Shaelee is Married!

My best friend is married!!

(Those are the weirdest words to type.)

Shaelee is my first close friend to get married, and I am so excited for her and what the future has in store for her. I have loved watching her love story unfold over the past year. I wish her and Carson every ounce of happiness.

I was lucky enough to take her bridals, which you can see HERE!!

Marnie, Shaelee & Heidi (Bridals)

Shaelee was married in the Payson LDS temple. 

We had a yummy wedding luncheon at a Country Club in Farmington.

To top off the day, there was a reception at a cozy barn in North Salt Lake.

Marnie, Shaelee & Heidi

Shout out to Marnie for driving across three counties for all the wedding festivities, including a pit stop at the Salt Lake Temple for another sealing. 

Carson + Shaelee

♥July 30, 2016♥

Birthday Weekend Extravaganza

I have the best friends and family.

I am going to try and explain my weekend, but in all honesty, I don't think I can even begin to explain the amazingness. 

First off, Friday night I had a great girls night (plus baby.)

Shaelee, Max, Marnie & Heidi

We ate at Chickfila, my fav, and went shopping for some wedding shoes. Did I mention Shaelee is getting married?!?! After shopping, we watched Princess Diaries, my fav, and played with baby Max.

You could say things are getting pretty serious.

Second, Saturday. Jami planned an entire day. She spoiled me. 

When she picked me up, she gave me an envelop.

She gave me a "plane ticket" to New York.

Well, more like she brought New York to me.

We ate lunch at Rich's Bagels, a cute bagel place in Holladay. Bagels is a very New York thing to do. 

Next off the aquarium. This was the original plan for the day. I have been craving the aquarium for about two months now, and Jami was the lucky person to go with me! I will be the first one to say that I am not an animal person. But I love the aquarium and the zoo. My favorite part of the aquarium is the shark tunnel.

 The aquarium was a little crowded so I didn't get a full tunnel picture like I did last year but this one will do. The shark tank was so clean that it was even better than I remember. We were able to see everything. I just love watching the fish, I feel like I am in the Little Mermaid and all the fish are going to start singing "Under the Sea."

Jami & Heidi in Shark Tunnel

Also, my other favorite part is the penguins.This time the penguins were actually swimming. I have a video if you want to see :)

After the aquarium I got another envelop for NY Pizza Patrol.

How can you go to New York without eating New York Pizza?

You can't.

I would highly recommend this place to a friend.

That garlic bread was to die for.

Next up, another envelop with "Broadway Tickets."

Guys, I think I found a new favorite musical.

That's right, I said musical. 

Jami and I were both pleasantly surprised when they started singing. The music was beautiful and the talent was exceptional. (I have actually been listening to the soundtrack for the past two days.) 

So even though Jami couldn't take me to New York to celebrate the big two one, she did the next best thing. 

Next stop on the the birthday weekend is Upton.

My family goes to Upton once a year for Memorial Day.

It is gorgeous up there. So green. *heart eyes emoji*

We eat dinner and hang out with the cousins. 

Heidi & Jennie

Also, I watched "You've Got Mail" on the way up. This is probably my favorite NON-Disney movie. 

Monday: The actual day. 

This day started out just like every other Monday. I did my school work. Economics to be exact. 

Every Memorial Day we visit my aunt's cemetery plot and then go out to eat.

This year we followed the tradition, except this year I had a baby to hold. A buddy. A new partner in crime (sorry Jen).

Beckett

He makes every family gathering more exciting. Understandable, right?

After the cemetery and food, I went back to Economics. Being the responsible adult my parents raised me to be. Went shopping with my mom and sister and then dinner with the four of us.

Basically, best birthday weekend ever. 

I spent time with all my favorite humans.

And I even have an adult license now. #grownup

And Then There Was One

I will forever be grateful for Deseret First Credit Union for bringing me Marnie and Shaelee. All three of us applied for a job not knowing what epic friendship was about to happen.

But, over a year ago Shaelee left the Murray Branch to work at another branch. This was a sad occasion, so we worn black to mourn her last day. Although she was just moving branches, it felt like she was leaving forever.

Marnie, Heidi, & Shaelee

 Now Marnie is leaving to work at another company. She is leaving DFCU and so that called for another all black day. It is sad that I won't be able to instant message Marnie every time our "favorite" members come in. We won't be able to have dance parties on Saturdays, or bonding time in the vault. Life is about to change for the both of us. She is starting a new chapter in her life and I am so excited for her, but sad for me.

With Shaelee gone, and Marnie gone, that leaves just me. 

Marnie & Heidi

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!

Valentine's Day

Happy day after Valentine's Day everyone!

I know many people don't like the holiday, and for most of my life, I didn't. But then I met Shaelee. Valentine's Day is Shaelee's favorite holiday. When she first told me that, I made fun of her. But now, I love Valentine's Day too. It isn't my favorite holiday, because Christmas (duh), but I now appreciate the 'idea' behind the holiday.

Last year, Valentine's Day fell on a Saturday. It was the last Saturday that I would work with Shaelee. We made epic music videos, but that is another blog post. Later that day, I hung out with Marnie. We made heart shaped pizza, that was cut into a broken heart, and watched a chick flick. This was so much fun. It was the first time that Marnie and I hung out with out Shaelee. 

