Camping Trip 2009!

On Thursday, Stephen and I had planned to go on a camping trip. We were both very excited and a little more unprepared then we thought. We went camping in Maple Bench in the Payson, UT canyons. It was a ton of fun!

Campin', the table in the back is from our Car!!!
Roasting/BBQ hot dogs, they were a brilliant and tasty idea
And of course roasting marshmallows was a must :-)

The next morning, after a very cold and uncomfortable sleep, we decided to hike to a waterfall. It was an easy hike, good for a quick trip or even with kids. I absolutely loved it! When we got to the waterfall, Stephen decided we should hike to the top of the waterfall... Little did he know that I was trying very hard to follow his every step so I wouldn't fall off the steep cliff. Turns out I stretched my legs to the full length that they could because he (stephen) is so much taller than me and can take extra long leaps and reach higher to grab rocks... But we made it safely and it was worth it!!
There were some cool logs you had to walk over, but all the logs were anchored
On top the waterfall (above and below), so adventurous of us!

*Dream It! Floral Designs*

As of this summer I received my very own tax resale license that came with a business license. This means I can purchase flowers from a floral wholesaler and create flower designs for you and everyone you know!! Well maybe not everyone, but I can do flowers for weddings, proms, funerals, and just because.

Here is what my business card looks like...

This is a few samples of my designs, but you can see more about Dream It! Floral Designs at dreamitfloral.blogspot.com. I am really excited about doing more work, so if you have friends or you yourself need some last minute flowers let me know. I do live in Provo so it is limiting but I am willing to travel for a wedding or similar (if its not too far). Please keep in mind that I will be in school shortly but I am still available for work.

My first wedding on my own, Phalaenopsis Orchids, Calla Lilies, and Freesia

Same wedding, Mother's chest corsage with Mini Calla Lily, Phal. Orchid, and Freesia, with Italian Ruscus

A Bridal Bouquet for a bride's Bridal Photography, Black Calla Lilies, 'Vendella' & 'Stelle' Roses, Sunset Asiatic Lilies

These are standing sprays, these were for the BYU graduation ceremonies in the Arts Department

Hard at work for my latest wedding, Mini Calla Lilies, Dahlias, Bells of Ireland, Delphinium, and Freesia (green and navy was the color scheme)

Overall, I have lots I want to do to expand my variety but I am willing to do anything that is possible. If there is a dream for something unique or traditional, I will do it!!
Let me know what you think...

Portugal and London

Salt Lake Airport, ready to go!

So for our belated honeymoon that we never really got and still really haven't gotten... Well we went to Portugal where Stephen served his mission. It was an experience that I feel I may not have again so I am grateful for that experience. We flew forever across the atlantic ocean, then arrived to many other airports before getting to our first 'real' destination, Maderia, Portugal. Maderia is pronounced (Mah-DE-Dah), well to my surprise, I actually really liked this little island which is closer to Africa than Portugal but it was so pretty. There was tropical vegetation all over and the ocean was always in sight, a beach girl dream come true...

A park that had trees from all over the world!

Island flower the Bird of Paradise, Estrelitzia (portugese)

After the beautiful island we flew to the mainland, into Lisbon. There we toured all of the great sights of Lisbon. Like towers and elevators from long long ago (we actually paid to ride up and down it). Well then we went to the waters edge and saw many other sights, like a replica of the Christ statue (Cristo Rei) that originates in Brazil. But please let me remind you that the European Portugese language is much more beautiful and originally from Portugal.

