Still Life

So I was just looking at pictures online....a hobby of mine. I love seeing people's creative side through photography. One of my things on my bucket list is to take pictures worthy of hanging on the walls of my future house. For now I have little options but maybe one day my artsy side will blossom. I love portraits mostly because of the character and personality that can be seen in just one picture. Here's one that I absolutely ADORE!

On a Cloud

Can I just say that college is SO fun! Granted I have a good work load school wise, but the fun on the weekends and even during the week totally makes up for it. It was always a dream of mine to go to BYU, ever since I was born practically. I have no idea what or how my life would be like if it wasn't for the opportunity to go to BYU. I am living my dream. This weekend we had the annual swim camp out up American Fork Canyon, floated the river with some people from my ward, and had a fun game night. Definitely one of the top weekends of my college life. I am so excited for the swim season this year, because I really think that this year will be so much fun with the amazing people on the team. I have amazing roommates and friends and I couldn't ask for anything better. I teach my very own PE class on Thursday at Art City Elementary for my PETE class. Its going to be scary, but exciting at the same time. I'm finally getting some real teaching in! Wish me luck :)

Joy.

I think the best part about this year so far is just the random fun times that magically happen. Last Thursday we had a Relief Society Garden dinner and in the backyard of the house we had the dinner at was this amazing field. You would have never thought that this field was actually super close to a suburban area. So cool so we had to take some pictures even if they were just with our phones. I love times like this.

Puppy Lover

Dear Mom,
I want a puppy. Not just any kind of puppy though...a really cute one. Preferably one that is small and fluffy and loves me. I will take care of him and train him and feed him too many treats. Just look at this cute little face and try to say no. It won't work. I already named him so no stress over that matter. The brown one is Rascal and the black one is Flatts. :)

Washington DC Visit

This summer I got to go on a little trip to Washington D.C with my dad. Each year he takes one of us kids on a trip somewhere and I decided I wanted to go to DC. I always thought it was so silly that I lived so close and have never been, especially since my parents got married in that temple. It was a neat little vacation and I learned a lot about the wonderful country we live in. Washington D.C is such a beautiful place and I love that we got to stay with my cousin and role model, Jill and spend time with her. My favorite place we visited was probably Arlington National Cemetery. Learning about the place through a text book does not do it justice whatsoever. I also thought that for some reason that there was a small section of unknown, white headstones. It was so amazing to see that there were hills and fields COVERED with these headstones, not just a picture's worth. About 27 funerals are held every weekday for those that have died and no ordinary Joe Shmo can be buried there. That was the amazing part. I truly am grateful for those men and women that have laid down their lives for my freedom. Some of my other favorites included the Spy Museum where we went on an interactive tour to try and "solve the mystery of the dirty bomb that terrorists were trying to set off." I also love Julia Child's kitchen in the American History Museum and the Newseum where they had an AMAZING 9-11 display. I never thought I was much of a museum person, but Washington D.C is definitely different when it comes to museums. It was a great experience. Thanks DAD! :D

Silly Siblings

So this summer us kids have been coming and going a lot doing different activities. Nauvoo was the rare occurrence where we could spend time together. Other than that, its been a roller coaster of different trip to the next. Rachael went to EFY, Girls Camp, Tennessee, and has a job babysitting. Devin went to EFY, boy scouts activities, and swim team. Sterling went to Utah, specifically Lake Powell, did swim team, and scouts as well. Then there's me with three jobs and a DC trip. Needless to say we weren't around much together at one time. Family dinner where we can set the table for 6 is a treat or even sit down for a few minutes. I'm really thankful for my siblings and all the joy and excitement they bring to my life. Life would definitely be really boring without them around. I love our crazy movie quoting moments and laughter. I really do miss them when I'm away at school. If it was up to me, we'd all have cell phones just so I could talk to them more while I'm at school. I'm glad I came home this summer to spend time with them and create fun memories. Love you guys!!

Fun Friends

This past weekend was a lot of fun and relaxing. I had a movie night Friday and Saturday hung out with my friends from high school, Hannah E. and Hannah A, ironically enough. It was just so fun to be with them and talk about the old times. I always feel so old when we go through all the "remember when"s. I'm making an amazing T-shirt quilt and it was fun to look at it with them because they basically have every shirt that I have, being swimmers and all. So many fun memories are being put into that quilt. I highly recommend anyone who even knows a little bit about sewing to make a t-shirt quilt because I already love mine so much and I'm not even done yet. I had some really cute high school shirts for sure and making them in a quilt doesn't even make me sad that I can't wear them anymore. (Well the neon yellow one was a little heartbreaking) Hx2 and I even made some very cute outfits for ourselves out of the scraps. Who knew a sleeve could be such a great hat? or the bottom of a t-shirt such a great mini skirt? Well now you know ;) We went out to dinner at Noodles and Co and saw Charlie St. Cloud, a very very good movie. They have plenty of close-ups on the ever so beautiful Zac Efron. I don't think I've laughed that hard about the silliest things in a very long time. It was a good ab work out for sure. Its fun sometimes to just let maturity out the window. Don't worry I'm still a responsible 20 year old, just working on my "laughter wrinkles". Happy days :)