Week 22-Lava

A Lava Get-away...

I was somehow able to keep this trip a surprise for almost three months! Way to be.

As a special way to say "Congraduation" and "I love you, has it really been six years?" I booked us two nights at a quaint Bed and Breakfast in Lava Hot Springs, ID. A big part of the surprise was that it was just going to be an adult trip. Em had her first sleepover with Grammie-Debbie and mom and dad (we) couldn't stop thinking about her our whole time away; but were able to rest easy knowing she was in good hands :).

Our first stop was Smiths...I've always wanted to raid the bulk aisle and just buy a teeny bit of a whole bunch of things I want to try...so that we did! (...we had more than half of it left over upon returning home...over excited much?) If you had this urge/it's on your weird bucket list, follow through, it's worth it in stares and fun.

Not gonna lie..we were a bit confused with our first B&B experience...having no idea what to expect. We had a great time and our Inn Keepers were super friendly and accommodating. Luckily we're pretty good at going with the flow and pretending like we know what we're doing. My recommendation to you other B&B amateur's is to read up on B&B etiquette beforehand...just to feel prepared.

Our favorite things probably consisted of: non-stop Rod Stewart and Michael Buble serenade, and our first breakfast in a small, European-esque parlor type dining area seated next to three elderly women speaking German whilst eating crumpets and drinking coffee.

Despite wicked allergies amongst a white (dandelions) golf course speckled in green (not kidding...really not very well kept, I took one look and my sneeze sneezed...if you know what I mean), I had an enjoyable time letting Couper coach me through my first real nine holes of golf....he was very patient :).

The springs were...hotter than we remembered. But relaxing and pretty vacant. We loved "discovering" the walking trail that leads above the hot pools into the "Sunken Gardens" and looking out over the cute town.

Our "fancy" evening out with live music was...much different than anticipated! Haha, we had a lot of laughs as we were served expensive food whilst sitting in a small basement by ourselves (the majority of the time), by our waitress wearing jeans and a t-shirt, and serenaded by one guitar playing musician...five feet away from us. LOL. Not much could have prepared us for the whole of it, but it was still fun to have a "date-night". And we actually ended up quite liking "our" musician; check him out: Lang Termes.

Hope you know how much I love and appreciate you Coup! You're my best friend.

These pictures pretty much speak for themselves; but I'm pretty sure Em didn't mind her first sleepover at Grammie's! Her stay pretty much consisted of all of her favorite things (minus horses, haha).

(so glad M strategically kept things modest ;) )

Feliz dia de amor y amistad

I've always loved the Spanish sentiment: 

"Feliz dia de amor y amistad" = Happy day of love and friendship!

To me it's suggesting that not only is today, February 14th, a day of love shown to a significant other, but it's a day to show love to friends and family as well.  

Hope you feel loved today and are able to share love with someone else!

To my Valentine, I wrote you an acrostic (haha):

C-captivating, charming

O-outstanding, outspoken ;)

U-understanding, unmovable 

P-playful, protective, patient, perspicacious

E-enjoyable, exciting

R- relaxed, reassuring, ravishing ;)

From our first Valentine date :)! February 2005! Can't believe you've been my Valentine ever since! Love you!

True Aggies

Here at Utah State there is a tradition where students can become "True Aggies" by standing or sitting on top of a "Block A" and kissing. There are very few nights in the year when one can become a "True Aggie." These days are limited to: Homecoming and A-Day (which, I believe even on these days it has to be on or around midnight?) which you can kiss anyone (and I mean literally ANYONE) to become a "True Aggie." Then, if you missed out on those nights, your option is to find someone who already holds the certificate of "True Aggie" (you literally can go and get a card stating you're a "True Aggie") that is willing to kiss you atop the "A" on the night of a Full Moon. (Random fact, I found out the "Block A" has been in existence since 1917, but I don't think the tradition has been around for that long.)

Now, as much as Couper and I love each other, and as much as we love being Aggies, we have yet to succumb to the tempting night where we can earn our card of "True Aggie-ness". The mobs of hormonal people that stand arm to arm, cheek to cheek, hand in hand around the "A," making human chains, inhaling someones exhale, having to avoid the "accidental" kiss that suddenly deems you the "True Aggie" of someone other than your significant other...we've really had to restrain ourselves from such a night of excitement...

I've tried talking Couper into going, just so we can people-watch and have a laugh..but he is quite stubborn ;). This is as close as we've gotten to becoming "True Aggies" according to tradition. A chilly spring afternoon right before my graduation in 2010. And, it might be as close as we'll ever get to the definition, again, according to tradition.

However, when it comes to being a True Aggie in the general everyday sense, my husband deserves DOZENS of cards or certificates. I AM SO PROUD OF HIM. Couper started interning with the USU Athletic Department doing Social Media, in the fall of 2010. He does A LOT! But basically it means all of the college sporting events are his life! (Fitting me in here and there :). ) He has been given countless learning opportunities that have helped him to grow, some of which include: entering stats for multiple sports, interviewing coaches and players, writing up press releases, managing websites, even working with ESPN! and so much more! (Such as being asked to travel with the Women's Softball Team this semester!!!)

{unfortunately, this was the only picture I could find. if you know Coup, you know he doesn't love getting his picture taken. you will also know that this picture is old because right now his hair is as long as mine is!}

Because of his good work ethic, his boss talked him into attending graduate school at Utah State and continuing his internship, but as a Grad Assistant. After many discussions, prayer, and jumping through all of hoops to get into grad school, Coup scored great on the GMAT and was accepted into the Information Technologies Masters Program. He thought he might get a little break from school but just keeps on pushing through seeing how he started his Grad courses this semester!

I love my husband so much and am so proud and appreciative of all of his hard work! I am excited for the opportunities that have come his way and for the doors it opens for his future, and for our future.

The other day as I separated the laundry, I ended up with the pile below, fit for a LarGe LoAd of ... AGGIE BLUE. (Thankfully the majority of that pile has been complimentary ;) )

Don't let him fool you people, I may not be able to get him on the "Block A" at midnight, but we've definitely got a True Aggie on our hands!