him & her XXXI: summer recap

H E R :


It doesn't matter how much you try to pack into the break, summer always goes by way too fast, and before you know it, it's already time to go back to school again.

I'm in total denial. I love Fall as much as the next girl, but there's something special about summer.

And this summer was one for the books! Endless camping, Spikeball, and freezing lakes! We got almost every thing checked off our summer bucket list! 


Idaho Summer Bucket List:

• Goldbug Hotsprings (in Salmon)
• Teton Vu Drive IN
• Darby Wind Caves
• Heise Camp out
• Float the river (twice)
• Picnic at the park
• Yellowstone
• Upper Palisades Camp out 
• Skinny Dipping
• Teton Thai
• Driggs Hike
• Blackfoot Fair
• Phelps Lake (in Jackson)

I am not ready to give these things up. But with a new season comes pumpkin patches, haunted houses, and new clothes. So everyone enjoy your last couple weeks of summer before we all start listening to Christmas music.

H I M :

The summer is coming to an end. Well actually it is pretty much over. School started back for everyone and we have even had a few hints of colder weather. 

Summer is probably my favorite time of year, especially since living in Idaho. It is filled with so many outdoor activities. We are pretty lucky that we live so close to so much fun stuff. This was probably one of our most adventurous summers yet and the memories we made were worth it. 

Hannah has actually got mad at me a couple times this summer, because I would say how I missed the cold. I hate being hot and sweaty with a passion. I'm not a fan of the snow don't get me wrong, but I love cold weather.

Like most white girls I am anxiously awaiting the fall season and everything that comes with it. Fall is Life.

him & her XXX: camping tips

H E R :


Before Curtis & I got married we registered for a ton of camping supplies. After we were married and had all of this stuff I was worried that we actually wouldn't use any of it. Growing up I think I only went camping once or twice. But since we've been married to have definitely become a camping couple.

Here are a few tips to think about before your next camping trip:


1. Get organized

When you plan your camping trip make sure that you are prepared for every situation. I can't even tell you how many times I have forgotten something important like paper plates or bug spray.

It may seem like a lot of work to make sure you pack everything, but it gets easier to more you go camping.

I would recommend purchasing a rubbermaid or some kind of storage container to keep all your odds & ends so that you'll always remember everything you need.

2. Be prepared

Plan out your meals, sleeping arrangements, hikes, and travel before hand. There is nothing worse than getting to your hike site and realizing that it's completely full, because you didn't reserve a spot.

Expect there to be things that don't go according to plan, but make sure you are prepared for most things.

3. Food

There are a lot of different options for the kind of food you can bring/make while camping. Everyone is different on their preferences.

You have the people that only bring clif bars and poptarts to eat and then you have the people that pack a cooler full of raw meat and fresh vegetables to make a gourmet meal.

It all depends on how much time you want to spend cooking. Curtis & I are tin foil dinner people all the way. We find it is the easiest way to cook a really good dinner.

H I M :


Things you should never forget:

Paper plates
Utensils
Paper towels
Trash bags
Tongs
Extra water bottles
Hand sanitizer
Propane

Baby wipes
Toilet Paper
Pillow
First Aid Kit
Bug Spray
Sunscreen
Extra blankets
Hoodie

Headlamp
Liter
Lighter Fluid


Here is a great recipe for a delicious tin foil dinner.

him & her XXIX: disneyland

H E R :

A couple months ago my sister Kendal asked me if I wanted to go to Disneyland, because her friend Carleigh works there and was generous enough to get us in for free for two days!

I have always had a huge desire to go to Disneyland or Disneyworld, but just never had the opportunity.

So Kendal and I flew to California to stay with our sister Chandler for four days. We got to hang out in Laguna for a day before we went to Disneyland. We went to the beach, shopped in Irvine, and even saw Josh and Amanda from the Bachelor!

On Monday and Tuesday we drove two hours (LA traffic) to Disneyland and California Adventure.

I loved every second of my time there! I know how extremely basic it is to say that going to Disneyland makes you feel like a kid, but it really is true. There is nothing else like it. I even surprised myself at times with how excited I was.

When I met Cinderella or saw Mickey Mouse I would get nervous. Like I had a hard time grasping reality while I was there. Embarrassing, but true.

The food was amazing (dole whip and churro were obviously my favorite), the rides were incredible (shout out to Indiana Jones), and don't even get me started on the firework show. A few tears may have been shed.

When we first decided to go I was kind of nervous that we wouldn't have time to do everything in two days. Disneyland is always so crowded and I have heard horror stories of people waiting in lines for hours just to get on one ride.

So we planned our entire trip. I think this was the smartest move we made, because we were able to do everything with time to spare!

We searched online and talked to our friend Carleigh about a schedule for all the fast passes for rides. We wanted to make sure that we were able to ride the really popular rides multiple times and have time for shows and fireworks.

Here was our schedule we followed:

DISNEYLAND

1) Tomorrow Land > Space Mountain - FAST PASS

Buzz Lightyear

Star Tors

Astro Orbitter 

2) Frontier Land > Thunder Mountain - FAST PASS

3) Fantasy Land 

Matterhorn- long line

Alice in Wonderland

Teacups

Dumbo

Peter Pan- long line

It's a Small World

Sleeping Beauty

Snow White

4) Adventure Land > Indiana Jones - FAST PASS

Pirates of the Caribbean 

Jungle Cruise

Big Thunder Mountain

CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE

1) Grizzly Peak> World of Color - FAST PASS

Grizzly River Run

2) Hollywood Land > Tower of Terror - FAST PASS

Animation Academy

Monster Inc

3) Bugs Land > Radiator Springs - FAST PASS

4) Cars Land

Radiator Springs

Matter Junkyard

5) Condur Flats Land > Soarin' over California - FAST PASS

6) Paradise Pier > California Screaming - FAST PASS

Lil Mermaid

Swings

Mickey Fun Wheel

I'm sad that it took me 22 years to experience it, but I know I will be back!

H I M :

I'm glad Hannah was able to go to Disneyland. I know she has always wanted to go, but lives so far away so it was kind of impossible for her.

I had the chance to go a couple of times as a kid and I seriously loved it! I remember I got Goofy's autograph and was so stoked. I guess you can't tell by this picture...

It's been over 15 years, but I still remember how fun the Space Mountain ride was! I think that will always be my favorite.

Then a few summers ago Hannah and I were in LA and were able to go into Disney for like 2 hours, because my buddy Skyler was there. We really only got to see the fireworks and go on a few rides, but it was worth it!

It is an awesome place, so I knew they would have a blast.

While the wife was away, I just worked and hung out. Fortunately some friends were in town, so I wasn't alone. We were able to have some fun, obviously not as much as Hannah.

I'm excited to go to Disneyland with her again!