The 24th is grander than the 4th in Oo-Tah

Before I sat down to write this blog, I wasn't looking forward to it. I felt like we really didn't do anything at all exciting in the month of July. I was even a little envious looking at other people's photos and posts. Everyone seems to be going on vacations and I am just here like oh yeah.. still in Utah.

 

However, when I started looking through my phone I realized that we had done more

 this month than I had originally noticed!

It's funny how quickly I forget life is more exciting than I give it credit for.

Yeah, I'm not going on a lavish vacation this month.

But I did just go to New York for two weeks

and my birthday is coming up.

 

Hello?

Exciting, right?!?

 

Therefore, my goal this month is to appreciate the little things in life.

They're exciting too!

 

 

Brian and I made fruit pies for people on the 4th of July.

 

Watching the fireworks at my aunt's house.

This is a good picture... however it would be better without those dreadful Chaco's.

 

'Murica!

 

It's so fun to have nieces and nephews at family functions again.

While they were in Paris, the holidays were so boring!

 

I got a haircut this month. I am kind of having regrets about it.

I think the bangs were kind of an impulsive decision.

Now I have to wait for them to grow out.

I'm not saying I don't like them because they look terrible or anything..

it's just harder to do your hair quickly when you have to make sure your bangs don't look funny.

 

 

Brian's parents were able to go to California so they were gone for the biggest holiday to hit Utah..

Pioneer Day!

 

If Mormons drank, this would be the day they would get crap-faced.

We just love celebrating the pioneers.

Seriously.

There were more fireworks than the 4th of July

and

people EVERYWHERE!

 

I am usually gone in July so I don't think I realized how insane it is.

 

Kicking it on the 24th, Brigham's Brew style.

 

Was able to take a photo with this gem of a car that my brother-in- law got a year or so ago.

It's like a life-sized Lego car.

 

BE JEALOUS!

 

 

I don't work weekends anymore.

I am so grateful that Brian and I have more time to spend with one another.

It has been so much fun to finally hang out again!

 

We were able to celebrate a few birthdays this month with Brian's family.

It was his little brother's birthday on the 22nd. My mother-in-law made bomb Indian food and cake.

 

Jeffrey requested better than.. you know.. cake.

I made the name less awkward by deciding that we would call it

Better than sex with Willie Nelson Cake.

 

Way less awkward.

 

:)

 

It was also Brian's little sister's birthday on the 24th.

We celebrated by eating Café Rio salad and drinking mock-tails

as it was her 21st birthday.

 

Some very very very exciting things will be happening this upcoming month!

I cannot wait to share them with you come September.

 

Much love,

Rachelle & Brian

 

(but mostly Rachelle. Let's not kid ourselves here.)

 

haha!

 

:D

 

"Well... this is weird." - Dad

I hate surprises.

Brian knows this.

Whenever he tries to surprise me, I dry heave.

I'm a weirdo..

or more likely, a control freak.

Yeah, that's it exactly.

However, I sure love to surprise others.

That's how our last trip to New York for the week of Father's Day came about.

We bought our tickets two and half weeks before we left.

We told no one that we were coming. Not even the people here.

Because if you start talking about it in casual conversations, it makes it easier for a slip up.

We went to the airport and had high hopes of running into no issues this time...

than life threw us an anticipated curve ball.

Stupid tornadoes

Our flight was cancelled.

We booked another flight for the next day.

We made it to DC, but by that time the storm had moved over to the East Coast.

Delayed in DC for 5 hours...

Then, we finally made it to Syracuse.

We took a taxi to my parent's house and surprised the heck out of them.

(You can see the video of our surprise on my FB page if you so desire. Mind you, swearing is involved if you're morally opposed to hearing such things.. oh mom.)

Well, just my mom. My mom started yelling, smothering us and crying.

My dad said (mid chew of a sandwich)

"Well... this is weird."

I'm glad I got a reaction from my mother or else I would have flipped out.

"You mean to tell me I traveled through storms and delays for 48 hours to hear you say, 'this is weird'?"

Maybe it was shock.

Maybe his sandwich was just super tasty.

Yeah, that's exactly it.

We had a lot of fun on our trip. It was very relaxing. We traveled to a few places on some little day trips. We hiked and went on some long walks. We had A TON of food! I was able to visit with my friends. It was just what I needed.

Now for the (not so) funny story..

When we arrived to the Syracuse Airport I realized I had to use the restroom..

routine, right?

I went to the bathroom and walked back to our gate.

