que de la fin

Say what?! We are already half-way through 2014? This year is going by so quickly!

There are so many things I want to blog about but then time passes and I completely space it.
Too busy enjoying the moment I guess :)

I love the Olympics. The world coming together to compete and celebrate. Truly an incredible thing. 

One thing I like, dare I say more, is the World Cup. I grew up playing soccer and at one point dreamed of playing on the US women's team one day. Since my life took a very different path, I get to enjoy games from the stands. 4 years ago I still remember sittin with the Jensen side in a beach house on the Oregon coast as Spain beat the Netherlands.

Luckily for me, I married into a family that LOVES soccer. 

Needless to say I'm rootin for the good ole' U.S. of A!

It's been pretty great the past year and a half to be Real Salt Lake season ticket holders.

#forclub&country

We seriously have some awesome seats

Lately, Tanner and I have been on a winning streak so we got to enjoy (along with my Dad and friends, the Langfords) a free movie, popcorn and drinks at the newly opened West Valley Cinemark.

Oh, the best piece of mail came the other day.

My G-ma Hansen is an incredible crochet-er (trust me it's a thing). She thankfully passed this skill on and I recently took a hankerin to pick it back up. My sis-in-law also got into the crocheting craze and inspired me to make my first granny square blanket. 

G-ma, are you proud? This blanket deserves a spot at the bottom of the bed.

Not only have I been blanket makin, I've been getting my craft on.

Made my own maxi dress.

And a jewelry box.

Quick break for a two restaurant review:

1. The Wild Zucchini Grill: This place was recommended by a number of people so one Friday night we took ourselves out. After a 30 minute wait in line, Tanner got a Piadina (aka: a wrap) with chicken & alfredo and I tested the handmade pizza with sausage & pesto. Not bad. 

Would I go back? Perhaps. Will I make a point to go back? Meh. 

One thing I really enjoyed that I should note, in the wrap they put angel hair pasta. Neat.

2. Bam Bam's BBQ: I'm a girl that loves me some BBQ pulled pork so it was only a matter of time 'till we tested this place out. Their pulled pork was outstandingly delicious; the chopped pork was equally delish.

Did I mention buttery buns? Hello, lets not get out of control. But seriously, their meat + buns = one happy tummy.

If you ever find yourself in the Orem/Provo area, you should definitely try it out.


Oh and before I forget...don't ever get the Berry Upbeet smoothie from Jamba.
I like smoothies with fruit & veggies so when we get one I will pick one of their four options; I had tried the others so it was time to get the Berry Upbeet. Chalky and bitter. Maybe they didn't make it correctly? I'm not going to take that risk. Nope. Never again.

Instead, you can make these yummy blueberry cheesecake popsicles.

p.s. yes, Tanner is teaching me French. If only I could actually remember it.

year one

It seems like just yesterday I was writing this post and this, oh and this.

I can still remember back when we were just little high schoolers and how excited I'd feel to get to see him each day at school. Little did I know, almost 8 years later, every day I would get to wake up by his side.

In some ways time has flown by and in others it feels like just yesterday we were kneeling across the alter. If I would have known how great being married was, I would have done it sooner. But seriously, Heavenly Father really knows each one of us individually and knew I needed Tanner not a moment earlier and not a moment later. Sitting outside our tent we reminisced about this past year and all the others leading up to our marriage. It is truly incredible how each little moment in our individual lives led us to being synced with one another's. This made me think of a quote by Elder Russel M. Nelson, 

"When you as husband and wife recognize the divine design in your union--when you feel deeply that God has brought you to each other--your vision will be expanded and your understanding enhanced."

I like to think I have a better understanding of marriage and what it means to be committed to a person for time and all eternity. By no means am I an expert or even close to. My mom asked us what our piece of advice would be now after our first year together. So many thoughts came to me but one seems to sum things up nicely.

Marriage is to be selfless. 

Concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than with one's own. This is something I need to work on each and every day. Some days come easier than others but knowing he is happy makes my heart full.  As I focus on his needs, mine seem to more easily fall into place.

"Harmony in marriage comes only when one esteems the welfare of his or her spouse among the highest of priorities. When that really happens, a celestial marriage becomes a reality, bringing great joy in this life and the life to come." - Elder Russel M. Nelson

Being married to this guy...makes my heart happy.

To celebrate we got away for the weekend to Utah's famous Arches National Park.

Tried out "glamping," yep glamorous-camping. 

Basically, all the fun of camping but with the comforts of a bed. A tad bit ridiculous but worth the try.

After a very warm night and being woken up at 5am (thanks to no mountains delaying the sunrise) it was time to get up eat some breakfast and make our way to Arches.

Yes that is us in the picture.

selfie with a cool dude in the background

One year ago Tanner and I became a family. 

It has been such a blessing to have him as my husband, my best friend, my soul mate.

HAPPY ONE YEAR!!

p.s. this one is for kicks...

aussie style

 Our Saturday morning was spent up AF canyon rappelling. Yep rappelling.

As if jumping off a cliff wasn't enough, we tried it face down.

For some reason my body didn't understand the concept of walking down a cliff. My poor legs kept dangling in the air as I tried to keep my body horizontal with the ground. Gravity or something like that?

Tanner tried it first as I stayed comfortably on the ground.

what a man!

my turn...

don't make fun, it was my first time

Thanks for the invite Mike!

workin the cows and eatin a creamie

Memorial Day weekend has been the same thing since I can remember. 

It's a time the whole family (aunts, uncles, cousins, husband, siblings) head up to the ranch to help "work the cows." For some of you, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Despite all the work that is put in, this has become a weekend I look forward to every year.

That little house in the background was my great grandparents.
The gorgeous mount in the back is one of my favorites, Sherman's Peak.

Eat some breakfast, find a pair of boots & gloves, and the fun begins...

the fun of catching spunky calves

This year Tanner and I were the tattoo-ers. Probably our only chance in life to have that title.

**(you don't need any pictures of this...I imagine it is just as painful as human tattoos)**

Of course on our lunch break we took the 4-wheelers out for stroll in the field.

can we please just appreciate how beautiful it is? yes I do believe this is where I should hashtag...#nofilter

this is T's second time visiting the ranch...I think he loves it too!

The day was perfect until the afternoon storm rolled in. Cow pies are not pleasant (despite being called "pies"), however they are especially not pleasant when wet. We took a break in the barn hoping the rain would ease up but to no avail, it did not. The last half we pushed through being soaked and muddy.

(water + dirt) x manure = the country life

this cow was a curious one; just checkin out my dad and uncle as they took a quick snooze

my aunt took this picture from inside the house; she was nice and dry.
notice me with the yellow hood

Good thing I got some pictures before the rains came.

got this lovely one of my momma leading one of the horses

On that note... I love going to Grandmas!