Moab, Utah

Brad and I went on a camping trip to Moab over Memorial Day weekend.  It was so much fun! I took a day off work, and then we got Memorial Day off so it was an extra long weekend, which was so very nice.  We drove there on Friday, went on a hike and then miraculously were able to get a camping site when everywhere was full.  We went the cheap route and didn't reserve one in advance because it is more expensive that way.  So when we saw one available, we grabbed it even though it was right by a main road.  We set up camp and then went on a bike ride.  Dinner that night was chicken kebabs and baked beans from a can.  The next morning we did a 10.5 mile bike ride through a slick rock trail.  The slick rock was much bumpier than I ever imagined it could be, and also difficult.  I got off and almost fell over many times.  But we conquered it so that was fun! Then we went off-roading, where I swear we almost died.  We were near the edge of a cliff and for awhile were stuck there.  But we are very creative and filled the holes our tires had dug in the dirt with rocks to get our car to crawl up the rocks we had just bounced down.  It was intense.  Then we went on a calm nature walk with a nice view, and had MRE's for dinner. It was excellent.  I will also add that during the drive we listened to Harry Potter 4 and I just know that deep down, Brad is in love with them.  It makes me SO happy!!!  We can't wait for the last movie to come out!  Yay!

Tulip Festival

I am playing catch up today with our blog.  At the beginning of May Brad, Scottie and I went to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point.  How did I get two men to go with me to the Tulip Festival you might be wondering?  Well Scottie had to come so we could get in for free as he works at Thanksgiving Point, and Brad came because he is such a good husband.  It was actually a really good excuse to spend time with Scottie before he left on his mission.  He is now in the MTC and loving it, and will soon go to his area in the Sacramento, California, English speaking mission.  We are so proud of him!  Anyway, here is a sampling of the hundred plus pictures I took while we were there.

Sappy Birthday Post: Happy 23rd Brad!

Brad's birthday was on April 28, so it was several days ago, and we have already done some pretty awesome celebrating, but I wanted to celebrate on our blog as well!

Today, for some reason, it has hit me in a new way that Brad and I are stuck like glue together for the rest of our lives, and I couldn't be happier about that.  We went through the morning routine again today and it just felt so routine that I realized that all the time that I have spent with Brad so far is not just an awesome vacation and that our home and life together is not a fantasy that is going away anytime soon.  I realize that the word routine might have a negative connotation, but I don't mean it that way.  I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be able to have a routine that does and will continue to revolve around me trying to spend as much time as possible with him.

Brad makes me laugh until my stomach and cheeks hurt, and if I have just taken a drink, until the water nearly sprays out of my mouth. He cheers me up instantly when I get to call him on my lunch break.  He packs breakfast for us every morning. He helps around the house in every way - dishes, laundry, tidying, and cooking.  He writes thank you cards with me. He is patient with my quirks. He'll watch chick flicks with me without any complaint. He occasionally sings Disney duets with me. He forgives me for my blunders. He works so hard at school to make sure that our family has a bright future.  He holds my hand all through church which I love. He stays with me and comforts me every time I cry for irrational, crazy, hormonal reasons that even I don't understand. He eats the dinners I mess up without complaining.  He lets me warm up my ice cube feet under his leg. He is humble. He has even learned to like country music for me! He has also taken up running just for me. He is the best and closest friend I have ever had.

After 1.25 years of being together, I am so excited for 70+ more years with him. I cannot wait to find out what our future holds and go through whatever life throws at us with him by my side. Happy birthday Bradley!  I know I tell you you are the best all the time, but seriously, I mean it!



 

JEM Trail, Extreme Mountain Biking, Zion National Park

So we took a detour on our way to St. George for the Easter holiday and went mountain biking! I chose the trail, and good thing, because when I was scared out of my mind I had no one to blame but myself.  As you can see in the last picture, the end of the trail was on the edge of a cliff.  I was also freaking out when we got to the rocky part of the trail.  Who knew that mountain biking trails include one foot and a half drop offs down an entire hill of craggy rocks?  Not me.  Also we couldn't find the trail for awhile on this adventure, but despite all of the bad times, I really enjoyed myself.  I really love forcing myself to do activities that unsettle me so that I get out of my comfort zone (i.e. the comfort of an office chair I sit in for 40+ hours a week.  Brad also really loved this experience as well!  He had a blast laughing at my scaredy cat antics, and also zooming down the steepest hills.  In fact, he liked the fast downhill parts so much that he would ride back and do them several times :)  He also did the same thing with the shallow creek that we had to cross - we went across about 15 times I think!  Ha ha ha :) I think I have a budding EXTREME sports lover on my hands.  We both already want to do this trail again! We highly recommend it.  And we think we will be able to find the trail in its entirety next time :)

One of the happiest things in the world

Since I don't want to steal their thunder with my own post, but I desperately want to announce this, please click the link on the right for jessica and scooter's blog to find out what I am talking about. I will give one hint though. The news has been several months in coming... I love you Plowman family!!

Droid X

I am typimg this from my new Droid X. The commercials are dumb but luckily its good reputation convinced us to each get one. They were only $50 at Costco! Such a good deal. I personally feel so much more in the loop.

Wedding Ring

We got Brad a real wedding ring.  The last one was a cheapie that we got online because we couldn't find anything he really loved in time for the wedding.  We really wanted him to have something unique and that is hard to find in men's rings.

But we found one, and were really excited.  The jeweler told us that they would put the order in on Monday and we would have it sometime later in the week.  But they called me on Monday and said it was ready to be picked up!  So I kept this lovely surprise from Brad, and went and picked up the ring by myself while he was at a group meeting for school.  When he got home he found me all dressed up in a dress, with candles lit and strawberries for eating.  He said what a nice surprise, and I said the surprise is not over, and pulled out the ring.  I said, "Bradley James, will you still marry me?"  He said yes and we had an excellent laugh and were very excited.  I love his ring just as much as he does and was very excited to give it to him!  And I love that I got to do what every guy on the planet does - lie about when they get the ring so it is a surprise!  It was very fun, I highly recommend proposing to your husband if you get the opportunity.  He was very happy.