I took out my purse to get my phone to text my mother..

Oh wait!

Ran back to the bathroom.

 I was gone from that bathroom like a minute at most.

A cleaning lady had my phone in her hand,

"Sweetheart, did you leave this here?"

Yes. Thank you so much!

I'm about to leave the bathroom when I faintly hear her say, "I tried to turn it on, but it wouldn't start."

Come again?

I look down at my phone.

The screen has cracks and scratches and obvious water damage in the screen.

"I don't know what happened to it some lady gave it to me."

Woman. I will slap you.

Galaxy

June 4, 2013- June 22, 2013.

My sweet sweet phone

I cherished you.

You lived a beautiful life.

You didn't deserve your life to be cut so short.

May your beautiful soul rest in peace.

Needless to say, this means I don't have many photos of our trip.

Just the ones I uploaded to FB and Insta while on my trip.

Here they are for your enjoyment and in memory of my precious Galaxy... bless her heart.

Our first night in Syracuse. We went to the Turning Stone Casino.

We have wanted to do this every trip with my brother.

He always bails out on us, so we decided to go with my parents instead.

They are way cooler anyways.

;)

Brian absolutely loves the Farmer's Market.

We always make a trip there when we go visit my mom.

Brian takes pictures of Amish people.

We get a Hoffman Hotdog and an apple cider donut.

It's a good time.

I know that Brian likes the "great" outdoors so we went on a few long walks and a hike this trip.

Brian, Rachel, Joey and I went up to Chittenango falls and did the hike that starts at the bottom of the waterfall and goes to the top of it.

It was a lot of fun.

Joey was so precious.

When he first saw the falls he turned to his mom and said,

"Mom. I've never seen such a thing as this."

It was so cute.

View from the bottom (above)

View from the top (below)

 I was also able to surprise my dear friend Kaitlyn at her baby shower.

The shower was as beautiful, radiant and sweet as Kait.

We visited my grandparents at their farm house.

My grandpa has taken up the hobby of making guitars.

Brian wanted to see how it was done, so my grandpa took him and my dad to his shop.

The guitars are delicately crafted and beautiful.

It truly is an art form.

My grandpa waving us good-bye.

I loved being able to go on this trip.

I have missed my family so much.

I'm so lucky to have a husband who is okay dropping money on a trip to grand old

Syracuse, NY.

I know there are many more exciting places he would rather travel to, but

he wants me to be happy.

I love him for that.

Try to sleep tonight after seeing this frightening image!

Albuquerque



Chiquita Banana: Mom

So many blog posts this weekend.

Just one more short & sweet one because I don't want her to think I forgot.

Happy Mother's Day to an amazing mom.

When I think about my mother, I think of two distinct memories.

One.

I was probably like 7 or 8 years old.

I went to one of my friend's houses for a sleep over and felt sick.

I went home.

My mom put blankets on the floor in the living room.

She played with my hair and she gave me hugs while we watched

I Love Lucy

until I fell asleep.

I remember feeling very safe.

Two.

I was in the bridal room of the reception center we held my wedding.

I was changing into my other outfit so I could run through the sparklers to my car.

I could tell my mom was sad because this was the last time she was going to see me for a while.

I held her very tight and she started to cry.

Then I started to cry.

I couldn't think of anything to say so I just said,

"Don't be sad. Isn't this what you wanted to happen?"

She sniffled, "What?"

I said,

"Didn't you dream about me growing up and getting married and being happy?"

"Yes."

"So don't be sad, be happy that your dream is coming true."

My mom is the best.

I love how I know she will never let me go and that I will always be her little girl. Even when I'm 60 years old!

Happy Mothers day to my favorite mom in the whole world.

(Thanks for giving me all those rocking genes like perfect skin, teeth and killer feist!)

Dear Brian, Love Me

Dear Brian,

Thank you for making my world beautiful.

You always make sure there are fresh cut flowers in our room.

You keep our home clean and smelling fresh when I get home.

Thank you for making my life humorous.

You are such a goofball and you get me to laugh at myself.

(also, even when I roll my eyes at you when you are playing down a situation.. I still think it is funny although you will never hear me admit that. You can just read it!)

Thank you for making my days spontaneous.

I am a person of routine.

You help me to get out of my comfort zone.

You really have made some accomplishments that no other man before you could.

You have gotten me to go out into nature for one.. and dare I say it

you have even gotten me to enjoy it!

You will still never get me to go camping.

But getting me to actually enjoy being outdoors with all those bugs- huge accomplishment!

