Goodbye summer...hello FALL!

Here we go! Fall is just around the corner and I cannot wait! It is by far my favorite season! I love baking when it's cool outside, the cripness in the air, pulling out the sweaters, Halloween crafts and playing in the fall leaves. We kicked off the fall season by going to Swiss Days in Midway for some fun! We met Lexi and Alesha there who introduced me to the tradition a couple of years ago. There were SO many people and booths.  I found a few necklaces I liked and Rick found an original book signed by the author in person! He even told Rick to get in touch with him when he finishes his book :)

Rick is back in school and surviving so far :) I have a job watching two cute kiddos a few days a week- a 4 mo. baby boy named Elliot and a 5 year old girl, Adrie..they are sweet kids.

Here are some highlights from our fun summer...

Sara and Kimball got married in the Rexburg Temple! We're so glad we were able to be there on their special day! Wish I had a better picture but the beautiful couple looked SO happy!

London and the Muddy buddies  

                                         Mailee with the "puppy chow" (I prefer the term "muddy buddies" but it fit so well with what we were watching...)

                                          All Dogs Go to Heaven! (a favorite classic)

Rick and I on a hike through Yellowstone

Girls' Night...JAMBA!!

                          Bowling with the handsome cousins, Jackson and Luke :)

                                    

This is what happens when Rick puts me in charge of date night :) Silly I know, but really fun. Thanks to a husband who humors me!

Tossing the pizza dough like a pro :)

                                                                           Bon Appetit!

Summertime!

Rick and I are finally moved into our new apartment in Provo! It feels good to be settled in! We feel so incredibly blessed. Our financial aid just came through officially! After BYU gave us the run-around it was definitely worth it to be persistent! Also, we got two couches, a chair and an ottoman for FREE! All thanks to Mary and Josh! Rick is enjoying his internship even though the learning curve is steep one. I know he'll do great!  We like our new ward-there are seriously like a million newlywed couples, so it should be fun! OH and babies galore-I'm in heaven! Rick tells me not to get any ideas ;)

Last Saturday, Rick and I hiked Bridal Veil Falls-just the two of us! We reminisced about going on this hike last summer exactly a year ago! Rick had come down to Utah for a wedding and had asked me on a date! We talked about how awkward we were and how excited I had been that he had held my hand while helping me down the rocks :) hehe I love that boy- I still get butterflies!  I can't believe what a difference a year makes!

GOLF DREAMS...

Rick has been taking a golf class to qualify for financial aid and he loves it! He found a set of clubs on Craig's list and by the time all was said and done we had two sets! Bev, Rick's mom, bought them both for a steal! One of the sets is actually oversized so they're perfect for him! We were able to sell the other set within 3 hours of listing it! Rick has been ecstatic! It has been like watching a little boy on Christmas Day! I looked up the other day from my homework to find Rick setting up a cup and as a hole and my cute husband trying out his new putter in our living room :) Oh my! He sure keeps me entertained! Yesterday, he finally got to try out ALL of his clubs and golfed a whole game! Good times here in PROVO!

THE PASS OF ALL PASSES...
Yes we did it. I justify this crazy splurge on grounds that this could be one of our last summers to truly be kids! We got the year pass at 7 peaks and Trafalga...We also have a few friends who have the same pass- memories are priceless, right? ha they better be :) What is it called when you don't want to grow up? Immaturity? Young-life-crisis? Whatever it is, I have it...  

I know this has been a ridiculously long post, but I haven't blogged in forever. Can't wait to see what next week brings!

Happily Ever After

On April 30, 2011, Rick and I were sealed for time and all eternity in the Rexburg, Idaho Temple. It truly was the the most perfect day! Everything just went so well. I have never been more happy than on that beautiful April day. To know that I am the lucky girl who gets to spend forever with the most wonderful guy in the world is more than I can believe! I love him so much. He treats me like a princess and is always there for me. He makes me laugh and always looks for ways to support me. I love him with all my heart.

That day was special for other reasons too. Rick and I were grateful for our amazing family's support. So many came out of town to support us. I have never felt more love or comfort knowing that we were so loved by so many.

My grandpa Jacobson sealed us and my mom and grandma were with me as I was getting ready.

It was also my Grandpa Jacobs' birthday. Though he is no longer on this side of the veil, I know he was there. My great grandma Jacobs was there which I am very grateful for.

I got to meet Rick's Grandma who did the amazing flowers! She has such incredible talent! She worked so many hours to help us prepare for the reception. What would we have done without her? It was fun talking to her about South Africa and how she met her own husband.

Rick's Grandpa Bushnell and Granny Glo were so sweet! It was a privilege to meet such an amazing couple. It was wonderful to hear old family stories and a little about their family's heritage.  It is a blessing to be part of such a heritage.

I felt like I gained sets of grandparents, sisters and parents! I love Rick's family!

His sisters are amazing. I want to be more like them. As Rick and I dated, I noticed how sweet and selfless his sisters were. They were so kind to me and I loved the way Rick treated them. I could definitely see myself wanting to be their sisters and friends!

I loved seeing Burton friends from the old wards I had been in as a youth. Seeing the support of my dearest friends who had taught me the gospel, been such great examples, and who had sacrificed much to teach me made my heart ache with happiness. A dear friend who has been my Young Women's leader and our family's greatest friend and support hugged me in the temple after we were sealed and whispered in my ear, "You made it, Alyssa. You made it to the temple!" I will never forget those sweet words. The woman who had taught me so many lessons on the importance of a temple marriage and the sweet blessings of being a wife and mother was as happy as I was to witness our sealing in the Lord's House.