A Little R & R...

Today we are heading out for California FOR 10 DAYS! 

I. Am. So. Excited. 

It's basically all I can think about... or talk about...

I am currently trying to: finish the laundry, frantically pack/clean the house (is there anything worse than coming home from vacation to a dirty house?? I submit there is not), while also trying to find a substitute for my primary class, and figure out why my instagram isn't working (oh yeah, I do have instagram, you can follow me if you like :) username: graciebrummer). 

Why didn't I do any of this before today?

.....

I don't have a good answer. 

It's weird, before I was married I was the type of person who was completely packed and ready to go the night before or even a couple days before leaving, and now somehow Mr JP has turned me into an "oh we're leaving in two hours? Better start packing then" kind of person. 

I don't know how he did it... 

Actually I think I do know. It's probably because we would much rather run around doing fun things with each other than sit down and pack (i.e. we've seen two movies this week and gone out to eat three times... who needs to be responsible? not us.)

So the next time I'm on here will be from a beach in California! 

Have a fantastic weekend!!

On Voting:

So this happened today for the first time in my able-to-vote-adult-life.

It didn't take long -- only about 7 minutes. 

It was at my local high school and I ran in 15 minutes before the ballots closed. 

It really would have seemed insignificant to anyone else, but after I had done it I felt so proud!

I had exercised my right to vote!  I feel like voting is something you hear about in elementary school, learn about in high school, watch riots in other countries regarding it, and so the fact that I actually finally was able to vote felt amazing! Which was surprising, because I expected it to feel insignificant :)

A Whole Wedding Weekend:

My cousin Will got married this past weekend! And I am so so thrilled about it because now I can call Eliza my cousin!! (She's the one I threw the bachelorette party for a couple weeks ago!)

I love family weddings, because I get to see everyone I love and we always have a blast when we all get together. Combine that with the incredible amount of happiness that was basically emanating from the bride and groom and I have to say it was one of my favorite weddings ever!

Oh and have I told you how much Mr JP loves to dance at weddings?  I used to be completely anti-dancing (I'm a terrible dancer) but Mr JP has completely transformed me -- I love it now! Weddings have definitely become a lot more entertaining since I married him haha there's never a dull moment.

One more thing about Mr JP -- who knew that I was marrying someone I would have to dress to keep up with? My goodness he has style! And I can't be outdressed by my husband... that would be totally unacceptable haha. 

The Wedding Dinner:

A Little Sonic Run After the Temple Ceremony:

Because sometimes double-fisting drinks is the only option...

The Reception:

The bride and her mother hand made EVERYTHING! Her bouquet, the boutinnaires, the centerpieces, the banners, etc. etc. 

It was incredible!!

And her dress is from an antique store! Crazy huh?

She looked absolutely stunning. 

My sister, me, Eliza, and then Will's two sisters (my cousins) Caroline and Sarah!

My madre, me, and my sis

 I've said this before but really, the only downfall to being married is that I can't participate in the bouquet toss anymore... I was a freakin champ at catching that thing!

 

This is my favorite little girl right here:

and our outfits matched!

  

Doesn't this melt your heart??

Aaaand then Mr JP got a hold of the camera and there were suddenly a lot of close up shots of my post-dancing face...

Happy Monday!!

A London Wedding:

Yesterday, my dear friend that I met on my London study abroad got married!!

She married her high school sweetheart and they might be one of the most good-looking couples I have ever seen!

Both Morgan (the bride) and her sister Mckenzie were on the study abroad and I am SO grateful that we're still friends! I just love them so. They're hilarious and stunningly beautiful too, so what's not to like?

Me & Jord

Look at that gorgeous dress!

Me, Kenz, & Jord (Yay for London friends!)

 Mr JP & me. (Yay for husbands too!)

A Link List:

 Here are a few things inspiring me/keeping me busy now that school is out!

• I've watched this video no less than 5 times today! It's beautiful!
•  
• In an effort to spruce up our little drab stairwell (we live in a basement) I scoured the internet to find a good deal on this gorgeous thing! I'm obsessed with it. 
•  
• I find myself returning to this site multiple times a day, it's my new favorite!
• 
  
• I have also undertaken a little DIY craft project! So let's all cross our fingers and hope my copy of this turns out somewhat presentable :)
•  
• This song is on repeat in our apartment. Literally. I am listening to it right now. 
•  
• Also, I am trying to save up/justify buying this for Summer! The buttons down the front?! I'm dying.

