Weekend Catch Up

It's been quite a productive weekend! Yesterday, Ryan and I got up early yesterday morning to tackle some (much needed!) yard work. It was a cloudy/rainy Saturday and Ryan was craving to eat a crockpot dinner so I looked around on Pintrest for some healthy meals -- there were so many to choose from! I settled on Chicken Tortilla Soup (I did add white rice because we love it!). I already had the chicken breasts (I bought a huge frozen bag at Costco!), and I had Ryan stop by Martin's to get the remaining ingredients (since he was already out running errands). I was excited to use our Mini-Prep Food Processor chopper that we got as a wedding gift. It was fun to chop up the cilantro and onions!! I threw all the ingredients in the crock pot, set it to "high" temperature, and set the timer for 3 hours. I love crockpot meals because you can set it and forget it! And! It makes your house smell delicious! When it was ready... I put them in bowls, topped it off with some fresh guacamole, shredded cheese, and sour cream, and voila! I had one happy hubby! Lots of leftovers too for lunches :)

We watched the Miss America Pageant! It was especially fun to watch because a very close family friend of mine (known him since birth!), Wills FauntLeRoy, is dating the 2012 Miss South Carolina, Ali Rogers. I've never met her but I've followed her and her fans on Facebook and she seems like the sweetest person. Wills raves about her and she is lucky to have him! It was an intense competition and she came in second place, a runner-up to the Miss America crown. SO close! Wills and his parents were there to celebrate with her and he later posted on Facebook, "A winner in my book. I am one lucky guy. So proud of you Ali.  :)

Sunday morning Ryan got up early to go play golf with his boys -- he hasn't played in a while so I'm glad the rain subsided. I, on the other hand, slept until 10AM with Jax! Once I got up, I got some motivation to clean the house, organized my closet (with all my winter sweaters and boots!), and threw on some workout clothes to exercise in our garage for 45 minutes! I'm pretty sure watching the girls strut their stuff in the Miss America Pageant last night maybe had something to do with my sudden urge to workout but, hey, it worked! It was actually kind of fun!! Looking forward to getting into a workout routine!! Summer is only a few months away and I'm a Matron of Honor this summer for my brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law's wedding in August!

I was so proud of us that we ate healthy all weekend! Watching the Golden Globes tonight with my hubby!! :)

Hungry Meets Healthy

OK... So I admit... I've never been one to pay attention to what I eat... I'm definitely a snacker and I have a huge sweet tooth! I've always been a sucker for Mac & Cheese, Oreos, Cheese Its, Goldfish... junk food... So! After reading some food blogs... Ryan and I decided it was time for a transformation for the mind, body, and soul! I'll never be the girl that counts calories... but I can definitely handle changing my food habits to where hungry meets healthy!

BEFORE...

What was in our pantry and fridge?!

JIF Peanut Butter, bread, lots of chips, salsa, Cinnamon French Toast cereal (the best!),

Oreos, Ravioli, soda, pasta sauce, chocolate...

  

SO! Ryan and I grabbed a large plastic bag and cleared it all out! Well, not all of it... but at least the chips and other junk food we had in there. I headed for Costco for some bulk items and then Martin's!! I'll be honest, it was my first time shopping in the organic aisle...  all of the choices on the shelf were a little overwhelming... I didn't know where to start!

I picked out things that were low in sugar / all natural... it looked pretty good too! Another one of my resolutions is to be a coupon queen!! I haven't started collecting my coupons yet but I did use my Martin's card to save some $$. After getting home and making several trips to unload my car... I got everything organized in the pantry, fridge, and freezer... and voila!

NOW!

Juice, lots of fruit and veggies, greek yogurt, Naked fruit juice, green tea, fiber bars, tangerines, carrots, salad mix, strawberries/blueberries, whole wheat bread, all natural peanut butter, Pop Chips and Veggie Squares (all natural deliciousness), lots of chicken and fish, guacamole... YUM!

So far, so good! A few days in on eating healthy and we're feeling great! Excited to keep it up! :)

Family Time

After a loooong work week (the first full work week back from Christmas and NYE!).... Ryan and I were both excited that it was finally Friday! One of my New Year's resolutions is to spend more quality time with my grandparents. My Mom's parents, MiMi and Russell, both live here in Richmond, and my Dad's Dad, Pop, lives in Williamsburg. Both Grandparents have such great stories and I'm looking forward to spending more time with them in the New Year.

After work, Ryan and I headed over to MiMi and Russell's place. We brought a bottle of red wine and some appetizers to heat up in the oven -- Russell loves his appetizers! We always start with a (much needed!) cocktail hour... Russell and MiMi spent Christmas with my uncles that live in Florida. They were catching us up on their trip and we talked lots about the wedding. I brought over our wedding album -- we flipped through the book while reminiscing about the many great moments from our big day! Both MiMi and Russell were full of telling stories from when they grew up -- Ryan and I were cracking up! Russell was quoting poems by Robert W. Service (like he used to when I was little!). It was a great night!!

