Cody, Wyoming

A few weeks ago we went to Cody, Wyoming to see my sister and her husband. Have you been there? I'm sure I've mentioned it quite a few times because we often find ourselves traveling there more than anywhere else it seems. It's this quaint cowboy town that boasts itself on the shoulders of Buffalo Bill, all things western, and the Cody Night Rodeo. It's also home to a Rib n' Chop House which has always landed itself on our top choices of eateries, fried green tomatoes with a cajun aoili? Yes, it's to die for. 

Supposedly from our house to theirs the fastest route is through Yellowstone National Park but I'm a bit skeptical, everyone seems to screech to a sudden and abrupt stop at the siting of every bear, elk, and  Uinta Ground Squirrel so the drive usually takes three times as long, but again I'm told it's the fastest route. Once there we had the good fortune of going to the Buffalo Bill Museum, which if by happenstance you seem to find yourself in the Northern parts of Wyoming it's a must see.  It just so happens that my brother has been working there this Summer before he jets off to England for grad school so our tour guide unfortunately had to succumb to a vast amount of questions that really had no relevance to Buffalo Bill and most of which centered around the obscure uses of guns, particularly a gun with a bayonet made specifically for the Boy Scouts of Australia. Can you imagine giving boy scouts bayonets? It really was a mind boggling predicament that we debating for way too long.  

Our trips to Cody usually are so short that we come and go in a matter of two days  so we always try to pack them with as much fun as possible. Kambrie and Joel took us into the mountains to check out an abandoned goal mining town called Kerwin. The drive is accessible by truck but we took the four wheelers to make it a little more fun. I wish I would have taken my camera along the drive but Brecken decided to tag along which turned out to be much better than picture taking anyway. He just kept giggling and peering under John's arm trying to get a glimpse of where we were going. Each time we would hit a bump he would lean his head back against my chest laughing until the wind caught him off guard. It was so a great memory that I don't even think picture taking would have done it justice. It was a great weekend. Go to Cody. Book a flight. Rent a car. Whatever you do, put it on our Bucket List for your Wild West Exploration. And try roasting Starbursts over the campfire. mind. blown. That's all.

Now I'm off to systematically keep packing each room in our house. We still have a month to go in our rental, but when you get the itch you get the itch? You know what I mean. 

Kam and Joel's Home

My little sister and I have a lot in common. We often  buy the same clothes, we're addicted to the same television shows, and our styles are mirror images of each other.

We also have many differences too. For instance when Hunk and I were looking at buying our first home we wanted something new that wouldn't require maintenance, Kambrie and Joel on the other hand wanted a place they could fix up and make their own. 

I wish I had pictures of their house from the beginning--it was rough looking, but they saw past the circa 1950 decor and structure and had a vision of something classic and quaint.

Some of the improvements to their home required as little as a paint job and a new set of pillows, while other projects throughout the house involved a full-fledge makeover.

Their living room is a perfect example of simple touches making a huge difference.

The original furniture in the living room was big and bulky giving the room a dark and cluttered feeling. To lighten the room Kambrie added a simple cream slip cover to one of the couches and replaced the other sofa with a set of chairs centered around a "fake" fireplace.

To make the ceiling feel higher she added curtains to the windows that went to the ground thus elongating the wall and giving the illusion of the walls being taller.

She then added simple pops of color throughout the room which gave the room a warm feel while still providing a open and inviting space. 

The kitchen has also drastically improved. ;)

Kambrie and Joel painted the cabinets, replaced the hardware and lighting, while also putting up a sophisticated tiled backsplash. Kambrie also painted the Formica counter tops with a kit from Lowe's to give the illusion of granite.

With simple, yet classic decorations from Michaels and Hobby Lobby she was able to make their was once dark and out-dated kitchen more modern and open.

I'm telling ya, with small spaces LESS is MORE. remember. remember. remember.

There are still a few remnants of their "old" home that help to give character to the area such as the built in toaster (there are also built in clocks and Kleenex boxes throughout the house as well).

The guest bedroom used to be a graveyard of random decorations and boxes. By removing the twin bed and replacing it with a queen, Kambrie was able to make the space more useful while also having a place for guests to stay. 

