right now, we are in lake powell heaven.

{source}

ever since i was born, i have spent a little time each summer in this beautiful place with family.  i have memories of learning to water ski, cliff-jumping, tubing, going on day trips in the speedboat, exploring, and swimming in the beautiful lake.  once when i was little, a storm rapidly came on, and i remember riding in the speedboat on treacherous waves, curled up underneath a towel while my aunt held me, as we raced back to the marina for safety.  for some reason, even the most precarious situations in lake powell become some of my fondest memories.  it's a magical place, i tell you. and i'm so excited that i got to share it {as it seriously is a part of me} with john last summer- and that, despite the teasing from my uncles- he stuck with me, and we will get to share it again this week.  we are excited to see what craziness will ensue over the next few days! {there are 35 of us, after all}, and i'm sure- if given the choice, i would choose to live in lake powell.

oh yes we did.

i made these. and they were freakin awesome.

john's exact words were: "these are the best cupcakes i have ever had in my life."

so, go ahead and make some.

you're welcome!

hello!

we had a very fun pioneer day, with family, ice cream, and many many fireworks. at one point during the night, my uncles reenacted the final duel between voldemort and harry potter in hp7p2. they each had a "wand" {firework} and it was classic....

blame it on the tetons.

over the weekend, we traveled to the teton mountains for some fun backpacking with our friends!  we got about 50,000 mosquito bites each.... but, thanks to janessa's bear bell, came home without being mauled by bears.  it was a wonderful trip.  we sure love our dear friends.

i'm completely smitten with muti's garden.

monkey likes it, too.

over the weekend....

we have done nothing but cook/eat yummy food, enjoy time with friends, and watch great movies.  

1-2.  the product of a lazy saturday.
{3.  my $6!!! diet coke at the movie theater}
3-4.  dinner and harry potter with these friends.
5-6.  my old man's birthday.  {love him!}

mango sticky rice.

honestly,

jump on a plane, or a bus, or a train

RIGHT NOW.

come to salt lake city,

and walk straight into this restaurant.

order....

the crab won-tons:

 the red curry:

 some pad thai {a classic}:

 and don't forget the mango sticky rice! {honestly, the best i have ever had}

 

while you devour the meal, you can enjoy the cool artwork on the wall,

and also observe this elephant carving.

and play with little umbrellas in your drink.  

and don't forget to sneak a pic outside to remember your wonderful adventure,

to an extremely delectable thai place.

{that plane ticket was totally worth it, no?}

as we sat down to eat, i contemplated all the fond memories i have of dating john.

we ate thai food a lot.

our first date even, was at a thai food place.

as i contemplated, i said to him:  

"i think our relationship was built on thai food!"

"and love!" {he said, defensively}