When the cats away...

This weekend Landon and I were apart for a couple of days. I wish I could say that I had a super fun weekend full of shopping, makeup and great food but that wasn't the case. I actually spent most of the time cuddling with my physiology and organic chemistry textbooks... and took some time to reflect upon some things.  

Sunday afternoon Britters and I went on a drive up the always gorgeous Alpine Loop and it's no surprise the scenery got me all emotional again! I was telling Brittney that Saturday I had some serious growing pains when I realized that when Landon is gone... my life kind of goes with him. I sat and thought about my life up to this point and got really melancholy thinking about my family and all of my great memories with my brother and sisters, I thought about high school and how I'm so grateful I can look back on it from a higher place. 

 

I really am so grateful for where my life is right now. I love Landon so much and I feel like I am finally growing into my own skin. I'm so blessed to have such a good family and I just want you all to know how much I love and appreciate you. 

I know this is a random post... but "my cup runneth over" lately and I just wanted to say isn't it so great to be alive?! 

I too.... believe in Lane Frost

It may be presumptuous for me to assume I have loyal, consistent blog readers. So... a back story. A few months ago while in Texas, I made Landon answer a few questions for a blog post. On the "I believe...." question Landon (in true Landon fashion) said "I believe in Lane Frost." The comment spawned many calls and texts and funny replies, but to me it was just an "oh Landon" moment. Well, tonight while visiting our friends Cade and Andi, they  got all excited about something, started whispering behind their hands and giggling while coming down the hall with something concealed from Landon and I. Much to my delight... the surprise turned out to be a true Landon quote T-shirt! 

You can tell how proud Landon is of the gift. I can't wait for him to wear it 5 days a week. I feel like I have to tell everyone why this is so funny. When I first met Landon we were going through the "getting to know you" phase. When I asked him his favorite movie he said, "8 seconds" ya, fine it's a little weird, but not TOO weird right? Well...the next breath he said. " I feel like I have always had a connection to Lane Frost. When I was young I went to the arena in Cheyenne where he was killed and said a prayer and maybe cried a little." Now, you would think that would be the moment where I would say, "well, I had a really good time tonight. Don't call me... I'll call you." And yet... here I am two years later sitting next to him still laughing about it. 
The back of the shirt has a Gen-u-whine quote from the Lane Frost website. Some crap about what a great person he was... blah, blah, blah. (Landon is not ok with the previous sentence, he is requesting I edit myself.) 
Although I am not pleased this shirt is being added to the wardrobe, I must take this moment to say what good friends Cade and Andi are.... to Landon anyway. They did some real homework for this present. I think it would be a great dusting rag! 

No Room at the Inn

Let me just start by saying... I love my house. But my feelings for it are never going to change its age, its condition and certainly won't help me out with square footage. Which is usually not a problem for me. We are not there very often, and even when we are... it's just us you know? Ya, well... things change. This weekend was full of friends, friend's friends and friend's brother's friends. See where I'm getting at? Massive sleepover! 

Landon had "governor's day" this weekend for the military and all of his buddies came down to drill. We picked up our good friend Cody at the airport and went to dinner at Brittney's restaurant. (she is a waitress...and a good one too!) 
The first night was rather spacious... no complications. But the second night Landon's friends Mike and Matt came to stay with us too. Landon was so happy to see all of them and kept referring to them as "the boys", which really cracked me up. "It was so good to see the boys," "I love the boys." 
We played yahtzee, ate pizza and watched ALOT of football. I felt bad when it was time to sleep though, poor Mike had to sleep on the floor and Matt had to take the not so much better couch. They were real sports about it though. 
Then to my delight Cade called us and wanted to stay the next night! I was so happy! We have not been able to see Cade and Andi since we got home, so I was thrilled about it. Unfortunately, Andi was not able to come this time and was dearly missed. Landon and Cade really make me smile. They could not be more opposite but Landon loves and respects Cade so much and always wants to hang out with him. Which... is great for me. Considering Andi has been my best friend for years! Do you love their matching underwear? Ha ha 

Again... we played Yahtzee and watched football. Yahtzee I can deal with... but I have had ENOUGH football. I feel like I need to put on a pore cleansing mask, hang out in a robe and watch anything that has Paris Hilton in it. Sleeping arrangements aside, it was fun having everyone around and so good to see everyone again after a summer in exhile. We love you all and our tiny, hobbit house door is open to you anytime! P.S. I really need a new camera. The blurrish, red eye pics are getting a little old. Who has me for Christmas?! Let's form a collaboration! 

