ThiS is haLloWeEN

I had a Halloween dinner the Sunday before Halloween. I had really good intentions of taking lots of blog worthy pictures--the kind Bakerella takes. Chelsea and I even discussed it ahead of time: this was going to be a blogworthy event.

And then...all the food needed to go in the oven at the same time and then I ran out of room in my fridge and the flowers needed to be spray painted and then I started to run out of time and luckily my fab friend Jess helped me set everything up, but then all the dishes started piling up in the sink and then all the food started coming out of the oven AT THE SAME TIME and then the candles needed to be lit and the dry ice put in the water and luckly my fab sister and brother-in-law came early and helped me with that, and then I had to put on my costume and curl my hair (cuz Little Orphan Annie does NOT have straight hair) and then all the people started coming dressed as skeletons and a hot dog and cowboys and three musketeers and even John and Kate and all sorts of other fun things, and then it was time to eat and then it was time for prizes and then my grandma tap danced for us (yes, she actually tap danced), and then it was time for everyone to get home because it was a SCHOOL night...gasp...and then it was quiet and I realized these were the only pictures I got...sigh...

oh well. Everyone had fun.

Cache Valley Duathlon

On Saturday I did my first race: the Cache Valley Duathlon. It consisted of a 2 mile run, a 13 mile bike, and another 2 mile run. The bike ride was beautiful up Blacksmith Fork Canyon, but so much harder than I anticipated! By the time I was done biking the last thing I wanted to do was go running again, but somehow I made it and had so much fun!

WELCOME FALL!!!

Fall is my favorite time of year, and I realized that while most people celebrate Labor Day as one last hurrah for Summer, in my mind it marks the start of Autumn. I love when the weather gets a little cooler and you don't melt when you go outside. I love when the leaves start changing and the world gets so colorful. I love seeing students walking to and from school in their brand new clothes and new backpacks. I love jackets--not coats, jackets--and weather that doesn't require bundling but just layering. I love the food that goes along with fall--pies, gingerbread cookies, dinner in a pumpkin. Bonfires, Corn Mazes, Hiking...its all so fun!

I guess the best thing about fall is that I see it as a new beginning. The last couple falls I haven't started school, but it still feels like it fits, that you get to start a new year and set new goals and decide once again who you are and what you're going to do with your life.

So here's to fall, and all of our new beginnings!

Cruisin in the Caribbean

Florida KeysCOZUMEL

ROATAN, HONDURUS

GRAND CAYMAN

AROUND THE VALOR Last week I got to go with my fun mom on a cruise down to the Caribbean. We had SO MUCH FUN!!! We stopped in Belize as well but went CAVE TUBING so we couldn't take our cameras with us to keep them dry.

A HUGE HUGE THANKS to my parents for making this possible--I love you both so much and appreciate everything!

Some of our FaVOrIte ThIngS:

ReadInG
eaTiNg
sLeEPing
EatInG
dIet CoKEs
eAtiNg
sUn
snOrKelINg
beAChEs
EatINg

BLESSED

I just have to acknowledge how incredibly blessed I am. I have the greatest support group of friends and family, and I want you all to know how much I love you. Life doesn't always turn out the way we hope it will, but now I know I never have to go through anything alone. I have the greatest siblings and am so thankful for them. Katie said the other day that us sisters are so close that when something great happens to one of us, it might as well have happened to the rest of us, we're that happy about it. This week I've learned the same thing goes for when hard things happen too.

My parents get their own paragraph--wow. I can't imagine the responsibility and worry that comes with being a parent and how amazing mine are. I know they'd do anything for me.

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

BECOME A FIGHTER!!!

So I have a group of friends who have taken on the HUGE undertaking of launching a global campaign against pornography, similar to the Truth About Tobacco campaign. I have been aware of this campaign for about 15 months now and have been to several meetings and it is UNBELIEVEABLE what these guys are working on. Their goal is to raise $10 from every person they come in contact with, and then start working across the nation with ads, signs, tv spots, etc. teaching about the danger of this drug.

DONATE!!! So many times we wish we could become a part of something or want to do something to make the world a better place but don't know how--here is your chance! I'll say right now I made my $10 donation this afternoon.

Richard Winwood, business executive with Franklin Covey and founder of Million Air LLC said the following of Fight the New Drug, "Their positive message will appeal to every intelligent young person, and create in them a willingness to not only disdain pornography but to join the fight against it! I would encourage every concerned person to join FTND and get anxiously engaged in this movement. We are at war. Become a Fighter!"

www.fightthenewdrug.org

A Taste of Things To Come...

Jared and I had our formal pics last night--it was so fun! We started at the Bountiful Temple, and then went to Salt Lake to the City and County Building, the Library, and Memory Grove. It was fun being the princess, and letting everyone tell us congrats, and just enjoy being together. My mom took a few pics with her camera so here's just a little taste--I'm so excited to see the real pictures!

Jared and I were talking on the drive down from Logan about how happy we've been and how blessed we are to have each other and it really is so true--I am such a lucky, lucky girl. I can't believe its finally our turn to have the happiest day of our lives.