Engagement photos :)

So, Ben and I had our engagement pictures taken weekend before last, and it was spectacular! We went to some really cool places, and then at the end of the day we went to the gallivan center and had some fun with the fountains. I love how they turned out, and I can't wait to see the rest! check them out here :)

Bridal Veil Falls

Ahhhhh :) Nothing like a hike to a waterfall and a nice picnic on a beautiful summer day! My roommates and I ventured up to bridal veil falls. I've never actually been up there before which is tragic! It's such short little hike but it's SO cool! It really is a spectacular thing to stand at the base of a waterfall. Anyway, following the mini-hike, we had a lovely picnic on the grass in the cute little park there. You can't go wrong with watermelon, cheetos and kit kats on a summer day, can you?

the proposal!!!

so, i'm a little bit behind on my blog but this is something I definitely have to put on here! the story of how ben proposed :)
so.
basically i got the shock of my life one afternoon in august :)
(August 7th to be exact)
My sister had called me earlier in the week and had asked me if I wanted to go to lunch on Saturday and I said sure. Come Saturday, I was glad to be going to lunch with my sister. All through the morning too, I was talking to Ben on the phone too. He had driven from Atlanta to Denver in the days before that and had just arrived in Denver Friday night. He was supposed to start work Saturday, so I was asking him about how his first day at work was going and stuff. The few times I talked to him, he said they were just driving in between appointments or finishing meetings and stuff like that. What I didn't know was that he was lying through his teeth and really he was on his way to Salt Lake!
Anyway, so i get to the Cheesecake factory (where were eating lunch....it also happens to be where Ben took me for lunch for an early birthday present before he went back to Atlanta the summer he left on his mission ) and I called Brianne to see where she was at. She said she'd be there in a few minutes so just go ahead and go in and get a table. I went in and they said for two there was no wait, so I just sat in the little lobby to wait for Brianne. Well...turns out Brianne and Ben had been conniving and I was completely in shock when Ben walked in! I think I had a weird combination of a smile and the deer in the headlights look on my face for the first few minutes :) I was just so in shock! It was wonderful :) He handed me a rose and we sat down to have a delicious lunch and just enjoy each others company. During lunch, I got the story. He and his brother had just stopped in Denver briefly Friday night to sleep, and then they had continued on driving to Salt Lake from there. Sneaky!
(our lunch at the cheesecake factory...bens burrito was HUGE!) So yes, after a marvelous lunch, Ben walked me to my car. He opened the door for me, gave me a kiss, threw something on my lap and then closed the door and started walking away. I was so confused! I looked at my lap to see what he had given me, and it was a paper with some Brazilian white chocolate attached. The note with it said something to the effect of "I love you because of all the crazy times we've spent together and all the memories we've made" the it said "call emily (my roommate who speaks portugese) and ask her about the chocolate. I called Emily and found out that the white chocolate sticks were called "batons"--which is the portugese word for lipstick :) That made me smile...because sure enough, just as intended, it brought up a wonderful memory :)
One time Ben was at my house for a day (I think over Thanksgiving break...maybe christmas break before he flew home) and he was sleeping on the couch while my mom and I made white chocolate covered pretzels. I decided to be mischievous and i took a butter knife covered in white chocolate and used it to draw a lovely white chocolate mustache on ben :) he woke up---and of course--had to get his revenge so he kissed me! the white chocolate got all over my face.
White Chocolate "lipstick" was a rather good way to remind me of that memory, don't you think?
Anyway, so then basically I ended up on a scavenger hunt type thing. Each paper he gave me would have written some reason he loved me within it a clue to where to go next. Each of the places I went were places that were significant to us; either places we had gone on dates, places we both loved, or places we had good memories at :) Every other location he left a rose and another paper for me to find, and at every other location he was there to give me the rose and the paper. That was wonderful, cause then he went on the journey with me :)
Here are some of the places we went:
-Temple Square :) We went there on a date to see the lights one time :) also, it just so happens that Rochelle (aka Sister Frogget) who is one of our dear friends is serving a mission there. Ben got there before I did and started looking for her because he wasnted to say hi after not seeing her for 2 years, and he knew i'd want to see her too! Well...he said it was pretty funny because to find her, he asked a few other sets of sisters on the square where she might be. They all gave him funny looks because he had a rose in his hand and he was asking for a Sister :) Anyway, eventually I got there, and the two of us had a chance to tag along on one of the tours Sister Frogget and her companion were giving, it was great :)
the fountain was up while we were there too..which was cool :)
Next it was down to provo where I got sent to Target. Freshman year we had gone on a wild hunt for bulk jelly bellies and we found them at target :)
Then, it was off to the ice skating rink---where we had gone on our first date :)
next the courtyard on campus where we spent many sunny hours studying and just enjoying spending time together
a random picture i took of what my car seat looked like

next was the field just outside our complex that we would take long walks around. We went on walks all the time, and that's partly how we got to know each other so well
this is just a picture I took as we were walking around the field :) isn't he handsome?

