It's the most wonderful time of the Year...Christmas!!!

It's that time of year again. All the excitment builds up and everyone is ready to go home and visit family and friends. At least I was. It all started out not so good. We were supposed to leave on the 23rd but my car was not wanting to make the trip. On Monday the 22 my car broke, the exact same part that broke last year the exact same time! Well the first thing I did was of course panic and cry because I didn't know if I was going to make it home or not. It was after 5:00 and EVERYTHING was closed. I talked to my parents about all the possibilties, dad coming and getting us, flying, renting a car. But for some reason I thought it would be best to wait til Tuesday and see about getting it fixed. So first thing that morning Aaron and I got up and I called this small local car repair place right off post and told the lady I needed my car fixed because I just wanted to go home and see my family for the holidays. She was so nice and told me to get up there and they would take a look at it. So we jumped in the car and headed off. As soon as we got there her husband (the owner) took a look walked to the back of the shop and made a phone call. She came out only to tell us that it was defintely the part I thought it was and there was a new part but it was in Lake Charles and wouldn't be in until the next day (Christmas Eve) and they were going to be closed. See this is where you think it gets worse but it's the opposite! She said her husband said he wanted us to go home to see our family and that he would come back early the next morning when the part arrived and put it in for us! BUT that's not all, he only charged us their price, nothing extra AND he kept our car over night so he could take the old part out and have the car ready to be repaired the next morning. I asked for a phone to call a cab and she wouldn't let me. She put us in her car and drove us to our house. And said I will be back first thing in the morning to get you and take you to your car! Needless to say she made me cry. I asked her if she was always helping people like this and she said her and her husband felt like this was the right thing to do. Their older daughter was gone, maybe on bad terms I don't know the whole story. But they wanted me to be home for the holidays just like their daughter should have been. The next morning she picked us up and I could not thank them enough! She hugged me and said tell your parents how much you love them when you see them. And that's something I will NEVER forget! This was truly a Christmas Miracle!!!

We finally made it home on the 24th! Just in time for good (haha) food and LOTS of presents! First we went to my grandma's house and had dinner and presents there then headed to my parents to open even more! I loved everything I got and I'm sure Aaron did too! We ended up staying up most of the night into the morning playing RockBand with Micah. She got so many things, mainly games, Wii, RockBand, Nintendo DS! Then Christmas Day we got up and had a nice huge breakfast and of course nice HUGE lunch to follow. So we spend a little time eating when we go home! Nothing like mom's cooking! Later that night we went to the movies, it was a fun family outing. The rest of the trip was filled with hanging out with family, shopping, eating, and playing with all our new toys! I don't want everyone to think I forgot about the Kimmel's. Last year we spent Christmas with them so we decided to go to Missouri this year. Next year I'm sure we will be back in Ohio. It seems like every year gets better and better. It's so different from being a kid. When you're younger you think of everything you are getting and how excited you are to open presents but now that I'm older I love watching my parents and everyone else open theirs. I had so much fun this year and I can't wait til next year! I'm so thankful for my family and miss them so much already!

Aaron & I. We got so much!!!


The Mom & Dad

The Girls


She got everything she asked for and more!!!

The Boy and their toys!

How it all got started!

Glad you made it to our page! Since we live so far away from family and friends we decided to start this so we can keep in touch with everyone and let them in on all our journeys. Remember I'm not the writter in the family. Hope you enjoy!
Aaron and I got married on January 5, 2008. I guess I could skip back a little and feel you in on everything. So here it goes! We meet at HomeSlice a restaurant/bar in Toledo Ohio.

Aaron & I the 3rd night after we met!

One month later Aaron left for basic. The day he got out he called and told me that he was going to Hurlbert AFB in Florida. Right then my parents and I started planning our yearly beach vacation for Pensacola FL. We went there in June and my parents met and loved him.

I went back to Florida at least once a month until November when he graduated. Fortunely I met a retired Air Force pilot that owned 3 condos in Destin and he let me stay there on my visits! October 5, 2007 my brave sister and I traveled to Toledo to meet Aaron's family. Aaron was still in Florida and I was so scared to meet them alone so my sister went with me. After 2 nasty hot dogs, getting arrested and getting lost going 98 mph we finally made it there. They invited us over for dinner where I met most of them. They were all so nice and had lots of stories to tell about Aaron. I am so thankful for them, I couldn't ask for better in-laws!(However his mom wouldn't let me talk to him on the phone until I ate all my veggies!) On October 25, 2007 Aaron asked me to marry him. Here's how it happened...I had been waiting patiently at the condo for him to get out of class. Finally he got in and asked if I wanted to go for a walk down the beach. Of course I said yes and we headed out. I remember hearing the song " Hey There Deliah" and then stopping to read something written in the sand. There it was " Ashley, Will You Marry Me" after me reading it several times to make sure it said what I thought it said, he pulled out the ring and proposed. It was beautiful. There were flowers, music, the ocean, and his 3 friends who were recording it all! It was a night I will never forget.

The 3 guys!

Milan, Clark & Trimble


November came and Aaron got a few days off for Thanksgiving, so he decided to come to Missouri to meet the rest of my family. November 2007 Aaron graduated and both our parents got to meet each other! We had so much fun.

Yes that's Aaron's Mom climbing a tree!

Right after his graduation Aaron was off to Washington to another school. While I was home planning the wedding. Since Aaron had not been home since April we decided to spend Christmas and New Years with his family in Ohio. That was exciting to say the least but I still really missed my family. During that time we stayed very busy. I got to meet his Aunts, Uncles, counsins and church family. Somehow we squeezed in Christmas with some of my family that live there and we did last minute things for the wedding. We decided to get married at his church. All the people there were so nice. They helped with everything, from the cake to the pictures! It was so nice. Now the wedding was over and we were on our way to Louisiana as Mr. & Mrs. Kimmel!

Enjoy!