The first of many round about towering statues

At the tower, where they used to patrol who traveled through an ocean channel, very old place

After a couple nights in Lisbon we left to drive to northern Portugal, a place called Porto. On our way we stopped in Obidos, Nazare, Guimaraes, Leiria, Batalha (awesomest monestary) and Bom Jesus. We stayed in Leiria (pronounced, Lay-DIea). There was a beautiful castle that was lit at night and it was absolutely gorgeous!This is Obidos, where the city is inside the Castle walls

This is Batalha, this is the unfinished Cathedral

This is the beach at Nazare

When we reached Porto we went to Church, honestly church was church but people in Portugal have a thing with invading personally space and making you do things that you aren't willing to do with force... Well so we left and stayed in Vila Nova de Gaia. There we stayed with a member who Stephen was very close with. Well to sum up that half-way miserable experience, I was thirtsy often, we both got really sick, and she was unintentionally rude to me.

To the left is Vila Nova de Gaia and to the right is Porto

So we finished our Portugal journeys and were off!!

Well we stayed a couple days in London and sight saw. Well the first day was when I actually got sick from the Portugal lady. Then the next day we went out and toured London on double decker buses and a river boat. Quite enjoyable and relaxing I'd say!

In front of parilment and the clock 'Big Ben'

This is London's tower bridge, apparently platform 9 3/4 is underneath this bridge

The trip home was the longest flight trip ever! I was upset that my one real souvineer got taken at customs, and that the trip wasn't all that relaxing and enjoyable. I felt cheated and completely broke all at the same time.

Finally we made it home and we were able to sleep for like a day, and then after that we woke up really early for like a week. All in all we became closer and I have a lot of respect for Stephen's language speaking skills. I appreciate that the United States has a variety of beautiful places so that leaving the country soon won't be necessary to 'escape' the stresses of life.

I want to Stephen to know that even though I am speaking my thoughts and mind over the whole trip, I really enjoyed it and I love that I got to see the two years of your life that you spent for the most important person in our lives, Heavenly Father. I love you Stephen!

So we are moving on Friday! There are multiple problems with this situation. Stephen and I both have to work but hopefully getting everything ready to go will be beneficial since we will have about four hours to move it all before it gets dark.
We leave for Portugal on May 10th and will return on May 24th. I am a little bummed because this honeymoon is turning into a mission reunion trip. There won't be a lot of time to just relax and sit by the ocean or in the sunshine. But its ok, I've never been to Europe so this is super exciting. But I do think that Stephen and I need to time to just sit and relax. Well at least I do.
I have one more year left in school and I am super excited. I am the Landscape club President at BYU next year and that'll be really fun. I got hired on as a fulltime floral design TA at BYU and I am doing my first wedding flowers (for someone besides myself) this thursday. I am also hoping that I can get a job with campus craft and floral soon. That would be Great!
Stephen is still working at Noni but got a schedule change so the early mornings will now be an early 9am instead of 6am. He has been doing the tucanos thing too, I was thinking about applying again and working there but Stephen doesn't like that idea.
Hope we can post some cool pictures of Portugal for ya'll soon.

Wedding Picutres are posted on Facebook!

We may finally have everything 'Under Control'

So we have been married for about 2 months. We are so happy!
We have decided to move from where we are living. We will be moving to a one bedroom condo right across the street from BYU's lovely campus. This will be a money saver!
I just came back from my Student Career Days trip (the annual landscape competition), I placed third in my competition and our team placed fourth overall. Our school brought 57 competing students, while most schools bring only 6-20 students. It was probably really annoying for the other schools to go anywhere and always see BYU in their face. But it was a great opportunity and having job offers lined up year after year is pretty remarkable. While I was there I went to the LA flower market!!! I loved it!
Stephen is doing very well. He may tell you that he is failing school but I think that he has done a marvelous job. He studies very hard and does a lot to keep us afloat financially. He is excited for the summer and to be able to drive his car. I know that he really likes doing that especially since now he doesn't have to drive in that hot car by himself.
We are going to Portugal on May 1oth. This is our honeymoon and we are very excited! I got my passport coming in the mail. I got a UT drivers license which I am not happy about. I have new last name which many fail to use to contact me or refer to me. Portugal will be amazing, and I just hope that everything runs really smoothly!!!