Showing posts with label vacations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vacations. Show all posts

Monday, August 29, 2011

the sunshine state, we're here at last!

Due to hurricane Irene (which was predicted to be the worst east coast hurricane to hit the US in decades), we left for our family vacation two days later than planned. After church, we spent a few hours packing everyone and the car up, and we hit the road to FLORIDA!! I’ve been quite excited for our beach trip, especially since Hunter is flying into Orlando just for the week! Hunt & his friend JC got to our resort on Saturday and have been keeping the fort down while we prepared for the hurricane.

The car ride wasn’t too bad, I finished reading Goblet of Fire while my Mom drove for the first few hours. I took my turn rockin’ the packed mini-van from North Carolina to South Carolina. It only took about two and a half hours & I was singing along to Coldplay. We finally reached FL around 6:30am and each enjoyed a steak, egg, and cheese bagel. From there, I drove to our resort where we unpacked and met up with Hunter and his friend. While the boys got groceries, everyone else went to the beach. 


It’s so beautiful here and the waves are far calmer and more enjoyable than Dewey beach. In the summer, honestly what is better than a relaxing day at the beach? Grant and I enjoyed jumping the waves together, I read on my kindle, and walked on the warm sand. The beach hat that Maura, Sarah, and Ariana gave me for my birthday is so perfect for this vacation!! Thanks again:) 

After they got back from the grocery store, we all took a break from the tides. Since we drove through the night and couldn’t really get the best nights’ rest, I took a cat’s nap. When I came back outside, the boys were playing football on the sand, so I went on a nice run. Then we started making our favorite chipotle-style family dinner. Everyone has their specialty that they prepare; Mckay grated cheese, I made yummy guacamole and put cilantro in the rice, Clark cooked the meat, and Grant was in charge of the refried beans. It was delicious!



Since it’s a Monday night, Hunter and JC planned our Family Home Evening lesson. We watched & talked about these great mormon messages, found here and here. I love the first one, “What Matters Most,” it reminds me to forget the small annoyances in life and focus on the big picture. We ate cookies n’ cream ice cream for our dessert. For the adults that were still awake, we watched one of our favorite movies, Down To Earth. That movie is hilarious! JC fits in just perfectly with our family & is more than helpful with everything. We call him Jay-Z! Our family's so gangsta that we got a rapper on vacation with us!
I love sharing laughs & sweet memories with my family. I can’t wait for more sun, sand and serenity tomorrow. Happy summer & family vacations! 

Monday, April 18, 2011

Grandparents for the week.


