Our Last Summer as a Family of 2

Between the first trimester exhaustion, working full time, and all the baby excitement I definitely didn't blog much this summer. However, I wanted to just take a little space here to write about a couple of my favorite things we were able to do this summer-our last summer as a family of two. 

Fathers Day

Celebrating Fathers Day was awesome this year. In the morning I got pretty sick and instead of making breakfast for Nate, I stayed in bed eating toast and praying I'd feel better. Luckily prayers are answered and soon enough I was feeling great-and we finally got to honor our fathers, tell our siblings about the baby, and celebrate Nate's new role as a dad. 

4th of July

We celebrated the 4th of July this year by checking out the hot air balloons, camping out (in our house-pregnant camping does not sound appealing), cruising University Ave to check out everyone camped out for the parade, BBQ-ing with my family, and rocking out to Journey. Independence Day in Provo is always the best, and I'm so glad we were able to have such a fun one.

California 

I took a quick, unexpected trip to California at the end of July to go to my grandma's funeral. Because of work Nate had to stay home, however it was so good for me to be able to go there and spend time with my family. I'll always remember how nice it was to be gathered with so many of my cousins, laughing over stories about our grandparents. I learned so much about my grandma this summer-and so much about my pops. Reading their love letters though-that was definitely a highlight. 

Our Everyday

Although the holidays were fun, and the trip to California so important, my favorite thing about this summer was just our everyday life. Nate started a new internship that has been such a blessing to us. We worked all day, and spent our evenings going on walks, BBQ-ing, watching our TV shows, going to $5 movies, at my doctor's appointments and talking about our baby. On the weekends we would sleep in, go to the farmers market, go on dates, and teach primary. It may not sound like anything too exciting-but these little moments spent just the two of us-these are the moments that mean the most to me, the ones I want to remember most about the time when we were just a little family of two.

Summer Evenings

The other day someone asked us how we fill our evenings. At the moment, we couldn't think of anything! Luckily we have cell phones, and can therefore remember how it is we've been spending these Summer evenings.

Shotgun shooting

Trying out new recipes (and grilling!)

Watching Lost (I know i'm 10 years late to the game here-but man that was a good show!)

Hiking the Y

Biking to the creamery for some delicious ice cream

Laundry, cleaning, boring house stuff

Finally hanging up our wedding photos and decorating our home

These little evenings may not seem very exciting-but to me there are all sorts of perfection. I could not be happier with my little, calm life.

All I Want is a Bouquet of Newly Sharpened Pencils..

"Don't you just love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address."

Ever since I first heard this line I've had some crazy day dream fantasy about receiving a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils as grand gesture to usher in the season that I hold most dear and near to my heart. Call me Kathleen Kelly.

I just live for the fall. I come alive in the fall. I am most me in the fall.

And although it is technically still Summer in so many ways-the biggest that it is only August-it is fall in my heart.

I've watched You've Got Mail. I'm in an e-bay bidding war for a new Vera Bradley planner. I'm seeking out stationary and pencils. I'm eyeing my cardigans with eager anticipation. I'm craving pumpkin bagels. And today I started working my first ever grown up job-thus ending my summer, and summer as I've known it thus far in life.

So for me-it's Fall. And I must say that if one season had to come early this year-I'm sure glad it's this one.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a little Fall Bucket List to create. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

A Perfect Day

Monday was just one of those days. You know the type-the ones that make all the other days, the hard ones that is, more than worth it. Monday was one of those days that put things back into perspective-where so many happy things happened that I was absolutely overwhelmed with joy.

I went to the Parade of Homes and enjoyed a delicious lunch with my sister. It was wonderful to get to spend time with her.

I got an e-mail from my missionary, and that sister of mine always knows just what to say to make me smile.

I got to have a "girls night" with some of my very favorite girls, and introduce a couple of them to cakebites.

I got to see one of my favorite couples.

I chatted with my amazing parents.

I spent time with my favorite guy, who, as always made me laugh in the best way.

My very oldest and dearest friend got her mission call.

And...

I got offered my first, grown-up, real-life, big deal job.

As I drove back from Provo late that night, listening to my friend thousands of miles away read her mission call I was overwhelmed with gratitude for this life that I'm lucky enough to claim. I am surrounded by lovely, kind, generous people, I have a happy home, a great education, and now a new job.

Life is pretty wonderful these days. I am one blessed girl.

June

I have been awful at blogging this month. I hope that means I've just been too busy living! However, June has been an absolute dream, I just had to pay tribute to that. So, what better way then a little happy list...

10 Things that Made me Terribly Happy This Month:

1-Having time to read for pleasure.

