Give Thanks.

I may be a few days late but Happy Thanksgiving!  I have been slacking on the blog lately and it's because I have just been too caught up in this crazy life. So, I figured there is no better way to get back into the swing of things then starting with what I am thankful for. Every Thanksgiving I always think about what I am thankful for but I never take the time to share with others so, here it goes! For starters I am beyond thankful for my family. Families may not always get along, and they may drive me crazy sometimes, but at the end if the day I love my family so much! I really couldn't survive this life without Casey, he is my whole world and I am so thankful for him!  I am also thankful for the fact that I am blessed enough to be married to my best friend and my team mate. I think too many people take marriage for granite and don't realize how blessed they are to be with the person that makes them better and takes the time to know and love them. Marriage isn't perfect or easy and that's why I say Casey is my team mate. Marriage takes work and that's why I am so thankful for Case. He makes me want to be better every single day, and lets me know how much I am loved all day long. I am so thankful for him!

I am also thankful for our wonderful friends, education, careers, a warm place to live, and the beautiful things that make life that much more special. 

Beatin this heat.

Okay, it has been so hot the last few weeks. I'm talking over a 100 degrees and while I like my hot heat I have had enough! I am one of those people who sweat like its my job so when its this hot all I want to do is stay inside and eat frozen treats! Yesterday was the first day in a month that Case didn't have school on a Saturday but again, it was hot so we didn't want to do much. We tried to beat this heat and stay inside but did venture out for some much needed snow cones.

Plus, I being stuck inside all day I got domestic and made my first ever batch of raspberry jam! If you have been like me and have a little bit of fear when it comes to canning and making jam at home, I am here to say that this was so easy I don't think I will ever by store jam again.

Don't these look amazing? I admit that I paid a little more than I should have but I just can resist fresh fruit for sale on the side of the rode in the summer time... it really is so much better then the fruit you get in the store.

 So really don't be afraid to make homemade jam, it is so easy! This is freezer raspberry jam which is even easier.

Freezer Raspberry Jam:

• 4 cups mashed raspberries
• 3 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 box of sure jell premium fruit pectin (I used the 1.75 oz. pink box - it calls for less sugar)

The instructions come in the sure jell box and there are instructions for all kinds fruit jams and jellies. This batch made eight small jars of jam and only took me about 45 minutes to make. I dare you to try it, it is so yummy!

Happy America Day!

Happy Independence Day! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and if you are lucky you got to spend it somewhere that isn't over 100 degrees! This 4th we tried to beat the heat by spending time at home and by going to a movie. When it finally cooled down a bit we drove up the canyon and watched fireworks going off all over the valley. The best part though was the lightening show that lit up the sky with dark purples and oranges. Case and I decided that this was mother natures way of celebrating the holiday and getting a good laugh by showing up all the other fireworks. Mother nature can be tricky but she sure knows how to put on a beautiful show.

Some more from our weekend.

You know you've had a great weekend when you never want to eat junk food again, your bed feels like paradise, and your skin matches your red shirt. I woke up pretty sore today with bright red legs (curse the 4 layers of sun screen that faltered under the high elevation) and a desire to do absolutely nothing and be lazy. Before our camping trip Casey and I spent time with our fun yet  rambunctious nephews and niece. We also decided to escape the heat and hit the movie theater for world war z.... which was amazing!!! If you go see any movie this summer, go see World War Z!

Mirror Lake.

Months ago Casey's family planned a family trip to Jackson Hole, however after seeing a news article about a recent virus outbreak in Yellowstone we decided to change our plans up a little bit and stay a little closer to home. We spent the weekend in the Uinta Mountains at Mirror Lake. It was gorgeous and the weather was amazing! (considering back home we reached 105 this week, eeek!) This was also the first time the whole family had been together on a vacation since my brother in laws wedding two years ago in Moab.

My beautiful sister in laws!

Watching the sunset.

Sometimes the pups like to walk each other.