Thank you for making me feel important.

Thank you for your notes.

Thank you for the compliments.

(Sorry I don't always accept them.)

You have celebrated with me at my highest points and comforted me at my lowest.

You have always encouraged me and you have taught me to believe and have faith in myself.

I am a

New Yorker &  Red Headed & Puerto Rican 

I am a fighter.

I have been taught that in order to survive in this world and to be respected you have to be on the defense of what's yours at all times.

Being a Fighter oftentimes hurts those closest to me because  I can't turn it off.

I anger easily.

I am short of temper.

I am merciless in arguments.

I get defensive.

Thank you for being forgiving.

Thank you for staying when I push you away.

Thank you for being my constant.

Thank you for always trying.

You do everything you can to make our lives happy.

Thank you for always holding my hand.

Thank you for opening doors for me.

Thank you for waiting for me to eat dinner, even when I get off work at 9:30 PM.

Thank you for hugging me for two minutes everyday.

Thank you for never going to sleep without me.

I am so lucky to have found the love of my life.

I'm even luckier that the love of my life loves me back.

I loved our first year and I can't wait to spend many more years with you.

There is nowhere I would rather be than by your side.

I love you so much.

Love,

Me

Brian, the Graduate!

I am absolutely so proud of Brian.

He graduated from the Woodbury School of Business at Utah Valley University!

CLASS OF 2013!

 

He wasn't sure if he wanted to walk, he thought it was going to be lame.

But when he picked up his cap and gown and we went to the rehearsal together, he became very excited that he had decided to walk.

 

It was amazing to get the families together and be able to watch Brian get his diploma from the dean.

Brian got his diploma towards the end, which I thought was good because I was excited the whole way through the graduation.

 

Sadly, both of our phones died during the ceremony so I had to rely on the pictures of family members, but here are my favorites taken that day:

 

 Brian right after getting his diploma from the dean!

 



 Just a few of my favorites of us together after the ceremony.

Thanks to those that sent these to me!

 

At Brian's graduation party, we set up a little table with some of the pictures of the graduation.

I also was sure to include Hooters, the owl, as he is very wise and all knowing...

I also made flower arrangements even though Brian thought they were lame because,

 

"I'm just a guy graduating. I don't need flower arrangements."

 

WRONG!

 

Trust me, you do :)

 

They played Frisbee and Volleyball

Brian and his Grandfather, Harold Southwick

We were so very happy that he could join us for the party!

 

Brian and his delicious and festive cake!!

 

*as a side note: aren't his eyes flipping striking in this picture?!?

 

The next day Brian and I went over to his sister's home early so we could take family portraits in seriously the most beautiful spot in Orem.

I didn't even know the place existed.

 

We went to Kneaders for all you can eat french toast.

It was seriously an absolute treat because we are NEVER up that early!

 

Afterwards we went to our car and it wouldn't work!

 

Poor Ursylla was finally on her last breath.

We decided that it was time to put her to rest and get a newer car.

Even though I was excited to get a new car and we really needed it, it was still emotional.

I cried. Ursylla held special memories for me as my dad had given her to me as a graduation present.

That car had taken me a lot of places and was part of my budding independence.

 

Ok, don't judge me. I know I'm being lame.

But there's some raw honesty for you and I'm not ashamed!

 

We went and saw my brother-in-law Chase who works at Volkswagen in Orem.

He is great! If you need a car, go see him!

 

We decided to leased a new car to give it a try and see if we like it.

We have heard opposite thoughts and opinions on leasing, but we wanted to give it a try.

 

We now have a VW Jetta, Marcell.

 

Me saying goodbye to the old girl.

Sorry mommy couldn't save you!

 

As a final note. Brian and I celebrated Cinco De Mayo by eating taco salads and for dessert a deep- fried churro cupcake!

 

Delicioso!

 

Viva Mexico!!

 

Oh yeah also, Happy 24th Anniversary to my Mom and Dad! I'm so glad you guys are still weirdos!

 

 

 

 

 

 



The Madness of March

To me birthdays and holidays are a BIG deal!

I'm certain I get that from my mother.

I go all out. I get super into it. Some might say I do "too much."

Sue me, I don't care!

I enjoy making things birthdays (especially) a HUUUUUGE deal!

 

So when Brian turned a QUARTER OF A CENTURY this month...

hahahahahaha!

I made it a big deal.

