Can your husband do a toe touch? This was news to me.

BUT,

Alex and I went to France. He served his mission there and we just graduated. End result, we gifted ourselves with a trip before starting "real life" jobs. We spent 4 days driving through the south, and 4 days basking (or running around like chickens with our heads cut off... both adjectives work) in Paris. The trip of trips.

It was perfection in its most imperfected form. That doesn't make much sense, but that is simply the way to describe it. Not every french pastry was amazing, unfortunately freezerburn made an appearance. Two of the places we stayed at had horrible cases of overdue-for-clean-up kitty litter stench. And simply getting there consisted of 13 hours of flying, 16 hours of layovers, two red eyes (but three flights in total), and topped off with a 4 hour train ride. With our determined budget we had our fair share of imperfections and it was perfect for us, basically it made way for a lot of unexpected adventures.

However, what WAS perfect included: witnessing Alex speak French (so hot right now), baguettes for lunch, fields of vibrant yellow, and how can you forget the crepe stands? My husband's heroic patience to pull over at my (and my camera's) every whim cannot be overlooked, and the beautiful miracle that my ipod actually hooked up to our rental car whom we lovingly called Taloola. I guess you could say that blasting Billy Joel while driving through the gorgeous south of France was easily a top 5 moment.

Another top 5 was riding our bikes in Paris. Riding past the Louvre I kept screaming to Alex, "THIS IS THE COOLEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE!!!" I couldn't help shamelessly embarrassing myself over and over again. We rode everywhere, because not only was it the most fun- but much cheaper. We got lost constantly, and then bought more baguettes. I also biffed it a few times, but that was expected. Stumbling around looking for a pharmacy clad with ripped pants exposing a bloody knee was another top 5.





And Monet's Water Lillies in the Orangerie. Have I exceeded the 5 limit yet?

Meh, who's counting. I've got more. The lady we stayed with in Marseille (we went through airbnb.com) made us a complimentary breakfast of homemade bread with a variety of 5 different homemade jams, clafoutis, and rich hot chocolate. Clafoutis made such an impression on me that it was the first thing I made when I got home. Delicious, but somehow it is better eaten in France.

Another was passing out on the lawn of the Eiffel Tower. Later than night we were waiting for the lights to come on, and randomly started chatting with this awesome couple  that just so happened to be professional photographers. When I sarcastically remarked that we have been hoping to find someone to follow us around Paris with a camera, they offered to do a shoot for free. Let me tell you, I couldn't have been more thrilled and ridiculously giddy about it. So we met up the next day and took pictures at the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Love Lock Bridge, and Alexander III Bridge. I couldn't believe their generosity and couldn't be happier about the pictures. Alex and I never got our engagements done (his mom took the perfect shot and it was all I needed) so it was so fun to do it two and a half years later. Can't wait to post them!

To be honest, I was terrified that France wouldn't live up to Italy. But no need to worry, I fell whole heartedly head over heels. And I would definitely give an arm and a leg to live there, seriously.

And here are some more, because I obviously can't help myself.

Just A Few Things

The last post was a little catch up until end of December...ish. What has been going on since then?

Well, my hair is a little lighter. This freezing winter has been a little dreary, so something needed some brightness around here. Still keeping with the ombre idea for low maintenance though, thus the darker roots and back (if you could see that.)

I made a heart garland for Valentines day. Craft virgin no more! Not perfect and the demo still looks way better, but nonetheless- SO proud. In fact, I don't think I'll take it down... We are a bit desperate for decorations around here. A little background for you, I am basically the opposite of crafty. I would LOVE to be able take advantage of the endless DIY crafts I see on pinterest, but I am horribly unknowledgeable at it. For example, one of the decorative pillows on our bed has had a rip along the seam for any embarrassing amount of time. Finally I decided it was time to do something about it. So I took out the mini sewing kit I haven't touched since unwrapping as a wedding gift, and searched for youtube videos on how to start and finish a stitch. Basically the simplest, common sense knowledge ever. How embarrassing is that? But I did it! Crooked stitches and all. It was a good, fulfilling moment.

The most pathetic part is that my mom sent me to sewing camp in 7th grade. I should be a sewing guru. But I was bitter and oh-so-snotty about it. Being dropped off at sewing camp with my little sister and her friends was probably the un-coolest thing for my 13 year old ego. So, I did what dumb newly teens do. I was determined not to learn a thing. And while my sister came home with homemade pijamas and pillows, I came home with a couple mini-skirts (still handmade- but basically cut fabric) that suited my defiant 'tude perfectly. So here I am, ten years later and totally incompetent, wishing to take back my week at sewing camp. 

Excuse the terrible quality, phone pics at their best

A few other things... Behold, my favorite snacks that I cannot live without. 

