The time both our cars were unreliable.

Story time-

The heater in my car is still broken, as the temperatures drop lower and lower. Doubling up on the corn bags and blankets wasn't cutting it. So we finally got my car in last week in hopes of having the phantom air unit work again...a year later. It was a toss up on whose car should go in first, mine or Zach's. Zach has more issues with his, the little tin can on wheels, but my heater needs to work to defrost my windows in the early mornings. We ended up leaving mine and went on with our day. The very next morning we were pulling out of the drive way in Zach's little red car Ruby when I went to turn the wheel and it felt locked. With as much strength as I have (very little) I turned the wheel and told Zach I would not be able to make it to work. He thought it was maybe on power steering, so we switched seats. He drove down the road and tried to turn the wheel..it barely made the u-turn. Even he couldn't manage the steering. So we pull back into the drive way and what do you know, a big piece of metal was on the concrete from where Zach's car was parked. Obviously that was the problem. Long story short, we were car-less. Hector was in California with Lauren's car, my car was in the shop, and then Ruby was a deadbeat. Great. Luckily Lauren was still home. I had to call my work and say I'd be late, and Lauren was quick to jump in the car and drive us both to the station and work. Man oh man. If only we would have left Zach's car first instead of mine...it is what it is. Next thing on my list of things to do was to call a tow truck. Which I did and Zach's car got taken in and fixed. As for mine, the first place I took it to they couldn't figure it out. Heard that one before! So I went somewhere else, and got that phone call informing me that they can't figure out why it turns off and on by itself but that they can fix the heater temporarily until the part comes in. Will anyone ever figure it out? So I got my car back and the main part that will cost me near $300 won't be here until tomorrow, AKA the day we leave for California. The mechanic told me he switched the unit over to heat so I would have my heater for now, good enough. Not even 8 minutes driving home from the mechanic the nice warm heat turned to cold. Seriously? Back to square one.

Or we will just use Scout for reliable transportation...thanks Scout.

We DO live in the country now, remember?

On a better note, we are heading south tomorrow. First stop will be Saint George to Zach's parents house. We will crash there for the night and have a short visit. That will make it seeing them two times this month! That's pretty good. Wednesday morning I get to see my cousin Cera and her kids! I haven't seen them since my wedding. I'm excited to have breakfast with them and see her babies who have grown up way too fast. Then from there I will see my dad who has been working graveyard shifts in Vegas..I will be driving him and his rental car home while he catches some Zzzz's. And home sweet home, finally. I have been wanting to go home so so bad for the last few months! And what better time to get a dose of the family right before our winter hits us. We will be there for Halloween, we have some good-fun traditions for that night, and there are some other things we planned for the week as well. I'll be posting along the way. Zach got his hair done for the special occasion of seeing friends and family....I'm still adjusting to the color...

 Our neighbors are in the Halloween spirit as well, we got "Boo-ed!" 

And last night we had the windows open while the winds picked up all night long. We listened to the leaves fall, it sounded like it was raining. I'm sad fall only lasted for a few weeks. I'm not ready for our trees to be bare and the color to be gone. Screw you winter!

Another day in October

If it's the little things that count, then make them count.

The Mr. and I have been married 6 months (and one day) already, it feels like we're still on week one. It's been wonderful. Our wedding day was beautiful, that decision was eternal, and I could not be happier. I better understand now what married people would always say to me growing up, "I love him/her even more today then I did when I first married them". Everyday I love Zach more. He has the biggest heart and he makes me so happy.

What a handsome man.

We listened to some marriage advice given to us months back and we always kiss each other goodnight. Some simple and most cliche advice we had received, yet it works. We also compliment one another, he's very generous on that one. Every achievement and improvement we make there is always an acknowledgement. We make time for each other and go on dates when it works out, other times we just cancel our plans and stay in and veg. We even sit in the driveway with the car on until we have finished our conversation. Our bed is made most days of the week, most that is. He always gets my car door for me, and I scratch his back in church. We admire each others cooking and baking. And he lets me take pictures of him if I allow him to keep his beard. They are little simple things but they do keep our marriage strong. I'm lucky to have married a gentleman.

