back in the four seasons

Back in San Diego, fall didn't exist. There were no colorful leaf changes because there are no trees. Yes, sweater weather was a thing because when it's 60 degrees in San Diego you get chilly. But here in Utah we have all the leaf changes and every sign of fall. Heck, the whole entire mountain changes colors. So we've been doing fall things like fall hikes and canyon drives that didn't use to exist in our San Diego life and it's kinda fun.

We went to the Utah Farm Bureau's Farmers Market across the street from the house and got the most amazing peaches!

Attended the loveliest baby shower for cousin Jenni and baby Claire.

We went hiking up to Cecret Lake with Sam's Dad and it was gorgeous because the leaves were just starting to change colors but it was absolutely freezing! 

Took the prettiest Sunday drive up the canyon and explored a little. 

 

 

wils ft. doggos

 Hi and welcome back to another Sam appreciation post!

You can see previous "Why I Love Sam" posts here, here, here, here and here.

If you know me, you know that I have a thing for dog movies. It's been an ongoing love since I was 5 and went to Video King or Blockbuster (RIP) on McHenry Ave on the weekends and would rent anything from Shiloh (reason why my family ended up getting a Beagle btw) to AirBud to Benji to All Dogs Go to Heaven. You name a dog movie, I've seen it. And I'm being serious! 

Exhibit A:

Old Yeller

Cats & Dogs

Beethoven

The Shaggy Dog 

The Ugly Dachshund 

Homeward Bound 

Eight Below

Lady & The Tramp

101 Dalmatians 

The Fox and the Hound

Because of Winn Dixie

Oliver & Company

Balto

Snow Dogs

Lassie

Milo & Otis

Best in Show

Marley & Me

Etc.

Etc.

Ok you get the idea. 

So anyway, Sam doesn't really share my love for dog movies, but you guys!! 

He watched not 1, BUT 2 dog movies with me recently! 

First, we actually spent money to go to a movie theater and watch a dog movie! 

& let me let you in on a little secret, Sam cried! We were at The Art Of Racing in the Rain 

and he shed actual tears! It was tender. 

Round 2, after Sam got home from a long day of work post Labor Day weekend he agreed to watch My Dog Skip (he has never seen that classic! shocking I know!) with me even though it was the last thing he wanted to do. 

And it was so precious! I loved every minute of it! 

Basically I love Sam for loving and supporting me--even my weird obsessions & I just felt like I had to share that proud marriage moment.

summer hikes pt. 2

We just can't get enough of hiking this summer! Especially because everything is so green and there are so many wildflowers!

DOG LAKE

Millcreek Canyon

ft. Mom 

HIDDEN PEAK

Snowbird Ski Resort

SILVER LAKE

Brighton Ski Resort

 LAKE MARY
Big Cottonwood Canyon

CECRET LAKE

Alta Ski Resort

ALBION BASIN

Alta Ski Resort

ft. Steven, Karoline & Harrison

TWIN LAKES

Brighton Ski Resort

 LOWER BELLS CANYON RESERVOIR 

Sandy, Utah

st. george weekend

Sam has been working so hard lately and needed a little vacation so he planned a trip to St. George! Karoline got had the hookups so we got to stay the weekend at her grandma's condo in St. George and all the boys took Friday off work which was a miracle. 

After the drive down, we went on a little hike at Pioneer Park to see the tiny slot canyon and a view of the valley. But it was also 100+ degrees so that was awesome.

What a crew--Sam's college roommates, turned bffs, turned work colleagues. Let's just say it's never boring (besides the hour long arguments about grammar or calculus problems). 

Love me some good quality time with Landon. And love my Sammy boy. Shirtless like always.

We also played a lot of Gloomhaven. 

It's the #1 board game right now. If that doesn't impress you I don't know what will.   

Then we did something way out of my comfort zone-- UTVs at Sand Hollow.

I had an ongoing panic attack the whole time but surprisingly I enjoyed myself way more than I thought I would even while in mild cardiac arrest. At one point we were on the tallest dune and basically about to roll sideways all the way down so I was crying/screaming/hyperventilating but also about to pee my pants from laughing so hard because Landon was dying at my panicked state. 

I love this picture of Steven and Karoline! I was too scared to drive but Karoline rocked it and even got some air on a jump!  

lol at the dreads in my hair & peep Sam's teary eyes from getting sand-blasted but we're literally all smiles! The boys made a rookie mistake and didn't bring goggles or sunglasses which made for an interesting time...I'm just glad neither one of them drove us off a cliff. #blessed

We made it to the "Top of the World" but then proceeded to accidentally dismantled the sign..

Overall it was a great weekend break from daily life. And I'll never ever forget Landon getting our UTV stuck on top of a sand dune. We were stranded for probably 30 mins in the 100 degree weather, trying our hardest to push the 2000 pound machine out of the sand and any attempt to drive it out caused the wheels to sink deeper and a 9 foot tower of sand spray to erupt from the spinning wheels. We were covered head to toe in sand and I've washed my hair six times and it still has sand particles in it. We eventually got unstuck by shaking the UTV instead of pushing so for anyone else who gets stuck, you're welcome. 

Also if you're in St. George go to Viva Chicken for some bomb Peruvian food.