Payson Temple Trip

I have always wanted to go to the Payson Temple. I have heard so many times that it is a gorgeous. I have to admit, the stain glass is breathtaking. 

I have this goal to visit every temple in Utah (currently sitting at 8 including my years doing baptisms). So I am almost half way through!

I texted Melissa this past week saying we should do a temple trip. Next thing I knew, our temple trip for two turned into a temple trip for five. I love going to the temple and I love having my roommates tag along. It brings back so many memories from our freshman year. 

**Side note: I applied for graduation today!**

Heidi, Melissa, Ryan, Keyton, Brittani

Girls Night Out

A few weeks ago, I was at my night class. I was feeling downtrodden. It was just after midterms, and I was exhausted. I needed a break. A moment to get away. So I texted Jennie asking if she was down to leave the city with me. She quickly responded yes. I started planning, during my class. Months ago Jennie and I talked about doing a night at Snowbird. This seemed like the perfect opportunity. I looked up the deals they had on their website. We booked a room at The Inn. We spent roughly 22 hours on a mini vacation. No homework. No responsibilities. Just the two of us, food, and lots of Netflix.

When we arrived, we checked in, got settled, and off to a photo shoot we went. Since we were in between summer and winter, it was a ghost town. Most of the people we saw were workers. It was a huge contrast to when we go up with our family (during Oktoberfest). I kept nerding out over the lighting. We didn't have a lot of time to play since the sun set so quickly but I still got some of my favorite images.

For example:

  Once the sun set, we got hot chocolate and went back to our room.

The lighting was interesting, so I told Jennie to sit in the car and just chill. This is what happened:

Of course it isn't a perfect photo, but I was just playing. It was so much fun to shoot for fun. I don't get the opportunity to just play with my camera. So this weekend was needed for my mental health but also to help unleash my artistic side.

 Back to being outside, look at the views.

Nature is seriously amazing.

The world around me is a huge testimony builder. (Side track to our first snow storm this year. The mountains being frosted with snow is my favorite! They look majestic and the snow gives them dimension.)

The rest of the night was spent watching Netflix and eating a lot of food.

The goal was to spend the night living like a Gilmore. I think we lived up to that goal.

The next morning, we had breakfast at The Forklift.

Holy it was delicious. And because it was the off season (look at all the empty chairs), we got our food with very little wait time. I think I am still dreaming about the French toast and bacon that I had.

After breakfast, we went back to our room and started watching Christmas at Cartwright's on the Hallmark Channel. Even though I could guess the plot line, it was still cute and I am slightly sad we didn't finish it. But I got a new pick up line that I am going to have to try ;).

All in all, it was the perfect 22.5 hour vacation. I wish we could have stayed longer, but we are adults and have to act like it. Hopefully we can do another getaway soon.



A Sunday Mini Road Trip

Melissa came home from her mission!

If you need a Melissa refresher course, she was my roommate my freshman year.

She is originally from Smithfield, so this meant a mini road trip for her homecoming. I asked Jennie to go with me so that I didn't have to drive that entire way by myself. It is always more entertaining to go with someone. We listened to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for the entire drive. There may or may not have been Christmas included in the music selection.

We hit some heavy rain traveling both ways, but with a prayer in our hearts and MoTab on the radio, we kept driving along.

Of course you can't travel up north and not visit the Logan Temple.
(One of these days I'll actually do a session there).

Jennie & Heidi

Heidi & Melissa

Beautiful fall colors across from the Logan Temple

Logan Temple

Jennie & Heidi ft. Logan Temple

Logan Temple on the hill

Labor Day

 Now that Labor Day has come and gone, I figured I should probably blog about it.

Savanna (SJ) bought a new car! So she texted asking if I was interesting in going for a drive on Labor Day. Of course I was down for a drive.
We drove to the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway. Drove passed Cascade Springs, into Midway, naturally taking the long way home through Guardsman Pass, and down Big Cottonwood Canyon.
We stopped at a few different spots for photo opportunities.

