Utah trip

 So this is going to be quick. I haven't had much time to myself recently. Life of a busy mom. :)

So we were in Utah a little more than 3 weeks. We drove (because we are crazy) 24 hours there, plus, 3 hours to bear lake, plus 2.5 hours to rexburg, then 3 hours to logan, then 3 hours to Riverton, and lastly another 24 hours back home; for a total of 59.5. And that is not counting all the driving we did once we reached our destinations.

  Barrett at a random gas station in NM.

We spent the first week in at my family's reunion in Heber City, UT. We had such a blast. Zip lines, Games, Food, Laughter, just being with each other made the entire trip worth it.

Next we went to Bear Lake (after seeing the dark knight) for Jeremy's family reunion., I wish I had gotten there sooner. Turned out they were checking out 2 days before I thought :( but no worries, I loved the time I did get to spend with the Watsons!

 After Bear Lake we drove up to Rexburg. We went and visited some of my old college friends and some friends that might as well be family. It was great

 This is Addie and Barret sitting where Jeremy proposed to me.

After Rexburg, we went and visited Grandpa and Grandma doc in Logan. They let us stay with them for a couple of days (they took us to see their new house near Brigham City.) Addie loved visiting with her grandparents

 The kids were not cooperating for picture time this day.

We then went and spent a week at my sister's house. I went and saw a couple of friends before I went up to bear lake, so by that point I was so exhausted that I pretty much just recouped before we made our trek home. We did get together with my sister and her kids and did dinner and went to the pool. Oh, also we went to the parade of homes. That was fun! We saw some beautiful houses (including a 20,000 sqft house. It was a little crazy.)

 Anyway, that was our trip in a nutshell. We are home now, and soooo happy to be!

List 10 things you would tell your engaged/early married self.

1. Skip nice engagement shots and hire someone for your wedding shots.
I loved our engagement shots so much and everyone who was at the temple took such lovely shots, however, I wished I had a professional. The phrase 'To many cooks in the kitchen' comes to mind. I am grateful for what we did have, but I would make this switch.
2. Get married later in the morning so you won't come out of the temple at 12.
The sun was so bright and it was hot. My morning would have been a lot less stress if we had done an 11 or 12 o'clock session.
3. Don't let your mom do anything.
I don't mean this to be mean, so please don't think I mean it that way. My mom seemed really stressed and I think things would have been smoother if I handled it myself. Plus she was working and has 4 kids at home at the time. That is a lot on her plate.
4. Being apart sucks. Sorry, you have to do it. You will do it when you are married too.
Just to help rally my spirits
5. Stay in Rexburg. Take a semester of courses or work.
Honestly it felt like I bobbed around all summer and it would have been better to do something productive.
6. Pinterest would have made you life easier. 
... :(

Early marriage
7. Your instincts are good. Trust yourself. 
This is a little bit of early marriage and engagement. Both positive and the negative.
8. While you are moving around the country stop and smell the roses.
 We didn't experience all the places we lived till 3 years ago. I wish we had done it sooner just because it has been such a great experience so far. 
9. 'Keep each other active'
 I heard this advice while in rexburg and I thought it was strange. However, now that I have been married this long I think it is such good advice. It could be applied in so many ways, both temporally and spiritually. 
10. Make a budget!
It may seem unnecessary now, but the habit will benefit you later. 

Home but...

It is possible I have lost my camera. I will have to let you know. I can't give up hope yet!