Last weekend with Ian and his fam and Hectorious' Birthday!

Last Friday around 7pm Ian, Kerri, and Darlene showed up at our house. We had a great time having them there! After we chatted for a while we all went to In-N-Out. The one thing Ian had requested to do. The guys ate so much!...I did too. It was a treat for all of us. We stayed up until around 1am just talking and catching up. We talked about all the stupid pranks we did to each other and really just anything and everything. It was as if Ian had never left for two years. It was so great to be back with our friends. The boys started watching Hobbit, The Hobbit? I don't know. That one very long movie. They can watch anything at anytime. We ate lots of candy, and I got Ian some purple drank. Once we finally crashed we were up the next morning for another long day.

Zach and I went to our nieces second birthday. She's adorable. We were there for a few hours at Thanksgiving Point, we roasted hot dogs over a fire pit, ate yummy cupcakes and she opened presents. The Walton's were there which was nice to be with them for a for that time. Savvy seemed to like her hot pink bean bag that Zachlena got her. Score. We had such a fun time! They make Thanksgiving Point so festive and friendly for families. Savvy is getting so big so fast! Her personality is the best, she is so sassy, funny, and loving! We just love our niece!

Sippin on her drink in style

While we were singing happy birthday to Savvy in American Fork, Lauren took the others to Salt Lake City to walk around Temple Square. It's beautiful there. The day was perfect to be outside as well. After they had lunch they dropped Darlene off at the Family History Center, she loves genealogy. While she stayed there until they closed and Lauren, Ian, and Kerri went to the conference center for a tour. Then of course hit the mall for some shopping.

That's when Zach and I met up with them, we ended our day with shopping. From the mall to the DI and Savers (both thrift stores). It was a good time. We also stopped at a cupcake bakery where they had banners up saying they were winners of Cupcake Wars. Of course we had to try one! They were so so good. After the thrifting we also went to Scheels. There the boys enjoyed looking at the guns, and "researching" which ones they would be looking into buying. Uh, yeah right. Zach won't be allowed to have a gun, but he can look at them as long as he wants. Anyways we had some fun there as well.



 I'm so glad that Ian and Zach get along so well. Of course they would, they are both nerds that love cars and wear flannel! About the flannel, Ian had put his flannel shirt on over his t-shirt ready to head out for the day earlier that morning...and out comes Zach in the same attire. The flannels were as matching as they could possibly get. It was so funny. Zach turned around and changed haha. Later that night we again got In-N-Out, who thought of that for dinner? IAN!

Also a funny thing to mention. Hector, the one guy that lives downstairs, he pranked us this weekend. We got home Saturday night and there were two rubber ducks on our stairway ledge. Then we noticed the fake organs throughout the kitchen, and looked around some more and saw all the rats placed around as well. Too funny. I went to the bathroom and closed my mirror and freaked when it read "YOU'RE NEXT", a big sticker he bought and stuck up there. Great! About ten minutes later after we had all changed into our pajamas I wanted to get something out of Zach's office. So I opened the door and a figure of a man leaned on my shoulder, I screamed and booked it to Zach. Hector is clever, we didn't think he was this good. This scared the crap out of me!.....

He had dressed up his lamp and set it up just right so when I opened the door I almost peed my pants...I think I may have cursed...

It was a great weekend, we had so many laughs and a lot of catching up to do. Since then I've already skyped with Ian, Mark, and my parents...I just love all of them! AND next Wednesday Zach and I will be home and visiting with them! I can't wait! I haven't been home in months.

Lastly...A SHOUT OUT to my Brother-In-Law Hector, his birthday was yesterday! Can you believe how old he's getting?! I won't put his age up here, out of respect. BUT just know that I met him a looooong loooong time ago when he was in high school and I was just a munchkin. It's crazy to have known him for TEN years already. He's been a great brother to me. I baked him chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes and a really awkward size cake (Zach's idea)...they weren't that bad. After slaving in the kitchen waiting for the sista to get home we then headed out for a late dinner at T.G.I.F.'s...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Daily Dose

It's true. 

