Life is better Blonde

for hillbill.

2011-07-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

tonight my final paper is due for my writing class...
after that I am pretty much done with major assignments
so I vow to resume blogging just for you,
because I honestly think you are the only one who reads this.
:)

note to self.

2011-06-18T19:42:00.000-07:00

NEVER agree to...
give a talk
teach gospel doctrine
and greet in relief society
all on the same Sunday
ever again.
:'(

I am STRESSED to say the least.
promise those updates are coming soon.

again.

2011-06-01T23:15:00.001-07:00

yet again I have neglected my blog.
it has been a crazy semester.
but I want it to over with soooo badly.
i PROMISE to update within the week.
<3

tahoe and snowwww

2011-03-27T22:03:00.000-07:00

My poor blog, I'm sure, feels neglected all of the time. Every night before I go to bed I write myself a "to do" list for the next day. More often that not I find myself repeatedly writing "remember to blog" on that list. Today I am finally going to be able to cross it off of that to do list, yeah! So onto to what I am really on here to write about... Tahoe! Isn't it a gorgeous place? This is at the base of the gondola up to Heavenly Ski Resort and yes that is my timeshare directly to the right of it... so convenient! Tahoe is my favorite annual family vacation that we take, mostly because the Gauthier's have the same week there with us and also because I love to ski!

Usually because California doesn't like to keep winter around for too long the snow is melted by min-February when we get there. Not this year! We had plenty of fresh powder which made for superb skiing!

Mom, Dad, Ab and I arrived late Saturday afternoon all geared up for an enjoyable week. Kylie flew in from Utah shortly after and the fam bam was reunited once again. Sunday we hit the slopes. One word... Pain. Dad had forgotten to pack our ski boots... seriously? How does that happen? Anyways because of his brain fart in the packing department we had to rent crap boots for Sunday skiing. Normally these boots would be fine but... I have massive calves [thanks to the genes I inherited from my mother] and unless I have on my "ooooo these feel like butter on my feet" boots, I can not bear to ski more than an hour and I went five on Sunday. Other than the pain it was a beautiful day on the slopes.

Ky Dad and I were run buddies. That is until my legs gave out and I had to retire for the day. I am so out of shape... which is a reminder to me to hit the gym before summer time!

Some of the kiddos in heaven at Heavenly. Ky and I at the top on the Nevada side at Heavenly [Lake Tahoe in the background].

Papa and I in the newly constructed lodge at Heavenly... gorgeous, but they way overpriced the food to pay for it.

Sunday night the Stiles drove up after church [with our forgotten boots, thank you!] to spend the weekend with us! We hit the slopes hard the next morning and again the snow was in prime condition for our skis, or in Jessica's case snowboard.Our one fam bam shot that everyone groaned at me for wanting to take...

Love me some Jocelyn. We skied one more time on Wednesday but were not able to on Friday because of high winds and snow fall. The rest of the week was spend ice skating, playing in the snow, sledding, hot tubing, card games, movies, and tons of eating!

Most of all I loved spending time with this little munchkin... or should I say giant haha! I am sure going to miss hanging out with her everyday when I go back to school in a few weeks. We always have so much fun together and the laughing never ceases.and this one...Mini Me! Sad to have left but happy to have the memories.

Until next year Tahoe...

ughhhhh.

2011-03-27T12:39:00.000-07:00

this morning I woke up and realized that I kind of hate my life right now...

so I will blog later today to try and rekindle the flame between me and my situation

we'll see if that works but now time for church.

carbs. carbs. carbs. yum!

2011-02-18T02:45:00.000-08:00

I am not going to lie... I am an amazing cook!

Mostly because I can follow a recipe to a T.

Because I was lacking a Valentine this year, I was craving all sorts of food [well, I guess I do that everyday]... But mostly craving Italian and my all time favorites, sun dried tomato pasta and chicken Parmesan! So I made a Valentine's dinner for the whole family plus Nanny and Pop and our friends Roger and Liliane Gondelmann who came this week to visit us all the way from France!

It was probably one of my favorite dinners I have cooked in a long time so I had seconds and thirds... skipped the chocolate and went for the carbs this year.

[where did my neck go?]

Here are my recipes if you would like to make this too.

It's seriously to die for!

Baked Chicken Parmesan

Serves 6

6 chicken breast halves or 10 chicken tenders

2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1 cup seasoned bread crumbs

1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

spaghetti sauce

mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare by cracking eggs into large bowl or pan and mixing with milk.

And in another bowl or pan mixing bread crumbs and Parm. cheese.

Dip chicken in egg-milk mixture and then into the bread crumb-cheese mixture.

Lay flat on a baking sheet.

Bake for 15-30 min. depending on chicken size.

Five min. before taking out of oven spoon spaghetti sauce on top of each chicken piece and then add Mozzarella cheese on top.

Bake for another five min. or until cheese is melted.

Serve and Enjoy!Penne with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
Serves 6

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small onion , chopped fine
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes , rinsed, patted dry, and minced
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 cup heavy cream
Salt
1 pound ziti or penne
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Ground black pepper

Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot.
Meanwhile, melt butter in large skillet over medium heat.
Cook onion until soft and lightly browned, about 8 minutes.
Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and cream.
Increase heat to medium-high and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
Add 1 tablespoon salt and pasta to boiling water and cook until al dente.
Drain pasta, and return to pot.
Add sauce and basil to pot and toss to combine
Season with salt and pepper.
Serve and Enjoy!

valentine.

2011-02-14T02:10:00.000-08:00

Alone once again on the big day of love... shoot me.

Looks like Daddy has Mom... and his three girls to buy chocolates for.

I am not kidding I have had seven friends in the past three weeks get engaged, seven!

If that's not pathetic then I don't know what is.

This is pretty much all I do...

me and my empty ring finger, whatever though I'm kind of a fan of being alone until that perfect person comes along to sweep me off my feet.

until then...

Dear Future Husband and Valentine,

I hope you have a wonderful day of love because I will be hating it without you. I hope the only person you kiss today is your mom and you think of me often. Because whoever you are, you are always on my mind and I am constantly striving to be better, just for you. I will wait for you as long as you need me too... but we're not getting any younger here. Hope to see you sometime in the next few Valentine's days.

Love, Your Future Wife.

Goodnight Blog.

Promise to fill you with pictures very soon.

Less than a week and I will be in Tahoe loving the snow once again. :)

consequences of an afternoon nap.

2011-02-02T00:44:00.000-08:00

I have the munches and a bad case of boredom.

I was getting extremely exhausted at work this afternoon on account that I consumed NyQuil last night and that stuff messes me up for a few days. So I came home and took a nap around 4:30. The next thing I remember is waking u around 8:30 to a text from my best friend, Erin asking me if I am alive. My naps are usually blissful, and mine today was. But I am always left, as I am now awake, bored and hungry in the late night hours. Boo.

I just ate spoon full of Nutella, two spoons of Cool Whip, a piece of beef jerky, a handful of cheesits, a root beer, a pickle and a slice of bologna. I am disgusted with myself and all i want still is spinach dip with sourdough bread. I hate late night munchies and can you say random to that list of food... ew, who am I?

Well it's February already, the second to be exact and Jonny's birthday, Happy Birthday Jonny, wish I were with you [even though you will never read this]. Anyways Monday... the 31st was my half birthday! Six months until my real birthday and then I am finally 21! No idea why I am so excited for that age as I don't drink, but I think it means that I am limitless! I can go anywhere I want to, even a bar... though there is no reason to. When someone checks my ID they can't tell me no and for some reason that makes me happy, and maybe a little pathetic...

I am very bored and a cure would be to watch Eat, Pray, Love [just ate and prayed...wheres the love?]which I have rented on iTunes. It would just keep me awake until three, but hey that still gives me six hours of sleep and I thrive on six hours of sleep. Okay that just made up my mind. So off I go to watch a movie that I, opposed to most of it's viewers, actually enjoy.

so Goodnight!

p.s. I am awaiting a lovely package from Forever21 right now and when it arrives I will have to do a picture-fashion show.

Now off to a meeting with my toothbrush so I don't smell like beef jerky in the morning :)

quick.

2011-01-31T13:22:00.000-08:00

i hate mondays.
i want my hair to grow faster.
i am very excited for fhe tonight.
i like to sleep, my dad does not like me to sleep.
i am going to work so I will finish this up later :)

feelin craftyyy.

2011-01-29T15:57:00.001-08:00

Since I work for a company that makes hair bows, headbands and everything to do with putting flowers into your wardrobe I decided this week that I would make some of my own accessories to place atop my noggin.

I also surprised my little sis and whipped her up a few as well.

Who said only babies could wear these things?

Abby and my matching white daisies...

Hippie daisy.
I like this one better when I put in on the collar of my blazer.

Headbands...

Perfect for fall...

This one if my favorite kind to make...

and this one is my favorite...

I am very mono-chromatic lately; white skin, white hair, white teeth, white clothes.

You get the picture.

and the last...

I love getting crafty, especially when I reap the rewards of it.
:)

the cone.

2011-01-27T01:27:00.000-08:00

My poor little puppy has to wear this around his head for a week...

I actually think it is extremely hilarious and laugh every time I see him.

He looks like a vacuum when he tries to pick up his toys or bones off the ground.

The part that I most like about the cone, is that it limits his OCD habits. Wags likes to hide under any and all furniture in our home. In the past few months his favorite place has been under my bed and dresser. I don't mind accept for when he constantly licks himself and makes the most annoying noise, scratches at the posts under my bed, doesn't listen to a word I say when he's under there, and will not come out. So yes I guess I mind it, I mind it very much.

OCD little Wags also this week has to take medication which makes him even more hyper than he already is so he has been a night owl with me.

I felt bad earlier because I could hear him outside my closed door whining to come in, so I let him. I pet him for a few minutes and then he jumped off my bed and started ramming his "cone" into my baseboard trying to get himself under the bed, which he continually attempted to do for another five minutes. I was laughing hysterically the first two of those minutes and then of course started to get annoyed. I yelled at him several times "no wags" because I thought there was no way he was getting under there. I thought wrong, and he eventually maneuvered he and his cone under my bed right as I tried to grab him.

He is, at the moment, still under my bed and trying to fit his cone back out.

I am, at the moment, still annoyed with him and don't want to help him out... I guess we'll have to see if I come around.
Goodnight :)

"what's a week end?"

2011-01-27T01:07:00.001-08:00

I have become newly addicted to a Lifetime mini-series called Downton Abbey... hence where the title for this entry came from. It's about a wealthy family set in the time of Titanic and their drama. I love it, especially because everyday they change into gorgeous elaborate gowns for dinner and are waited on hand and foot. I would kill to have been alive at that time... well as long as I had money.

Anyways...

On to my weekend and it was a good one! Friday I worked and then went to the mall and to eat BJ's with my friend Kristen, whom I also worked at Bronze body with. After dinner we went to our friend Lisa and Tino's house. Lisa is a manager at Mac and is a magician when it comes to making your face look good. We played and played and then I came home and dozed off for the night.

Saturday I slept in and then lounged around all day. Me, the fam bam and the Stiles went to dinner at Applebees and then I wet and hung out with Megan and Erin.

The only better thing than having two best friends is having two best friends that get along.

I normally hang out with Erin or I hang out with Megan, but Saturday night we all hung out together and boy, was it fun. Me and my two bests.

We went out to our friend Jessica's birthday party, bonfired and chatted it up. It was so much fun. I saw some friends that I hadn't seen since high school and may or may not have re-connected with a boy from long ago... and that's all I'm saying!

Sunday I was in the nursery for church and I am yet again left wanting a baby.

I don't know how much longer I can be surrounded by baby stuff without going crazy!

dust off the blades.

2011-01-27T00:59:00.001-08:00

Once upon a time I worked at a tanning salon where I met the most wonderful girl named Maggie. Five years later we are still good friends and her amazing sister still makes my hair beautiful and frosty. Maggie and I have joked since we met that we would go rollerblading someday. Well last week our little joke actually happened. I called up Mags and told her that we had to do it or it would never happen.

So much fun! And let me tell you if you want a dang good workout, strap on some roller blades and go for about a mile and a half... my thighs killed me for days!

NOM nom NOM.

2011-01-18T22:29:00.001-08:00

I can not believe that I am admitting this on my blog but... it is that time of the month for yours truly. And whenever Aunt Flow comes to town I have to have some type of chocolaty treat around to grab. Last night I, as always, was blog stalking. I was on one of my favorite food blogs, Picky Palate, when I encountered these babys Candy Bar Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwiches. The pictures alone made me drool and so I decided I would make them today. The recipe is on the link I posted but here are the...

Ingredients:
2 sticks softened butter
1 Cup granulated sugar
3/4 Cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 Tablespoon pure vanilla
3 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
10 oz bag chocolate chips
Variety of snack size candy bars

[I used Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, Snickers and Kit Kat, and Twix]

yum YUM yum

chocolate heaven... Little Betty Crocker, pardon the scrubs I am wearing. bakinggggg... ooey gooey yummy nummy. Best Cookies Ever.
What was even better was that while I was at the store getting a few extra things I needed to create this masterpiece to satisfy my chocolate crave I found this...
Holy Cow... haha I was so happy I almost cried. REAL MILK with out the lactose. Yes, I hate all things organic because they are just overpriced and a crock BUT this glorious half-gallon of Milk that is free of tummy aches was only $3.28. Not too bad I might say.

And now two cookies and two wonderful glasses of milk later I am very satisfied. I think I might just jump into bed just like the cow on the carton.

Other activities occupying my time:
Dinner date with Dad and Abby to Chevy's tonight.
Lunch at Olde Tyme with Mommy today.
Lots of sleeping.
Manicure from a funny little Chinese man.
Friday Night family dates to Costco.
Sunday Migraines.
Taking medicine for Migraines.
Sleeping all day Monday because of drowsiness from migraine medicine.
Spending lots of quality time with the fam bam.
Listening to Pandora radio.
Skyping with friends.
And of course loving every second that I am in California and not Snow-ville :)

working girlllll.