With the winter semester just ending, we have a one-week break until the spring semester starts. I wanted to do something fun, but really had no clue what...My awesome roommate Dex invited me to spend the week with her Grandparents in UT. And boy am I glad she did! It was really fun, relaxing, and I enjoyed meeting so many of her family members. Home-cooked meals was a big treat too!! Here's what I did over my spring break-
Sunday
I finished packing everything up & checked out of my dorm. We left for UT and got there in the afternoon. Her Grandparent's house was very beautiful, they had beautiful flowers in the front yard. We barely missed them, as they had just left for church. So Dex and I went on a walk around their neighborhood, after we dropped our things off. There was an elementary school close by and we played on the playground. By the time we got back & looked at family pictures for awhile, they came back home. Her Grandparents are adorable & so kind. They started cooking and gradually more family arrived for their weekly sunday family dinner. It was yummy. Dinner rolls and delicious dessert is the best! Afterwards, everyone headed over to the same playground that Dex and I played at just a few hours earlier. Her cousin Liz & I were on the swings together and at some point she said we're best friends. YES! Five-year-olds are seriously the best.
Monday
No alarm clock to wake me up. such a nice feeling. After breakfast, Dex and I helped out with the garden. I love that people with gardens, especially elderly people. After, we walked to a local thrift shop called Savers. I got stationary and she got a really awesome pair of jeans. High-waisted, dark wash, vintage look. For lunch we went to Iceburg and shared a philly steak cheese, french fries, and a vanilla cake batter shake. When we got back to their house, her sister-in-law Kayde picked us up. We went shopping at Plato's closet where I got two cute tops and a yellow summer tote. She treated us to red mango where I got froyo with mango, strawberries, and blueberries. We munched on popcorn while watching When In Rome & episodes of Veronica Mars when we got back to their apartment. It was funny seeing how much her and her brother David looked so alike. Dex and I crashed on their couches and slept over for the night.
Tuesday
We left David & Kayde's apartment in the morning, David let us borrow his car. By the time we got back to the Grandparent's house, it was lunchtime so we had some leftovers. Kayde let us borrow some books in the Hunger Games series, I read some of Catching Fire. Dex & I drove to Spanish Fork to do some shopping & exploration. When we were ready to head back, she let me drive back to Orem. Man it felt so great driving again! I miss the freedom & independence that I had driving around my parent's cars at home. Especially driving on the highway! When we got back, Dexter's cousin Laura picked us up and we went to Provo. I spent time with Megan, Alissa, Courtney, and Audrey for awhile. I really miss these awesome girls & I'm so glad that I can always stop by for a visit:)
Wednesday
This morning we helped out with the garden again. We had to spread broken eggshells all over the garden to use as a snail exterminator. There were so many!! We went to David & Kayde's again to return the car and watch some Veronica Mars. I got Dex hooked, it's such a great show! When we got back, Dex's sweet Grandpa had made sausages in a blanket. They were yummy. He also made a DELICIOUS banana cream pie. Hmmm my favorite.
Thursday
Dex's sweet Grandparents were out at a doctor's appointment, so we made dinner. It didn't compare with their wonderful meals they make every night, but our spaghetti, french bread, and salad were quite good too. Dex's cousin Laura had some friends that were having a waffle party, so we brought some toppings to share. There was homemade ice cream, whip cream, fruit, syrup, and pretty much anything else you could imagine. Afterwards, we went to Laura's boyfriends' house and played Beatles Rock Band. It was so fun!! I don't think I could ever get sick of listening to the Beatles, they are my favorite all-time music group. It was really late by the time we were done, so we spent the night at Laura's house.
Friday
I finished the second Hunger Games book & loved it. My dear friend Megan wanted to have a photo shoot while I was in town because she's in a photography class. We invited Audrey & it was really fun! There are huge books in the library that made great props and I was really impressed by all of the architecture on campus. These were some of my favorites-
After workin' the camera, we got everyone together at the Cannon center and had dinner together. It was fantastic seeying everyone & getting the chance to catch up! Especially since it was the last time that I would see Alex, Will, Duncan, and Isa for 2 years:( On our way back to Orem, Audrey and I made a milkshake stop at In-N-Out. I had always really wanted to go there, but we just got dessert since we had already eaten dinner. Dex's parents had made it to the house by the time I got home & it was great seeing them again, since the day we all moved into our dorms.
Saturday
Originally we were going to head back to campus on Monday, but I wanted more time to move in to my apartment and get ready for the semester. My friend Dillion and his roommate were also in UT for the break and were heading back on Saturday. It was a perfect opportunity, so we rode back with them. We said goodbye to her Grandparents. I am so glad that I could spend our spring break with them, they are unbelievably kind and so hospitable to have me stay with them. Just merely spending time with them really made me think of and dearly miss my own Grandparents. I only have small memories of when I was younger, but I still remember how kind and supportive they were. Dexter & I had such a fun week and it was wonderful not having to cook, clean, study for a few days. AND sleeping in every day was pretty sweet too. We stopped at Panda Express on our way back and arrived in good timing. I left most of my things at my dorm, so my friend Jenni helped me move it into my apartment. Kyra still thought that I wasn't coming until Monday & I wanted to surprise her-so she had no idea. I walked into our apartment and surprised her from behind. She was shocked and so happy that we could spend our first weekend in our apartment together. I'm glad we returned earlier than planned, otherwise it would've been a hassle trying to rush and get everything done in very little time.
I met my roommates as I was unpacking & they all seem really nice. Chelsea & I both really like watching Bones. Holly made us all cookies. I'm looking forward to getting to know them throughout the semester. But more importantly, it's also awesome to have Kyra as my roommate!! She's a blast and we get along really well. I'm excited for all of our adventures together:)
Sunday
This was our first Sunday going to our new single student ward. Since people are still returning from the break, our church was a combination of three different wards. Our bishopric seems really kind and loving. I'm really excited for this semester to start!! It's gorgeous outside & I'm anxious for my classes to begin. 

