Happy Halloweenie!

I know, I know. By the time you are reading this, it’s already November. Better late than never, though, right?! Right. I hope you all had nights full of tricks, but mostly treats. I just wanted to quickly share with you some Ghosts of Halloween’s Past. They are all pretty recent. Unfortunately, I don’t have any adorable pictures of my young self at my disposal so you get old Jess. You can thank me later.
Well, I guess I have one (thanks to The Facebook). One year I dressed up as a basketball player. 26 points if you can figure out which cutie is me…

This one time, I dressed as a biker chick. Tell me I’m not the only one that wears heeled ankle booties on 200+ miles of motorcycle riding… *2010*
One year I got crazy and dressed as a professional boogie boarder. I think I pulled off the look quite well. I also can’t believe I’m posting a photo of myself in a wet suit on the interwebs. *2010*
Okay, so here’s a legit Halloween costume. We went to Boulder to visit my Aunt and I ended up being a Geisha. Ignore me trying to squint my eyes. I’m a horrible person. *2010*
The funniest thing about my costume was that my Aunt had every part of this costume. And Travis’. If anyone ever wants to dress up as a RockStar or a Geisha, my Aunt can hook you up. *2010*
Ahhh, this is one of my favorite costumes. Before Travis whisked me away on his white horse, I lived with Sara, my BFF. We were obsessed with the short-lived show ‘Kath and Kim’. So, here we are as them. Seriously, one of the funniest shows. Ever. *2009* Oh, and this was the night Travis asked me for my number. He was part of the band we went to watch…if you’re wondering what to wear to impress a cute guy, zebra leggings, pointy gold shoes and a wig will do it. Just sayin’.
The same year as Kath and Kim, I dressed up as a ‘Demon Red-Riding Hood’. I needed a costume to wear to work and Hip-Hop. Guess what? First place in hip-hop, baby. You bet your sweet bottom I grooved to Thriller in this get-up. *2009*This one time, we found ourselves looking like John Smith and Sacajawea. *2010*
Ooo, one of my favorites. A skydiver! And I really jumped out of a plane! I had to make it extra convincing… *2010*

Oh, and this one time I dressed as a Bride. I’m not sure how I got that handsome guy to dress up as my groom, though. I think we were pretty convincing… *2011*
I also let that same guy decide our next costume. Raggedy Ann and Andy. Let’s just say I won’t be letting him make such big decisions ever again. *2011* Although, old drunk ladies liked us. Obviously.
So there you have it! A silly little recap of some past costumes, some of which may or may not have been for the actual holiday of Halloween. I guess I just like to dress up!

Friday's Letters

The first snowy view out our window this morning. Instagram=@jstjessontheloop

Dear Fall, you did not last nearly long enough. Why do Spring and Fall, my favorite seasons, have to be the shortest in Idaho?! Dear Winter, I do love your fluffy white flakes but why must you last 6 months? Dear Garage, I'm so happy to have you. No more starting the car early, scraping ice off and cursing at the foggy windows. Dear Husband, I think you're happier than me to have a garage because we both know you'd be the one doing those things I just mentioned. Because you, sir, are the best. Dear Wal-Mart, thank you for supplying me with the teeny-bopper ghost shirt I'm sporting today. Even though I got it, like, 5 years ago, it'll always be in fashion. Even if that is only once a year. Dear Blog, I should probably change you to a fashion blog. Not. Dear Weekend, per usual, I am soo happy you're here! Hooray for projects and warm cocktails and crock-pot meals! Dear Readers, like I normally say, go have a weekend full of adventure, even if that adventure means sleeping in and rocking pj's until Monday morning!

Currently, I am…

Reading nothing! Unless you can count blogs. BUT! To redeem myself, I do have the book “Let’s Pretend This Never Happened” by the one and only Bloggess and a large stack of magazines waiting for me. I hope to get to them someday soon.

Watching Gossip Girl on Netflix. Right this moment I’m on the second to last episode in Season 5. Chuck Bass’ dad has come back to life. I’d say I’m surprised but weirder things have happened. I will admit I’m pretty sad the last season is airing right now. I guess it is true what they say…all good things must come to an end. Trav and I are also trying to get through Nip/Tuck.

Thinking About all the things I need to accomplish this weekend! I’m pretty excited we get to have a weekend at home, no company, and a list of projects. Some fun, some not-so-fun. Fun = putting together furniture/decorating. Not fun = chores. However, I miss my nephew like crazy. We got to have him, my mom, brother and sister at our house all weekend. They live 6 hours away so I don’t get to be a spoiling Aunt often enough. He really was the Cutest Spud in Idaho all weekend long.

Loving peanut butter. This is nothing new. Oh, and Blogilates. If you’re looking for a new, fun way to workout at home, check her out. Girl means biznass.

Looking Forward To posting my recaps of The Dirty Dash and The Tough Mudder. Dash = fun, Mudder = holy crazy intense did I really just get shocked with 10,000 volts and jump in ice water fun.
Wondering how the heck I survived, but I’m sure not wondering if I’d ever do it again. Heck to the no probably not. However, I highly recommend doing it. I’ve never been more physically proud of myself.

Cooking/Baking yumminess! I made this pumpkin ravioli the other night and it was so good! Using won tons as pasta is genius. And delicious. And easy. I plan on baking some healthy-ish pumpkin cookies this weekend, too. I love pumpkin everything. Duh.
 
Disliking that it is already almost November. Put the Christmas lights away, people! Can’t we just enjoy this lovely fall weather and money in the bank for a little while longer!?

