happy halloween!!!

 

Love, Jim Morrison and hippie

(Yes, Mom, that is your belt. I made sure Matt took good care of it.)

bu loves mexican food and i sometimes do

The Food Network has given us purpose. We love good food and that's why I don't cook. It is our mission to go to all the restaurants they highlight, wherever we are.

Besides the fact that Red Iguana is hands down the best Mexican food I have ever had, the coolest part about this restaurant is the two-man mariachi band that walks table to table to sing and play. They are really good. I secretly enjoyed hearing Matt humming along with the music.

you are the best to my friend

Thanks bu, for working.

Those security lines, long flights, packing and unpacking, and eating out all the time probably gets old. And you don't complain at all.

One of us has to work and we would be in big trouble if I was the only one. I'm lucky to have married someone who is so very talented.

Remember when I yelled, "I LOVE YOU, MATT HANSEN!" as you were walking through the sliding doors to enter the airport? Thanks for not ignoring me. I actually thought you would. Instead you turned and half waved. You played it off nicely.

I thought the weeks would get easier the longer you had this job, but now they are kind of starting to suck.

Weekends are becoming increasingly valuable. The absence of cuddling, kisses and "I love yous" during the week makes me appreciate them all when you are home.

Sorry if the apartment isn't clean and for the lack of home cooked meals. I am a work in progress.

See you tonight in the passenger pick-up line.

I love you!

2010 loral to 2005 loral

 Hinckley Hall, summer of 2005

Over a year ago, the laptop I used for school quit on me. This past week I went to get everything (pictures, music, documents) off the hard drive. When I look back on the older pictures, I don't even recognize myself! Not just because I lost the baby fat, but because of who I was.

Am I glad I didn't know then what I know now? Yea, experiences are great and you learn, but nobody likes to make mistakes

If I could, I would have told myself...

• People are going to try really hard to be different. Don't think you have to.

• Do what makes you happy.

• Look at every major available, pick a major as soon as possible and finish as soon as possible.

• Don't stress. I know that is almost impossible. It's not the end of the world if you fail.

• Don't let anyone affect you. Girls are crazy and boys are fools. (Bu's not a fool.)

• Keep your eyes OPEN. Don't ignore signs. Even if you don't like what you are seeing.

• Get a job. School's not that hard.

• Like my brother, Steve, said my freshman year, "Just because a guy served a mission doesn't mean he is a good guy." Amen, brother.

• Don't buy books until you absolutely have to and you will probably get ripped off at the Bookstore when you sell them back.

• Do more service. People need more help than you.

• You are an introvert. It's okay.

• Your parents actually do know more than you.

*Getting my degree from BYU was my dream since I was 8 years old and I am so blessed that I finished and found Matt there. And I know that in another 5 years, I will have changed and will have more things to teach myself.

I'm sure there is more to add to the list and I would love to hear anybody's insights.

project: framed mirrors

While Matt is away, I am looking for creative ways to keep myself busy.

 (Anthropologie)

 

I liked the idea of making a collage of pretty mirrors. This overpriced ($698!) wall hanging inspired me to make these. I went to DI and picked out some interesting frames. Then, I painted them in metallic colors, added hooks (if necessary) and replaced the glass with custom mirrors.

 I can't wait to put them up! All I need now is an open wall to hang them from.

alpine loop

The snow was a little unexpected and the rain storms had taken most of the leaves, but we enjoyed the beautiful drive. Adios Fall, you had a good run and we're glad you could stay for as long as you did.

love, love, love this book

A couple months ago, I searched Mormon in the search engine of Amazon to see what books would come up. The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance, a memoir, by Elna Baker was one of the first ones to show up. It had good reviews, but because I had never heard anyone talk about it, I wouldn't order it. I tried to find it at the Provo Library, but it already had 20 holds on it. Yesterday, as I was waiting for my eye exam at Costco (my eyes are at an all time worst, with a -9 in each eye, fantastic), I was looking through the books and happened to stumble upon it. I was excited, but thought it could also be lame. It was only $9 so I got it. I am so glad I did! I could not put this book down.

