Stay-cation {Adventures} - Orange County

Last weekend Kenny and I went on a "stay-cation."  We found out that one of our favorite bands was playing in Orange County (about an hour and a half from where we live) and we knew we wanted to make a trip out of it. We had a GREAT time! Our weekend consisted of taking long drives and walks to explore new places, ravaging through antique and thrift stores, going to farmers markets, eating excellent food, playing arcade games and riding the ferris wheel on the boardwalk, and of course enjoying great music.

Life is great when you are married to your best friend!

Relaxation {Adventures}

Once we got back from Vegas we had two glorious weeks to enjoy before school starts again. (I say "we" because I would like to think that Kenny enjoys my time off as well :] ) In the two weeks I got a lot done, and boy did it feel great! I am actually pretty excited to start school on Monday! 

Here is what we were up to for the last 2 weeks...

Kenny brought back an amp from our Vegas trip. That means that more guitar time for Kenny.

Having the extra time, I was able to make some pretty legit dinners. I made Cuban food...legit right?! 

We had fun being silly. 

Kenny played guitar. A lot.

We went for drives and were "inspired" by YOLO graffiti. (YOLO means "You only live once" its a popular phrase these days) 

I cut myself making dinner. That's what I get for being so domestic! 

We hung out with siblings. ...and Kenny played more guitar.

Other things we did (that were not photographed) include: organizing our closet and all of our important papers (You should give me TWO high fives for this one, I have wanted to get this done for a while now), cleaning the house, celebrating Kenny's birthday with trips to guitar center and fabulous Mexican food, visits with family, attending fabulous fondu parties (thanks roommates for inviting us!), and of course there was some school preparation.

We have had a great two weeks. ...Now bring on the school!!!

Las Vegas {Adventures}

 

This weekend we took a road trip to Las Vegas to meet up with Kenny's parents. Vegas is the half way point between Provo and San Diego, so it was the perfect location for a weekend getaway for everyone. Summer semester ended on Thursday, and so we were itching to get away! We had a great time being with family and even some friends who happened to be in town!  One of our favorite things we did over the weekend, besides spending time with family, was going to a concert. A band that Kenny has been wanting to see perform just happened to be playing in Las Vegas the weekend we were there...AND the venue was just a few blocks from our hotel. It was meant to be!! We sure do love going to concerts! :]

We had a great weekend. Now, back to reality!! I have a two week break before Fall semester starts, and so I want make the most out of those two weeks. Here is to hoping that I am bouku productive!!

("Bouku" is a slang term that Kenny uses, I am trying it on for size lately :] )

Music {Adventures}

Finally, FINALLY, after living in Utah for a few months Kenny and I went to a show at the end of March. We went to go and see the one, the only, William Fitzsimmons. It was only a few weeks after moving to Utah that we bought tickets to this show... & looking back, I am a little surprised that we dished out $30 for some tickets when we were dirt poor (which we still are) and didn't have any jobs. However, now that we both have jobs and a steady income I can say that I am glad we did purchase those tickets. :] 

We turned this event into a pleasant mid-week date. We drove up to Salt Lake City after work, grabbed some grub at Crown Burgers (We had heard about this place many a times on the Travel Chanel, but we were not too impressed...it was good, not great) and watched our show at one of the smallest venues I have been to. A perfect date for the Mr & I. 

This show was one of my favorite shows that we have been to together (and I am glad to say we have quite a few concerts under our belts by now). William Fitzsimmons is one of our FAVs! Kenny loves his quiet voice and the way he plays guitar, but for me, Mr. Willy and I go way back. I used to listen to his album "The Sparrow and the Crow" non-stop my Sophomore and Junior years of college. I was going through a very rough time and his music really resonated with me. That album will forever be engraved in my life. Although Mr. Willy is one of my absolute favorites, I can find it a little hard to listen to at times, only because I am frequently reminded of my dark and dreary days. While we were at the concert I had one of those "moments" as he played some of my favorites where I really thought about where I was/how I felt and how much has changed since then. It was so weird to compare where I was to where I am today. It felt like standing in a juxtaposition of depression and happiness. The music he was singing reminded me of how deeply I was depressed, yet I stood there with my wonderful, kind, patient, and loving husband next to me.  If only I knew then that I was capable of being loved by someone so wonderful as him. I am so grateful for my husband and the pure joy he brings to my life. Yes life is hard, and there are still things that I struggle with, but Kenny makes it all worth it. He motivates me to keep going, simply because he loves me. I couldn't ask for anything more. 

...Needless to say this concert was a beautiful reflective moment for me. One that truly reminds me of how lucky and fortunate I am to have Kenny Norton as mine, all mine. 

Music {Adventure} - City & Colour

Have you ever been to a concert where you feel like the music spoke to your soul?! Tonight we (Kenny & the little sis) went and saw City and Colour at the House of Blues in San Diego. A-may-zing! One of the best shows I have ever been to.

Dallas Green has an absolutely superb voice. Its smooth - like buttah! Everything about that concert was chills-down-the-spine & almost-a-tear-in-the-eye kinda good! I admire the creativity that musicians have and their ability to inspire people and to be able to evoke emotions through their music. It is truly a gift, and I am grateful to be able to partake of it tonight. (And I am SO glad little sis was there, it was fun to share this experience with her!)

Here is to a great night & great music! Way to go Dallas Green, you put on one heck of a show! I can now cross off "seeing City & Colour in concert" off of my bucket list. :]