Two months down, an eternity to go

Yesterday marked Zach and my two month wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe that I have been married for two months already. I've really loved everyday spending time with my husband. He treats me so well. I'm thankful that he chose me to be his wife, and I'm very thankful that he makes our lives fun and enduring everyday. He makes it much easier on me to be away from home as well, and that I appreciate.

We usually don't "celebrate" our months anniversary, we are cheap and pretty chill about these kinds of things...or we just forget. Although I did remember this time, so after work I bought us a mini bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes bakery. It was red velvet chocolate chip, I might add, and it didn't have a chance. We decided to not go out and spend money, so we made homemade sweet potato fries, I grilled him some chicken, and he put together a nice salad. We are simple as well. We took it to the park for a picnic, and it was perfect.

Once we got home we had a visitor come by, she was from our church dropping off a binder for us. She is the primary president in our ward. Meaning she organizes the children's lessons and activities at church. The reason she came over is because Zach and I got called/assigned to teach eleven year old's their Sunday school class. I was so excited! I haven't had this calling before, Zach taught primary pre-mission, but I am ready to take on the challenge. She brought over our lesson book and the children's names. And we will prepare to teach this coming Sunday. Zach has great ideas to help the kids learn and he is just as excited as I am to be a teacher for them.  

This week is still NOT over. But that is not a complaint because I still have many good things coming my way. Tomorrow I have the opportunity to be a second shooter at a wedding, photography shooting to be clear. I am very nervous but more so excited and happy! It's a short session, but I will take what I can get to learn and progress. Then tomorrow night after the shoot my Mom is arriving! And that will be a good time. I was telling my manager at work that my parents are coming back to visit this weekend and next week, and he asked laughing, "Weren't they JUST here?!" Yes my parents were here recently visiting, but they weren't JUST here. Give me a break guys, my parents are pretty amazing and I won't forget that they do cook for us. 

I've learned that as long as I have goals and plans ahead of me then I will never be bored or have an excuse to be sad or lazy and do nothing. I'm ready to teach on Sunday's and meet the kids, I plan to continue being healthy and learning more of my strengths, and especially progressing in my dream of being a photographer(finally). 

Have a great Thursday! 

Saturday's a Special day....at Walmart

We did a few things over the weekend that are worth sharing, or aren't. We went to Winco! We had first gone to Walmart to get some groceries, it was packed there. The Walmart's in Utah are like Target's in California, they aren't so dodgy. We filled up our cart within twenty minutes and when we were about to be finished, one of us (Lauren) suggested to go to the Winco instead because everything is cheaper there. We are pretty broke, so we decided it was a better idea. But before leaving we first made Zach unload the cart while we bought just a few items. He's so kind. Winco was fun though! We bought maple granola, that I have been eating everyday with vanilla almond milk. We bought loads of groceries,  and saved some bucks. Good deals. We didn't get junk, we are trying to be the health freaks that we were once oh so very good at. (not including Sunday pizza day) ...and also not including us finishing a tube of hummus in one day, oops.

After our long morning of shopping we did some things around the house and at 6pm we headed to Manti. There they had the Morman Miracle Pageant at the temple. It was announced at church the week before and we thought we should check it out since we don't do much of anything right now except work and watch Prison Break. So we packed dinner up, took some blankets, and grabbed our jackets and headed out the door to Manti. We drove for what seemed like days, really two hours. It felt so dang long because the second hour was way off the freeway and on a countryside road. We saw sheep, cows, horses, deer (that didn't make it to the other side of the road), tractors, and windows that had been shot out. I was glad it was still day light. On the way to Manti Zach drove, I sang in the passenger seat, and Lauren was doing her homework on the laptop. At the almost end of our journey she of course needed internet to send her assignment in, so we pulled over to the only public place we could find, you guessed it, McDonald's. She was sending her homework in as I counted the flies on the ceiling, and Zach pointed out that all the workers looked EXACTLY the same. Which was freakishly true and disturbing. From there we had just a few miles to go. Zach was suddenly too tired to drive so he asked me to. I started up Lauren's little toy box and we hit the one way road. Just when I saw the Manti Temple I must have gotten really excited and my lead foot hit the floor. I say that only because on the other side of the road I noticed a beautiful sight reminding me of Christmas, the flashing lights turned on and made a narrow u-turn just behind me. You can guess what happened next. Good job, I DID get my very FIRST ticket. It was a speeding ticket that the officer so kindly cited me for. The part that sucked most wasn't that I had JUST gotten behind the wheel to drive, or that it was my first ticket and I'm an idiot, but that as I sat there and waited for my ticket I was staring at the Manti Temple...I had just barely made it! It was a pain. After he so kindly let me drive off we arrived in less then two minutes. And of course a man crossing the street says laughing, "hey that's the car that was getting the ticket!" I love Utah. 