 

One of the reasons I made Brian's birthday a big deal was because I never know what to get him. I always ask him what he would like and he says:

 

"Goggles for skiing. But, don't get me those because ski season is almost over.."

or

"A backpack. But, don't get me one because I want a particular kind and you probably won't get the right one. I'll just get that myself."

or

"I don't know. Nothing really. If I really want something I'll just go buy it myself."

 

So, I'm left with trips.

Fortunately for me Brian LOVES trips.

I love trips.

I feel so much more at ease and stress free if I can take a weekend hiatus at least once a month.

If I am deprived of at least a weekend vacation once a month...

I will literally

go

INSANE with CABIN FEVER

 

I struggle.

 

Anyways. Brian kind of had a month long birthday. It started the first week of March.

Brian and I had been thinking about getting a kitten for about a month.

At first we wanted to get a Russian Blue because they remind us of Tatem.

Then, I read this paralyzing article someone posted on Facebook about animals that are taken the shelter. I balled my eyes out and told Brian we had to go to the shelter that day.

 

That's how we found

 

 

Kyoto!!!

 

We love her.

Well, most of the time.

Sometimes she's a brat but I guess she is kind of like me in that way.

She loves attention. She loves sleeping. She loves eating.

Overall, she's a keeper.

She was Brian's birthday present # 1.

 

Brian's Birthday Present # 2.

Refer back to mention of a trip.

Brian loves to go out into nature. Anyone who knows me knows that I avoid nature and being outside like the plague.

However, it was not my birthday.

 

I booked us a trip to Zion's National Park.

Brian was so thrilled.

He loves that park.

 He has a lot of nostalgic memories of that place as his family has held family reunions there for quite some time.

He showed me around a lot of the sites he loves

<3

 

We had a lot of fun jumping from bed to bed in our hotel room.

No we do not sleep Ricky and Lucy style...

The deals on travelocity.com always only offer deals on double beds

with one bed rooms being more expensive.

It's actually kind of nice because we had one bed to sleep in and the other to relax on after hikes when we were all sweaty and outdoorsy smelling.

 

SCORE!

 

 

A picture we took in a convenient spot on our morning hike along The Narrows.

 

I named this rock:

Snuffleupagus Rock.

You know, from Sesame Street?

I think it's quite fitting.

 

Eh? Eh? Eh?

The resemblence is uncanny.

Hahaha!

 

 

Brian showing off the "awesomeness" of his beloved Chacos

They dried in like 30 seconds.

 

 

Me on our overlook hike. It was actually pretty scary.

Well probably not to most people but I am super afraid of heights.

 

Yeah.. pictures could fool you.

I look like quite the nature doer in these.

 

After our overlook hike, we went back into town and were upset to find that we would get stuck in their town's St. Patricks Parade

for no joke

2 hours!

 

I died.

 

We went to Switchback Bar & Grill.

Brian got the most amazingly delicious and messiest burger I have ever seen.

The Bleu Cheese Burger.

 

So good!

 

Later on we went to Weeping Rock. It was the quickest hike I have ever been on.

 

Brian at weeping rock.

 

The next day we went to the Emerald Pools. We were going to just go to the lower one, but then figured we should do all of them since we were already there.

You might as well, right??

 

Afterwards we got brunch at Cafe Solei.

So yummy!

Then, we made our sad journey home.

 

:'(

 

We had a super fun trip.

We took home a super sweet rock that we have displayed on our wall shelf.

The vacation was just what the doctor ordered!

 

 

Then it was time to celebrate Brian's birthday on his actual birthday!

 

I woke up early and made him a pancake breakfast.

I made the pancakes in the shape of Kyoto's bottom..

 

 

 

Hahahaha! Great right?

I got it from pinterest it was an original idea.

 

Brian and I both had school.

After school we went to Tucano's.

Brian wanted to have a regular

Ron Swanson Birthday Extravaganza!!

He ate sickening amounts of meat...

He loved it!

 

Brian making his birthday wish with help from Kyoto!

 

 

 

It really was a Ron Swanson birthday.

 

Brian wanted to relax and watch a movie after his "exhausting" birthday activities.

We watched Argo, which is super good.

BTW.

 

Brian got some birthday smooches...

 

and bites!

 

"Aw! You're so cute I could just eat you up..."

 

For his family birthday dinner, I made him a cookies and cream mustache cake.

This is what Brian's mustache will look like in 25-30 years;

Salt and Peppery!

 

He loved his cake.

Almost as much as I love him.

Okay maybe he loved his cake more...

 

 

Just kidding!

 

Have a Happy Easter!!!!!