Lastly, we spent last week skiing with my family. They come out every year in February for a solid week of tearing it up. Somehow I convinced Alex to give it another go (last year wasn't the best experience for him...my fault) and he did so fantastic! This time, however, we decided to go our separate ways for the majority of the time. We love each other, but I don't think teaching your spouse how to ski is good for your marriage;) 

I also got to spend some quality time with the one and only Hallie Rose. Missing her soo much

A Little Catch Up- part 1

So... it's been a while. Since last time, we came back from Brazil and have been busy working and taking classes for our last semester at BYU. I seriously can't believe it! This has been such an amazing chapter of our lives, and to be honest- I am really nervous about it ending. Living in our little basement apartment, taking classes together, teaching in our student ward, working for White Willow Reception, new friends, studying for tests upon tests, rugby games, and much more. Basically, establishing just us.

I have to say though, I could do without more tests and homework. That part I can handle juuust fine. ...Except how totally weird that is!! 18 years of schooling (if you could preschool, which I definitely do) and now you are telling me I am done?! Just the thought boggles my mind.

Yet, I've also been a person that welcomes change. I'm all about new scenery and opportunities, and I am excited about it. The thing that freaks me out is: I have never had such an uncertain future before. I have always known the next step, and this time I am totally clueless. So incredibly strange (and thrilling) to think that in a few months, we are gong to be somewhere else and doing something else completely different.  Maybe we will stay in Utah- maybe we wont. Maybe we will stay in the U.S.- maybe we won't. When I say clueless, I really mean without a single clue.

So there is my (finally-it-ended) babble. Here's a few phone pics from those beloved two months between getting back from Brazil and until the next semester began. Basically it was all around family, and it doesn't get better than that.

Because of Hurricane Sandy, they celebrated Halloween out east a week late- and we got to see the cutest munchkins in the world sporting their Halloween costumes. Even Alex and I dressed up this year as a devil & angel. Alex amazes me yet again, this time with leggings and a tutu.

And then we headed out to Austin, to visit my sista Hilary and her new baby boo Hallie. I totally fell in love with Austin and Hallie. I loved Austin's funky vibe, and Hallie was sweet to put up with me putting her diapers on backwards. (Amelia Bedelia strikes again)

 We also spent a lot of time with Alex's family- always a good time. Aren't they all SO good looking??

Ruth had to leave unexpectedly before Thanksgiving, so I had the (terrifying) opportunity of being in charge of Thanksgiving this year! But planning menus is probably one of my favorite things ever. Somehow, it all went smoothly and of course I made way too much because cooking for less than 20 people simply doesn't register for me.

 (caramel pumpkin gingersnap cheesecake, courtesy of Pioneer Woman)

Then, we kicked off December with a trip to Disneyland with the whole crew (or should I say caravan?)

Of course, Disneyland would never be complete without gnawing on a turkey leg. mmmm

Somewhere in there, we also snuck in a trip to Vegas and the Dominican Republic. Pictures of that will have to come later, except one more- which is probably my favorite. My cousin Tyler got home from his mission!! This picture completes it all. We really missed you, Ty guy.

And Then There Was Gramado...

Last weekend the Brito's (old family friends) showed us around Gramado. We got there around 9pm, and we immediately loved it. With wide, impeccably clean streets and Christmas lights already making an appearance (no complaints here) I felt no where near Brazil. Gramado has a lot of German and Italian influence, which makes it all the more charming. I've heard a few say it is the Park City of Brazil but I'm not sure this does it justice. The Brito's were the most incredible hosts, and wined and dined us like no one's business.

Gramado is famous for its chocolate, endless fondue restaurants, and bright hydrangeas lining the streets. Picturesque.

I was tempted to take this stunning, strutting bird home with me. Turns out we don't need any more sassy pants around here.

So after a weekend of colonial breakfasts, fondue dinner, churrascaria, etc- I was ready to take a few days off eating. You know, for my heart's health sake. And I had the full intention of doing so (and probably would have until 10am the next morning) until I remembered it was Alex's birthday the next morning. Luckily, I had mostly planned ahead.

In my family, birthday's are kinda a big deal. But not in a presents sort of way. More in a make-you-feel-ultra-special kind of way. We always have a handcrafted sign, breakfast in bed, front seat in the car, dinner at their favorite restaurant, you get the drift. You see, when you are one of the nine kids, a day like this is pretty special. 

So I planned accordingly. Luckily I still had the happy birthday sign my sisters sent to me for my birthday, planned to make his favorite french toast breakfast (with the GOOD kind of bread this time, and homemade syrup...duh), my dad brought Red Vines from the U.S. (another Alex favorite), a pre-scheduled masseuse to come to our apartment, a surprise cake at work, and to a French restaurant for dinner.

Awesome, right?

Unfortunately, the birthday sign broke in several pieces (seriously..don't even know), the masseuse didn't show up, I couldn't go to work that day to witness the surprise cake, and overall I felt terrible. He was so sweet though, such an easy going guy this one. We still had a great time. We sat for at least 2 hours just enjoying our frenchy meal and talking. It was one of those restaurants where there is no menu, just one option of a 3 course meal.

And if you care to know, the above picture is a massive bowl of the best mousse I've ever had. Of course it had to be documented.

So Tuesday it was back to normal food and mass amounts of veggies. Lately, my favorite is pumpkin. In honor of U.S.'s autumn, and because I refuse to be out of the loop on this one. And it never looked so good.