fun in McCall.

Last night I was doing some serious reminiscing over the last few months. I was scrolling through all of my iPhoto photos and exclaiming just how much fun our summer was, when Brandon said something very un-Brandon-like. He said, why don't you blog about it? Gasp! Now, Brandon has never been 100% on board with the idea of blogging. Something about putting our private lives out to the world doesn't sit quite right with him. But, the fact that he suggested it was most shocking and led me to believe that maybe it was time.

But really, we have had a most fabulous summer, but instead of giving you a play by play of all our adventures I will just update you with this past weekend, because it was truly lovely.

So Brandon and I moved to Boise, for all of you who didn't know this. Brandon is schooling and I am working...(ha). Oh, and let's talk about Boise for one minute. Who votes that is it spelled funny? I do. And then pronounced funny? I do, again. Pure rubbish.

Anyhow, we traveled to the picturesque town of McCall, Idaho. (And now I am going to produce several grammatically incorrect run-on sentences to tell you about this since I feel like this post is already dragging on...)

We drove up on Friday morning, the drive was gorgeous, we arrived, met with a cute little forest service man who recommended a hike that he said was for beginners, but really wasn't (I think) because we had to scale some serious rocks to see the waterfall at the end and then hike back up, like straight up for a mile, which is never really fun, especially at ridiculous elevations, but it was probably worth it, even though I was a little nervous for bears, which I often get while hiking during peak huckleberry season in a high bear populated area without any bear spray. 

The drive.

The rocks that were scaled.

 

The waterfall.

Then we checked into our quaint little Best Western that proved to be slightly better than anticipated with the hot tub in our room that we didn't quite trust, because bathtubs in hotels give Brandon the heebbie geebies, but we didn't stay long since we still wanted to try paddle boarding on the glass-like Payette lake, which once paddle boarding didn't feel so glass-like. (I am pretty sure the jet skiers that drove past us several times were hoping their little wake would result in some major wipe-outs from the obviously amateur paddle boarders, which it didn't, take that.)

This was so fun.

Brandon quite enjoyed it too.

We then ate dinner, which actually was very educational because we realized how totally obsessed people are with BSU football, even in a remote-ish tourist town.

We slept, but that didn't go well, since we took an impromptu field trip to our car at 3:07 in the AM to get some much needed Excedrin Migraine (I tried to sneak out on my own but Brandon wouldn't hear of it) I looked so fashionista like with my pink socks and leopard flats.

Our adventure ended with a ski lift ride to a very tall mountain, only so we could traverse our way down on said mountain on mountain bikes, which sounds really easy and fun, and all, unless you are slightly (or maybe more than slightly) afraid of going downhill on a bike. Thankfully we took the trail that meandered its way down the mountain that was actually quite pleasant except for the 6 inches of quicksand/really loose dirt at every turn that really through me for a loop (thankfully not in the literal sense).

Great views.

He is soooo much better at this than me, I think I walked that hill.

Oh, and I guess that the drive home was pretty eventful because we wanted to see Ontario, Oregon so bad that we took a different route that was sworn to only add 20 minutes (lies) but actually added 60 miles, when it did come time to see Ontario my phone said to go straight so we listened (not very smart on my part) and we missed the town, but if you squinted you could see it in the distance, which sufficed because the car was getting quite claustrophobic by that point.

So, it's pretty apparent that we had quite the adventurous little weekend. We really do love a good adventure, which works out well since I am feeling like our life is just that at this point. 

We really do have a fun time together.

living the life.

Why hello there long lost blogging world, I am back. And not even with something that cool. See, I have had the intentions of blogging so many wonderful and exciting things. I’ve done new crafts, been to fun places, and have really had a great summer. And, that is precisely why I have felt no need to share all of my summer excitement with the outside world. Plus, the kairos was waaay off. But now, I feel that I can probably just do it anyway, plus all of my readers do need a play by play of our exciting summer.

We kicked off our summer with a much-needed trip to Boise, ID. Have you been there? It’s actually pretty legit. I say actually because I was a little nervous and a slightly skeptical. Who would have thunk that it is actually a first class place to live! 

As you can see, our pictures were few and far between, but it was a lovely time.

Next Brandon and I had a pretty extensive date night. It involved these nifty paddle Velcro things (without a picture that could potentially sounds slightly scandalous…)

We danced it up at the park and had a jolly grand time. I am almost positive that the passer-bys thought we were on something, that something being more than love. (ha, cheese fest).

rockin' out. i know we have killer dance moves.

Our date extravagant date nights don't end there. A few nights later we trekked it up to the lake and made gourmet (ha) tin-foil dinners. Oh, and I probably dominated at paddle ball, the details are a little fuzzy.  

us being super awesome, as always.

gourmet, yes?

