One Year Anniversary and More!

Before our exciting weekend two weeks ago, Justin and I had a few other things happen I want to write about. First: last week my friend Emily needed a babysitter so I babysat her 3 month old for two days. Her husband dropped baby Eddilyn off at 7:30 every morning and Emily picked her up every afternoon around 5:00. Eddilyn was such a good baby, and for payment Emily gave us tons of garden vegetables! I can't tell you how much I've missed coming home from a volleyball practice to have some of my mom's potatoes, onions, carrots, and corn from the garden! Yum! While I babysat I froze all the food I could and we had some crockpot potatoes that night. Thanks Emily for all the food!

Chase left Rexburg for Oklahoma and Justin and I helped him move some stuff into his truck and Uhaul. Trisha threw a last minute get-together for him where she served us delicious sweet pork! We got to hang out with Mom and Dad and Keaton as well so it was great. I'm definitely going to miss having him around, and Justin and I are going to miss hanging out with him and Rachel. 

I can't believe Justin and I have been married one year! He is the best decision I've ever made. I know we still have zero experience and all, but I think we are a dang good match and it has been a tremendous blessing having him paired with me. He is so easy going it is incredible making it so we rarely disagree. I love his strong testimony and his commitment to the gospel. He is a very genuine person making him easy to love. I have a lot of hope for our future together because of his determination to provide for, preside over, and protect me and our future kids! love love love him.

My handsome man

We had quite the adventurous one year anniversary celebration. Justin had been planning it a while and several times he wanted to tell me what was happening so we could decide what would be best but I begged him to keep it secret because I wanted the surprise. He only told me what to pack -- some hiking clothes, a swimming suit, and pajamas! So Friday after work we headed south from Rexburg and I tried to guess where we were going. At first I thought maybe Jackson Hole because I'd mentioned it would be fun to do a trip there sometime, but then I started to think maybe Heise since we were driving near there (my stomach dropped at that thought: I didn't have a sleeping bag!). After we drove past that area my only other guess was Swan Valley, but there's no way Justin knew about that hidden treasure -- he's from Washington! right?

Wrong! We pulled into Irwin to get some firewood and square ice cream and then pulled into this wooded area that opened up to a camp ground. At first I was annoyed -- I didn't pack warm clothes and we were camping?? But Justin assured me we were NOT camping - we were glamping (for those of you that saw Project Runway the week before). A lady met us to show us where we were staying and we saw a large tent with a treehouse next to it right on the Snake River. The lady showed us inside the tent and we saw a very nice queen sized bed. The treehouse had an area underneath it for cooking that was lit by Christmas lights. There was an outdoor shower that had a water heater attached to it. There was also a cabin and a tepee you could rent, but we got the luxurious tent. We spent the rest of the day swinging on the hammock, reading, playing bocce ball, and wading in the river. We saw ospreys fly toward and water and come up with a fish! So cool. We split a steak and baked potatoes in the microwave for a delicious dinner! We had a fire and roasted starbursts. I burnt my index finger really bad on melted starburst! The Milky Way was so bright out there. The bed was very warm and I didn't get cold at all that night. 

Huckleberry Cream ice cream

the tree house!

Food station

I gave Justin three gifts for our anniversary. I wrote the gifts and painted over them so he had to "scratch to reveal" his prize. Thank you Pinterest!

We made steak and baked potatoes for dinner....mmm

Our room by night -- I love that the tent had electricity!

Next morning we had breakfast in bed and showered. The outdoor shower was having difficulties so the lady let us use her shower. She offered us a discount the next time we stop by! The plan for the day was to do a 4 mile hike, but then I found out it was 4 miles in and 4 miles out, and we saw the road was closed where we assumed the trail was, so after driving around the reservoir and the dam for a while we headed for Idaho Falls. We ate Sushi for a late lunch/early dinner (my favorite!) and then drove home. Saturday night we went to the cheap theater and saw "Now You See Me" which we enjoyed. 

I had at least three bowls of lucky charms for breakfast! Loooove cold cereal.

View of the Snake River

SUSHI! My favorite food on this planet

Sunday morning we slept in and planned to hit church somewhere and then head to Arco. Justin knew I've been wanting to visit the farm for a while, but for the next two weekends my parents are doing a double shift (Friday and Saturday) so it didn't seem like we could do any weekend before school started. Well, Saturday when we got back Justin asked if I wanted to go for Labor Day. We were unable to find a Sacrament meeting anywhere at between 10:00 and 11:00(really?) so we called it a fail and drove home. Mom had garden vegetables and pork for dinner, and in the afternoon Justin, Keaton, and I played crocket and bocce ball. We watched The Blind Side that night.

Monday morning I got up and helped Mom with her garden. I told her I missed manual labor (I've just been working at a desk all day every day this summer), so I helped her dig onions, rip out the pumpkin patch, haul corn stalks, and husk and prepare corn for Mom's freezer. She let us take some home. Yum! While we did the corn we watched Gone With the Wind which Justin had never seen! Crazy! I love that movie. After the movie we went to Elbow Canyon. I enjoyed the drive up visiting with my parents. The canyon was beautiful with some really cool rock. When we couldn't drive up anymore in the pickup we got out and walked thinking the meadow would be right around the next hill but it ended up taking another 1/2 mile or so to get to it. Mom and I made plenty of noise to alert the wildlife! Mom had Justin and Keaton haul some white rock for her drive way and we drove home. 

We had some last minute peaches and ice cream, Justin helped Keaton with his email account and his virus protection, and Justin and I drove back to Rexburg. We played frisbee that night. Justin's club team is playing in Sectionals and they're hosting them in Rexburg! Pretty cool. If they win they will play in Washington. It's so far north it's practically Canada!

This last Sunday Justin and I were invited to dinner by the Brownings-- a close family friend. James and his new girlfriend came and James has been staying with us this week until he can move in to his new apartment. I'm nervous for next week when the semester starts and things get crazy in Rexburg again. However I'm going to soak up every minute because our last days in Rexburg are ticking down and I know when it's time to leave for Vegas in January I am going to miss this place so much! 

More recently I've done something kind of crazy, but super exciting! I just started my new business with Mary Kay! Today in fact I made my first inventory order. I did my first party last Saturday and sold my first product! I have two parties this week, one thanks to Trisha who is hosting for me tomorrow! I'm so excited -- I love it all so much! My goals are to have two parties a week and to make $1,000 by Christmas. I"ll probably be in contact with some of the Boise ladies and my Washington family to see if they'd like to host a party if ever Justin and I are in Boise in the next few months. I'm so grateful for my supportive husband who is excited for me and wants me to succeed! AHHH I'm so excited. Wish me luck!