Stuff I like

These are a few of my favorite things right now:

1.  Shores, from Hapari.  

 

Lame name, cool product.  I finally just got one of these half-shirts and they are so nice!  I love the fact that they are short so you don't have all of the bunch at the bottom of your shirt.  They are somewhat higher, but not so high that they look stupid.  And the seam is really great--a finished seam but not a thick seam.

2. CamelBak Better Bottle 

 

I love this thing.  Marcus says I have gotten my moneys worth out of this more than anything else I have ever bought.  I use it every day, all day.  (And it is perfect to add in my lemon and lime slices)

3. Hoola Bronzer, by Benefit, from Sephora. 

Totally worth the money and totally necessary, especially during the winter.  It looks so natural and lasts forever.  I have had mine for over a year.

4.  Pamela's baking mixes.  

Is anyone out there doing the gluten-free thing?  Let me just say it is hard!  I have been doing it for about 4 months now (along with no dairy and as of lately, no sugar) but this mix was so good.  I made it into waffles, and even Marcus liked it (which means it has to be good).  It has an almost nutty taste and texture to it and it is delicious.

5.  And, just for fun, something I am wishing I had today.  This adorable cake stand, from Target.

I love Weekends

Marcus and I seriously live for the weekends.  After a long week of work I feel drained, mentally, emotionally, and physically, and the weekend is just what I need to build myself back up.  Marcus seems to be built with a little bit more energy than me, and he doesn't seem to get as drained as I do, but he still appreciates the weekend just as much. 

 

Our weekends are usually not very relaxing because we try to cram in as many things as we can, but they are always fun.   This weekend included:

-the circus [there were 9 tigers and 8 elephants there (plus one baby elephant), lots of ponies, llamas, and a dog.  I had no idea there would be that many animals there!], 

-a bridal shower for Marcus' sister, Laura, 

-a frisbee tournament for Marcus at Utah State, and 

-a fun birthday party for my cute nephew and niece, Jacks and Lola, at Fat Cats.

5 Reasons we love our neighborhood

1.  We're in a small neighborhood, secluded and tucked away behind a golf course.

2.  Just down the street from one of my favorite places to eat

3.  Minutes away from the beautiful Jordan River Temple

4.  Seconds away from the Jordan River Parkway

5. beautiful scenery on all sides of us

Deliciousness

Marcus isn't a big breakfast person.  He doesn't like to eat right when he gets up, but the problem is that by the time he gets around to eating he needs something quick that he can grab on his way out the door.  I've been trying to think of something delicious that would be as quick and easy for him to grab as something packaged and processed but a little bit more substantial.

I found these mini ham and egg cups on Our Best Bites and made them last night.  They were SO GOOD and Marcus loved them.  So if you're looking for something quick and easy to pull out of your fridge in the morning I highly recommend these.

** I couldn't find any low-fat sharp cheddar cheese at Smiths--so I bought regular extra-sharp cheddar and just used about half of it.

**I am wondering how these would be without any cheese so that I could legitimately eat them too (more than just sneaking little bites like last night).  Do quiches need cheese for them to work?  Or could I do just eggs and the veggies?  Does anyone know?

3 Whole Days

Three day weekends are the best.  I think I would be the happiest girl ever if every week ended with a 3 day weekend.  This weekend was packed.

-delicious dinner at Market Street Grill (p.s. it is so delicious yet so expensive--how can anyone eat here without a gift card???)

-Isaac Russell concert

-ultimate frisbee game (we lost and I am out of shape)

-cowabunga bay with the fam (or as Elise calls it, cowabunga boogle)

-BYU football game with the Browers

-church and primary (eating snacks with the kiddos since we forgot it was fast sunday)

-birthday dinner with Marie (surprise party turned not so much a surprise)

-Marcus golfed while I slept in (yay!)

-lots of laundry

-baking (one batch ended up in the trash...)

-swim party at the Webb's (the pool was 94 degrees!)

-ping pong

-and the perfect weather to enjoy it all!

*photo 

What's New?

It seems like lately Marcus and I get asked the question What's New? about a million times a day.  I try so hard to think of a response to that question, but the problem really is, that not much is new.  And while change can be both hard and stressful, lately I am just aching for change.  Since graduating from school over two years ago (both of us) and starting new jobs, not a lot has changed.  I miss the excitement that new semesters brought or the excitement of graduating and getting a new job.

Our last major change in our lives was when we bought our house, and that was over a year ago now.   I loved the anticipation of building our house, and having it finished, and moving in.  Up until now, each year of our married lives we have moved.  We have never been anywhere for more than one year.  And now, here we are, in a house, that we absolutely love, but one where we will not be moving away from every year. 

And somehow, this is all hard for me.  My life is stable, predictable, and oh so good, but I am dying for a change.

This is when Marcus and I were dating, when so many things were about to change for us.  Don't we both look young?

Post Edit:  I am SO grateful for all of the things I have.  I don't want to come across as ungrateful for all of the good things in my life.