Ode to my 22nd year

With the passing of Christmas, my age increased and another year of my life started. So I figured it close enough to 2012 to look back on 2011 and call it an ode.

So dear 22nd year of my life...

You were good to me.

My biggest travel year to date as you took me on a cruise,

 To Mexico,

Coasta Rica,

and Panama

 then to Ireland and England,

 

 

 

 and across the USA - NY to UT.

Mississippi River!

 

Yay for family visits! :D

 You gave me a degree and lots of useful knowledge

 You strengthened the meaning of friendship.

 Took me to General Conference.

 Allowed me to attend beautiful weddings.

 

 You had a photoshoot on the beach.

Let me hold a butterfly,
while spending a week being "bearly" even human.

 Experience a giant hail storm.

Saw the Beach Boys in concert... sort of.

 Embarked on my 2nd annual Parade of Homes,

You were filled with smiles,

tears,

happiness,

sorrow,

a giant Van Gogh painting,

stress,

fear,
joys,

worry,

a burning sunburn (and experimental solutions),
laughter,

papers,

projects,

sister time,

delicious treats,

memories, new and old

movies,

firework fun,

trips to the zoo,

enjoying the temple beauty 

(logan, salt lake, idaho falls, preston, palmyra, nauvoo),

picnics,

rainy days,

and lots of job hunting. 

I am definitely not the same person I was when I turned 22,
and I am excited for what year 23 will bring!.!.!
(and hoping it opens with a nice little job offer and a big decision being able to be made) 

Happy New Year!

A Little Gratitude and The Birth Story the World Will Never Forget

I feel like I am slacking a bit.
Ok actually a LOT.
I didn't even mention thanksgiving -
when I have so much to be thankful for,

And Christmas hasn't really been mentioned either...

...and it's in 15 days!

Amidst my life storms, decisions to be made, and happy moments,
I have attempted to write up at least seven posts,
and I've never completed them to a posting status.

But I want it to be known that I am incredibly grateful!
I am so grateful for days where church is just for me,
because I know that my Heavenly Father knows me
and my struggles.

I am grateful for  my amazing and wonderful family.
For their talents, gifts, time, smiles, hugs,
listening ears, examples, and so much more.
(extended family included)

I am grateful for my friends.
Their examples, letting me help them through rough patches,
and being their for mine.

I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ,
and a knowledge of its truth.
I am grateful for my older brother,
His Atonement for the world and, and the hope it provides me.
I am grateful for living prophets and apostles and their words.

I am grateful for a home, for the future and opportunities,
for good music,
for great values learned from movie and books,
for nature's glorious beauty,
for technology so communication with others is so easy.
for memories of the past - the magical moment of life,
and for the memories to come,
childhood friends who helped sculpt me,
future friends who will continue to mold me,
And SO much more!

I am especially grateful for the Spirit of Christmas

(even though I've caught myself multiple times feeling like this)
For the giving and the living that happens this time of year.
For the beauty of lights, and nativity's, and stars.
For the music and the message of the season -
and the humble story of the birth that changed the world.

Over at my long, lost cousin Elise's blog today,

I read that dear story written beautifully by Elise, 

as though it is through the eyes of Mary.

It truly is a story that just feels you with love.

Here's the link:

A Birth Story

And Merry Christmas.

Playing Catch-Up

To lose few people who read my blog

Sorry for my absence.

I've been playing, 

but I have also been slacking.

But I shall catch you up quickly NOW:

I have probably been overdosing on these lovely things:

Thanks Aunt Robin and Uncle Blake for letting us raid your patch.

Here is a picture from the earlier "letterized" Beach Boys experience

Ashley, me, and Shayna excited to be there.

Firework boats were made and sent down a nice little. . ."stream"

The launch

I got to take off to Bear Lake with the Savage Tribe and I loved every minute of the lake, butterflies, cabins, food, fun, and mostly the people. I love my family so much!

Bocce Ball - I missed the game as I sat on the dock by a Jet Ski
we couldn't use in the stormy winds

Now that's what I call service

I love butterflies AND this beautiful girl! :)

Candy Bar Game. :)

Hooray for shakes and my mini-twin. :)

Grandpa and the girls in the Hot Tub... I love that Grandma made it into this photo too.

:) p.s. it was also my mom's birthday this month*

(p.s. other cameras were utilized so I didn't end up with very many photos

and I will be posting my butterfly holding photos)

Before that adventure Grandpa took us to dinner with the same tribe and two six-year-olds took some great photos.

Best of friends

After the big adventure I got to attend the zoo with one of my best friends 

for one of my favorite men's birthdays (despite all of our fights)

I love Australia.

Hooray birthday boy #1

I ate delicious Caspers with the sister group. :)

And I have been on many a walks.

To top off the last bit of this summer update of life Shayna, Michelle and I took off
to Bear Lake where we had a wondrous photo shot...

photos will appear someday.

(Caspers is out next stop on photo shoot locations)

* Happy birthday to this gorgeous lady below:

Thanks for EVERYTHING you do for me. For listening. For advice. For letting me listen. For knowledge. For you example. For your faith. For your strength. For your fun. For your relaxed attitude. For your love and the example of it. For your joy. For your peace. For being beautiful and so much more. I love you most!

Summer Adventures

They sure do make me happy.

Enjoying the pool!

Nothing like being in the middle of nowhere.

Some people have THE coolest yard decor - mining equipment from Mackay, ID.

Wildflowers! :D

Best friends.

And MORE best friends.

Sometimes accidents happen.

But if disaster strikes you just go somewhere else. :)

Lovin' us some Brown Cows from Reed's Dairy

Happiness. Yep that's people for me.

p.s. I sure do love Vitamin D.

It tastes delicious in the form of milk 

and synthesizing it using the sun feels scrumptious on my skin.

p.p.s. tomorrow I get to hike with my friend Katie. YES! 

p.p.p.s. Katie we might need new pictures (except it will be 6 am).