Life on Sweet Briar Lane

2009-11-12T08:16:00.000-08:00

Leaf Update

Just when you thought I couldn't say anything else about leaves...

One of the great things about where we live is free leaf pick up day. It happens a few times in the fall, and all other days you just have to bag your leaves and pay $2/bag to get rid of them. Since we would end up with at least 50 bags, this would be expensive, so naturally we waited until leaf pick up day for the City to take care of our leaves.

Leaf pick up day was Thursday this week. We found out on Wednesday that they will only pick up leaves on the front street that borders our house; not the other side. So, what did we have to do? At 9:30 last night when Ryan got home from work, we raked leaves all the way over to the front side of our house. Resulting in a huge leaf pile. It was at least 30 feet wide and 3 1/2 feet tall all the way across. Crazy.

2009-11-11T08:56:00.000-08:00

LEAVES!!

Lot Size = .23 acres
+ Trees (Large) = 5
+ Trees (Small) = 3
_______________________

= ONE HUNDRED MILLION LEAVES!

On Saturday, Ryan and I decided it was time to attack the leaves piling up in our yard. In some spots, the leaves were 6 inches thick, just layer after layer after layer of leaves on our grass. I have honestly never seen so many leave before in my life. It was overwhelming, but luckily together Ryan and I pulled it off. We're a great leaf team! :) So, 7 hours later, we finally got our grass cleared of all the leaves and Ryan even borrowed Ernie's Lawn Mower (our neighbor next door) to mow the lawn. Our yard never looked so good! (Well, at least since we've been the owners-- I need to develop a green thumb). See pictures below:

Side Yard:

Those piles may not look tall in this picture ... but they're up to my knees!

Ryan hard at work.

Front Yard:

2009-11-10T06:08:00.000-08:00

Fall

Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.

I shall smile when wreaths of snow
Blossom where the rose should grow;
I shall sing when night's decay
Ushers in a drearier day.
- Emily Jane Bronte

2009-11-06T08:37:00.000-08:00

Our First Guests!

My Mom and Dad came to visit us for a week a few weeks ago--- the weather was a little chilly and the leaves were beginning to turn ... which means FALL! :) A true fall, for my Southern California parents. We drove all over to see the colors changing and also made it to an Apple Orchard and pumpkin patch!

I loved having them here with us and showing them around to my favorite Minnesota spots. They were a huge help in getting us settled into our new home and especially at finding great estate sales! We bought our first pieces of furniture that weekend with Mom and Dad. Getting both of them home was a challenge... and made for a fun trip! (see picture below).

Our Finds:

Dad did a little research on hot pizza spots so he took us out to Punch (our new favorite Neapolitan Pizza Joint) and Black Sheep for some great American Pizza. We also took them to our favorite restaurant in Minneapolis, Broders Pasta Bar, for an awesome awesome Pasta experience.

All in all we LOVED having Mom and Dad here and can't wait for our next visitors... which I'm 99% sure won't come until after ALL the snow melts in the spring. So, I'll have plenty of time to get ready for you, whomever you are!

2009-11-02T19:48:00.000-08:00

The fruits of my labors:

I decided to share the love of my pumpkin ... so for FHE Ryan and I went out to meet our neighbors and take them chocolate chip pumpkin bread. Ryan likes to call it "Reverse Trick or Treating" :) So far most of our neighbors are quite established in the neighborhood. We have:

Ernie and Jinx - 39 years on Sweet Briar
Bev and Dick - (we didn't get to ask Bev this question, we were too interested in her burn story)
Peggy and Pit - been here since '62
David and Sari - 8 years on Sweet Briar

Everyone was super excited about meeting us (I mean, who wouldn't be) and also very excited to receive some of my bread. They were all so welcoming and sweet, I can't wait to get to know them better. Our favorite story of the night was from Bev, though. The sweet little woman opened the door with her hair pinned back and a bandage across her forehead! She kept repeating our names over and over again to make sure she didn't forget them, which she did by the end of the conversation, but it was so endearing. She kept saying "Oh its so fabulous you came by and brought us bread". She explained to us she recently had a severe burn accident and she was still recovering (profusely apologizing for not looking presentable--although she looked great, poor thing!) After talking with her some more, she explained to us that the accident took place while she was on vacation--- in UTAH! (Of all places, right?) She went to a Hibachi-style Japanese restaurant in Ogden where she got burned by the flames!! Her eyebrows and hair and forehead were attacked! We made sure that she still had a good perception of Utah, and then Ryan then told her that he was from Utah ... and she figured out that we are Mormon. "Don't worry" she said, "We are Lutheran, but we love everyone!" Good thing Bev! We love you too!

