5 Things I've Learned About Marriage + VIDEO

Hey beautiful people!
Happy Wednesday!

In today’s video I’m talking about the 5 things I’ve learned about marriage! Yesterday (July 21st) was my 3-year wedding anniversary with my amazing husband Connor, so I thought it would be fun to list some things I’ve picked up and adjusted to over the past years. Things get pretty real in this video so I hope you enjoy it and maybe relate to some things! If you like these kinds of chit-chat videos, make sure you give it a thumbs up!



I post videos every Wednesday so make sure you SUBSCRIBE to stay updated!

Cheers.

Cheers to Three Years

We did it!

Connor and I completed Year 3 of Marriage.

I did this list last year on our second anniversary so I thought it would be fun to do an updated one--
Since our two-year anniversary, we've:

//LIVED in the same cozy apartment
//TRAVELED to Hawaii, Seattle, and Bryce Canyon
//CELEBRATED my mom retiring from her job
//WELCOMED a new niece into our Hamilton clan
//CHANGED Connor's occupation
//STARTED a YouTube channel
//WATCHED way too much reality television
//CUDDLED Samson all day every day
//LEARNED how to uplift one another
//LOVED each other more and more every day

Nothing too crazy has happened to us this past year--if anything, a lot has happened/changed for our families! Connor's older brother and his wife added a new niece to their adorable family! Now they have THREE cute girls to keep their hands full! Also, my mom survived two surgeries (both of which I traveled home to be with her for) and finally retired after many years of being a high school teacher. I would say that this was our year of being supportive of our families. We had many things to celebrate and many things to endure!

I've loved every little second of being married to Connor. He has taught me to be more patient, kind, brave, loving, and determined. I love who I am when I'm with him and who I've become thanks to him. I still can't believe I'm lucky enough to be the one who gets to spend the rest of my life with him! Look at me and my sappy self, haha.

Anyway, if you want to follow along on our anniversary adventure today, make sure you add me on Snapchat: @heyitsaray

Three years down, forever to go!

Cheers to Three Years.

My blog turns TWO today!

Shirt: c/o Billabong x Lindsay Perry

I'm pretty lame.

I almost totally forgot that today is my blog's birthday.

With all the traveling and catching up with life I've been doing this week I completely spaced that May 1st was THIS Friday. Didn't April JUST begin? My goodness. It wasn't until Wednesday when I realized what day it was and that I hadn't done anything special to commemorate Year 2. So I'm sorry little bloggy. Maybe I'll go get a cupcake today and celebrate. Yes. I think I will do that.

Also, I really wanted to put together a "Things I Learned in Year 2 of Blogging" post but obviously I didn't have time to get around to that sooooo I'm going to post that sometime next week. As long as it's posted within a week of the special day it's not old news, right?

Also ALSO, Happy Anniversary to my adorable parents! Ironically I did NOT forget that today is their wedding anniversary even though it falls on the same day as my blog's birthday. I'm weird like that. At least I remembered the more important event though, rightttt? (:

Have a fun weekend friends!

Connor and I are watching The Avengers tonight at the new fancy theater in Vineyard so I'm stooooooked.

Cheers.

Two years of bliss

Today, I'm guest posting on Mindy Mae's Market's blog--woohoo! Check out my post HERE. I'll be posting the same outfit to my blog sometime soon, so check back later for more details on that! xx

Today, marks two years since Connor and I tied the knot!

Since our one year anniversary, we've:

//LIVED in two apartments

//TRAVELED to Disneyland

//ENDURED three surgeries

//GRADUATED from BYU

//CELEBRATED Connor getting a big boy job

//ADDED a baby furball named Samson to our family

//HELPED our best friends Amy and Eddie move back to Hawaii

//WATCHED way too much Food Network and HGTV

//LEARNED how to keep each other happy

//LOVED each other more and more every day

 awwwwwww

I'm sure we've done a bunch of other things too but my brain is still on vacation mode right now so I'm drawing a blank. Basically we've had an amazing second year of marriage and I'm so excited to spend many more anniversaries with Connor!

Who says white men can't jump? ;)

Since the 21st falls on a weekday and Connor has a big boy job, we celebrated our anniversary this past weekend with a little getaway in Park City. After Connor came home from work on Friday, we made sure Samson was all settled to be babysat by his Aunt Lauren, and after 20 minutes of me going through separation anxiety, we finally drove out to the City of Park! There wasn't much to do once we got to our hotel because it was pretty late so we ordered in Thai food and watched TV till we passed out.

