Phew!

We have been CRAZY busy for the last month. With holiday travels and recovering from holiday travels and school and work and family...it's been exhausting. But it's good to be busy.

So after a week of trying to just relax and rejuvinate, I think I am finally ready to tackle the blog again. A daunting task, as our European travels left me with almost TWO THOUSAND pictures to go through. Oy vey.

But first, updates! Spencer is now in his FINAL semester at BYU!!! He will graduate in April (alongside his sister Brigette) in both Chemical Engineering and Chinese and I am so proud of him. It's been a long road for him but he has totally rocked it and we can't believe it's almost over. This last semester isn't too much work, so he gets to enjoy his last few months as a student, and we're taking advantage of the time we have here with all of his siblings. He's even taking a racquetball class with his youngest sister Krystal.

Spencer and I are both working, Spencer on campus as a research assistant (the same job he's had while in school since he was a freshman) and I'm still at Kneaders working as a prep cook. Honestly? Don't love my job, but it's a good job and it keeps me busy and active (and I'm enjoying a few secrets and recipes that I've learned from my time there).
 
A week after graduation we are excited to celebrate Brigette's wedding! We're so happy for her and we LOVE seeing her so happy. I've become a pseudo wedding planner, since her semester is NUTS, and it's been an interesting experience so far. I have realized that I didn't actually plan pretty much any of my own wedding, so it's eye-opening to realize how much it takes to put a reception together. (Thank you Mom for making ours happen! I love you!)

After the wedding Spencer and I are hoping to take a quick trip somewhere fun, and then we'll be heading to Jacksonville, IL where Spencer will start working full-time for Celanese. The tentative start date is the first week of June, but I can't think about it too much because I start to get anxious every time I do. I can't believe we are going to be real adults with real jobs and move some for a few YEARS! In our two years of marriage we have moved 6 times, just a few months at each location, so it will be really strange to settle somewhere for more than just a summer or a semester. But we are very excited about our future possibilities!

Now you're all caught up on our lives. Questions? Just ask. And hopefully over the next few days I'll post about our European adventure.

Temple Square

So in Salt Lake City there is a beautiful complex of buildings owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints called Temple Square.

Every year they cover the square with Christmas lights, and it has always been my dream to be there the day they turn all the lights on for the first time.

So we went! We doubled with Brigette and her special someone Austin and headed up.

It was MAGICAL! All the lights flicked on at once, and a gasp of delight echoed across the crowd. I loved it!

I loved the lights, and I loved having the opportunity to 1) start getting in the spirit of Christmas (even though I had been listening to Christmas music for a few weeks already) and 2) start that spirit with a reminder of what Christmas is all about.

The Great Flagship Murder Mystery Party of 2013

We love our Flagship group. No matter how difficult or frustrating being in that program was, we wouldn't trade it for anything because it helped us make the BEST group of friends. We still get together every few weeks, and we will be so very sad when we move and can't see them as often.

So when one of the wives suggested we have a murder mystery dinner, we all jumped at the chance! Costumes, dinner, and drama - how could we resist!

My awesome headband that I
made MYSELF, and am totally proud of.

It was an AMAZING party full of laughter, bad accents, hilarious acting, and a few murders. Duh, duh DUH!

Rebecca Ravioli and "Toto" Tequila

Don and Meme Wannabe

Carrie Crooner-Ravioli and Al Capone

Donna Wannabe and Don "Big Jim" Ravioli

Vicky Ravioli and U.S. Congressman Darrin Toosteal

The group...

I had so much fun (and I may or may not have murdered Spencer), and I even won the award of "Best Female Actress".   WE LOVE OUR FLAGSHIP FAMILY!!!

Can YOU figure out who the murderer is?

It's the Little Things

Just a few random pictures from the last few months.

Sibling homework session. A common event.

Free breakfast at Chickfila!

My handsome man.

We tried to go the the True Blue slide activity. Turns
out only students can go, which I am not.
Sad day.

Miss Bryonna had a birthday!

Teehee

Happy birthday Beautiful!

My family came to Utah for Thanksgiving,
and Spencer helped Adam pass his
chemistry merit badge while they were here.

The leaves changed color (dang ipod
picture doesn't do it justice)

And then it snowed!

We are just trying to make the most of our last few months in Provo, and we are loving it!

An Evening in the Park

Spencer and I acquired two free bikes from some awesome relatives, so we tried to fit in a few bike rides up the canyon before it got too cold. It is so beautiful here in the fall!

The handlebars were completely loose,
making it very difficult for Spencer
to steer.

We even ran into some friends on the way!