Everyday is Saturday

It's official. Matt and I have way too much stuff. How is it that once you start packing up your belongings they start to multiply? When did we get so many books? Do I really have that many shoes? Why did I think I needed so many scarves? That's my life these days. I have to admit, though, Matt has done most of the packing. He started back in May so we actually don't have much left to do. But when my house gets to looking like this I start feeling antsy! Can't we just move already?

Life's actually pretty darn good right now. Everyday is Saturday. We have a pretty hefty to-do list, but we get to do it together! How often will this happen once he starts med school? I'm pretty sure never. But for now it's me and Matt together all day every day. Except, of course, when I need a little more pink in my life and go out for a pedicure. And pick out all the pink circus animals. And drink ice water from a pink straw.

My Favorite Holiday (besides Christmas. Duh.)

I'm not sure how many people know this about me, but I am a nut for the 4th of July. I love it! Christmas is my favorite favorite no matter what. But Christmas comes with quite a bit of pressure. It's Christmas. You've waited for it all year long. The 4th of July just pops up! It's there before you know it! And then it's time for sparklers, firework shows, BBQs, swimming, putting together the perfectly non-tacky red, white, and blue outfit. . . it can't be beat.

We had such a fun day with the Scotts. Hiking to Cecret lake in Alta and then hiking down through gorgeous wildflowers and scenery, lunch at a restaurant in Snowbird that was right on the side of the mountain, seeing People Like Us, and a delicious BBQ dinner. Then. We saw. The. Most. Amazing. Fireworks. Ever. Matt's parents live in a neighborhood that's set up above the valley, so we had a view of just about every fireworks show in Utah county! We were close to a couple of big professional shows but we also got to enjoy the random aerials that people set off in the neighborhoods. God bless America and our love of colorful explosives.

Enchanted

Next week Matt and I will be flying out to Houston together for the first time! I've been thinking a lot about this move lately. I feel like there are three types of people. The people who love where they live and totally embrace it, the people who are content but aren't crazy about where they live, and the people who are just biding their time until they can leave for whatever reason. Now I understand that everyone's situation is different, but I just really want to be one those first people! I know there will be things I don't love about it, but I can't wait to get to know my neighborhood, explain all the nooks and crannies of the city, find the best restaurants, learn the surface streets, and become a true Houstonian. Why not, right?

Nora Ephron, the incredible screenwriter of my favorites: You've Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, and Julie and Julia, passed away last week. She wrote an article about her "love affair" with her Upper West Side apartment and, let me tell ya, this women loved where she lived.

Here's a quote from Tom Hanks about Nora Ephron:

"Knowing and loving Nora meant her world — or her neighborhood — became yours. She gave you books to read and took you to cafés you’d never heard of that became legends. You discovered Krispy Kremes from a box she held out, and you learned that there is such a thing as the perfect tuna sandwich. She would give your kids small, goofy parts in movies with the caveat that they might not make the final cut but you’d get a tape of the scene. For a wrap gift, she would send you a note saying something like, “A man is going to come to your house to plant an orange tree — or apple or pomegranate or whatever — and you will eat its fruit for the rest of your days.” Rita and I chose orange, and the fruit has been lovely, sweet and abundant, just as Nora promised — a constant and perfect reminder of the woman we loved so much."
http://entertainment.time.com/2012/06/27/nora-ephron-a-life-of-voice-and-detail/

She sounds like such a cool lady! So there you go. Bring it on Houston. I'm ready to be enchanted.

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Home Sweet Home

We're home! Leaving was hard. Harder than I expected, actually. It was such an amazing vacation, it being Hawaii and all, but it was also the longest stretch of time I've spent with my family in three years. Coming home is always good though and Matt and I have so much to look forward to these next few weeks! For now we're enjoying being together in our own little house and getting ready to move. I'm going to try to keep blogging regularly, so stay posted :)

The final farewell at the airport. I love my sisters!