspire him. It was so much fun to listen to him retell the weekend: waiting out the rain, watching cooper exhaust himself, trying to keep up with Riley and Koda, and discovering a new climbing spot. He had a pretty great weekend, and I'm so glad he did. He needed one last trip before school, and he definitely deserved it!

 

^ haha, i love this one ^

Why You Shouldn't Date Your Washing Machine Repair Man

I love when "worst date" stories come up in conversations, because I have a really good one. I wrote everything down shortly after it happened, because I knew it would make for a great story, and it's been sitting in my drafts ever since. So for the sake of sharing, and also to humor you, I present: 

Katie's Worst Date. EVER.

(And no, this was not with my husband. It was one of the last guys I went out with before I met him though!)

Also, if you, Mr. Worst Date Ever, happen to for some reason be reading this (I hope you aren't, because that would be weird, I mean, we went out one time...and also, readers, so you know i'm not just some huge jerk), I think you're a good guy, and you were perfectly nice. But I'm sure everyone is someone's worst date ever, and you just happen to be mine.

So anyway... it's like 2010. August or September. Maybe October. I had just moved back from St. George in May, where I had been attending Dixie State College, and was living with my parents. I had also just broken up with the guy I had dated for what seemed like a (waste of) lifetime. I was basically learning how to be single, because I hadn't been since age 16. I was going to a single's ward and was getting set up with guys by friends and dating a lot of different guys. I was meeting some awesome people and having a really good time, but that's all it was. So here we are in August or September. Maybe October, of 2010, and for the eight-billionth time, our washer broke.

I'm not even kidding, this happened like, 2 or 3 times a year. That seems like a lot for a washer. Those things should just work. All the time. With that being said, we were getting the washer-repair equivalent of frequent flyer miles with the company we used to fix it. They were family owned and knew my mom by name. 

Since I was living at home and only working part time, it was my job to stick around the house in the block of hours they said they would come to fix it. When the guy came, I was half awake, and hardly remember answering the door and showing him to the laundry room. Mid-repair, I left to go to work or something. I don't exactly remember.

When I got back from wherever I was, my mom called to me from the kitchen. She had the weirdest grin on her face and slid a piece of paper across the counter to me. It was some weird word (oops, actually that was his name. my bad) and a phone number. She said that after he had fixed the washer, she was just chatting with him (because my mom is just on those kinds of terms with the washing machine repair men. because she sees them all the time.) He asked about our family, and when my mom got to me, he mentioned that he thought I was pretty. (Let it be known that he left his number totally on his own. Not my mom's idea.)

After hearing about their conversation, I felt flattered. Then, I wished I would have paid any sort of attention to what he looked like. Then I was impressed, because it's a pretty bold move to leave your phone number with some girl's mom just because you think she's pretty. I've gotta give him some credit for that. I don't think girls ever really realize that it takes some serious guts to ask a girl out! Kudos, to all you guys. Plus, I'm not one to say no to a first date. I think that's sort of rude an insensitive unless you have a a good reason.

Next, I did what any sensible twenty-first century girl would do: I Facebook stalked him.

From what I could see (dang privacy settings!), he seemed like a decent guy. He was not really my type, but I thought what's there to lose? So I texted him. We texted for the rest of that day, and maybe into the next day? I don't remember how long it was between him leaving his number and us actually going on a date, but we texted. I remember thinking a few of the things he said were weird and it was awkward at times, but like I said, I was enjoying being single, and really, what's the worst thing that could happen? It doesn't work out and I never see or talk to him again? Cool. I can deal with that. Not a huge loss. I didn't know him anyway. It would be different if I had known him apart from the 30 seconds I took to show him to my laundry room.

A midst all our texting, he tells me that he likes math and is good at it. I took that comment as an opportunity to get some help with my homework (because seriously, I suck at math and need all the help I can possibly get). The day of the date comes and he says he will come pick me up after he gets off work, we'll go get some ice cream and then we will go to his house and he will kindly tutor me in math, and maybe watch a movie or something afterward. Sounded like a plan to me.

