Trunk or Treat

 

(I especially like the smolder!)

Halloween has never been my favorite holiday, but this year I have been surprisingly excited for it.  It could be the fact that I actually have my own place to decorate.  Or it could be the fact that I got to dress up with Travis.  I am not very creative when it comes to dressing up, but it was fun thinking of something to dress up as a couple.  If you couldn't tell, we dressed up as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.  I can't wait to torture my future kids with family costumes.  We will reuse this one some day and add our baby as Pascal.  :)  

At the ward Trunk or Treat, my favorite part was when a little girl saw me and said, "Look Mommy!  Is that really Rapunzel?"  I thought it was so cute.  Someone also also asked if Travis and I would help her with a charity drive to raise money for cancer by letting kids come and take their picture with us.  It made me giggle because we got Travis' costume at Goodwill for about $5 and mine was made in a day plus a few previously owned items and a child's wig.  (Thanks mom for making the vest!!)  

Besides running out of candy before all the kids came around, this was definitely a successful Halloween for us!  Now I am ready for Thanksgiving and some fried turkey.      

We're Outta Here!

Travis and I have been bums lately, not really doing much.  I blame that on the fact that he has his certification exam coming up so all he ever does is study.  Since I want to be with him, that leaves me sitting on the couch next to him either doing a craft or watching tv.  We haven't really gotten out of the house much, but that is about to change.  As soon as he gets home from work, we are going to:

Ok, so it isn't just for fun.  We are going because Travis has a review he has to go to.  While he is in the review courses, getting ready for the certification exams, I get to explore the city.  I wish Travis could come along with me, but luckily I know a few people there.  A couple from my mission is there and a couple people from my ward at BYU.  I am going to hang out with them a little during the day while Travis is hard at work and then I will play with Travis in the evenings.  I am super excited about this trip because I have never been to Chicago (besides when I got stuck overnight in the airport) and it looks like a super fun city!  Also, I haven't seen the Castleton's since I have been home from my mission.  Wahoo!

Yay for getting out of the house!!

PS-We are going to be gone 3 days and guess how many outfits I brought?  Nope, not 5 like normal.  I only brought 3.  You should ALL be impressed.  I am even impressed! 

I will try to take lots of pictures!

Freshman 15

There are certain times in your life when you are expected to gain weight...freshman year, missions, AND when you get married.  This is a phenomenon that I never really understood.  Eating is something that stays constant, so why does a change in your life cause weight gain?  Well, no matter what causes it, somehow it always happens to me.  That is why Travis and I made it our goal not to become one of those couples that people say, "they gained a lot of weight after they got married."

While I have not "packed on the pounds,"  I have gained some weight and this time I know why...boys like to eat...A LOT.  While living on my own I would eat a bowl of pasta and be fine.  That doesn't cut it now.  Travis likes to have pasta with chicken and a side of veggies.  It is a more complete diet, but it is a lot more than I am used to.  It also requires a lot more cooking.

My family seems to believe that I don't know how to cook, so I have taken some pictures of some meals that we have enjoyed lately.  I may not be the best cook, but I am definitely getting better with all this practice.  The deal that Travis and I have made is that I will cook as long as he does the grocery shopping!  (He also cleans up the dishes!!)  So I guess cooking isn't as bad as I thought it would be.

 Fruit Pizza made for Conference Lunch:

 Oreo Balls-not that beautiful, but delicious.  These were the only ones left!

 Twice Baked Potato Casserole-This is one of our favorite recipes off of Pinterest so far!

Beef Dip Sandwiches-I was so proud of how the meat turned out!

 Manicotti

 Green Smoothie-I just made this yesterday.  I liked it, but Travis doesn't.

 Traditional Sunday dinner in my family.  This is the kind of meal Travis dreams of every night.  Meat, potatoes, veggies, and bread!

By the way, we also joined the YMCA with a bunch of friends from church so I will get those extra pounds off soon!  I love it because I am more motivated to go if I know others going.  One of my friends teaches some classes and encourages me to go when I am not substituting.  I ran 3 miles outside with her on Friday.  It felt good but nearly killed me.  My goal is to run a race with some of them in November.  There is a race today, but I am not ready for it yet.