Pumpkin Festivus

It's official- Fall is now here! It's getting cold in Rexburg- and most places up north. But, it feels most like Fall because we carved pumpkins! My Mom named whatever day we carve pumpkins "pumpkin festivus," so it was deemed that. We were given homegrown pumpkins from the Peterson family (our Firth family) and then carved them at our friends Nate and Bethany's apartment. It was Tom's first time and he loved it, even though he got sick of the tediousness of carving, so I finished the rest. These are the homegrown pumpkins:

Carving out the top:

Nate carving the top:

Like I mentioned, it was Tom's first time EVER carving a pumpkin! Excited is an understatement.

Bethany working on her creation:

Bethany with her scary spider:

Me with the goofy face- on the pumpkin, not my actual face:

The finished projects all lit up (side 1: faces)

Side 2: Spooky Sensations

Thanks Nate, Bethany and the Peterson and Smith families for providing us with some holiday spirit! Now, I've just got to figure out what to be for Halloween...

Happy 10.10.10

I guess it's time I post these pictures from our Conference Trip.

First off, let me just say how much fun I had in Utah!

My parents came up to Utah for General Conference and my

Dad's mission reunion, and to see us, of course!

We stayed with them and enjoyed watching General Conference- twice!

We were so lucky to get tickets the second time- an usher gave us tickets with great seats!

Also, my Dad was so kind and paid for us to stay with them and for our meals.

Thanks so much Mom and Dad! Here they are; outside the Conference Center:

Look at how many people were inside this beautiful building! Still filling up!

Here's Tom with this sweet man we talked to right after conference.

He has built tons of different things inside SO many Temples and other church buildings!

He didn't want his picture taken, but he still let me. Thanks sweet man!

My parents again:

Here's a few more conference pictures.

And, we saw the Capital building as we looked for "Gravity Hill."

My parents swear that it exists, but we're not convinced.

The street has been turned into a one-way,

so as to keep people from going down it and experiencing the 'gravity.'

Bummer... And, after conference we went to The Pie!

It's a delicious pizza joint in Salt Lake, right by the U of U's campus.

My Mom was a little disgusted because it wasn't 'clean' enough for her, but we loved it anyway.

At The Pie!

It was our one-year engagement anniversary!

So, we took a picture by the Temple,

near where we got engaged one year ago.

I'm so glad he asked me...it has been wonderful.

A Great Day at BYU-Idaho

I've had some great experiences here at BYU-Idaho. Last week, Tom and I had another great experience. We were able to have lunch with none other than President and Sister Clark! President Clark is the president at BYU-Idaho, for those who don't know. And, it wasn't just with them, it was also with Bro. Merrill, who was the Sunday School President for the Church until last year. It was a wonderful experience, and I am so grateful we got to do that.

First, we got to the room where we were supposed to meet and waited with other students until President and Sister Clark, Bro. Merrill and other school officials showed up. Then we went next door and there was a big table with salads all laid out and name cards and everything to make us feel real special. We ate and we each took turns introducing ourselves.

After we finished our salads, a delicious main course of fish, brown rice and green beans. During the main course, each of us students were able to ask the Clark's and Bro. Merrill questions. We had a wonderful discussion about Church topics, including marriage and fidelity and the Atonement. It was so good. President and Sister Clark and Bro. Merrill were so cool! I really had no idea. They really made me want to make sure I'm always serving the Lord and building up His kingdom, just like they do.

After the meal, we were served peaches and cream. Yum! After we finished that, we walked to devotional and got to sit on the stage!

We had so much fun at our special devotional event. The best thing was that we usually wouldn't have been able to go because we have a class, but that day our class was cancelled. It was meant to be. A special thanks to our friend Mark Beck who was the organizer of the event and invited us to go. It was definitely a great day at BYU-Idaho.