OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY

Wow, can you believe I have been married to my best friend for one whole year??? I CANNOT!

This year has flown by. It feels just like yesterday we were celebrating our big day. Time is going by way too fast. 

This year has by far been the best year of my entire life and I owe it all to Greyson. We are attached by the hip and I cannot get enough of him. He has been with my through the toughest of times, he has been so patient during my emotional times (aka "time of the month"), he has helped my study for all my tests, he cooked and cleaned every single day for months when I had surgery (I miss those days hah), we were able to live in Mexico/teach English/and travel the country, we have had so many dance parties, we have gone on so many hikes, we have had many serious life talks (all good things!!), we moved to another city, we started our bachelors at a new school, he has helped my build my business in so many ways, we have had sooo many laughs, we have watched all the classic movie series, and we have been able to build a life TOGETHER. 

We definitely are not perfect, but if I am being completely honest, I don't know how much better it could get than this! Greyson is the most patient, loving, hardworking, kind, humble, christlike man I have ever met. He will do anything to improve our relationship and to improve our life together. I aspire to be like him every single day. Our first year of marriage has been the BEST! It is still hard to believe that over 4 years ago I met him on a bus to a football game. I was just a little sophomore, but I instantly knew he was different. We were inseparable from the very beginning and still are to this day. We soak in every second we are able to spend together, because we both know it will be much harder in the future to have so much time together. 

Happy anniversary to us! Cheers to celebrating the best year of our lives + many more to come. I am so glad I get to be stuck with him forever!

Being a photographer I LOVE PICTURES. Poor Greyson, he dreads them. Once again he was such a trooper to get some pictures done for our first anniversary. Shout out to one of my all time favorite photographers @jessaephotographs for the amazing pictures.

I LOVE YOU GREYSON

- Lex

Our favorite hikes in Southern Utah

Growing up both mine and Greyson's family took us hiking every weekend. When we were both younger we HATED it (I even more than Greyson). I guess after years and years of being forced to go on morning Saturday hikes paid off. Now one of our favorite things to do together is to go hiking and we love it! Every weekend we look up hikes to do around Southern Utah and we go on a hike every single week. Together we have been on 30+ different hikes throughout Southern Utah this year. I decided to put together a post sharing our favorite hikes in Southern Utah. 

One tool to help us find new hike and directions to them all is the All Trails App. It has directions and reviews to every hike around. I SWEAR! It is the app we always use when planning our next hike. Each of these hike differ in length and difficulty, but they are all so pretty and definitely worth the hike. 

Our all time favorite hikes is actually one we discovered a couple of weeks ago. 

#1. Valentines Peak: This trail is located in the small town of Parawon, Utah. I promise you will not be disappointed with the view at the end. On this hike you will hike the tallest peak in Parawon. This trail will make you work for the beautiful view. You will not be disappointed by this workout (or view). This hike in total is 7 miles and is very difficult. On the trail you will climb over 2,300 feet in elevation. After this hike Greyson and I watched movies the rest of the day. We were exhausted! One thing about this hike that is so unique is the extra steps the creators took to make this trail. Along this trail there are benches at different overlooks, water and bowls for your pet dogs, and at the top they put out a box with binoculars and books! 

#2. Snow Canyon via Tuacahn trail and Red Sands trail: Growing up I did this trail with my family and I thought it was the most tiring trail EVER. It doesn't help that we got lost for an hour hah. This trail is a favorite of my whole family and we hike it at least once a year. For this trail you can take different routes. You can make this trail into a 8 mile loop, or cut your trip in half and park one car at Tuacahn High School and one Car at Snow Canyon State Park, or you can park your car at Tuacahn highschool and hike the 1.7 steep miles to the overlook and turn around. There are so many options with this hike. My favorite is to park one car at Snow Canyon and one at Tuachan and hike for 4 miles. However, if you do not want an all day hike most of the time we only go up to the overlook. It is steep, tiring, and beautiful. 

#3. Fairyland Loop Trail: Fairyland Loop Trail is located in Bryce Canyon National Park. One bonus about this trail is you get to hike and experience the whole park, but the trail head is right before the rangers station, so you do not even need to pay. That is always an added bonus. Fairyland Loop Trail begins at Fairyland Point, at the northern portion of the park. This trail will take you through towering hoodoos and scenery along the rim and into the canyon. You will be able to experience all the different view Bryce Canyon has to offer. The hike is 7 miles round trip, but the trail is mainly flat with only a few elevation changes. Definitely bring water because it can get HOT, especially in the summer. This is by far our favorite trail in the National Park. And trust me, we've hiked MANY!