Half of the group went hiking up Bald Mountain, after seeing these pictures I wish I would have had the motivation to take the trek up the steep peak. I do have to say though, being lazy today and laying in a canoe on the lake wasn't half bad (minus by sun burn).

The View from Bald Peak

The newest addition to the clan, Remi!

We spent the weekend paddle boarding, canoeing, fishing, eating delicious dutch oven goodies, reading scary stories by the fire and spending time with the family. Sometimes a weekend away with family is all you need. It was so much fun to spend time with this crazy family of ours.

Take a minute.

Today I am so grateful for life and the unexpected miracles that happen in the midst of tragedy. Friday morning my best friend went into cardiac arrest while at work and his heart stopped beating. Because of the quick response from his co-workers and campus police he was brought back to life and life flighted to a hospital in salt lake. 

I can't even imagine the horror his family and girlfriend experienced when they got the news. This was both unexpected and unexplainable but he is one of the very few people who has survived something like this with very minimal damage to his heart and brain. 

After visiting with him today at the hospital and feeling the love and gratitude from his family and the pain in their hearts when they retold the story of what happened, I am so grateful that he is here today. He has been a true friend to me through the ups and downs and is a light to everyone he meets.

Life is so precious and can be taken away in a second. Cherish every moment with the people you love, always be kind, and take the opportunity to embrace all the lovely something's in your life.

Love you Jarom.

Movie + mountains

TGIF! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am that it is finally the weekend! This week was one of those weird/miserable/long weeks. Being sick on Monday definitely didn't help either.

Case and I have been house sitting for a friend this week and its been so fun to be back in the city where we fell in love. The only bad part is that we don't to leave! Last night we took advantage of being in Sugarhouse and had fun visiting a few of our favorite places.

Este Pizza slices always hit the spot

And of course we had to have dessert so we stopped at Millies for a treat

After eating my heart out on this yummy junk food we headed up to watch despicable me at a local ski resort. This movie night in the mountains is quickly becoming a new summer tradition. 

It was such a gorgeous summer night and we got a beautiful peak at the moon rising up over the mountains. 

Happy Summer Solstice! Have a great weekend! 

Birthday Boy.

We celebrated Casey's birthday a few weeks ago (so I'm a little late) but none the less I love celebrating this mans birthday!

Don't  mind his brother in this one....

We spent the weekend camping in soapstone (pics to come) which involved us cuddling in our mummy bags and me spending the night convinced we were going to get attacked by a bear. It was such a blast though and a great pre-birthday celebration! We spent his actual birthday sleeping in, shopping for hiking boots, eating gelato, and sipping drinks on the patio with family.

Happy 23rd to Casey!

Work hard. Play hard.

I spent this past weekend in Orlando for a collegiate licensing convention. For many of you this means nothing, so to sum up what I do..... I work in an office that protects university marks while helping to manage the universities brand. More specifically for me, in addition to licensing I run multiple promotions and help with marketing. 

I can honestly say that I enjoy going to work everyday and I love the industry I work in. The best part however is that when we work hard we get rewarded and play hard. I had a great business trip to Orlando, I learned a lot, met great people and had a fun first time in Florida. Here are some pics to recap my trip.

This year has been a whirl-wind and I'm so grateful to have such a great job!

Throw back Thursday + new memories

On Memorial Day case and I had a blast riding on the pine view trail. It was such a beautiful day! On this same trail last summer we had our engagements taken by david newkirk so I thought I would share some of these awesome pics.

Memorial Day 

Engagements 

Saturdays.

Since graduating, I no longer spend my Saturdays devoted to finance and market research. My Saturdays now consist of sleeping in and spending the day with casey. Today we slept in extra late and had a little breakfast picnic in the backyard complete with blueberry pancakes, bacon, and mimosas. 

It is a such a beautiful day and it felt so good cat napping under the beautiful sun and trees. I could definitely get used to this.