Because of my pleasant encounter with Valentine's Day, I am starting to understand the purpose. Now, I don't have a 'lover' (hahahaha) and so I have to be creative when celebrating V-day. This year I decided to celebrate my friendships and here is why. In the past, I had a 9-month streak with friendships. After 9-months the friendship would self destruct. I warned Marnie and Shaelee about this streak and I can proudly say we made it past the 9-months. So now, I am showing them how much I appreciate their presence in my life with presents!

 

My gifts were simple but thoughtful. I got Dr. Pepper because life isn't complete without caffeine. Nail polish to remember all those late nights doing our nails. Their favorite candy, red velvet cakes (obviously). And of course crayons.

It was so much fun putting these gift bags together. Now to think of ideas for next year.

Christmas Eve Eve

Shaelee, Heidi & Marnie

 The day before Christmas Eve is one of my favorite days.

I spend this day with Marnie and Shaelee. We started this tradition last year, in our first year of friendship. Our tradition includes an expensive dinner, temple square lights, and City Creek.

This year, we decided to eat at the Cheesecake Factory. We knew it would be busy but that is just part of the holiday. We started our reservation and then explored the lights on temple square. Can you say cold? haha. There was a chilly wind and so we made our way quickly to City Creek. Re-created our picture from last year. Played in the Disney Store. Walked around Macy's. Basically passing the time till we could order our food. Once we were seated at Cheesecake Factory we quickly ordered, ate our food, and ordered cheesecake to go. I ordered Parmesan-Herb Crusted Chicken with mashed potatoes. Oh my goodness, it was heaven. I would definitely recommend it to a friend. Once we paid, we headed home. We were all excited to give gifts. You could tell that we really knew each other this year compared to last year. It would be safe to say that we all left happy campers. 

I love Christmas.

All Is Merry & Bright

I want everyone to know that I made a gingerbread house. There is a picture below (not completed) but you get the idea. I am not creative when it comes to making things with my hands but after a few hours I was starting to get the hang of it. It was fun spending hours with my mom and her cousins. They always know how to laugh and have a good time. [I guess that is where I learned it.]

Peppermint Gingerbread House

Shaelee, Marnie, & Heidi

I also made Christmas Sugar Cookies with Marnie and Shaelee. This was a first time as well. Turns out, sugar cookies are not my thing. I kept breaking the cookies. Poor Marnie's cookies. They never had a chance.

All I know is that Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat. It is time to celebrate so don't mind me while I cram my homework into one week so I can celebrate Christmas to the fullest. 

So blast the Christmas music, go shopping, and don't forget to decorate your tree.

Merry Christmas!!

Traverse Mountain

A year later and we are still the three amigos. 

It is fun to ponder and where our lives were last year and how things have changed.

I guess you can say that we are all growing up. There are fun things in our future, and yes, Christmas is one of those things. We have thus entered the MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR! I just love the Christmas season. We get to celebrate the greatest gift to mankind, Christ's birth. It is a season of giving and believing. Also, don't forget, Thanksgiving is a few weeks away, so be thankful that you have a wonderful life. Even if you are facing trials, just remember, that you are alive and there is people who love you.  Also, tell your loved ones how you feel. Time is too short on this earth.

Wow, that post when from happy-go-lucky to some deeper thoughts. I just want to say that we live in a crazy world and it is 100% unpredictable. So just know, if you are reading this post, I must love you!!

Shaelee, Marnie & Heidi

 

Nights Worth Remembering

Life is meant to be lived eating food that is freshly baked, giggling at silly things, and singing till your throat hurts. All you need to do is find people to do those things with. I like to think I have found my people. Life brought us together, and we bonded in unimaginative ways, yet here we are, simply enjoying what life has to offer.

Every time we hang out we try to get the best photo of all three of us. Obviously, we are still working out the kinks.

The Selfie Stick is the Real MVP

I love working for Deseret First Credit Union. There are many perks and one of them is getting tickets to events with BYU and U of U because we sponsor them. Woot Woot! Marnie, Shaelee and I went to the gymnastics meet and it was awesome! We sat second row, which was perfect because I didn't take my zoom lens. The girls were great and Utah won. Once again, woot woot! 

Here are some random photos that I find fun. 

*All photos are unedited*

Of course after every event we have to take a selfie to prove we were there.

We are still working on how to get the perfect selfie.

We didn't want the night to end so we drove around and ended at the temple. I love looking at the temple. Even if I'm not going inside, it is still my favorite place to be.

Provo Temple

Shaelee Jamming Out In the Car

One temple wasn't enough.

Mount Timpanogos Temple

And two wasn't enough. By the time we go to Draper we had gotten lost, with a GPS, found the make-out point, and sang at the top of our lungs.

Draper Temple

To end the night we went to the Whisper Dome at Draper Park. It was crazy in that dome! There is no way to explain so my only suggestion is go and experience it for yourself. Of course no night is over until you make a lip sync video. We chose the Bohemian Rhapsody selection by Queen. To see the video CLICK HERE. I love my friends for a few reason but one is that we can't conclude the night until we have laughed until our stomachs hurt.