Fall Time

In case anyone missed the memo, fall is here and it is about to be taken over by winter.  My fall this year was just wonderful!

In October Alyson and Kenny came to Utah to be sealed in the temple.  The day ended up being most beautiful both weather-wise and family-wise and spiritual-wise.  I am so grateful for Alyson and Kenny's example of making the temple a priority.  

It was so wonderful to be together outside of the temple!

After the sealing I threw probably the best baby shower in the history of baby showers for Alyson and baby Jaycie.  It was a tea party and we didn't go half way.

  Grandma Cowley's tea set from Japan.  She would make me tea parties when I was a little girl.

Family Time

My second major vacation this summer was filled with family.  First, I went with my parents and Brian to Florida to see Alyson and Kenny.  Of course theme parks were involved. First, we went to Epcot and Animal Kingdom.

The day at Epcot was beautiful and not even too hot!  We totally lucked out with the weather and it barely rained the entire time we were in Florida!

After spending two days in the parks we needed a brake so we spent a day shopping and relaxing and a day in Jacksonville seeing Alyson and Kenny's home! 

After getting all rested up we headed to the Magic Kingdom.  It was in the Magic Kingdom that I got to see my totally cool former roommate Mehlanie!  Mehlanie knows more about everything Disney than anyone else in the world. 

After riding Pirates of the Caribbean my dad decided he would rather be a pirate than a PR guy.

The next two days were spent at each of the Universal parks, Islands of Adventure then Universal Studios.  The highlight of both days was Harry Potter World.  We missed the opening of Diagon Alley in Universal Studios by just a couple of weeks which was disappointing, but Hogsmeade and Hogwarts were AMAZING.  The ride inside the castle is hands down the coolest ride I have ever ridden in my entire life.

Don't even worry, we spent some time in Springfield with the Simpsons, but the best part of that was the doughnut that was as big as my head.  It was delicious!!

I also couldn't get over how much minion stuff there was to buy!  I just wanted to buy it all because minions are the best!

(This is just one wall in an entire store dedicated only to minions)

On our last day we went to Disney Studios.  I don't think I have ever been so hot in my life.  We happened to be there on the most crowded weekend of the year - Star Wars weekend.  Mark Hamel was even there, but we were there for the rides, not some old actors.  Luckily, I got to see Mehlanie one last time.

Overall, the week was a blast and I can't wait to go back again!  Although I love the Universal parks, there's just nothing that can match the atmosphere and magic in the Disney parks!  And they're a million times better when shared with family and friends!!

Summer Vacation

It's been a while since I last updated. Basically, I went on some summer vacations which included vacationing from blogging.

First, as noted in the previous post, I went on vacation to HAWAII!!!  It was so wonderful!  Ever since coming home I keep trying to think of an excuse to go back to that island paradise.  I got to go with the coolest cat the the world: Anna.  Anna had been to Maui before so she was extremely nice to be my tour guide the entire time.

First things first: the lava fields.  Who knew the Hawaiian islands are just a bunch of volcanoes in the middle of the Pacific?!

 

The windy Road to Hana was filled with majestic views of the rain forest and it even included a hike that ended in a waterfall!! (that was one of my goals for Hawaii-to go on a hike that ended with a waterfall!  Anna made it happen.  She is a pro at reading guide books!)

 

A true vacation is obviously not complete without eating donuts at least once.  Once again, Anna came through and we got some of the most amazing donuts which I have ever had.  To make them even better they were on a stick!

There's a blowhole on the island that we decided we should see.  What we didn't know was that we would have to hike at least 100 miles to see it.  Luckily, the scenery was worth it.

 

On the way to the blowhole we found Jurassic Park right off the side of the road.  We almost didn't even stop but we were happy we did.

 

 

Don't even worry, we also got to drive to the top of a mountain to a crater (which is a really good idea-putting a road to the top of a mountain so you don't have to hike!). The mountain was so tall we had to drive through the clouds to get there.

Of course we also got to go to the beach and relax by the pool while we were there!

 

post-graduation plans... sort of

A couple of weeks ago I graduated:

So I decided I deserve a vacation:

The last last day of school

I have often felt that this day would never come and now here it is.  I can't believe I ever wanted time to go faster now that I'm at the end.  The best thing about being here is that I'm happy.  I have so many emotions, but overall, I'm happy.  I'm happy with what I've done.  I'm happy with where I am.  I'm happy with the path that's before me.  I am happy that today is my last last day of school.

March Goal

March Goal: Exercise at least one time a week outside of my activity classes.

I'm taking indoor cycling and weight training this semester two days a week.  That leaves 5 days with no extra exercise.  March is going to be different.  One of my 23 things to do before I'm 24 is to become a runner again.  March is going to be the start of that.