getting pumped for tulsa.

Cougar For Life

With only a couple days left in Provo I took a little time today to think about all the amazing times that I have had here.
I know that not everyone agrees, but I love BYU. It has been perfect for me. Here are some reasons why I'm going to miss living here:

1. BYU is the best! hahaha, well for me anyway. BYU is also hard. I learned that my first day as a freshman here at BYU, but it's a good school and I learned how to work hard here. I had to! Although it has been a tough four years, I know that I came to the right school. I have grown so much during my years as a student here.

2. Provo rocks! It is so beautiful here. We live right beneath the beautiful Wasatch Mountains. Right now they are covered in snow, and they couldn't look better. Also, Provo is cool. I know this may come as a shock to all those Provo haters, but there are a lot of cool people down here, and plenty of awesome stuff to do.

3. I met my dear Grant here. Provo will always have special memories for me because this is where Grant and I met and fell in love. Everywhere I look there are memories of the wonderful times we've had together.

4. I've met some of my best friends here. My former roommates are still some of my best friends, and I have had some of the best times of my life down in Provo.

I don't think this post even comes close to representing the love that I have for this university and for provo. BYU is a wonderful place and I've been so lucky to go to school here. I hope my kids all love BYU as much as I do because I want excuses to come visit when I get older!

A Little Home Inspiration

Well folks, as my time in Provotown winds down I'm getting a little nervous. In about two weeks Grant and I will be residents of Oklahoma! Crazy, crazy, crazy.

The great news is that Grant and I will finally be able to settle down in one place for a while. I will be able to finally decorate our home! The bad news is I have absolutely no idea how to decorate anything. Guess I have some researching to do!

I love these slate colored walls


I want a chalkboard!

I know this outdoor patio is a little intense, but I love it and want one in my future home.


I think the light fixture really makes this room.

I love this inspiring work space!

This bed is looks like the most comfortable thing in the world. I am still in love with the slate colored walls. They look so soothing without being simply white.

{All photos via you are my fave}
hammock, exposed brick wall. both are great.

Beehive Bazaar

If you live in Provo/Orem and have a chance, go to the Beehive Bazaar today!

I went today by myself and had a really great time. I even bought a couple of things. I can't reveal what I got because some of them are presents. There was such a wide variety of things available. The bazaar featured artists who sold jewelry, clothes, photography, and even food! My very favorite were these tiny leather moccasins for babies! Don't tell Grant, but it made me want to have a little baby to put in the moccasins :)
I'm dying because now I can't remember who makes them!

eating out and wheatgrass shots...

{image via communal blog}

So, last week Grant and I were driving around Provo trying to find a place for lunch. Here is the dilemma we always have: we both want to eat something fairly inexpensive, but I definitely don't have the same love for fast food that Grant has. Although, I did recently discover the 89 cent chicken burrito at Taco Bell, which is delicious and the perfect amount of food. So, we try to compromise and we usually end up at places like Pita Pit and Panda Express, but I really feel like if we're going to eat out we should go all out. There are a bunch of restaurants in the area that we haven't tried yet that I want to go to before we leave for Tulsa (which is right after finals! ahhh!).
Some of the places we still need to try are:

Pizzeria 712
Spark
Communal
Shirley's Bakery
Four Seasons Hot Pots

Anyway, we were on our way to Target in Orem and we passed Cafe Fresh. I harassed Grant until he turned around and TA-DAH! We had found our lunch destination. It was great. The food really is fresh and they offer so many healthy choices! It was so refreshing to finish lunch and not feel sick to my stomach, or feel so guilty about what I ate that I felt like I had committed a serious moral transgression! Poor Grant accidentally ordered a vegetarian meal, and it almost ruined his day. Grant must really love me to humor me so much (not too mention that he saw New Moon with me last night!)

Anyway, we're at Cafe Fresh and see this very cute and stylish girl drinking a wheat grass shot. Even from where we were sitting I could smell it. It wasn't necessarily bad, but it was super strong. It reminded me of grass clippings. So I was wondering, what's the deal with wheat grass shots?? Are they really as good for you as everyone thinks? So, I decided to do a little bit more research about these powerful greens. The best are articles are here, here and here.

Does anybody swear by wheat grass shots? Or has anybody have any more restaurants that Grant and I should add to our list?