And so the date begins... he comes to pick me up, and he's in his little beater work truck and dirty work clothes (I supposed fixing washers is a messy job). I'm excited for ice cream. This is also right around the time that frozen yogurt shops are popping up in every vacant store space, and I'm full throttle for that 800-choices toppings bar. Next, he turns into the Wal Mart parking lot. And I'm got a pretty big prejudice against Wal Mart. I avoid it at all costs. We head to the frozen foods aisle in the grocery section and he tells me to pick out some ice cream. I thought this was sort of weird, but cheaper, I guess, so kudos, washing-machine-repair-man. I pick this giant tub of Reese's Peanut Butter Cup ice cream and he then asks "is that the only one you want? you can get more..." I looked down at this tub and back at him, thinking to myself how would i possibly eat a tub of ice cream, let alone, pick out another to eat, too?  But what I actually said was "[girly laugh] no, this is plenty."

And so we drive... and drive and drive and drive. We were clearly taking the long way to his house, which was near the mouth of American Fork Canyon. Conversation was certainly not flowing, and ice cream was melting in my lap. It was already getting weird, and my mind was tugging at a hint of regretting this decision to go on a date with this random guy that fixed my mom's washer... but I wanted to be optimistic. It was good experience. And he meant well.

We eventually pull up to his house (he lived with his dad and younger brother). And he opens the garage. He leads me immediately over to one of my biggest turn-offs: a bullet bike. He begins doing that thing guys do when they start rambling off facts and stuff about this motorized toy, trying to sound impressive, and I'm not really listening, because I don't understand a word he's saying, and I honestly don't really care. He's pulling it out onto the driveway and turning it on and revving the engine really loud and in his mind, he's the shiz. Like, what could possibly be cooler than this glorified bicycle? I'm smiling and nodding and doing lots of "uh-huh" and "yeah" -ing and then he asks me exactly what I was dreading: "do you want to go for a ride?" I didn't even let him finish. I said no right away. Bullet bikes aren't meant for 2 people, at least not this one. I don't want to. It was cold and dark and I didn't want to. But I can only say "no" so many times in a row... so I give in. "Just a quick spin," he says.

Oh, the bullet bike ride... first of all: no helmets. Stupid/Dangerous. He starts driving around his neighborhood pretty casually, and it's okay and i'm handling it, but because of the way the bike is situated, and the fact that it's meant for 1 rider, i'm not necessarily sitting behind him, but more like attached to his back like a large spider monkey. And he's already said some comment along the lines of "hold on tight [boyish giggle / raising eyebrows]". In retrospect, that's probably why he did what he did next. Maybe he just wanted me to hold on tighter, because what he did next, is he... POPS A WHEELIE. No, this really happened. I have never been so terrified in my life. I'm so done with this ride at this point. I was done with this ride when he showed me the bike tucked away in the garage, and I'm about ready to bail off the side of this thing now. He then heads out onto the busy road that leads into the canyon (reminder: still no helmets). He's speeding pretty illegally and he has this look on his face like he's so sure he's earning major cool dude points with me right now, and I am holding on tighter, for fear of my life. 

We finally go inside and this literally happens next: washing-machine-repair-man actually says, "i'm going to go change into something a little more comfortable..." Word. For. Word. I cannot make this stuff up, people Ooookkkkaaayyy....? At least 15 minutes go by. I'm already started on my homework, and washing-machine-repair-man comes up the stairs, head-to-toe abercrombie & fitch, REEKING of cologne. The bad kind. Remember when I said he wasn't really my type? I could not have possibly been more right. 

After an awkward tour of his make-shift bedroom in the unfinished basement (note to guys on first dates: girls don't need a tour of your bedroom), we're eating ice cream, of course, and he asks "do you want to take this home, or do you want me to put it in the freezer for next time?" A little presumptuous there, aren't we, washing-machine-repair-man? Already making second date plans? I told him to just put it in the freezer, knowing full well I would never be back for that ice cream, but also, what would I do with all that ice cream if I took it home? We sit down and are mid-math problem, and his dad and brother get home from some sports game or practice or something. And they... are awesome. I was having such a good time talking with his dad and his little brother was adorable. So naturally, washing-machine-repair-man sends them away. He does the whole you're-embarrassing-me-i'm-on-a-date-leave-us-alone thing and waves them off. Bummer, dude. So we're left alone to my math homework. Well, sort of. His dad and brother are in and out of the kitchen, and I'm enjoying the fact that they are breaking up the awkwardness, and washing-machine-repair-man is getting annoyed, so we move into the office. And are totally secluded and all alone. Except for his chihuahua. And, major surprise here, turns out washing-machine-repair-man actually doesn't know one single thing about my math homework. And now that I think about it, he was probably just trying to impress me by saying he did. He helped me ZERO PERCENT. So here I am, at washing-machine-repair-man's house, with a giant bowl of ice cream, a ton of math homework, listening to some Canadian comedian who is telling a lot of really mediocre jokes. And washing-machine-repair-man is having the time of his life. And i'm just doing homework. In his house. And this is a date.