Choose your steak.

Beautiful.

My first time to this temple!

STRANGER DANGER!

waiting for the show to start

Anticipating the show to begin! He was excited.

Let the show begin...

The show was based on the history of the church. It was great. Very well put together. So many people participated and made it worth seeing. Thousands of people were there to watch with their families hanging out picnic style. The show was pretty late, 9:30pm-11pm. It was cold out for a summer night, especially when the three of us wore sandals. It was great though. We enjoyed our night OUT...minus my lame ticket that I can't afford.

I love my Sunday's. Yesterday I felt a bit off my rocker though, we got home at nearly one in the morning and we all slept through our alarms. Just barely. Giving us 20 minutes to get ready for church, we made it though! We may not have looked our Sunday best, but we were there and I'm so glad we were. I love church. I love the lessons I learn and the way I feel. I love that we can walk there because it's literally across the street. Also it is bizarre at first, but now it's the neatest thing, but our neighborhood is made up of our ward. Basically my street and the one behind our house are all who attend church with us. So that means that when we meet families there they say something like this, "You're the new neighbors that live next to Cassidy? Oh we are just three doors down from you." or  "If you look out in the backyards and see the trampoline, that's our place!" and my favorite, "We see you out running sometimes, we are home bodies but just holler if you ever need anything." I do appreciate how friendly our neighbors have been to us. They are all so kind and helpful. We were even invited over for a BBQ to a house two doors down, I'm looking forward to that.

After church we were lounging around doing lots of nothing, and then I remembered how gross my feet are and asked Zach if he wanted to soak our feet in foot spas and do facial masks. So we did. Avocado and oatmeal mask feels so good! And we soaked our feet in jasmine, which got way out of control with the bubbles, thanks Lauren. One drop of this jasmine stuff exceeded to a whole cap full in my foot tub, oh well. It was so soothing regardless. Of course we took pictures to document that Zach DID do this with me if he ever denies it in the years to come. After our pampering we made our traditional pizza and cookies. Zach and I found a new recipes for our dough and chocolate chip cookies that we think will work out for good. At least the scale proved that I enjoyed it. I do love a good pizza with freshly baked cookies. We enjoy our Sunday's a bit too much.

One brave soul.

My bubbles were out of control!

It was a good day to NOT be gluten free.

I hope you're off to a good start of your week! Enjoy your summer while it's here. 

It's friday, friday, gotta get down on friday

No better way to start the weekend then having breakfast in bed. I love my husband. 

I work again today, but then I'm off for the weekend! I love my weekends. All three of us have had the last few weekends off together. That's when we started homemade pizza and cookie night on Sunday. We made it all last week, and soon realized that having the oven on for a few hours heats the house up to about the 90's, but it's so worth it. Poor Lauren is gluten free, so we have to be really excited for when her food is done and say how good it looks...ok I'll be nice, to be honest her food is actually not bad. Her cookies were really good drenched in milk. Anyways, this weekend may be a bit different this time around, Zach got a new job and starts today. I'm really really happy and excited for him! Thankfully we both have the same schedule today so we can still hangout and watch Prison Break and The Killing tonight. That's our fix.

  I'm thankful that everything is working out here in Utah. I'm excited to be starting my new job in a week and some days. Which means I have to go shopping for some work clothes, yes! I'm even more excited that my parents are coming for the Fourth of July. We have some fun activities going on around here for the fourth, or so we are told, we will see if the neighbors truly mean it...but then again they should, because they have guns. I'm looking forward to our time off and relaxing. But I am also getting ahead of myself, because next week is going to be a great week, I can feel it.

Happy Friday!

   

superman, uv rays, and snow cones

Most people would be too embarrassed to dress up and go see a movie that premiered days before, but not my Husband. He has no problem making a fool of himself. This was my date on Saturday night...

That is right, I did safety pin Zach's snuggie together for the movie, and he wore it like a champ. Some didn't quite support the idea, this was my sister too embarrassed to even be seen with him. I just soaked it all in, really I loved it. My husband has no problem dressing up and going out in public, as long as it's not me I find it hilarious. And I enjoy being his date...or just taking the pictures?

As of the movie, it was a movie. The best part was the comfortable leather seats and getting out of the house. The worst part was Superman's chest hair protruding out of his skin tight suit and the bad guys ugly spandex suit, I right away thought he looked like an Olympic swimmer. Anyways, the movie was...

