Say cheese!

I'm pretty excited to announce that Kendrick and I made one of our first grown-up purchases! I'd like you to meet our brand new Canon DSLR camera- has yet to be named.

I'm pretty stoked to take this bad boy with us on our upcoming Seattle trip. Yep, I'm going to be one of those tourists. 

Payson Temple open house

My sweet sister was able to snag us some tickets to the Payson Temple open house last Saturday, and I am so grateful that she did!

It was a rainy and cold morning, but luckily it got warmer as we headed more and more south. Once at the temple, we quickly found Harmony and Jeff, and headed into the nearby church for a brief video that they show before entering the temple. To be honest, I spent most of that video watching Keegan, as he proceeded to do the darndest things. That kid is quite the entertainer.

Once the video was over, we headed over to the temple, had booties placed over our shoes, and then proceeded inside. The decor and architecture were absolutely stunning. All of the woodwork was a gorgeous dark brown, and the windows were stained glass- definitely not something that you see in many temples.

One of the best things about temple open houses is that even though there are lines and lines of people all around you, walking through the halls and going from room to room, you are still able to feel the spirit. I love temples!

I love how temples always have the prettiest flowers surrounding them! Who needs the tulip festival when a walk around the temple is free, amiright?

(isn't he just the most dapper baby you ever did see?)

... and just a little something for your viewing pleasure.

So.. where's the photographer?

Last Friday was one to remember, as Chase and Karissa finally tied the knot! The sealing took place at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple at 10 o'clock in the morning. Luckily, the weather was beautiful for them (although, a bit on the windy side!) Ironically, Kendrick and I had just done sealings the previous night at that same temple, so it was awesome being back the next day, and actually being able to see a sealing! As always (and to no surprise) everything was beautiful, and I loved being reminded of the same words that were said during mine and Kendrick's ceremony.

Afterwards, we met up with the rest of Kendrick's family, and waited for the happy couple to come out. However, as they exited the temple, and we cheered and clapped, we realized one thing... where's the photographer? Chase and Karissa had won a Facebook contest months before, which awarded them with a free photography package- including engagements, bridals, and wedding day.

Unfortunately, the photographer went to the wrong temple, and Chase and Karissa were left getting their wedding day pictures taken on multiple iPhones. I must say, I really admired their attitude- they were completely fine with it! Maybe I'm just a sentimental baby, but all my wedding day pictures are pictures that I'll cherish forever, so I did feel bad that all of theirs would be iPhone-quality pictures. But to each their own, and nothing could stray from the most important fact of the day- they were married!

(And can we just talk about how darling Karissa looks in her dress? $20 off Amazon. Yeah, that happened.)

Pictures were followed with a delicious lunch at Thanksgiving Point, and then the newly-weds were off onto their honeymoon at one in the afternoon (they decided to forego having a reception).

A simple day to say the least- but aren't the best things in life the simple ones? Congrats, Chase and Karissa! (and congrats to me for getting another girl in the Adams family sea of boys!)

When in doubt, head to Park City

There is just something about Park City that Kendrick and I cannot get enough of. I don't know if it's the fresh air, the fabulous outlets, or the historic and charming Main Street- we just can't stay away!
After work on Thursday last week, Kendrick surprised me with the news of a booked hotel room in Park City for Friday night (I'm telling you, the way to my heart is spontaneous getaways... and chocolate. lots of chocolate).

This little getaway was much needed and it started out with an amazing dinner at the New Yorker in Downtown Salt Lake. Clearly, this is incredibly a bit out of our price range, but our dear friend Aaron had given us a gift card for Christmas, and it was time to put that bad boy to use! Now, i'm a bit of a baby when it comes to steak (chicken, anyone?), but who in their right mind goes to the New Yorker and orders chicken? So I put on my big girl pants, ordered myself a nice sixty-dollar steak, and devoured the entire thing in record timing. And... wow. I didn't think it could get much better, until I tried their creme brulee. Wow, again. Our waitress was fantastic, and gave us another free creme brulee on the way out. I kid you not, Kendrick almost cried.

Our night in Park City was spent relaxing in the hotel room and watching movies. It felt so nice to just be with each other, in a spot where no one could find us.

We treated ourselves to an amazing breakfast at Squatters the next morning, which was followed by some outlet shopping (obviously). We would have loved to stay another night in Park City (and were definitely tempted!) but I had a bachelorette party for my friend Allyson that night. So once four o'clock hit, we were on the road and headed back to Salt Lake.

But we weren't sad, not one bit. We'd be back soon, real soon.

Happy Easter!

My family didn't do much celebrating on Easter Sunday (as no one's plans coordinated), but that didn't take away from the holiday one bit. I know that Easter is not about the chocolate, plastic eggs, or over-sized bunny (which in my opinion, is pretty creepy to begin with), but it's about the atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that through the atonement we can repent of our shortcomings, turn our weaknesses into strengths, and someday return to our Father in Heaven and be with our families for eternity. I am so grateful for the blessings that the atonement has brought into my life, and the assurance and guidance it has given me.

Happy Easter!