Surprise Shower.

Because we live in Utah-we are waving goodbye to only our second month of summer :).  I want to savor every moment of warmth-green-sunshine, but it is quickly leaking its way through my fingers!  Seth and I have a lot that we want to do, and are losing time to do it in.  Hopefully we are able to pack everything in!

We have officially made our one year anniversary plans!  Whoop Whoop-we are both pretty excited that we have plans, and look forward to celebrating our first year of marriage.  We wanted to get out of the State but didn't want to drive too far-Being in the West makes that task difficult since everything is so spread out!  Fortunately we found something cute-out of State-2 hours away-fun activities :). We are going to Twin Falls, Idaho and staying in a quaint little bed and breakfast.  Just thought I would share our plans with you folks.

Last Sunday, Seth and I went on a little hike with some friends of ours.  It was  a pleasant day, nice to get out, and enjoyed the company.

These things were Huge!

And Very Pretty!

Nice View.

The trail we went on was very very Southern-like I would have to say.  We were surrounded by plants and trees.  It smelled like nature and made us miss our South Carolina trees :).

Seth has completed his policy review, which he is very pumped about!  Now he can push forward (his words) with the next phase and see progress.  He is such a little worker.  He has some interviews lined up, and should begin with his thesis paper soon.  We are hoping he is able to schedule some interviews in Southern Utah, so we can take a trip :).  School starts the end of August for him.  

Stephanie and Jay are coming out to visit us the weekend after our anniversary and we are looking forward to seeing them-showing them around our homeplace-taking them out to see 'our valley' and 'our mountains' :).  Whoop!

Last night we had a surprise baby shower for a couple in our HomeGroup (our bible study group).  They are soon to be parents of three little lovely girls (I know the first 2 are-I'm assuming the 3rd will be just as lovely!).  They are a fun couple and we have loved having them in our lives.

Michael and Miranda.  

These two are both born in August and their little one will also share in her parent's birthday month :).  They are from Arkansas and have worked their way out to Utah almost a year before Seth and I.

Their cute little family.

Miranda and I have noticed that Monogramming (which is HUGE where we are both from) hasn't reached the West yet.  I have a lot of things Monogrammed/Embroidered and many people ask me what the letters mean.  Anywho-Seth and I gave their August baby a monkey snuggler with baby's name on it-just because that is a big deal where we are from and hard to get out here where we are now.

Elizabeth and Madilynn opening their big sister gifts.  What a fun idea!

Us Southern Belles :).

These ladies above are all from the South.  Arkansas-Louisiana-South Carolina.  Seth and I appear to have found Southern folks out West and have been sticking with them!  Interesting how creative God is--birthing us in the South, somehow moving us West(none of us girls thought we would move out of the state we were born in), placing others from the South in our paths.  :).  Fun to contemplate in my mind how things come together.

Louisiana friends :).  Jonathan and Marilyn.

Miranda w/ Yummy Cake and Lovely/Fragrant Flowers!

These flowers smelled so good and were beautiful.  Note:  Just look at the mountains out of the window.  How lovely.

Closing out the last week in July and looking forward to a fun last weekend.  I'm sure I will be blogging about our weekend soon.  Hope everyone has a wonderful August!

The Cook's :).