Believe it or not, I will miss this place

When Kevin was applying to law schools, BYU was not at the top of either of our lists. We had both just spent about 5 years at BYU doing our undergraduate degrees, and we were ready to move on. But then based on the schools Kevin got accepted to and the monetary incentives (scholarships are wonderfully persuasive), he decided to attend BYU, and I decided to stay with him.
We never wanted to stay in Utah permanently, and now it appears that 9 years (on and off) is as permanent as it has gotten. We're moving to Idaho in a couple weeks, and I'm finding that I will actually miss a few things about this place. ;) No, there are many, many, many wonderful people we will miss, but here are a few of the other random things I'll miss.

I will mis my garden. This is a picture of my irises we planted along the driveway. You'll notice that 99% of my irises are of the ugly, brown-and-maroon variety. I think they're disgusting. Then right in the middle, there is this genetic mutation of a gorgeous, white-and-lilac colored iris. It has ruffled petals and will soon be moved to a spot of honor, not just the edge of the driveway.

I will miss having a laundry line. I love to hang out my clothes and especially my sheets, as the dryer just wads them up and pretends to dry them. Boo! This is a picture of some used clothes I got for Penelope, framed by our beautiful blossoming apple tree. I'm going to miss this place!

Just a month ago, Kevin and I took our first hike up Slate Canyon, which starts about 200 yards from our house. I can't believe we've lived here 3 years and haven't made that hike before. Apparently once you get past this area and up into the mountains it's even more gorgeous. But those of you who have been keeping track will remember that I was 6 months pregnant last month, and I did NOT make it further than this up the mountain. And those of you who have ever gone hiking with me before might know that even if I weren't 6 months pregnant, I probably wouldn't have had the desire to hike to the top. I'm just not that into hiking. Sometimes.

We plan on exploring Boise when we get there, and not waiting until a month before we leave.

Memorial Day. I never knew what this holiday was for, except as a day off of school. But in Utah, it is a day when you go decorate the graves of your ancestors and loved ones. We live just up the hill from the Provo cemetary, and it turns from being a grassy field to this: a crazy field where a flower shop must have just unloaded itself. I guess it makes sense in a community that values family and genealogy, but still, it amuses me every year. I have a great-grandfather buried in Orem. This year I thought about going to decorate his grave. But I didn't. Good thought, though.