S'more weekend would sure be nice...

Another Monday, another week!  Even though Mondays are a tad bit discouraging, Tay and I had quite a fun weekend.

On Friday, we went to support Marci's soccer team.  She coaches the cutest (and most talented!) 14 year old girls.  They received second place in the championship!  We were so proud of them!  And it was such a fun game!

On Saturday evening, Tay and I were invited by the marvelous Brody and Jenni to a park up in the canyons where we grilled hot dogs over a campfire with some good friends.  We even ended the night with some delicious s'mores (hence the blog title for today).  Even though we strongly smelled of campfire afterwards, we loved every minute of the evening!

Our lovely drive up the canyon.  Utah is such a beautiful state!

Taylor made a late night trip to Wal-Mart, and brought home Ben & Jerry's for us to share in bed.
Yum! Love this boy!

And, of course...Happy Mother's day to all mothers throughout the world.  Two special shout-outs are needed. One, to my own mother, whom I love with all of my heart.  I couldn't have asked for a better role model, exemplar, and friend.  She is truly an amazing woman, and I strive daily to emulate her many wonderful characteristics.  And now, I am lucky enough to have TWO moms.  Can life get better? I think not.  My mother-in-law is always amazing me with her many talents and skills.  I feel a little (a lot) inadequate next to her.  Her friendly and outgoing charisma is something I always admire.  She is so good to include me in everything and make me feel part of the Gilbert clan. :)  I couldn't have asked for a better mom-in-law.  I love these two women dearly!

Taylor's brother, Seth, was able to call home for Mother's day.
Just eight days until he is home!

I was spoiled this Mother's day.  Even though I'm not a mother.  Taylor surprised me with beautiful flowers when I woke up. I gave him a bit of a quizzical look, and said, "You know...I'm not a mother, right?"  Taylor smiled and said, "But you will be someday; and you're closer now than you ever have been."  Did I get butterflies a little? Mayyybe :)  I have a wonderful husband.  And THEN, my dad-in-law gave me some lovely flowers.  I guess I'm included in this wonderful little holiday now. ;) Happy Mother's day!

Pondering about the Woodland Family...

Last week, my sister and her family moved to Kansas.  We have loved living so close to the Woodland family, and we already miss them dearly!  After lots of cleaning, packing, and tearful goodbyes, they started off on their drive to the mid-west.  Boy, do we miss them!  Especially their littles, Emma and Max.  I will especially miss the times when Emma asked if she could spend the night with Aunt Kelli and Uncle Taylor.  I will miss being a part of their young lives. Thank goodness for Facetime, right?

As I was helping Laurin clean her home before they moved, I was reminded of the many evenings I spent at her home as a young college student.  When I was homesick, in need of a home-cooked meal, had a rough day, or just in need of some sister-time, Laurin was always quick to invite me over (always with a never-ending offer to do my laundry at her home...free laundry!).  I spent many nights playing with E&M, sleeping on the Woodland couch, and feeling once again refreshed to conquer the college life.  While pondering over these memories, I was overwhelmed with her hospitality and love she shared with me, her little sister.  I sure have some of the greatest sisters. :)

Taylor and I had the opportunity to watch  Emma and Max about a week before they moved.  We had so much fun!  We took them to an elementary school play, Willy Wonka, that some children from our ward were in (p.s. everyone did such a magnificent job in the play!).  Emma and Max loved it.  Then we got to play with them before they fell asleep for the night.

Here are some pictures (and a video!) of our fun night:

E&M came up with a fun game with Uncle Tay (see video) :)

(Laurin...I promise we didn't drug Max)

(Listen carefully to Max telling Taylor, "Hit me!")

We miss you, Woodlands!  We pray for your happiness in Kansas! 

xoxo

Life lately...

There was a good three weeks between April and May that I didn't blog.  Whoops :/  Even though Taylor constantly pestered me to blog, I never had the chance to get around to it.  So here's a quick update of what was missed:

Marci and Tom threw an awesome party a couple of weekends ago.  We played a game where each couple was given an egg and we wrapped the eggs with newspaper, tissue paper, tape, etc., in order to try to cushion it from a fall off of the balcony.  The team whose egg stayed intact won!  Mine and Taylor's egg and Ryan and Rachel's egg survived!  The four of us did an egg toss contest to determine a winner.  And the winner was...

Throwing the eggs off of the balcony!

Our baby egg lives!

We win!!!!

The next game was pretty funny too.  One spouse was blindfolded, while the rest of the crew positioned the other spouse into an odd position.  The spouse who was blindfolded had to feel their lover and try to position themselves in the same way.  Here was our attempt:

Not too shabby, right? Fun game!

Taylor and I hosted a dinner for all of the siblings (plus Camden & Etta--good friends to all) a few Sundays ago.  It partly served as a goodbye party for the Woodlands, who moved to Kansas.  Taylor was the cook of the night (and the food was so yummy), and I was in charge of the dessert (thank you, Costco chocolate cake).  ;)  So many laughs and good times around.

Too cute for words.

The Utah sibs

Oh, and we can't forget about my 21st birthday, can we?

