Rome

October has been a crazy month, but we are back from Italy! [Although wishing a little bit we weren't]


Italy was a dream.

From the weather.

To the gelato.

Spending time with my parents.

No work.

New experiences.




I tried to take in




every.


single.


second.


We started in Rome.

Figuring out trains and public transit is always a strain... but we did it and saved a lotta $$ in the meantime.

Our AirBnb was thee tiniest. Buuut located in the cutest, most picturesque street. Aaaaand super close to the Colloseum.

I mean just look at this street from our window.

We literally took 2 steps out of the train station to cobblestone streets, colorful tall buildings, small smart cars, vines and shutters.

THIS is Italy!

A quick freshen up and we were off to the Colloseo!

It was a quick 5 minute walk. We turned out of a sharp Italian ally way and BOOM there it was. 

Surprisingly, everywhere we went in Rome was crazy busy!

Tour groups and tourists E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E!

Sort of a bummer since it was the end of October and not in the busy season, but what can you do.

It was even bigger in person and so cool to actually BE in a place where study and learn about in school and growing up.

Just across from the Colloseo is the Roman Forum.

More ruins of ancient city squares and living spaces.

And not to mention gorgeous views of the city.

Poor Aar was so jetlagged, every time inside the Forum we would stop to sit on a bench, he would fall asleep.

#jetlagisreal

After the Forum we had our first Italian meal.

What better than pizza and fettuccine?

Aaron couldn't keep his eyes open for another second, so he hunkered down for bed at 6:30 pm.


Embarrassing moment here: we didn't wake up until 11:30 am the next day!



eleven.

thirty.

am!


I don't think I've slept that long in like... forever!


After realizing the time, we rushed out to check the sights off our list.

First stop: Trevi Fountain

 ^Remember what I said about Rome being super crowded?

And of course we had to go back at night!

Second stop: Vatican City(with a detour of food)

The Vatican museum was HUGE

so.

much.

art.

If we were more into art, that would have been heaven.

After a while though, it all seems to blend in.

But we saw the Sistine Chapel.

And the Catholics version of Temple Square :)

Aaaand you can't visit Rome without a visit to the Colloseum at night!

Such an AMAZING place!

Busy October

Hoping I can make it out of October alive!

It's a crazy month... but luckily it'll end on a high note.

Currently I'm sitting in a hotel room in Louisville.

Catching up on emails and winding down for the day So before worrying about the upcoming week, I'll reminisce about the past week.

I've never been up Squaw Peak and I'm so glad we went! We had a photo shoot with Gus, and went back to get some follow up pictures. Aaaand I'm so happy/lucky Lexi is a photographer because she is always willing and wanting to take pictures of Aar and I.

 Can you even believe these colors? It was UnReAl!! I was in complete awe and would blurt out every minute "THIS IS SO PRETTY!" It was spectacular and there are no words. It's on my list every fall from now on.

Spence brought a drone and shoot some footage driving Gus through the canyon... it looked so good!

Friday my work gave us all tickets to spend the night at Lagoon for Frightmare's. It's been a bit since I've been to Lagoon, but it was so much fun with Aar. He isn't a fan of amusement parks... and he only lasted about 4 rides before he begged to go home(what I am going to do with him?!) but I swear when I looked over at him while we rode the roller coasters he had a giant smile on his face and was screaming with the best of them.

The next day we drove up to Logan to see the Aggies play! So many things have changed up in Logan, but I love that town and University more than ever! It was so fun to be back in that little town and see all the familiar roads and landmarks.

 The weather was sunny and warm and I loved walking up Old Main Stairs just before sunset when it was quiet and still.

Next time I need to go up with Charlotte so we can reminisce and talk about the good ol' days!

The upcoming weeks are a little crazy. Tonight will be spent in Kentucky, and tomorrow in Tennessee before taking an evening flight home.

Friday will be a day of work full of catching up and prepping for next week. Friday night we have a cousins party, Saturday we have a Gus event, Sunday visiting teaching, Monday prepping the house for Italy/Air Bnb rental, Tuesday off to Denver, Wednesday back from Denver, final prep and Thursday morning off to Italy. Italy can't come soon enough! Praying in the mean time!

