So much is new!

So much has happened since June. First things first: Donny and I are engaged and in the countdown phase to the wedding!! In between planning things for the wedding, we have done numerous projects around the house, as well as a project at his dad's house, and taken a few trips. Here it goes!


JUNE:
I got a job at a local bank here as a part-time financial service advisor. It has been fun and keeps me occupied when Don is gone!


Donny proposed to me while we were on a hike (probably the only hiking trail in Kansas), and of course I said yes! It almost didn't happen, due to me being attacked by bugs and running down half the hike, but I'm happy to say it ended well. 

JULY:
In July we helped Donny's Dad tile a room in his basement. We have never tiled before, so it was a major trial-and-error process. It may have been messy along the way, but it turned out great!

In the middle of July we took a trip back to Utah to visit family and attend the closing of the 34th Rude Rams Squadron. While there, we looked at the venue, met with the florist, I found my dress, and we took engagement pictures. It was a very busy trip!

AUGUST:
August brought more fun home-improvement projects like replacing our kitchen sink with a bigger and better style, as well as tearing out the back patio with a jack hammer and the help of Donny's best friend. 

In mid-August Donny had to go to LA for some training for a few weeks, so I did my own thing at home.


SEPTEMBER:
One of the things I did was paint my craft room with the help of my friend Abby. Despite the fact that we had a few drinks before painting, the room turned out excellent! Abby and I discovered our love for Jimmy John's, and had a blast making pizza and cookies between painting. 

At the end of September, Donny and I went to the Air Show in Wichita, KS with a couple of friends. Although we didn't get to see the Thunderbirds perform, we were able to have breakfast with 2 of the pilots and 1 of the crew members. Kristi and I were given an awesome pin, which I still sport on my purse. 

The Monday after the Air Show, Donny and I flew to Washington for a trip to the coast. The first day we drove down to Oregon and enjoyed a beautiful, secluded night at the Clifftop Inn. All I have to say is wow. No cell phone service and no TV makes for a perfect night. Add to that a jog and the beach the next morning and we were in heaven. We drove up the coast, stopping at the Tillamook Cheese factory (YUM!), and made our way to Astoria and Seaside. We stayed at a cute little bed and breakfast and Donny showed me where his family used to live. After that, we drove to Portland for a night, then made our way back to Seattle. We enjoyed the company of Donny's college roommate and his wife for two evenings and a full day of Oktoberfest, then made our way back home to reality. I will post pictures of that trip in its own post.