This summer...

I celebrated! 

 

First year of teaching - successfully survived, and enjoyed...

without a single sick day taken, I might add.

 

So, this summer I sat in a car. 

For many, many hours. 

I am far too familiar with I-15.

But!

Here's where I went and what I did outside the car:

 

First,

*D*I*S*N*E*Y*L*A*N*D*!*

 

It's magical, so it gets bold, caps, stars, and exclamation.

 

 

Matt, Megan, me, Eric, Sarah

We had fun.  A whooooooole lot of it. :-)

 

 And we got wet.  Not my favorite.

 

 

 Next stop, beautiful Bear Lake with the bros. 

 

 

 And of course, some hiking up my mountains...

 

And catching up with my BFF Mer.

And Dave.

And eating oh-so-delicious fried rice.

 

Followed by visits to

Logan's Summerfest.

 

And the Mustache Tea Party...

don't be jealous! 

 

 

 And I went to Idaho...who knew it was so beautiful! 

 

Hiked to a sunset and sunrise, 

laughed around the campfire with the Ivie's,

climbed a rock wall and zip lined down,

avoided a bear prowling around our campground,

soaked in the scenery on the way to Wyoming,

enjoyed a day exploring the Tetons,

 

 

and hiked around Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls.

 

Hiked Cub River.

 

And enjoyed several Institute/Game Nights!

 

Went to City Creek, Cheesecake Factory and

Sound of Music at Hale Theater with my amazing momma.

 

 Hiked Tony Grove and saw about a million wonderful wildflowers.

 

 

 Had a fabulous 4th of July complete with

fireworks,

glowsticks,

blasting Neil Diamond,

and my holiday baking frenzy, which this year included

Firecracker Cupcakes! 

Think pop rocks ;-)

 

And a parade!

 

 

 Went to my cousin-Carlee-dear's bridal shower...

 

Followed by the much-anticipated

Mother-Daughter Road Trip

to Park City!

And Cheesecake Factory.

Again.

 

 

We are odd.  And we're okay with it.

Like mother, like daughter.

 

 

 

 

 And back home to Cache Valley. 

Which I love! 

Dearly.

 

And Logan Temple.

:-)

 

Then, while trying to get to Cali again...

 We visited Kanarraville.

3 times.

 

And Cedar City.

And Camarillo.

And a Navy base.

And Paramount something...

Where Dr. Quinn was filmed.

Which is a very big deal.

 

 Chelsea, Daniel, me

And the beach :-)

 

 

 And the "church" with Moroni on top...

 

 

 And Seaworld, where I got wet.

Again.

 

 

 

And the San Diego Temple.

:-) 

 

 

And a museum.

And Cheesecake Factory.

Again.

And probably 100 accidental exits and on-ramps.

 

And La Jolla Cove...

With our Cheesecake...

At sunset...

Oh so perfect! 

 

 

 

And I went to Vegas! 

Which I don't really love...

But!

Everything is fun with the Taiwan peeps.

Who I do love.

 

 Lien, Katy, Devin, Allison, Libby, me

And we love being reunited.

Always.

 

And Meg got married!

 In the Las Vegas Temple.

 

Went to Olive Garden and

My Fair Lady with my still amazing momma.

 

Went to Hello Dolly with my ever-entertaining family.

 

Went to an incredible piano concert with my

even more incredible Grandma...

Where we happened to run into my old piano teacher!

 

 

 And got rather into the Olympic spirit.

 

Then I drove some more to...

 

 Carlee's Wedding!!!

 

Where I caught the bouquet...

Ok, so maybe it was more of a

planned-in-advance-hand-off-of-sorts...

But I still got it.

 

Then I jumped in the mini with the fam and drove to

St. George!

And the Pizza Factory.

 

 And the temple.

 

 

And Tuacahn!

Where we watched Aladdin.

Who I'm still in love with. 

 

 

 And Les Miserables.

 

And...

 

Kanarraville.

Again.

:-) 

 

 And of course, the Cabin!

With the Stephenson's.

Who are super.

 

And for a cherry on top, before summer really came to an end...

 

Dinner at Little America.

And WICKED!

With my treasures, and cousins, and grandparents, and mom.

Wonderful.

 

Tomorrow is the 1st of September.

Which is also my 3/4 birthday.

Which is a big deal...

But not as big of a deal

as my lil' bro coming home from his mission...

In 19 days!!!

 

And it's the start of a new school year.

 

And this weekend I'm moving.

To an adorable house.

 

And it's almost Fall.

 

And life it just kinda making me rather happy...

Again!