DISNEYLAND!!!

i had the opportunity to go to disneyland last weekend, and i had such a blast! i went with my old roomie melinda, adam from utah, and his friend janel. it was great cause adam and janel are disneyland freaks so they knew the best way around and how to work the fast passes so we really didn't have to wait in line much at all! i took about 140 pictures, so i'll only post the best ones here~

DAY 1:

for dinner, erika, the kids and secily came and met us at downtown disney...that was awesome!!!

DAY 2:

i have tons of other pictures, but i kinda got tired of uploading them...but i'm sure i've put up enough!!

25+2

well i did it, i turned 25 again! this year i got to have a whole birthday weekend cause my best friend krystal came down to visit me from st. george. Krystal came on wednesday nights, and she brought her friend adam with her. On thursday we went to go get pedicures and went to a drive in double feature.

friday the tree of us went up to the temple and did a session and then went around to a couple of parties up in mesa.

saturday was the big day, so we spent the day getting ready, but also just relaxing and playing games. we had a big valentine's/birthday party with all my friends. my awesome roommate katie made my cake and desserts. we took tons and tons of pictures, so here are just a select few.

(if you haven't yet noticed, yes, i colored my hair! i'm still getting used to it, and i still sometimes don't recognize myself, but people say em and i look more alike now than ever!)

(the whole group~give or take a few, people were coming and going all night)

(all my favorite girls!)
(these guys serenaded me!)
(i got them all!)
(this is adam)

(my bff)
(swing dancin)(this is probably my favorite picture of me and em)

(the afterparty)

i just want to thank adam and especially krystal for making this an awesome birthday to remember!

OH-IO!

i think i'd better write about my trip home before it gets too late...

what an awesome vacation to spend time with all the people i love the most! (just missing em of course) i'm so glad i had the chance to go to ohio and to hang with the fam.

Day 1: SNOW!

day 2: JUMPING CASTLES!

Day three:

we needed a little relaxation from the first two days, so we took it easy and played cards most of the time with the girls. i didn't take any pictures that day.

Day four:

we had dinner over at troy and heather's house and i got to go watch molly coach the varsity girls basketball game and then hang out with molly and heidi afterwards.

Day five: TEMPLE!

what a great time to spend with the family

later i also got to go shooting with the boys!

all in all, i had a fantastic time! i love my family and i hope i get to spend more time with them soon!

christmas unwinding

i just got home from my 6 1/2 hour drive from california, i'm all unpacked, and i'm still not tired! i thought i'd take this time to reflect on what an awesome christmas i had this year.

i was able to take 3 days off of work this year so i could spend more time with the family in california. on friday after work, i headed out to erika's house. erika kept me busy all week with preparations for christmas, and for troy and heather's visit. on saturday we went to the temple to pick up the rest of the things i'll need. we didn't stay late enough to see the lights, but just seeing it in the daylight is enough for me! this picture was taken on the first try, can you believe it?!

the rest of the week i spent playing with erika, eli and eva, shopping, running errands, and making homemade carmels, yummy! those kids get cuter and cuter every time i see them! on christmas eve, troy and heather and their kids brian and ellie showed up. we all went down to the nevares' house on christmas eve to be with the family. we had great food, and wonderful christmas devotional, and we all played christmas carols on the bells!

i left late this afternoon to head back for work tomorrow. my trip already feels like it was too short, and i wish i could've spent more time with everyone in california. i have such a wonderful family and second family (the nevares'). i am truly blessed to have every one of them in my life! i'm excited for troy and heather to stop by in tucson on their looooong drive back to ohio, and i can't wait to see everyone in january! i hope you all had a merry christmas because i know that i sure did!

okay, i have to put one more picture on because i just love brian's face in this next one!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(San Diego) (Salt Lake) (Prov0) (Mt. Timpanogos) (Mesa)

I Love to see the Temple
I'm going there Someday
To Feel the Holy Spirit
To Listen and To Pray

(Columbus) (Manti)

For the Temple is a House of God
A Place of Love and Beauty
I'll Prepare Myself when I am Young
This is my Sacred Duty

(Idaho Falls) (Chicago)

I Love to See the Temple
I'll Go Inside Someday
I'll Covenant with My Father
I'll Promise to Obey

(Albuquerque) (Washington D.C.)

For the Temple is a Holy Place
Where We are Sealed Together
As a Child of God
I've Learned this Truth

(Snow Flake) (Las Vegas)

A Family is Forever!

(St. George) (Los Angeles) (Oakland) (Jordan River) (St. Louis)

**all the temples i've visited!