next was up to the parking lot where you begin the hike for Y Mountain because that's another date we had gone on. Hiking the Y together was a great memory :) the view from up there was beautiful too!


next to the Malte Shoppe. This is funny, cause actually we went on a double date here...where we were not each others date. I actually went with one of his good friends from home. Before we were dating..we were just the best of friends. The malt shoppe reminded of us of that strong friendship we had even before we were dating.
us at the malt shoppe---the photo quality is poor cause it's from my phone :)
next we went to the Wyview Central building. Wyview is where we lived freshman year. There were several times that year that we would go over to the central building and dance..either to practice for our ballroom class or just hanging out with Addam and Rochelle and having fun dancing. So...we went there and ben had it all set up so we could slow dance to a few of our favorite songs :)
After that I stopped outside of my old apartment to grab another clue, and that led me to my last destination.....the park :)
One time, we went on a stargazing date to this particular park. We went with my roommate and her boyfriend, and also with Addam and Rochelle. It was on that date in that park that Ben first tole me he loved me :) When we got to the park, we just sat on a blanket and talked for a few minutes, and then low and behold....Ben drops to a knee and proposes :) ahhhhh :)
i was so happy!
of course i said yes :)
then... he actually had gotten my roomate sarah to come and take a few pictures, and he gave me a boquet of roses :)

isn't he sweet? seriously! So, Ben and I are getting married for time and all eternity December 17, 2010 in the Salt Lake Temple, and I couldn't be happier :)

ALASKA

oh man.
i can't even begin to dsecribe all the fun things that we did in alaska and all the wonderful things we saw! i'll just sum it up as best as i can.
alaksa trip descriptors:
wonderful!!!!!
beautiful. gorgeous in fact.
completely marvelous spending time with ben.
full of moose. seriously, we saw them everywhere.
adventurous! we went flying, hiking and four wheeling :)
memorable :)

Georgia on my mind :)

At this very moment, I'm 20,000 feet in the air on a plane leaving Georgia and bound for Alaska (Apparently planes have wireless now,,,technology is crazy.) , and as excited as I am for Alaska, I'm SAD to be leaving Georgia!
Georgia is Beautiful!!!!
It's SO GREEN and so incredible!!!
Also, I had a WONDERFUL time spending the past week with Ben and his family, I'm so reluctant to leave!
Here are a few of the fun adventures I had in the short week I was here
-White water! Atlanta's Six Flags Water Park
-Blueberry picking
-Eating delicious southern biscuits at little a mom and pop place
-Hiking Kennesaw mountain
-Watching a laser show at Stone Mountain
-Watching a glass blowing demonstration
-Playing in the rain out in a big southern thunderstorm
-Walking around down town Atlanta--we were going to visit underground Atlanta and the Olympic park but rain hit and we ran out of time before we had to be at the airport
-Visiting Marietta Square and having some yummy ice cream :)
The best part of the whole trip though has just been spending time with Ben and being with him again just being silly and talking and being together! I love it :) Luckily, I have a whole nother (yes, i know nother isn't a word...but it should be!) week of that, and leaving Georgia will just be replaced with a new adventure in Alaska :)

LESS THAN A WEEK!!!!!!!!

need i say more?
the title says it all :)
but I will say more. a little at least.
First of all......I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!!!!!!
Here's the official count:
Ben's last day in the Field--Tuesday--3 days
Ben's first day back in the US--Thursday--5 days
Carly arrives in Georgia--Friday--SIX DAYS!!!!!!
YAHOO!!!!!!!
:)

Time to update.
It's summer! I've now been done with school for about a month and half, and It's just finally starting to feel like summer! I'm getting a tan, and I'm enjoying the last few days off I have before I start working at Discover again. I'm completely stoked that in just 5 weeks, I'll be in Georgia and I'll get to see Ben again!
Finally!
I hate counting down days cause it just makes me more antsy...but it's getting harder and harder not to count....as there are so few left!
Things are going pretty well right now I would say. Everytime I think about the fact that I'm a SENIOR in college, I can't beleive it. I have absolutely no idea where the time has gone, it doesn't feel like that long ago that I was a new, fresh little college student, and now I'm on the older end of the student body...how did that happen? Sometimes time just goes way too quickly Life dissappears way too fast! Kinda sad...but...I love my major, and I'm greatful to be where I'm at in my life.
On a sad note, my Grandpa Carey passed away this morning.
Most of the tears came out last night when we knew he was on his way out. Right now( after spending the morning putting together pictures of his life for a slideshow and recalling all the wonderful memories I have with my grandpa) I am feeling peaceful. I am so greatful for the legacy I am left with....so greatful that I had such an incredible grandpa. He was the world's best grandpa...and I'll miss him terribly, but I know we are an eternal family and that I'll see him agian. In the mean time, I have wonderful memories, and a Savior who is ever willing to comfort me to help me through the times when I'll miss him.

May I just point out?

While I'm updating my blog....I just want to point out that Ben comes home in THREE MONTHS!!!! less than that actually!!! TWELVE WEEKS!!!!! WA-HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES! YIPPEEEE!!!!!! I can't wait :) so....in less than three months I will be in Georgia :) I'll get to spend a week with him there, and then after that I'm going to Alaska with him and his family for another week and a half :) YES!

