{Fall Semester 2009...Completed}

Another semester has come and gone. Time really does go by fast. This has been a great semester. I have learned and grown so much. I have had a lot of fun. I love BYU. I love Provo.
Just to give you all a run-down of my classes this semester...
STATS- oh my...what a class. Would not have made it through the class without my excellent professor and all my friends in the class. Who can't enjoy going to class where you save three rows for all your friends and have a professor who thinks he is Brian Regan. Going into the class I thought it was going to be the worst and it turned out not too bad. You just really have to put in the effort to study for the tests...and that is what I did.
D&C- religion classes are always great. I really enjoyed reading the student manual and learning new things. I am looking forward to the second half.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT- MY FAVORITE! Dr. Nelson is my second favorite professor at BYU. I dont think anyone will ever live up to Matt Holland but Larry is very close. I learned so much and each lecture was great. Sometimes I didnt want to leave and wanted him to keep teaching. He is very passionate, genuine, dedicated, and loves what he does. I love walking out of a class after feeling the Spirit so strong...has happened more than once in his class.
FAMILY PROCESSES- easy class that gave me a bunch of different perspectives into marriage and family relationships.

HISTORY 201-Lame. Those 1 1/2 hour lectures tended to be rather boring, but I will give credit to my professor. He had an unique style of teaching that kept things interesting. I have never had essay exams before this class...so that was a drag but I survived. Only 1 more general to go...hopefully I will make it.

Christmas Break is finally here...excited to go home, spend time with the family, take a break from school before it all starts over agin, go to Vegas and California, and continue to enjoy my life!

{Mushing}

SNOW has arrived. It has snowed so much in the last two days. The snow is fun, pretty, and legit right now. We took advantage of the opportunity to go play and went mushing. Don't know why it is called mushing, but who cares it is fun. We bought some sleds, got the truck, loaded up the gear (which was probably the best part) and went for it.
I love my life!!!

{Its The Most Wonderful Time of the Year}

I love the holiday season. We had our first snowfall today. I woke up to a white winter wonderland and it was very pretty. I love Sundays as well...church is always good, no homework, and including it as the weekend its one of my favorite days of the week. Last night some friends of mine and I went up to Salt Lake. I love Temple Square...especially this time of year. The lights are great. I could stay there for hours. It was so fun...I want to go again.

Hope all of you are enjoying this time of year as much as I am.

{BYU Sports}

I am a sucker for BYU sports. I love everything about them. The teams, the crowds, the excitement, the atmosphere, the fight song, the everything. I am the one who is willing to be there way early...even camping out the night before. My friends ask me when the next games are and who we are playing. My two favorite are basketball and football with basketball having a slight lead as the top favorite. There is always something going on. As football has now ended...basketball season is already in full swing. Things can't get much better than that.
GO COUGARS!!!

{Thanksgiving}

I have had a great time in Arizona this Thanksgiving break. It was great to be with family even though I did miss my family family. Good thing I will see them in like 3 weeks for Christmas.
Highlights of
Thanksgiving Break:
~CPK with Nana
~watching Dancing With The Stars with Nana
~going to the cabin
~THANKSGIVING
~so much good food
~constantly eating
~Christmas music
~helping Jill put up her Christmas tree
~eating the world times 7
~having to wear Jill's clothes to church
~slumber parties with Madison
~football and basketball games
~BYU's win against Utah in overtime!!!!!!!!!
~not thinking about school
~spending time with those I love
~and eating eating eating
Now back to real life in good old Provo as I finish out the semester.
I love this time of year!!!!!!!

{i. heart. pomegranates.}

Oh my divine!!! I have always had this weird love for pomegranates that I don't know where it really came from since I don't think my mom has ever bought one. But I love them!! They are my favorite fruit. I was at Smith's the other night and saw that they were in season. I about died and instantly added one to my cart. I just bought one and that was a terrible mistake. It has been like 3 days and it is already gone. I need more right now. I am obsessed.

There have also been a few other foods that I have become obsessed with and those include: salami and pepperjack sandwiches, pretzels and hummus...but now the pretzels have been replaced by Garden Valley Veggie Baked Wheat Thins, and quesadillas.

Never thought I would post about food (unlike my father), but pomegranates are so worth it. A trip to Smith's for pomegranates will be occuring soon.

{ESPN College Game Day}

One word to describe Game Day....INCREDIBLE.
Carson and I got up long before the sun was up to go to Game Day. We walked over with Whit and were able to sneak into the pit and be right in the front couple rows for the taping of ESPN College Game Day. We couldn't believe how lucky we were that we got in...no need for camping out and no need for wrist bands. We were so happy. We love the many perks we get from the cheerleaders. Even though there was never a real good view of our faces, our sign made quite the TV appearance. It was such a blast and totally worth getting up at 530AM after only like 3 1/2 hours of sleep. And also worth the complete loss of voice that I am experiencing right now. I literally have NO voice and if I try to talk I sound like a man. I don't have much to say about the Cougars and the game. I was disappointed we lost, but not really because I knew going into it we would lose. I had no faith this time. Most games I am watching every play, but this one...not so much. It was much more a social gathering...walking around finding people day. I also just checked the ratings...we dropped. Not even ranked.
Way to go team.