After a delicious southern supper and dessert ~ MiMi had some curtains that she wanted us to look over to put in our new home! This was really exciting! Especially since MiMi made them by hand and hung them in many of her homes (she's moved 26 times in her lifetime!). We picked out 4 sets of drapes that will work perfectly in our home!! Two champagne-colored floral sets that we'll hang in our dining room and living room, one set for the master bedroom, and one set for the downstairs bedroom. SO excited! We're going to iron them this weekend and hang them up!!

Birthdays! Here We Go!!

Remember when I said I loved celebrating birthdays?! Well it's a good thing because there are a lot of birthdays just within the Denton/Shumate family at the beginning of this year, 10 to be exact!! In addition, we have Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and Easter! AND all of our friends birthdayssss!! SO much to look forward to in the coming months.

Ryan and I are both an Aries.... I just hope our little one (someday) will not have his/her birthday in the Spring!!

My Brother's Birthday ~ January 6th
Jackson's Birthday ~ February 16th

My Dad's Birthday ~ March 14th

My Grandmother's Birthday ~ March 17th

My Mother-In-Law's birthday ~ March 21st

Ryan's Birthday ~ March 24th

My Mom's Birthday ~ April 11th

My Brother-In-Law's Birthday ~ April 12th

MY Birthday ~ April 14th

My Soon-To-Be Sister-In-Law's Birthday ~ April 26th

You'll quickly find out that I love to plan things, especially parties. I already have plans in the works for these special days!! Excited to put on my dancing party shoes and CELEBRATE!!!

My Bucket List

OK! So I have always wanted to make A Bucket List and I've finally put one together. Some goals on here I've already done but I want to do them again. Others that are not included on this list are things that I'm excited to say I've already accomplished (backpacked Europe, drove the California coast on Highway 1, learned to snowboard, etc.). I'm sure this list will change as my life changes but for now, here it is! I plan to check it off as I go! Hope this inspires you to make one for yourself :)

1. Find and Pursue my Passion
2. Learn the Ins and Outs of my DSLR Camera
3. Plant a Garden
4. Learn to Play the Piano
5. Get Crafty
6. Read More
7. Record an Album with my Dad at a Recording Studio
8. Take Golf Lessons (So I can play with Ryan!)
9. Visit all the Virginia Vineyards
10. Go to another Ballet
11. Be a Mentor to Someone
12. Climb a Mountain
13. Write a Book
14. Be a Matchmaker
15. Fly in a Hot Air Balloon
16. Plant a Tree in my Yard and Watch it Grow
17. Learn a New Language
18. Win a Lucky Draw
19. Have my Wedding Dress Cleaned and Preserved
20. Dance in the Rain 
21. Swim with Dolphins
22. Get Featured on an Achievement
23. Fall Asleep on Grassy Plains
24. Go Snorkeling
25. Start a Social Movement on a Cause I Believe In
26. Visit the Grand Canyon
27. Fly First Class
28. Bury the Hatchet with all Enemies
29. Participate in a Flash Mob
30. Wish on a Shooting Star
31. Take Up a New Sport
32. Enter Into a Photo Contest
33. Win a Sales Competition
34. Payoff My Credit Card
35. Start an Etsy Shop and Sell Something
36. Use Coupons Religiously
37. Develop a Savings Plan and Stick To It
38. Eat Healthy / Drink More H20
39. Exercise Regularly
40. Run a ½ Marathon
41. Work on my Posture
42. Face a Fear
43. Do Yoga
44. Take More Bubble Baths
45. Carve initials into our tree
46. Get Involved with My Church
47. Read the Bible Cover to Cover
48. Reconnect with an Old Friend
49. Organize a Fundraiser for a Local Charity
50. Spend More Time with My Grandparents
51. Pray More
52. Do a Mission Trip
53. Change the World
54. Visit Ireland
55. Take a Spontaneous Trip with my Husband
56. Go on a Trip with my Mom
57. Go Camping
58. Be the World’s Best Mom & Wife
59. Take a Dance Class with my Husband
60. Surprise my Husband Once a Month with Something Special
61. Finish my Wedding Scrapbook
62. Start a Family Scrapbook
63. Kiss in the Rain
64. Start New Family Traditions
65. Go on a Picnic
66. Go to a Concert
67. Start a Game Night
68. Pay for a Random Person's Meal
69. Mail a Card or Letter to Someone Once a Month
70. Try 1 New Recipe from Pintrest a Week
71. Setup an Organized Recycling System at Home
72. Shop at the Local Farmers Market once a Month
73. Make Homemade Bread
74. Take Jackson to the Park Often
75. Take Jackson to the Beach
76. Make a New List!

Virginia is for Lovers

Before I go any further into this blog as a newlywed... let me back up and fill you in on how I met my prince charming!

On May 26, 2009, soon after I graduated college, I introduced myself to Ryan who was actually interviewing me for a sales position here in Richmond. After sending Ryan a professional “Thank You Mr. Shumate” email later that day (he still has the email!), he ended up not hiring me since I was leaving the next day for a graduation trip to Europe for 3 weeks. Believe me; I still give him a hard time about that! When I returned home, I setup another interview with HR at the same company and was hired in their marketing department. Ryan and I worked right across from each other for almost two years. During that time as friends, I learned a lot about him, a lot about myself and what I wanted in life, and couldn’t be happier how everything fell right into place.