To make the space feel larger a mirror was added to the dresser to help reflect light and brighten the space.

The basement involved the largest amount of time and effort.

Because the space had never been finished it required carpeting, painting, custom wood planked ceilings, lighting, and multiple structural projects.

While the rest of the house has a very open and bright feeling, this space was meant to be cozy while not feeling as though it was a dingy basement space.

Soft lightning, subtly darker walls, and warmer tones helped to make this space perfect for movie watching and resting.

My favorite "small" touch to their basement theatre area is the beautiful collage Kambrie assembled. Simple, sleek and during the day the glass provides enough reflective light to also help lighten the space.

The basement has also become home to the master bedroom and bath.

Both spaces, while small, seem to be utilized well with the help of lots of storage, strategically placed furniture, and minimal crap.

Yes, we are a family that collects lots of crap so to become minimalists has been a learning experience.

;)

 And did you notice we also have the same bedding?

Kambrie and Joel are currently on a cruise for their one year anniversary. Can you believe it's already been a year???

But when she gets home I will have her write a post on the paint colors and finishes that they used to make their house look less like the Brady Bunch and more like Martha Stewart Living.

Thanks for dropping in lovelies!

My advice to you.

Instead of having a sign in book at the reception, Kambrie and Joel opted for business cards that guests could write advice to the happy couple.

I never made it to the table (sorry).

Before I go on I need to fill ya'll in. In my family when someone gets married my Aunt Kath makes them a quilt. Each family then makes a quilt square to go on the blanket. The squares are fun--some of pictures, others have funny anecdotes, and then there are those that have advice.

I opted for giving my lil' sis advice and this is what our quilt square said:

Always

Fight

Naked.

        -JH&B

That's it. buahahaha.

Believe me I have tried to fight naked, and I have ended up having to put my clothes back on so I could actually get through the argument. TMI???

I digress.

So here is my more serious advice to Kambrie (and I guess to anyone else that may be married/getting married)....

1. You are always going to wish you had a bigger house, more money, less stress, and more vacation time. Just remember to enjoy "now," because when it is over you'll wish you have savored those times.

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2. There's no "how to guide to marriage." Sorry. We are all just wingin' it. What may work for me in my marriage may not work for you. However that is the joy of marriage--learning to grow together.

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3.  Compromise will be your worst and best friend. Learn the difference between needs and wants--sometimes what we want isn't what we need.

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4. Life is tough, marriage is harder. Learn to fight objectively and know that no matter what happens at the end of the day you still love each other.

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5. Do I really need to say more???

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6. There is no more "I" and "you." Now, it is "us."
 Learn to make decisions for us.

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7. This is true love...

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8. the conundrum of love...

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9. Marriage is about the good and the bad--

cuddles on the couch, best friend for life, hugs for no particular reason, someone to come home to, waking up in someone's arms. And it is also about toilet paper put in the wrong way, snoring, dirty dishes, clothes on the floor, and who gets the remote control.

Love the good, the bad, and the ug-lay!

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10. Perfection....

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11. The three best words to never stop saying....

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Now go find that honey of yours and give 'em one of those big smooches like on the movies....

Little Bit of Lovely

Yesterday, my baby sister and her tall glass of water got married in the Salt Lake Temple. I had high hopes of getting lots and lots of pictures of the happy couple, but this was the only able to snap one photo. 

*gasp*

In my defense it was soooo cold outside. I was expecting to come to Utah and enjoy a bit of warm weather, instead we were graced with rain, snow, and wind.  

I did however, take quite a few pictures at her reception. It was so lovely. My cousin made all the food and it was breathtaking.

So if you ever need a caterer and you live in Northern Utah you should really hit this chick up--she has some serious talent.

;)

My Mom is pretty talented too.

She designed and baked Kambrie's wedding cake and it turned out amazing!

To match the cake she also made coordinating cupcakes that she set in the cutest tulip cupcake tins.

Now, isn't this chick just the cutest thing you have ever seen?

Yes, I am sure you noticed the one fake nail.
Let's just say that Kambrie procrastinated on a "few details" and waited until the morning of her wedding to finish checking off her to-do list.

:)