Big Springs

Chad and I love hiking. It's so much better than going to the gym and walking on the treadmill. Plus, it's a better workout too! This last week we decided to go hiking up Big Springs. It's a beautiful hike up South Fork Canyon. Surprisingly, we were the only ones up there. It was nice to have the trail to ourselves!

cards, cards and more cards

Lately, I have been in such a crafty mood. Whenever I have a spare moment, chances are you'd find me with my nose in my Cameo, on my comuter designing cards or at my sewing machine. Since I am new at this sewing and cameo thing, it takes me longer than most people to finish one card, but I enjoy every minute of it :)

DIY

This weekend I have spent a lot of time learning about my Cameo. It is seriously so cool, I love it!

One particular thing I love about it is that I don't have to buy cartridges, like a Cricut. I can download any font, shape or design from the Internet, and cut it out. I have specifically loved getting designs from Pinterest. It has really come in handy.

A cameo can also draw. You can replace the blade with pens and it will draw anything you tell it to. There are so many things to create, I could spend hours making cards and crafts. Here is what I came up with...

Bruno the Chaueffer

We love Bruno. He is a dog with a LOT of personality. We love him like a child :)

Sleepy boys... :)

Battle Creek Falls

Friday night hikes are the best. Date night + being together + exercise + battle creek canyon = doesn't get much better than that :) Our second date together was up at Battle Creek Falls. As we were hiking up there last Friday night, Chad and I were reminiscing on that date....

{July 2011} - Chad had invited me to go hiking, but I just thought it was going to be a walk on paved ground up Provo canyon. Since I didn't know Chad that well, and I wanted to look good since it was our second date, I decided to wear a nice shirt, short shorts, jewelry and toms. When he came to my door to pick me up, he was in hard core hiking gear (gym shorts, tennis shoes and a t-shirt). "Are you going to hike in that?" he said. "For sure!" I said, not knowing that I would soon regret my decision.

Battle Creek canyon isn't a hard hike, I would've been fine in my Toms, except Chad decided that we were going to cross the fast paced river by climbing across a log that stretched over the river. The moment was like it was taken straight from an intense scene in a movie. Of course, Chad made it across easily, but I was nervous, so I was much slower. The river was deep and moving fast, if I fell, not only would I look like a dork, but I could get pretty hurt (we were about 4 feet in the air).  I was nervous, but I didn't want to look like a fool, so I followed Chad. About half way across the log, my toms lost grip on the log, I lost my balance and slipped off the log. Luckily, I caught myself before landing in the water, but I scraped my thigh pretty bad. I pulled myself back onto the log and hurdled across the log. Blood was trickling down my leg. At the time, I was so embarrassed, but looking at the scar now, it will always bring back memories from that date.

Little did we know, 7 months later we would be getting engaged in the same spot that I made a fool of myself. That waterfall has been a memorable spot for us! We love going on hikes up there and remembering the great memories that we've had and the many more that we will have!

21 Years Young

It's April again = my birthday! The older I get, the faster time flies by. I feel like I just turned 20 yesterday. For some reason, turning 21 make me feel old. I'm already starting to notice wrinkles on my face, that was one birthday present I definitely didn't want :)

Chad spoils me too much. He brought me gorgeous flowers and lip gloss during work. I seriously don't know how I got so lucky!

Once we both got off work, we went to Communal for dinner. It's a little restaurant in Provo that we have always wanted to try out. It was really good! We had delicious steaks and potatoes. 

Chad surprised me with a Cameo! It's just like a Cricut, but it can cut fabric, vinyl and other types of material. Since I love to craft, I have been wanting one ever since they recently came out. I was so excited to learn how to use it, that after dinner I just wanted to go home and open it. With the birthday money that I received from my parents and Chad's parents, I decided to get a sewing machine. We ordered one off Amazon and I am so excited to get it!

It has definitely been the best birthday yet. I am so excited to see what this year has in store for us!

A Sad Day in Emery

Chad's Aunt, Karen, passed away 2 weeks ago from cancer. It's always sad to see someone pass away, but at least we know she is in a much better place and she is no longer suffering. I am so grateful for the plan of salvation and I know we will see her again.

The funeral was on April 8, 2013. We went to her church in Sandy for the viewing and ceremony. IT was an emotional day, but it was great to be with the family. After the funeral, we rode with Brett and Jacquie down to Emery for the burial. I have never been to Emery before. Chad's grandma's house is in Emery and he grew up going on family vacations down there.  It is 2 hours South and in the middle of no where. It was fun to go on a little road trip :)

We stopped at his grandma's vacant home. It was fun to walk around and explore the old belongings outside of the home.

Chad's siblings, Tara and Brett

Chad's mom, her siblings and dad

The burial was very beautiful. Chad's grandpa gave a wonderful dedication prayer. I am so grateful for family and the knowledge that families are forever.