2011-01-14T20:59:00.000-08:00

My first week of work is done, I love my job.

I am a personal assistant to the one and only Penny Godwin, co-owner of Pinkbowtique.com

If you have a daughter, niece, granddaughter, any little girl in your life... buy her a hair bow. Penny and Nancy's business makes some of the most beautiful hair pieces I have ever seen and yes I own many of them. I am so happy to be working for them and I seriously LOVE my job. I'll love it even more when I get a fat pay check :)

saddest news ever.

2011-01-14T12:09:00.000-08:00

I am officially [sick tummy for about a month] allergic to this wonderful beverage that I like up drink daily and is in almost all food that I love. It's impossible for me to not consume it.

My sweet mother has been lactose intolerant ever since she was a young buck. I inherited this from her. I was not happy when last semester I would get terrible stomach pains when I would have a glass of milk. I may or may not have cried when I found out milk makes me sick. I love milk, I mean I wasn't nicknamed Macy Moo when I was a kiddo for just any reason. I did grow up surrounded by dairies and cows.

Anyways sad fact, I will never drink a full glass of milk ever again. I just about died last week when I did and I never want to go through that again. So while you are sipping on some milk, eating cheese, munching on ice cream, slurping yogurt, or spreading butter just think of sad little me who has to take a pill every time I want to touch any of those things. Very annoying.

new years!

2011-01-14T03:41:00.001-08:00

I spent my New Years with one of my best friends, Courtney. I drove down to Laguna Beach on the 29th of December ready for a few days of absolute fun. I made it there in 4 hours and 52 minutes, record to date. Once I arrived Courtney and I went and got Cafe Rio for dinner and then called it a night.

December 30th: Knott's Berry Farm amusement park... not very amusing. We had lots of fun, but everyone and their mom was at the park that day. We were there a total of about six hours and rode a total of two rides and in my book that counts as pathetic. All in all those two rides were a rush and we ate some great food!

Dined at Pink's, a famous diner right outside Knotts. Delicious!

Court and I dressed up like tourists, looks on our faces and all.
This picture was taken after two hours of waiting in line... finally almost there. Well not for the front row, which we waited another thirty minutes for.

December 31st: NewYearsEve! Court and I spent the day lounging and then met up with Gina at the Irvine Spectrum for shopping and dinner. We went back to Court's house and got ready for the Fire and Ice Singles dance. We picked up Katy and drove to the warehouse where it was located. It was so much fun! We danced away 2010 and kissed in 2011. Too bad I dont remember the guys name, but he was sure hot.

January 1st: Great way to start off the new year, with Venice Beach. And it just happens to be my favorite place in the world. I especially loved the crazies we saw. We walked the strip, shopped and gazed at the beautiful street art. Best part was the friendly and interesting people who decided to talk to us.

here is one of them...

Happy New Year, with my best friend.

I would kill to live on Venice Beach.

The graffiti is amazing...

I found a boyfriend...

We walked over to the skating area, watched the greatest dance moved I have ever seen and laughed until we had six packs on our abs. Then watched the skaters in the skate park. I was very impressed.

January 2nd: Church and packing up to leave. If I were in Idaho, the freeways would have been clear but because of a storm over the Grapevine, I-5 was closed all Sunday. I have to take a lovely trip through Santa Barbara to get home. I sat through four hours of traffic to get there too, where it should only take an hour from LA. I spent the night in Paso Robles and was finally home around 1:30 p.m. the next day, taking me a total of twenty-one hours to get home. Not a fun drive home, but it was one of the best trips to visit Courtney I have ever had.

i'm in the club.

2011-01-14T03:13:00.000-08:00

Yes that blog title was an unintentional pun. After Christmas I joined Dad, Ab, Ky and the Missionaries on the golf course to hit some balls. It was so much fun! It was cool to actually be invited and to go the course with the fam.

We loved our last set of missionaries in our ward.

They sadly got transferred the about two weeks ago and we miss seeing them.

They were fun to have around!

All of the sisters out at Stevenson Ranch.

First time in probably 10+ years. Abs and I shared a cart, even though I walked a bunch.

Best part of the day was when I hit quite the drive on the first hole and I was golfing with dad's clubs, he is left handed. It was fun to give being a lefty a try.

pictures. pictures. pictures.

2011-01-14T02:57:00.000-08:00

It was quite the fiasco trying to get our Christmas card and family pictures together this Christmas. After all the yelling and many different ideas we put together a time with my Auntie Linda to do a family shoot. She also put together our card which was beautiful.
We all put our fake smiles on and evded up having a blast taking pictures.

my favorite :)

Love this family to death and I am so happy they are mine for eternity.

Christmasss time.

2011-01-14T01:28:00.000-08:00

December 24th: Cleaning, cooking, running erans. Annual Christmas Eve Party at the Brad Falke abode. Families in attendance: Walt Falke Family, Matt Falke Family, Stiles Family, King Family, Gauthier Family. We had a total blast playing games, doing the Nativity story, laughing, chatting and stuffing our peckers full of delicious homemade rolls, chips and dip/salsa, shrimp, fruit salad, pretzel jello salad, meats and cheeses, pasta, broccoli salad, spinach dip and countless mouth watering desserts. Then for me it was off to the Stryker home for their annual Christmas Eve Bash. Caught up with high school friends and ate even more food. YUM!

December 25th: We slept in, opened gifts one at a time and forgot to leave cookies and milk out for Santa. First official grown up Christmas morning. Loved it!

Added this babe to my purse...

We spend the afternoon/evening at Nanny and Pop's house. Ate lots more food.
Came home, skyped with Jonny and then watched a movie.
Lovely Christmas.

December 26th: Church was very insightful. Came home, took a nap and the was awoken by three hilarious and excited little boys. The Kurtz's, my cousin Chris, his wife Britt and three boys Mikey, Luke and Keaton came to visit from Novato. Chris is a cousin on Mom's side and although it is not good to pick favorites, Chris and Britt have that title in my book. Many memories with these two and their kids.
All the kiddos.
Goofs.

Memories with the Kurtz:

Chris and Britt came to our house as newlyweds. They were out back in our hot tub and my little perv self, I was probably about 8, sang "Do a little dance, Make a little Love, Get down tonight Oooo Oooo Get down tonight" out the slider door to them.

Around the same time, while C&B were still in the newlywed stage somehow they agreed to have me, Ky and Ab come visit them in Arizona. We went to the mall, played in their friends apartment complex pool, made mini scrap books and laughed at little Abby's farts.

Going on a family vacation to visit them in St.George. We played and played, went to Britt's mom's condo and swam and almost went on a hot air balloon ride... but the weather wasn't right for flying.

Three of the four years of EFY, Ashley and I stayed an extra week at their house in Draper. Countless memories from these summer visits. Some include hilarious dates with EFY boys for me and ash with C&B, getting caught in the kitchen kissing a boy... yes Chris&Britt I am still embarrassed, movie nights, birthday parties for me and baking bread.

Staying with the Kurtz's when Papa and I went on a daddy-daughter trip to see a BYU football game and have lots of play time!

Visits to their newest dwelling in Novato, CA. Walks, meeting the chickens before the boys' Easter surprise, more bread baking, and wonderful chats with Britt.

chi-chong, cho cho chong, bo-cho.

Having them come visit us and scootering with the boys and watching them grow up.

The Kurtz's are definitely a lovely sparkle in my life and I am so happy to be related to such wonderful people inside and out. Having them come to visit was a Christmas treat!

puppers.

2011-01-14T00:59:00.000-08:00

Although pets are very much forbidden in my apartment complex, me and my roommates decided we needed a man of the house last semester. A black lab we named Tucker was our choice for playful company and he could not have come at a better time. I needed some love and a puppy was exactly the thing to give it to me.

Isn't the little booger cute!

Biggest smile on my face because of this little man.
Always there for kisses.

Playful little guy.

No, we couldn't keep him all semester but the two weeks I did have him were joyous. There is nothing better than the cutest little puppy face licking you when you wake up in the morning! He got to be all too much to handle so my good friend Justin lovingly adopted him, renamed him Aros and took him home to live in the Vail household.

General Conference.

2011-01-09T00:46:00.000-08:00

For some reason I had it in my head that I had already documented this event but looking back I had somehow left it out, and it's too good to be left out.

General Conference Weekend.

Drove down to Salt Lake/Provo for the weekend and lived it up.

Friday night was spent at Studio for the annual Conference dance.

Saturday was a miracle. Enjoyed and lovely breakfast and the morning session at Karson and Betsy's house. I mostly just played with their adorable little peanut, Izzy. We changed and Ky and I hit the road for Salt Lake and the afternoon session. Ky and I were not as prompt as we had planned, traffic was a mess and parking was TERRIBLE. So I willingly gave up my chance to see the Prophet speak live and very sadly dropped off Ky at the front door. Little did I know that as I was driving down the street I would see an adorable little man, my angel, flagging me into a parking lot where there was one spot left just for my little car, score! If that wasn't a testimony builder, than I don't know what to believe!

I literally sprinted in four inch heels, embarrassing, to the Conference Center and made it just in time to take my seat next to Ky, Lauren Rollins and their friend Alex Burke.

Hearing the Prophet speak in person is something I would fail at miserably to describe on my little blog. It's wonderful and you will have to hear him for yourself sometime to know what I am talking about. I love the church and what a wonderful spirit the Gospel brings.

Me and KyKy in the Conference Center, lovely!

Me, Ky, Lauren and Alex!

After Conference Ky went with the girls to Park City while I went to see my London loves Laura and Christina. We chatted, got all caught up on each others lives, laughed over old jokes and the fact that Christina wears g's now and knows all the secrets, and went to see a movie with Christina's wonderful mother.

I went back to Provo for the night and stayed with Gina, Court and Steph.

Sunday I woke up early, picked up Katy Rea and Drove out to Park City to see Ky, Lauren and Alex. Lauren is a saint to say the least and I love her dearly. The had a scrumptious breakfast for us and we watched Conference. I had never been to Park City before and Lauren's family has thee most gorgeous home atop a beautiful mountain with a breath taking view.
I was in heaven... literally.
Ky and I with Park City to our backs.

My favorite Canadian, Katy Rea.

Katy and I then drove back to Rexburg just in time to miss a nasty storm.

I love Conference weekend and my last few of them have been spent in some amazing places.

giving thanks, thanksgiving.

2011-01-09T00:39:00.000-08:00

three words. week long party

It has become a tread the last two years for me to bring home a slew of men to good ole' Turlock to dine, laugh and play with me and my family. Well last year Bradley was the only lucky one to come for a visit but this year there were many, many more.

I am fortunate enough to have a whole week off of school for Thanksgiving, no measly two days for me :) So Thursday after class was out I packed up my suitcase and got all ready to head for home Friday morning. I woke up early the next morning, picked up Chase and Bradley and drove a mear fourteen hours to start off a wonderful week at the Falke homestead.

We got in late Friday night and because we were still pretty tired from the drive, well I was, we just chilled Saturday. We ate lunch at Hilmar Cheese and Dad kindly took the boys golfing. He loves having all the extra testosterone around the house.

Sunday was church where I am sure many of the ward members were thinking "not again". I am sure they all think I have way too many prospects. And it didn't help my case out when Chase had me scratch his back in Sacrament meeting because you all know what that means... hahahaha! Normal Mormon girls only bring a guy home for the holidays when things are getting serious but I am obviously not a typical Mormon girl, thank goodness. I just have made sure that Daddy gets lots of practice in preparing for the day when I bring home the one that isn't just a friend. You are welcome papa!

Monday was lovely. After much persuading I was able to get the whole family [-Ky who hadn't arrived from Provo yet] to accompany me and the boys on a jaunt to San Francisco. The day started out beautiful. We walked along Pier 39, ate authentic clam chowder [extra Tabasco!], went to Giredelli Square and did just a bit of shopping.

From this picture you can see that Abby is quite tall... I think papa hates that.

I love love LOVE every person in this picture.

Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

Me, Chase on my back, Abby with Bradley on her back.

Cuteeeeee Mama.

I pray every night that I will age as beautifully as my Mother.
Then came the rain, and it poured and poured.
Mom and dad headed to the airport to grab the last member of the Brad Falke clan and the rest of us headed to Pleasanton for retail therapy that Dad would never appreciate. Once the package [Kylie] was retrieved we all met up to eat a lovely dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Next time you are there get the enchiladas, the are to DIE for!
Tuesday was another day of relaxation and Dad took the boys golfing yet again. Then it was time to part, Chase and I took Bradley to the airport in the early afternoon. On our way home we got word that the next batch of boys had arrived!
Jonny and Justin had been down in southern California for our friend Landon's wedding and drove up to spend Thanksgiving with the fam bam. I was ecstatic!
As soon as we rolled into the drive way hugs were exchanged and smiles could not be wiped off of faces. That night around midnight, Jonny and I decided we would take Chase to the airport instead of the alternative plan of sleeping for two hours and leaving at two in the morning. We had a lovely drive where Jonny and Chase slept and I blasted my chick music and sang.

Wednesday Me, Ashley Gleason [my best friend] Jonny and Justin had a day in Santa Cruz. We looked [just looked because it was freezing] at the beach, took forever to decide where we were going to eat, went downtown and ended up eating at some nasty little Mexican restaurant and stopped in Urban Outfitters [my fav] and a candy store where I purchased some hopeful looking chocolate covered bacon. Bacon, good: chocolate, good... chocolate covered bacon, not amazing.
Long drive for a short trip but once we had left the lovely SC we drove to Hayward and picked up the Fins.
Background story: Justin [who likes to be called joey or jj] served his mission in Finland. His Mission Pres had the missionaries do things to get to know the people of Finland better so He and [I think] his companion coached a football team. Two of his team's members , Janne and Max not live in the Bay Area.
We picked up Max and Janne (pronounced ya-nay) and went back to the homestead.

