Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring and Summer!

Since the weather outside is changing, we're gearing up for all things spring...and summer! Today the high is 88 and it's only the end of April! We can't believe that March and April has flown by and its almost May! Another bootcamp week for Ryan, a birthday for Amberly, and weddings and bridal showers are consistently showing up on our calendar! We can't wait to blog about all of the fun things we have scheduled for this spring and summer. And since a blog post isn't as fun without a picture here are a few from the last few months! Enjoy this beautiful weather!

Ry and I, date night on the Omaha pedestrian bridge

Ryan cooks up some yummy steak on our new grill!


A day at the Zoo with Abbie and Dad, Dave


Ryan enjoys his Easter Egg hunt!!!

Our First Easter

Happy Belated Easter from the Austad's!
Celebrating a lot of "firsts" this year has been quite exciting! So far, our first Valentine's Day, and Easter together. Those wonderful celebrations also come with the wonderful weekend relaxation, full tummies of home cooked meals, and of course the decision of where to go and celebrate. As the year continues I'm sure we'll develop new traditions of our own and continue to visit both of our families in Sioux Falls and Columbus. Although...newlyweds and engaged couples be prepared to realize you have to learn how to share time between both sides! We're definitely learning that and enjoying our precious time with family! As for now, nothing too exciting to report. Ryan survived his first week of bootcamp at work, and wedding season for our friends and family starts this week! With wedding number 2 of 9 for the year this weekend! Happy Easter and Happy Spring to all of you!

NEWLYWEDS

Life As Newlyweds has been fantastic. Really, I can't imagine how people live without their other half. As you can tell Ryan and I have been enjoying our time together, from our random date nights, putting our place together, to American Idol discussions, cooking dinner (with all of our new stuff), working out together, and even reading before bed, we love our time together. I really can't complain about anything right now. Life is good, real good and we're looking forward to the years ahead. Now, if I could just figure out to make cheesy potatoes correctly, then we'll be good to go! Right Ryan?! Anyway, here are a few pictures from our first 2 months together. Enjoy!

Ryan and I putting together our Wine Cabinet

Making Ooey Gooey Bars


Our first date as a married couple- imax 3D movie


Tyson and Jared Visit for a Sleepover!

Ya Mon!

Well, we're back. Back to the real world and into our new routine. But only a month ago we were saying our vows and gearing up for our honeymoon. Wait...our honeymoon! That's right, we haven't put up pictures of our honeymoon yet!!!

Well...you are in for quite a treat! Ryan and I loved our vacation to Sandals Jamaica in Ocho Rios! We lounged on the beach, enjoyed Jamaican Rum drinks (sometimes a little too much of them), had wonderful and very filling dinners, zip lined through the forest, climbed up a famous waterfall, took a nature hike, went snorkeling over a shipwreck and a coral reef, and relaxed in our very own hammock! Well, ok it wasn't our own, but we dubbed it OURS as we laid there every other day and drank our "bartender's speciality"! See the pictures below for all of the funfilled honeymoon moments!

Ryan & Amberly Austad

Well, it's now about 2 weeks since we've been married! The wedding was absolutely wonderful! We couldn't have asked for a better day, better friends, or a better time! Thank you all for taking part in our special day, we are so blessed for such safe travels with such a snowy day! Below are a few pictures from the day. Our photographer Angie captured the moments very well, along with our budding photographer brother, Tyson and photograph expert father, Dave. Thank you all for being there to see such incredible moments of our wedding day! We took our honeymoon to Jamaica last week, so those pictures will be posted soon! Thanks again!

A Whirlwind of Change

Change is good, right? Amberly and I are in the midst of a transition our lives have yet to experience. Within a 30 day span we will graduate Ryan from MBA school, move Amberly out of her apartment, move Ryan out of his house, celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ, move into our new apartment, attend a good friends wedding, celebrate the new year, have a bachelor party, have a bachelorette party, set up for our wedding, get married, go on a honeymoon and have Ryan begin his career with Gallup. Other than that, things have been slow...

While this is certainly the most hectic month of our lives, we have reflected on the ever present blessings that have been given to us during this time. These blessings are not taken lightly in a time when blessings for many seem few and far between. In fact, each significant event listed above is made possible only through the support, financial and otherwise, by our family and friends. It is certain, we owe much to those around us. I'm not sure if it was the book of Luke, or Uncle Ben in Spiderman who first said "to whom much is given, much is expected," but either way, the point rings true.

So, in the midst of unyielding doom and gloom, reported globally on a perpetual basis, take a moment to count your blessings. How much have you been given? and more important, what is expected of you? As Amberly and I manage the change in our life, it becomes clear much is expected of us. As Ronald Reagan once said "All great change in America begins at the dinner table," meaning, with family. Our changes have certainly been made possible through our family who have instilled into us values, character and stunning good looks!

Have a great Christmas!

3 1/2 more weeks!

Can you believe it?! I can't! We'll be married in less than 4 weeks! Wow, the time has just flown by! We are getting excited for our friends Betsy and Jeff's wedding on December 27th, and then bachelorette/bachelor parties the next weekend, then it's our wedding already! :) We are so excited and so thankful for all of our guests that have RSVPed. We are going to have such a great turnout even in this cold January weather! If you need directions to the church or the reception don't hesitate to email or call me or Ryan. We are happy to help and want to make sure that everyone is there.

We want to wish you all a merry christmas and a happy new year! We are looking forward to 2009 and everything that it has to offer! New apartment, new marriage, new jobs and a new life together! May peace and blessings shine on you this wonderful season!

love, Ryan and Amberly
P.S. Can you guess what the theme is to our wedding?