Then we planted flowers. And how beautiful they were. Now, they are not flourishing quite as well. I blame the sun. And our patio. Since the sun doesn’t quite reach it, which leads to dead-ish flowers. Oh and I guess you can blame me, since I don't water often. Our flowers had no chance. 

beautiful, right? an after picture will not make any sort of debut.

After all that jazz, my parents came up to these parts to have a first class fishing experience. Us living here happened to be a bonus so we got to hang with them. That involved some scenic hikes in the Jackson area, along with mountain biking, and tram riding. And then a little Playmill watching up in West Yellowstone. And, they felt the trip was a success since they both caught monster fish. 

tram riding w/the mom.

a pretty intense hike that we were almost positive we'd see a bear on...

we saw the drowsy chaperone-super duper cute.

my dad claims his is like an ounce bigger...oh men.

 Then of course Brandon and I had to do some Island Parking of our own. And let me tell you this was lovely! Island Park is so absolutely gorgeous in the summer. And nothing beats riding the razor at sunset with the best hunk of man I’ve ever seen.

See, one hunk of a man.

 (Wow, can you tell this is getting quite extensive? sorry folks.)

Then, I braved the elements and the stress and sleepless nights for a week full of girls camp galore. Yes, I helped plan this crazy ridiculous and extremely fun event. And it was just that, plus a little bit more that I couldn’t ever explain in one blog post. 

my lovely ladies.

 And finally, in this last week we celebrated America’s birth. Oh and the celebration it was! Idaho Falls knows how to through a rad party. We were graced with a great fire celebration in the sky that was paired with tunes that could potentially bring a glistening tear to your eyes. Goodness, we are lucky.

loving America.

Now, Brandon and I are living the life. In just a few short weeks we are heading to San Diego with the fam and are so incredibly excited. In fact, I’ve even been working on my tan so I don’t blind anyone, you’re welcome in advanced.

brandon and i took an adventure.

Now, in terms of adventures this one might seem a little less exotic, but it was fun nonetheless. We spent the weekend in Jackson Hole. Jackson Hole is a fun little community. It's a little too ritzy and free spirited for everyday life but it's fun to experience a town that gives you dirty looks if you use a disposable arrowhead water bottle.

One of our bike rides destinations.

This trip was supposed to be in honor of the maiden voyage of our new bikes. We even purchased a bike rack and all sorts of cool biking gear (that never left the package and we will most likely be returning). Let me say that although we had big plans to utilize our bikes every second and hang out with everyone else trying to reduce their carbon footprint, it didn't quite go that way. Don't get me wrong, we put some miles on those suckers but I am still an advocate of a mode of transportation that doesn't require any physical exertion.

We thought we were so cool driving around with this beauties on the back of our car.

We did get to eat at some new and exciting places that weren't our typical dinning choice. For example, the first night we ate at the Snake River Brewery. I think the waitress was utterly shocked when we both ordered water even though they are famous for their beer. She was even more shocked when we ordered the most conservative things on the menu. See, I used to consider myself a real hippie, especially when almost all I asked for Christmas one year was tie-dye packets, but after seeing some serious dreads there and a guy come in with a bear rug I think I was always fooling myself on my dedication to hippie-ness. Anyways, we also hit up Hagen Dazs possibly twice and ate authentic Italian, which made me realize that I really love Americanized Italian. 

Some of the first class views we saw on our bike ride.

The most exciting thing we did was attempt mountain biking, emphasis on the attempt. After some extensive research we discovered a little trail that was described as "easy", "a roller coaster", and "perfect for the beginning mountain biker". We were sold. We arrived at the destination a little hesitant, the terrain was certainly not illustrating "easy" and "perfect for the beginning mountain biker". But, being the adventurous spirits we are, we hopped on that 4.7 mile trail ready for some serious fun. After thirty minutes and 1.5 miles later we located an escape route the led us back to our car where we sheepishly packed up and exited the premises. Brandon could have easily dominated that trail, he even stated that mountain biking may be his new thing. Now, I did not dominate that trail, I was definitley dominated. The uphills killed me and the down hills scared me to death. So, in the end I decided that maybe some nice flat paved trails would be a little better and that's exactly the type of riding we did the rest of the trip.  

Brandon dominating that trail.

 All in all it was so lovely! We has such a grand time. I hope your weekend treated you equally as well. 

what today is about.

Today is about bright flowers that were most definitley purchased on a whim.

Today is also about bright $8.00 Michael's shirts that are ridiculously legit.

Today is about a husband who takes your car while you're at work so he can wash and clean it.

It's also about listening to Andy Grammer's Fine By Me, and thinking it's more than fine by me.

