LIFE'S SECRETS UNLOCKED IN IDAHO GARDEN

We like to take walks. I especially like to walk past this house down the road from us. It is so charming! The little old lady who lives here puts so much time and effort into the yard. She is ALWAYS out in her gardens.



Pretty gardens.



This sign is on one side of the house.

What is the key, you ask?

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Can you see the heart?

(Those shadows are of Andrew and I doing just that: being in love)

BYU BIRTHDAY

Andrew had a birthday coming up...

...So, I bought and taped these tickets to the bathroom mirror for him to find. Both of us have seen BYU play ASU down in Arizona...but never here at home in the Lavell Edwards Stadium. I think I was as excited as Andrew was.

Waiting for the game to start and so happy to be here!

I knew nothing about where the best seats were in this stadium, so I was pleased to see once we got there, that we were in one of the few sections with a back to lean against...and most importantly...it was in the shade for 98% of the game. (Coming from Rexburg, we wore our pants and even brought sweatshirts just in case. Who knew it would be SO BLAZING HOT just a few hours south?!)

They put on a fabulous show beforehand. Now, I love the small town, personal feel of BYU-Idaho...but the atmosphere and energy in Provo was, I have to admit, very exciting. I can see why people are so proud to be apart of this school!

Max Hall (quarterback) warming up.

Wouldn't you know it...the two largest spectators in the entire stadium sat directly in front of little 'ol me.

It didn't ruin much of my fun though. Check out the score board after the first quarter! Yay BYU!

Bronco himself watching poor Colorado State miss a field goal. (Isn't the zoom on my camera AWESOME?)

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Andrew...pretty pleased with his BYU program.

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Big fan of this picture. Such a beautiful stadium.

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I had to zoom in on the mountain backdrop behind the stadium. Fall is upon us!

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The next day, we took a little drive up through nearby canyons to enjoy the changing colors. (Can you see Andrew down there?)

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As we drove home to Idaho, the hillsides were on FIRE!

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To celebrate Andrew's actual birthday on Monday, we built ourselves a whole batch of mini homemade pizzas. So yummy, so easy, and so fun! Whatever we couldn't eat that night, we threw in the freezer for easy lunches later on.

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For dessert, we each had a slice of heaven, a.k.a, peanut butter cup cheesecake. Ooh yeah...

Happy #25, babe!

HOMECOMING

A few weeks ago, my sis and I made a split-second decision to road trip Utah for our cousin Kylan's mission homecoming from Australia. We jumped in the car and 3 1/2 hours later we were pulling up to the Bountiful, Utah temple amidst an approaching storm. This lovely temple is just down the street from our cousin's home.

Becca's rebelliousness leaked out at the wrong moment, and she broke in to the temple grounds, by means of a small space in a locked gate.
Goodbye Becca.

After she had that out of her system and I bailed her out of prison, we walked to Sacrament Meeting for Kylan's talk.

What fun it was to see our handsomely cousin again. There's my short self amidst a small cluster of Brown cousins. In case you were curious which one is Kylan, he's the missionary-looking one in front of the Australian flag. You'd like 'em all. Hooray for family! Totally worth the trip.

IRON MAN

http://ironmanjace.blogspot.com/

A first grader at the school that I work at was just diagnosed with Leukemia the first week of the new school year. His mom set up this blog to keep everyone posted as he begins treatment. Personally, I despise the blog. It makes me cry every time I look at it, and I hate getting all emotional (my least favorite movie on the entire planet is Charly). It doesn't help that Jace's mother seems to have a gift for writing. But with that said, go check out the blog. It is updated regularly. Just be sure to read it with a box of Kleenex.


Also:
1. Here is a link to the local news coverage about the Pep Rally our school held in Jace's honor.

http://www.localnews8.com/global/story.asp?s=11152971#


2. A support fund has been established at Beehive Federal Credit Union in Rexburg and Idaho Falls. Just ask for the ‘Jace Leatham Fund' to make a donation.

A FRIENDLY LETTER

Dear 24-Hour Flu Bug,

I hate your stinkin' guts. You make me vomit. You're scum between my toes!

Love,
Rachel

OUT FOR A SPIN

I got home from work the other day to this shnazzy contraption in the driveway (and Andrew's face in the window to gauge my reaction as I saw it). Andrew is doing work for a friend who lives almost an hour away. To keep making the trip in Andrew's truck from destroying our wallet, this generous friend has been sharing his more cost efficient vehicles.

That evening, we of course, took advantage of it and went for a drive. Our first order of business was to casually pull up next to a tree at Porter Park where my sister was reading a book. The looks of curiosity, recognition, and then shock on her face at seeing us in a bright red Mercedes convertible was way too much fun.




As fun as it was, I learned very quickly that for me, riding through town in a car like that was like reliving those dreams where you're at school when you suddenly realize you're naked. Everyone that we passed on the road blatantly stared with a goofy grin on their face. I was soon cowering in the seat in an attempt to disappear from view. I've never been one to enjoy the spotlight.

I was able to enjoy the ride once we were out of town and out of sight of everyone we know. It was a surreal feeling to ride through the epitome of rural, agrarian life in such a flashy ride. A convertible sure opened our senses up to the full experience of Idaho country. We could hear the geese calling out as they flew in their V's over the highway, inhale the wheat being harvested in nearby fields, smell that distinct yummy scent of wood burning stoves (and dairy farms), and we even got to enjoy a full moon as we rolled back into town. And then we figured that a night in a convertible wouldn't be complete without a stop at the Sonic drive-thru. What a fun night!

NEW HOLIDAY

I proclaim today to be "pick-weeds-from-a-field-near-your-house-and-put-them-in-a-vase-on-your-kitchen-table" day!

I dare you!
(Not bad for weeds, eh?)