The next couple days were filled with laying out by the pool, riding the alpine coaster and slide, exploring town, and GOING TO SEE WICKED!!! Yes, I finally crossed it off my bucket list and experienced the musical I've been dying to see since forever. It was amazing and I may or may not have teared up during Defying Gravity. Ahhhhhhhhhh.

It was a much needed and well spent getaway but it was nice coming home to this happy little furball! It's not too bad coming back to reality when you've got a cute face like this waiting for ya.

Saying "I Do" to Connor was the best decision I ever made. I've never felt more happier and complete. I can't imagine my life without him and I'm looking forward to spending the rest of infinity with him!

Two years down, forever to go!

If you want to see what we did for our one year anniversary last year, check out the recap HERE!

Cheers.

My blog turns ONE today!

Cardigan: c/o Aeropostale

Flower Crown: c/o Aeropostale

Sandals: c/o Aeropostale

Dress: c/o LuLu*s

I'm a proud mama.

Today is my blog's first birthday!

Exactly a year ago today, I posted my first blog post: a recipe for Brazilian lemonade! It's crazy to think that it's been a whole year since I started this blogging journey and I have to say, it's been nothing but amazing. I've made so many friends, both online and in real life #RABLJ. I've learned so much about myself and feel like I've found who I truly am. I've discovered something I am extremely passionate about and am blessed with a way to share that passion with the world! As I've grown as a person, my style and taste has grown as well.

But let's be real, this isn't really a celebration of just my blog. 

It's a celebration of you guys.

My readers.

My friends.

You guys are THE BEST.

I want to thank each and every one of you who has ever subscribed to, commented on, shared, or simply visited my blog. You guys have no idea how much your encouragement and support means to me. My blog really is my "baby" and I've been so appreciative of all the kindness it's received over this past year. I love you all and wish I could give each of you a hug, but for now, here's a [cyber hug]. ;)

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Today's outfit has two of my favorite pieces from Bethany Mota's clothing line at Aeropostale. This knit cardigan and fun flower crown are the perfect pieces for a warm summer day with a cool breeze. The weather in Provo has been exactly that this past week, so I've totally been an outfit repeater (sorry Kate Sanders) by wearing this cardigan A LOT lately. When a piece of clothing is as comfortable as this though, it's a shame NOT to wear it a ton! :)

Fun fact: Today is also my parents' 33rd wedding anniversary! I think it's so cute when couples are together longer than they've been apart. :) They're celebrating it by attending a session at the same temple they got married in! Seriously, so cute.

May 1st is just awesome.

Cheers.

One year down // Forever to go

In the second half of my summer vacation post (see it here), I mentioned that Connor and I celebrated our one year anniversary while we were in Hawaii! It's crazy to think that 365 days have passed since we got hitched, especially since I still refer to myself as Ariel Ray sometimes.

Since we already splurged for our tickets to our hometowns, Connor and I agreed to keep our anniversary celebration low key--maybe a ritzy dinner and a movie. I'll admit, I was a little bummed that we weren't going to celebrate one year of marriage with a bigger BAM, but I told myself to suck it up and remember that it's the thought that counts.

One of the many adorable things about my husband is that he has the hardest time keeping a secret from me. Especially secrets that involve surprising me. So with that in mind, picture this situation: We are sitting at a picnic table in Hawaii, finishing off our plate lunches. I look up and Connor has this goofy smile on his face. --What? --Nothing... --What?? --[Pause] Ugh, I can't hold it in any longer!

He pulls out his phone and shows me an email confirmation for a 2-night stay at Waikoloa Marriot Hotel and Spa! He said he had been keeping that secret for over 2 weeks, which knowing him, was probably a very painful experience.

So here's a peek into our amazing anniversary getaway!

We got "lei'd" (;

Para-para-paradise.

Gramps photobombing FTW.

So we heard from a few people to check out Ippy's Hawaiian Barbeque while we were in Waikoloa. Although the prices were a little on the expensive side, it was SO WORTH IT. Seriously, the best hawaiian combo plate I've ever had! I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who is in the area.

The next morning we decided to treat ourselves to the hotel's breakfast buffet. What's better than unlimited bacon?

Although I don't surf or bodyboard (I know, I fail as an islander), I do paddleboard! I tried it out a few summers ago and fell in love with it! Not only is it a workout, but it's relaxing. It's the closest thing to being able to walk on water.

We chose to eat at Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar for our anniversary dinner. They had an early bird special where everything was 50% off before 6PM! Score!

Cheesecake is kind of an inside joke between Connor and I. It's actually one of the reasons why we started dating! It's a long story so maybe one day I'll share it with you all. (;

We ended our perfect day with some sparkling cider (courtesy of my parents) and a beautiful view of the sunset.

Cutie.

See you next year July 21st!

Stay Classy.