Just another week in paradise

Or something like that. Landon and I have been really busy these past couple of weeks. That coupled with the fact that we still don't have the internet connected has caused havoc on my abandoned, dumpy, little blog. School is in full swing and I am really swamped with a full load, but grateful to be doing my own thing again. Settling back into normal life has been quite the adjustment. We have spent lots of time trying to get our yard back in order, lots of time getting our house back in order, and  lots of money getting our pantry back in order. 

This was our first grocery trip when we got back. We had so much stuff! I really felt terrible for the poor guy who was ringing us up. We had actually filled two carts by the time everything was said and done. Hopefully, for our bank account's sake... this lasts us awhile. 

We went home to Idaho to visit my family recently and Landon and I stopped to see my friend Jacob at his "real cop" job. I can't believe that he is the real deal. It was so good to see him though, he has been a best friend of mine for almost five years now. 

And... how could I forget Britt?! I can't even describe how good it is to have my friend back! We went to her house for dinner last week. Her friend, Franco was visiting from Scotland and he cooked us a 5 star gourmet meal. The food was fine, but I was mostly just glad to see her again. And (thank you Linda) Landon made us all play Yahtzee.... AGAIN. P.S. I am falling over in this picture, and obviously find it quite hilarious! 

Landon took his two favorite gals to the Cheesecake Factory this weekend. I know it seems a bit strange that Landon would hang out with me and my friend. But... I actually met Brittney through Landon. They grew up together and have been friends since the beginning of time. It's super convenient for me because it's never awkward to be around them both at the same time. 

Landon is making up his time for missing military summer camp right now. He reported in Lehi last Monday and will finally be finished this Sunday. I am SUPER concerned about him getting caught up in his classes, but for some reason he is really chill about it. He just says to me, "I'm going to get A's." I have been making random appearances in his professor's offices trying to make sure he stays on top of his assignments. We'll see how this turns out. All in all, everything is going great for us and I am loving being home again. I get the internet on Sept. 18th.... and then I can be part of the blog world again! Until then... I miss you dear blog buddies. 

Griswold Family Fourwheeler Ride

Our first weekend home Landon and I finally got to visit our family in Panguitch! It was so good to see some familiar faces. We were there for three days. We played lots of games, ate lots of food, saw lots of family, and went on a fourwheeler ride! Now Fullmer family fourwheeler rides are nothing like when I grew up. Ours consisted of twenty minutes to the sand dunes and back, but theirs are all day, pack a lunch, see some sights kind of riding.... and I LOVE it!

Part of the charm of the rides are the crazy contraptions that Bruce and Di-izzle wear on their faces. I'm talking goggles and surgical masks. (Unfortunately, I have no photographic proof of this.) It's a kick. 

Sid and Klyn

Above: Kade and Kambree Below: Di-izzle and Kodee

We left the farm at about 11:00 and rode up Casto Canyon, across to Tropic Reservoir, down Proctor Canyon to Hatch and then back to Panguitch. It was a gorgeous ride! 

 

We had to keep stopping and waiting for Bruce. It did not take long for Sid and Dianne to figure out that he was stopping to collect pretty rocks that he could make arrow heads out of. After we had been waiting for about 10 minutes he would come riding up with the front of his fourwheeler completely loaded with rocks. Hilarious. 

Dianne packed the yummiest lunch! She had made chicken salad, homemade rolls, and Chex mix. Landon and I love when we visit her because she always makes the best food. I got some recipes from her this weekend, but have yet to attempt any of them. My face was filthy. I don't know why, but I always seem to get dirtier than other people on these outings. 

