Muse

Chase and I decided to buy last-minute tickets to Muse to prove we were still cool and hip before we have a bunch of kids and start going to bed at 8 and only watching the news. The concert was amazing, so many lasers!

Fried Food and Con

This past weekend was pretty busy...and awesome.

On Thursday, we went to the Utah State Fair to see Chase's pictures he submitted for photography. Last year, he got 2nd place and this year, two of his pictures got Honorable Mentions. Side note: He deserves to win 1st every year.

On Friday, Chase and I, along with my niece, Lindsay, went to the first Salt Lake Comic Con. According to the reports, we were there along with around 70,000 people, so it was a big deal. We also met up with our friend, Jon, and saw another friend, Adam, dressed like Zapp Branigan. It was fun and very interesting. There were a lot of costumes and some celebrities. However, one of my favorites (and most unbelievable moments) was listening to a man discuss Bigfoot and how wildfires are a constant source of danger to them. So wonderful and crazy. All in all, it was a great event and I think next year we'll go again...and dress up.

My niece dressed up as a character from Homestuck, a webcom.












And this picture is one of my favorites, because that man is Kevin Murphy, he helped to write and star in Mystery Science Theatre 3000. He's a genius!

A lot can happen in a year...

Last week, Chase and I celebrated our first anniversary. A lot has happened this year and there is a lot to come.

Some highlights:

• Obviously the marriage!
• Buying a house.
• Having a cat for two weeks.
• Our new ward and area.
• Honeymoon to Mexico, trip to Disneyland, seeing Rush.
• Hiking the Wave.

What's to come:

• Salt Lake Comic-Con
• Chase is putting in pictures again for the Utah State Fair.
• More trips, hiking, and awesomeness (like Kanye).
• Who knows...

Pinterest Wreath

Since moving into the house, I've wanted to make something for the door, so looking on Pinterest, I found a tutorial for a felt leaf ombre wreath and I thought it would work perfect in some earthy tones with the house.

The finished product doesn't look bad. I am always satisfied to finish something and I am not completely disgusted by it. Thanks, Pinterest!

Amateur Photography Merit Badge

Because Chase is such a patient husband, I asked if he would be willing to teach me some photography skills. I enjoy the idea of being better at photography and having an expert on hand does help. So we went for a Sunday drive up Guardsman's Pass, into Park City, then around Sugarhouse area. Here are my top picks.

This one is my favorite. I played with aperture and focus. I like that you can see all the other blossoms in the back. Even Chase gave this one a thumbs up.

Pioneers...again

So I've slacked off a bit on posts, it's been a busy summer and I'm just trying to get caught up on schoolwork and life.

Add to that, Chase and I have to plan a talk for Sunday on Pioneers. I've got a confession, I get rather tired of pioneer talk and how we will never understand their sacrifices, we're not as good, yada yada yada. Well I think they were great, so that's not the argument, but rather, I feel like we spend too long on the past or on one group. I like new things in church and new views. So I am going to take a somewhat different approach.

Thoughts?

Moooooon Lake

A few weekend ago, we packed up our mountain bikes and camping gear and went to Moon Lake in the Uintas. Chase loves the Uintas and was excited to get out there and for us to use our new bikes!

We went with Chase's brother and some friends of his. Everyone was really nice and friendly, and we enjoyed getting to know new families. Apparently, they go every summer for a few camping trips and we are now part of the group, so we'll see what adventures come next.

This was the first trail we rode. I am not an experienced mountain biker and we hit some rough patches, but it was fun. I'll get better and own the mountains soon!

We got to take a boat around the lake and then spend some time on the beach. I had some school readings to complete, but the scenery made it pretty easy.



Camping has its benefits. Fires every night, sleeping in a bit, and great scenery. It was a good weekend!

Dirty Birds

With my work, WGU, I ran the Dirty Dash on Saturday. We were the Dirty Birds and it was pretty fun. This is the second year of running and Chase was able to come and be the dirty photographer.

This is the clean-off picture and disgust, as that water was incredibly cold!

Do the Wave

So the Wave is a hike on the border of Utah and Arizona and is a permit-only area. Chase and I were lucky to get some permits for this last weekend and drove down. Chase was in heaven, there is no way you can take a bad picture at the Wave.

For example...

It was incredibly hot, so I don't look particulary fashionable in the pictures. However, I do enjoy the Willie Nelson hair look. Chase obviously looks good as usual.

One thing that I did enjoy was meeting a couple from Germany, another from Israel, and an older guy from Long Island. It's amazing how one small space ended up being a U.N. representation. Nature is a the world's common interest.

Kitchen Photos

It hasn't been too bad getting dressed this week, however, I have found that we don't really do that much, so actually taking interesting pictures is out. They have been in the kitchen the past three nights. What can I say, we don't have exciting weeknight lives.

As another note, we got the deed to the house and my official title after my name was, "a married woman." So apparently we're back to the 1800s when women couldn't own land without a man around to help. I've decided there's more feminist in me than I originally thought.

So this is my relaxed pose, but I just look weird and contorted. I guess I'll have to work on the posing. My sweater is from Gap (on sale!), skirt is Old Navy, and sandals are Saltwater. I always wear the same type of jewelry, in either gold or silver depending on the outfit. I have three rings for my right hand, my wedding ring (I have one in silver and gold) and one other band, a watch, earrings, and necklace. I'm lazy with jewelry, I just know what I like.

Rainy Days and Mondays (or Tuesdays)

It rained all day Tuesday, so there wasn't much point of going out, but I still got ready. I am stickign with this plan. Polka dots felt appropriate and I do love a good pair of gold oxfords.

Pants are from Walmart (I love a deal), shirt and shoes are both from Forever 21.

I also have to keep reminding Chase to get the whole outfit, he doesn't always appreciate how the shoes pull it together.

Enjoy the rest of the week and stay dry if the rain keeps coming.