Sher's Getting Married

The first one of my friends is getting married!!!! Even though I know quite a few girls that have/are getting married, Sher is the first one of my real friends to tie the knot. I am so happy for her and Jamie. It was so fun to be there right after it happened. They are so happy and are looking forward to what is to come. I am excited as well to help Sher plan and all the fun things about weddings. I love it all!!!!

Congratulations to Sheridan and Jamie Conde!!!!

Her ring is beautiful...good work Jamie!She was so surprised we were all there waiting for her!As of right now the tentative date is Feb. 13th in San Diego.

{Pumpkin Patch}

Today was the perfect day to go to a pumpkin patch. Nice crisp fall air... Whit, Cars, and I have been talking about going all week. So we ventured over and had so much fun. Who knew a pumpkin patch could be so fun. There were so many different kinds/shapes/colors of pumpkins. And whats a trip to the pumpkin patch without taking pictures. Even though I will always be a lover of summer I am beginning to enjoy all things fall.Each row of pumpkins had a name and what do you know but there was a CASE Blvd. I thought of Case Christian Lueck and knew a picture was necessary. Love Love Love!Happy October!!! Happy Fall!!!

Conference Weekend

I had a good time this weekend. Started things off with the BYU vs. USU football game Friday night. Another victory for the Cougars. Then Saturday we woke up and realized that our TV is even more broken then ever before. So Michele and I got ready and went to her brother and sister-in-laws apartment to watch conference. Then I was planning on just kickin it the rest of the weekend, but Michele's family was so gracious to invite me to join them for the weekend. Her parents drove down from Vegas for the weekend. So we went to lunch Saturday in between the sessions and this Italian place on Center St. that I had never been to before. It was way good...definitely going back. Then we drove up to Salt Lake and listened to the afternoon session in the car. We went to the hotel and then the boys headed to the Conference Center for Priesthood session and the girls went to The Gateway. I tried to find something fun...but was unsuccessful. We stopped at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory...I have been obssessed with carmel apples lately. Then we met up with the boys for CPK. Twice in one week and that place never gets old. Then we got ice cream. Can you tell I ate the whole world this weekend?!

Sunday morning we had tickets to go to conference, but due to some parking issues and what not we got there at 9:40 instead of 9:30 and they gave our seats to standby. Bummer!! So we got back in the car and drove to Provo. We went to Eric and Jills to watch the rest of conference. Jill made chicken and brocolli and some divine peanut butter bars. All the conference talks were great and I cant wait to get the Ensign so I can read them again.
Despite feeling like the hugest person on the planet it was a fun weekend!

Just A Random Post Because I Don't Want To Study

Blogging is a great way to procrastinate studying for History 201. I have no desire to study that junk because frankly I don't have a single interest in it. Stupid generals...good thing I am almost done with all of them. So this post is just a bunch of random things that I have been thinking about lately...

*I love my major. Even though I am not quite sure what I want to do with it, I love my classes. I think it is a sign when you get so engrossed in the lectures and time goes by so fast and you want to keep learning more. I feel that way in my Human Development class and my Family Process class. The same goes for my D&C class, but it has always been like that for all my religion classes.

*The cold has arrived here in Happy Valley. Yesterday was miserable, cold, dark, and rainy all day. Snow is on the top of the mountain peaks and it was still September yesterday. Today was still cold, but at least the sun was shining. It's going to be a long winter...I just know it.

*For some reason everyone's favorite month is October. It's a great time for seasonal change, it cools down (a little too much in my opinion), leaves change colors...I dont know but I think I will come to like October too.

*Romania Orphanages. Even though my dream is still to go to Africa, my teacher was talking about these internships/study abroads in Romania working in child orphanages. It also sounds so amazing. I really need to figure out what I want to do and if any of them are possible.

*BYU Sports. I. LOVE. THEM. The football games have been so fun thus far. We have great seats and I just love the energy at the games (especially when we win). And I am looking forward to basketball season as well. You can count me and Cars to be there front and center!

*Prophets. I love our Prophet. He came here like 2 or 3 weeks ago for a devotional and it was great. He talked about the past prophets that he has known and gave fun facts about them as well as things they would probably be saying if they were here today. It was fun to see the more humorous side of President Monson. I am looking forward to Conference this weekend.

*And finally life. I love my life right now. I have so much fun and I am always trying to be positive.
I truly have been blessed.

Only Good Thing About the Football Game

BYU's defense sucked on Saturday. I have nothing else to say about that disgraceful game. I just hope we can pull it together for the rest of the season. As we were walking into the stadium Meesh, Ferg, and I ran into L. Tom Perry. We saw him and his cute wife in their church apparel ready to cheer on the cougs. Even though we felt silly we didnt want to miss an opportunity like this so we asked to get a picture taken with him. All I have to say is I had no idea he was so dang TALL. He has such broad shoulders and walks fairly upright for an old fella like himself. Guess one of the benefits of living in Provo and going to BYU is the frequent church leaders that visit. This past Tuesday President Monson was here giving the devotional so I got to go to the Marriott Center to hear from him as well.
Good times.