So it wasn't a complete failure...

Earlier this week, it was decided that Saturday (yesterday) was a perfect day to make a trip down to the Manti Temple. So, Mr JP and I, along with our friends Eric and Kimmi, loaded up yesterday afternoon and drove an hour and a half south to the bustling (ha!) city of Manti. We were pretty excited about it- I've only ever attended the Provo Temple and Timpanogos Temple, so I was excited for a new and different experience! 

But a temple trip was apparently not in the cards for us on this particular occasion.

Because we arrived at 5:00 PM and they had closed at 3:00 PM. 

Perfect.

However we were not defeated quite yet -- we decided to go talk to the travel center of Manti and see what activities there are to do down there. 

Oh wait, it was closed too.

At this point the trip was pretty much a hilarious failure and so obviously the only option was to drive to Santaquin and eat at Leslie's Family Tree restaurant (it's been featured on the travel channel because it is haunted AND they boast the world's largest scones). No ghosts were spotted but the scones definitely didn't disappoint. 

So we didn't get to attend the Manti Temple, but driving around Southern Utah with some of our very best friends was so much fun! I mean, between watching Mr JP's rising panic attack that we were going to run out of gas in the middle of nowhere (which was hilarious) and chatting with locals and some not-so-locals, how could we not have a great time? 

And besides, it's been my experience that trips where nothing goes according to plan usually end up being sort of the best memories... and today was no exception haha. 

SUMMERTIME!

1.  Finals are OVER.
2. The Heat won last night. (I don't really care but that makes for a happy husband, which makes for a happy wife)
3. I've had Thai food for dinner 2 out of the last 2 nights now, and I'm seriously considering it for round 3 tonight...
4. Mr JP showed up bearing gifts for me two nights ago, (i.e. a new phone case and some Burberry perfume) I was SO taken aback but then he explained that his company had a bunch of free rewards points they had to use, and he decided to buy ME stuff with them! Instead of himself! How did I end up with this guy?
5. On a healthier note, I have decreased my caffeine consumption to only 1-2 cans of Diet Dr. Pepper a day... it wasn't easy...
6. California is calling... & it's only TWO more weeks til I get to see the beach! 
7. My apartment is a mess, but it doesn't even stress me out because I know that now I have time to clean it! (Is that pathetic or what?)
8. Oh I bought some orange paint for a little project that I now have time to do! So excited!
9.  Sno-Cones are now a regular part of my diet. 
10. And my flower garden that I was obsessed with last year? It's starting to bloom again!!

So basically this whole post can be summed up with the words

HAPPY SUMMER!!

On a completely unrelated note, did you know I always wanted to name one of my (future) daughter's "Summer"?

Well, obviously the dream died when I married Mr JP. 

"Summer Brummer"

She would hate us.

Bridal Showers n Stuff

Hello Everyone! 

Finals week is somehow upon me again, and I am not too thrilled about BUT I am just about dying with how gorgeous the weather has been and am currently taking advantage of it by "studying" outside in a fabulous little corner on campus. 

I am the worst student during spring/summer semester. I can't seem to focus long enough to get any studying done nor find any motivation to do homework. 

Wish me luck because I am going to need it haha. 

However, the fact that it is finals week definitely didn't get in the way of helping throw a hilarious bridal shower/bachelorette party for Eliza last night!

She gets married in 10 days! Woohoo! 

I just love weddings and all related festivities, I'm such a nerd. 

But really, I love attending them or helping plan them because everyone involved is always so happy, it's refreshing!

Last night was the best - great company, delicious crepes, & hilarious games are definitely a good combination.

The blushing bride-to-be:

 

Aww.. Future sisters!

My sister is like the crepe-master:

 

What I Am Doing...

What I am listening to:

What I am watching:

The French Open:

SO thrilled about Sharapova winning, not super happy about Federer losing in the semi's...

What I am wearing:

 

Loving the long shorts from J Crew this season!

What I am eating:

 Noodles & Co. 

What I am doing:

Planning bridal showers/bachelorette parties! 

I love the wedding season haha.