SJ and the new Jeep

Savanna & Heidi

 

 To end the day, we had some family friends over and played volleyball, pickleball, and ate Disneyland Copycat Corndogs. I didn't get pictures of the festivities, but I did get one of the sunset.

Park City

I have been looking forward to this weekend since November.

I think it is safe to say we all needed this 24 hour getaway.

Marnie, Shaelee, & Heidi

We stayed at a condo we found on Airbnb. It was a cute little place that served us well. We played games, took pictures, and watched Netflix.

We explored Historic Main-street, twice.

Park City's Main-street is my second favorite Main-street.

 (Disneyland Main-street USA being the first)

We stayed up laughing and jumping on the bed. There is a video but it isn't in my possession. Also, we spent a good hour looking up random Disney facts. Obviously these girls know what makes me happy.

Heidi, Marnie, & Shaelee

To finish the weekend getaway, we bought matching sweatshirts and drove around trying to get the best picture.

Marnie, Heidi, & Shaelee

AND BONUS: POLAROIDS!

Flaming Gorge

Labor Day Weekend is usually spent with my family at our Condo. But this year was different and special. I was invited to spend the weekend with Marnie and her family. Flaming Gorge to her is Joe's Valley to me. So I was honored to be invited to this special place. We went boating, soaked some sun, and enjoyed having no agenda. The weather was perfect. Sunny with a slight breeze and only a few rainstorms. I will have to admit, my favorite part was not having to wake up to responsibilities.

The holiday weekend has come and gone and now it is time to dive into school and work.

Marnie & Heidi

The "Flaming" Gorge

Sunset

The Beach

Joe's Valley

animal, trees, Keshia Mom & Meme, Jen & Meme, Heidi, flowers, trees, flowers, game night

Joe's Valley is one of my favorite places.

I love it for countless reasons but a few would be:

-the weather is perfect (maybe high 70's if you're lucky)

-not too many snakes (I saw one once... gross)

-biggest family reunion ever

-no schedule except breakfast is between 8 and 9:30 and dinner is between 5 and 6:30

-it is okay to not shower for a week. baby wipes. best invention.

-shooting stars

-non-stop reading

 Of course most of these things on this list you can do at any other location but Joe's Valley carries so much history. And that is something you can't recreate.

Just ask me about Fake Joe's Valley-- just not the same.

A Disney Princess

Gosh I love Disney.

It is a genius idea really. If you truly think about it, this random guy named Walt created this empire for many generations to enjoy for years and years to come. And when Walt created this empire, he created a place for imagination to become "reality." I realize that for a large portion of movies Disney took stories that already existed and Disneyfied them. Any by doing so, Disney created stories and people that I hold dearly to my heart. Let's just name a few shall we...

Tangled- Rapunzel had a dream so she chased it. Even though it wasn't exactly what her "mother" wanted. She is innocent enough to love every piece of the world. Rapunzel taught me that you should live your dream. But only if your dream doesn't stink. 

Beauty and the Beast- Belle is a strong independent woman. She loves her father enough to take his place at the palace. And THEN she is willing to forgive the Beast for treating her like property. That just shows what kind of woman she is. Honestly, if a person ever did that to me, ha, cold shoulder for life.

The Little Mermaid- Ariel saved this man's life before she even knew who he was. Of course she thought she was in love and yes she is only sixteen, but that is slightly beyond the point. After she saves his life she is willing to give up her most prized feature just to be closer to this boy. To me, that shows how important love is. I think we forget that love is worth it. We need to keep believing in love.

Cinderella- Obviously she taught me that a dream is a wish your heart makes. Keep on dreaming even if all odds are against you. Really, this girl had three enemies (step mother and sisters) plus a cat. Poor girl. Anyways, Cinderella kept dreaming even though that stinkin' step mother tried to get in the way. 