Its great to meet your neighbors. This is going to be a fun neighborhood.

2009-11-01T19:21:00.000-08:00

We have a CRISIS on our hands!!

So, who KNEW we had a national pumpkin crop shortage last year??

Who KNEW that would result in a scarcity in canned pumpkin THIS year??

NOT ME!!

Needless to say, I was quite upset when I found out about the pumpkin shortage. Lucky for me, my mom came through and before I found my canned pumpkin, she got me a couple big cans and sent them to me via USPS! Best mom Ever!!

Now for my long term solution...I don't know about you people, but here in Minnesota I had to look high and low until I found myself a few cans of pumpkin!
Who would have thought I would find it at my local oriental market? Thank you, all you big grocery chains who didn't go out and buy in bulk for me, you made things pretty difficult, but don't you worry, I found it and I am going to make all the pumpkin bread, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin rolls and pumpkin cookies I can!!

Fall, you are now welcome to arrive. I have canned pumpkin.

2009-10-13T18:40:00.000-07:00

Wedding pictures.

I created a picasa album of wedding photos I have collected so far. Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/kiley.hunt/WeddingPhotos?feat=directlink

2009-10-13T07:37:00.000-07:00

First Snow Fall

So, normally the first snow fall is a very exciting event. I love seeing the snow on the trees and especially the morning after a good snowfall. There's something magical about it... but not in Minnesota.

You see, in Utah, the first snowfall would be at the END of October, or maybe even really in November. BUT in MINNESOTA, the first snowfall apparently happens on October 12.

Ryan and I woke up to snow on Wednesday -- but not only did we wake up to the snow, we woke up to the snow falling, and falling and falling. It snowed ALL day on Wednesday, and didn't stop until 3:00pm. Normally, I would take a picture of this, but I was so depressed that it wouldn't stop snowing that I couldn't bring myself to do that. 3 INCHES later, we had our first official snow fall. I am still praying for the weather to warm up just a little (like maybe 50 degrees) so we can have a real FALL before we have winter. The winters here are so long anyway, do we really need to start it in October? Sigh.

Needless to say my Minnesota Honeymoon is over.

2009-09-25T09:05:00.001-07:00

I have so much to blog about -- but TODAY I want to blog about how I, err WE are now *homeowners*!! This morning Ryan and I closed escrow on our new house!! I love everything about this new house, including our new address:

Sweet Briar Lane

It's in this great little neighborhood, called Hobby Acres, in this cute little suburb of Minneapolis. The house is complete with a picket fence in the front, attached 2 car garage (with mudroom!), awesome deck and a huge park across the street!!

I am avoiding my packing right now by blogging about this, but soon I will be knee deep in packing paper and waiting for Ryan to get off work so we can officially MOVE IN! I can't tell you how exciting it is to walk into your very first home. What a sensational feeling... I love my life!! (note a few pictures below).

We even have a picket fence!

I love our fireplace. And the cove ceilings.

Isn't that chandelier fabulous?

The wallpaper is a really cute yellow toile.

The deck is Ryan's favorite part of the house.

2009-08-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

San Francisco Treat!

With Dad working in the City for the last few years, I've been able to enjoy many many amazing San Francisco trips. So naturally, when my flight had a lay-over in San Francisco, I just hopped out of the airport and met Dad and Ashley downtown :)

Ash and I had a great day shopping, and then when Dad got off work we went to his favorite restaurant, Scomas, and then enjoyed a long tourist-y drive on the other side of the bay. I love this city!

2009-08-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

30 Days!!!

Eeeek!! This summer has FLOWN by! Which is great for a couple engaged to be married! We are so excited to be getting married in 30 days. Yayyy.

2009-07-27T12:17:00.001-07:00

Our Engagement Pictures:

Because I know you all will appreciate seeing these...

2009-07-15T10:49:00.000-07:00

Reality Check: I'm a Midwestern Gal now.