Cart's Birthday!!

Yesterday was Carson's birthday. She is the baby...just turned 19. First we went to a friends house to watch the BYU game. Another victory for us....54-3. Go Cougs!! Then we got ready and headed down to Salt Lake to go eat at The Pie. Oh my delicious. I had never been there, but have heard how great it is. It is this pizza place up right by UofU campus. The pizza was so dang good. It was such a fun place. Then we drove back to P-town and just chilled for the rest of the night. Happy Birthday Carson!!! I love you mucho!!!

Crazy Week

The Labor Day holiday long weekend trip to Arizona turned out to be longer than any of us anticipated. The only people who read my blog already know what happened so there is no need to go into great detail. It was great to see so much family and friends over the last week. The original reason for the trip was for Jack's baby blessing. It was a nice blessing and he looked cute in his blessing outfit.
Then the week proceeded into funeral preparations and such. It was a very nice and memorable funeral service with so many people there. I was amazed at how many people came to show their respect and tribute to grandpa. He truly made a difference in many peoples lives. I overheard one old fella say as he was walking in, "Man, this feels like a Stake Conference in here."
And now I am back in Provo getting caught up on my classes. I am still settling into my apartment as well. I think I was in Arizona longer than I have been in Provo. Haha!
Also this past week was Parker's birthday. Happy 14th Birthday to him!!!
And Happy 3rd Birthday to Madison today!

Apartment

I know many of you are dying to see pictures of my apartment. Even though it isn't anywhere near the nicest place I am getting used to it and liking more and more. Went to my ward for the first time today...it should be fun.Kitchen table and you can see part of the rug we got.Couches with green pillows and green chinese laterns.Wall decor that we (we means my mother and I) made and hung.Different angle of living room.Tiny tiny kitchen.Small bathroom.Mine and Michele's room. Still needs some work.My bed and desk.

Thanks mom for coming out with me and helping getting everything set up. Thanks dad for coming out the week before and getting my car. I love it all!!!

{Projects}

Just wanted to update you all with some photos of the projects I have completed recently. My mom helped me make an apron. It turned out way cute. I thought we did a good job given that we didnt have a pattern or anything. Then I had an old lanyard that could use a new look. So I found some scrap fabric and figured out a way to cover the old one. Now it looks good as new. It has been fun to do these sewing projects this summer. I am excited to be able to use them to use.

{Africa}

I want to go there really bad. Next spring maybe?

{So You Think You Can Dance}

Another one of my summer shows has come to an end. I have not missed a single episode of SYTYCD this season and I loved it. Some of the dances are so amazing. I am in awe at the talent that people have to dance so tremendously. They have little time to learn routines, tough choreographers and judges, different partnerships, and doing things they have never done before. It is incredible. Season 5's winner was...

Jeanine MasonI was happy that she won...she was so amazing in all her routines. I loved her from the beginning. I have no idea how to put videos from youtube on my blog, but if you want you should watch my favorite routines. The first is with Jeanine and Brandon performed to Battlefield by Jordin Sparks. The second one is with Melissa and Ade performed to This Womans Work. This dance is about breast cancer and is pretty powerful. Definitely a memorable performance. And how could I talk about SYTYCD without including last seasons routine with Chelsea and Mark performed to Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis. This one is my TOP FAVORITE ROUTINE EVER. So sick!! I can't wait for next season..which thankfully I do not have to wait until next summer.
Season 6 kicks off September 2nd!!

{Bike Riding}

So last night I decided to go for a bike ride. So I took Parker's bike out for a spin. I loved it. I had no where to go, so I just cruised. It was a beautiful night out. After I got home, mom and I went and tracked how far I went. And I biked for 7 miles. I thought that was pretty good for just going out spur of the moment. I wonder how many calories it burned... Anyways I think it would be so fun to have a bike up in P-Town during the spring and summer to just cruise around in. I dont think I am one for mountain biking hard core up Provo Canyon, but I could see myself rocking a fun beach cruiser.

{The Bachelorette}

Another season of The Bachelorette has come and gone. Last season with Jason, I was able to watch it every Monday with Whit, Cart, Meesh, and Natalie. It was so fun. Well this summer I only have Natalie and it was so fun watching it with her every week. We never missed an episode. Now on to the show. This season was not one of my favorites. I loved Jillian, but her selection of males did not live up. I think with a better selection it would have been better. Main highlights of the season included...great date with Jake, Ed leaving and then coming back, jerk face Wes, loving Kiptyn, and so much more. Unfortunately Jillian, in my opinion, chose the wrong man. She chose Ed leaving Kiptyn heartbroken. I do not believe her and Ed will last...Ed will get wrapped up in his career leaving Jillian in the dust.

Throughout the whole entire After the Rose Ceremony show I was waiting to hear who was going to be the next Bachelor and Chris never made the announcement. Now I am forced to sit here in wonder as to who the next man is going to be and when it will air.
Until next time...Who she should have picked...Who she did pick...