Alpine Loop

 A few weekends ago, we went on a Sunday drive to see the fall colors. They did not disappoint. We saw this spot (above) and took some family photos. Mom would be proud! 

There were soo many cars. Utahns love a Sunday drive.

My attempts at "photography" while driving in a car. :)

My favorite pals

Just missing Kimber and Sonya 

Justin and I first drove the Alpine Loop four years ago during our church's General Conference. As we listened to the speakers on the radio, it totally started snowing. So pretty! But I liked the weather better this year... 

Provo Bucket List

Sometimes I feel like I will be in Provo forever. And it's kinda true. In total, I will spend seven years of my life in this city. I do love p-town but I get really excited for change. I catch myself looking up housing, FNP jobs, etc. in all the places Justin is thinking about for medical school.


I am trying to avoid the issue President Uchtdorf (a leader in our church) spoke about in a talk recently. He described in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory how Willy Wonka had hidden five golden tickets in chocolate bars. He said, “In their anxiousness, people began to forget the simple joy they used to find in a candy bar. The candy bar itself becomes an utter disappointment if it does not contain a golden ticket,” Whatever a “golden ticket” may represent to each person, President Uchtdorf warned us to not put happiness on hold as we wait for a future event, or golden ticket, to appear.


"The lesson here,” he said,” is that if we spend our days waiting for fabulous roses, we could miss the beauty and wonder of the tiny forget-me-nots that are all around us.”


So in my attempt to not miss the beauty and wonder of Provo, Justin and I recently made a bucket list of things we want to do while we're here. I tried to think of all the lovely things Provo and Utah have to offer that either one or both of us haven't experienced yet. 

The Provo Bucket List

(In no particular order)

1. BYU homecoming parade and blue pancakes

2. Float the Provo River

3. Hike to the top of Y Mountain

4. Eat J-Dawgs

(I am not a hotdog lover so eating at JDawgs was never a priority but it made the bucket list)

5. Kneader's french toast (Justin's never had it!)

6. Moab

7. Zions 

8. Hike Timp

9. Sledding/ make a snowman

10. Play on a co-ed BYU intramural team

11. Get a picture with Cosmo!

We thought of more but they're slipping my mind right now. Please tell me if you have more ideas! Making this list actually got me really excited to live in Provo for the next two years or so. If I'm going to be a Provo all-star, I might as well enjoy it!

Rise and shout!

This fall has kept us busy with football games! We weren't too sure about the Cougs for a little bit. Or maybe that was just the second half of the BYU vs. U game... But now we're feeling a little bit better. The Utah State game was amazing. Of course our seats were in the boonies so we didn't have the pleasure of rushing the field. Kinda strange that we were rushing the field for beating Utah State but if you watched the fourth quarter of that game you'd know it was quite an accomplishment. Here are some pics of us and our friends, the Cabulagans!

Tyson and Kelsey 

Last week's game was super fun because one of Justin's pals from Granite Bay, Peyton Thompson, plays for San Jose State! Justin and Peyton played football and ran track together in high school. They actually ran on the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams together. We watched him warm up before the game and took pictures like little stalkers. 

Ash and pals

Trying to stay warm

 After the game we met up with Peyton! He was so sweet. It was fun to catch up with him and hear how he's doing with football and everything. 

As I type this, we are watching BYU vs. Oregon State! Goooo cougars!

First Day of School

First day of school pictures were always a big deal in the family. My mother trained us well. So well, in fact, that I am in graduate school and still taking first day of school pictures. Don't worry, I am fully aware of how ridiculous this is.

But didn't they turn out cute?? 

Aren't Brooke and Ash gorgeous? I am sooo lucky to have them here with me in ptown. It's so fun to pals around with them on campus and around Provo. They tell me all about their exciting love lives and I tell them about a crazy good coupon I found in the newspaper or the funny things my patients did at work. Life is good.

Goodbye to Primary Children's

At the end of August I said a bittersweet goodbye to Primary Children's. It is a really special hospital and I absolutely loved my time there. However, I didn't love the time I spent commuting. So when I was offered a job at American Fork Hospital's pediatrics unit I jumped at the chance to end my commuting days.

Another kicker in the decision was that the American Fork job is only DAYS! I think Justin was even happier than me when he heard this. I am not my best self after night shifts... I'm not even my okay self. I'm probably my worst self.

So as I was coming home from my last night shift (possibly ever?!) and last shift commuting to Primary Children's, I was welcomed by this lovely surprise! Justin and Bashley had planned a celebratory breakfast!

Tender, right?

Deco's courtesy of Bash

OMG it's a surprise!

awkward wave

tired Allie and pretty Bash

(also check out how matchy her shoes are with my scrubs!!)

Yummy breakfast made by my own personal chef/post-nightshift therapist/best hubby ever

It's been about a month now and I am so happy. I miss my patients at Primary Children's dearly but my sanity is worth it.

**Also side story. You may be wondering why I am wearing surgical scrubs. Well, at the beginning of my shift I was helping a mom with an IV pump, when my favorite little patient decided to throw up all over my scrubs. I wasn't too bothered because she is my favorite but the sensation of warm vomit seaping through your clothes to your skin is a bit uncomfortable. Luckily, the guys down in materials were kind enough to send me a pair of surgical scrubs to make it through the night :)