Summer update

How is it that I've lost touch with my blog for so long? Probably because Summers as an adult, are way busier than those as a college kid. Working from 8 AM til' the PM is exhausting in the first place, then while simultaneously trying to remind yourself that it's summer in the evenings, makes it even worse! I'll just do a few quick updates on my summer thus far!

 

Mark is a man who loves his truck--His Toyota Tacoma-- it is one of his most prized possessions. Haha We've started an amazing tradition called "Taco Time", where we take the truck out on off-roading adventures. We explore forbidden paths, until we find ourselves on mountain tops and soaking in incredible views. You will find me often hysterical, telling Mark "there's no way we're going to make it up this one!!" Mark typically wins, when I bet against making it up absurd looking obstacles. "Somethin' bout a truck," that turns him into an extreme MAN, who thinks he can conquer anything...and I love it.

 

A few years ago my parents gave all of my siblings and me a book by Dave Ramsey called Total Money Makeover. It was very relevant at the time, as I was beginning my transition into being completely self-reliant. I was fortunate enough to have had their help through college. They led by example, when it came to frugality, savings, making things last, and exercising self-control with things we want. Their example is one that I will forever be grateful for. The words in Dave Ramsey's book, rang a familiar with me, as I reflected my parents' attitude of money. Dave Ramsey reveiwed his Financial Baby Steps. I am a believer in this stuff!!! Here they are:

1.)  Start with an emergency fund of $1,000

2. ) Pay off all debts, using the financial snowball

3.)  3-6 months of expenses in savings

4.) Invest 15% of household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement

5.) Start College funding for your kids

6. ) Pay off home early

7.) Build Wealth and give!

This convention was super cool, and I would recommend it for anyone who wants to make lots of money, and be smart in managing it :)

We went to CA. in June, (what's new) for my friend Leigh's wedding. Leigh and I have been friends since we met like 7 years ago at our apartment complex at BYU. She lived down the hall, and we've stayed friends ever since. Somehow we'd never managed to live together, so for the 3 months leading up to her wedding, we lived together! It was so fun to be part of L-robins' last hoorah.

On the way to LA for the wedding, we stopped in Vegas for the night, since my brother and his wife happened to be there for the weekend from Portland. The pic below is when Mark was a celebrity, to a bunch of random wasted folk. Going down the escalator, they were all cheering for him. I cheered them on, because I loved feeling like I was dating a celeb.

The wedding was beautiful. Thanks Leigh and Rudy for inviting us. We loved being there with them, and having such a great excuse to party in LA once more (we never turn down those opps...)

Here is a great shot of MT on the LA temple grounds. It's always great to get to the temple, and feel at peace, and to gain a greater perspective of what it's all about.

After the ceremony, we headed downtown, to hit up an amazing taco place called "Mexi-Cali Taco"

We had some of the most amazing tacos I've ever had in my life. Mark has somehow turned me into a bit of a taco fanatic. Somehow we always end up eating or making tacos, several times a week.

The newly weds. What an attractive couple they are...

We were able to volunteer at the special Olympics a few months ago, as part of Vivint Gives Back

I traveled to Dallas and Vegas to do some recruiting. The pic above is when I was in Vegas at UNLV. We set up a booth in the student center and did the whole "talk to people allllll day long" thing. We opened up a new market in Vegas for Commercial Sales teams, so things at Vivint have been pretty crazy as of late. We also opened up a Dallas Market, so the next day I went to Dallas for a day of interviewing.

My sister got a boat. Mark and I typically surf together, and not alone.

This was what we found one evening at the end of our taco time. We watched a guy fly his giant kites. We drove through puddles on the way home.

Derald and DJ, at Stacey Joe's birthday party

I threw a surprise party for Mark on his 29th birthday. We had a blast with a dual celebration of his birthday, combined with the fourth of July! We celebrated all day, since we had the day off anyway :) We started with donuts, got some guacamole from Whole foods, and ended with a delish carrot/dulce de leche birthday cake+ fireworks.

Naturally, I had to get the birthday boy a present, so I opted into buying that cool looking vintage American flag you see there above the fireplace. He loved it, and so did I :)

I've become a bit more accustomed to late night trips to Beto's. I'd say that's become somewhat of a summer tradition for us.

I went to Mexico with Mark's family. Our first stop was Teotijuacan. It was one of the coolest places I've ever been! There were these massive pyramids that we hiked to the top of and marveled at the views at the top of them. Mexico City was somewhere that I'd never been, so it was great to go with Mark's fam. His little brother served his LDS mission there, so it was a unique experience to see where he served for 2 years. My Spanish came back to me after a day or so...I occasionally threw in a few Italian words, but that was expected. What an amazing trip it was!!

We happened to be in Mexico City when Mexico played Croatia in the World Cup. We went to a massive plaza in the center of the city to watch the game. It was a little crazy, and honestly I think we all were slightly nervous not knowing what to expect with the crowds, but it turned out to be an awesome cultural experience. We ate tacos for three meals a day for 5 days. Mark lost 8 lbs. the week we got home, and we both paid the price. Was it worth it? absolutely.

It's been a blast having one of my close friends back in UT. I used to have to go all the way to Iowa on random work trips to see my Kimbo, but now that Traeg has finished school, they're here for good!!  We went to CityCreek a few weeks ago in SLC to go shopping for Kim's appearance on Good Things Utah. She did a great job, and looked amazing!

We went to Bear Lake a few weeks ago with Kim, Traegen and friends. We stayed at Traegen's boss' cabin, and had a weekend of boating, skim-boarding, four-wheeling, eating and surfing. It was seriously the best weekend in a while!!  Nothing beats the weekend with great company and boats :)

Dan Reynolds from Imagine Dragons did an amazing benefit concert for Kim and her family a few weeks ago. They raised money for her chemo therapy, and it was a huge success. I have so much respect for this guy!!! It was so cool to be able to see so many people come together to celebrate LIFE.

LOVE YOU KIM!!!!! #Kimcankickit