May I just say?

alright, may i just say that i absolutely have the CUTEST nephew EVER???

park-ness

So today was a little bit of a gloomy day...BUT....it was warm enough to go outside, which was AWESOME!!!! Since we've been cooped inside thanks to the cold all winter, Emily and I jumped at the chance to be outside today. We took a walk to the park and just enjoyed swinging and talking and breathing in the fresh air! Here are a few pictures from the outing:

ethan brady jewell part 2

So this last weekend I spent a ton of time at my sisters house and my nephew is the CUTEST thing on earth! As promised, here are more pictures :)

ETHAN BRADY JEWELL!

Yeah! ETHAN IS HERE!! I'm finally an aunt! I haven't seen Ethan yet, but I get to go home and see him tomorrow, and I couldnt be more excited! Here are a few picture my mom emailed me....I'll add some more pictures after I get them :)

back to the drawing board!

so, I haven't drawn anything in ages....but now (thanks to my art education class) i am drawing a bit again! Here is a rose I drew for an assignment today...next week i have to do this same rose in watercolor! YIKES! (the shine on the picture is just because of all the graphite on the page) and here is the watercolor version!

Update!

okay okay, I know I haven't posted for a long time. So...here goes...and attempt to catch up!!! Not that that's possible...but here's a run down of my life currently. So....THIS SEMESTER IS INSANE!!!!!! Yeah, I've never been so busy in my entire life, I hardly have time to breathe! Work all morning, class all day (and evening on a few days), and then homwork all night. That's my life right now! Add socializing on weekends, and holy moly! Yeah, so this semester has been rather overwhelming so far, but also very rewarding. I never thought I could fit so much into one day, but I'm learning to do it :) I'm growing and stretching in ways I didnt know possible, I'm loving my classes, and I'm learning a ton! I've also made some great new friends this semester, and I'm growing ever closer to my remarkable roomates. We are just like a little family unit! Someone in our ward even commented today on how united our apartment was, and I took that as a great compliment. I have been completely blessed to have angels for roomates this semester, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. They are truly the biggest blessing in my life right now. I think that about sums up my general feelings right now. Oh wait....and....IM SUPER EXCITED THAT I'LL HAVE A NEW NEPHEW IN LESS THAN A MONTH!!! YEAH!!!! okay :) now i'm done :)

christmas devotional

Hello! So I haven't posted for a while and thought I should.Tonight a few of my roomates and I went to the christmas devotional. WE intended to walk around and see the lights after, but wehen we got out the lights weren't on...so sadly this is the only picture we took for the evening, but I still like it :)

the sound of rain

Okay, something I am greatful for today is the sound of rain. It's a wonderful sound, so delicate, so soothing! Likr right now, for instance, I can hear the rain pitter pattering as it bounces off the leaves just outside my window, It's so tranquil! I am also thankful for the sound of crickets...which I can also hear now. Between the sounds and the cool rain-scented breeze wafting in the window right now, I am thuroughtly content, Im going to fall asleep smiling :)

take the cake!

mmmmmmm :) today heaven=cake batter ice cream! i mean really, ice cream+white cake batter (two of my favorite things ever!) = pure yumminess! enough said!

a blissful float

ahhhhh, you know what's wonderful? Floating gently down a river into the evening sun surounded by natural beauty.

doesn't that sound wonderful??

IT IS!!!

so, friday afternoon, we went up to my roomate's cabin in provo canyon and decided to float the provo river, it was spectacular! swim-suit clad with intertubes around our hips, we got out of the car (well, more like FELL out of the car, you try fitting 5 people and 5 intertubes in one car!its rather squishy!), walked down a short trail and tiptoed into the freezing river water to begin a lazy drift down the river. We just layed back, relaxed, soaked up the sun that shone on our slightly chilled faces and limbs, chatted, squealed a bit as we came accross small rapids, and enjoyed the beauty around us.....it was so SO wonderful!

afterwords, we went back to the cabin where we snecked on animal crackers dipped in peanut butter and eggrolls as we played games snuggled in blankets. altogether, it was a perfect friday, the way I'm convinced every friday should be spent :)

haha, here is a cheesy picture we took before the float, and one at Lindsay's cabin

MAGNOLIAS!! plus some other beautiful blooms :)

okay......soooooo....i may be semi-obsessed with photographing magnolias.....and flowers in general :) i was at my aunt's house today...and her magnolia bush was gorgeous, as well as some of her other flowers. here are some of my favorites! these magnolias just had so much spunk and personality, i loved them! plus.....they smell AMAZING! gotta love them!

yeah, so i ttok a ton of pictures, and then it started to rain.... :) .....so i had to go out again and take more pictures! magnolias and rain, can't go wrong with that!!! this next one is probably my absolute favorite :)

this tulip was actually in my yard...i took it last week, but i just had to add it, it's gorgeous!

flowers are definitely one of God's amazing creations!!!!!