Sister Ashley Louise- the newest resident of Little Rock, AR

Here are some of the reasons why she the BEST friend a girl could ask for.....

She supported me in my awkward phase(s)......

She's supported me in all of my (hair) phases.......She shared my affinity for Harry Potter....

She looked SMOKIN' in everything she wore......

She put up with ME for 15 years.....

She taught me how to be cool 24/7.....

Wherever she went, she ALWAYS had a good time.....

She loved to eat as much as I do.............

She loved pranks as much as I did.....

She loved dressing randomly in 80's clothes and having a girl's night out running through people's apartments......

She was "my best friend's wedding" bridesmaid with me.....

Seriously, WHO can drive to Canada and back and still be totally in LOVE with eachother?!

She teaches me to love the gospel as much as she does.....

My best and dearest friend of 15 years, left last week to report to the Missionary Training Center. She is the one I confide in, laugh, cry and get sassy with, beat with a rice-filled sock, get mad at for making fun of my frizzy white hair when I was 5, make road trips to Canada with, take on every family vacation possible, and spend all day with. She's younger than I by 2 years, but has ALWAYS been my mentor, my spiritual go-to. She is the friend that even though I was dating the BIGGEST LOSER ever, she was his number one fan because I was. She is the type that doesn't need to be entertained, and that the whole family loves because she cleans up after herself and helps with everything. She always seems to know exactly what needs to be done and does it. Ash is my number one. But she's also about 20 other people's number one because she connects like we do with everyone she meets.

Now, the reason I tell you this is because I am now going to state something bold and perhaps offensive to some:

SHE WILL BE THE BEST SISTER MISSIONARY THE LORD HAS EVER HAD. She will be the greatest contributor to His work, she will be the most humble, the most submissive, the most charitable, the most committed, the most successful leader in His army that He's ever had. I hope she understands that.

I couldn't think of anything that I could possibly do for her to thank her for being there for every major moment in my life. From my sweet 16 to prom to my mission farewell to the airport when I got home to my sealing. She's been there EVERY step of the way. The only thing I could think of to do was the ONE thing I hate doing more than anything. COMMITTING TO SOMETHING.......WRITING ONCE A WEEK! What was I thinking! Cole was sweet enough to support me on this one, so we'll do it together for the next 78 weeks until she gets home. Oh my goodness what was I thinking!? If you knew her, you'de know its 100% worth every single committed letter.

Football- Pronunciation: \ˈfu̇t-ˌbȯl\ Function: noun

This is what I look like catching a football

Last week we went to Cole's championship flag football game. It was SO much fun. I learned first hand that THIS is what Cole looks like catching a football

I kept my eyes half closed most the time.

This is what I was afraid would happen

THIS is what actually happened.

Yes, Cole's team (with the astounding leadership of one Ryan Kidd) took the trophy for the Peoria Parks and Recreation Flag Football Champions of the Universe. Kind-of a big deal. Watch out for next season Peoria.

(yes, I know this picture is futbol, but it actually looked a little more like this)

Life is just MORE FUN at the beach!

How could it not be? Ocean, sand, most amazing new husband EVER, 6 of my lifelong BEST friends. And 5 more that I've known a little less time. Heaven.

Cole and I played with Lili, surfboard kayaked across the bay, barely surviving with all those CRAZy sailboaters out there, raced home on the beach cruisers while playing tag, ran on the boardwalk in the mornings, watched my dad paddle surf in the sunrise, went to Satchel's blessing on the bay, went sunglass shopping, ate as a family and celebrated Lindsey's engagement at my FAVORITE restaurant, and had quick appetizers at Burger King, and played beach volleyball....all in a day and a half. Cole hopped right in kiteboarding with the boys. It was amazing. Never a dull moment with the Lundeens!

meet Satchel. he's absolutely beautiful on camera, and even more beautiful when he's surrounded by his loving parents in person.

needless to say, my team won.

(for all of you that don't know me well, it was CLEARLY not due to my skill)

we started out standing

fell

a paddle water fight ensued

and ended up seated.

Cole eventually ditched the spaz that kept tipping us over (ah hem) and proved that it was MY instability by balancing on his head. He's freakishly talented.

We missed Adam, Tiffany, Heron, and Azure, so we're excited for next year!

THANKS MOM AND DAD FOR YET ANOTHER AMAZING FAMILY VACATION!

Fourth of July!

THIS

is my husband.....ladies, eat your heart out, and this little number he's wearing, won US two free nights in ANY Marriott in the U.S.......any suggestions on where we should go? Cole and his friend Mark swept in on scooters chanting "USA! USA!". Classic.

I just got hired at Cole's office 2 weeks ago as an event planner for a different part of the Education company booking hotels for workshops, while Cole helps people get into school again (and keep them there). The jobs may or may not be permanent, but the office is AMAZING. On holidays, they play games with big pots of money....this fourth of July, the most patriotic dressed got two free nights at a hotel, whoever answered patriotic questions right got $500-$2000 (NOT easy ones....for example, name all 9 national supreme court justices, how old was George Washington when he first got called into public office (17!) etc. Jen Lundeen, we NEEDED you!

The person who could toss a super-light beanbag into a cardboard box 20 feet away under a 7 foot ceiling won $1000.....you get the point. It was SO fun. Here's some pictures of Wonder-woman, JUST in case you didn't get enough.....

which one's the sidekick?