Now finally to Thursday, Thanksgiving!
We obviously, as we always do, spend the glorious day full of way too much amazing food at Nanny and Pop's humble abode.
These are my favorite two men, besides my Papa, in the whole world.
Jonny Wade and Justin 'Joey' Vail.
[great names!]
After stuffing our selves with turkey, potatoes, stuffing and every other food item that would be considered thankful we walked down to the "ditch" to play. The girls played games with Bradley Falke Jr's kidos and all of the men started up a Turkey Bowl game. I don't remember who won but I am happy to say that the Fins enjoyed their first American Thanksgiving.
Ky and I played with Gala and Paisley.
Isn't she just drop dead gorg!
Paisley, who pronounces her name Plaisley and I put loads of lip gloss on.
She likes to kiss it off too. I love this doll face :)

Abby [Wubbas] and I chased Finn around the "ditch".

All of the Kidos after an amazing Thanksgiving.

Friday afternoon all the fun departed and the boys stopped in Reno for a disappointing BSU football game. Lost it because of their kicker... they were not too happy.

I on the other hand enjoyed a few more quiet [very quiet] days at home with the fam and then went my way Sunday, driving those fourteen long hours all by lonesome. Then it was back in the grind at school for another two weeks.

year anniversary.

2011-01-08T01:37:00.000-08:00

a year ago today I boarded a plane to London
where I spent the most amazing five months of my life
seeing the most beautiful places,
eating the most delicious food,
meeting the most incredible people,
and shopping daily in the greatest city on earth.

today I woke up, took a shower
job searched and ate soup...
pathetic.

I miss everything about that day a year ago.
my life feels very uneventful right about now.
blogfest continues tomorrow. goodnight.

fam bam all in UTAH.

2011-01-06T15:25:00.000-08:00

The weekend before Thanksgiving I drove down to Provo, Utah, where my beautiful older sister Kylie resides, to watch her dance her tail off at her Ballroom Nationals Competition. I was very happy to hear a few days before I left that Mom and Abby were going to fly up to watch as well. I was ecstatic to see them but the topper on the cake had to be while I was on my way phoning Mom, who had already landed, and hearing my papa's voice on the other end. Meaning that dad had surprised me and hopped the flight as well and I would finally get that big bear hug from my daddy that I had been needing all semester. Our family would finally be all together again for the first time since summer.

It was the best weekend I had all semester! I absolutely loved being with every member of the fam bam. We spent most of our time either in the Wilkinson Center watching Ky dance or eating at various delicious restaurants.

Ky took third in her Novice Latin competition and we were all so proud of her! I love going to Ky's competitions. One of Kylie's cheering sections.

Me, Mom, Brady Nash [friend from Powell this summer] and Ab.

Abs and I had fun watching, talking and laughing. While I was in Provo we got to see and visit with many friends. Our favorite past missionaries Collin and Bret came down from Salt Lake to see us and watch Ky. I got to go and visit with my London roommate Jake. It was wonderful to catch up with and see him. And my favorite part was getting to see this boy... Call-e-wog! Me and Mr. Call Hyer have been friends since diapers. I miss us living down the street from each other but I am happy that I get to see him when I visit the promise land of Provo, Utah. We talked about our recent happenings and joked and laughed over childhood memories as we always do. I love him very much.

Everything put together made for a wonderful trip!

bonfireee.

2011-01-06T14:07:00.000-08:00

To savor the wonderfully mild fall weather we were having in November [usually Rexburg is covered in snow by then] a few friends and I went out to our summer spot, Monkey Rock, to have a final bonfire for the year.

Logan, Me, Court, Steph and Jaron. Logan, my little boy from the South.

Me and my ladiesssss Courtney and Stephanie.
I miss these girls so much already... until next spring!

The whole group.
Much smaller group than we normally have at Monkey Rock.
Too bad this time we couldn't jump into the river or go in the waterfall.
I miss summer!
And finally Jaron. He's a peach and a sweetheart. Love that boy.

Bonfires have retired for the winter

but will be back come spring and better than ever.

blind date.

2011-01-06T13:46:00.001-08:00

I honestly don't even remember his name... I think it was Austin or something. My good friend Abby "Coops" Stanford set me up on a blind date which ended up being just hang out time for us two. We went bowling at Teton Lanes and then enjoyed a delicious treat at Jamba Juice.

I love this woman, she is amazing.

I thoroughly enjoyed my date with Coops

and it was good to have Clark [Abby's hub] and whatever his name was along for the fun.
Something about bowling shoes makes me always want to take them, but then I remember how ugly they are if you are not trying to knock over pins with ginormous balls all while under black lights with disco music playing.

So no, I didn't fall in love but that might have been because I bowled a 42. Whoops.

my "brother's" sister.

2011-01-06T12:12:00.000-08:00

Brad's sister Erica came for a visit this semester! Since my school has a lovely honor code with a rule that no girls can sleep in boy's housing I had the privilege of having Erica stay with me. She is a doll and I am so sad I am not in Rexburg this winter to keep her company.

The first morning she was here Bradley came and woke us up around 9:00 a.m. and told us we had twenty minutes to get up, dressed and ready to go dirt biking. We met up with Jonny, grabbed the bikes and drove the forty-five minutes or so to Kelly Canyon.

Once we were there the boys hopped on their bikes, Erica and I got on the quad and we headed up the canyon. The day was beyond perfect and we couldn't have been in a more gorgeous place.

[Sadly this is the only picture that Erica and I took... and our hair is covering our faces. At least the background is gorgeous]

After a few hours of riding we stopped, the boys made a fire, and we roasted hot dogs and... pop tarts hahaha.

[I think this is the cutest picture I have ever taken.]

Me and Jonny...
Tripod. My two favorite boys.

Bradley the brother my parents never gave me.

The boys in their riding gear.

On the way back Erica drove half way and then I took over and almost flipped us off of a cliff. Luckily there was a tree right where we started to tip and we both shoved into the tree and pushed our two wheels that were in the air back to the ground.

Note to self: Never offer to drive down a straight drop ever again.

The rest of the time Erica was in Rexburg we ate lots of food, played with the boys and laughed more than I can remember. It was a very fun weekend!

halloweenie.

2011-01-05T21:58:00.001-08:00

Halloween is my favorite holiday and I love when holidays are on weekends. This year [well last year...] October 31st happened to fall on a Sunday, which meant a whole weekend of Halloween:)

Friday night me and the girls hit the town in good ol' Rexburg. I was Cinderella.. well I was Cinderella if she cut her dress to her mid-thigh. I was going to post pictures... but I think I will actually leave those pictures in a file on my computer, as my costume probably wasn't something I could wear on campus at BYU-Idaho.

Yes, I know I have high standards for myself and it isn't becoming of me to "dress like a hooker" but hey, it's one day a year and besides... we looked HOT hahaha, but really.

Saturday I drove with the girls to Logan, UT for the annual Howl Halloween party at Utah State. It was nuts... to say the least. We all dressed up as bunnies and had the greatest time dancing the night away. After the dance we met up with the boys and hung out all night.

Only picture you get is from the morning after...

Me, Jonny, Steph [under her hood] Gina, Court, Allison, Lacey, Joey, Kens and Kenny.

All of my favorites!

In the words of Lindsay Lohan on Mean Girls,

"Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it."

starting back in.

2011-01-05T21:54:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year.

2011

please, please be a good year.

so far so good...

and now

back to october for this sad little blog.

neglected once again...

2010-12-28T12:32:00.000-08:00

I have been terrible this past semester with keeping up with my blog, I know.

So... New Years Resolution : Become a Better Blogger!!
well, that among many other things.

Merry [late] Christmas!
I just got back from my favorite place in the world known as Costco where I redeemed my Christmas certificate from daddy for a new camera, so I can get some new pictures on here soon! I will have to post about Christmas after I catch up on Halloween, Snow and the rest of my semester.

For now I am off to get these nasty dark roots bleached and beautified again!

I'll post soon, hopefully before I go visit Courtney for a week... key word: hopefully.

p.s. here is my newest addition to my wedding playlist and most favorite song. it is beautiful and someday I will sing it to that special someone. enjoy :)

photobooth.

2010-12-10T04:00:00.000-08:00

gal pals and i have way too much fun.

and the greatest...
Mr. bookstore man, you and your sucker are hilarious.

it is three.

2010-12-10T01:53:00.001-08:00

three in the morning is MY hour.
i don't think i have been asleep for this hour all semester.
tonight has been rough...
and full of way too much thinking
which as of lately means tears.

last year at this time i had everything figured out.
i was getting excited to move to London.
i knew exactly what i was going to be doing for the next year... minus the change of plans from a little volcano accident.
i had a boy who kept me occupied
i still hated my classes but i was at least motivated to work hard in them
i was fat and happy.
now i am moving home for the winter
i have no idea what my future holds, which stresses me out
pretty much all of my friends are males... but they are just friends and i am lonely
i have no motivation to do anything, especially when it comes to school
and i am skinny, somber and constantly stressed.

what is my problem?
honestly, [vent session] the problem is my choice of people i surround myself with.
my guy friends are the most negative people i know and it is wearing on me heavily.
all i hear from them is a constant moan and groan of how much rexburg sucks, how their lives are just so terrible [news flash they aren't], how there are no girls here for them, how love doesn't exist [because they get their hearts broken by sluts], how girls do not have hearts... after all of these statements are said, i am always excluded from the grouping of women because i am "different". i can not take it anymore. i can not wait until a week from today when i will be able to spend all of my time with mama, papa, ky and ab. i need some positive uplifting people in my life before i explode or fall into a deep state of depression.
anyways... i have less than a week left of school which is helping me see the light at the end of this never ending tunnel of snow fulled darkness.

so to lighten the mood here is 25 random facts about me...
[stole this idea from my favorite Laura]

1. i do not have a uvula [dangle thing in the back of your throat]
2. i wear my rainbow flip flops year round, even in the snow
3. my favorite color is bright yellow but i only wear it in mustard shades
4. i am deathly afraid of clowns [no idea why, just am]
5. i will never go a day without smiling, ever!
6. the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack has been played over 412 times on my itunes, and that is not including my ipod
7. i hate going to movie theaters
8. i enjoy the smell of gasoline
9. when i was 5 i wanted to be an entomologist. i now cringe at the sight of any type of bug minus butterflies, still love them
10. i really really really want to be a mom, now! [don't worry i will wait until the time is right and i am happily married, even if i don't want to wait another second]
11. i am obsessed with shoes, particularly high heels, i own around 70 pairs, thank you Ross and TJmaxx
12. i can work pale skin like no other, not that i like it
13. i think there is nothing pleasurable about reading "for pleasure" but i am working on that
14. my walls in my room here at school have 42 frames covering them, but that is still not enough to hold all the faces that have my heart
15. my dream job is to be Cinderella at Disneyland... winter 2012 maybe?
16. i find mustaches sexy [weird i know]
17. i am one of the cleanest and most organized people you will ever meet, border line OCD
18. i think about London every day and miss it every second of every minute of every day
19. i regret quiting piano lessons when i was 10, should have listened to mom
20. i like the taste of cherry cough syrup
21. i haven't had a boyfriend for over two years and my last one who is married now is always at the gym at the same time as me... awkward!
22. i already have my wedding planned [just need the groom] but luckily i can blame that on my career choice
23. i can function perfectly on an hour of sleep... impressed? we'll see how long that lasts
24. snuggling is my all time favorite activity
25. i want a marriage that mirrors my parents, 26 [i believe] years and still in love

it is now almost 5 a.m.
thank goodness i don't have Friday classes and i get to sleep in as late as i want to.
[i feel much better]
goodnight.

goal for today...

2010-12-08T12:19:00.000-08:00

catch my blog up on my life... this has to happen before christmas!

sammys.

2010-10-13T01:16:00.000-07:00

Finally Rexburg has upped it's status. Sammy's is quite the poppin spot to hang out while listening to great live music and eat the greatest shakes ever.

Gina, Katy and Hill all work at Sammy's so Court and I are frequent visitors.

We have become friends with the owner, Sam, who I would love to work for... we'll just have to wait and see if that ever happends.
This weekend we took the Sammy's van on a little adventure.
Miles, who works with Katy, Hill and Gina has become probably my new favorite friend. He makes me laugh so much and I am nothing less than happy when he's around.
This weekend was made eventful yet again by none other than Sammy's of Rexburg.
Thank you and goodnight. :)

creature hunting.

2010-10-13T00:47:00.000-07:00

The creature has become quite the topic of discussion.

Almost all of my friends have seen it.

I have heard all the stories and I'll admit I believe there is some kind of "creature" that my friends claim lives on the snake river near Rexburg.

Jonny has known about it since he was in high school. I have luckily never had any experiences of my own but everyone claims it is about 4-5 feet tall, walks on two legs, has red eyes and likes to throw rocks. The closest thing to compare it to would be a chupacabra.
Last week we went creature hunting in the day light... we usually go at night.

We started at the railroad tracks where Gina had an encounter with it.

We walked along the railroad tracks and I was happy it was such a gorgeous day.
Most fun I've had all semester.
After our adventure where Gina saw it we went out by Jonny's house to walk along the river in search of anything we could find. Me, Jonny, Court, Gina, Steph, Kenny and Chris had the greatest time walking I swear over three miles down a part on the river on Jonny's family friends property. I'll admit there were a few sketchy moments where we all felt that there was something watching us but honestly who cares.
It was a perfect day.

Creepiest part was finding tracks of an "animal" no one could identify... dun dun dunnnn.
Hilarious what kinds of crazy things I end up doing here in Idaho!

pressure.

2010-10-12T21:46:00.000-07:00

The BYU[I-do] curse has hit me.

I keep feeling the the pressure to get married.

I am a junior this year and when I tell people that it is my sixth semester they look at me like I am an old lady because I swear everyone is a freshmen at my school. I am 20... 20 is in my opinion way to young to be feeling like I need to get married.

