Things I love about fall

1. Crunching of the leaves on long, cool walks beneath my feet. We plan our routes so that we are guaranteed to be crunching on fallen leaves. I love the crisp sound it makes and kicking them up as we walk. 

2. Carving pumpkins. Coming up with a design and scooping out all the seeds and slime is so much fun.

3. Chilly weather=lots of cuddling. We love opening our windows at night and burying ourselves under the blankets. 

4. Cozy sweaters.  I love love love layers, oversized sweaters, leggings, tall boots, scarves, mittens, and all things knitted.

5. Warm drinks. There's nothing much better than a hot cup of cocoa...with marshmallows of course. 

6. Scary movies. Tis the season for all things scary. Halloween always brings out the side of me that loves being scared. 

7. Nice smelling candles. Fall scented candles are always the best smelling candles! My favorite is cinnamon.

8. Leaves changing color. This is probably my most favorite part about fall. Bright yellow leaves are the best. I am always amazed at the beauty fall brings out. I love seeing blankets of colorful leaves on the ground.

9. Homemade soups. I made my first homemade soup the other day, it was delicious. Next, Scott wants me to make homemade chili.

10. Fall treats. Everything and anything pumpkin, apple, or cinnamon.

11. Scott & me <3 (but that's every season)

Utah trip

This past week I made a trip to Utah while my parents and sister Julie were there visiting, since they were only there until Saturday I decided to go on Wednesday which meant leaving Scott in Rexburg. In all honestly I was pretty heart broken leaving Scott, I really hate being away from him. While away, we both realized that we have a hard time sleeping without each other. We've been married long enough now that being away from each other is hard. Especially when one of us is left in a small town with nothing to do and no car. I'm grateful that Scott is as sweet as he is. Other than missing my hubby, Utah was so fun. Being with family is the best.

(As soon as I arrived at Kim's house Harlow wanted to play hide-and-go-seek with all of us. We found her like this, she is so cute and funny. Love that little girl

(Nothing much better than eating a popsicle in a pile of leaves)

(Thursday we went to Thanksgiving Point where every fall they have corn mazes, games, and fun activities. It took us a little while to find the way out of the corn maze, I've never been too fond of those things)

(One of my favorite things we did was going over to Mandy's house who makes these beautiful and fun Hoopla earrings. She has SO many earrings to choose from, it was a little overwhelming ;). I would love to have a hobby like this, to find something girly to make and sell them out of my home, I think that would be so much fun. Maybe one day)

(Friday night BYU played Boise State which was an exciting game. If Kellen had still been playing, of course I would of been cheering for BSU. But it was Cougars all the way!)

(Loved seeing this girl! Being back in Provo with her makes me miss the good old days of college life. It was like we were never apart)

(I can't get enough of this little guy, the faces he makes are hilarious)

(We took plenty of walks to parks and the lake. The weather was so nice, it was like it was still summer time. We even played a little soccer in the park. We were all winded after a few minutes ha, Bronx was running circles around all of us)

We had so much fun eating out, shopping (except my dad ;)), playing games, and being with each other. These trips always go by way too fast. Missing my family already, but of course glad to be back home with Scott!

One year ago today

Today marks the one year anniversary that I was asked a once in a lifetime question and given a sparkly ring by the love of my life. I am so happy I said yes! Scott pulled off the perfect surprise proposal that incorporated how we fell in love through letters. It wasn't anything extravagant, but simple and beautiful, just like our love story. Since then, I have gotten used to the feeling of a ring on my finger, but I have not and probably will never get used to the beautiful sparkle my ring gives off every time I look down at my hand (which admittedly is a lot). I have to giggle whenever I think about Scott and I looking at wedding rings. First off, we were only dating for a month before we started looking...but to us our relationship had grown so much from writing each other that we just knew and didn't want to wait, plus I was a little anxious to get a ring ;). Second, before we walked into any jewelry store Scott set a budget which eventually went out the window. However, we were both very happy with the outcome. I can't even put into words how excited we were the night he got down on one knee. Everything was perfect...my ring, his proposal, just that whole night! It was so exciting and surreal. It was the best day, and they just keep getting better. Sometimes I think it would be fun to go back to relive the moments like the first kiss, picking out a ring, the proposal, engagement pictures, dress shopping, wedding planning because those are such great moments. But then I realize how great the moments and the memories are that we are creating now, we love each other so much more with each passing day. It seems so long ago that we were just starting to plan our wedding, now we've had our dream wedding...and these days instead of planning a wedding we plan our life. It may seem strange that we remember and celebrate the exact date we got engaged, but when you look back at the little things you'll see that they were actually the big things. I love being married to you Scott, thanks for picking me!

Fall festivities

This past week has been a FUN one. I love all the fun activities Scott and I have been checking off on our Fall bucket list. I forgot how much I love this season. We decided to carve pumpkins Friday night with Scott's cousin Logan and his wife Becca. Originally Scott and I were just going to carve one pumpkin together but we got a little excited while picking out a pumpkin that we decided to go ahead and get two. We were both very proud of our work! I have to admit I was pretty impressed with Scott's pumpkin, he has a very artistic side to him. After gutting and carving we of course roasted the seeds, which seems to be a must when carving pumpkins. I've never been a big fan of pumpkin seeds, but Scott seems to love them...more for him. 

Can you tell whose is whose? 

Saturday evening we drove to the trail head of R-mountain to hike up and catch the sunset as sun went down. Scott loves hiking and the outdoors, as for me I was a little scared of the thought of a snake slithering out and crossing my path the whole way up. Scott assured me that snakes are more scared of us and that they don't move around when it is cold outside (whew). Once we reached the top it was so worth it, the sunset was beautiful! It was so fun sitting together watching the sunset change colors as the sun went down. We wish we could have camped out right there on the mountain so we could watch the sun rise as well, however that was against the R-mountain rules and we didn't have a tent. Maybe someday. I love doing fun adventures with Scott. Life is wonderful. 