Of course we played games this trip and I am devastated to say I lost at all of them! On Sunday, we went to Landon's cousin's farewell so we got to see most of the extended family. It was good to see them and I am finally starting to recognize faces and be able to group them with the appropriate family. Names....? Not so much. But I'm optimistic. I love visiting Panguitch, our trips there are always so laid back. I'm really lucky to have in-laws that I love. Thank you so much for all the work... and food that goes into our visits Di-iz. I really appreciate it! 

SO long....

We made it home! We had the most outrageous trip. It was a 21 hour drive and we oh so brightly decided that we were going to do in one straight shot. We left San Antonio at 10:30 p.m. on Friday night. The first three hours went by without a hitch and neither of us were really feeling tired at all until about 2:30 at which point I asked Landon to pull over so that I could brush my teeth and wash my face at a gas station. I was so embarrassed everytime someone would walk into the bathroom. I really looked homeless with my little cosmetic caboodle, scrubbing my face in the dirty little sink. 

Driving while it was dark was actually by far the easiest part, we made it clear to New Mexico before the sun came up. Once it did though, the time seemed to crawl! 

Here is the border patrol that we had to go through to get home. It was actually pretty funny because our car was SO loaded with crap. The little guy looked through the window with a flashlight and asked us both if we were citizens. When Landon said he was the guy asked him if he was from Canada because of his crazy accent. (?) It would have been so easy for us to smuggle a couple of illegs under all the luggage.... Hmmm, we probably could have made a little gas money doing that. 
Landon and I were SO tired at about 7:30 so we stopped to get some hot chocolate and walk around a bit. We went through some serious roller coaster emotions. Some times one or both of us would get so tired that we would take a 20 minute "power nap" which was actually just closing your eyes for a few moments. When we weren't feeling that way though, it was hilarious! We were both feeling so goofy and were honestly laughing hysterically about nothing. 
We finally stopped for breakfast at 10:00 at some place called "Pietown NM". That's right... Pie town, population 56. If you are ever going through, stop in and tell them Landon and Che' say hello. 

I made Landon pull over and take some picture with some sunflowers at some point during the trip. I really don't have any idea where we were or what time it was. But he was a good sport about it and it was so good to just straighten my legs out! 

This sign was such a blessing! The picture is blurry, but it officially announced our arrival back to Utah. Woohoo! 

We arrived in Panguitch at 9:00p.m. on Saturday night. We were in the car for 23 hours straight. Neither of us slept at all for fear the other would fall asleep as well. We stopped for gas 4 times, stopped to eat twice, ate 2 bags of sunflower seeds, 6 bottles of propel, 2 bottles of water, lots of snack size candy bars, 1 hot chocolate and Landon downed 2 energy drinks. (Much to my dismay). Listened through our 7 hour MP3 twice and the first six chapters of Harry Potter 6. As crazy as it sounds, that drive will always hold some great memories for me. We had so much fun making fun of the little towns we were driving through and everything seemed 14 times funnier because we were so tired. We are both so happy to be home and get back to real life although we are both finding it bittersweet to see another summer go. We can't wait to see everyone again! 

...Bag Tag...

So Amanda bag tagged me... I originally thought this would be super fun, but now I'm a bit sheepish about the contents of my purse. However, the rules are clear. No cleaning the purse prior to submission. So... here are the nerd alert contents of my purse. 

1 vest... (I know, right?), sunglasses, the Pride and Prejudice, a necklace, some beauty blotters (for all us oily gals), 2 tubes of blistex, 2 camcorder tapes, a receipt/2 tickets to Sea World, my wallet, 3 bobby pins and 1 baby hair barette, some wrappers, an assortment of highlighters (my name is Che' and I am a highlightolic), 1 pen and a creepy, little wad of tulle 
Ta da! This has officially motivated and inspired me to clean out my suitcase. Oh, I mean purse. Thanks Amanda! I tag Cortney, Carlie, Kim, Jennifer, Maggie (Jordan, make her do it) and Britt. Ha Ha! That reminded me of a funny 'Brittney what's in your purse?' story. Have fun!