BUT I am so sick of the drama that comes with dating.

I swear I am surrounded by girls in my classes who talk non stop about their weddings and husbands. Most of the time I get annoyed but I want a wedding to talk about...

I am so excited for what I have decided to do with my future.

Making that day the greatest day of peoples lives is going to make me so happy

but right now all I can think about is my special day... ughhhh I hate being single.

before idaho freezes over.

2010-10-12T21:31:00.001-07:00

I am privileged to be close friends with THE Abby [Cooper] Standford. She is too good to me. Two weeks ago before Idaho decided that it's temperature wasn't low enough for the fall season, Abby her hub Clark, Kelly, Steph, Austin and I [along with a few others] went boating.

Coops is one of the most amazing photographers I have seen in action. She is extremely creative and can take action shots like no other too. Check out her blog here if you dont believe me and the girl has more cameras that I have shoes... thats a lot of cameras.

We took out her brand new Holga film camera. Here's a few of her shots.
I'll admit I love to pose for my coops :)

I am quite certian that the water was a chilling 45-50 degrees and I still can not believe how I got in not once, but three different times without a wet suit.

Austin! greatest driver ever.

I love this girl.

[fall]ing for you.

2010-10-07T12:51:00.000-07:00

This semester has been amazing already... and it helps that I have the most amazing friends in the world. The first month of being back in Idaho has been filled with every part of this place that I love. I was extremely nervous to start back at school here sense I hadn't been back since last fall. Having mommy and papa come settle me in helped loads though. After being here just a few days I realized just how stupid it was of me to be nervous.

My weekends have been filled with bonfires, parties, movie nights and creature hunting. Weekdays consist of class, homework, gym time and playing with friends and roommates. All I can say is I love my life here in Idaho.

Kambri, Chase, Jonny, Karston and I at a bonfire. Me and the birthday girl. loveee her!
Lacey and Mckenzie are two girls that I have instantly clicked with. We are three peas in a pod and I love them both to death. Can't wait to be roommates winter 2011!Oh Kenny Ford. I met this doll through the boys and quickly fell in love. One of the funniest guys I have ever met and we have become great friends.
Burkeeeeeee!
Fun times with these boys... to say the least :) The girls and Christian Joel aka CJ aka Seige. He is my church buddy and sits with me every Sunday to keep ourselves entertained.Finally the Quad-pod.

Court, Me, Steph and Gina.

Infamous in Rexburg to say the least. hahahahaha kidding.

Love every one of these girls.

Rexburg... It's good to be back.

4 wheels. lots of mud.

2010-09-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

My dearest darlingest Momsie and Popsicle lovingly accompanied me in the 14 hour trek to my second home in Idaho. Mom and I drove in my car and Papa drove the burban close ahead. I was so happy to have them to help me in moving everything I have collected, decor and furniture wise, in the past three years.

While they were still here the boys took us up to Pack Saddle Lake. A place I have heard tons about but only been cool enough go to while my parents were around. The boys dirt biked and Mommy, Papa, and I rode quads.

I've never felt so liberated.

Mama and I were bundled up.

She is so adorable :)

Once we were to the top of the mountain we hiked and 4-wheeled down to the lake. It was gorgeous despite the downpour of rain and frozen phalanges.

The boys pulled their boy scout skills together and started a fire and daddy used his skills to make sure the trees didn't go up in flames. Thanks to Jonny's wonderful mother we had tin foil dinners that were amazing in the cold.

On the way back to the trucks I rode behind Justin and ate, I'm sure, as least half a pound of dirt but I wouldn't have had it any other way.

When we got back to the trucks we realized Jonny and Brad were missing so Daddy and Justin rode up to find the boys. Half an hour later after the biggest freak out of my life, they came riding in literally frozen and relieved to be back.

We went to Jonny's house to dry off and then headed to the thriving metropolis of Roberts, Idaho to eat at Bj's Bayou. [look it up, very worth it] We got to hear all the creepy ghost stories and enjoyed the Cajun food we ordered.

Mommy, Papa, Alyssa and I hung out the next day and had dinner at another golden spot called Chiz's in St.Anthony. Papa was in heaven with the food. I'm sure he'll want to come and visit me more often because of it. After a night full of laughs and sleep, mom and dad left me to fend for myself yet again in this wasteland.

I miss them ridiculous amounts already.

ending summer.

2010-09-15T23:13:00.001-07:00

Summer is my favorite season.

I have California to thank for that.

Everything wonderful seems to happen in summer.

I.E. my birth, tan skin, first kisses, warm midnight air, sunny days at the beach, trips to lovely places and to top all of that off there is no school to deal with.

I ended this summer with the greatest people in the world.

Which is how it should be ended.

Mid August I took a little road trip to southern California to see Courtney and Gina. It was one of the greatest weekends I have spent with these two in a long time. We went to Venice Beach, the "Top of the World" in Laguna and everywhere in between.

Venice is my favorite spots down south...

especially when my Asian is with me. LOVE Gina :)
We had a very EVENTFUL day at Venice beach.

Saturday we met up with Brad and Jonny who then came home with me for another week of memory making.

I literally have the greatest friends in the world,

sorry to those of you who don't have them as well.

You're missing out.

We got back to Turlock around 5:00 Sunday evening and just in time to head over to the Trilby's for some delicious Sunday dinner, games and laughs.

Monday, after a morning of relaxing, the fam bam and boys stuffed in the burban and drove to San Francisco for an amazing Giants game. 11-3. EPIC.

The game was amazing, the food was great but the company was unbeatable.

Tuesday was dedicated to wake boarding and catching rays.

Mama, Papa, Jonny, Brad and I spend the day on good ol' Don P.

Papa let me have a go at driving the Bu.

I honestly doubt I could look any more white trash...

In my opinion this is the greatest picture of all times.

I am an amazing photographer

and that father of mine is quite the model.

If you mixed Jonny's scruff with my hat and glasses,

you might just have a child molester on your hands.

but I think we are cute...

Lets just say my life would sure be boring without these two studly men.

Tuesday night Justin flew in to join in on the fun. Sadly we made him wait for us at the airport for a few hours as we got home from the lake and headed to the airport... but I personally think it was worth the wait.

Wednesday the boys and I drove to the coast where we indulged in Santa Cruz's finest cuisine, Pizza my Heart, poked around the shore line and dropped some cash on essentials.

Thursday was another day at the lake but this time the girls and Justin joined us.

Pardon the Afro atop my head.

Sadly I had to bring Brad to the airport early Friday morning and Justin and Jonny followed suit in saying farewell a few hours after I got back from bringing Brad.

The Falke house was sadly empty after the departing of the boys.

I was very ready to be back at school too.

Three days of packing and one more stop at Don Pedro to use my surf board one last time and just like that summer was over.

The past five months came and went so quickly it seems but when I really look back I sure lived up my summer. I spent countless hours with my favorite kids, the Gauthiers. I visited Idaho and friends there for two weeks and had the time of my life. I got to dance in the rain. I smiled, a lot. I spent a week in Kauai. I had two extra weeks to fall in love with London all over because of a volcano. I played scrabble with Mama many late nights in a row. I got to watch my little sis go to her first prom. I spent a magical week with the fam bam and new friends on Lake Powell. I wake boarded and surfed my bum off. I met my goals for the summer. I got to tell my Papa that I love him in person everyday. I spent quality time with my puppers, Wags. I didn't have to deal with boy drama! I got to see my big sis for two straight months, the most since we were both in high school. I spoke in church. I was able to cater to mama's needs on mothers day. I was able to intern for an amazing wedding planner I met on the plane ride home from London. I spent time with me myself and I, much needed alone time.

And I laughed more that I ever thought I could.

So goodbye summer.

I will never forget you.

ew.

2010-08-18T03:15:00.001-07:00

I know it is 3:00 in the morning but I HAVE to post this so

I can read about it in future years to come.

Tonight I spent about three+ hours organizing. I organized my shelves, I organized my closet, I organized my drawers, and I even organized underneath my bed. Lots of dust and lots of hidden treasures [or garbage whatever way you want to see it]!

I finally moseyed on into bed around 1:30.

Anyways on to why this post is titled ew.

I was awoken abruptly about 20 minutes ago.

Not by a person but by myself choking....

[and the plot thickens]

When I was in middle school my favorite drinks were anything Snapple.

Located under each cap of each delicious bottle of Snapple are "Real Facts".

Some of them are outrageous.

Such as

a snail breathes though it's foot

no piece of paper can be folded more than 7 times.

Sounds crazy but they are true, very true

One that I have always remembered is

The average human will eat an average of 8 spiders while sleeping.

I have now convinced myself that I was choking on a spider that came to say hello because I was cleaning non stop this evening.

One down, Seven more to go before I keel over.

I want to throw up immediately.

I am not a fan of late night crazy thoughts... or spiders.

Goodnight!

spam.

2010-08-17T21:28:00.001-07:00

and no I don't mean this....Recently I have been getting lots of spam in my comments so I changed my settings to where I approve anything that goes on here. Don't worry your little bums off if you write me something and it doesn't show up right away, I will get to it as soon as I can!

theres no way this is only two miles...

2010-08-16T17:00:00.000-07:00

On one of our last days in Kaua'i we drove to the North shore for hiking and snorkeling.

I was the only one in the family who hadn't done this hike before. Mom and Dad had done it two different times before, when they had come without kids, and Ky and Ab hiked with dad when we came in high school. I was of course in the moody years of being a teenager so that year mom stayed back in the condo with me and we hung out . So... This was my year. HA!

The hike we do is the first [supposed] 2.2 miles [so 4.4 miles round trip, felt like 50] of the Kalalau Trail that starts at Ke'e beach . It winds along the NaPali coast, up and down, then up it's cliffs and valleys ending the Hanakapi'ai Valley where you cross a stream to get to the beach.

Mistake #1. Too light of breakfast
Mistake #2. Ate a cookie right before we started.

Mistake #3. Starting the hike around noon in the mid-day heat.

Mistake #4. Practically running up the first 1/4 of the way.

Mistake #5. Not wearing socks with my Speedo water shoes, they are not as comfy once wet.

Mistake #6. Filling my tummy with water, just water.

Mistake #7. Trusting my very fit fam when they said the hike would be easy.

Mistake #8. Being a wimp.

We started out great! I can run a mile in about eight minutes so I thought this 2.2 mile hike was going to be a piece of cake. What I didn't realize was that I would be hiking mostly uphill in humidity and heat on an unpaved muddy path... kinda gross huh? About a 1/4 of the way into it I was dripping sweat from every pour on my face and having that awful heatstroke sick feeling. I got to a point where I literally could not go another step. I sat down and told the others to go on without me because there was no way I was hiking anymore.

After about twenty minutes of cooling down and throwing up twice I realized how dumb I was being by giving up. There I was, on one of the most beautiful islands in the world, telling myself I couldn't do it. hellooooo! Jacob and Logan had come back my way because they had decided they were done as well but told me I should at least make it to the next cliff to see the view. Since I was feeling better from getting that cookie out of my system I decided I could make it another little bit. When I got there I couldn't believe how beautiful it was.

I decided I would prove to myself that I am not a wimp and finish the last 3/4 of the hike. Everyone was about twenty minutes ahead of my so I hiked alone and it was bliss. I put my ipod in my ears and had the time of my life. I stopped whenever I wasn't feeling well and didn't have to worry about holding anyone up.

I finally got to the beach where the public trail ends and where our families were and nobody could believe that I was there. Mom's face lit up when I walked down from the river because she said she felt awful leaving me there by myself even though I insisted she went.

I was so happy I bucked up and carried on. Jocelyn and Me
The whole fam made it!

We hiked though those cliffs behind us too.

I used a handy washed up tree stump for a tripod resulting in this picture.

I love self timers!

The Gauthier girls and me showing off our hiking muscles.

After playing, snacking and lounging on the shoreline for a little while everyone put their shoes on and started back to Ke'e. Again after about 1/4 of the way I started to feel sick. Dad stayed with me and patiently waited while I rested a few times and went at turtle speed with me. Although I loved going at it alone on the way there it was nice to have my papa with me for the opposite trip.

Once at Ke'e beach we threw on our snorkel gear and hit the surf to explore the reef. The waves were stronger than they normally are resulting in a short lived adventure in the deep water.

The whole week we had been watching shark week on TV and I freaked a little when the lifeguard said where we were snorkeling was a sleeping spot for a group of white tips.

We had dinner down the road at Bubba's burgers in Hanalei and let me tell you food had never tasted so good in my empty stomach.

what a rush.

2010-08-13T01:26:00.000-07:00

Zip lining!

I'm addicted thanks to Mini.

I had seriously never thought that I would ever try zip lining. I have seen brochure after brochure and heard all about it but I have never had any desire to try. Jenna was dieing to go this year as she was to young last year when the Gauthiers were in Kaua'i. So being the great "Big Me" I am, haha, I told her I would go with her and the others.

We arrived at Just Live's site around 8:30 in the morning and got suited up in harnesses and helmets. Not the cutest hair accessory but necessary none the less. After a quick schpeel about safety and how to's, we were off!

I looked down... not the best thing to do when your 85 feet up in the air standing on a platform attached to a tree blowing in the wind.

Finally loosing that nervous look in my face.My little dare devil! Mini and her Big!
Just a little freaked walking across the bridges.
Going up to the Penthouse. All the platforms have names.
This was our first zip line. I thought I was going to puke after climbing the ladder up to it.
Me and my seeeesters Ky and Ab.

Our Whole Group!

Left to Right:

Logan, Brad, Abby, Kylie, John, Jenna, Fernando, Ben, Coco, Me, Jessica!

After completing our 7 zip lines and 4 bridges we all decided to do the free fall swing. Scariest thing even but best feeling in the world. I loved it even though I screamed the whole time.

By far my favorite activity I've ever done on the islands.

everything gets hotter when the sun goes down.

2010-08-12T21:02:00.000-07:00

Mom and I walked along our beach to look at the sunset one night.