Grant? Can you make this happen for me??

For Christmas can I just have this room? please? It's so rustic and lived-in. I love that. I don't like houses that feel stiff, like I need to take off my shoes to walk in and walk on those stupid plastic carpet covers. Does anybody even like those?? And those galoshes! so great. I guarantee the people who live here are awesome. I bet they live by the sea, and sail and do all kinds of great stuff. Is it possible to tell that about someone just from a simple room? As geographer I have a definite inclination towards maps. The one in this room is great, and that giant globe is a dream.

(photo via: a cup of jo)

So, maybe if I can't have this whole room I can at least have this great wall mural from UO and I'll just put it up in a room in our future apartment in tulsa, oklahoma and pretend that we are sailors and that we need giant galoshes to get around in our little town perched beside the sea. hmmm... sounds nice.

But seriously, aren't giant maps GREAT? I love them. and I love you all. it is far too late for nonsense like this.

I have to admit, I'm not immune

I almost wish I could say,"nope, I haven't read them", or "sorry, never tempted to see the movies." But I can't. I read all four book in the Twilight series and last year I made Grant stand in line with me to watch Twilight on opening night.

I haven't seen New Moon yet because I didn't love Twilight: the movie. The soundtracks are great, but the acting was just not for me in the last one. I'll probably see New Moon over Thanksgiving with my cute sister Amanda and my mom. Should I? Is it any better than the first one? Who has seen it?

I really wished this post was going to go a lot differently...

Well folks, last night didn't quite go the way that I would have liked..
Fuego lost.

I could talk all about the game and how sad it was and how I may have cried at the end, but I won't. I really just want to say how wonderful it was to be on this team with so many great girls. Maybe it's that I'm married now and don't hangout with girls as often as before, but I have loved loved loved seeing these girls so frequently. Some of us have been together for three years now! They all saw me meet, date and get engaged to Grant, and now I have had the privilege to see many of them go through the same things. When I cried at the end of the game it wasn't because we didn't get our precious t-shirts, it was because this is my last year playing with them and I know I won't get to see many of them again.

I just wanted to take a second to say something about each one of my dear friends.

Julie: Where do I even start??? I love this girl to the moooon. We became good friends when we both lived at King Henry and she dated my cute bro-in-law Mark for a quick sec while I was dating Grant (remember when we all went ice skating together and you and I held hands, Julie???). She is one of the funniest girls I know and I still wish Mark and Julie would make things work for my sake:) She is FAST, and she is the best rusher I know. love you julie.

Cami: Oh gosh. Cami is so great. I love that Cami was serious about this team. I knew on game day I would get a text from Cami (and usually one from Kristen too) that got me pumped for the game. When I gave Cami a hug after the game and saw the tears in her eyes I knew she felt the same way I did. Cami loooves High School Musical and I think it's great! I was so happy when Cami decided to marry Ethan! They are so great together and I know they'll be happy forever!

Jentri: Oh Jentri, you are so funny! I'm really going to miss our pre-game dancing and you making fun of the length of my limbs. I wish we had more time together because I guarantee we would be best friends. in fact, it's not too late. let's have a sleepover!!

Kristen: the bus driver!! ha, this girl took EVERYONE to the games. I loved getting texts from K on game days. She is like the team mom (in a very very good way!) When I need to know when our game is K is the person to call. I can't wait to see what Kristen does in life. I know she'll be so successful. I'll never forget that you were once my awesome Relief Society President, and you were such a good one!

Krista: RMYL buddies! Krista is so tough. When the rest of the girls and I show up to games in full on snow gear she shows up in shorts and maybe a light jacket. crazy. Another girl that I'm so glad I met through this team. Krista, you are the best.

Melissa: She's getting married in a month!! yay! I'm so glad I got to know Melissa better this year. She is so great and I know that her and Ryan are going to be so happy!

Anna: Best. Quarterback. Ever. Seriously, Anna is amazing, and Dante is so lucky! They are the best and most athletic couple ever. Only Anna could rock basketball shoes on her wedding day and look AMAZING. Oh anna, I'm so glad you didn't go play basketball at BYU-Hawaii. We would have missed you too much!

Rachel: This girl is so cute I can't believe it. I can't believe someone so skinny and adorable could be so good at football! Rach is so beautiful and always has a smile on her face. She cheers everyone up when we're down on ourselves. I'm going to miss you Rach!