Sunday, January 23, 2011

feliz cumpleaños madre.

Today is my mom's Birthday! She always makes everyone's such a celebration, I hope hers is too! My aunt wanted to do something special for the occasion & we figured out a flawless game plan and kidnapping strategy. Yesterday, she took the birthday queen out to get a manicure & pedicure-something she never does & a chipotle lunch celebration. I'm glad the nursery kiddos sang to her. I honestly don't know anyone who isn't in love with her. She's so kind, generous, and selfless. 
A few of the many things I love & appreciate about her:




-She is such a babe.effortless.

-I've only been away for three weeks & already have received 4 packages.2 more on their way.

-She plans the best family vacations

-She is such a babe.effortless.

-My friends adore my mom

-She makes beautiful baby blankets & burp cloths for numberless newborns

-She served her mission in Japan

-She made such a gorgeous Spanish police officer with my Dad for Halloween
-She's the reason I ran the Susan G. Komen race for the cure several times, in Washington D.C.
-I love all the many, sweet texts she sends me everyday, especially the "good morning, I love you" & the daily "good night, I love you, scriptures & prayers!"
-She makes delicious mint brownies & throughout my childhood we've been the speedy doorbell-ditch deliverers.
-She can start up a conversation with anyone & everyone
-She cooks such delicious salmon, it's my favorite dinner ever. I miss it.
-Even though she knows I'm a few inches taller, she still tries to look like the same height in pictures together & stands on her tippy toes.
-I love her fashion sense & obsession with Ralph Lauren.timeless.

-The morning after my friends sleepover, she makes us delicious crêpes with fresh fruit.
-I was so lucky to go with her & Grant to Japan and China on a class trip, after being in Japanese immersion for 6 years

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I mostly love my mom the most for who she is & for shaping the person I am today.


Happy Happy Birthday mommy, I love you!!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Grant Tyler



It feels so strange missing out on a family members' birthday, I've never missed one. I miss the excitement of the day itself, enjoying the delicious BR ice cream cake, and all the celebrations. My little brother, Grant, turns 7 today!! I remember how ecstatic & happy I was walking into the hospital room & meeting the newest member of our family. I was in seventh grade and really wanted a younger sister. Since the new sibling was again a boy, my mom let me choose his middle name. Grant Tyler, I think that has a nice ring to it:) Its awesome having a younger brother that you can watch grow up right before your eyes. Grant is so adorable & I love all the cute things he says. When I talked to him today, I asked if he brought treats to school to share with his class. He said his teacher lets the birthday kid bring in their favorite book to be shared, instead of treats. have you ever heard of such a thing? Then Grant got really excited in telling me she's retiring soon & his new teacher is hot.haha I love this kid. I love that we went to Japan & China together when he was just a few months old. I adore his stuffed panda bear that has already been on so many family vacations with us, Tai Shan really enjoyed Spain.



Happy Birthday Grant, I love you!!!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

two oh wun wun



Happy New Year!
 Its crazy to think 2010 is already over! So many great things have happened & can't help but feel somehow attached to this year. Looking back, these have been some of my favorite things from this year-

Surviving "snowmageddon" & enjoying an extra week off from school without having to make it up. Best senior year ever.

Traveling to Virginia beach, Florida, South Carolina, Ohio, UT, and ID-where I toured my future campus




Embracing the Dark Knight in me, just have to work on the flying part




Helping with Clark's eagle project



Dancing my heart out at mo-prom




Graduating HS, WHOO!





Rexford's graduation from elementary school


Becoming a seminary graduate


Turning the big 18



 MGMT concert


Strengthening great, unforgettable friendships












Began my job at the National Archives


wisdom teeth extraction & fully appreciating laughing gas



I LOVED being involved with Youth Conference & going with daddio




Jack Johnson concert



hunter coming home



enjoying a fantastic christmas.


AND in a few days I'll be starting college!

2010 is going to be hard to top, but I'll try anyway.

Sipping delicious martinelli's sparkling apple cider was a fantastic celebration to the new year. Yummy belgium waffles for breakfast right after? Don't mind if I do:)




bring it on 2011!