I was actually feeling a little under the weather, so we had a last-minute relaxing evening (dinner and games) with the siblings.

It was awesome, special, and perfect! 'Nuff said.

 At the end of the night we facetimed with the rest of the fam in CA.

Hi Mama!

Me and my love on my special day :)

Well, there's a little bit about our life lately.  Now that we're caught up, how about those daily posts again, eh?  ;)

Just under two weeks!

If you remember from my "counting down" post, there is still something special that's just around the corner...
The whole Gilbert clan (specifically Mama and Papa Gilbert) are counting down the days until Seth gets home from his mission.  We are under two weeks, partner!  While we are all very excited, I am mostly excited for Taylor to have his brother back.  I just keep thinking what a sweet reunion it will be.  Even though I've never officially met Seth, I feel like I know him already!  So, join us in our excitement, will you? :) 13 days!

Cardboard Seth at our wedding reception :)

And the job hunt is over!

On Monday, I accepted a teaching job!  I am so excited! I never thought I would teach in a charter school, but I am actually way pumped about it.  There are so many pros that I am loving more and more every minute!  I have been so impressed with the students and staff at the school I chose and I can't wait to join the team!  I AM GOING TO BE A REAL TEACHER in just a few short months!!  Crazy, right!? In fact, the principal of the school even wanted me to start today because one of their current history teachers just left for maternity leave.  While I would have LOVED to be familiar with the school and staff before I officially start, it didn't end up working out (mostly because I was just promoted at doTERRA to a position that requires full-time hours and I still need a job for the rest of the summer ;)).  But, I felt so honored.

Can I brag for just a minute?  When I declined a teaching offer from another school, the principal of this particular school emailed me and wanted to negotiate the salary in order for me to accept the position.  She told me I was their number one candidate and they really wished I would join their team for next year.  Flattering, right?

But everything about this particular school still felt right to me.  And I am so excited for what's in store!

Can life be any better?  A full-time teaching job in my pocket, summer evenings with my handsome husband, ((a brand new macbook pro)), and many good times with friends, neighbors, and family.  I love this life.

I feel like this picture accurately expresses my feelings right now.  Hand in hand, him and I can conquer anything. :)

BYU Graduate!

This is a little late....but, it's official, folks!  I am now a graduate of Brigham Young University!  I am proud to say I completed my degree in less than 3 years!  It is such an awesome feeling to be finished.  I cannot believe how fast time has flown.  I thought I'd never reach the day when I was a COLLEGE graduate!  And now, here I am!  I just received my teaching certificate, and it feels more real than ever!

My family came down for my graduation, and we had such a grand time. Here are a few pictures to prove that I'm a BYU graduate!

With my handsome, supportive husband!

The beautiful flowers my handsome husband gave to me :)

My beautiful niece, Emma.

We did it!


Now, we look forward to the day that Taylor gets to wear these robes. Hoorah for BYU! Such an awesome school.

May the odds be ever in your favor...

Last night, as I was walking across the street, I ran into the Preston and Anderson children (they live across the street from us).  They excitedly told me that they were going to play Hunger Games later that night.  I instantly became interested and eagerly asked if I could join them.  After running home to tell Taylor, he couldn't help but sign up to play as well.

The kids had the whole game planned.  The cornucopia was the trampoline.  When the whistle sounded, you ran for your life to grab weapons (plastic swords, bats, hatchets, etc), food, shelter, or backpacks (the backpacks were kindly pre-packed by the fathers of the crew.  There were cards randomly set up throughout the boundaries.  If you saw one, you could choose whether or not to pick it up and read it.  Some cards would just apply to the reader, while other cards were "Gamemaker" cards and applied to the whole group.  For example, a card that just applied to the reader might read, "You have been sent a parachute of medicine.  Use it now, or save it for later."  Whereas, a Gamemaker card might read, "Anyone without shelter is dead."  If you picked up a Gamemaker card you had to yell it so everyone could hear.

Along with awesome scenario cards, there were fights all throughout the "arena."  A hit to the arm or leg was an injury; while a hit to the stomach, back, or shoulders meant death. Uh-oh... ;)

Alliances were created and alliances were broken (ahem...my dear, sweet husband formed an alliance with me during the first game and then stabbed me in the back about 3 minutes later...).

The best part of the game?  We had a horn tied to the top of a swingset.  If you died, you had to go blow the horn.  So if you were still in the game, you could keep track of how many times you heard the horn to try to figure out how many of you were left.

By the end of the night, a good amount of neighborhood adults had gathered to watch the festivities.  Their comments were strangely similar to the announcers or those belonging to the Capitol.

"Look at her...she's surviving because she stays hidden!  We only see her when there is something up for grabs!"

"Go kill him!"

"Did those two make an alliance?  What will they do if they both make it to the end?  Who do you think will betray the other first?"

"Wow, that's a strong alliance forming! They'll make it to the end."

We played over and over again, and just couldn't get enough of it!  We didn't quit until about 10:30.  Hey, neighborhood kids? Taylor and I are so grateful for your invention of this game.

We're even hoping to play again tonight!

The Tributes :)