It's about cute strappy sandals that are still slightly uncomfortable but are worn regardless, because of their cuteness.

Today's about getting a bike rack in the mail so cruising can ensue outside of city of Idaho Falls.

Today is about barbecues and honeydew with friends.

It's about getting off work early and watching a sister-in-law kick it at a district tennis tournament. 

It's about having to use multiple band-aids because of sheer clumsiness and carelessness.

Today is about the two-week anniversary of dropping this boy off at the MTC.

It's about a slight breeze that whips hair back and forth.

It's about the line of sticky notes on the closet that Brandon left for me yesterday that I am refusing to take down.

But really, today is about life and all of the lovely things in it. 

Here's to you and you discovering what today is about.

some random musings instead of doing productive things.

Saturday while working diligently at GH (aka Great Harvest) I got a piece of lettuce in my left eye. Yes, a legitimate piece of lettuce, albeit rather small. And it stung quite bad. And I think the other girls I was working with thought I had gone slightly crazy, because they couldn't decipher how a piece of lettuce would end up in my eye.

Today I found myself getting super frustrated at work. I think I almost made a child cry when I demanded if he wanted his free slice of bread. I used my extra high Great Harvest voice-the voice that sounds nice and friendly but is really underlying with Cruella de Vil evilness. He didn't stay in the store for that long. Especially since he was close the the trashcan that I gently kicked out of my way but really skirted 4 feet across the floor. I wonder if he will return for a second free slice. 

Draw Something and Scramble with Friends totally stress me out. I can never keep up on my games. Last night I finally caught up and now I am behind again. I just want some closure. The struggle is I enjoy them. I just sort of fail at them.

I rode my bike to work today. It was a great decision until the sky turned all gray and it started to smell like rain. Good thing Brandon followed me all the way home just in case I needed to be rescued from a very unwelcome rainstorm.

By the way, did you even know that we got ridiculously legitimate bikes a few weeks ago? I bet not. Brandon and I love our new bikes. All graduation funds went to support this endeavor. Thank you contributors who unknowingly supported our healthy lifestyle change.

Look at those beauties.

I am patiently waiting for Brandon to return home. Since we both worked and Brandon had a meeting tonight I haven't really been able to see him. Good thing I have a plethora of photographs that I can look at that help me not miss him quite as much. But, I hope he returns home soon.

Just one of many cute photos I have of brandon.

I better end my musings for the night. I know you're probably still wondering how that piece of lettuce got in my eye, but it will do you some good to ponder about it. Ha, have a wonderful evening!

monday and more.

Let's start with the more. 

We just got back from Arizona. We had such a wonderful time. So so so nice. We feel like we were robbed. It was too short. But we had some fun experiences: eating at yummy places, fulfilling my chipotle cravings, cutting off ten inches of hair, going to engagement parties, watching seth and brandon tear it up at bowling, getting wicked hiking sunburns, swimming in sand entry pools (which are so incredibly cool), going to the temple, and spending some great time with the fam. 

Check out that good looking bunch of individuals. If only ryan and brittany were there.

And after having a weekend like that, Monday is like a terrible curse word.

This morning was a rough one. Mostly because it started with laundry and the realization that our goal to eat healthy was being reinforced, oh and our goal at exercising. Brandon and I are both cursing our running shoes right about now.

And I returned to the jolly ol' Great Harvest. I had a very warm welcome. I am sure I will have a few stories to share about my time there. Dealing with the great public population always adds some excitement to my life, especially when free slices of bread of involved. 

But overall the more was more exciting than the Monday, hopefully this glorious start of the week treated you slightly more kindly.

A little bit of success.

That's right. I graduated. It's over. It's a very bittersweet experience. I happen to thoroughly enjoy school. I like making friends and learning new things. I like backpacks and school events. I like feeling apart of something. And now that something is gone. See, it's a sad thing. But, I don't like homework, tests, writing essays, driving to Rexburg everyday, walking around campus in the snow, ridiculously heavy textbooks, staying up late to finish homework, doing homework on the weekends, and a few other things. So, it kind of balances out. But thankfully I am going into education so I will get to experience school for the rest of my life. (Sometimes I question what drove me to be an English Teacher). But, it's a great experience to go to school. I highly recommend it. Plus you might meet a cute boy like this..

A cute boy who is totally supportive of my education and helped me through it. See, school is worth it just for that. But, really the whole process was great. And it was lovely to have a graduation ceremony to seal the deal. My parents made the trek up for the event and my in-laws were there as well.

 Fun, yes? I think so. I felt very spoiled and loved almost every second of it. The next step is to get a great job and start making my millions as an English teacher. Wish me luck!