Chi town

Finally getting back into the swing of things before heading out of town in the next week or so before heading back out for another work trip.

But now.... Chicago.

We were very lucky and enjoyed good(warm & muggy) weather our entire trip. 

We flew in early on a Saturday morning and got to our Airbnb quickly after. 

Usually while traveling we take Uber and walk, this trip we decided on the subway. Not only did we save plenty of money, but it's always interesting riding the subway and observing how people survive living in the city carrying their grocery bags, families and bikes.... not sure if I'm cut out for that life. 

Our Airbnb was about a half mile from the train stop, so we enjoyed a leisurely walk, and stared at the cutest courtyard every day.

 ... and walked through charming neighborhoods and old brick apartment buildings. 

We met one of Aaron's old Fidelity friends downtown for some good ol' Chicago deep dish pizza. We didn't even think to take pictures until after the night was over. But we enjoyed catching up- Aar lived with this friend while we were dating so we reminisced from a few years back. 

The night was perfectly warm so we headed down to walk along the lakeside and view the city skyline and pretty lights. 

I love that Aaron is a planning when it comes to vacations, but I also love that we don't pack our days tight and leave room for flexibility. We love walking around new cities and just taking our time for pictures, views or resting our feet, but still hit the bed tired every night. 

We slept in the next day before grabbing some brunch at a cute spot. Red velvet french toast for me and biscuits and gravy for him. After brunch we headed over to a matinee Cubs game. 

The stadium was huge and the crowd upbeat. We left the Cubbies after the 7th inning stretch, but they pulled out the win. 

Of course Aar had to stop by the stock exchange and get his classic picture.

Visited the Bean... I loved it!

Stopped by the Buckingham Fountain again.

Walked along the river at sunset... all heart eyes!

And capped the night off at Shake Shack with Chicago dogs and thee best(bad for you) fries.

Monday was my last day. I had to get back to work to plan a convention for my clients, while Aar stayed for a convention of his own. 

We woke up and headed to see a few last sites and shop along Miracle Mile of course!

 View from the top of the John Hancock building.

 Classic Chicago.

 Navy Pier.

Nutella cafe!

After the last of our sight seeing, Aaron rode the subway with me all the way to Midway and back to drop me off at the airport, great ending to a fun quick trip. 

Hello September!

The days go by slow, but the years go by quick! 

The weather is slowly starting to get cooler, and the nights darker. 

We've been spending our nights at the gym, planning our upcoming trips and watching our new favorite series- the Wonderlist.

We've already been to J Dawgs, Sushi and good ol' McDees this week. 

I did a quick awesome shoot with Lexi in the prettiest random sunflower field in Pleasant Grove.

I've already flown through Chicago once this week, and am headed back for a few days to stay in Chi town with Aaron before his conference. 

Figuring out how to get our Chinese visa ready... it's a lot harder and more expensive than we thought(like $300 per person- almost as much as our flights!)... next time you see a cheap flight to China... look at the other details like Visas :/

Taking a chance on Airbnb and looking into renting our top floor while we go on vacation to earn a few bucks. 

Booking gigs like crazy for Gus... October/Fall has been decent with wedding, yahoo! 

Labor Day 2k17

Since Aaron went down to Hurricane to work on some of his parent's properties, I had the weekend all to myself. It was fun at first, then got a little lonely. 

Madi was in town so her, Xanni and I headed up to the Cabin for the night. 

But first, J Dawgs. 

We spent the night roasting smores and talking about high school. It was a blast. 

The next day we visited the Fairy Forest and Provo River Falls. 

 The weather was hot, so we stopped by for some traditional ice cream and pizza on the way home.

As soon as we pulled into my house later that afternoon, we heard a squeaking noise, and low and behold my back tire was punctured by screws and flat. Bad luck.

Thankfully it didn't happen too bad when driving and we have Triple A and a spare so it was a quick change and I was good to go.

The rest of my weekend was spent cleaning and organizing and catching up on Suits. Cheers Summer!