#4. Angels Landing: If you have not been on this trail or if you have not been to Zion National Park, put it on your To-Do-List NOW. This is a trail known to many and never has a day where the trail is not packed. However, it is busy for a reason. I grew up going to Zion all the time. Angels Landing is by far my favorite hike. This hike is 5 miles in length and has very difficult switch backs and chains up the mountain, but it is all worth it when you are looking down and seeing all of Zion. Like all of Zion this trail can get super busy, so I highly recommend to go during a weekday a random time of the year. It is definitely worth calling in sick at school or work hah. Trust me, you will enjoy it so much better if you do not have to wait in line to take the chains to the very top. 

#5: Red Mountain: This trail is a hidden gem of Snow Canyon State Park. Although it is growing in popularity, it is still unknown to many, which makes it even better. If you want the best view of Snow Canyon this is the way to see it. This hike is pretty flat and is 3 miles in length, but if you want to see even cooler view it connects to another trail and it will be even longer. We went on this trail at the end of March after we had a late snow fall, it made some parts difficult to hike, but it made the view even more amazing. If you are wondering what trail to take to see the best view of Snow Canyon, look no further, THIS IS IT!

#6: The Vortex: I was surprised I had not been on this trail before I had. This was always one of Greyson's favorite trails growing up and it definitely is one of mine now. This trail is definitely way easier than all of the others, it is 3 miles round trip, and is a trail everyone will enjoy. The view is very unique and so cool. The trail is located in Gunlock and is surrounded by the most beautiful views. Get ready to see the strangest sandstone formations OF YOUR LIFE!

Right now is the best time to get outside! The snow is gone, the temperature is beautiful, and it is one of the only activities you can do right now hah. Thanks Corona... Now that you can't go to the movie theaters on Saturday, I highly suggest going on one of these amazing hikes. I promise you will not regret it. 

ENJOY

- The Chamberlain's

How to stay positive during COVID-19

Life is crazy right now. Who knew at the beginning of the year we would experience a world wide pandemic during 2020 that would result in: restaurants being closed, weddings being cancelled, everyone being required to practice social distance, and being scared to visit our own grandparents? I KNOW I SURE DID NOT. Life has definitely been full of the unknown the past couple of months.

I hope everyone is staying safe and happy right now. Like most people, the corona virus has impacted mine and Greyson's life in many ways. However, with everything being so unknown there are ways to stay happy, healthy, and positive during this crazy time. I wanted to shed some light and positivity during this time in everyones life. Hopefully this can help you during this time, and any hardship, as it has mine.  

One activity that has taken up way too much of my time during this social media is PINTEREST. Who knew that scrolling through thousands of random recipes, quotes, bedroom designs, and so much more could be so entertaining? I mean, it takes up hours of my day sometimes. No judgment, Okay? Although I really needed something to take up my spare time, I found positive words that have helped me stay sane. Who knew words could change your day? Crazy. Here are some special quotes that have helped bring meaning into my life during this pandemic. 

Quote #1: "Enjoy the Little Things"

Quote #2: "See the Good in All Things"

Quote #3: "There is Always a Reason to Smile, Find It."

 

Quote #4: "BE happy."

If you know me, you know I absolutely LOVE quotes. I'm not going to lie, sometimes it can be so much easier to look at all the things going wrong in life. ESPECIALLY NOW! How does that make us feel when we do this? I know it makes me feel pretty crappy. Instead think about all the little things in your life that brings blessings, love, and happiness. We need to see the good in ALL things.  After so many days of feeling isolated in my small apartment, I made a list of 3 small things to be grateful for that I never realized I appreciated before.

1. Living in beautiful Southern Utah where I am surrounded by hiking trails. Every morning my husband and I were able to go hiking. With are crazy schedules being toned down by this pandemic, we are able to take time every morning to do something together that we LOVE.

2. Spending more time with family. Life gets so busy and sometimes I don't take the time to spend  time with my family. Especially with Greyson's siblings living all over the country for school, we were all able to be together for the first time in a long time.

3. Free HIT workouts on Instagram. With the gyms being closed I was going INSANE with not being able to stay active. However, all the workout people I follow that I usually scrolled through their workouts now helped me so much. And honestly I have loved working out from home! Crazy right? My favorite person to follow for workouts is @Rachelgoodeats. She will kill you every. single. time. 

I think every single one of these quotes is so important. Especially now. If we see the good in all things, and remember to joy the little things WE WILL find a reasons to smile and overall, we will BE HAPPY. 

I hope this helps bring some positivity into your life right now. It is so simple, but it is so good. Since I love quotes so much I have thousands pinned to my "Words" Pinterest board. If you need more positive words in your life I encourage you to check it out!

Remember to be happy!

- Lex