i said yes!

Most of you know that Steven and I have been "engaged" for about a month now. However, it wasn't until recent events that the "engagement" became an official engagement. You see...a very important part of our engagement story was missing: the ring. Lucky for me, I have a man who gave me a substitute for a couple of weeks. Now, for most girls, this would be quite disappointing. I, however, thoroughly enjoyed wearing around and flaunting my shiny, fake "engagement" ring; after all, it did look real.

Tonight, my feelings toward that ring have changed. Not only was I asked by the most perfect man to spend eternity with him, I was also given the most perfect ring.

Steven "replicated" our first date together. However, this time, everything went perfectly. Plus, the  special twist at the end made it even better.

Kneeling down by the swing-set, my best friend asked me to marry him. And without even a moment's hesitation, I said yes. 

And I couldn't be happier.

general conference weekend

Finally. General Conference weekend. I look forward to this two-day event each and every year...twice a year. There is nothing like coming home to family and friends, to the smells of various foods, to listen to the words of the prophets of the Lord. A special spirit fills your heart, fills your mind, as you share this occasion with those you love, with those you adore. 

The weekend began with a long-awaited football game between Brigham Young University and Utah State, and it took flight from there.

Miracle of Miracles! BYU actually beat Utah State, 6-3. Personally, I don't think BYU should have won...their offensive plays were awful. But I will happily take the win! Steven and I were able to watch the game with Rachel (my little sister) and her new beau, Christian Warner. It was a blast to spend time with them, freezing to death in the cool autumn weather!

We decided to "FaceTime" with Candace (my eldest sister) and her family after the morning session of conference on Sunday. My niece, Samantha, is absolutely adorable. My nephew, Dallin, is unbelievably cute. Our faces reflect our responses to seeing little Dallin :)

Grandma and Grandpa came down for General Conference! They are the best!

Mama and Sir Patric Newton, a.k.a. Patric. My mom has to hold him every single time we step outside onto the back patio because he won't stop eating the poisonous acorns!

And of course, a weekend wouldn't be complete without my wonderful fiance. I was glad he was able to come up for General Conference with me. Plus, then I could give him awkward "blowfish" kisses all weekend long. What could be better than that?

I would say this weekend was a success! 

falling for october

There is nothing better than spending an entire weekend with family. Maybe it's because they know you better than anyone else; maybe it's because they will always love you no matter what. But there is something about family that just makes you smile, that just brings out the best in you.

This past weekend, I went up to Bountiful, Utah for some quality time with my mom, my dad, and my younger sister, Rachel. Little did I know, however, that part way through the evening, we would be joined by a new favorite addition to my life: my fiance. Wait. My fiance? That is right ladies and gentlemen. For the past three weeks or so, I have been engaged to the most wonderful person on the planet. And he just so happened to come up and surprise me this weekend...which I was thrilled about! It was fun to watch him interact with my family and to spend time with him!

Preparing to paint our SPOOKY pumpkins at Color Me Mine in Salt Lake City! There's nothing quite like spending an afternoon rocking out to Halloween Party Music and painting ceramics.

Rachel and my mother with their unpainted ceramic pieces. Rachel was so excited about Frankie!

Our finished pieces. my mom's is on the left, Rachel's is in the middle, and mine is on the right. My mom may or may not be a professional painter...

"The Ring". I'm sorry to excite you all, but this is not my ACTUAL right. Steven didn't want me walking around empty handed, so he bought me a plastic replacement until sometime next week. But hey, it definitely passes as the real thing! I have had plenty of compliments over the past couple of days.

Unfortunately, I didn't take very few many pictures...there is something about taking my camera out that I seem to have difficulty doing! I promise to be better. Maybe this next weekend I will have caught more moments on film!