Graduation Trip!

For my graduation gift we went to Cali with some friends: Marse and Lance and Cassie and Danny. It was a blast! We stayed at Cassie's families time share right on the beach, beautiful! Through out the trip we went to Universal Studios, Sea world, Price is right, and the beach where each one of us faced a battle with the Sun (the Sun won, ouch!) Cassie and Marse have been close friends of mine for a long time. Years ago we went to Cali together on Dance Company Tour. I definitely liked the additional people that we had on our trip this time, our husbands! Marriage just makes everything more fun! This trip was just what I needed after my final finals and graduation!

The Price is Right! We made T Shirts and everything! Too bad we were in the verrrrry back row and none of us got called up. We still had a blast!

Sea World! Ha, Gary looks loco!

It's the Kwik-E-Mart! Gary, being an avid Simpsons fan, thought this was the coolest place ever. He just had to purchase a Duff SODA (hehe, scared you there) and a giant hommer donut.

Joes Crab Shack right on the beach! Mmm mmm good!

On our way down to California we decided to take a picuture at the most exciting thing in Beaver, UT, a giant rocking horse. It doesn't get more exciting then that!

We all decided to take some model shots on the beach. Gary is one good lookin goof!

We have been doing shots like this since we were in Junior High. Hurry and flip your head to catch the wind and the suprised model look. Ha, love these girls!

I love this shot! Creativity at its finest!

Graduation!!!

Well it is official! Ellie Buckway finally graduated from college! Wah hoo! Graduation Day was very memorable, fun, and long. My entire family and Gary's parents came to all 4 hours of my graduation. Talk about amazing support. I am so lucky. I am so proud of myself. There were definitely rocks in the road that brought tears and frustration and feelings of inadequacy. But with the help of my friends and family, especially my dad, I realized that my college education is very important to me and that I could do it. I am so glad I did! I received a Bachelors of Science degree in Exercise Science and Health. I loved it! Going into it, I knew that this major was going to be very challenging for me. Before I entered my major, science was my most challenging subject. But I figured if I was going to do this then I was going to make it worth it, even if it was going to be hard. Now that I am done I love science and am completely fascinated by the human body. I love it! My major has qualified me to do what I am doing now which is in home personal training and teaching aerobics. I absolutely love this job and truly feel like there couldn't be a better calling for me right now. I am so very grateful for the support I had through out these four years of college and am so happy that I had the opportunity to receive an education. Yay for graduation!

Gary is and has been my constant support! love you babe!

If it wasn't for my wonderful Dad I might not have made it to my graduation day. He always seems to know what is best for me and is consistently there with advice and motivation. Love you DAD!

Gramps! After graduation we went to Los Hermanos. My wonderful grandparents were there!They are such wonderful people. I truly don't think I will ever know a more funny, humble, supportive, and righteous couple. I hope Gary and I are like them when we reach our older years.

My mummsie wummsie! My mom is not only an incredible mother, but she is my best friend. I love you mom!

Gary's Parents came and supported me at my graduation. They are such good people. I feel so lucky to have married into such a good family.

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

The other day Gary came home and said, "Let's go fly a kite!" I jumped at the suggestion and thought it was a perfect Saturday activity. So we went to Wal Mart and purchased some kites. Gary got a Transformer kite and I got a Barbie kite. Then we were off to the park. The last time Gary and I went kite flying was when we were dating so this was really fun.It made me feel like we were back in those dating days. Gary bought an extra 200 feet of string so his kite would get extra high. My kite was a very emotional kite. It would be up in the air and then all the sudden plummet to the ground. I should have known when I purchases the Barbie kite. We all know how emotional us girls can be, hehe. Gary and I laid down on the grass and talked while we watched our kites fly away. It was such a fun Saturday activity and of course I forgot my camera. Just try to visualize if you can.

Spring Break!

Is this not the most beautiful scenery you have ever scene! Gorgeous Red Cliffs!
Me and the guys

This is after we hiked this old volcano. I love the mullet look I got going on. I'm considering it as a permanent look.

At the top of the Volcano it was really windy so for this picture we just decided to stare at each other rather then at the camera. It was a gorgeous view!

This is us almost at the top of Angels Landing at Zions

Here we are rock climbing. I couldn't believe the rocks Gary was climbing. I took a much easier rout but it was still really high and really scary. Overcoming my fears one step at a time!

