no more birthday surprise

steve's birthday is coming up next month and i wanted to get him something i knew he would like. he's been wanting a softshell jacket for the winter and he found one at rei that he really liked. but i knew he wouldn't spend the money on himself, so that's what i decided to get him. i bought it and was SO excited to give it to him on his birthday. he's a really hard one to keep surprises because he's always guessing his gifts and it drives me nuts! so i was trying so hard to keep this under wraps and have it be an awesome surprise for him.
but the other day, when we were out shopping, it was so stinkin cold, he found a jacket he really liked at another store and said "okay, i think i'm going to buy it". what?! i did all i could to deter him from buying it, but nooooo. so i had to tell him his birthday surprise. i felt so bad...not as bad as he did though. he knew how excited i was to give him his birthday present and how disappointed i was to have to tell him the surprise early.
at the end of the day though, he got an awesome jacket that will keep him super warm this winter in all the snow, and up on the slopes. and he looks pretty handsome in it to boot!
but now, i need new ideas for an awesome birthday surprise. help!

L-O-V-E

last night was possibly the best night of my life. why you ask? well, i got to spend it out with my sweetie, just him and me. i love those times. times when we don't have a million things to get done, or work to be at, and we can just do whatever we want, or nothing at all.
we have a favorite look out place in bountiful. you have to do a little "off roading" to get there, which only adds to the fun. the sunsets have been so gorgeous lately, we decided to go up there to watch the sunset. well yesterday was a bit chilly and the sky was more full of clouds than sunset, but it was still gorgeous.
as we were sitting there, in the bed of his truck, trying to keep each other warm, steve knelt down in front of me to block the wind. i just kept thinking, how chivalrous of him to try and keep me warm. he told me how much he loved me and how happy i made him. all of which i thought was really really sweet. but then he just kept saying it over and over again, and kind of started pacing around the truck, knealing down, then standing up and sitting next to me, then keanling down again. i kind of started wondering what was up with him. he just seemed nervous. "but maybe it's the cold" i thought. but it wasn't...finally, he simply ASKED ME TO MARRY HIM! holy crap. i was like "WHAT??! ARE YOU SERIOUS???" he said yes, and then pulled out the little blue box. my heart melted, and i started crying. that kid is seriously the best. and he makes me so happy. i am so excited that we get to be married and spend eternity together. i couldn't ask for a better partner to go through life with. here are a few pictures from the night. enjoy!

so i know you can't really see the ring. it's a thin band with a single diamond in the middle. perfect for me and my work. i absolutely LOVE IT! i should have done my nails though.

welcome fall!

i can't tell you how glad i am fall is here. i have been looking forward to it for awhile now, and it's nice to say it's officially "here". sadly, it's almost gone, with winter fast approaching. fall has hugely surpassed any other season as "my favorite". there is just something about it that is invigorating, and just plain old lovely. maybe i appreciate it more now, living in a place with 4 distinct seasons. whatever the reason, I LOVE IT!
here are a few things i love about fall and look forward to this season...
-changing leaves. the reds, oranges, greens, yellows.
-crispness in the air.
-pumpkin bread, candles, carving, and pumpkins in general!
-decorating with all the fall colors.
-wearing scarves, jackets, and sweaters. my fall clothes are so much cuter than summer clothes.
-hot drinks on cold nights
-nights by the fireplace, candles burning, and a cozy blanket.
-all my favorite shows back on the air.
-going on walks at dusk.
-baking pies, and big feasts, spending time with family. fall is the start of the HOLIDAY SEASON!
HAPPY FALL EVERYONE!

going for the kill

HAPPY ELK HUNTING!!!

for those of you like me, you have no idea when hunting season is or what it's all about. but in the last few months, i have come to learn so much about this thing they call hunting. steve is an avid hunter, and he looks forward to hunting season all year. this year, he's hunting elk. going for the big stuff. he's gotten his tags, packed all his guns and camo gear, and is hitting the road for 2 weeks up in the mountains. he would love nothing more than to come home with a huge elk (and then have to buy a freezer to keep it in, but we'll worry about that later). it may not be my scene, but i love him, and thus, i love hunting. and i hope he gets a big one.

so here's to you babe. good luck out there. and i hope you get a good one!

moving...again

oh how i hate moving. but i'm doing it yet again. this time, to save money. i know it's the smartest thing to do, but it sure isn't a fun process. i'm moving from salt lake out to kaysville to live with my sister.

it is actually a pretty good situation. i get free rent, and she gets a free babysitter. she started nursing school this year, so i will be around to help take care of the kids so she can get study time in and all that.

the commute won't be fun, but it sure won't cost as much as my rent has been costing me! and now i will have all that extra money to shop...or pay off debt.

all i know is the next time i move, it better be into a place i will be staying put at for at least a few years. somewhere like this...

see, nothing extravaggant. just a simple place, with lots of windows. a place i can xeriscape, and place with a porch so i can have a hammock. oh yes, and on a nice, quiet, tree lined street. is that too much to ask for?