I wish I could paste parts of it on here. I appreciate this memoir for it's honesty. The author knows how to write and how to tell a story. She is hilarious and you are guaranteed to laugh out loud as you read about her life as a single Mormon in New York and possibly tear up a few times (I did). She is frank and there is "colorful" language and racy material, so don't expect because this is written by a Mormon, it will be all unicorns and rainbows. It is genuine and it is refreshing that she does not sugarcoat her struggles with faith and love. That is why I love her and this book. I highly recommend this memoir and I think any woman would enjoy reading this, not just Mormons. I promise you will enjoy reading this, it's too funny not to enjoy!

i don't know what to do with this blog

Matt has been a busy, busy man with this job. He has been traveling North America like nobody's business. He loves his job and the people he works with so that is great. He is almost a third of the way through his training and I am surprised by how well I am holding up. Nights are lonely, but I keep myself busy. Spending time with Rach is also a huge help.

I do want a dog though if we move into a pet friendly apartment wherever we end up. Matt doesn't want a dog, (it kind of breaks my heart) but I am going to try to warm him up to it. Since I went to a Republican fundraiser with Matt and some friends last night, Matt has to go with me to a dog shelter here in Utah and then again wherever we end up. My plan is for him to fall in love with one of them and we'll have to take it home. If that doesn't work...I'm still going to get one. Matt can't stop me. Anyways, the fundraiser was kind of cool.

Running for Congress, Morgan Philpot at my right and Orrin Hatch at Matt's left in front of the Fire Pelosi bus.

After finishing the Hunger Games trilogy, I read Endurance. A recommendation from my Dad and sister-in-law. It is really good. It's a true story and it's amazing what the people had to go through to survive. Frostbite is one of my greatest fears. I don't know how this hasn't been turned into a movie yet.

Every season brings some kind of distinct spirit. I look forward to the holidays and seeing family. Especially, my brother, Steve, at Thanksgiving who returned to the states from Afghanistan while I was in Arizona.

Football is another fall favorite. It makes me miss Texas. I wish I was there for the State Fair right now. Matt makes fun of me for loving the Cowboys since they tend to disappoint.

I am going to embrace the continual decrease of the temperature this year. I want to drive the Alpine Loop before the colorful leaves are gone and I look forward to bundling up for the cooler weather. Rach and I were enjoying the aroma created by the car heater this week.

Most of all, I wish I had a baby to dress up this year for Halloween. Anyone want to loan me one?



lava fields and hot springs

Matt and I drove to Meadow, Utah, right by Fillmore to camp out in the lava fields and visit the Meadow Hot Springs. We also stopped in Fillmore to eat and see the original Capitol of Utah.

arizona

Matt stayed with his family through the weekend he was in California before he would fly to another city the following week for work, so we bought me a ticket to visit family. I am so glad I got to spend time down in Arizona, but I could have done without the 100+ degree weather.

Highlights of my time with Grandma Nelson:

Making coconut cream pie and bread pudding (she can make anything and it will be delicious)

Crocheting stocking caps

Looking over hundreds of pictures of her, my grandpa, my parents and pictures of my family I had never seen before

Asking her about her experiences in the 89 years of her life, my grandpa, and advice about marriage (communication and if you are good to your husband, he will be good to you)

She is the sweetest, most humble, thoughtful woman in the world and everyone I met who knows her reminded me of that.

Highlights of my time with Matt, Adrianne and the kiddoes:

Watching Luke and Maddie's soccer games

Hearing Luke voluntarily apologize to Adrianne about being upset at her because of his snack

Swimming with Maddie, Abbie and Luke

Watching Abbie terrorize their very patient English Bulldog

Learning about the color blue, the letter F, the shape square and and the number six as Adrianne taught 5 three year old boys during Luke's joy school

Helping Maddie with her homework

Reading bedtime stories

Watching the great examples Matt and Adrianne are to their kids

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!

 Coolest kid ever.

I should've taken more pictures, but I will see them again at Thanksgiving!



call me a cragswoman

With no more excuses left and Mickelle's encouragement, we hiked the 7 miles to the tip top of Timp. I

 have always wanted to do it and I shrieked in relief and excitement when we got to the little, white, metal shack at the top. The hike was a rude reminder that in long hikes, the way down can be a lot harder on the legs than going up. There were tons of kids and adults of all ages on the hike, so I can't complain too much.