Dating on a budget...

We wanted to go out today, but knew that we had spent all of our entertainment budget on our trip this month, so we had to get creative. We just happened to be discussing how we haven't had much luck selling Sky's textbooks on Amazon, which gave me a brilliant idea. We decided to pack up our duffel bag with all of our unneeded textbooks and then take our chances at a used book shop. We decided that whatever money we made we would be able to spend on our date. Now we expected this to be upwards of $5 and a dollar menu date because we hadn't had luck in the past. However, we lucked out with a whopping $70! We were pretty stoked and couldn't stop laughing at ourselves.

We used our unexpected cash to go to a sushi place for lunch and wander the mall with actual spending money. We had a great time and have some money left to burn a few holes in our pockets. We'll have to try another book shop during the winter term!

Fall Break...

We took a wonderful road trip for our fall break. It was nice to go away with just the two of us. It reinforced how true it is that Skyler really is my best friend. We especially enjoyed being with family, visiting close friends, and seeing the church sites. I must say that this trip was a much needed getaway; we were able to make the most of each day and love every minute of it together. We did a ton, so I can't get it all in a blog post, but here are some highlights. (Don't worry, I won't make you look at all the spreadsheets we made to plan for the trip.)

Day one:
Travel to Cleveland and stay with Bridi and Jason Waite (Bridi is Skyler's sweet cousin).

Day two:
Continue with Waite's to Kirtland to see church sites.
See Carissa Clive (my friend from home) who is serving a mission in Kirtland.

This is David, Bridi & Jason's son. He took quite a liking to Skyler. Sky was quite pleased that David stopped and waited for Skyler to hold his hand.

Me and the lovely Carissa.

Day three:
Visit more with the Waite's.
Travel to Carmel, IN to visit my grandparents who are serving a mission in Indianapolis.

On the way out of Cleveland we stopped at the John Johnson farm in Hiram, OH. This is a desk in the office where Joseph Smith studied.

Days four & five:
Visit with Grandma & Grandpa Larsen.

The city of Carmel was very nice. Too bad we won't always have family there.

We actually don't have any pictures of my grandparents, I am the one in charge of the camera and I was too busy chatting away--Skyler got video though.

Day six:
Travel to Nauvoo, IL.
Stop at the Carthage Jail in Carthage, IL.
Visit the temple in Nauvoo.
Camp in the car.

Carthage Jail in Carthage, IL where the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum were martyred.

Us outside the Navuoo temple. We are the tiny specs at the bottom center-right.
Forgive the stranger that took it for us.

Day seven:
See the sites in Nauvoo.
Travel to Chicago to see Ben & Lexi.

This is the making of a wheel for a wagon like the pioneers used to carry their things to SLC from Nauvoo.

The stories of the strength of the pioneers were very touching. They were so strong in their faith and their families.

Day eight:
Tour Chicago with the "All-Knowing Chicagoans," a.k.a. Ben & Lexi.

Us at the big bean in Chicago. Pretty stinkin' cool!

Day nine:
Go to Navy Pier in Chicago.
Walk Michigan Avenue
Visit with Ben & Lexi.

Beautiful Chicago reflecting off of the big bean.

Day ten:
Visit with Ben & Lexi.
Invite ourselves to stay for one more night with Ben & Lexi; we couldn't get enough of them. :) We miss you guys already!

Us on the observation deck in the Sears Tower, which we did on day eight.

I had too much fun to keep up with the pictures, so again, Skyler was the video man on days nine and ten and we have no photos.

Day eleven:
Leave our roommates in Chicago and travel to Ithaca.

I am glad to say that after traveling for 11 days with Skyler I would happily drive across the country with him again. Maybe next time it will be all the way to Utah or Washington!

Spouse Tag...

photo courtesy of the talented Melissa Carlos.

My best friend, Ashley, posted her husband tag and then tagged anyone else that would like to brag about their husbands...how could I pass up the chance! :)

1. Where did you meet? BYU. Skyler's cousin Greg and my roommate Mollie set us up.

2. How long did you date before you got married? 1 year and 4 months

3. How long have you been married? 2.5 fantastic years.

4. What does he do that surprises you? He cleans up after me without a complaint. I never thought I would be the messy one in my marriage (let me defend myself and say that he is very clean person!). He is a great housekeeper and makes me happy to clean for him.

5. What is your favorite feature of his? His handsome eyes and smile (they are a package deal).

6. What is your favorite quality of his? He is constantly striving to be a better person.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Love.
8. What is his favorite color? Blue or Orange depending on the day.

9. What is his favorite food? Lasagna.

10. What is his favorite sport? Baseball.

11. When and where was your first kiss? At the doorstep of Apt 220 after our third date.

12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Go to shows for special evenings. We also enjoy cooking together on a regular basis.
13. Do you have any children? No.

14. Does he have a hidden talent? He is a great problem-solver, which relates to his overall intelligence. He especially enjoys figuring out brain-teasers. (side-story--One of the teachers I worked with gave her excelling math students brain-teasers to help them with their logical reasoning. I stink at such things. Whenever we would give the students a new packet I would take it home to Sky so he could solve them. He really enjoyed it!)

15. How old is he? 25 years old.

16. Who said I love you first? He did.
17. What is his favorite type of music? Alternative Rock--his current favorite is Matchbox 20.

18. What do you admire most about him? He is a great comforter. He is very aware of me and always does whatever he can to make me remember that I am the most important person in his life.

19. Do you think he will read this? Yeah--it will show on his google reader page. Plus I have been teasing him (in a loving way) about it the whole time I have been filling this out. :)

I tag the husbands that read this...please post about your amazing spouses! This could be very sweet!

First Attempt...

Skyler and my parents bought me Photoshop CS3 for graduation back in May. I have been using it for photo editing, but I haven't had the guts to dive into the scrapbooking head first. But, I had time today and felt the urge to create. This is my first attempt. There is so much more to learn! Feel free to leave ideas and suggestions. I just got a free kit from the internet and then pieced bits of what I liked together. It is fun and I hope to do lots more. Chels, you are amazing!