This spring break Gary and I and two of his friends went camping down south. We went to Zions, Snow Canyon, and Red Cliffs. It was so much fun! Gary and his friends are super adventurous and fearless, unlike little ol' me that could possibly be the wimpiest gal on the planet. I also discovered on this trip that I am officially terrified of heights. I had never been in a situation where I experienced so many high cliffs and sudden drops before. I seriously would be sick to my stomach every time I faced, what seemed to be, a near death experience, or in other words a high mountain with steep cliffs. I don't know if any of you have been to Angel's Landing in Zions, but you have to hold onto a chain to keep you from falling over the edge! Yeah, I was dying! Although I was very wimpy and afraid, Gary and his buddies were so good at helping me up and down the mountains and pushing me to go places where I would never think of going. I am so glad that I had help overcoming my fears. Every time I pushed myself beyond my limits, it always ended it up being well worth it. Gary and his friends were so great. They are such fun, respectful, and helpful guys. I couldn't believe the stuff they would do on the rocks. It was like watching a bunch of Bear Grylls from Man Vs. Wild. They were climbing, hopping, and skipping all over the place, with an exception of the skipping part. We had so much fun. Just me and the guys. Gary is trying to turn me into a camper girl. I wasn't too excited about this when we first got married, but I am liking it more and more. There is something about cuddling up in a little tent with sleeping bags in the wilderness that is quite comforting and likable. Gary and his buddies made us some great meals that made it feel like we were on a cruise ship rather then camping. I love how Gary helps me experience things I would never do if it weren't for him. I love developing new hobbies and interests. I thought that by the end of the weekend I would be ready to come home, but it was actually kind of disappointing. It was just such a perfect spring break!

Anniversary!!!!

On March 10th it was mine and Gary's two year anniversary! It seriously could not have been a more perfect day. It started by going to a an authentic Japanese restaurant that was so0000 good! Can't go wrong with Teriyaki Chicken! It was such a beautifully cultured restaurant. The waitress was dressed in a fantastic Kimono and spoke with such meek broken English. The food was so beautiful and prepared so well. It was one of those restaurants that you want more people to go to so the owners can have their hard work pay off. Gary and I absolutely loved it there. After dinner and some ginger ice cream we drove up north to my parents house and ate our two year old wedding cake! Surprisingly it was really good. Gary and I reenacted cutting the cake together and stuffing it in each others faces. Hehe, it was fun. After cake we drove down town to the Armstrong Inn. This is were we went on our wedding night and where we went for our year anniversary as well. We love it there. We stayed in the "May Splendor" room. It was so nice! I wish it was our room at home. Once we got settled in we decided to give each other our anniversary presents. I got Gary guitar hero and a picture of us and he gave me a pearl necklace and pearl earrings. He always wins when it comes to presents. He makes it hard to top. It was such a fantastic night! I am so lucky that I found a man like Gary Melvin Buckway to spend the rest of my life and more with. I love you babe!

No More Signature Baby and Having Fun with Friends!

No more Signature Baby! Yeee ha! It was due time to be done with this job at the mall. It treated me well while it lasted, but there is only so much walking around a kiosk, trying to sell baby clothes that one can take. I will miss always meeting up with Gary after work and eating at the food court. I will also miss his random surprise visits and enjoying the life of the University mall together. I also met some great Friends that worked at the kiosks next to mine. They should make a series entitled, "The Kiosk," just like, "The Office." Ha, that would be brilliant. Now I am still teaching aerobics and personal training. Hopefully when I graduate in 2 MONTHS!!!!!! I will be able to find a good job during these difficult times, cross your fingers for me!

These are my two friends, Shay & Chelsea, that I became really close to during those ridiculously slow hours at the mall. I'll miss you girls!

The other day, Marse & Lance, Cassie & Danny, and Gary and I went to Texas Road House (mmm mmm Good!). After we went to Cassie and Danny's house. The boys watched the Jazz Game while the girls watched High School Musical 3, go figure! It was such a fun night! I love hanging out with the married couples.


Isn't this the hottest picture of Gary! hehe, he always looks good, even when he tries to look bad, ha!

A Very Merry Christmas at the Buckway's!

On Christmas morning Gary and I headed over to his families house with our hamper full of presents. It's fun because Gary's family still has some little ones who still believe in Santa Clause. It's fun to play along with them. We were opening presents till the cows came home. Gary got me everything that I could have hoped for. My favorite present from him was this beautiful heart shaped locket that has engraved on the back, "Love Gary 2008." It was just the sweetest most unexpected thing ever. I loved it! I gave Gary this harness for rock climbing. As you can see from the picture, he absolutely loved it. Gary's family is sweet. They all were so generous. They are so much fun to be with and made Christmas just how it should be; loving, caring, and a blast. What a fantastic Christmas! I can hardly wait for next year!