After 12 official months of long-distance, Ryan and I decided that just maybe we would want to live in the same city before we get married. Imagine that!!

As a result, I am living in Ryans' apartment in Minnetonka, he is living in his friends' house in .... the country somewhere, and after 5 days, we are thinking this is a pretty great set-up. Well ok, so when we buy a house that situation will be a LOT better, but at least in the mean time we can look for houses together, I can hone in on my cooking skills and go for amazing runs every morning. Running here is an adventure every day, its so exciting and so fun to explore and realize that this is my new home!

I do have to admit that I have lots of down time since I am not working yet, but I suppose that gives me time to work on my Minnesota accent ;)

2009-07-06T07:25:00.000-07:00

4th of July Celebration

I haven't been home for the 4th in a really long time---- I think at least 4 years! So I was looking forward to a relaxing day at home, with the babies, the pool, a good 'ol BBQ, and some fireworks. Well, I got what I asked for:

Nicolas got this really cool inflatable pirate ship for his Birthday--we couldn't get him out of it!

Nic eating his corn on the cob.

My little brother.

Haggin Oaks Neighborhood Block Party-- Classic

Matthew hated me for all these pics. But secretly he loves it.

2009-07-02T20:25:00.000-07:00

My Current Occupation

I can't wait for the day when I use my wedding as a PAR story in an interview. I mean, with all this work on budgets, negotiations, and conflict resolution, one would think that I would have plenty to talk about when I am asked: "Tell me about a time this summer that you ... "

2009-07-01T13:00:00.001-07:00

I created a wedding website. See the details regarding the Ryan Merrill and Kiley Hunt wedding at: http://www.ewedding.com/sites/ryanandkiley/

Enjoy!

2009-06-30T10:24:00.001-07:00

Matthew's Farewell

My little brother is growing up! He gave his mission farewell talk last Sunday, and it was so good. He even brought me to tears--which is tricky to do!! He reports to the MTC July 8, and will be serving in SLC for 2 years. I am so proud of him to make this decision to serve a mission and to be preparing to give 2 years of his life in service. He will be a wonderful missionary. Here are some pictures from after the farewell, and at the going-away party.

2009-06-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

I (insert white glove) Michael Jackson.

So yesterday I was driving to LA to pick up Ryan from the Airport, when I get a text from Miss Anna Montoya telling me "Michael Jackson just died". I turned on CNN, and sure enough, he died at the UCLA medical center. Don't worry, at that point, I hit traffic and I was 2 miles from UCLA med center. LA was crazy all day, and served as a representation for the chaos the world was feeling with the loss of a legend.

I know we're all sick of hearing about this, but I am just writing to say being in LA when it all went down, and I felt closer to the situation because of it.

I'm just glad that traffic wasn't as bad as I anticipated. But I'm pretty sure the accidents on the 405 were because of the stricken state of grief everyone was in. Or maybe it was because they lost their vision due to all the RIP Michael Jackson signs people were flashing outside their car windows.

2009-06-22T14:49:00.000-07:00

An Update ...

Since many of you have been requesting more blog posts, and more updates, I decided I would acquiesce the request :)

The last month has been totally crazy--- right after I got engaged, I spent some time in Utah, and then went to VEGAS for my moms' first TRIATHALON! Yes, she is officially an IRONGIRL! I was so proud of her!! I totally ran her in the last 2 miles and felt like that was my contribution to the event :) From there I went home to Bakersfield for Mothers Day, and then spent the week at home beginning to plan the wedding. Then, I flew out to Miami and went on THE BEST CRUISE EVER! With a few fabulous girls from school (shout-out here to Katie, Heidi and Geneva!) The Bahamas will never be the same now that we have spent time on those islands ... After the cruise I flew to Minneapolis to see Ryan for the FIRST TIME since we got engaged!! We had such a great time!! We looked at homes (we are looking to buy), explored the countryside, went for walks to the lake, and so much more. That trip made me all the more excited to move there this summer!

After the trip to Minneapolis, I came home, and really got to work on wedding plans. My mom offered to make my dress, so we headed to LA and got the fabric and lace for that. We began our plans for the reception here in Bakersfield, and also started perusing the St. George options for flowers and dinner after the ceremony. Mom and I also took a trip to SF with my dad and found my shoes, perfume, mother of the bride dress, Ryans suit, and so much more! It was such a productive trip! And so fun to spend some time in the city!! After San Francisco, mom and I drove to Utah to get some things going for the wedding in St. George, and then we headed to Provo to pack up my apartment. While I was there I got to see a few of my favorite Provo people, which was so wonderful.