So in comes little chihuahua, who jumps up into his lap and is getting all excited and lick-y like dogs do. And he actually says, "No, Bella, stop! I don't want kisses from you! I'm hoping to get kisses from someone else tonight!" HE ACTUALLY SAID THAT. I swear i'm not kidding about this. I was in the middle of a math problem when I hear him say this. I drop my pencil, look up at him and raise my eyebrows with a straight face that very clearly says, "oh hell no" But I'm pretty sure he wasn't looking. Whatever. This date was over like 2 hours ago in my head anyway, because what kind of date is math homework? That i'm doing by myself? (Funny story - almost all of my dates with devin at the beginning of our relationship were math homework. for the same class I was doing this math homework for.)

At some point or another, I very smoothly convince him to take me home. Before we watch a movie. It was probably way too late and I was way too over this whole situation, so we take the long way home, of course. And it's still awkward. We are listening to some piano/rock music and he is loving it and I'm falling asleep because it's late and I just spend 3 hours doing math homework and I just found out that Canadians aren't funny, and if I exploded right now, I would just be Reese's ice cream. And he finally drops me off. And I don't remember if he walked me to the door, but I'm sure he did. We maybe hugged, but definitely no kiss. I made that clear. And I went back inside. And never saw him again. 

We maybe texted a little bit after that, but I never saw him. A few months later, the washer broke down again. And I made sure I wasn't home that time...

And that's why you should never date your washing machine repair man.

fives | favorite movies

the town | don't judge me for loving this movie. it's pretty cruel at times, but it is so well written, and the acting is incredible. i developed a new love for ben affleck after this (he wrote, directed, and starred in the movie). and it's so clever. i love clever movies. i also love that this movie is told from the bad guy's perspective, instead of the good guys. it's eerie and refreshing.

shutter island | this one is the most surprising, because i hate scary movies, and this one is the scariest. but again, so clever. this movie makes you think. i've watched it at least two dozen times and still don't fully understand it. but that's why it's so amazing. and also, dicaprio. how can you not? he is the best. the absolute best. the whole premise of this film, and the twists and turns are so thought out and the story and characters develop so well. it's just... auh. i love it. (but i can only watch it in the daytime, and never alone. and i also have nightmares afterward...)

fantastic mr fox | a roald dahl classic. not only am i so impressed by the all-star line up cast, but this entire film is stop motion! it's incredible! what a tedious, amazing thing. so impressed. this movie has so much wit. so much good humor. the jokes are incredible, and again, so clever. the music is amazing, and it's the perfect portrayal of the book. i want my kids to grow up with this movie, like i did disney movies.

larry crowne | this movie is highly underrated. and that's probably not a popular opinion, but i love it. i've had some beef with tom hanks, but he's totally redeemed himself with this role as larry crowne. this movie serves no purpose, but you leave feeling so good. humanity has been restored. the world is a good place again. and julia roberts. julia roberts, man. this is another really well written movie. it's a feel-good one. the scene this photo is from makes me tear up every time. what a stand up guy, that larry crowne is. just thinking about this movie makes me smile. 

the a team (the liam neeson version) | oh my gosh. this movie has everything. amazing action scene, hilarious jokes, great acting, awesome story line, and liam neeson. it's the total package. i've never watched the original, and had never heard of it until this movie came out, but it's one of the few movies i saw multiple times in theater (and i hate movie theaters). this movie gets you pumped up, you guys. 

they are all my favorites for the same reason: brilliance. and oh my gosh are these ones brilliant. if you haven't seen any of these movies, come to my house and watch them with me. because i never get sick of them.

the honorable mentions?

the dark knight

sherlock holmes (the RDJ version)

the great gatsby (duh, the leo version)