Pumpkin this and pumpkin that.

Wearing coats and warm hats.

Leaves are changing, fall is here.

It's the prettiest time of the year.

Best Buds

ONE MORE WEEK! ONE MORE WEEK!

My best friend Ian gets home from his mission next week. I can not wait. I've known Ian since he was 18 months old, he's really more like a little brother to my sister and I. He even annoys us like one would. Growing up my mom had a daycare at the house and Ian was one of those lucky kids she took care of. We spent our childhood together and from the day we met we were the best of buds. His nana and pops live just two doors down, they were the neighborhood grandparents, and Ian's mom lives just next door to me. Ian lived there for some years, and again we were always hanging out. True childhood friends.

While I was away in Denmark for a year Ian's mom emailed me saying that Ian converted to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I remember how shocking that was to me. Of course I was ecstatic for him and couldn't wait to talk to him about his conversion. The week I got home he also moved back to Rancho and we were back to hanging out like the old times. We went to the young single adult ward together and we made some wonderful friends and memories. He was always at my house, eating out of my fridge and being a vegetarian with me. We baked together too often, played pranks on one another, went to church together, and he complained about his girl problems to me, which was never ending. haha. Good times.

About three years ago Ian decided to serve the Lord by going on a mission for two years. He went through a lot to get his papers in and wait to see where he would be called to. We all gathered at nana and pops to see where his home would be for those next two years, and sure enough he opened it and read...Boise, Idaho mission. Then following with, "Somebody get me a map!" gotta love that kid.

Now, in just a week from today he will be stopping by my house in South Jordan on the way home from Idaho. In fact his mom and Nana are taking a road trip this weekend to pick him up, so I'll be seeing all three of them. I'm so happy to see him and hear stories about his mission. I'm so proud of Ian for the decisions he has made in the last few years.

He has not met Zach yet, the fact that I met and married Zach within the time Ian has been gone...he has a lot of catching up to do. I'm not worried if they will hit it off or not, they are similar in a lot of ways.

 I love missionary work and all the hard efforts and sacrifices these young adults put into their time away from home. They are selfless and understand a deep love that God has for them and others. What a great blessing they are in our lives. I'm very thankful for missionary work and for this young man to be coming home!

My brother-in-law Christian is also in the field serving in Chile! He gets home November 15th, and we are so excited for his return! I haven't met him yet, but I know the family he comes from and that's enough for me to know that he is a wonderful young man. We just love this time of year when our brothers are returning home.

They both have a special place in my heart. I'm counting down the days that my best bud Ian arrives. We have so much catching up to do...like me getting married and moving to Utah, just major things. I'll be writing a post of the day we reunite!

Until then,

Happy Friday night...make it a good one.
  

Fun with the Fam

What a week.

We were nine people in the house this past weekend, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. Zach and I had the day off on Friday and that was enough time to get the house prepped and ready to go. My mom text me when they were in Provo letting me know they would be hungry when they got to the house and then asked if we wanted to go to IKEA for lunch. That was a given. My mom can not visit without a stop to Ikea. So meatballs and potatoes it was...and a little bit of shopping.

Christmas decorations already? Please let us enjoy fall first..

After lunch we hung out at the house for a bit just settling them in. I made muddy buddies for Magnus to try, a request mom had. I haven't made or had muddy buddies for years, I missed that good stuff.

 Around six that night Zach and I had his mission reunion to go to. Last October we went to his first one and it was just a mile down the street from where we live now. Crazy. This time around it was over the mountain, but so worth the drive. I love seeing him with his mission companions, they have a connection that I will never understand. It's great to watch. Now that we have been together for sometime I know a lot of his friends, so this time around it was A LOT less awkward for me. Reunions aren't the same for the girls as it is for the guys. Most of the girls just sit at the tables on their phones, sometimes passing the newborn babies around or talking about who got married in the past year or the soon to be newlyweds. It never gets old. I was there last year as a girlfriend, this year the wife. How Bizarre. For me I'm the one that follows Zach around trying to hug everyone and make small talk. At times I lost him in the crowd, but that's because he has loads of energy.