Hey, I love you guys. Seriously. alot. I'm glad I met you all, and I'm expecting a big reunion party after Thanksgiving because I'm already having Fuego withdrawls!

maybe I have a thing for hands...

but these ceramic hands (again from UO) are right up my alley.

what do you want for Christmas??

Is it too early for Christmas wishlists?

I don't think it's EVER too early for Christmas lists. I absolutely love this ring and jewelry holder from Urban Outfitters. Maybe I'll get it for myself!

P.S. Don't worry, I'm not TOTALLY selfish. I've been perfecting my list for Grant too, but I can't post those or I'd spoil the surprise!

Fuego!

This post sadly will have ZERO pictures because I always forget to take my camera to our games, buuuuut..

It is official, our flag football team- Fuego- will be going to the semi-finals on Tuesday!!

Anyway, our team consists of Anna, Cami, Julie, Jentri, Melissa, Krista, Rachel, and Kristen. I'm not trying to sounds conceited, but our team is goood. really good. I'm not great, but maaaan the team is good. We've played together now for three years, and this is the last year we will all be together to play. This year we're going to do it. Come hell or high water, WE'RE GETTING SHIRTS.

Our last game was Saturday at 12:15 and we had quite the fan base. My parents and my sweet sister Emily came down to watch us play, and of course Grant was there. In my whole flag football career (three years running) he has only missed one game, and it was because he was deathly sick and I MADE him stay home. Also it seems like everyone else on the team either had their husband, fiance, boyfriend, or some kind of significant other there too. I felt bad for them because during the second half it started snowing so hard! poor fans...

Next game: Tuesday 8:15

Cowboy and Indian

Even though Grant and I spent our Halloween this year volunteering and The Boys and Girls Club and the Parks and Rec Center we still didn't miss the opportunity to dress up!
We took it easy this year and just went as things that were pretty easy. ha, we didn't have to buy anything for our costumes! We just wear crazy stuff like this regularly.

A Fall Drive.

Payson Canyon

featuring Sea Wolf

Land Down Under

in about 3 weeks!

Today...

Today was great! Grant called me after I got home after class and he said, "come outside, I have a surprise for you." And he had this beaut on top of the sub. Mark and Jay joined us with their own canoe and we drove up to the Payson Lakes for some epic fishing. Grant caught 2, Jay caught 1, and I caught a baby that we threw back. Poor Marky got skunked!! We had a great time, but it was surprisingly cold. Also, I was going to take my camera into the canoe and get some awesome action shots, but the very first thing that happened when we got to the lake - Jay tried to get in his canoe and fell into the water. fully. Needless to say I was too spooked to take our camera out onto the water after that.

Most of you probably know that this is our last semester in Utah. We're trying to have as many adventures as possible and we are definitely open to suggestions! So, if there is something we HAVE to do before we leave please let us know.

Thanks :)

Well, we are actually living in Utah. I promise.

Wow. It has been about a month since my last post. It has been so crazy here in Provo, but man it is good to be back! Here are some pictures of the adventures we've had since we've been back in the beehive state.

Grant, Me, Dustin, and Kristin (taking the picture) at Australian Pink Floyd at the usana ampitheatre. It was so fun!

Grant in front of the glorious Mt. Nebo. We spent this past weekend fishing and camping up at the cabin in Payson.

Another picture of us at Aussie Floyd.

A beautiful shot from Pineview dam on a fun boating trip with the fam.

Utah Lake at sundown.

Sometimes Grant and I go on little outdoor outings. Even if it's only for 30 minutes it's so nice to be outside and in such a beautiful place. We're so lucky to live a place with such great access to the outdoors.

So amazing. So is the sunset ;)

Hike up Diamond Fork Canyon in Spanish Fork.

Grant conquering the falls.

Grant IN the falls. It was so cold!

But these hot springs were SUPER hot. It was so fun to go back in forth between the falls and the hot hot hot springs.

Our hike up the Indian Trail in Ogden. Ha, this time we did NOT get lost.

We were so happy to have Amanda with us on the hike. Having Mike and Amanda (and little or should I say HUGE Asher) in Utah was the best! We wish they lived closer.

We expect many more adventures this fall, and I'll try to keep the blog updated.