Chalk The Block

This is the first year we decided to check out the Chalk the Block event at the Riverwoods shops in Provo and I'm SO glad we did!

So fun!

I love the Riverwoods.

It's a beautiful outdoor shopping center near the entrance of the canyon.

There's great shopping, great restaurants, and always so many fun events!

Chalk the block is where artists get a parking space and draw whatever they want in it!

I couldn't believe how much talent there was!

We came when they weren't quite finished and some hadn't even started but it was still so amazing to see all the great artwork.

Some of my favorites were the ones dedicated to those serving in the armed forces, a memory of a child that passed too soon, and all of the portraits of faces.

SO much detail!

As if the artwork wasn't enough entertainment all the shops were running great sales, BYU vocal point came (SO fun!), and there were lots of vendors!

We will definitely be going next year as well!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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Falling Leaves

I'm experiencing my first real fall (since I can remember) and I'm SO loving it!

Fall in Utah is GORGEOUS!

The mountains have the most beautiful leaves all over and every time I walk to the car my boots crush all the crunchy leaves.

The air is a little more crisp and the nights and mornings are much colder.

I can wear boots, sweaters, and scarves already and I'm just not used to that.

Also, I've had several bowls of soup and cups of hot chocolate and that just makes me so happy!

Seriously, I love it.

Not only does it look like Fall outside, but this is my first fall I got to decorate inside!

I love the warm colors filling our home, it's really gotten me in the holiday spirit!

Call me crazy... but I'm already planning out Christmas decorations :)

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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For the Love of All Things Summer

Dinner is cooking, Hunter is doing homework, and I found it a perfect time to catch up on some blogging

I realize that by law of the four seasons, it isn't actually summer yet.

But, it sure feels like it here in Utah!

Which is crazy to me because about a week and a half ago I swear I was grabbing a sweater to bring to work and my umbrella because there was a chance of rain...

But, I am so not complaining.

Summer in Utah is Really fun!

And, it's even Moore fun with the best husband there ever was :)

-We spent Memorial Day at Seven Peaks Water park. It was a beautiful sunny day and the water park was packed. Yet somehow we zipped through most of the lines. I would have to say it's because most of the others there were a bit too little to go on the big kid water slides ;) We had a blast and can't wait to go back all summer long! Both of us love the water and sliding down on a double inter tube is just the best. We then came home and grilled up some hot dogs to make chili cheese dogs, made some fresh guacamole, and ended it all with the Heat game and popsicles :)  

-Have you tried Rita's Italian Ice?

If your answer was no... find the closest one to you, and GO! It was quite good and both Hunter and I really enjoyed it. The Gelati was fantastic. Now I'm craving it. Cool.

- Our passports AND our marriage certificate came already! They are here quite early and we are SO happy! It's cruise time!

Well... almost. We're counting down the days :)

- We went on the Provo temple grounds last Sunday with peanut butter cookies in tow to have FHE. It was Hunter's lesson and even though it took about an hour, it was one I'll remember for quite some time :) We brought our patriarchal blessings and read them to each other but also had a paper with "I am" "I will" and "I won't" When we read each line we tried to see if it would fit under any of the categories. It was a very spiritual lesson and I'm so grateful for such an amazing husband

- We've made some really awesome friends here and have decided we might actually be really sad when we have to leave! (did I just say that?) Yep, we actually really are loving Utah. Remind me that I said this when the snow hits...

- Sonic happy hour has become one of my new favorite times of day. It is in the same parking lot as I work and a slushee is only like 70 cents. AND they now put nerds in them. Nerds people... I didn't even realize I liked Nerds but I sure do in my lemonberry slushees :)

- A couple weeks ago I was in the shower minding my own business when Hunter comes in the bathroom to let me know that the second counselor in the Stake Presidency called asking to speak with me. My tummy felt funny as soon as Hunter reminded me that Stake conference was coming up. Sure enough I called him back and hung up with an assignment to speak in stake conference. I've been here three months and have already spoken in our ward, have a calling, have given the closing prayer, and spoke in Stake conference. But hey, I'm not complaining! I'm glad they're putting me to work :) 

- We drove wayy up the canyon with our awesome friends Hannah and Cody the other day and had a really fun bonfire! Mountain man Cody served his mission in the Dominican Republic and bought a machete while there. So, he had no problem finding us fire wood haha. 

- Other than that... work is good for both of us, Hunter is an amazing husband, we have food on our table every night, we have a comfy bed to sleep in, Hunter is doing well in school, and we are just so grateful for our many blessings :)

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A Grateful Girl.

We had a really lovely weekend.

We accomplished "adult things", we ate yummy dinners, we enjoyed sunshine, we enjoyed time with each other, the pool opened, we made peanut butter cookies, we spent time with our lovely new friends, I cut Hunter's hair, we felt God's love in the temple, we got milkshakes, we planned our trip to California, we got really excited for our cruise, and in the midst of it all we grinned ear to ear as we discussed how getting married was the best decision we could have possibly ever made.

I don't know what I did to deserve the life I'm living but I was overwhelmed with gratitude for all the many blessings I have in my life as I laid my head down on my comfy pillow to fall asleep last night. 

My husband was breathing heavily beside me somewhere in dreamland, a wonderful Sunday was coming to a close, and we were ready to start a new week. 

Weekends always go by much too quickly.

I've always hated when Sundays hit around 9 o'clock. I begin dreading falling asleep because I know the next time I open my eyes, I'll have to get ready for a new week.

I was contemplating this last night. Why do I dread a new week so much?

I mean sure it's quite possibly because a carefree weekend is over, but really the week days aren't all that bad.

I like my job. A lot. Especially since a 5 week old baby just came.

(I'm in love with her. She's just so squishy.)

I really love coming home and being with my husband again.

I love cooking dinner, doing the dishes together, and just enjoying our time together. 

I came to a conclusion that

A: it's just a social norm to hate Mondays and a new week

&

B: I forget how wonderful this little life of mine is right now because there is always something more and something else to look forward to.

But last night was different.

It was the first Sunday in a while that I felt excited to see what memories this new week would bring rather than dreading it.

I was counting my blessings rather than making mental lists of what could be and what needs to be.

I felt truly happy.

There was something in the way Hunter was peacefully breathing beside me that made me reflect on these things.

I love him. I really love him.

And, I love that he is a constant reminder to me that I am living the life I dreamed of since the day I met him.

There was something in my reflection in the mirror with my apron on and a mixing bowl in my arms that made me think back to all the Sunday's I dreamed of cooking for my husband. 

There was something in our family night discussion that reminded me how perfect the gospel is and how lucky I am to have married a returned missionary.

There was something about reading my book in my lounge chair next to the pool with my husband right beside me that made me smile about our simple, yet oh so wonderful life. 

(I really didn't mean for this to sound "braggy" at all.

I'm just happy, and grateful, and in love.

And, this was the result.)

Here's to another week, and another reason to smile.

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

(Pardon the screenshots of snapchats)

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