Good-bye summer, hello fall

Ok, so I know it's been like... 10 years since I last blogged. For some reason... I really just didn't want to. Partly because I couldn't think of anything to write, and also because I didn't feel like it. Wedding planning and planning a fundraiser at the same time just takes a lot out of you (more on the fundraiser later).

BUT I am back. Not only back on the blog, but also back at work. I am at Rose Park Elementary working as a Pre-K assistant... it's pretty much awesome.

With summer coming to an ended, here are some great things that have been going on as we have ended the summer:

 How about that thunder storm a few nights ago?? That was crazy! you can't tell here, but our porch was flooding because there was so much water! Steven was shoveling it out moments before. See that bucket? That was filled just from water dripping from the porch above us within 2 or 3 minutes.

 Lots and lots of rain. Secret: I love summer thunder storms. 

Then there was "pie in the sky":

 I made this key lime pie for cousin Lara's bridal shower. I played around with a new recipe I found, so I'm glad it turned out ok (I was supposed to put zest in... but I didn't. I didn't want to bite into little green things in my pie).

 Pies at a shower? Best idea ever (thanks Lisa, Paige, and Courtney). Cupcake shops better watch out, because pies are making a comeback. There was also apple (with yummy streusel-type topping, best way to have apple pie), berry, pumpkin, heavenly coconut cream pie, two kinds of chocolate, lemon CHIFFON (love to say that) 

My mom and I did Holly's wedding cake/cupcakes/eclairs. Oh my gosh, the eclairs were so good.

We also had an ice cream party... which I have no pictures of. We just told people to bring ice cream, and it was wonderful. we made caramelized banana ice cream. and.... it was wonderful.

I was also going to blog about fall stuff I want to do, but I made mac and cheese (nope, not homemade... please don't judge) so I am going to go eat. I will try to blog more!

Musings of a potential future Wedding Planner

All this wedding planning for Kat Call has made me think how fun being an Event Planner could be. Planning a wedding is a bit less stressful when you're not planning your own.

So, I am applying to SLCC this semester to take a few Event Planning classes! Just one or two, to start. I think it should be fun though. :)

Here are some things we (me, mom, and Katherine) are thinking for the reception:

 Booked the Commander's House at Fort Douglas for the reception (imagine those trees with lots of pretty fall leaves)

Mason jar arrangements with twine and then put in rustic wood boxes

Mexican Catering from Rico's! 

Everything else is still getting figured out. We just need to rent linens, dinnerware and flatware, invitations, Katherine's dress issues (she needs a "bolero"), MY outfit... etc. etc. etc. Fun!

I never did get one of those anthropologie dresses. Instead we are going the neutral color route for bridesmaid dresses. We thought it'd be really cute with the rust orange flowers we are doing. What do you think of these?

 Ann Taylor dress

 Picture this dress in Khaki with an orange or green sweater and a belt. I know it's tricky, but we think it could be super cute.

Obviously, this would need a sweater and belt too.

Let me know what you think, I like them all!

What a fun summer

School starts back up for Steven in less than two weeks... which means our fun summer is coming to an end. And believe me... it has been a really, really fun summer. Here are some great pictures from our summer:

we kicked off this summer with graduation!

 of course, trips to St. George with the Hamilton clan, do you like Malia's little chair she found?

 Going to the Island Park Cabin (aka the "Buffalo Cabin") and meeting Tratherine

 Oh, and there was that one trip to Alaska with the Goodell group

 Outdoor movies with Matt and Abby!

 Hiking Neff's Canyon (except it was super hard for me too)

 Cabin trip with the Hamilton clan

 And last week we had our annual "Cabinfever" trip to Wren's cabin, and it was sure fun this year. We played games, played Rock Band, went to a lake... reservoir... thing, ate at Hi-Mountain Drug (best burgers and fries, next time you are in Kamas, please go), and stayed up till 4:00 AM.

See how much fun Steven is having??? 

Other fun things we did that aren't pictured:

Had a mini high school reunion with Sara in town

Went to Boulder 

Celebrated many family birthdays

 Had a Key Lime Pie Shake from Hi-Mountain Drug (sorry, had to bring that in)

Planning Kat Call's wedding... and believe me... it will be an awesome wedding. 

Oh my gosh, and how could I forget HARRY POTTER AT MIDNIGHT??? Awesome times a billion! 

I hope I didn't leave anything out.... See what a fun summer it's been?? I'm sad it's almost over. BUT, we still have a week and half left, and we plan on using it. Soon, I will be planning all my fall festivities.

What would you do (post 2)...

If you were Steven?

Would you take the TA job offered by your professor? (Involves teaching 2 classes, BUT you get paid pretty well plus you get 12 hours of school credit, that's a whole semester we don't have to pay for!)

OR

Wait to hear back about the interview he had with Deseret Book last week for the IT internship position?

OR

Apply for other Information Systems/IT jobs that could help him get valuable experience?

Making decisions is difficult.

One of my favorite places in Utah

 We went to our cabin with the Hamilton clan this weekend, and while we were there we visited Soapstone Basin. It's a beautiful drive with soooo many wild flowers. We came at the perfect time because they were all in bloom. 

 Linda counted 16 different kinds of flowers

I love it there. You should go.