JULY memories {day 6: NEW YORK}

In October 2007, Dustin and I visited New York.  Hands down, my favorite trip on which we've been.

We did mostly touristy stuff (Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Times Square), so next time I find myself in that neck of the country, I hope to explore lesser known areas.

I will live in NYC one day.  I don't know when or why or how, but I will.

JULY memories {day 5: TEMPLE tour}

Back in October 2011, Isabelle was especially interested in the LDS temples.  At the time, she could see the Bountiful temple just outside our front door.

Dustin and I had the idea to drive to Provo and take a picture of every temple we saw on our way back.  We did this in conjunction with one of the sessions of General Conference, and it was a great way to spend our time while listening to the talks.  Here are the temples we saw on our trip:

Provo City Center Temple.  Still under construction.

Provo Temple

 

Mount Timpanogos Temple

 

 

Draper Temple

Oqurrih Mountain Temple

 

Jordan River Temple

 

Salt Lake City Temple.  {I took this from the freeway, and I still think it's a decent picture.}

 

Last, the Bountiful Temple.

 

Even though this day was a few years ago, I still remember thinking how lovely of a time it was.  I definitely want to do this again!

JULY memories {day 4: DISNEYLAND}

We celebrated our first and second anniversaries in Disneyland.  We had a blast both times.

 

I wish I realized in the moment how precious these days really were.  Our lives are so different nowadays.  We rarely see each other during the week due to varying work schedules, kids, etc., so these memories are especially fond. 

If I were to give a newlywed couple any advice, one of the things I would suggest would be to get into the habit of spending quality time together.  Plan ahead for it, as it most likely won't magically appear.  It is so important.

JULY memories {day 3: the DAY we made our DOGS be PATRIOTIC}

Happy 4th of July, Everyone!

This is July 4, 2007.  Dustin and I had lived in our house in Idaho Falls for a little over six months.  We didn't have any kids at the time; however, we did have a lot of time on our hands.

Which is why we {really, it was just me} took patriotic photos of our dogs.

I mean, seriously.  How in the world we got Tod to sit like that long enough for me to snap his picture is a mystery even to this day.

JULY memories: {day 2: our PERSONALITIES}

We took a super official, completely accurate personality tests back in May 2008.  Here were our results:

Emily is {The Scientist}

You have a head for ideas - and you are good at improving systems.

Logical and strategic, you prefer for everything in your life to be organized.

You tend to be a bit skeptical. You're both critical of yourself and of others.

Independent and stubborn, you tend to only befriend those who are a lot like you.

In love, you are always striving to improve your relationship.

You have strong ideas of what love should be like.

At work, you excel in figuring out difficult tasks. People think of you as "the brain."

You would make an excellent scientist, engineer, or programmer.

How you see yourself: Reasonable, knowledgeable, and competent

When other people don't get you, they see you as: Aloof, controlling, and insensitive

Dustin is {The Protector}

You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity.

Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is.

You are an excellent listener, with almost infinite patience.

You have complex, deep feelings, and you take great care to express them.

In love, you truly see relationships as an opportunity to connect and grow.

You enjoy relationships as long as they are improving and changing. You can't stand stagnation.

At work, you stay motivated and happy... as long as you are working toward a dream you support.

You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher.

How you see yourself: Hardworking, ethical, and helpful

When other people don't get you, they see you as: Manipulative, weak, and unstable 

...

I'm not sure where or why we took these tests, but it's fun to look back and read the results.

JULY memories: {DAY 1: that ONE room}

Dustin and I lived in Idaho Falls for about 3.5 years.  During that time, we had a heck of a time deciding on how we wanted to furnish one particular room.  It was a long and narrow room with a lot of doors, so not a lot of available wall space.

At first, it was our office.  We had an awesome desk and things looked great.

But, then it became apparent that we needed more seating, so we downsized the desk to accommodate more space in the room.

And then we downsized the desk even more when the whole thing was just too overwhelming.

Eventually, we bagged the entire office idea and turned the room into a family room.  No desk.  Just a TV, same chairs and a couch.

And then we moved.

the AGENDA for {JULY}

My 10 year anniversary is this month - July 30th.  It's hard to believe that Dustin and I have been married for nearly a decade.  I seriously remember that time in my life like it was yesterday.

I thought it would be fun to reminisce about the last 10 years by writing about a different memory throughout this month.  I mean, I have a blog.  I may as well write on it, right?

It seems a tad daunting to come up with nearly 30 memories, but between houses and kids and pets and vacations, I should be able to swing it pretty easily. 

So, stay tuned.  And enjoy my trip down memory lane!

#july30th #10years