Catch Up

It's time for a little catch up! Forgive the randomness of this post!

Easter 2011

Our Last Day in San Francisco:

Muir Woods

The yummiest hamburger ever, the bridge in fog, Ghirradelli Square and yummy ice cream

Bay Cruise out under the Golden Gate Bridge...WOW!
(and a random picture of me laughing in the elevator! Haha!)

Kindergarten Field Trip to the Schow Farm

Thanks for putting up with my randomness today. Here's another random thing for you:

I just ran a 5K without stopping! It felt so good and was exhilarating! I feel more like myself than I have in a long time. My new goal is to run the Red Rock Relay next year cuz RaeAnn just made it look so fun!

Ok...Last random thing:

Thanks everybody for putting up with me and my craziness lately. I never would be able to keep going without all of you. I am feeling a little better every day and I know everything will work out...QUICKLY!!!

San Francisco

San Francisco: April 13-17, 2011

I am finally getting around to posting about my amazing trip to San Francisco (life is too busy and crazy!!). It was by far one of my favorite vacations ever! I went with my brother Ryan and his wife Becky and I was able to meet up with my friend Chelsea. The city was amazing! Enjoy a few "snapshots" of my trip!



Chelsea and I had so much fun! We drove down Lombard Street, found the Full House house (as a HUGE Full House fan, my life is now complete! haha!), walked in the redwoods (beautiful!!), drove along the Pacific Coast Highway (spectacular!!), and touched the Pacific Ocean. It was a great introduction to San Francisco.



Then I spent the evening with Ryan and Becky on Pier 39. We ate at Bubba Gumps, looked at the sights, and watched the Sea Lions.



The next day, we took a double decker bus tour of the city, across the Golden Gate bridge and out to Sausilito.



Then we took a ferry out to Alcatraz. This was fascinating and disturbing all at the same time!



The next day we rode the trolley, took another tour of the city, walked around China town, toured a WWII submarine, toured the Boudin Bakery, and took a night tour of the city. Plus we ate at the Cheesecake Factory on top of Macys, overlooking the city. That was really cool!



And then my camera died. So I don't have pictures of our last day (until Becky gets them to me!). This day we went to the redwoods (I love hiking!!!), ate at the most delicious hamburger joint in Sausilito, walked around Ghiradelli Square and ate huge ice cream sundaes, and took a bay cruise out under the Golden Gate bridge. It was amazing!!!

It was a lot of fun to spend time with Ryan and Becky. Becky and I became "Giggle Sisters" because we kept having random and uncontrollable fits of giggles! And every time we would get off a bus or a boat, we would all walk around like we were drunk and tip over randomly! It was pretty funny but you probably had to be there!

It was a great trip that I will never forget!!

Trains, Kivas, and Red Rocks

Mom, Nathan, Jeremy, Liz, Eli, Ava, and I went on an adventure this past weekend. We were supposed to go to Disneyland, but ended up in Durango, Colorado instead...long story! We had a lot of fun and it was a great trip.

Riding the Train in Durango

Mesa Verde

Arches

4 National Parks in 4 Days

My friend Andrea and I decided we needed a vacation. So...we went to 4 National Parks in 4 days! And yes...it was as exhausting as it sounds! But it was totally worth it! This earth is so beautiful and we have so many amazing things right in our own backyard. As we were gazing on these wonders, I couldn't help but feel God's love and power and I know He is watching over us. Enjoy a picture tour of our adventures!

All 4 Parks: Zion's, Bryce, Grand Canyon, Arches

Random Fun Along the Way
Including the St. George Temple, Brigham Young's house, the Colorado River, Monument Valley, etc.

Zion's National Park

Bryce Canyon

Grand Canyon

Arches National Park

Looking Back and then Moving Forward

I spent some time this past weekend looking back and reading my journals from the past 2 years. It has been quite the roller coaster with high highs and low lows. I think I had blocked out a lot of the low lows because as I read, I couldn't believe I had made it through to today! The only way I have made it through is because of the amazing people in my life who don't let me quit...no matter what happens! Funny thing is, some of the low lows were caused by some of the high highs. So I wouldn't change the past 2 years...I'm just going to look back at what I've learned and then move forward with faith. I've learned a lot about myself, what I'm capable of, what I want in a relationship, what I don't want in a relationship, and how to open my mouth and say what's on my mind. I've learned that I can bounce back from anything...whether it's a heart ache or a back break! All I have to do is put my mind to it, work hard, not give up, and lean on the people I love. And in the midst of the troubles, great blessings will come. Like townhouses that seem to fall into your lap or new relationships that you weren't expecting. And while the blessings themselves present new challenges (like mortgage payments or wondering what in the world is going through his mind!!), I'm not afraid. Because I have the Lord and all of you on my side. Now I must admit...these last few months have been........interesting. I've made some mistakes and had to learn and grow. But I made it through with all of you carrying me. And so now I'm looking forward and moving towards my future. I still have no idea what that future holds. And I know it's not going to be easy. But I'm excited for it! I got a glimpse of a possible future this past weekend...and I really loved it and hope it works out. But who knows? All I do know is that I trust my Heavenly Father and Savior's plan for me and look forward to finding out exactly what that is. So bring it on!

Urban Campout

My friends Shandy, Andrea, and I had an "urban campout" on Friday night. We made tin foil dinners in the oven (delicious!), made smores by roasting marshmallows over the stove (yum!), and played Mario Brothers on the Wii (hiking through Mario land!). It was a great night with 2 great friends!

Happy New Year!!!!

Goodbye 2010! And good riddance! It turned out to be quite the year and I'm not sad to tell it goodbye. But instead of looking back at the negative, lets look at the positive. I bought my very own townhouse and I love it. I graduated from the U of P with my Masters Degree in Education. I grew closer to my Heavenly Father, Savior, family, and friends as I navigated my way through a few bumps along the road. I was able to continue running even when everyone told me I was crazy to try. And I learned a lot about who I am and what I want out of life. So as hard as it is to say, I am thankful for 2010!

I spent New Years Eve with my mom, dad, Nathan, Ryan, Becky, McKenna, Tanner, and Kellan. We spent the night eating goodies and playing the Wii while we waited for 2010 to end and 2011 to begin. After watching the ball drop and shouting, "Happy New Year," we had a giant sleepover which was a lot of fun. One of the bumps in my road happened right before this, so I am thankful that I got to ring in the new year surrounded by my family who love me unconditionally.




So now it is 2011 and I am looking forward to making it the best year ever. My only resolutions are to be healthy (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) and to have some fun. I am going to enjoy being me and spend time with my amazing family and friends who make me who I am. I love you all!!!