New Eye Decor

I have had the same glasses since before I started college, so I was in need of an update. I wanted to keep the same style of glasses, but decided to go a little green on my new pair...drum roll please...


I have recently learned that there is something wrong with my cornea...apparently it's supposed to be smooth and mine is bumpy, so I'll be wearing my glasses pretty regularly from now on. I was a little nervous to get these since they're you know...green, but I have really liked them so far, and they make me feel like a cool kid, so I'm happy with my decision.


I know this picture is pretty much useless because you can't even see how they look on me, but when taking a picture in glasses there tends to be a reflection, but trust me they look fabulous, haha, well at least Neil says they do which is all that matters right?

Triple Timing It

So apparently there is a National Forest like 15 minutes from our house, so for one of our last summer outings, we went to the National Forest and hiked up to the Timpanogos Caves.


We got to the park at 8:30 and we had to be up to the caves by 10:10, so we started walking up the mile and a half trail. The Park Rangers tell everyone to plan an hour and a half to walk up the trail because you gain 1,065 feet in elevation...meaning the trail is like straight up the entire time. So we started walking and then I looked at my watch and said to Neil that we weren't going to make it for our tour time, so we started booking it. We were like 100 yards from the cave and then I looked at my watch and realized that I had read my watch wrong and it was only 9:00! So we walked up that crazy trail in a third of the recommended time. Needless to say, after that I knew my body would be killing me for a week which it did. But the cave was really cool!

This is where we stopped to rest for an hour before our tour time...I don't know how people hauled babies up that trail I barely made it just myself...oh and as you can see from my insanely red face, I was feeling the burn.


After we got to our hour long resting place we could enjoy the view, and it was beautiful



That little stone building to the right is the bathroom, cool huh?

Our tour through the cave was about 45 minutes long, and it was way cold in there, but it was refreshing compared to how hot it was outside.




Neil wanted me to inform everyone that the guy in the yellow with the yucky sweaty back is not him.




The Park Ranger that took us through the cave was way cool, except for the fact that she kept talking about how we were due for another earthquake, so it was a relief to get out of the cave alive.

I'm Expecting...Something Adorable :)

Who would have thought that these...


Could make this...


It's amazing isn't it? And what's even more amazing is that I did it!


It's my very first baby hat, and I want to continue to practice so if any of you baby mama's and daddy's want a hat, just let me know :)

Oh, and any of you fellow knitters here is the pattern for this adorable baby hat:

CO 90 sts
Work in 2 x 2 rib as follows for 4 inches:
Row 1: *K2, P2*, ending K2
Row 2: *P2, K2,* ending P2

Begin Broken Rib pattern:
Row 1: K1, P1
Row 2: K
Row 3: Rep Row 1
Row 4: *K8, k2tog* rep to end of row [80 sts]
Row 5: Rep Row 1 (this will break up the pattern where dec's were made, but that is OK)
Row 6: *K7, k2tog* rep to end of row
Rows 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17: Rep Row 5
Row 8: *K6, k2tog* rep to end of row
Row 10: *K5, k2tog* rep to end of row
Row 12: *K4, k2tog* rep to end of row
Row 14: *K3, k2tog* rep to end of row
Row 16: *K2, k2tog* rep to end of row
Row 18: *K1, k2tog* rep to end of row

Rep Row 18 until 4 sts remain.
Knit 3.5 inches of I-cord over the 4 sts left.

If not making I-cord, then finish decreasing the 4 sts down to one and BO. You could also crochet a little tail of decoration at the top if you wish.

Sew side seam with tapestry needle.

It's for 6 month to one year old babies, and can I just say that I am beyond mind blown that I made that by myself...well with a lot of moral support from my wonderful husband, and some help from my friend Brianna who helped me find the pattern for the flower and talks to me about knitting at work, haha.

Joseph's First Gun

August 2nd was my brother Joseph's 20th birthday! He's getting so old, but don't worry he's still the size of a 10 year old, haha.


As Neil and I were thinking about what we should get Joseph for his 20th birthday, we were stumped. He told us he wanted a DVD collection of Batman cartoons which we couldn't find, so as we were walking around Target we saw a Nerf Gun and knew that Joseph had to have it. Knowing that my parents would absolutely LOVE for Joseph to chase them around their house shooting a Nerf Gun at them, we got it for him.

Neil took about 15 minutes wrapping Joseph's Nerf Gun in at least 10 plastic bags, and it took Joseph about 30 minutes to get his present unwrapped. He was bustin' up while he was unwrapping it and kept saying "I can't believe you would do this to me."


But after the present was successfully unwrapped, Joseph loved it and said to Alexis, "Get ready for the Apocalypse!"


Neil then had to teach Joseph how to use the gun and load the Nerf ammo and such, and right after Neil taught him, the student turned on the teacher and the war began!


After my parents home became a miniature war zone we decided to rest and have some cake. Neil and I were in charge of bringing the cake and ice cream, and we decided we'd buy him some trick candles, but after we lit them and followed the directions, the candles weren't so tricky. So Neil became the trickster and would quickly relight the candles after Joseph would walk away so that Joseph would have to blow them out over again. This happened about three times before Joseph caught Neil in the act.


So Joseph blew his candles out for the final time, and we pronounced him 20 years old!


Joseph's birthday party was awesome because he's pretty much a party animal. We were very happy that his present was a hit. My mom told us that every night before he gets into bed, he'll read his scriptures, say his prayers, and then shoot a round of his Nerf Gun at his closet door, haha. Neil was hoping he'd quickly get tired of his present because Neil wanted it then, haha.

Just a Little Street Fire to Celebrate Pioneers

In Utah on July 24th everyone takes off work and celebrates Pioneer Day...it's pretty much like another July 4th, Utah style.

Every year Neil's cousin, Ian, who works for TNT does a huge firework show in front of his parents house and a bunch of their family friends come to watch it. Last year was my first Street Fire Pioneer Day, and Ian and Colin (Ian's brother and Neil's Best Friend Forever!) did not disappoint. This year was even better, but Colin missed out because he is currently serving his mission in LA, so I made sure to take mucho pictures for him.

This is what thousands of dollars worth of fireworks on the street look like...






Now that's what I call street fire.


The boys setting up for the Grand Finale!






As you can see it was a pretty legit fireworks show. The road still had marks on it from last years firework show and I'm sure this years just added to that.

"I'm NOT leaving until I see a Moose!"

The last week of June I had off work and everyone at work was going on a vacation, and I felt left out, so I made Neil take off work and we went up to Yellowstone for three days.


Neither one of us had ever been before so we did a lot of research on what we should see/wanted to see and planned out our three day Yellowstone trip, and let me tell you...it was AMAZING! We stayed in a cabin in the Lake Area of the park which was very nice...much nicer then I expected.




There were so many incredible things in Yellowstone. I was lucky Neil drove the entire time so I could just look out the window and enjoy the beautiful scenery.






There were also a lot of beautiful waterfalls and cascades that we loved.






There of course were a BUNCH of geysers and mudpots...anything stinky, acidic and steamy is found in Yellowstone...no joke. By the end of the trip we knew we would never be able to enjoy a boiled egg like we did before just because the boiled egg smell was all over Yellowstone...if you've been you would understand.






There was also amazing wildlife. We saw wolves, bears, buffalo up the wazoo, and elk. But of course we didn't see the one animal I wanted to see...a moose. I even told Neil that I wouldn't leave Yellowstone until I saw one...but he made me leave anyways.





On top of being able to see so many amazing things, it was so nice to just spend time alone with Neil and enjoy his company. It's amazing how busy we can get with work so it was nice to not have to stress about anything and just relax together.