In September 2010, absence must make the heart grow fonder because once he left town for a business trip to Texas – the email flirting began! I remember getting so excited for Friday to arrive when he would come home and our work crew would go out! I remember emailing him “Are you going to rally with us tonight?!” and his response was, “Does a duck quack?!” We met up later that night downtown at Havana 59 for drinks then wandered over to Tobacco Company where we danced the night away. The perfect ending to a perfect night was when just the two of us snuck away for a romantic stroll along the Canal Walk.

Our first date was on September 29th. We went on another date the next night, and another date the next night... It wasn't long before we fell completely head over heels in love (10.10.10)! Since then, we’ve been inseparable and I'm so incredibly happy that I'm his Bride!

The Proposal

The evening of Monday, December 12, 2011, started out as any ordinary night but it will be a night that I will remember forever. While driving home from work, I was looking forward to a nice relaxing night at home. I immediately got on my PJ’s, poured myself a glass of red wine, snuggled up on the couch, and waited for Ryan to get home.

Ryan arrived shortly after and he was very calm, cool, and collected when he walked in the door. I began to pour him a glass of wine when he asked me to get some warm clothes on and come outside to help him move some things out from his car. With a pouting face I begged that we wait until the morning to do it since I was so cozy on the couch. He wasn't giving in so I went in my room to grab my slippers and coat, and he led me ouside...

I quickly noticed that he had turned on all the white Christmas lights hanging on our back patio. A few weeks back we made a tradition that every Christmas we would give each other an ornament that symbolized something special from that year. Ryan told me that he wanted to give me my ornament early and to go look on the Christmas tree that was lit up on our porch. I walked over to find a champagne bottle ornament with a BEAUTIFUL diamond ring hanging around the bottleneck. I gasped! As I turned around to face Ryan he was already down on one knee. He reached for my hand, looked up at me, and said "Allison, will you marry me?" I burst into tears, fell to my knees, wrapped my arms around him and said, YES!!!

Click here to see pictures!

2012 in Review

Looking back, last year was quite an exciting year! Before I set out my goals for 2013, let me bring you up to speed with last year. Many milestones were celebrated. Can't wait to see what's in store for us in the New Year!

Our engagement year!! SO many fun memories planning for our wedding and celebrating with family/friends.

Click here to read our wedding blog.

Ryan and I traveled to Cabo, San Lucas ~ Amazing sunsets!

Jax turned 6!

Our first time running the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k!

Ryan turned 31!

Threw a surprise 55th birthday for Mom!

I turned 25!

It was my New Member year with Junior League of Richmond

It was my second year as a board member with Dooley Noted Society
Social Chair, of course :)

I was Maymont's Easter Bunny! Kinda a big deal! :)

Ryan and I both got promoted in our careers!

Ryan sold his house in Midlothian.

I became a 1st time homeowner! We bought this beauty in the West End!!

We hosted Thanksgiving this year ~ I cooked my first turkey!

Became a Mrs.!!

Traveled to Puerto Vallarta for our Honeymoon!

At a Glance

A little about me? Born and raised in Virginia, I love to dance, love to laugh, I'm obsessed with birthdays, anything with polka dots, and I'm a Hokie. I'm optimistic, a planner, somewhat of a perfectionist, and I love take pictures... lots of pictures.

At 25 years old, and there are many blessings in my life...

MY AMAZING FAMILY

So thankful that we all live in Richmond and live within a few miles of each other.

MY GOOF BALL BLACK LAB - JACKSON

My roommate and best buddy for almost 7 years now!

and last but certainly not least...

MY BEST FRIEND, MY OTHER HALF, THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, MY HUSBAND, RYAN.

We said "I DO!" on December 1, 2012. Click here to see pictures from our incredible winter wedding!!!

I could go on and on... but that's what this blog is for right?! Stay tuned!

A New Chapter...

Hi, I'm Allison! It's a New Year, 2013, and one of my many New Year's resolutions as a recent newlywed... find my passion.

Today started off productive... after packing up Christmas (all 5 or 6 boxes of decorations!) it turned into one of those lazzzzy (much needed!) PJ Saturdays... Ryan, Jax, and I lounged on the couch all day. We watched 7 movies back-to-back on TBS... yes, 7! Father of the Bride I & II, Wedding Crashers, The Notebook, The Time Traveler's Wife, The Holiday, Just Like Heaven... normally it's not that many chick flicks in one day but they were entertaining.

While pinning on Pintrest and refreshing the News Feed on my Facebook... It came to me. I needed a hobby. With New Year resolutions on my mind... I started surfing the web and came across some fun blogs. Did you know there is a blog out there for everything?? It got me thinking... what a great way to keep up with the ongoings of one's life and I was inspired to start this project as well. SO! Today I decided to start a blog, Blue-Eyed Bride.

I'm new at this whole blogging thing so stay with me as I start this endeavor. I am still learning!!! There is no real "plan" for my future posts --  but that's what makes it so exciting! Maybe this blog, this new chapter, will lead me to my passion... there's only one way to find out!