bow chica wow-wow

New hair:

Lovey-dovey

Morgan and I went on a weekend getaway to the Aspen Grove marriage retreat! (It's the BYU alumni resort where they do family camps and marriage retreats...such a wonderful and beautiful place!) To change things up, I thought I would have Morgan sum things up...which is nice because most of the time, I don't think he even knows we have a blog! ;)

Morgan:  On the contrary! Our blog is my home page right next to ESPN and Pinterest (jk on the last one). The retreat truly was a great experience though. We arrived a little early and just enjoyed the gorgeous mountains and some of the activities they had to do around the grounds. As you can see below, we became instant professionals in shuffleboard (we just made up our own rules because we didn't really know what we were doing) and even had a quick round of mini-golf. Along with great food and fun activities, a key-note speaker named Brother Brinley gave some excellent seminars about including the gospel in our marriage. It was a very deep discussion about the role our marriage has in the plan of salvation and our true potential as husband and wife. It made me love my sweet Cate all the more and we had a wonderful spiritual discussion between the two of us following the lecture. The temple is a special place and is absolutely crucial to achieving our potential and we should never settle for anything less than what Heavenly Father has in store for us because He is willing to give us so much. The next morning we walked around and debated participating in the ropes course until we both realized we'd probably die on it. We drove through the famous Alpine Loop and really enjoyed the fall colors (or as much color as I can see being colorblind). It was really a great and wonderful weekend.

and of course...a little video!

Sheesh.

I'm just going to come out and say it. 

Having thin walls in student housing with newlywed neighbors is just awkward.

That is all.

Cabin trip!

This week was Fall break for the University of Utah students, so we went to an amazing cabin with some friends! Don't ask me where it is though, because I have no idea. Somewhere after Evanston...it was such a beautiful drive! On our first morning there, we looked out the window and saw three moose within 20ft of the porch! It was my first moose sighting and I must say I was impressed. I was also terrified...I've heard too many horror stories to want to encounter one in real life. Let's just say I admired them from the second story deck. ;)

Playing with Sophie on our first morning.

Relaxing with the kids...and listening to Maylee's amazing harmonica skills! (lol)

right after 4-wheeling!

Sitting around the campfire and making s'mores! Don't be fooled...I was actually TERRIFIED during this picture. The moose were still hanging out about 15ft from the campfire, and although everyone seemed confident they wouldn't bother us, I did NOT want to be out there with them.

The whole group (minus the two babies). We had so much fun! It was a much needed vacation. We love you Tams and Woods!

Old Soul

Sometimes I feel like an old soul. Strike that. I always feel like an old soul.

I am sitting at my desk wrapped in a shawl, sipping mint hot chocolate, and listening to Enya. I have cookbooks scattered around my kitchen counter, various knit & crochet projects strewn about my living room, and the heat cranked up. 

And I love it.

Conference Weekend Drive

My heart is full this weekend.

I've heard wonderful talks from God's prophet and apostles, and other leaders of the church.

I've had my testimony strengthened. 

I cuddled with my husband. We ate yummy food. We might have kissed a little too. ;)

In between sessions on Sunday, we went on a drive through Emigration Canyon...it was beautiful! I was amazed at the beauty that is all around us. I love just taking our point-and-shoot camera and not caring about the quality of the pictures and instead focusing on having fun. Even when life seems unbearable, I'm reminded how lucky we are to be on this earth and how many blessings we have.

And as a side note...

I'VE LOST TEN POUNDS!