SCUBA

Thanks to Derek and his amazing Anniversary gift to us,

we are now officially certified divers. 

Woo hoo!!

 Learning how to dive was such a fun experience.

It's actually much more complicated than I had ever put enough thought in to realize

and it can be a little scary at times.

We spent 3 weeks going to classes 

and taking tests to prepare us for using our modules and gear.

While taking the classes we would spend hours in the pool 

learning the basics of diving. 

Often till 10pm. 

Then we did 3 open water dives at the Heber crater to finish off our certification.

Steve was our instructor

He was a cool dude. 

I think he pretty much lived in the water. 

 There were 8 of us in our class

This awesome couple above that was planning a trip to the Caribbean.

These 3 siblings, super cool kids, that were just learning so they could dive on their family trips. Trust fund babies. 

And this sort of quiet guy named that was just getting certified to have it when he needs it. Ha! Way to be prepared. 

After our last dive

we celebrated by walking around homestead and having a nice dinner.

This bread was amazing!!!

They bake it in this cool pot

so the bread is shaped like it when you pull it out. 

I was fascinated by it . 

Here's to accomplishing one of my most important bucket list items!!

August - September

3rd Anni Date

Being that we went all out this year for our anniversary 

and did the scuba certification

we just had a mellow 

date night on our actually anniversary.

We took TRAX downtown to 

Himalayan Kitchen

which neither of us had been to yet. 

Kind of crazy 

considering Derek's LOVE for Indian food. 

The food was fantastic.

I really enjoyed the simplicity of this anniversary date

because it felt like there was no pressure for it to be extraordinary

which in fact is the reason, I believe, that it turned out to be such 

and extraordinary date. 

I felt like we had just started dating 

and we ended up playing 

that ridiculous game where you take turns saying the things you love about each other.

It sounds so cheesy and obnoxious

but those are exactly the moments you need later in your marriage

versus early in your dating life. 

~

On a side note:

My adorable grandma and father

sent us these awesome Edible Arrangements to say Happy Anniversary. 

They are so thoughtful!

Happy Third!!!

Traditions traditions....

Well, I actually have gotten a little better with timing on these. We actually took this within the month of August. Unfortunately, I am now posting in January... Ha! I suck.

~

Oh Derek is just always full of fun ideas..... 

It's pretty funny...because I actually have photos that capture the exact moment that this brilliant idea came to mind... 

PS - You're welcome for all the cheese... it will continue ;)

August 10th

Amy and her Cafe Trio

Amy loves Cafe Trio

We all love Amy. 

A big Happy Birthday to one of my most favorite people in this world.

Things got a little weird after dinner. 

August 10th

The barely Living(Christmas) Tree

This year, we planted out "first" living Christmas tree in Derek's parent's back yard!

We came to check on him in May

and this is how he was holding up. 

Not so great...

but not too bad either. 

He may be dead as of now... 

but I think we have chosen to remember him this way 

and pretend that he will live forever!

Colleen + Hike + Sunday Afternoon = smile and a sigh

Sunday Afternoon hike with my favorite co-worker and darling new bestie, Colleen. 

And Tundra, of course.

Rolling green hills, draped in patches of yellow flowers.

That's a good Sunday. 

The three of us just rested at the top of Ensign Peak,

enjoying the quiet

and taking in the city below. 

Colleen and Tundra became bestie's as well....

The Gift that is Cafe Molise

At the risk of being repetitive,

I must say that Cafe Molise in itself,

really is a gift. 

Derek and I received a gift card to Cafe Molise,
from my awesome boss,

as part of my bonus.

We had never been there before.

We got a little Dressed up

and had one of the most delicious meals we have had in a long time.

Derek is still talking about his beloved Bistecca,

months later.

We had a glass of wine

and enjoyed one of the most romantic patios in Salt Lake City.

Jazz band off in the distance,

a fountain the size of a small pool,

and twinkle lights draped above us.

We want to make a home and live, happily ever after, on the patio at Cafe Molise.... 

:) ;)