Nothing beats a Hawaiian sunset.

a new teenager.

2010-08-12T20:41:00.000-07:00

Tuesday was also Jessica's 13th Birthday.

After we got home we cleaned up and drove to Lihue to eat dinner at Dukes. The food was delicious and so was our waiter. Jessica had steak and shrimp and I had rubs, yum!

All the kids sat at one end of the table and we laughed the entire night.

Here's one of the reasons why...

[Don't mind my stupid laugh/squeal at the end]

I was determined to get a smiling picture of these two!

Logan and Jacob.
Mini and Ab always provide us with something to keep us laughing.

We walked for a little while after dinner and found some funny statues to pose on.

Jocelyn Me and Jessica on the camel.

I think mine and Jess's birthdays were perfect on the island.

off roading in a mini van.

2010-08-12T19:57:00.000-07:00

Monday we vegged, played by the pool, BBQ'd and watched shark week.

Tuesday we headed over to the north shore to one of my favorite beaches right next to where the Napali Coast starts. Our family had stayed in Princeville on the north shore a few years ago and we had gone here but it was short lived because mom got stung by a jellyfish.

The road out to this private beach is off the paved road and through sugar cane fields. My dad drove his rental suburban and John had a rental jeep so they were just fine of this "off roading road". Jill, whom I was with, had a van to drive, this made for the most hilarious experience of my life. I wish I had a picture of us! Jared sat on my lap the whole time and LOVED it! Best part was when Mini [Jenna] said to her mom something along the lines of "watch it, you're driving terrible." She didn't realize that it was just the road and Jill was doing an amazing job for our circumstances.

Props to Jill too for making that half hour drive on a bumpy dirt road look simple in a mini van, both ways!

Once we were there the kids ran out into the water and Mini and I started our shell search. We found millions of beautiful tiny shells and had to much fun walking along the shore line together.

Mini me and Big me.
We got in the water for a little bit and then decided to take a walk to the mountain. It ended up being quite the journey because we didn't think the end of the shore was that far away. On the way back the wind started to pick up and sand was pounding into the backs of our legs. After about ten minutes of heavy wind everyone was ready to head home.
Fun day at a beach all to ourselves!

sunday funday.

2010-08-11T12:53:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning we all woke up super early and went to the Kalaheo Ward's sacrament meeting. It was fast Sunday so we were able to hear some lovely testimonies from the members of the ward. After church we went to the Hyatt for Sunday brunch, which was delicious.

Then we took some family pictures...

whole fam.

seeeesters.

The rest of the day was spent lounging by the pool and hanging out together.

goodbye teenage waste land.

2010-08-11T02:08:00.000-07:00

I'M TWENTY!!

After a relaxing day at the pool and moving into our little home we all loaded into the cars and went out to dinner for my birthday at Keoki's. I ate some of the best Ono I have ever had topped off with their famous hula pie. Yum!

Me and Ky Ky just a little burnt...
Me and the fam bam.

Me with all my teen years behind me.

a new woman.

paradise.

2010-08-10T23:20:00.000-07:00

After landing, getting out bags and renting our cars for the week we were ready to drive to Poipu but not before stopping at Brick Oven Pizza for some amazing pupus [hawaiian for appetizer] and pizza. We arrived luckily a day too early to check into our timeshare so our families booked rooms at the Grand Hyatt Kaua'i. We checked in, put all of our stuff down, took naps and then headed for the pools and spa.

After soaking up the sun we all changed and walked up stairs to the Terrace for dinner and fruity delicious drinks. Jenna and I sat at our own little table and talked about life. It amazes me how much she is my mini me. After dinner we all walked back to our rooms and retired for the evening.

The next morning I was woken up by Papa saying, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOO MOO!" I knew it was going to be a perfect birthday in one of the most beautiful places on earth. The grounds at the Hyatt are unbelievably gorgeous and we spent most of the morning playing in the pool and ocean.

Mom and Jill.
We ate lunch at the pool side bar where the manager treated me to free drinks and lunch for my birthday. Score!

John playing with Jared. He's one happy boy!
Wubbas and I swam all day.

At four o'clock we checked out of the Hyatt and into our home for the week at the Marriott.

kaua'i

2010-08-10T22:56:00.001-07:00

Friday July 30th

Went to bed at 4, woke up at 5.

Drove to the airport, checked bags, went through security and got on a plane with all of these lovely people headed for HAWAII! We landed in Kaua'i after a five hour plane ride and began our week long party on the island.

Mini Me!
My little Gauthier girls.
Jessica, Jenna and Jocelyn.

Four years later... nothing has changed.

but I'm glad nothing has changed.

best thing ever.

2010-08-10T22:43:00.000-07:00

This is my all time favorite YouTube video.

I do an amazing impression!

35 and counting.

2010-08-10T22:21:00.000-07:00

I ate whatever I wanted in London, yes I fussed about gaining weight but who didn't.

Then I came home and lost it... and then some.

I hate to brag on myself [dad would say I love to brag]

but I am looking pretty dang good these days.

That is at least compared to about three and a half months ago.

Both of these pictures I have posted somewhere on this blog,

but when they are next to each other they look a little different...

I know, that "before" shot on the left is EMBARASSINGGGGG.

But that's not me anymore, thankfully!
I feel great and I worked hard to do so!

Want to know my slim down secret?

Stop eating more than your body needs and fruit is just as sweet as ANY dessert.

stanislaus county fair.

2010-08-10T00:17:00.000-07:00

This summer fair was a week earlier than it always is so I was only home for three days of it. Erin and I went to see Blake Shelton and eat fair food. The corn dogs at the fair are crispy, flaky, mouth watering goodness. I can not go a summer without one. Luckily I got two and downed both in about 5 minutes, and these things are about a foot and a half long. :) So you can tell just how much I love them.

Blake Shelton was awesome minus the fat chicks dancing on the bench in front of us in mini shirts. That made me a little sick after stuffing my face with corn dogs and a milk barn strawberry milkshake.

I live for the food at the county fair!

new bike!

2010-08-10T00:12:00.000-07:00

Early in July Erin and I decided one afternoon to drive to Modesto and look for bikes. We both found the greatest bikes in the world at none other than super walmart.

Mine is a navy blue Schwinn.

I love him!

We go for rides pretty much every day.

Best purchase all summer!

back to school... minus the school part.

2010-08-09T22:32:00.002-07:00

In the beginning of July I started to get a little "home"sick for my second home in Idaho and all the amazing people that are there so I packed up a few things, hopped in the acura and made the 14 hour trek to Rexburg, ID.

A five day trip turned into some of the most fun two weeks of my life. Although finals were going on and graduation was on a few peoples minds we never stopped partying. My two week vacation at school consisted of

tanning at the sandbar

huge bonfires

dancing in the rain

clubbing[rexburg style]

Saturday sand dune slip n' slide parties

BBQ's with the crew

best of concert

late night Maverick runs

4a.m. adventures with Court

cliff jumping

Jackson Hole

meeting new friends

laughing two weeks nonstop

and

spending time with my best friends!

Fab Four aka The Queens of Rexburg.

Courtney. Gina June. Macy. Allison.

The Crew. love every one of them.

KSH is my love.

Burkeeee!

Carson. We go way back. hahahaha.
Kambri!

Volleyball tournament champs!

Dunes Slip n' Slide. SO MUCH FUN!!

Me and Court aka Nannerpuss aka Miss Moogoo.

You will never meet a more funny person than this girl.

We went to the sandbar seven times while I was visiting.

The sandbar is a tiny spot on the snake river that has about four feet of sand, a slide and a swing set. Very oakey but perfect for laying out.

It's also conveniently located down the street from Big J's where the greatest milkshakes in the world are made. We most definitely got one every time we went.

Sandbar crew.

Shayne, Hill, Dallas, Court, Kellie, Jackson, Grand, Hayden, Gina, Andy, Erik, Allison and Me.

Jefferson and Me.

Allison, Chris, Court, Justin, Me and Chayce at the sandbar in St. Anthony

Allison and Me

I love Mere Meres and I love that she goes to school with me!

I would die without this girl.

Lindsey, Anissa, Mere, Alyssa, Gina, Court, Me, Katy and Tiffany at the "best of" show.

30 ft. bonfire at the "crack" got rained out... lovely huh?

Sunday BBQ's and football games at Porter park.

Best part of the trip was getting to spend every second with my best friend Allison.

I'm going to miss this girl next Fall.

until september...

lameeeeeeeeeee.

2010-08-09T22:13:00.001-07:00

Most of this summer I have thought my life is absolutely fabulous. I have done so many fun things and been around so many amazing people. Today is not ones of those days. I have literally sat in my bed alone all day.

Ate lunch here,

sat on facebook for who knows how long here,

I watched a movie here

and I even worked out here, in my bed

[oh yeah it's possible].

I don't know if I am the laziest person in the world,

if I just need my own space for a little while

or if I realize that in less than a month I wont be able to enjoy such a large bed.

Whatever the case is today my life kind of sucked.

I tortured myself by looking at pictures from London. This lead me to thinking about how alone I am here which then lead my to tears. After two minutes of crying I realized how pathetic I was being and bucked up a little.

What always makes me feel better is being productive. Hence my blogging today. It has been at the top of my to do list pretty much all summer and I have been terrible at keeping up with my own life.

So on this extremely boring day I will catch up with me!

On to the next post...

powell. [continued...finally]

2010-07-25T22:02:00.000-07:00

It's begun to get ridiculous how far behind I am on blogging... I have edited this post at least ten times and I am hoping I am finally going to publish it tonight while I am on a vacation that I am sure will take me another few weeks to blog about. So finally on August 6th I am finishing up with June and Lake Powell. I would put this into several posts because it was a week long of some of the most fun I have had this summer BUT I don't want to drag this out.

Lake Powell is one of the most interestingly beautiful places I have ventured to.

I loved every second of being there.
and here are loads of pictures to prove it...

Me and the sisters chillin on the Bu

New found loves, the Nash girls, Lindsey and Mandy!

First day out on the boat surfing.

Steve looking like a very dapper surfer behind us.

[Left to right]

Brady, Abby, Kylie, Mandy, Jake, Me, Matt

We hiked the cliffs of insanity in the dead heat of the day to see this beauty....

Rainbow Bridge

Throughout the week we literally did just about everything you can behind a boat. Our whole family got up on single slalom skis [which is extremely hard... let me tell you], we tubed, we wake boarded, we cloud jumped, we wake skated, we knee boarded and we surfed. I have wake boarded since I can remember but lately, not sure why, I am a chicken. So I have now taken a new liking to riding a different board.

There is nothing like surfing in the middle of this...

and it's pretty fun to help a sista out. Get it Ky Ky!

The Nashes youngest son is Pete. If he were 15 years older I would make this boy mine. I, along with my entire family fell in love with this little guy at Powell. Kidfest!

There were fourteen of us young adults including Mandy and Spencer.

Our houseboat had a lot of hormones to handle that week.

The last night on Powell we did a HUGE [picture does it no justice] bonfire. We cooked s'mores and sang songs. The Nashes were impressed with our family because we knew all of the songs they usually sing. [I guess no one else usually knows them] Thank you Falke camp outs haha! We also taught them a campfire song or two as well.

Abby and I attempted to find wood for the campfire... big FAIL.

Mama and I had fun hanging out all week!

Just a few of the lovely ladies of the houseboat.

[Left to Right]
Shauna, Lynn, Me, Mama, Lindsey

The last night was hilarious and extremely entertaining, all we needed was my camera. Ky, Abby, Brady, Lindsey and I stayed up until I'm assuming around three and took about five hundred pictures of ourselves just laying in out cushion and sleeping bag beds under the stars.

Lots of laughs attached to each photo.

The fam-bam had one heck of a long drive home, so we stopped in St. George after three hours in the car for our third helping of Cafe Rio salads and a short lived walk around the St. George temple.

It's the fourth new temple I have seen this year and I'll admit it was my favorite!

[Sorry London you're in second.]

Gorgeous!

We then sadly left the land of many Mormons,

drove six more hours,

spent a night in Vegas,

got a flat tire in Barstow the next morning,

had a two hour wait for AAA,

and after yet another six hours in the car

we pulled into the very welcoming driveway of the place we call home.

Home has the best feeling!

Lovely week that was followed up with lots of limeaway for our waterspot covered Bu.

Powell.

2010-07-13T17:36:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Rachel facebooked me the other day to order a blog update so picking up from almost a month ago...

On the 20th of June the fam and I took off for Lake Powell with the Bu trailing behind us. It was a surprisingly quick 14 hours in the car watching movie after movie but we eventually pulled into Wahweap marina around 11:00 p.m., unloaded our stuff and met all of the families staying on the houseboat with us.

We stayed on Nash’s houseboat along with their friends the Rowleys and Smiths.

LOVE them all!

After loading the houseboat with 22 people and all the stuff needed for a week in heaven, we made our beds under the stars, got a good nights rest and were ready to set off in the morning. Around 9:00 a.m. we were towed out of the marina and started our engines for Last Chance Cove later known as Twelve Moon Bay. It was a fun four hour ride there and I laid out on the deck to get some much needed sun. Once we were to our destination we tied up the houseboat and untied the boats for some wake boarding, slalom skiing,wake surfing and tubing. This continued for the next week and I will post more of our adventures later today.

I'm not going to lie... I'm a pretty good wake surfer :)

picture without the approval.

2010-06-17T05:09:00.000-07:00

I think this is a drop dead gorgeous woman, with no filter from her brain to her mouth but I wouldn't have her any other way.

The greatest compliment is when I am told I am like my mom.

[I will finish with catching up tomorrow, it's 5:18 and I am sleepy]

the rest of memorial weekend.

2010-06-17T03:35:00.001-07:00

Sunday May 30,2010.

Church. Pool. Nap. to the Gauthier's for dinner!

