another CHECK off the list

Well, I'm not planning on kicking the bucket anytime soon- but I can check another item off the list! I WENT TO A CARRIE UNDERWOOD CONCERT! And it was UNREAL.
If i could I'd just stop there because I really can't explain how great it was.
But since that would be a waste of a blog post... I'll do my best to explain.
First of all, SHE'S INCREDIBLE. Her voice, her songs, her stage performance. EVERYTHING. I was blown away..(haha get it? (It was called the "Blown Away" tour)) Anyway, I couldn't record everything! but I tried:) I didn't want to forget any of it. But here's a few of my favorite moments!

Hunter Hayes opened for her... which was FABULOUS. I think I found a new crush:)
My best buds Shay and Chlo were so great to buy tickets and come with me- definitely not a cheap trip! But complete with Zupas, off-roading, and many memories... I'd say it was a PERFECT getaway from school.

Park City

PARK CITY!!

This is as close as my family can get to Disneyland in October! But thanks to my mom and dad I'd have to say this was almost better! I absolutely love getting to spend time with my family and it always seems like it happens at the best times in my life, when I need it most. I'm so grateful that my parents make it a priority to get our family together- I'm convinced that's why we all turned out the way we did. (dorky, loopy, and crazy) I look up to every one of my siblings and their spouses. Their examples and words of advice mean more to me than they will ever realize. I find myself wanting to be more and more like my nieces and nephews ever day! Each one has a very unique personality and teaches me a valuable lesson because of it. As I get older I am realizing how precious those few minutes of one-on-one time are. I truly believe that we should all try to be less prideful and a little more teachable.Time with the ones you love is PRICELESS.
Thanks to the new camara I got for my birthday, I was able to catch a few of these priceless moments.
No need to explain my weekend. Let's just say, pictures are worth a thousand words :)

the SIMPLE things

It's the simple things in life that make us happy.
I've decided to make sure to enjoy each moment and find the good in every situation- the best i can. So today i found three things that make me happy: Snapple with a bendy straw- studying with my friends (sometimes we take breaks and draw pictures:)- and hangin out at the clarke in my superman shirt eating gummy worms while i do homework. ok so being at the clarke doesn't make me happy, but the gummy worms do:)

today, recognize the simple things in life, and never take them for granted.

21 and loving it

Yes the rumors are true... I'm officially 21!!! wooo:)
don't worry everyone I haven't done anything crazy to celebrate!. I've been too busy with school (my dad would be so proud if he read that)
But i did have the best day- well more like the best weekend- apparently I can celebrate my birthday as long as I keep on having parties:)
On Saturday (22nd) I drove to I.F with Shay and my brother Jeff, to spend the afternoon with my mom, sister, Whitney, and her new little baby girl RUBY:) I was in HEAVEN!!! That sweet little thing loves you no matter how bad your hair looks that day, or how nasty your breath smells. (but she cries if you kiss her cheeks too much) I felt so blessed to get to spend time with them... no interruptions. My sister and mom are always so interested in my latest dating life, school, and friends. I always feel like I dump on them... but at the end of the day I'm happier than ever. They are so great. I'm so blessed to have so many great people in my life to look up to.
Saturday night my lovely roommate/adopted sister/best friend ShayNiel threw me a birthday bash. She invited everyone we had talked to since we'd moved up to college. She is the BEST:) Even though a few people bailed on the party, and NO ONE showed up til 9:30 (the party started at 8... mormon standard time took on a whole new meeting that night;) But after people started to show up the party was bumpin' and I felt like the coolest girl on the street. Friends from all over came to see me!... some live across campus from us... and some live an hour and a half away!! I'm so lucky to have such good friends. I even got a surprise visit from a few friends who live in provo. The night ended well and I didn't feel like my birthday could get any better...
BUT... it did:) Spending my birthday (Sunday, the 23rd) with my family was EVERYTHING I needed. I can't explain the feeling I get when I walk in my house and see my mom's smiling face. She's always cooking something yummy! My sister came with my two nephews, max and abe. As well as little fanny pants:) (annie) her other kids (conner and logan- her husband) were home sick My dad came home from meetings with a big hug waiting for me:) My grandma even showed up! and my friend Chloe came for a bit too. The party was complete with old family videos, grilled pizza, presents, and pumpkin pie. I LOVE pumpkin pie. more than birthday cake. :) The day was everything I dreamed of and more! I'm so blessed.

Shay and I

Ruby Mae, Me, Max, and Whit

Also... since i'm updating my life....
here's a little video we took. we're trying to document our lives a little better.
Aside from long school days and no dates... we're trying to be fun:)

We're not good at softball... but we have fun doing it!! and its a good way to meet new people. I'm so grateful for BYU-I and the spirit I feel there. Life is good and as much as I complain... I'm happy doing what I'm doing:)
Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
From me, to you