home

We're home for Christmas and it feels so good.

it really is the most special time of year.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

college graduate!

It still hasn't hit me that college is over. I've been in school my entire life so it's
bittersweet. But also really exciting. I won't be walking in graduation until April with Steve.

(thought it would be easier on our families to make the  trip once and not in the middle of winter).

So maybe it won't feel real until then and that's fine with me

Since I'm not walking for a few months I had to do something to make it official.

So I bought this shirt and sported it all day around the house. cheesy I know, but very necessary.

birthday

I was lucky to finish all my finals before my birthday. And that was enough present for me.
But I came home yesterday from running errands and found this in our living room:

Steve was a busy boy. That night we opened a few presents and went out to dinner.
Then we drove to the hilltop, where all the big houses are, to look at Christmas lights
(and dream just a little).

Little did I know Steve had another activity in mind. We got home and I opened the door
to a surprise party!

Look at that cake! He did a great job.

A few of the party "surprisers."

The guy who planned it all.


Thanks babe for making my day extra special.
23 is going to be a great year. I can feel it.

the countdown begins...

I officially have:

1 more project
2 more finals and
3 more class attendances

ever.

 I'm not so sure how I feel about it.

christmas spirit

Steve and I have been a little lacking in the Christmas decor lately and it's making us sad.

We had a few different times scheduled to get a tree but all fell through due to school stuff.

Thank goodness for our families with their Christmas filled homes.

Last night however we did our best to bring in some christmas spirit with this:

The Office: Classy Christmas

I think it worked pretty well.

and we topped it off with some muddy buddies

very addicting.

thanksgiving

This year Thanksgiving was held in Utah with the Church side of the family. 

My grandparents just got back from their year and a half mission in Nauvoo, 

so we were all really excited to see them again.

We did a lot of eating (obviously), shopping, talking, board-gaming and
staying up way too late yet again. A pretty good break, I'd say.

So fun to see everyone! We miss you already.
Now it's back to reality and preparing for finals.

snowy drive

This morning we'll be driving in this:

(or something like this).

With warm cookies to snack on and Christmas music on the ipod,

we're ready to drive through our winter wonderland.

Off to Grandma's house we go!

feeling grateful

Today I'm feeling grateful for so many things.

Here are just a few:

1. my partner in life. and everything we do together.

his smile, his hard work, his positive way, his calm demeanor, his humor,
his love, and his excitement for the future.

and that he picked me.

2. My family. my best friends and greatest examples.

parents who sacrifice everything for me and continue to love no matter what.
and siblings who gave me the best memories and bring the most laughter to my life.

3. A knowledge and belief of the gospel from the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. a teaching
that is built upon happiness and most importantly the opportunity to live with our families forever.

4. My education and the chance I had to receive it. a gospel centered university that focuses
not only on teaching but building a better you. The knowledge and relationships I've gained while
here that I can now keep forever.

5. Good friends (old and new) who constantly build me up and are there to remind me what's
important and how to have fun :) ones who gave me crazy memories that leave
me happy and smiling. And those who are strong where I'm weak.

their many talents that I can continue to learn from and that add variety to life.
grateful to be and have been inspired by you.

6. Our future. not knowing what it is but that it has the potential to be bright.
the fact that it's teaching me how to live and what to live for. and to be very patient.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I hope the day is filled with "gratefuls."

a few things

1. The lights are up on main street! Makes me feel so magical.

2. My blow dryer has been living in our front room. It's become the warmer of our
toes, socks, and slippers {in that order}.

3. I love seeing orange and yellow flowers mixed with snow.

4. Found a pair of J. Crew heels today for $2.50 {originally $150}
Thank you downeast.

5. I've been job hunting for after the break and am quickly realizing a college degree
won't get you far in Rexburg. So I'm learning to take whatever I can get :)

6. Currently our TV stand is a rubbermaid cooler. Now we just
need a door on the side so we can keep drinks in it.

7. We're trying to hold off on grocery shopping since we'll be gone for a week
so we've been snacking on pickles, honey-nut cheerios, and leftovers.

8. I've been informed that H&M has just opened in Portland and am beyond excited.
My sister and I already have a trip planned.

9. My index finger is aching from all the computer time I've been spending on my project.
Poor little guy.

10. I'm loving Steve's nap hair these days...due to our crazy homework schedule,
he's been sporting it a lot lately.

almost there

This is the last month of my college career (crazy right?) This week I finish and present
my senior capstone project and I couldn't be more thrilled to get it over with

I guess you could say the stress is building just a little and these babies have been
consuming all my attention lately:

But, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Just a few more days and
we'll get a week of family, fun, and lots of food.

right on schedule.

nostalgia

Last week Steve had his last flag football game. And by last I mean, last at byu-idaho.

(ok, let me be nostalgic for a second)

When I first met him, our apartment went to watch him and his roommates play
in a championship game. It was the first time I noticed him.

(circa 2007, bottom left)

We kept commenting on how cute he was and tried to figure out how to pronounce his
last name on the back of his shirt. Little did I know, one day it would be mine.

Since then he's played every fall and I've gotten used to watching him -
as a friend, girlfriend, fiance, and wife.

So I think it's natural that I'm a little sad to see it end.

On another note: this weekend we've been doing a lot of Harry Potter
watching to prepare for the new movie, yes!

And I'm loving how much Steve's getting into it.
Welcome to the club babe.

daily affirmation

My sister sent me this video today and I was dying.

How cute is she?

I think if we did this every day we wouldn't have as much to complain about.

and so it begins

Today we woke up to the first snow fall of the season. Normally I might be a little
discouraged to see snow again but this year Rexburg gave us sun for longer than normal

So I guess we'll take it.

However today it wasn't just flurries. We had a full on Idaho storm

Thanks Rexburg for reminding us that things haven't changed. Now begins 

life of boots, coats, window scraping, frozen eyelashes and flat hair.

Bring it on.

lazy monday

Now that the Halloween hype is over, homework seems to be kicking our butts.

Too much to do and it's only Monday. But nothing beats staying inside on a cold,
windy day in Rexburg, napping on the couch, and making a warm meal.

I have been wanting to try my Mom's homemade potato cheese soup.

And tonight I think we needed it.

pumpkins and such

This week we finally got our pumpkin and carved him.
Naturally we partied with Zane and Lindsey at the same time.

All done!
I don't blame him, that witch is scary.
Our front door is under the stairs, so the space for a pumpkin is limited and very hidden.
So...here he sits.

We also went to the Haunted Mill
I hadn't been in a very long time and they've definitely
amped up the "scary-ness" and made it longer (woah).

I was very impressed.
Even the boys were shakin' in their boots.

Happy Halloween everyone!!

halloween bash

Last weekend one of my best friends (and old roomies) Haley came to visit!

They came down for just a few days so we wasted no time and got right to the fun.

Friday we planned a Halloween costume party in Alyssa and Ben's garage. It was the perfect
place for a big group and Alyssa did so amazing with the decor.

I made these caramel apples which were somewhat of a disaster at first.
After many failed tries however, I finally got the hang of it.
Go here for the recipe.

We were excited for an excuse to get dressed up this year. Thanks hubby for being a man and
wearing tights (I guess my superman face is a smirk?).

I don't know why I didn't get a picture of Haley's little family
(I'll have to steal one from her) But look how cute they are! Peter Pan, Wendy,
and a lost boy.Loved it.

Alyssa, Ben and Bryson.

Brooks liked hangin' over the side. He was quite the party animal.

The rest of the weekend we made a crepe breakfast, went out to dinner and of
course...played with the babies. It's always too short when we all get together,
but the time was well spent!