On the menu: Ribs, Corn on the Cob, Baked Beans, Asparagus, Potato Salad, Homemade Rolls with honey-cinnamon butter, and Brownies with Banana Split ice cream.

Three weeks later and I still remember everything we ate. Why? Because no one cooks ribs like John and Jill cook ribs. My mouth is salivating thinking about it.

Entertainment: Listening to Dad try to deny John's celebrity status, Kiddos in the pool, Girl talk with Jill, Mom and Ky, Watching Jared try to figure out what potato salad is and this little girl...

My mini my. In every way possible. It's almost scary just how alike we are.

Verdict: Amazing Sunday. Always a party with our best family friends!

Monday was Memorial day.

If I were in school I would not have school but I am not in school so I don't have school anyways, haha confused yet?!

With out five year tradition stay strong it was back to the choppy waters of DonP with the Stiles, still newlyweds Nate and Mckae and of course Abby's friends Davis and Marco. The Bu was just the way it should be, full!

Denise, Mom, Mckae and I decided we would go on a somewhat calm girls ride on the tube.

My faces in the next few photos show how I felt about the "calm"...

[double click on each photo to enlarge]

Not even going and we're all doing great!

A little bit nervous on my part but Mama is apparently loving it in the back.
Me thinking I am about to die,
Mckae with perfectly pointed toes but little scared,
Mom and Denise loving life?
We told dad to cut it soon after this because Mom's arms were about to fall off. I guess staying on the back in much harder than it looks.

I know I look like a sissy but what came next was no calm girls ride.

For some reason I agreed to be accompanied by Camille, Davis and Marco for a quick crazy ride before getting back to the dock. After hand signals, I didn't see, being given to my dad to go faster the crazy factor came into play. Two minutes after we got going we found ourselves face to face with a rogue title wave that launched us all about five feet in the air. Apparently we flipped all sorts of crazy ways because somehow my calf hit Marco's face and Davis' arm whacked my writs. All I remember though is being in the water after, not happy and having to recover my suit bottoms that had found their way to my knees.
Papa laughed, I did not find this funny because I had been able to manage wake boarding and the tube all while keeping my hair dry for the previous six hours. I was sopping wet head to toe when the sun decided to hide behind a mass of clouds.

To make it up to me I made daddy-o fill up the ballast, take down the tube, and let me surf which we weren't going to do because of time. He agreed and in about ten minutes I was numb in the water and ready.

This made the whole crash and bruises that lasted two weeks well worth it. Wake surfing makes my feel like less of a wuss because no little girl could handle the wave my boat had behind it. Thanks papa!

Wouldn't have been here without good ol' Eyjafjallajoekull.

Who would have guessed a volcano would change my plans for the summer of 2010. Thank you Iceland for giving me my family and the lake this summer!

the begining of some beautiful tan lines.

2010-06-17T02:35:00.001-07:00

I am a fan of tan lines.

Surprising coming from a girl who worked in a tanning salon, a place where tan lines don't exist, for two years isn't it? Tan lines tell a story. Sometimes tan lines say, "I am married although I am not wearing my actual ring at the moment", or "I like to wear v-neck tee shirts" and my favorite, "This part of my body hasn't seen the sun in X amount of years because I was on a mission [thank you Hailey]". This summer I am hoping my tan lines will say, "I became extremely pale in London but now I spend lots of time in a swimsuit".

Anyways May 29, 2010.

I know it's June 17th and I am just finishing May, lazy me!

The fam bam along with Camille and our two favorite Ashleys [Gleason and Falzone] paid yet another visit to the great lake of Don Pedro.

It was a blast minus my mood swings. Sorry mama and papa, having our own boat to take care of kind of stresses me [but not only me] out sometimes. Honestly though the little bits of fits are forgotten soon after and we are left with amazing and happy looking pictures :)

You will never see me anywhere but in the middle of this tube. I have lost my gusto for being whip lashed off the tube. Even my mother than is twenty something years my senior likes more excitement on the tube than I do, and I am still technically a teen [what?!].

There is never a dull moment out on the water with mama. Her laughs combined with little whooping noises are the cure to any bad mood, hilarious! For some reason Ashley and I started screaming hysterically, I guess that's just what we do. This got me out of my funk and ready for our ride and I was left with a sexy deep voice for the next few days. Need anger therapy, SCREAM at the top of your lungs for a second. It works wonders!
Mom yet again just about killed Papa, Ashley F., Ky and Camille who is somewhere on the back but they seamed to love their tube ride. Lets just say I doubt I'll be on the other side of that rope when she takes the wheel, too crazy for me.
As always, I was photographer on the Bu. So in honor of myself I snapped a few pictures... of myself.
I'm kind of in love with this photograph and the blue tinted mass of my favorite combination of elements surrounding me in it.

out.

2010-06-17T02:01:00.000-07:00

I am officially out of reasons to keep putting off blogging.

It has been at the top of my to do list everyday for the past three weeks. I literally have no idea what is wrong with me. Each night before I go to bed I make two lists. One list for things I need to do that day and another for things I want to do [I know very OCD but that's how I work]. I get extreme satisfaction out of crossing off something on my to do list. For some reason there have been two constant thing that have remained at the top of each list for far too long.

From my want to do list...

1. Blog [So I actually remember my most likely last full summer at home]

and from my need to do list...

1. Go to the DMV and renew my licence.

I think we all know why that one has been on there so long. In my mind the DMV is just about as close to hell as you can here on Earth, I'm not a fan.

Tonight was all set to spend my night blogging and as my last entries have been posted so late you can guess I am quite the night owl. I was all set around ten o'clock when for some reason which I was so thankful for, I WAS TIRED. My bedtime as of late has been around the hours of three and four in the morning and I considered it a blessing to be getting droopy eyed at ten! Dreams were shattered [literally] though when I was awoken about twenty minutes ago by my bladder. Why wont my body let me sleep?!

I am taking this wake up as a sign to update my life on the Internet.

Maybe crossing off one more thing today will let me drift into a sweet slumber.

I hope!

I don't want to make this post too long so I think I'll stretch the last three weeks into a few posts. On to the next one...

mommy practice.

2010-05-30T21:45:00.000-07:00

I have been lucky enough to be able to watch the Gauthier kids a few times a week, they are my favorites! Friday was just another one of the many fantastic days I have spent with Jacob, Jessica, Jenna [mini me] Jocelyn and Jared. We had a picnic in the park, colored and jumped on the trampoline. We played on the playground, sang Jared to sleep, snacked on apples with peanut butter and played with puppies. If it weren't for the Gauthier kids I would be a hermit.

Jared had begun to grace our ears with his adorable voice. He LOVES saying his families names... here's a video.

Sorry no pictures. Wasn't looking too cute Friday.

gary coleman. RIP.

2010-05-29T02:27:00.000-07:00

awful...

2010-05-28T01:45:00.000-07:00

I could have slept all day but Mom woke me around noon. I got ready for the day by throwing on a ball cap. It's still raining and there is no use to do anything with my hair.

I went to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned [it had been a while, a long while] and to have a check up.

Cavity free!

Ky came along as well, she has her first three cavities. I guess that's payback for the countless ones Abby and I had filled as little ones. She's nervous but I told her a filling no biggie and she even has the promise of a little laughing gas. If I could listen to those squealing drills at seven years old and not freak out, I am sure she will do the same.

I came home and played with Wags for a bit. I love our pup.

Tonight the Falke family had a few gatherings to attend. All but me [I had four loads of laundry to finish] went to Julia Godwin's graduation party. They made me feel guilty by telling me how much fun they had and how amazing the food and cake [made by Lisa] was.

We then went to our Stake Presidency's release party. It was great to see so many familiar faces. I love our church, each member is always cheery and loving.

Hardest part of the night was passing up the dessert table in all of it's chocolaty glory.

Mormons make the best treats, but I am staying strong with cutting out junk I don't need. After a month off this, which will be in a week and a half, I will let myself indulge once in a while but the satisfaction I get when I see those dropping numbers on my scale is worth much more to me than any fudge dipped brownie.

Once home I found myself reading Nie Nie's blog yet again. I love her!

Now for the reason this post is titled awful...

Around midnight Mom came into my room and told me she would tuck me in because it was getting late and tomorrow I have to wake up much earlier than I did today.

I got all feisty and said "I knowwww mommmmm".

She asked me if it was that time of month...

[this always makes me a little mad, even if it is that time]

Then I very rudely said, "stop nagging me about it, it's annoying"

Mom closed the door.

After about two minutes of bitterness, a flood tears started to roll down my cheeks.

Why do I treat the person who I love the most worse than someone I barely know?

I would have given anything in the world to have her tuck me in bed while I lived in London for four months or even tell me that it was late and I should think about getting to bed. I know I am an odd one who thrives on little to no sleep, but that is no excuse to speak unkindly.

I am sure my mom thought very lightly of my comments, kissed papa goodnight and dozed off into dreamland. I on the other hand did not and still have not.

Mom is my best friend and I can not remember the last time I went to bed with out telling her that I love her before tonight.

Hate going to bed feeling like this.

Stupid me.

Mom I know you will read this in the morning... I am so sorry and I love you so much.
On a lighter note... my short hair again fits into a euro chic mini bun on top of my head.

Which means it's time for a hair cut or else the part of me that dreads getting ready each day will take over and this... will become a daily hairstyle. It's alright for the gym and babysitting, but that's it.

goodnight.

downpour.

2010-05-28T00:44:00.000-07:00

If I thought Wednesday's rain was heavy... yesterday was even worse [or better depending on the way you look at it]. John and Jill had quickly stopped by to drop something off to Mom. I ran outside to see the kids in the car it started trickling. After they had drove off Mom pointed out thunder and I knew exactly what my next move would be. I dashed into my room, threw off my denim, put on some gym shorts and ran outside to enjoy the peace of rain falling gently on my face. Ky ran out there with me because she was still in her gym clothes and we soon found ourselves being drenched in the downpour.

I have loved the last few days of being able to run in the rain, carefree.

That is when I love it the most.

Two enthusiastic thumbs up from me and Ky.

The rain is beautiful. It makes me feel more alive.

can't sleep. not a surprise.

2010-05-27T03:54:00.000-07:00

As of right now it is 4:55 in the morning and I have not been able to sleep a wink mainly because I haven't tried. This is a terrible habit I form during the summer when I am home. I stay up all hours of the night and then sleep in and waste my day away. Tonight I have been completely consumed with the nie nie dialogues. I am sure many of you have watched her video on the Mormon Messages YouTube page or posted by someone else.

Tonight I read her blog for the first time after I stumbled upon it around 10:00 after I had finished watching Man vs. Food with my Papa. Yes, I have spent almost seven hours that I should have been deep in a sweet slumber reading countless post by this inspiring woman. I am completely amazed as I read about her constant struggles, day to day activities, her testimony and knowledge of the gospel and the love for her children and husband. I have found myself in tears many times tonight and I have been deeply touched by her words. I want to be like Stephanie when I grow up. I want to have a husband like hers that will do anything for me and that I love more than anything. I want to have kids that want me to kiss their boo-boos better and that I want to hug and kiss all day long. Someday, but for now I can live through her!

I picked a few of my favorite tear jerkers; if you have a tissue handy and feel like reading here they are... on being alone, love-letter, read me, love, my blog will go on and on, and this free gift and message.

and one to make you laugh... get your gun.

odd weather we're having, eh?

2010-05-26T19:10:00.000-07:00

Last year around this time [the supposed beginning of summer] Turlock's thermometers read around 90 degrees. Yesterday London decided it missed me and sent me a little present in the form of precipitation. Around 6:00 p.m. after the rain had let up just a little I found myself in my wellies running around in the rain. I had Abby come out there with me and Mom got the camera.

This picture shows our personalities to a T.

Jumping in the rain... very original.
Pretending I am in the London rain...

Occasionally while walking the streets of London on a sunny day I would get hit with a flash flood so I would always have my target umbrella [R.I.P] or this little Cath Kitson umbrella handy in my purse. It saved me many times and it was fun to bring it out again.

I love the rain!

when did my little sister grow up?

2010-05-26T17:56:00.000-07:00

Sunday this beautiful girl turned 17.

Her birthday started off by being woken up at 12:18 to loud screams and lots of shaking.

James, Marco, Ty and Camille had made Abs a huge sign that said we love our 17 year old plus tons of their inside jokes and little things they say all the time written on it. We went into Abby's pitch black room, turned on the lights and started yelling happy birthday. At first she had no idea what was going on and it was quite funny. Camille had to be home right after so I didn't get any pictures of her with Ab. The boys stayed for a while and talked and laughed with the birthday girl.
Here's a video of the whole thing as it happened.

Poor thing had only gone to bed about twenty minutes before her friends and family interrupted her beauty rest.
Church for our ward is bright and early starting at 8:30 a.m. and our lovely father had assigned this sleepy birthday girl to speak in church. She did a wonderful job and we enjoyed the rest of church. After church the whole family had lunch and watched Abby open presents together.
Wubbas and I then laid in my bed looking through all sorts of blogs and talking although we soon found ourselves catching up on some of the sleep we had lost the night before.

Right after we woke up it was time to go back to the church for Brad and Maylin's newest addition to the family to receive his baby's blessing. I was so excited because I had not seen my cousins since Christmas. Another added excitement came as we pulled into the parking lot and I saw my uncle Rob and heard that auntie Robin was inside as well. They moved to Ohio when I was about thirteen so seeing them is quite a treat!

After little Ryken's blessing the entire Falke clan (just missing a few) went to Nanny and Pop's house for Sunday dinner. It was a full house with Nanny and Pop, Rob and Robin, Dad and Mom, Matt and Dorthy, Scott and Kulei, Ryan and Steph + Connor and Addison, Brad and Maylin + Galla, Finn, Paisley and Ryken, Russell and his girlfriend Melissa, Kylie, Amy, Me, Neil, Abby, Jenny and Hannah. Our close friends, who are practically family, the Stiles were there along with Abby's friends James and Marco too. In total thirty-six people, that is my kind of family gathering. Normally there are about twelve there for Sundays but with the college kids home, including myself, The Rob Falke crew and our friends we tripled the normal crowd. We ate, talked, laughed and had cake.