UTAH getaway

We had such a fun time visiting family in Utah this past weekend. Ever since we moved to Rexburg I've been dying to make a trip to Utah. I've missed seeing my sisters pretty much every single week. We stayed at Breanne and Brandon's house both Friday and Saturday, first time in Utah as a married couple (whoop). We spent Saturday at a pumpkin patch, then went out to lunch, made sugar cookies, and had a fun evening catching up and playing games.

(reunited with this sweet baby boy, oh how I've missed watching him grow! He's gotten so big)

(Harlow and Navie love their uncle Scott, it warms my heart when he plays with them. He is going to be such a great daddy someday)

(Pumpkin patch fun) 

(Such a fun time being with family, unfortunately it was extremely windy and busy)

(Ryder is such a good baby, I wonder if he will turn into a wild toddler...)

 I'm still adjusting to the fact that I don't live in Utah anymore. As we were driving home on Sunday Scott mentioned how last year when he would visit me he would always be so sad on the drive home to Rexburg and this time he is so happy and glad that I'm coming with him. So was I :). When we got home Scott and I joked about how it was nice being able to actually walk around into different rooms in both my sister's houses, and now we are back to our tiny little living quarters.

Little things

Before being married, Scott and I did long distance for our entire relationship, most of it spent on the phone. It was everything but easy. One of the main reasons we were so extremely excited to be married was that it meant no more goodbyes. It was so hard only being able to spend two to three days at a time with each other, knowing that each trip was going to end with a goodbye. While engaged Scott and I always talked about how when we are married we never want to take for granted the little enjoyments that come with marriage. There is an infinite list of reasons why I love being married and one of the top ones is that Scott is the last thing I see when I fall asleep and the first thing I see when I wake up. I love having him by my side and knowing he is there when I am sleeping. Last night I woke up in the middle of the night to a bad stomach ache. Scott was so sweet and just held me the rest of the night, this made me feel so much better. I love being able to give him a kiss goodnight, rather than a "I love you" on the phone. It's like having a sleepover every night with my best friend (but better). I appreciate my sweet husband more than words can describe and am so happy and excited about the small little fact that I get to go to bed with my love every single night. 

Date night

I remember as Scott and I were engaged and even up to our wedding day we kept hearing the same advice "make sure to make time for weekly date night" and "continue to court each other." It turns out that this date night business is our favorite thing. We've been pretty consistent so far in our marriage to make an effort to have date night once a week. I love our time together, it really does help strengthen our marriage and friendship.

This past weekend we were just going to stay in Rexburg and walk around a little street market that was going on, but instead Scott made a comment about Texas Roadhouse and next thing we know we are going to Idaho Falls for dinner and shopping. I love spontaneous things, especially if they involve Texas Roadhouse, which is Scott's new obsession. The entire time we were eating I kept hearing "mmmm," "oh. my. gosh this is the best steak I have ever had," "this is cooked seriously perfect," "this is sooo good." Teasingly I asked Scott why he never has this reaction at the dinner table when I cook ;).

Afterwards we were able to walk off the calories at the mall and Target. We have loved our gift cards to Macy's and Target that we received as wedding gifts. It has been extremely nice. It will be a sad day when we use the last of our gift cards. With our Macy's gift card we were able to buy Scott a nice winter coat and a pair of brown dress shoes which he really needed. Ever since Scott got off his mission I have made an attempt to buy him as many clothes as possible, because when he came home he had hardly anything AND everything he had was basically worn and out of style (seriously). I love shopping for him and he secretly does too. 

I'm excited for our date tonight. Life is good!

Reminiscing September

Making: room in our closet and drawers for winter clothes, bidding a farewell to sandals and swim suits

Cooking: lunches in a plastic bag for Scott

Drinking: delicious homemade orange julius' 

Reading: Living a Covenant Marriage together

Wanting: a job while Scott's away at school

Baking: lots of Pinterest dessert recipes

Looking: forward to taking a trip to Utah and seeing family 

Playing: "hashtag" video with Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake over and over

Wishing: the wind wasn't so violent here

Enjoying: putting together meal plans for the week and being organized 

Waiting:  for the leaves to change

Using: all of our new wedding presents

Liking: dropping and picking Scott up from school each day

Wondering: where we will be in a year from now

Loving: working out each evening together

Hoping: for some enlightenment on Scott's personal statement for Optometry school

Marveling: at the beauty of each sunset on the open farm lands

Needing: a new sound system for our tv

Smelling: the fresh cold outside air that comes in through the window at night

Wearing: old winter clothes that over the summer we forgot we had

Following: the days until the Pretty Little Liars Halloween special 

Noticing: Scott's peculiar knowledge of knowing when our pillows are switched...always!

Knowing: that we only have 7 months here

Thinking: about how lucky we are and how much we love our apartment

Taking: hot bubble baths
Organizing: EVERYTHING, it's hard to share a closet

Buying: a new/used desk chair for Scott at the DI
Spending: money on a wedding album

Learning: how to cook

Admiring: my ring, in one month I will have had it for a whole year

Celebrating: Scott's new position as treasurer on the optometry committee 

Feeling: blessed

Expecting: Scott to get busier with school

Watching: the last and final episode of Breaking bad

Opening: a new gallon of ice cream :)

Giggling: as Scott talks in spanish to me

Settling: into our new apartment

Brainstorming: a Fall bucket list