Heading home that night we chatted about who we think will bring babies next year! haha not us.

Once we were home everyone was there. Lauren and Hector were home from work and had been hanging out with the parentals. And then shortly after our good friend Kyle showed up with his sweet girlfriend Liahona. They are the best! That turned into nine of us in our little bungalow. We had a great time catching up and making each other laugh. I love making memories in our home.

Even Quicks joined us....my dad isn't too fond of reptiles. Join the club!

This just cracks me up.
Pure torture.

And then we were off to bed, we had a busy day ahead of us...

Sweet dreams Kyle...

SATURDAY-
The day we get ready for Sunday.
What a dang fun day we all had. Seriously, I wish every weekend could be that fun! Saturday started with me making pumpkin waffles for breakfast. Zach and I got a sweet double waffle maker with a gift card from our wedding, LEGIT. Twice the fun and half the time. Anyways I want to thank Pinterest for this recipe, they were pretty dang delicious. But who doesn't like sugar in the morning?!





 After our breakfast we decided to burn off some of those calories by hitting the gym. We showed the fam around the place and took them to the rock climbing section. We had so much fun there! Racing each other up the walls and enjoying the challenge. We loved it. Magnus then wanted to play some basketball. Game on. Mom enjoyed the shade and took some pictures, and we chose our teams. Dad, Hector, and I dominated that court. Lauren, Magnus, and Zach were..... anyways it was a blast and I wish we could do that more often together.

The Rodas' had a soccer game about an hour after our trip to the gym, workoutaholics. So what better thing to do then take a stroll for some frozen yogurt? Magnus hadn't tried out our yogurt place yet so it was a treat, but then again that excuse will only last us so long. My dad made a scene of course asking for chalk and writing a note on their board. We then proceeded to shove our faces.



On to the soccer game...that was interesting to say the least. They did not win, a player did get a red card, Hector did score some goals, and we did yell and laugh at the refs. Family fun.

And for the highlight of the weekend.
Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point.

Us nine headed over the hill for some nighttime fun. We went to a place called Thanksgiving Point where there are events set up during the year. This time around there is a pumpkin patch, a huge corn maze, and haunted mazes. October festival basically. We decided to get the wristbands that allowed us to do the maze and all the haunted houses. We tried out the corn maze first, and talk about testing your patience..about five minutes into it we saw a group of ladies asking if we work there, they had been lost inside the maze for over an hour! How miserable. We couldn't see a thing. It was fun though, kinda spooky as well. After that we were off to the haunted mazes. I hated it. I don't do scary, and definitely hate haunted mazes/house/anything scary. Wowza. The corn maze was just fine for me, but other then that I held on so tight to Zach hiding my face in his back through all the haunted things. Everyone kept telling me how good I did...but guys, my eyes were closed the whole time and I strapped onto my husband like a backpack. Go me? The last one the family did was told to be the scariest, so I chose to wait outside for them. None of us knew that it was going to take THIRTY minutes. They said it was the best one there, I was just freezing cold.

To end our eventful, and very late night, we headed to Denny's for bottomless hot chocolates. Getting home around 1am...it was such a fun night!

Sunday morning called for blue berry muffins and potato and egg breakfast. Yum. We stayed in all day, Kyle and Liahona headed back to Idaho, we will miss you guys! I made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies for everyone (mostly Zach) and homemade pizzas for dinner. Before bed we watched some movies and planned some holiday activities coming up.

We shipped them off on Monday, and went back to reality.

Life is good.

Family

My parents and Magnus arrive here tomorrow for the short weekend. You bet I got the next three days off. I miss them very much. We skyped on Sunday and made a few plans for the weekend. It will be a busy weekend, but one that I've been looking forward to. I'm just happy to have them visit. We haven't seen Magnus yet, I met him years back, but it will be exciting for him to see his American sisters and their crib. We don't have much to offer, but I think I can bribe him with some form of food. The weekend won't be long enough to have them here, but I'll take what I can get.

Family is a beautiful blessing.



What good looking people!