Abby had her nose buttered by Pop, which is a Falke family tradition.

Once most of the family had cleared out we came home to get into the spa and have sparkling cider, which is another tradition on birthdays in our house.

Abby said, "This is the best birthday ever!" so I think it was a success!

10 years and counting.

2010-05-25T19:13:00.000-07:00

Ashley Gleason has been my best friend since as far back as I can remember. She is currently living in Sacramento where she works and goes to school at Sac State.
Words can not express how much I miss this girl when we are apart so you can imagine just how excited I was when she texted me a week ago to tell me she was coming to visit Saturday. The funny thing is when we get together it's like we've never be separated. We pick up on everything we left off on and get to tell each other all we have been up to. Saturday, when Ash got here we hung around the house, ran a few errands and went to the mall. Although we didn't do anything epic it was one of the most fun days I have had since being home.

Ash and I all dressed up on Halloween 2004.
Church activities were always more fun because Ashley and I went to all of them together. We would go to every SNA's and all the dance performances together. We also went to girls camp every summer together for five years and as youth counselors the last two.

Four summers in a row Ashley and I attended EFY. We would always go on the week that would include both of our birthdays and would have so much fun celebrating together. We have made countless memories and I can't help but think of Ash whenever I am in Utah.

... more EFY.

Labor Day 2006 in Yosemite
Most of all Ash is one of the few people that can make me laugh no matter what kind of mood I am in. She has always been there for me and I love her to death!

There is never a dull moment when Ashley is around!

back to baking.

2010-05-21T00:29:00.000-07:00

While living in London I slowly became addicted to food blogs and by the end of my time there I would literally sit in bed at night looking through my favorites just dreaming about what I would bake and cook upon my return home. To my surprise tonight was the first time I baked since coming back to the states and I have been here almost four weeks now.

I made Salted Caramel Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies and I got the recipe from my favorite blog Picky Palate. Jenny, who writes the blog is adorable and I absolutely love reading all the fun things she writes about the amazing food she makes!

I have gone two weeks and two days with out touching a single carb, having a drink of soda or an ounce of sugar, until tonight. This morning I got on the scale and saw that the number was ten less that it was three weeks ago. I decided a treat was in order. I got busy around two o'clock when I had planned to make cookies but about seven hours later dough was in the oven and filling the air with sweet chocolaty aroma that made my mouth water. I could only get myself to guzzle down half a cookie, wimp! But it was a delicious half of a cookie!

As my mother would say... YUM-O!

dance festival.

2010-05-18T16:12:00.000-07:00

Saturday Kylie and Abby were both in our stake's dance festival.

Abby was in the Cha-Cha, Western, Disco, Lindy Hop and an all girls number.

Kylie danced the Samba, Rumba and a smooth foxtrot.

They both danced beautifully and looked gorgeous. I did Ky's hair that morning and I was fairly proud at my first attempt of ballroom hair.
Luckily Emron came down from the Bay area to watch as well so I wasn't too lonely up in the stands for both performances.

Mom and Dad left around 4:30 Saturday morning for Hawaii so I played camera and video man for them. Let me just say I am not one to walk around and take pictures of people... haha my selfish side comes out and I always want to be in them.

Missed you mom and dad but I know your having fun without us.

reliving high school in the audience.

2010-05-18T15:15:00.001-07:00

Friday night was Abby's spring Madrigals concert. Our whole family went to support her from right in the front row. We got to see her preform with her Madrigals group and then with a smaller more elite group she is in called "Pink Ladies". She sounded wonderful as well as the rest of her choir. They even sung a few numbers that Ky and I did back in the days when we were both in Madrigals.

It was funny for me to think back at all the wonderful times I spent in that choir room rehearsing for hours and hours.

Me Ky and our two cousins Russell and Eric.

[I know I look completely different my freshmen year than I do now]

Our Madrigals group had the opportunity to go to New York and sing in Carnegie Hall under the direction of John Rutter. It was a trip I will never forget.

[Abby's choir still wears the same dresses we did.]
High school seems like forever ago already but the memories never fade.

don p.

2010-05-18T14:49:00.000-07:00

Most people are still in school but as my summer started about three weeks ago I have been trying to fill my time with fun activities. One of these activities is a weekly jaunt out to Lake Don Pedro to have lunch and take the boat for a spin.

We took Abby's friends James and Marco and Ky's dance partner Seth with us.

I have been extremely impressed with my sweet mother lately.

The first time we took the boat out it was just me, mom and dad. Dad backs up the suburb and mom launches the boat when we go. I was very nervous the first time we did this because for some reason I had no faith in mom [maybe cause she can be a little ditzy sometimes?] haha. To my surprise Kristy Falke can drive a boat. She ceases to amaze me.
It's fun to have my big sis home with me this summer.

After quite a long day on the lake spent lounging, swimming, eating and tubing [I was the only one who skipped out on the tubing part and everyone hated me for it] we were ready to go home. Don Pedro is one of my favorite places in the world. For me it's up there with Paris, Rome and London and I'm sure it's because of all the amazing memories I have made there.

Seth, Kylie's ballroom partner and brother of our close family friend Emron, and I became quick friends. He is hilarious and fun to be around!

Never a bad day on the lake!

confession.

2010-05-13T11:50:00.000-07:00

I miss these people more than anything right now.

Sometimes when I am awake late at night I look though my London pictures and...

I would give anything to go back!!

But I'm going to the lake right now so I guess I'm doing alright at home :]

happy mother's day.

2010-05-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

Mother's day was great this year can I could not have been happier to be home for it. The day started off with church full of lovely messages about mothers. Next it was back home for lunch and hanging out with the family. Mom and I took a nap together and Abby joined in as well. Then it was Nanny and Pop's for dinner and visiting with all of the family. We played with all of our cousins, sat by the outside fire and talked and were doted on by the men of the family. Although I am not a mother yet I am happy I still get the special treatment of a night off from dishes. Back at home mom and I sat around the living room catching up on our Hollywood gossip by reading People and Us magazines that Dad got for mom.

It was a fun and special day!

I love this woman.

Mom and her three girls.
Nanny has always been a rock in my life.
I know if I ever need to talk, a shoulder to cry on or just someone to hang out with she's there.
She's the greatest grandma ever!

I am so thankful for the wonderful examples of excellent women in my life.

BANGS.

2010-05-10T17:53:00.001-07:00

After only about two months my haircut... or at least the front end of it was getting a little bland. So I decided to give myself a little update in the form of bangs or as the English say fringe. I have had side swept bangs for as long as I can remember but this time I went for the blunt forward kind. Honestly I think I look like a whole new person. I kind of like the change though.

What do you think?

my little ab is all grown up.

2010-05-10T17:40:00.001-07:00

Wubbas had PROM this weekend. If feels like just a few months ago I was going to my first prom with my best friend Megan and our dates but it had already been three years since then and it's Ab's turn to cut a run on the dance floor.

She went with her best friend Marco and they looked adorable. I had the girls that night but thankfully Jill let me take them to go and see Abby take pictures at our grandparents house before they went to take more with their whole group.

I have never seen my little sis look so grown up.

I swear I left for four months and came home to a girl I call little towering over me. She is now about five feet nine inches tall and both of her "big" sisters are around five feet four inches... where does that height come from?

Abby's friend Marco is a favorite in the Falke household.

He comes over just about everyday to see Ab, play pool with dad or talk to Mom, Me and Ky. Abby has some amazing friends and I am happy for her!

Abby and Marco before Prom.

Wubbas!I have quite the soft spot for this gorgeous girl.

100. SUMMER!

2010-05-03T18:08:00.000-07:00

One Hundredth Post.

I am still alive I promise.

I am just busy with loving every second of summer already.

I have loved spending time with my family and friends, catching up on some of my favorite shows and relaxing for once.

Remember when I had my little venting session about wanting to be at the lake on my boat... my dream came true just a few days after being home and again a week later.

California weather has also been perfect and we have taken advantage of it.

We are a goofy family.... hahahaha.

My little Wubbas [Abby's given nickname from me] is almost all grown up. I swear she gets taller by the second and she now towers a good five inches above me.

I'm excited Ky is home for a little while.

I have had the privilege of watching our close friends the Gauthier's adorable little boy Jared. John tells my that by the end of the summer I will want one of my own but after only two days I already do, even with poopie diapers. Jared is my buddy but he wouldn't smile for Ky.

I LOVE our boat, and my dad is definitely a little obsessed.

Most people haven't taken their boats out yet because the lake temp is still only in the sixties... but we are a family who owns wet suits and cold water doesn't stop us, especially dad.

He's getting pretty good on his board too.

We named our beloved wake setter "The Bu" it is very fitting.

As we always do, we packed a lunch and found a good cove to drop anchor in to eat. I swear any food tastes ten times better on the lake.

I love my papa.
We brought little Wags along for the ride.
He loves being out there with the wind in his face.
It's been a perfect first week home.

one week ago.

2010-04-30T00:47:00.000-07:00

Seven days ago I was doing this...

with these lovely people...

On my last day in London which was luckily Thursday I went along with the rest of the stragglers to Leeds Castle. It was a breathtaking day and we spent it wisely. First I, along with a few of the girls walked through the castle, which happened to be my favorite of all the castles I had seen. Then we strolled though the gardens and the aviary. And finally we laid down on the grass and took some time to nap and work on our tans... or in my case burn. By the end of the two hours we spend basking in the sun I had a tomato for a face, red is not my color. Once we had arrived back at the centre I went on a little last walk though the city that has come so close to my heart. I also stopped and purchased about 16 delicious Ben's cookies [best cookies on the earth]. It was a lovely last jaunt through my dear London. I ended up staying up all night as my car for the airport picked me up promptly at 4:15. I anticipated traffic and lines galore but I was to the airport in about 20 minutes and through dropping off baggage and security in about an hour. As a result I had about four hours to kill until my 10:30 flight. I waisted away my time taking naps and people watching. Once I was on the plane and in the sky I had the greatest feeling of relief, I was headed home! I sat next to the loveliest person on the plane also. Her name is Paige, she is a wedding planner and exactly who I would love to be when I "grow up". We spent just about the entire flight talking about everything from our favorite spots in London and wedding ideas. I know I was meant to be on that flight and in that seat because I have never been more inspired. I got off the plane, went through customs[which was surprisingly a breeze] and was welcomed home by my wonderful mother, father and surprised by my little sister whom I though wasn't going to be able to make it because of testing. I could not have been happier to be home with the people I love most!

Now London literally seems like months ago and it has only been days. Somehow I find myself extremely busy here in California, obviously displayed by my lack in upkeep of my beloved blog. So today I have made it a summer goal to blog once a week. Yes, I know most of my goals revolve around this blog but it is something I need to do to keep these memories alive because like my mother my memory is going fast...[joke... kind of :)... love you mom] I will make sure to blog again tomorrow as I have to fill you in on what I have been up to while being home but for now... Cheers!

neglect.

2010-04-28T23:43:00.000-07:00

Dear blog,

Since I have come home

you have been left alone.

I am full of sorrow.

But I will update you tomorrow

with real stuff

happening in my life

upon my return to america

and the beautiful land of california.

So until tomorrow....

[yes, that was almost a poem... woops]

as i sit in the airport.

2010-04-23T00:58:00.000-07:00

I look like a complete joke.

I have three heavy and not small carry-ons

to avoid spending massive amounts of money on checking more bags.

Airlines are such a rip off.

I am a comfort traveller.

I wear sweats, dont do my hair and dont care about what any one thinks when I fly.

I am in heels and a dress, London what have you done to me?

Maybe I grew up a little more than I realized.

but now it is time to leave and after an extra week in this city,

four cancelled flights and more stress than anyone should have from a volcano...

I am more than ready for home and family.
p.s. songs of inspiration...

Going back to Cali - Biggie Smalls

More Bounch in California - Soul Kid #1

California - Phantom Planet

California Girls - The Beach Boys

California Love - Tupac

Dani California - Red Hot Chilli Peppers

This is my playlist for before I land... haha.

p.s.s. song I have on repeat [going on number 10 of listening to it]

Paperweight by Joshua Radin

[thanks rach!]

day 6 of waiting...

2010-04-21T16:00:00.000-07:00

And it was a beautiful day of waiting.

I woke up fairly early with the intention of being up for the day but I soon found myself asleep again and not awake until eleven. After waking up I got "ready" for the day and went to Starbucks by myself for lunch. After I walked through Kensington Gardens and then sat down on Jenny's blanket with her and a group of us that were already lounging.

Anne, Kira, Michelle and Brittany walk up and asked if anyone wanted to go paddle the Serpentine with them so Jake, Christina, Jenny and I joined them.

It was beautiful despite the small gusts of cool wind every once in a while.
Christina and I were lucky enough to have Jake and Kira to paddle us around.

While laying in the park I spotted this....

A day and a half and I get to finally come home.

I am even more excited now because everyone is leaving

and my family is the greatest.

Cheers!

[sorry I'm not writing a ton but all anyone looks at are the pictures anyways.]

friday is the day.

2010-04-20T15:46:00.000-07:00

Things are looking up. Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has given all UK airports the go-ahead to open as of tonight at 2200h. I am so excited by this statement because this means I am for sure getting home to see my family!

Today Jake, Jenny, Christina went to Camden Market after me and the girls had a long morning slash afternoon of sleeping. Yes I plan getting as much sleep as I can until I leave.

I had some more of my favorite Chinese food... although tonight I found out it makes me quite sick. Not fun but sooooo good!
I am going to miss Camden, I love how unique everything is here.

3 days and counting...

Dad told me that we're going to the lake Saturday, my pale body is extremely excited.

ironic.

2010-04-20T03:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was lovely.

