most perfect day

Beware: This is going to be  a long detailed post.

Thursday morning. Madison made the first flight out to Salt Lake from Atlanta- miracle! Since the flights all said overbooked online. So I drove to pick her up at 9:45 and while I was driving up I pasted the Extreme Home Makeover Bus (which was escorted by a police car) and also a huge trailer that had a house on it! It was so cool, I wish I could've taken a picture of it, but alas I was driving. I do love that show! And have met Ty Pennington in the Airport before (back when he was the carpenter on Trading Spaces).

So I pick Madison up and we start our drive into Salt Lake to the Gateway Mall. And while we were driving there was a lot of construction and the road we were supposed to take was closed, luckily the Free Shuttle to Temple Square pulled up next to us and I knew that I could follow that Shuttle and find the Mall from there. And blessing-- it lead us straight to the road we were looking for in the first place so we turned right while it went straight to get to the Temple. And there was our parking garage. It was perfect!

Madison and I then walk around shopping, and found cute clothes to buy. Then we were trying to get to some bathrooms and were walking around when this guy comes up to us. He introduces himself and tells us he is from the radio station 99.5. He goes on to ask us if we would come watch Andy Grammer perform. They set up a little show for him and nobody showed up, and so He was out recruiting people to come watch him. So we were like okay, sure. We didn't really have a huge schedule, just hanging out til the Parachute show that night. The guy lead us into this restaurant, Flemings (a super nice restaurant). And the guy then hands us this envelope and says because we like you girls so much here are two free tickets to The State Room for Natasha Bedingfield, Kate Voegele, and Andy Grammer concert that night! We looked at each other and were freaking out inside but tried to keep our composure. Once in Flemings we were a bit confused cause it was empty but they lead us to this back room where they had a whole table full of food and drinks. We walk in and were offered drinks so we took water and then they offered us food, and didn't know if it was free so I just asked and yes, it was all free! We filled up our plates and then asked where the bathroom is because if you remember that is where we were headed first and never got there. We go into the bathroom and start freakin out!!! We just got sweet tickets to see Kate Voegele!!!! And then free food and a free low key pre-show concert with Andy Grammer.

After that we were just on a high the rest of the day. Although we were a bit confused on what we should do because we really wanted to see Parachute perform, but we love Kate too. And they were both free. We finished shopping and then headed to temple square to hang out. We did all that we wanted at Temple Square and decided around 4:30 to start walking to the Gallivan Center to check it out. As we are walking to the Center to boys stop us and ask if we have change. They are trying to pay for parking and only had a $10, and fortunately we did have change so we exchanged that with them. We get to the Gallivan Center and we are like one of the first ten people there. (I guess that is because we were 2 hours early, haha) And so we go and sit front row and watch all the bands do their sound check.  While we are sitting there we see the two boys we have given change to walk up and sit near us.

We started talking to them and made friends. We chatted to help the next two hours pass by quicker. Allred started the show at 7pm and was awesome as always. We got our new friends, Kyle and James (aka Daniel and Corbin) to be real fat and save our spots as we ran down 6 blocks to the State Room to try and get into the concert and watch Kate Voegele perform and be back for the Parachute portion of the other concert.


We get to the State room and they won't let us in. Since they serve alcohol you have to be 21 and up to get in. We stood outside to try and sell our tickets and make all profit because we got them for free. We saw some guys walking around to the back alley where the tour buses were and both of us were thinking that they might be members of Kate's band.  So we went to the alley and listened through this door to Andy play and then those guys were like "hey, you can come talk to us, we're not scary" and we asked what band they were in and they said Kate's. So we walk over to them and tell them our sob story about not getting in and they are sympathetic. And think its so messed up that we can't get in. We asked them if they could bring Kate out for us to meet her, but she was unfortunately getting ready for the show and was in her dressing room already. He said she would come into the alley at 9-ish if we wanted to wait for her and that he would tell her about us! But we decided to go back to the Parachute concert and enjoy that since we couldn't go inside and also our friends said our front row spots were closing in and they were trying to hold them off til we got back.

We ran back six blocks to  the Gallivan Center and made it back to the front row just in time for Parachute. Their show was freaking awesome! Best concert I've been too. After the show we walked back to the Gateway Mall and our parking ended up only being $3 and we were parked there for like 12 hours! It was so great! And then we decided to drive over to The State Room again and see if we could meet Kate or something. So we park and walk back to the alley where we can hear Natasha Bedingfield performing through the door. And she does a few songs and then our favorite, Unwritten and we are singing and dancing along outside.  A few minutes later we see someone come out the other back door and it was KATE! We like freak out as she is walking towards us and she comes up and chats with us for like 5 minutes and apologized we couldn't see her show. She was so sweet. We're like best friends now. And we got a picture with her and her autograph.

Basically, Madison and I are the most blessed girls ever. And had the most perfect day.

xoxo

hiking the Y

Well I got home from work and my Dad invited me to hike the Y with my brothers and cousins. It was pretty fun we got to watch the sunset as we were hiking up.

It isn't a super long hike, but I forgot how steep the trail is and that is what makes it difficult!

