Apparently all the studying I’ve done this year on minimalism and simple living is making a difference after all– Over the weekend, Matt and I made the cutest little minimalist gingerbread house you ever did see. After our Thanksgiving festivities, my mom pulled out all the trimmings for making gingerbread houses for all of us …
Despite the slew of Black Friday circulars flooding our doorstep and inbox, I knew that nothing–NOTHING!–was going to prevent me from spending one of my favorite holidays of the year the way it should be spent: Surrounded by family and food (not by grumpy shoppers and long lines). And I knew it wasn’t just me …
I’ve talked before about how much I love establishing new Christmas traditions with Matt that will hopefully become our future family’s permanent traditions. Each year, I know I can look forward to a special dinner and Christmas movie or game night on Christmas Eve eve, going to the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas concert (followed up by a …
Each year, my mom throws a huge Halloween party for all her grandkids (and for us). This year’s theme? A Spooky Spider Halloween. With Halloween being this Thursday, I thought I’d break down what a successful spider party looks like (in case you want to steal some last-minute ideas). Step One: Have everyone don …
Truth: I have never personally lit off a firework in my life (I don’t think). I was always forbidden to do it while growing up (not even one of those sparklers that you hold in your hands), and now that I’m grown, I’m just as content to let others do the dirty work …
Having lived outside the country for 18 months, I gained a much deeper appreciation for my beloved home country—not only for the opportunities and prosperity it offers, but even more for the freedoms that protect us and give us the chance to become whoever we want to be. I could never be grateful enough …
My dad and me on my wedding day Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see ANY of my fathers yesterday in person–not my dad, my stepdad, or my dad-in-law. But I’m sure grateful for all of them, just the same. I’ve decided that the role of all my fathers has been this: to lavish me with …
What does Memorial Day mean to me? Perhaps not surprisingly, I found that it means a lot of things: It means the gathering of family at cemeteries, to remember those we love and miss. I love how the photo below shows the bringing together of posterity that happened because of one truly great man: my grandfather. Even …
