erik's homecoming.

When I was in High School, I was in a band with my two friends, Emily and Erica. We didn't play very many shows (maybe 5 or 6, tops), but we were the bee's knees. At least, we thought so. The perks of being in a band, though, were having friends who were also in bands. We played a few shows with all of our band friends, and went out to each with everyone after each show at the Denny's off the freeway in South Jordan. I think that was the only good part about High School.

A couple of weeks ago, one of our band friends, Erik, came home from his LDS mission. Emily, Erica and I went. I haven't seen those two for months, and it was nice to catch up and goof off with them like we did all those years ago.

We also got to see a few of our band friends (I'm just realizing now that we were the only girls in that group...) which was hilarious, because I'm sure at least two of them were high. Not that being high is hilarious... Especially at an LDS mission homecoming... Anyway... It was nice to see Erik after two whole years, and he was just as excited to see us. "Oh, no way! Emily, Megan, and Erica?!"

Welcome home, Erik! I hope your first few dates are as awkward as a tall, skinny, 14-year-old boy going through puberty!

...

pictures of me and em.

Remember Christmas last year? That's the day Zac got me a few filters for my camera. Well, those filters sat in my camera bag for weeks. I had the best intention of getting them out, slapping them on my camera lens, and romping around town taking pictures of everything, but I didn't. Until now! Well, a few days ago.

On Tuesday, Emily and I met halfway between our houses, and took some pictures in the historical part of Lehi. Emily wanted to find some sort of field, but we found a closed-down Ream's store by chance.

It was a good day. Cloudy, windy, and cool. Plus, I was wearing my new yellow pants. What's better than that?

For some reason, Emily and I decided a long ago that serious faces looked cooler than posed smiles.

...

a year ago, i got a ring.

Today marks my one-year anniversary of being proposed to.

One year ago today, Zac took me up to this place, dined me, and then asked me the question. Before he took me out, he (and my friend, Emily, who was in on the whole thing) had convinced me that he was simply taking me out on a normal date. Emily even mentioned that she thought he was "going to propose on Valentine's Day."

A little depressed, I took a nap in my bedroom after hearing this. When I woke up, I didn't redo my hair or make up, but rode with Zac up to Sundance.

We ate, and at the end of our meal, he proposed to me in a little room seperated from the rest of the restuarant by a heavy curtain. Then we took blurry pictures, because it was quite dim in that room (and I hate flash).

We met up with both of our parents to tell them the news later that night--my parents, in the parking lot of the Provo mall; his parents, at their house.

This time around, we are keeping the tradition of going to the Tree Room to eat. We have reservations tonight, and I am beyong excited! Happy One-Year Anniversary of being engaged, love! You are wonderful!

P.S. Last night for Family Home Evening, we made homemade salsa. What we learned from it: when everyone brings their best qualities together, they make a fantastic salsa.

Tomorrow's February! Love, and be loved!

.....

October and November

The last couple of months have flashed before our eyes. So, without any more delay, here's what we've been up to.

The first weekend of October was General Conference. Zac and I wanted to go up to Salt Lake City and listen to it in the Conference Center, but we had no way of getting tickets, so we drove up to my parents' house on Sunday morning to watch with my whole family. A tradition us Barlockers have every General Conference Sunday is to make apple dumplings together in between sessions--the kind my Grandma Deenie used to make. We usually end up using a turkey baster to squirt refreshing ice water in each others' mouths, though. Thank you, Matt, for starting that trend.



On October 22nd, my best friend, Emily, was in town. We met halfway in American Fork and took pictures of each other there. We also went to the American Fork DI where Emily bought some belts, and I bought the cutest little baby sweater I've ever seen. I don't care if I'm not going to have kids for a few years. We're both pretty awkward-looking in front of the camera, but aren't these pictures cool beans?



In the middle of November, we got to go up to Park City for a couple of nights with Zac's family. There, we relaxed in one of the many hot tubs of the Marriott Mountainside Resort, went Christmas shopping at the Outlets (where I got two gorgeous coats for $65 total) and sat in the hotel room and spent time with family. It was fantastic to get away for a weekend. It kind of makes me want to plan a road trip. In the summer of course. I'd be crazy to want to drive all day in the ice and snow.



That's the gist of what Zac and I have been up to the last couple of months. Well, that's all we have pictures of. I used to be so good at carrying my camera around everywhere I went. Now I don't. That's my new goal. I need more pictures of my new marriage.

Tonight Zac and I are at my parents' house. We are spending Thanksgiving with them this year. I'm excited for family and food. I'm excited for everything about tomorrow. I love the holidays. Happy Thanksgiving!