Sammies & Spoons

Just wanted to spread the word about a couple food sensations I have discovered recently:

1. Quizno's Sammy sandwiches--They're small enough to cost $2, but big enough to fill you up (at least me...guys might need two!) for a meal or snack. Yummy sauces, your choice of meat and veggies, in a pita bread. Love em!

2. Spoon Me--a yogurt shop going along with the "tart" trend, but I have to say the yogurt here is the perfect blend of tartness and sweetness! Toppings range from fresh fruit to cocoa pebbles. A new location was just opened in Provo (off Bulldog Blvd.), and there is also one in Salt Lake! I fancy myself to be an ice cream/yogurt expert, and gotta say this is delish!

Try 'em out and let me know what you think!

Bass, Babies, & Brides

This week/weekend was full of fun little outings. It began with a visit from Andrew's parents. We went to dinner with my parents (their first meeting..yikes!) and all went well :) We had them take us to Tucanos--yum! The next couple days were spent going to the Pioneer Day Parade, fly fishing, eating at delicious restaurants, and walking around Park City.

Yep--that's Pres. Monson and his wife!

Took this one for Jenna--she loves Ketchup.

Andrew and I outside of the yummy Ruth's diner. Home of the most amazing biscuits ever.

Friday night, Carissa (my bro's fiance), went through the temple. Kristin and Tim were invited, so Andrew and I babysat their little rascals for the evening. It was weird to go from just us, to us + 3 kids! But, they were SO good and cute and it was really fun.

Andrew and little Braxton--he's a natural :)

He insisted on wearing the backwards hat with his PJ's. It's a good look, really.

I promise Ashlyn was happy MOST of the night...

Then, Saturday was Carissa's bridal shower at my house. There were more women in here than I think we've ever had before! It was fun and Carissa looked so cute and happy. Overall, a wonderful week :)

My old roommate Lo-Lo...I miss her!

Lauren and the oh-so-cute Ashlyn

Models! ha

Adventures

Well, I haven't blogged in a while and thought I would update everyone on some of my fun adventures!

#1--First, and foremost, it was my wonderful dad's birthday on July 12th. I DID get him a gift--I am just blogging a little belated! He is a great dad, so kind and respectful to my mom, an awesome Bishop, and one of the best joke-tellers I know. So, I love you Dad! Here are some pics from ice cream with the fam that night.

#2--Andrew has been attempting to teach me to skateboard. I was a little resistant at first...mostly out of fear than anything else! I can barely stand on a skateboard without getting wobbly. Well, I guess that would be past tense now! I am nowhere near the leagues of Tony Hawk, but I can glide gracefully down my street and even make a turn here and there. And don't tell Andrew, but I secretly really enjoy it :) And notice the cute earrings Katie gave me for my b-day!

#3--Andrew and I took a trip up to the enormous IKEA store up in the Draper area. We went with my old roomie, Lauren, who I was SO glad to hang out with since we don't get to as much! Andrew loved it--it was shockingly his first visit--and he is really into the European style of decor that they feature there. I have already told him that he'll be in charge of decorating our house since he has better taste than me! There was some very cool stuff and it made me eager to be married and have a place of our own...and some decorating money :) Below are some pics of setups we particularly liked.

I hope this finds everyone well! I can't believe summer is drawing to a close so fast. I love having random little adventures and will be sad for them to end, but so life goes!

Wall-e!

Just wanted to spread the good news...Andrew and I saw Wall-e last night--the latest Disney/Pixar project--and loved it!  It is so funny and adorable...I almost cried a few times and the love story, even between two robots, was fantastic.  Highly recommend it!

Andy and Ana?

Nope! We may resemble the famous tennis stars, but it's just us :)

I've been trying to stay active in the evenings after work so I don't gain the inevitable extra chub of a 9-5 office job! Tennis is a fav activity; others include bike rides, skateboarding, hiking, basketball, and in the near future, soccer.

We learn in my nursing classes that everyone should get at least 30 min of cardio exercise 4x a week. So, I'm trying to practice what I preach! Plus, I like the cute tennis outfits.

Yeeeehaw! Happy 4th.

So, after attending the Provo parade with my family, we spent the majority of our 4th of July weekend in the wonderful city of Fillmore! I had heard of the Utah town, but never been to visit.

It so happened that Drew's sister, Katie, and her husband and little fam were visiting Tanner's (her husband) extended family, who are from Fillmore. Since I hadn't met Katie yet, we ventured on down and joined in on the fun there.

It ended up being a much different weekend than I had anticipated, with the majority of our time spent in the great outdoors. Activities included ATV's, horseback riding, a BBQ, rifle shooting (I DID hit a clay pigeon on my own...oh yeah), and an INCREDIBLE fireworks show, courtesy of the city of Fillmore.

Katie and Tanner's crew were so fun and cute and it was great to meet them! Drew and Tanner especially embraced the "country" lifestyle, and were very excited to whip out their accents and hay-chewing habits. Overall, it was an awesome weekend--God bless America.

Horses! Notice the hay in Andrew's mouth..

Watching fireworks--yay for double chins!

Pre-ATV ride. SO fun!

The gun we shot!

My soon-to-be niece, Reese--she is a pistol! So cute.

And of course, Beck--what a stud.

Hmm...

I was bored at work and browsing my options for bouquets...not that I really need to yet--but hey, it's fun! Here are a few I liked. My colors are a light blue and a light orange/coral. The bridesmaid dresses are the blue, so I want to bring orange in for the flowers. My dress has kind of old Hollywood/vintage feel to it, so I want to keep that element in my flowers as well. Let me know your opinions!

Option 1: Earthy--I would use the blue instead of purple though, I think.

Option 2: Total cala lillies

Option 3: A more traditional mix

A Change of Heart

Okay, something happened yesterday that just made my week!

(I LOVE this picture--he is cracking up...and I'm a little concerned for Ashlyn!)

I have a 2-year-old nephew, Braxton (pictured above), who has never really taken a liking to me. He RARELY says my name--I've maybe heard it once--and is always pretty shy around me. I've babysat for my sis a few times, and we get along just fine, but I have always wanted him to have some sort of attachment to me!

So, on to my story...yesterday, my sister and her little fam came down to Provo for the day to get a blessing dress for Ashlyn and let the nephews swim at our neighbor's pool. When I got home from work, the nephews were asleep and nobody else was home. Andrew came over, and a few minutes later Braxton came wandering out of the room where he was napping. We coaxed him downstairs, and the entire time he was with me he gave me that look--the one of furrowed eyebrows, indicating suspicion. He didn't say hardly anything and didn't seem too happy to find me there when he awoke--no surprise there!

Kristin and Tim eventually got home, and Braxton perked up and started playing and talking like normal--of course. Andrew and I left for a movie, and that was that.

WELL, I got home after the movie and my mom had a story for me. Apparently, a few minutes after I had left for the movie, Braxton began wandering around the house asking everyone, "Where's Elyse?" Not only was he saying my name--he was actually concerned as to where I had gone! So, he may not embrace me in person, but at least now I can believe he has a place for me in his little heart. We're making progress! Baby steps...soon I'll be his favorite aunt :)