Sleeping Beauty- Aurora taught me that sleep is the real MVP. 

Hercules- Meg taught me that being a strong independent woman is perfect but it can get lonely. Letting people into your life isn't a bad thing. As long as he is Greek God of course.

So just remember to dream big. If your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough. Love like today is your last day to love. And just be yourself. The right people will appreciate all the little things you do.

Happiest Place On Earth

I had the chance to go to the Happiest Place On Earth, a.k.a. Disneyland!

Instead of making six videos to show the trip (haha to last time I went to Disneyland) I made a small flipgram. A flipgram is similar to instagram. You make a small slide show and put the pictures to music (well there was music but I can't figure it out... so). Please enjoy the highlights from the trip. 

I freaking love Disneyland. All I know is that even with the crowds it doesn't get old.

The music was: Pumpin' Blood by NONONO

These days...

Let's play catch up for the month of July. 

Lots of work at the call center and Hallmark. We were prepping for the Ornament Premiere. I worked 35 hours in 5 days. It was crazy. I was living off minimum sleep.

Off to the Family Summer Vacation to Zion. 

This trip was amazing. Words can't even describe how I feel. The more I think about it the more I fall in love with the trip. Being with family, feeling close to the pioneers, and just starting to understand what really went down in the 1840's. Here are some photos but they are straight from my camera and just a taste of what I saw. 

Liberty Jail

Temple Lot for the second coming.

Kansas City Temple

Family Photo

Sunset on the Mississippi in Nauvoo

Nauvoo House.
Where we stayed while in Nauvoo.
The house where Emma Smith died.

Nauvoo Temple

Nauvoo Pageant 

Original Floor in Assembly Hall

Anna Amanda

Annette during British Pageant

British Pageant

Carthage Jail 

The clock in the room where Joseph Smith was martyred.
The clock read just after five.
It was as if the clock stopped after Joseph Smith was killed.

Original hole.

Before we left Nauvoo we walked down Parley St.
Also known as The Trail of Hope.
The actors from the British Pageant told us stories from journals of the pioneers leaving Nauvoo.

Council Bluffs

Winter Quarters Temple

Annette dressed as a pioneer girl.

Winter Quarters Cemetery.

Sunset on Missouri River.

Mt. Rushmore

Crazy Horse

Chimney Rock

Martin's Cove

That is a nutshell of the trip. I honestly keep trying to pinpoint my favorite part but I am unable to. Every day it changes. I loved being with the family and going to the Nauvoo Temple. I loved everything. If someone offered to take me to Nauvoo, I would do everything in my power to go with them.

While on our way to Missouri, I received a phone call that was offering me a job at Deseret First Credit Union. That was a great moment. I started that job  two weeks ago. But this past week was my first week in the branch. On my second day, life became crazy. The teller next to me was robbed. I didn't noticed a thing I was helping another member when it happened. Because of the robbery, I had to go to work therapy on Friday. Honestly, the robbery bonded me to my co-workers. Only they (and other tellers) can understand what we went through.

This past week I worked a 65+ week. It was crazy. I am still exhausted from working so much. I loved being busy but hated it at the same time. I honestly can't wait for school to start just for the reason that my life will calm down. To end this hectic week, I met Carmen Rasmusen Herbert. She was on American Idol Season Two. She wrote a book that I received when I was 12. I have read that book multiple times. It introduced me to Young Womens and what I would learn there. I also bought her songs on iTunes and learned them all. I might have fangirled when I saw her but I pulled it together enough to get a photo with her and have her sign my book.

Let's just say, today my calendar looked like this...

Empty. 

I have always loved the way a fresh month looked. It brings the hope something new.

Within 3 minutes it looked like this. I brainstormed everything that was going on in the month of August. 

Everything on this calendar are things I know is going to happen off the top of my head. 

Already I can tell I am too busy.

Wish me luck.