My new toy

Justin was given a gift card from his parents for his birthday. While I was still at the Conder reunion he went out and spent it on me! I couldn't believe it. I was mad at first that he didn't spend it on something he needed or wanted. Mind you this was a Sportsman's giftcard too, most men's dream. But he assured me that there was nothing he needed or wanted right now. Guess what he bought me? Yup, a Gun. He said he wanted to be able to do something he loved with me. I don't like guns, and I especially don't like killing things. But he made sure that this one was tiny and had no kick. It doesn't even hurt my ears when it goes off. A couple days after he bought it we drove up to west mountain and found a beautiful sunflower field just as the sun was setting. We brought some empty cartons to practice on. I must admit, I like the little gun. Now, I'm just waiting for my gun charm to arrive. Hey, I had to make it pretty somehow.....:)

Flying by!

It seems like there are so many things I wanted to do this summer and it's just flying past me. Where has it gone? Oh, right, I watched it pass through the office window (we've got to pay those bills I guess :S). We have had some fun though. Here are some of the few things that were actually documented.






1. Freedom Days

2. Hiking up AF Canyon (poor Autumn ran through the burs, she was so happy she didn't care that her ears stuck together like velcro).

3. Our work-in-progress patio. It should be pretty when it's done though!

4. Our Conder family reunion last Friday/Saturday. This place was beautiful, but it was run like a prison camp. If you look in that third picture down there is actually a lady up in the tower on shore with binoculars watching our every move...creepy. I think she was in love with her whistle. But those paddleboats were sure fun :D.



I'm hoping to get a few more trips and hours outside spent before it gets cold again. But, I absolutely love Fall, so I guess it's alright that it is the next season in line. I just hope it drags on a little before winter gets here :)

Summer Update

The summer feels like it is flying by! In just a couple of days we'll hit July, the prime of Summer. I have been waiting for warmer weather for so long and now it's here.....Let's just say I am happy inside :).

Here's a quick update of our summer so far....

Rain, Rain, and more Rain (could not believe this, most of my June was spent with jackets and soggy pant legs).

Daurie bought a house! and look how cute it is!!! I am so excited for her.















Our anniversary was a couple of weeks ago. These last two years have flown by, and they have been great. I love my husband, I'm pretty sure I'm addicted to him as I never get tired of being with him and I have to find things for myself to do if he's not around. He's so good to me, seriously spoils me in every way, and I am grateful that I get to keep him. We didn't plan anything too spectacular this year. We thought it would be a fun reminder for us if we went up to the Salt Lake Temple where we were married and did a couple of sealings. Then afterward go to the roof to eat because we have never been there. After we made the appointments, but before we left, we realized that our recommends had expired just two weeks earlier....talk about a happiness burster, haha. We still went to the roof for dinner but we'll have to renew our recommends before we can head back to the temple. My boss also gave us a free weekend up at the Zermatt resort that I think we'll use as our late anniversary getaway in the next couple of weeks.















We are growing our very first garden! Watching those little plants grow bigger every day is the best. I'm not sure which of us is more excited to get home and spend some time in the backyard. Justin's got some big plans in place back there-- I'll keep you updated as they occur ;). He also finished our fence. Those dang puppies are officially locked in.















Last night we returned from a week in Lake Powell. Truly a magical place in my opinion. It's just beautiful there. Here are some pictures.



































































































































































































































The puppies were very excited for us to get home.

Set for Summer!

So We bought a boat last Saturday. We spent just under half of our tax refund-- yay for refunds! We probably should have put it all towards my car or towards Justin's student loans, but hey, we don't always have to be responsible adults right? Especially if it means spending all summer laying in the sun, fishing, and enjoying the warm weather (hopefully without too many sunburns ;). If anyone wants to join in the party we'll have plenty of room and plenty of fun :).

Handyman

We got a quote for finishing the fence around our house, but it was quite a bit more than we were thinking to just do one side and the two small front areas ($2,000!). So he's doing it himself for about 1/3 of the cost. I think it looks pretty good, what do you think?












Happy Easter! (My mom experimented with making homeade marshmallow this year & then covered it in chocolate, very yummy!)

Need a Break?

Over the past couple of months I've been getting to that crazy point where I was stressing over all the little things and work and school and life in general. The unending cold weather was not really helping either. I definetly had a major case of "Need a Vacation". So, we dropped the puppies off with my sister Kasi, and took off for the weekend. We made it as far as St. George. Let me tell you, it was beautiful! Averaging 70 degrees the whole time we were there. We stayed at a cute little bed and breakfast that made us feel like we were at home. They even included some of the prettiest breakfasts I have ever seen with our stay.

















On Saturday we shopped. It was totally Justin's idea. We found a couple of great stores at the outlet center. I bought my first pair of tennis shoes since 8th grade. They are made for hiking (picture below) and they are pink! yay!
After shopping, Justin had scheduled for me to have a massage back at our bed and breakfast. She was an odd lady, but my back did feel better, and it was very sweet of him to do that for me :).

That night we bought tickets for Boys Like Girls at the Tuachan Theatre. I only knew a few of their songs but my sisters all said they liked the band. I love that theatre! It's so fun to be outside in the middle of all the red rock, and they do a great job with their special effects. The band did a pretty good job too. We were some of the oldest people there, haha. At the end of the concert the lead singer climbed up to the highest point of the stage and threw his electric guitar off. It didn't do much to it so he had to run down and bang it on the stage a few times. My mouth was hanging open. Such a shame, it was a pretty guitar ;).




































The next morning we went to Zions. Such a beautiful day for hiking! We spent a few hours doing all of the emerald pool hikes. Everything was so pretty, and my new shoes did their job, I felt like I was hardly excercising at all. They just bounced me right up, I don't think I could've stop if I tried.

Afterwards we stopped downtown and had some traditional bumbleberry pie.

Too bad it was only 25 degrees when we got back, bah. But it was such a fun break!

Also too bad that my family did not enjoy their weekend with the puppies. I walked in the door to, "Take THEM away!" hmmm...

I hope it gets warmer soon. I bought some flowers for my flowerbed in the front, it's a pre-planned garden (below) and I'm so excited to plant them! Justin is also working on the vegetable garden in the back. I forbid it to snow any more this season! :)