Now, I'm back in California. I spent most of last week spending time with my favorite people in Orange County-- I stayed with Debbie on Balboa Island which was amazing, as well as with Miss Anna Montoya!! I love love Orange County and will miss living and visiting there ... sigh. Now I just have 2 weeks until I'm back in Utah again taking Matthew to the MTC and picking up Ashley from the airport. And THEN I will be MOVING to Minnesota!! Eeek!! Its coming up so fast. A few bridal showers in between, a few more wedding planning to do lists to take care of, and I'll be with my Fiance living in the Mid West!

Phew. So there's my update. And below are a few pics.

The Lake.

2009-06-11T00:27:00.000-07:00

I'M ENGAGED!!!

I know its been forever since I've blogged, but a lot has been going on. I don't love blogging my personal life, but I had to finally make it public. I will be Mrs. Ryan T. Merrill on September 10, 2009!

2009-05-01T11:11:00.000-07:00

Graduation.

I am so loved!! My entire family drove, long distances (and some endured many trials) to attend my graduation and share this special moment with me. I can't believe my graduate experience at BYU is finished, and that 2 years have gone by. Its been an incredible experience, and one that has definitely shaped my life. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for enlightening me to take this opportunity, and also to my Father, who introduced me to the option of an MPA :) Thank you to everyone for your support and love throughout this stage in my life. WE DID IT! :)

2009-04-28T23:37:00.000-07:00

My Birthday.

So this is a bit over-due, but its been a BUSY week for me this last week! So, this is me catching up. Last Monday was my Birthday, and it was such a fabulous day. It started off with flowers from Ryan :) And then a mani/pedi with my roommate, and then a PICNIC at the park with my favorite friends. I couldn't have asked for a better day. Great weather, great activities, great friends, and LOVE from my family and loved ones. Thank you all for being a part of my big day! :)

Waiting for my candles.

2009-04-20T08:06:00.000-07:00

So, its my birthday ... and my mom blogged about me. Check it out here.

I just want to take this chance to say THANK YOU for all of you who have put up with me for the last 24 years. I can honestly say I wouldn't be the woman I am today without each of you, and your influence for good in my life. I am so so so blessed with wonderful family and friends who LOVE me and show me that love every single day. What a glorious day to look back on my life and realize how truly blessed I am.

Thank you.

2009-04-16T15:38:00.000-07:00

I've learned that in Utah APRIL = SNOW.

We got 6 inches--- 6 INCHES! Last night alone.

This is a view from my house this morning.

2009-04-06T10:17:00.001-07:00

An Ode to my brother, Matthew

I guess I'm behind in my blogging since my family has already blogged about this, but it's my turn to brag-- My little brother got his MISSION CALL!!

The whole thing was quite ironic-- I was able to attend conference on Saturday, and as I turned my phone on after the afternoon session, I had a few texts from my parents saying:

Mom: Guess what came today!
Dad: We are conference calling at 4:15 your time

[Note: Matthew lives in Hawaii as he is attending BYU-H, and the call was sent to my parents house. So mom and dad actually scanned his call to him in an email for him to read, without them looking at it themselves]

Well, good thing it was exactly 4:09 my time, and I was in the chaos of the conference center with 20,000 other people!! Once I got outside (which was actually much quieter than the inside of the conference center) I stood between the temple and the conference center, and intently waited for my brother to read his call.

He began ... Elder Hunt, you have been called to serve in the "wait... I can't read it" (we all begin thinking he can't pronounce his own mission call when he says) Salt Lake City, Utah--- uhhh silence. We can't believe what we just heard, and he can't believe what he just read!

"Dad, is this an April Fools joke?"

After all the commotion had died down, and we realized this was indeed his call, I told him "Hey Matthew, I'm walking the streets of your mission field!" I'm not sure if that helped.

Needless to say, Matthew is very excited to serve the Lord and the people of the Salt Lake City Mission. He will serve well, and we are so proud of him!

Oh, another piece of irony. We just found out Ashley gets released July 9. Matthew enters July 8.