may 29

I'm a little crazy about dates. You can ask Layton and he will tell you that I remember every date of anything. All the time! And yes I remembered that today marks 4 years of meeting Layton, him entering my life and changing it forever. I love you babe!

fams in town!

I have been so excited for my family to come to Charlottesville to see our new home, and finally the day has come! Originally it was just supposed to be my parents, but last minute they decided to bring my sister and brother as well... so the WHOLE FAMILY CAME!  I can't even begin to tell you how happy we were to see all of them, especially my sissie who has been traveling in New Zealand for the past 3 months. It was the best reunion:)

The first day they got here we went to Carter Mountain Orchard for dinner, apple cider donuts, some live music, and to watch the sunset. 

 Best donuts in the world 

Later we walked around the Rotunda and campus

Friday we went hiking in Shenando National Park, which was so beautiful! 

 

We went and visited Layton at the law school and got a little tour...

Then headed downtown for the free concert, and dinner at Citizen Burger

 Kettle corn strait from heaven. Check out that VAT of popcorn!

 Citizen Burger never ever disappoints

Donuts for dessert? Yes please 

As if having them in Charlottesville wasn't fun enough... the next day we headed to the Outer Banks for the long weekend! 

isn't the beach the BEST?

such pretty sunsets in the banks

Wild horses right on the beach 

We had full on beach days, swam in the ocean, took long walks, rode our bikes to a lighthouse, ate the yummiest food, laughed our heads off, and just enjoyed all being together!

 

It was paradise! Literal heaven to be with my amazing family in our new hometown, and also in beachy paradise. So grateful to my parents for making it happen! Love y'all!

xoxo

L

let the summer bucket list begin

As soon as I found out we were going to stay here in Charlottesville for the summer we started to compile a bucket list of adventures. When else in our lives will we be able to spend a summer here in Charlottesville??? Honestly, this might be our one and only chance. So! We are excited to explore, road trip, and see what a VA summer is all about! 

Today we went to Montpelier, which is James Madison's estate. It was so interesting to learn more about him, the founding fathers, and that time period in general. We took a tour, walked around the grounds, and took a lot of pictures. 

Next we ventured to Gordonsville, VA... the "chicken leg center of the universe."  Today, Saturday May 17th, Gordonsville held it's Famous Fried Chicken Festival. Sign us UP!  Right in the middle of the historic downtown were vendors, pie contests, and of course... lots and lots of fried chicken. 

 Sauce? Yes please. 

 the aftermath

 Best BBQ I've ever had. HANDS DOWN

 

Such a fun/RANDOM adventure to start off our bucket list this summer! Love us some VA fried chicken:)

xoxo 

L

first year of law school CHECK

we made it! we did it. we made it through the first year of law school! whew! what a emotional roller coaster filled with successes and set backs. the funnest of times and great friends made, and there were tough moments when we had to really rely on each other. 

i could not be more proud of layton! what a champ. he worked so hard this past year, and survived. law school is scary and so so hard. but he got through it!

we of course had to celebrate... so we went on an epic hike in the shenando that overlooks beautiful virginia. we both felt on top of the world standing there. done with the first year... such an accomplishment!

this one is my favorite

xoxo

L

wedding time

Wedding time!! Two of my very best friends got married in the same week can you believe it. Kinsey and Sara were the brides to be and it was the funnest week Salt Lake City has ever seen. Since elementary school we've been attached at the hip and I could not have been happier for both of them!

I flew home on April 25th to find Kinsey waiting for me at the airport to pick me up. It was the best to reunite, see her ring, and get excited for the wedding!

we had the funnest night celebrating kins at her bachelorette party the next night 

finally the big day came! it was such a beautiful sealing.
i was simply overwhelmed with love for both kinsey and joe,
they are so in love and are the perfect match for each other. congrats to the newlyweds!!!!

so happy for Mr. and Mrs. Cannon!

 next up were Sara and Justin. they could not have had more perfect weather!

i mean check out these flowers at the temple 

such a beautiful bride

their reception was a small, intimate sit down dinner with an awesome dance party at the end. it made me so happy to see my best friend marry the man of her dreams! they are so darling and their day was absolutely perfect!

love my girls and fellow bmaids 

i love our married names:) 

whew! what a week! in total: 2 weddings, 2 bachelorette parties, 1 baby shower, and lots of catching up with friends and family:)

fun to catch up with my jerusalem chicks. so excited that jeni a. is coming to uva law school with her hubby!

my girls Mal & Kit 

Fun dinner with the Bell gals

sooo good to spend time with andge 

and a big shout out to my mama...

i needed her so much and she literally saved the day multiple times.  best momma in the world!

fun trip home. see ya soon slc!

xoxo

L