2-Max Brenner, Serendipity and naps at the pool in Las Vegas:

3-Buying a ticket to the Lumineers concert

4-Helping this lovely couple get engaged

5-My $3 investment in frosting tips

6-One of my favorite friends coming up to Sandy for a visit

7-Lots of family time (including family pictures)

8- Being done with our major cleaning/yard work projects

9-Listening to this girl talk in church (twice!) and seeing her get ready for her mission

10-Spending time with this guy

Summer Fun

Lately, things have been pretty fun around here. 

It's sunny, I'm surrounded by the best people, and some great projects.

In fact it's been so fun that I've hardly had any time to worry about the fact that I don't have a job.

(despite searching for them daily)

So, here is a glimpse as to how I've been keeping busy and keeping the worry at bay....

 Chalk dates

Afternoons at Seven Peaks

Family pictures

Rocking out to country music

Perfecting my homemaking skills (homemade enchiladas and hand picked flowers)

Shopping at the Sister Missionary Mall with Abbie

 Teaching these cute kids how to build proper blanket forts

Watching Duck Dynasty

 Introducing this guy to the pie

Going to the zoo

Cheering on Real Salt Lake from stellar seats

Reading great books

and mostly just hanging out with my family.

Obviously it's been a pretty great summer so far.

How I've Been Spending my Summer...

A rodeo. Fancy dinner. Frozen hot chocolate. Farmers market. Midnight Spiderman premiere. A girls trip to the zoo. Rediscovering long lost leggings. Pool time. 7 peaks. Gossip Girl marathons. Sliding Rock. A political fundraiser. A giant slip n slide. Fireworks. BBQs. Hilarious face time conversations. Bike rides. Drive in movies. Hikes. Lazy afternoons. Late nights. "Family" and family dinners. Trips to the library. Ice cream for lunch.
Sounds like a dream right?

One of the questions in my Q&A Five Year Journal was "What could you live without right now?"

Last year I answered-"40 hour work weeks. 30 would be divine."

And you know what, it sure is.

Absolutely divine.





I don't care if he is apple certified-it's still blurry.

Learn & Love Lists

Latley I've been learning a lot of things.
Here are some of my personal favorites:

-Tom Selleck was originally set to play Indiana Jones, but he had a contract problem due to Magnum PI. (I always thought Indie should have a rockin mustache) source.

-I love to do hard things. I don't know why but when given a hard option, and one that is easier I almost always choose the hard.

-Green Eggs and Ham was written on a dare-the dare being that Dr. Seuss couldn't write a book using only 50 words. Green Eggs and Ham has exactly 50. source.
- l'espirit de l'escalier: French. the feeling you get after leaving a conversation, when you think of all the things you should have said. Kathleen Kelly and I both suffer from this. It's nice to know it has a name.
-Yes I love Diet Coke. Honestly though, I've learned that I like the experience more than the drink. What can I say, I guess I'm a social drinker. Anyone want to go on a Diet Coke run? Jenna where are you?


Lately I've also been loving a lot of things.
Here are some of my personal favorites:

-This movie trailer. Just another reason I can't wait for Christmas.

-The Paris Wife. So sad and troubling but so beautiful.

-Life Saver gummies. Delicious.

-My free trial of Spotify Premium. If you don't have Spotify quit reading now and download it here. Best decision you'll make all day.

-The fact that I've still never lost a game of Disney Scene It, even after a much anticipated round last night. I may not be the best cook, the greatest writer, or the fastest runner but you better believe I'm the best at this game. (don't worry if I could choose to be the best at something it wouldn't be this-but we've got to take our victories as they come I guess)

Summer 2011...

was nothing like I expected it to be.

From where I lived to who I spent my free time with it was not what I'd originally expected, but it was what I needed. My days were spent working, and my evenings spent reading, hanging out with my friends, trips to Moon Lake, St. George and Las Vegas, parade of homes with my family, shopping, baking, relaxing, going to the movies and enjoying the rainy nights.

Jessica's wedding

Stacie's cabin

Moon Lake

Trying my luck at the slots

Disco Skating

Taggerts

H&M lovelies

Salt Lake temple

Diet Coke and a good book

my favorite book dedication (from Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.) Other summer reads: the Hunger Game series, Jane Eyre, One Day, and 34 Charles street

The "UP" house

With Russell and Carl

Laughing with the sisters

It was a beautiful, quiet, peaceful, comfortable summer.

But I'm more than ready to start my senior year of college tomorrow. I love having my friends back, and seeing Provo all a buzz again. I'm excited to get involved, with school and my ward and my friends. I'm ready for a change in schedule, to work hard, and to play hard too.