Making Me Happy – Having a home to welcome friends and family into, corn mazes, carving pumpkins and a handsome love to share every little adventure with. Even when he gets sick of pictures.



Wishing You a wonderful, happy, adventure-full day! If you have or decide to do a post like this, let me know! I’d love to read it!

**This post was inspired by Katie and then Steph. I’m sure you’ve heard of them but if not, you must check out their spunky blogs!**

What If...?

Do you ever find yourself asking this question? You know, the what if something something wouldn't have happened, then something else wouldn't have happened question. I have to admit, I do more often than I should. I found out something last week (that I won't be sharing on this blog) that made me ask this question regarding the most devastating thing that has happened in my life (I also just remembered I haven't even told my husband yet. Bad wife). I even find myself asking those two words for the smallest things (what if I would have had water instead of wine, maybe my head wouldn't hurt so bad). Okay, bad example.  Sometimes this question can be good to ask before something happens, especially if you're trying to make a decision. However, in my opinion, I find it hard to move past something if you are always asking this question.

I've always been one to believe that everything happens for a reason, but sometimes it is hard to think that way when you just can't move on without knowing exactly what that reason is. I know someday I'll have the answer, but until then, I'll keep living, trying to believe that if something is meant to be, it will be, and there's no what if that would ever change that.

Another Friday, Another Letter

Dear Greece, I can’t wait to go back to you and find cute dogs watching the sunset. And lay on the beach. And eat the food. And bask in the beauty of everything. Dear Guard Drill, second to last one! Whoo! Dear military discount, oh how I will miss you. Dear Tough Mudder, please don’t hurt me. I’m not even a little nervous to take an ice bath, run 12 miles, or run through 10,000 volts of electricity. Nope, not even a little. Dear self, don’t even try to kid yourself. Can you say terrified?! Don’t forget you paid to put yourself through that torture. Dear fall weather, I heart you and your crisp mornings and sunny afternoons. Please tell Mr. Winter to take his sweet time. Dear everyone that reads, you rock my socks and I hope all your weekends are full of fun, adventure and a whole lot of pumpkin!

Link up with Ashley HERE!

Park City, UT {1st Anniversary Getaway}

For our first Anniversary trip, we wanted to have a little getaway, but not too far from home. Somewhere we’d never been, somewhere with mountains, and somewhere cheap(ish). Park City, being only 2.5 hours away, gorgeous, and in its off-season, was perfect. We rented a little condo for two nights and had a blast. A concert in Salt Lake, delicious meals, and a big kid’s dream, it was a perfect weekend. How about I show you in photos again…

…Except, the only time I had my camera out was on Sunday. Oops. I’ll just say the concert was fun. I made up my own song…

“Holy moly, teeny bopper, overload. Holy moly, we are, so, old.” Repeat.

Even though we were older than 3/4 of the crowd, it was a blast. Imagine Dragons is my new favorite band. Seriously, there were so awesome live. The rest of the line up included The Wombats, Group Love, The Used and Neon Trees. And there was beer. Beer + Live Music = Happy Prathers.

If you go to Park City, eat at The Eating Establishment. Mimosas and AMAZING eggs benedict. It doesn’t get much better than that. Okay. Sunday. Park City has what’s called the Alpine Coaster and Alpine Slide. It’s every little (and big) kids dream. I’ve always wanted to go for a ride (that’s what she said) on these babies. I figured they’d be silly, but holy moly, they were so. much. fun. Even Travis said he’d ride them again. Do it. Seriously. Oh, and I highly recommend Park City in the early fall. The leaves were changing but it was still 60 degrees, and the crowds are smaller. Perfection.

You control the speed on your sled thingies, and let me tell you, those things haul butt. One girl said she has seen someone go over the edge they were going so fast. So. Freaking. Fun. Technically we weren’t supposed to race, but Trav won. He had a head start though. Cheater.

Travis and I rode the coaster together. The kid said you go faster with two people, so really, we had to. You ride the coaster slowly up, and then haul down. You control the speed in this, too. I wanted to ride it again and again and again. Don’t even think about saying that’s what she said.

We stopped at the Tanger Outlets on our way out of town, which is in Park City, and left with nothing. Can you believe that?! If only I wasn’t such a cheap-skate. It’s worth a stop though. So. Many. Stores. And then we came home. But we like our house so it was okay. Plus, Riley missed us. I can’t wait to go back to Park City when the snow falls. It really is a beautiful, fun town. Now to go win the lottery so I can retire and buy a home there…

The Adventure Continues…

A few weeks ago, we celebrated our first anniversary. Yes, I’m a bad blogger, but hey, late than never, right? Right.

Besides, I don’t want to forget the fact that both Travis and I planned a little scavenger hunt for each other. Yep. Meant to be. So, enjoy bits and pieces of our hunt in photos. We sure did. #littlekidsinbigkidsbodies

The perfect card for us.

Riley always has to be in on the action.
No, Lays didn’t pay me. Travis is just obsessed.
He made me go all the way out to the trailer for a clue to send me right back inside. He gets this face a lot.

We spoiled each other with little gifts and our main gift to each other was a trip to Park City, Utah. Maybe I’ll share that soon. We’ll see. This whole life thing gets in the way of blogging. I’m not sure how you all do it! I’ve also been up to DIY projects, a house-warming party, and preparing for the Tough Mudder this coming Sunday. Watch this video and then tell me I’m crazy. No wait, don’t! I already know. Yes, those wires are live, and no, I might not be come Sunday afternoon.