I slept in again because I can. I showered, ate starbucks for lunch, took a walk and enjoyed the weather, had my favortie dinner of red pesto from Zizzi's and went to see Billy Elliot again with Jenny and Christina.

Jenny's parents were supposed to be here to go with Jenny but because of this volcano they are in the states still so Jenny's dad let us go with her. Thanks so much Brother Hanson!!

This song just came on my iPod...

Another summer day
Is come and gone away
In Paris and Rome [and London]
But I wanna go home
Mmmmmmmm

Maybe surrounded by
A million people I
Still feel all alone
I just wanna go home
Oh I miss you, you know

And I’ve been keeping all the letters that I wrote to you
Each one a line or two
“I’m fine baby, how are you?”
Well I would send them but I know that it’s just not enough
My words were cold and flat
And you deserve more than that

Another aerorplane [i wish, no airplanes right now]
Another sunny place
I’m lucky I know
But I wanna go home
Mmmm, I’ve got to go home

Let me go home [volcano]
I’m just too far from where you are
I wanna come home

And I feel just like I’m living someone else’s life
It’s like I just stepped outside
When everything was going right
And I know just why you could not
Come along with me
But this was not your dream
But you always believe in me

Another winter day has come
And gone away
And even Paris and Rome [and London]
And I wanna go home
Let me go home

And I’m surrounded by
A million people I
Still feel alone
Oh, let go home
Oh, I miss you, you know

Let me go home
I’ve had my run
Baby, I’m done
I gotta go home
Let me go home
It will all right
I’ll be home tonight [of friday, or never]
I’m coming back home

Thanks a lot Michael Buble for making me even MORE homesick.

limbo.

2010-04-19T07:41:00.000-07:00

We wait and we wait and we wait and then.....

We go CRAZYYYYY. hahahahaha.Friday is now the day I am hopeful to return to the beautiful state of California, and most likely for to be there for the whole summer... As I stay here I am missing my classes in Rexburg. I am not one to start off a semester missing a week+ of school, so I am about 80% sure I will be deferring Spring semester.

Downsides:

I will miss all of my friends at school.

I not receive the credits I would have earned next semester.

Upsides:

I have not been home for more than 7 weeks since I graduated high school, so I will get quality time to spend with my parents and sisters.

I will have time to recover from jet lag

I will have time to emotionally heal from stress and everything here

I can find a job better in California than I can in Idaho.

I will be tan and relaxed.

And finally I will save my parents money.

Verdict is that staying home next semester will probably be good for me or maybe I am just trying to find a way to apply some thing good to this volcano... who knows.

a lovely stranded day.

2010-04-18T05:36:00.000-07:00

Today Laura, Christina, Jenny and I made light of our situation and enjoyed a beautiful day in London Town. We slept in a little bit and some of the girls that hadn't yet, packed.

Then we were off for our blissful day in the city.
This is Terri, she is our "house mother" and with our help cooks all of our amazing food. I absolutely love her! As we walked out of our flat she was gardening in the "garden" we have on our porch... [a few small pots in front].

After doing some research on what was going on in the city the night before we decided to hit up the Holland Festival which is pretty much a beer fest in Trafalgar Square, to say the least we walked around for a few minutes, listened to the music and left. It was fun to see though.

Funny story: Jenny and I waited like 3 minutes to take a picture in the biggest clogs I have ever seen and right as we did this little kid jumped on the clog. He was holding his dad's hand and the father was just looking at us and smiling like it was funny that his child was playing around. He knew we were clearly trying to take a picture and wouldn't move his child... hello. So we jumped back in the clogs after Laura and Christina took their picture. Some people need to learn how to parent their children.

I don't know who I wanted to slap more, the child or the father.
We finally got a child free picture...

After our little adventure in a crowd of orange we split up, Laura and Christina going to Subway and Jenny and I going to Pret a Manger to get lunches. We met back up and walked to St.James Park and had a little picnic. It was the most beautiful day I have here so far, not a cloud in sight which is surprising because there is supposed to be tons of ash in the air [odd?].

We had so much fun eating, talking and laughing.

These are the times I am going to miss most.While taking a rest we took some pictures...

Love these girls.

After our lovely time in the park we went to try our chances at the lottery for Legally Blonde tickets. Christina and I won and got two tickets each so we were in! I absolutely fell in love with the performance. We were front row center and it made me feel like we were in the action of the show. I laughed, I cried and I flirted with a gorgeous man in the orchestra. It was a great last night with the girls. It is now Sunday and I am trying to sleep as much as I can to pretty much take up my time. Laura left this morning for Madrid to try and get out of here... I hope she does. For now I am still stranded, my flight is now cancelled for Monday as well. I pray that the weather forecast is correct and it rains Monday night so some of the ash will clear, but you never know.
We think we are so modern and advanced but if we were I would not be stuck across the ocean with no way to get home.
I am sure God is having a good laugh at men who think they are so great right now.
Until next time... Cheers.

I am going to miss my little habeeb.

2010-04-17T17:54:00.001-07:00

This girl is leaving me tomorrow. Laura's brother is getting married on Tuesday and she was in a bit of a pickle because of the volcano. So Laura's sweet father worked it out so she will fly out of Madrid Tuesday. She is leaving us tomorrow to take a two day trip through Paris and Spain to get home. [ahhhhhhh]

I am going to miss this girl.

She makes my life happier.

Travel safe Laura!

daddy dearest.

2010-04-17T03:29:00.000-07:00

This man in the GREATEST.He is the reason I will get home safe and sound as soon as possible.

[While I was busy doing nothing but freaking out here,

papa was calmly working out all my travel plans along with our travel agent and family friend Rowena]

He is the reason I have been able to

experience all the wonderful thing I have this semester.

[Thank you for the experience of a lifetime!]

I don't know what I would do without him.

[literally, no idea]

I love you more than words can say daddy
and I can't wait to see you soon!

stuck.

2010-04-17T03:13:00.000-07:00

Well my flight for today was officially cancelled last night and the centre has been in complete chaos. Not only are we stuck here because of volcanic ash...

we have rats.

No, they are not huge sewer rats but none the less these little guys can sure make a group of girls scream. I have been packed for about 5 days now so luckily I have not had any of them going though my belongings but I am the exception.

Yesterday after hearing that I will be staying in London until at least Monday I had to get out of the centre and clear my head, so Jenny and I went to Oxford Circus and did a little retail therapy. I am not kidding after being so stressed nothing felt better than handing over a little cash and getting a shiny new purse from Anthropologie [don't worry dad it was on SALE, and yes that is my favorite word]. Ab and Ky I got you a few things as well.

For a few hours I didnt think about the possibility of missing my first week of classes for spring semester at BYUI and only getting to see my family for less than 24 hours before I am gone again until July.

Its amazing to me how shopping can do that.

I am going to miss this place,

but first I need to leave to miss it.

very annnnngryyy.

2010-04-16T00:55:00.000-07:00

Dear Eyjafjallajoekull,

Please stop erupting.

You're making it so I can not get home

to my family :(

I start classes again on tuesday,

and can not miss them.

Why are you ruining my life?

-Macy
I hate volcanoes...

Cancelled....? not yet, but might happen and if it does

I will not be a happy girl.

hellooooo finals, nice to see you again.

2010-04-14T05:03:00.001-07:00

I am literally going crazy with a capital C. Finals have gotten to me. The surprising part is that I am not a single bit stressed, it's crazy. I have been bouncing off the walls the last few nights [most likely because of the overload on diet coke] and Jenny, Christina, Laura and I have been the only ones in our room, as everyone else lives in the library. We say literally the most outrageous and funny things when it gets to be about two in the morning. I am going to miss these nights with these girls, love them!

Yesterday after our final review for Brit. Lit. we walked to Wagamamas and got take out katsu curry [delicious!]. We all came home and had lunch with Susan. I love that woman, she is amazing and an inspiration to me.

Yesterday I packed, everything. It was the best thing ever and it made me feel amazing! I CAN NOT wait to go home, mostly because of the annoyance of finals and the fact that I am so excited to see my cute little family.

I smile every time I think of walking out of the airport and seeing me dad and little sisters faces and getting home and giving my mom a huge hug!

This is me today.

I have no words.

My shirt is supposed to be positive re-enforcement.

Maybe it's working... maybe not.

Two finals down, three to go.

Wish me luck.

Cheers!

the final days.

2010-04-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

My semester abroad is starting to wind down and I am now in my final week here living in London. Sad I know. Thursday was spent in classes, the last day of classes! Well the last day besides finals. I finished my Classic Civ. class, British Literature, Religion and culture classes, just one more to go on Monday!

Friday was a good way to end our day trips. We woke up and headed to Westminster Pier to board a boat cruise that took us along the river Thames to Greenwich.

Once there I went with Laura, Jenny, Christina and Jake to a few museums and finally up one of the steepest inclines I have ever climbed to the observatory.

There we waited in a line to stand on the prime meridian. Yes I stood in two places at once, both halves of the world. I even managed to do a handstand there too. I know, you are impressed.

After our thrilling adventure we all walked back down the hill to eat at GBK [gourmet burger kitchen]. I ordered an avocado bacon burger. England has the worst bacon. After finishing we got on the DLR and Jenny, Laura and I went to Borough Market, I am a regular there now. Because we had just eaten, the girls and I just walked around and sampled everything and I got a drink. I am going to miss that market the most.

Saturday I accidentally slept in until 11 and woke up to an empty room. I suddenly started to panic because Christina, Jenny Laura and I had tickets to see the Cinderella Ballet. Soon after I got a little ready the showed up from running and we all headed to the Royal Opera House to watch the ballet. It was beautiful and of course I loved it because it was Cinderella.

After Jenny Laura and I walked around, got some late lunch and went to Cath Kitson where I got my mom a few little goodies. I spent Saturday night in my bed studying and watching movies on my lap top. Relaxing and needed.
Today was my last week in my ward here. It was fast and testimony meeting and there were some sweet things said from the pulpit. After saying goodbyes and giving hugs, Emma, Maddy and I took our last Sunday train ride. Once home I took a long Sunday nap and awoke just in time for dinner. We then had our own testimony meeting at the centre for our last devotional. [I just said last about 10 times] I was really touched by every ones testimony's and I got up and bore mine as well. I love everyone in the centre. We all have so much fun and have got along fairly well.

I am going to miss being around so many great people all the time.

I prefer the house of Lords.

2010-04-07T15:38:00.000-07:00

Today I woke up for kitchen crew as it is my week to work in the kitchen. I love it because I get to hang out with Dave's wife Teri, our sort of house mom and cook. She is a doll, mom you would love Teri. Anyways after an early breakfast we got on to tube and headed for Westminster to tour the houses of Parliament. Our guide was a fellow named Andy and he did a wonderful job of getting us though quick but still giving us all the information we wanted to know.

Channeling our inner Asian.
I love these girls.
In front of Parliament.I am going to miss this gorgeous sight. It never gets old.

After touring the houses Jenny and I went to a little cafe for lunch and then walked in the rain to the Cabinet War Rooms and Churchill Museum. It was by far my favorite "museum" I have been to here and everything is just as it was back when Churchill occupied it because they left it that way. After walking in the rain again to the tube I may or may not have gone and done a little shopping. :) I then came home and took a nap, almost missing dinner kitchen crew. Dinner was sun dried tomato pasta with garlic bread, fruit and salad; Delicious!
I have done nothing but by lazy tonight so now I am going to attempt to work on some long awaited homework.

Cheers!

For the temple is the house of God, a place of love and beauty.

2010-04-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

I am on a spiritual high lately. Yesterday I had the opportunity to go and do work in the London temple with my roommates, classmates and professors. I love the temples. I love the feel you get when you walk into the house of the Lord. We got to the temple early for our session we we walked around the grounds and took pictures. When we went inside we were greeted by one of the temple workers who was ironically from Sugar City, just five minutes from Rexburg. He thought I was the coolest for living there. The temple workers were thrilled that we were there and said they had never seen so many youth there at a time, there were twenty nine girls, four boys and our professors. We had to wait a while and take shifts of five when doing our work so in the mean time we sat in a waiting room and sang hymns. I have never felt such peace than when I was in that room singing with all the girls, the spirit was so strong. We sang Families can be together forever and I soon felt tears rolling down my cheeks from thinking about my family and how happy I am that I get to spend eternity with them. After about fifteen hymns I was called do go into the conformation room and then the baptismal font. It was so neat to be confirmed by my professor and then baptized by my teachers assistant. I have gone to the temple in Rexburg with my ward and roommates before but this was different. It was special and I loved every second of it.
The London Temple

Audrey Susan and I on the temple grounds.

Katie[Bruce] and I in front of the temple.

Easter.

2010-04-05T14:02:00.000-07:00

This year was obviously different... no family around, no Easter egg hunts, no Nanny's for Easter brunch, and no Easter basket. Although all of these things were missing I think this Easter was the most meaningful one I have ever had. My day was focused on the Lord, his atonement for my sins and his resurrection. I am sure that it helped my spiritual side to have Conference weekend one and the same with Easter. Unlike when I am home for conference, here with the time change the first session of Sunday started at 5:00 p.m. It was odd not waking up and instantly watching conference. I liked it almost better though. I had almost the whole day to prepare myself to listen and take in the words of the prophet and other speakers.

We had the most delicious brunch here at the center that consisted of Amish oatmeal, pancakes, bacon [I could live on bacon alone], omelets, hash browns, quiche, tarts, cakes, and strawberry shortcake bites. Terri defiantly out did herself. After brunch we had a sweet Sunday program where several of the girls sang and Sarah, Jake and Dr.Macfarlane spoke. After the program I took a walk with some of the girls, we parted as they walked to Hyde Park chapel and I to my bed to watch conference. I love my church, I love that where ever I am it is true and sure, I love how when the prophet speaks I feel he is speaking just to me.

Sweet Sweet Jenny and I.

Christina, Laura, Jenny, Rachel and yours truly.

Laura and Me!

The church is true.