It's only Tuesday, it feels like Saturday. Today I met up with my sister and her kids from the boys and girls club. Miss Lauren does some pretty fun activities with those little rebels. Today was getting soaking wet at the Gateway Mall in SLC. It was awesome. There's this fountain that Utahans gather around for some summer fun, because they don't have beaches. Every thirty minutes they have a water show, and that's what I took pictures of the kids, and Lauren, doing. It was a good time. Zach met up with us and him and I ditched the kids and Lauren to have delicious snow cones...seriously, I will be back for another one.

Let the fun begin...

Our new favorite dessert/treat

Tiger Blood with Macadamia Nut Ice Cream, that's right.

Root Beer with Macadamia Nut Ice Cream. Oh baby.

ZACK AND LINA, wait who?

And then to end the night we went to Zach's first missionary companions open house, Elder Seale just got married yesterday. They had some BBQ, cake, and friendly people there. It's fun to watch those two, they made many memories together and have stories to tell for days...If you don't know this, Zach is VERY ticklish and Elder Seale loves to show family and friends how ticklish he is. Without fail the few times I have seen Seale he always has his "show and tell" with Zach to whoever his audience is. It's pretty funny. Here are the two pals.

We came home after this wonderful day, Lauren just ended her workout and us three sat out on the steps and watched some of our neighbors eat our grass.

So beautiful.

Have a good night!

Sweet Lou (DAD)

I LOVE my Dad. My dad is the calm in my life. My dad is the one that makes us laugh. My dad is so loving and helpful to those he comes in contact with. My dad will always stand on my mom's side. My dad works so hard and diligently. My dad is honest. My dad has taught me what humble means through who he is. My dad is a man of prayer. My dad is a leader to many people. My dad is someone I will always look up to. My dad has a contagious laugh. My dad knows how to make a heavy situation light. My dad will carry someone else burdens. My dad is a hero. My dad is strong, he is a fighter. My dad is tender and sweet. My dad is a goof. My dad will always do what is asked, with reason. My dad supports his family. My dad is a provider. My dad is the patriarch of our family. My dad is the best dad for Lauren and I. My dad tucked me in every night growing up. My dad took us out on daddy daughter dates, often. My dad spoiled us with his love. My dad went sky diving with me. My dad is never first to hang up the phone, and I mean never. My dad is musical. My dad supports what his family does with their careers and talents. My dad uses kind words. My dad is a hugger. My dad is not one to judge. My dad makes killer Mexican food. My dad is understanding. My dad is one to listen. My dad is worthy and uplifting. My dad speaks softly. My dad tells the same stories over and over again at the dinner table, and they never fail to make us laugh. My dad gave his blessing to my husband, thank you :). My dad cared for me after my surgeries. My dad stayed up late on many occasions to help me study for tests. My dad will always be the one out on the dance floor. My dad went to all of my band concerts and performances during school. My dad would leave me messages on my computer for when I woke up. My dad packed me lunch and drove me to school. My dad helped put together my house. My dad taught me how to drive. My dad has embarrassed me too many times to count. My dad picked the song for our daddy-daughter dance at my wedding. My dad is loved and appreciated by many. He is a man of God, someone I cherish dearly, I look up to him so much, and I will always be thankful for how lucky I am to call him MY dad. 

I LOVE YOU DAD! 

It's insane

It's been just a normal week for the Walton's, plus adding Insanity to our schedule. Have you heard of Insanity? I'm sure you have, it's just a workout that this guy named Sean T. teaches...he yells at us to "DIG DEEP!" I enjoy it. For five years I've been into kick boxing and MMA and three years I added more cardio with running in my daily exercise, I LOVE these few sports. With that said, every night when Lauren gets home from work we all head out to the garage and do our own workout together. It can be focused on legs, arms, some boxing, running, or all of it...and then afterwards is Insanity time. It's pretty great.

Today we ran a 5k on a trail by our house, it was beautiful. The trail goes through the fishing lake park, but we crossed a bridge and headed to the other side. I'm going back there to take pictures, so you'll see what I mean by how beautiful it is. It felt so good to get back on our feet again this week. I've missed the feeling of pushing myself and almost throwing up or passing out. So it's good to be back. Zach and I have just about ran our shoes to the ground the past (almost) year, but we are looking forward to staying fit and healthy. Maybe even a race is in our future? And maybe Lauren will make us NEW shirts? This all sounds like a great idea coming together. I'll keep you posted.