Here are a few pictures from the trip!

the cousins made it to the top

love my daddy

beautiful view from the Y at sunset

brother and sister

another one of the cousins

crazy stu

the boys 

So I already fulfilled one adventure on my summer list! On to the next...

xoxo

summertime

Top 5 favorites of summer

(in no particular order)

• pool time-- either laying out soaking up the sun, or playing games in the water
• vacations--family reunions, beach trips, hiking/camping
• popsicles--always cool you down when its sunny outside
• outdoor concerts/movies--awesome times with friends
• picniks--eating outside makes it that more fun

This is my first summer in utah and I always forget that it gets chilly at night and you don't look crazy wearing a leather jacket, or any jacket for that matter--georgia is hot and humid day and night, there is no cold in the summer. I kinda miss that sometimes. And I do miss my summer thunderstorms where you sit and watch out on the front porch.

And here is a specific list of other things I'd love to do this summer:

1. Go to Boise to visit my Grandma and other Aunts and Uncles in Idaho.
2. Have a sweet bonfire up in the canyon
3. Go on a motorcycle ride through the canyon (I'll have to get Dan to help fulfill this one)
4. Spend the night with Ali in Bountiful, stroll down the boulevard and watch the sunset from the most perfect place!
5. Fly to P-town to spend the weekend with Keara Ann
6. Tubing down the Provo River
7. Camping somewhere

And the list will probably grow and change over the summer and hopefully I can accomplish it all and more!

p.s- it would be fun to have some summer lovin. who knows maybe something will happen...haha :)

my pappy.

Happy Father's Day

 I had a wonderful day yesterday and was able to spend it with both, my dad and my gramps!

My dad flew in last night around 8 o'clock and so we got to spend some of Father's day with him! He is the most amazing guy ever. Just take a look for yourself.

He is a pilot in the Air Force reserves--flying C-130s. He is also a pilot for Delta and I can attest he is the best at take-offs and landings as I have riden on his and many other flights. He is the most thoughtful person who is always overly willing to give you whatever you want. He is Mr. Prepared. And although sometimes (or most of the time) we make fun of him for having a lot of emergency supplies, we really are grateful he is prepared for any and all situations. He loves the outdoors--hiking, camping and we love when he includes us on these adventures where we make memories doing the things he loves. He is athletic and great at playing ultimate frisbee and softball. I used to go to all his softball games when I lived at home. A really fun opportunity us kids have is to go on trips with my dad. Recently, I went to Seattle with him (see picture w/Pike's Market Place pig). It was so much fun to spend personal time with him and he always makes me feel like princess #1.

Basically, I love him so much.

                                                                             xoxo

p.s- did I  mention, he bought me the cutest, best water bottle ever? I was complaining this morning about how all my water bottles leak in my purse while I am walking to work, and when he showed up to take me to lunch he had this fillew with water. No more leakage for me : )

i want a cowboy.

I was sitting at work yesterday nearing the end of my shift when I hear my fellow co-workers talking about going to a rodeo. It peaked my interest so I googled Pleasant Grove Strawberry Days and a whole list of festivities came up that have been going on all week. And the rodeo was tonight starting at 8. I was so excited because I get off at 7 and that would leave just enough time to get home change and head out. Then I had to decide who to go with and thought immediately of my grandpa. He loves rodeos. So that was it. I had made up my mind. I would take gramps with me as an early father's day gift! I bought the tickets online and printed them off so when I got home I gave him the tickets and told him to get ready to go!

Once we arrived on the rodeo grounds, grandpa looked around and told me exactly which section we should sit in to be close to the action. He is an experienced rodeo go-er. There was so much plaid all around and boys in cowboy hats and boots. Of course, I was sporting pink plaid and my cute boots too.




Me and Grandpa
my camera's battery died, soall i had to take pictures with was my phone.

 
There was so much excitement at the rodeo. I wish I could go to more. Plus, I realized--i want a cowboy. and lets just say, a rodeo is the perfect hunting ground for them! Seriously, some cute country boys!

A lot of the competitors wore pink for the tough enough to wear pink campaign to raise money for Susan G. Komen Foundation for cancer patients.



Grandpa's favorite event--these are the momma and babies bred for bucking.
They let them run free around the arena a few times. The colts were so cute!


One sad part is that around 10pm, Grandpa was ready to go. He said "we've only got the bull riding and the fireworks left lets get outta here. Plus those kids will just get bucked of anyways.." so we left.
And I was sad. That's like the main event and I was so looking forward to it. And the fireworks would have been sweet to see too! Now, I guess I'll just have to go to another rodeo.. and maybe it will be with a cute cowboy as my date.

xoxo

take a moment, smell the roses.

Since I have my brother's car for the day I decided to take advantage of it and drive home for lunch today. I have my lunch break from 12-1pm. I come to my grandpa's house and he has just put these beautiful flowers from his garden in a vase on the counter top. And let me just say they smelled amazing! I took a few pictures..

This just reminds me how beautiful the Earth we live on is. Spend time outside and appreciate the wonderful world. i personally love to go on walks, sometimes I go around the temple (way beautiful flowers there) or just around the block. It was a nice getaway to leave work and go home for lunch and relax.

