04/24/2019
***PAGE AND PERSONAL UPDATE***
Hi everyone! So the past few months I haven't been too active because I have gone through some major life changes!
On July 22nd I had my bridal shower. I had a great time and also that week I went to Country Thunder with one of my best friends Audrey! Also got to hang out with a few other friends who I miss so much!
On August 19th my fiance Zach came home from Japan. That was super exciting! After 2 years of being stationed overseas he was finally home!
On August 25th we got married! We had a very intimate ceremony in my grandparents backyard. We had a beautiful time and wouldn't change a thing. We went to the McHenry outdoor afterward and had a wonderful time with a few of our family members.
On August 26th we went to Mount Olympus for the night for a quick little get away after the wedding and before we went on our next big life change.
On September 6th we finished packing up our lives in Illinois and got on the road to our first duty station together. We went on a 5 day road trip. We hit the badlands, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park, and Devil's Tower.
On September 11th we got to our final destination! Twentynine Palms California! We will be here for at least another year and a half.
On September 14th we signed the lease to our first apartment!
On September 28th we adopted our first puppy! We got him at a shelter in the area. We were told we were getting a 7 month old lab dane mix. When we got home and put some weight on him we soon figured out he was much younger than that. We figured out he was closer to 3 months old! Our new furry friend got the name C**t! He loves sticks and now his rope toys!
On September 29th we drove to Ventura California to purchase our first vehicle together! I got a 2002 Jeep Wrangler! This was our first full day with C**t and he went on a pretty long adventure for a puppy. He was so small! He fit on the front seat of my car curled up.
In November we had our first visitor! My mom came out for a few days and we went to Vegas. That was so much fun! We also did a lot of geocaching!
On November 18th we had our first military ball! It was a lot of fun! I also think we set a new record on how fast I got ready. We got to our hotel room later than planned and still needed to get ready. I had to do my hair, make up and put my dress on still. I did it all in 10 minutes. Normally I don't wear make up but only for formal events such as this. We also did not have the top on my jeep so that was an experience in its self trying to keep my hair in place and my dress from flashing all of southern California.
On November 21st I turned 21! We went to The Cheese Cake Factory in Rancho Mirage! We got dressed up and had a great night out!
On December 23rd we took a geocaching road trip to Parker Arizona! Another big trip for C**t!
On January 12th we went to Los Angeles! We had to pick up a part for Zach's truck that will forever need to be fixed... So we stopped at the Hollywood Walk Of Fame! We had a blast! We only got to walk a little bit of it but plan on going back. For C**t being a 7 month old puppy he did absolutely great! He listened so well and stayed where he was supposed to!
On January 15th - 28th We were in Illinois for a two week trip home! After living in California for 4 months I was very happy to finally be in cold weather again! I could see my breath and said I was never going back to Cali! We met up with a lot of friends and family and made lots of memories to last a life time!
On January 16th Zach turned 22 and I surprised him with a family dinner!
On February 1st - February 8th we volunteered at King Of The Hammers in Johnson Valley (one of C**t's personal favorite places to take the jeep). We had a blast and cannot wait to go again next year!
On February 21st it snowed in California’s desert! We took C**t to see his first snow and he loved it! We loved it too since all we see is sand!
And that takes us to where we are today. Now that we are settled in to where we are going to be for the next little bit of time I cannot wait to start being more active on here again. I am not sure about the name of this company yet. I may keep it A.Kratz Photography but I may switch it to A.Kratz-Carlson Photography. For now (because you never know where the Marines will take you) I will be located in Southern California. We live 5 minutes from the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park so I hope you look forward to seeing mountains and all the Joshua Trees you hear about in the new country songs!
Lots of Love
Ally Carlson
