I won't back down

Check out this timeline..

Friday, June 24th 11:00 PM - Pick up Jared from work and start our roadtrip to Oregon
Saturday, June 25th - Thursday, June 30th - Oregon.. :)
Friday, July 1st 4:00 AM - Arrive home & straight to bed.
Saturday, July 2nd - July 3rd - Camping!
Monday, July 4th 3:00 AM - Arrive home, shower, & straight to bed.

26 hours of driving, 5 states, 1 waterfall, 2 lighthouses, 2 Burgerville shakes, 2 Candyman ice cream cones, family time, 3 games of Upwords, 3 campfires, 10,000 mosiqutos, fourwheeling, 32 fishies, and 2 very sleepy Toblers.

These past 11 days have been quite something! I have much to edit, much to blog, and much to do. There is fun to still be had.. now dear ShayLee is visiting. :)

For the 4th, Jared and I planned on going swimming at Seven Peaks. We got into our swimming suits and put on some sunscreen but, when we walked outside there was no sunshine to be seen. So, we went back inside, put on our pajamas, and watched sitcoms on the couch. It was just what we needed.

Jared later went to work (bless him and bless holiday pay) and I went to watch fireworks with the girls..

I am obsessed with the Instagram App. It's true.

p.s. blog title explanation: I heard Tom Petty while filling up my car, it made me instantly happy, and I decided it was today's anthem. Plus, what's more American than listening to Tom Petty?

I dream of Paris..

I need to find a lucky penny! Would you believe that Jordan from Oh Happy Day is giving away a trip for two to Paris!? Yes, please! I'm dreaming but, sometimes that helps a Monday go by more quickly!

...Jared and I would, of course, have to stop by Venice to say hello to my friend, ShayLee.. Then, we would naturally have to go to England to see the sights!...

 Good luck! :)

beautiful

From start to finish, this weekend was wonderful. 
I had guests over on Thursday night..

(their mommies were there too) We made Alfredo for dinner with Caesar salad. Then, I burnt the brownies! Heartbreaking, isn't it? So instead, we had Reeses and whipped cream for dessert while talking until the late hours. Bliss.

On Friday, I spent the morning being lazy with Jared. After he left for work, I chatted with ShayLee, who now lives in Italy.

Friday night, I went to Richard & Emily's beautiful wedding. I love weddings, especially when two people as wonderful as them are involved..

While we were eating Coldstone and admiring Emily's dress (which she designed herself, by the way) we met the Duchesnes..

This couple told us the story of how they met and fell in love and how this sweet man purposed to this sweet woman. When she was done telling the story, he looked at her and said, "That was such a fun time, I love you." Then he leaned over to give her a kiss. After that, they began to tell us that, though they have lead wonderful lives, it hasn't always been easy and that there have been many rough days. He said that despite the fact that he loves her so much, they are very different people and that it has taken a lot of work to be where they are today. She gave the advice to "choose each other" everyday. Choose each other, despite the hardships. I was uplifted talking to both of them and I'm grateful to have met them.

When the night was over, I talked in the car with Chelsie and Whitney for hours. It was wonderful and just like old times. It was the perfect night.

The next morning, we went to Ihop for breakfast and then went to Bridal Veil Falls. It was beautiful weather and I hope to go on little adventures like this every weekend.

Everything about this weekend was amazing and I'm grateful for weekends like that. So full of beautiful moments. I am grateful for the friends and family that Jared and I have been blessed with. Happy Wednesday!

counting down the hours

My dear friend, Airwoman ShayLee is in town! Last week, we had such a great time. We had a party, went to the Cheesecake Factory with our moms, and went to breakfast at 6 in the morning. She left for a few days to visit her sister, Airwoman Lyndi in Missouri, but she came home yesterday! :)

This weekend is going to be amazing! Kristie is coming in town for the big girls night and sleepover! I am so excited to have almost all of the girls together! Sister Penny actually returns home from her mission today but, it might be too soon. :)

Have a very happy weekend! I know I will.

I love us.

Who says I'm too old for a sleepover?

We had the best 24 hours together. Taking, eating, laughing, crying, food storage, giant marshmellows, starting a fire without the essentials (lighter & lighter fluid), killing bugs that got into the house, Utah Lake, chocolate-chip muffins, waterfalls, getting soaked, pina colada slurpees.. :)

"Chels, you can let go, you know.."
"Oh, yes! That does feel nice!"

:)

Basically, I was in awe for the following week, thinking about just how blessed I am to have friends like these.. who have held my hand through everything, the good and the bad, and will continue to do so.

Nearly a month later..

I can't believe a month has gone by since my last post.. We are so blessed. In June, we were on vacation for literally, half the month. The rest of the month was spent catching up and then July was here and now where is it?

Here's July:

-rafting in Riggins, Idaho (pictures to come)
-found out one of my photos is being published into a book (on my life list)
-oh so much editing
-barbeques
-fireworks
-disney movies
-seven peaks
-games
-birthday parties
-family dinners
-ShayLee coming home to visit

It's been a fantastic month. Did you know the 4th of July is my third favorite holiday? Someday, I am going to throw a beautiful backyard barbeque on the 4th and invite all of my family and friends. Someday.

Smitten

The month of July+friends visiting = bliss.

One night, Whitney, ShayLee, and I went to Temple Square.

Jared was home studying.

While we were walking into the grounds, ShayLee started giggling uncontrollably and when we asked her repeatedly what she was giggling about.. this was her reply:

"I just saw a really cute missionary"

"Huh. You must really be smitten..."

We kept walking thinking Shay may attack this elder soon.

Suddenly I hear someone running behind me, I turn around to see that it is.. my husband.

He was being irresponsible and sneaky but, boy was I the smitten one after that..

Surprise Toilets

Last weekend while camping, Curtis surprised us with this.

..and that was really nice.

Mesquitos were plentiful, campfire was constant,

and the girls got lost.
(Oops!)

R.I.P.

For our honeymoon, we took a little vacation

to one of our favorite places, Park City!
We did a lot of shopping, a lot of eating,

& some way fun snowboarding.

We even had a real wood burning fireplace in our condo.

Unfortunately, this is the last picture I had with my board.

While we were in the gondola,

our boards were riding outside, as usual.

When we were over the biggest Valley, a big gust

of wind came and Jared just about saved my board.

But, he couldn't and it fell and fell and fell..

("A" for effort, Jared.) We're planning on going on

a hike in the summer to find it.. :) Until then..

R.I.P.

(Bride and Groom Hats)

ShayLee, this picture is for you.

Because, everytime we went to Einstein's for breakfast.. I saw this sign, thought of you, and laughed. I could imagine perfectly you saying, "Bagel and SHMEAR!", in the accent that you do.

(..and you do it so well.)