Last night my wonderful Aunt Pam was in town. Pam and her friend, Lisa, have been going temple hopping and have hit over 10 temples from Rexburg to Las Vegas. She is so sweet! While she was here she treated me and a few cousins to dinner at Brick Oven. That place is so delicious! I absolutely love their homemade rootbeer! Afterward we chilled at my cousin, Dan's (Pam is his mom), place and he serenaded us with his awesome guitar playing skills. I swear I could listen to him play all night long.

Today is Friday which means I have the weekend ahead. And knowing that always makes my day better.
I'm hoping to lay by the pool all afternoon tomorrow. Now that would be a perfect day.

xoxo

my new addiction

 I was recently introduced to this band named Parachute.  They are incredible. I kind of have a bad habit that once I find a group I like or a song I like-- I tend to listen to it over and over and over again.

So a few days after I started listening to their new CD The Way it Was I saw on facebook that Parachute was doing a free concert up in Salt Lake at the Gallivan Center. And guess who is opening for them? One of my favorite Provo musicians- Allred.  Bonus, two great musicians at a free venue!

I was telling my sister, Madison, about this free show and she was so jealous. I got the day off of work and told her she should fly in to Salt Lake that morning and we could play and shop in Salt Lake that day and then head to the Park at 6pm to get good seats for the show!

I would love to spend the day shoping at the Gateway Mall--and we could even go walk around Temple Square too! I love coming up with fun plans! Oh, and the brothers are invited too!

p.s- Just a little tid bit on sports ... I hope my boy Jimmer gets drafted to the Jazz. Then I can go and watch him more! I was watching him on the news and they said he did really well on his workout for them. And is looking stronger, faster, and keeping up his jump shot! I think he'd be happy on the team too, he said "I just think it would be a great fit for me basketball-wise,I fit into the system. They need a guy who can stretch the floor, get into a lane, get other guys involved and that plays right into my strengths."

xoxo

jake gyllenhaal

Last night I recieved a  phone call from my brother asking if I had any plans for the evening. I responded that I did not have any plans except for catching up on the lastest episode of The Bachelorette that I missed on Monday (Don't make fun that I like to watch it--come on, it is pretty entertaining!) Stef told me that he was going to see Source Code at the dollar theater with some friends. I accepted and he picked me up at 10pm. The movie was very entertaining. I really liked it, plus how could I not like a movie that jake gyllenhaal stars in?! He is one very attractive actor.

See for yourself...

Now do you agree? This movie was really good and the last twenty minutest might be the best part of it all, plus the conversation you have with your friends trying to make sense of what happened. I think this movie is up there with Inception. I recommend all to see it.

p.s- this post is dedicated to Jaden Anderson.

jimmy johns.

If you have not experienced eating at Jimmy Johns--you are missing out. Their sandwiches are so good and they make them so fast! Seriously, by the time you finish paying they already have your sandwich made and are handing it to you. Today during my lunch break I went there with Jordan Wilks. He is going home in a few days and then heading out on his mission to Brazil! It was our last little hang-out which was fun! I'm sure going to miss all my boys that are leaving on missions, but am so glad they are out serving the Lord!

Last night's Glee karoake FHE went well. Just like any karoake night it was slow starting off, but then everyone was giving it a try. I met a lot of new people in my ward which was great too!

Yesterday I was walking to work and I always walk past the MTC. I had passed the entrance and then just walk on the sidewalk next to the fence. There was an elder not too far on the other side of the fence and he looked familiar and as I got closer I recognized him. It was Sinjin from my freshman ward. He wasn't a good friend but I knew him so I said hi and asked how he was doing... yeah and basically he acted really wierd and awkward because I'm a girl, i guess, and didn't say anything back just turned and walked away. hahaha.. such a funny experience!

'til next time! xoxo

weekend adventures

Friday night I went with my brother, Stefan and his friend Miles to get some frozen yogurt. At this one shop they sell you huge 32 oz cups full for $3.20 a steal of a deal. The flavors are limited though because they are from when they change the flavors and clean out the machines. We got coconut flavored and it was delicious. I felt like I was on a paradise island. Then we went back to his apartment and played some games with kids in his ward.


I left the next morning at 8:15 to go babysitting for Heather and Josh in Sandy. It was fun although I was pretty tired.  The kids were super cute! We had fun at the park.

Here's Ryann

                                      

And Parker

Then after I was done babysitting I drove back down to Provo, and my roomie Katherine came and picked me up and we drove up to Bountiful picked up Ali and then headed to Kaysville for Jaden's birthday party. It was so wonderful having four of the six roommated together again. At her party we played Jailbreak, Ultimate Frisbee, and then went to Brin's house for s'mores. All in all it was an awesome party! Ali, Katherine and I spent the night with Jaden and then left at 6am the next morning so we could get back home to attend our own YSA wards. 

I was super tired, but held off all of church and came home and took a nap! Today is now Monday and I'm back to my work week. Tonight at FHE we will be doing Glee Karaoke... i'll let you know how that goes.

newb

Just created this blog while at work. Still working on the format so check back later for updates!