Anyways...today we ran, ate good food, I talked to my mom which was wonderful, and we went to the Temple for the first since the move. I love the temple. After the temple Zach and I bought movie tickets for Man of Steel...we are going tonight with Lauren, can't wait! Zach has a superman snuggie and he will be wearing it....Don't worry, I WILL post pictures, I'm already on it. I'm looking forward to a movie with my two favorite people in Utah. It's funny that Lauren will be the third wheel for once, it was ALWAYS ME that was the third wheel going on her dates when we were much younger. It'll be a blast.

For kicks and giggles (mostly for my dad)

DAD!! You remember this old beauty?.....

WELL...of course you do, it WAS yours, once upon a time. Lauren unpacked it last week and after a good dusting off Zach was at it playing for who knows how long?

This is what I came home to after work one day...isn't he precious.

The perfect little set up they had going, with the old nightstand and mini TV. Awesome!

You would be that into it to.



OH and before I forget, I got in on the action as well while Zach was getting his hair prepped...good times.

Do you live by a fishing park?

This morning Zach and I decided to start running again. This used to be a routine of ours while we were dating and engaged. We even got T-shirts made by Lauren that said "Sweating for the Wedding" cute right? And we definitely and literally ran our butts off. It was fantastic ..somethings are true though when they say "just wait until you're married". In this instance our physical activity. I'm half kidding. But our reality has just been too exhausting. So today was the day that we geared up and ran the streets that we don't know. It was wonderful, and needed.

After our run I got my car registered here and also I got my Utah drivers license. The test wasn't too bad, especially for it being open book. I DID pass and now I just wait for my license in the mail. It's all so weird, different plates, new last name on everything, and new license all in the same week. I must say I feel accomplished.

Since this morning we have been enjoying our time together on my day off. It's been really nice, in fact we just got back this evening from a walk in our local park. But hold it right there, it's not just any kind of park, its a fishing park. I know, only in Utah right? We had to go check it out for ourselves and people use three little ponds to fish. It's pretty cool. I took my camera to practice more settings and what not...I've been studying my manuals and going online finding "help" all weekend. It's actually really fun! But definitely practice practice practice will get me there.

I hope your Monday was as relaxing and productive as mine ;)

Also a fun fact, Lauren cut Zachs hair yesterday, YAY!!! He looks so clean and handsome. Here is Zach's mugshot... I mean before picture and his after picture. What a TRANSFORMATION.

My caveman...don't be fooled, his beard IS red it's NOT the reflection from his shirt.

By a show of hands, who likes this one better? Yeah, me too.

picnics, nails, and hammers

It's too beautiful to not eat outside in Utah. Especially when there are horses and mountains to look at and enjoy. Every night we set up a picnic on our back lawn. It's lovely. Two nights ago Mom made homemade pizza for dinner and we had ice cream and strawberries for dessert. We are SO glad she is still here...to feed us. Just messing. We are definitely thankful for that, but also for her hard work around the house.

This was one of our dinners---delicious, and wonderful!

meatless for the vegetarian (me)

Gluten free pizza for the princess (Lauren)

how about that haircut?

I didn't realize this until yesterday when Zach was showing me all the shelves and creations he's finished around the house, but my dad got him his first tool box/bag. Now that he is the only gent around here he has to have the tools to prove it. I thought that was so kind of my dad to do that for him, Zach has a new drill and hammer and ladder...and whatever else a man needs. It's been great. He's learned so much as well and by the time we are left here with no parentals, I know my husband can do all the handy jobs around here just fine.

Yesterday we (finally) set up our living room. Hung up all the decor that we brought with us, the very few things that we had. Thanks to my mother-in-law I can actually fill up some space. She got us loads of pillows, a big mirror for the wall, a cedar chest, and our living room table which we LOVE. Lauren and Zach spent an hour figuring out with the measuring tape how to hang all the pictures, they did awesome!

Here are some things Zach has hung up and what we have all put together in our living space...

We love our new living room! Also we are aware that some of our pictures our crooked, but we are planning to get new ones up soon.

Zach, Dad, and Gpa hung the white cabinet. Zach hung the medicine cabinet with Mom. Then changed the shower head and put together our shower rack. 

He put this shelf together so we can watch movies on the projector, genius idea I'd say.

And he added two more shelves in here as well...I'm tellin you he is just hanging shelves everywhere.

There are many other things that my husband has done, and I am so proud of him for learning and making our house a home. He has put ceiling fans up and built together our pantry and kitchen table. It has been wonderful! We are so happy with how everything is turning out.