4th of july

For the past couple of years, it feels like we've been all over the place for 4th of July. Last year was Texas, before that I was a youth camp leader while Caleb was working in Arizona, and before that was California.

I was so excited to return back to our wonderful Provo and celebrate with family. We also got to celebrate my Grandma's 80th birthday and visit my sister who just started college. Lot's going on! We had a small family reunion and birthday party up Provo Canyon with lots of food and games. Caleb and I are semi-athletic! Come see us for badminton and a game of pickle.

One of my favorite things about Utah summer is the smell! It's so distinct-warm, soft, and reminds me of grass and the mountains. There are a couple of things that we still miss about being in Utah-mainly being close to family and our friends-but, we feel like we've started a new part of our lives in Palo Alto and I started missing our new "home" a bit towards the end of our trip.

We went to Stadium of Fire with my family to see Journey perform. There were so many fireworks that it started to rain debri!

current happenings

I think the guy at the candy counter for the Nickel Arcade is starting to recognize me. 6 fruties, 5 jolly ranchers-no greens please. This place must satisfy our need to gamble or something because we always feel a rush walking out. I secretly think I'd be the best BINGO grandma. 

Caleb had a house show with his band last week. I kind of feel like the groupie that has no idea what's going on but is at every show enthusiastically. I noticed that I kind of stick out my second time going and even tried to "urban" up my look. Flaming disaster. I tried a beanie on in the mirror for 15 minutes before realizing it just wasn't going to happen and people are going to have to deal with my mom jeans and non-flannel button-ups. Momma Paige is not a hipster and I'm loud and proud!

P.S. Mom jeans are still awesome and don't get cold knees because of stylish rips

Gingerbread

Last night we went over to our friends house to build gingerbread houses and catch up on life. It's crazy how everyone goes their separate ways so fast! I'm was once again in my weekly sugar coma and once again contemplated giving up sugar completely. That was until I had my bajillionth work party today and ate half the cookie tray...

^ I built a Temple and Caleb built a house turned the Leaning Tower of Pisa after small or actually really massive cave-in...apparently all of this was really funny (?)

Treats and Tricks

One of the best things about living in Utah is having friends and family so close. Everyone in Provo seems to be in the same "life stages" as us and it's so much easier to make friends. We went to the Nickel Arcade where we had our first date. I don't dare pull out a photo from that arcade trip because of my outfit choice and my crazy hair. It was the middle of winter and I chose a tweed skirt with a leather jacket and rain boots. Enough said. This trip was much more "stylish" and brought back great memories. 

Caleb with our prizes! A parachute man, 2 pieces of candy, and a Flopping Fortune Fish

My sweet grandpa celebrated his 80th birthday this weekend. My grandparents love having birthday parties and they always make us feel special. Grandpa chose "soup night" for his birthday meal. It was actually pretty filling and I'm thinking up a broccoli cheese soup recipe that I'm excited to try.

We also went over to our friends apartment for a Halloween dinner. She did a phenomenal job! I seriously hope she posts her cute food ideas to Pinterest. I loved that she kept with the theme and we called the red punch "blood" and the meatloaf "skeleton remains" all night.