five things i love about fall

1. My birthday

As soon as my birthday comes around, it's time for fall! With September 21st being the first day of fall, my birthday has always been a great way to ring in the new season. I've always loved my birthday. Thanks to the best friends and family, it's always the happiest day of the year.  This year was no exception :)

Self-timer fail. Sorry Stace, had to :)

2. Football games

Don't be fooled, everyone knows I'm not much of a sports fan myself...but there's just something about football season! Chilly nights, school spirit, hot chocolate, the fight song and of course a little high school dance team nostalgia-- some of my all time favorite memories.

HHS Dance Half-Time Show

^For  your viewing pleasure^

3. Pumpkin

"Everything pumpkin" has been my motto this fall.  The other day I went to the store to pick up one thing, and ended up spending $37.63--all on pumpkin treat ingredients.  Whoops :)  So far, I've made pumpkin chocolate chip bread, pumpkin snickerdoodles, pumpkin donut holes, a pumpkin spice bundt cake (well, 3 if I'm being honest...), and pumpkin chocolate chip waffles!  Always something to look forward to this time of year.

4. Fall colors

Gotta love fall colors!  Mustard yellow, sage green, burnt orange, plaid flannels--nothin' better.  Although it's always depressing for me to put away the sandals, there's something about getting warm and cozy in a sweatshirt that makes it a decent trade. But of course, the best fall colors are those changing leaves! It's hard to beat the Alpine Loop, but Logan is sure holding its own :)

5.  Corn mazes, hayrides and pumpkin patches

This girl loves to be festive. No matter the occasion, it is absolutely necessary to go all-out.  You better believe I'm dragging Ryan to every "fall festivity" in town.  Time to whip out the fall crafts and halloween decorations and enjoy the season! If cold weather is coming, might as well embrace it with apple cider, yummy soup, and of course all things pumpkin :) 

Happy fall!

summer in review

It sure has been a whirlwind of a summer! Talk about busy, busy, busy. It’s hard to believe we packed in as much as we did…but summers always seem to go that way, don’t they?

Here are a few highlights… It’s been a good one!

We started off with a little trip to Cancun. Not a bad way to kick off the summer :)

Then, after only being married 3 weeks, I left my brand new hubby to go on tour with the Folk Dancers.  It was sad to be apart, but Nauvoo never disappoints.  One of my favorite places in the world.

I started my new job! I love, love, love it.  I work for the Utah Valley Expos and it is just the perfect fit for me. I make my own schedule, choose my own hours, and get to meet with some of the coolest people on the planet.  It’s flexible, fun, DEFINITELY keeps me on my toes, and has already opened up tons of new opportunities for growth and potential in the future. I am loving it.

Went to a different county fair every weekend. Literally. (Strawberry Days, Rodeo Days, Draper Days, Freedom Days, Steel Days, Fiesta Days, Swiss Days and Peach Days to name a few…)

Went to Stadium of Fire!  I had always said that I must make it to Stadium of Fire just once before I left Provo.  Thanks to Al’s family, right at the LAST second, I got my wish :) As patriotic as I am, and with 4^th of July being my favorite holiday, I loved every minute of it!  And now Ryan will have to forever live with “Kelly Clarkson” as his first concert :)

Celebrated the most important, looked-forward-to day of the year in the Bench family—KIDS’ DAY. That’s right. There’s Mother’s Day, there’s Father’s Day, and in this family we celebrate KIDS’ DAY! This year the theme was “Western Round Up”—and boy did they go all out!

Got invited down for a quick getaway to Lake Powell with my awesome boss and her family!  (Did I mention how much I LOVE my job?!) It was beautiful. And a blast. We’re obsessed.

Celebrated Ryan’s birthday!  26 years old.  Joint with his best friend Austin.  Best friends, same birthday. Cute, huh?

Celebrated these adorable newlyweds/best friends of ours :)  Two of our favorite people in the world marrying EACH OTHER—how great of a set up is that?! Such a happy, happy day. 

Totally hit it off with one of the groomsmen ;)

SO much love.  Can't wait to be “best-family-friends” for the rest of our lives :)

Now we’re just kickin’ it here in Logan!  Not too much to report yet, but it’s been kind of nice to take it easy with just the two of us after such a crazy, fun-filled summer.  But, so far so good!  Getting settled and staying busy!

18 years and counting

Just a little tribute to one of my beautiful best friends on her birthday.  We've been friends since we were FIVE years old...pretty rare, huh? Here are some highlights of our 18-year friendship...only the most glamorous, of course :)

 

Between girls camps, EFY's, school dances, birthday parties, concerts, sleepovers, beach trips and graduations-- nearly a million of my childhood/high school memories had this girl in it. And I wouldn't have it any other way :)

And now we're all grown up :) Love you, Sara!