Quick Maine Catch Up

While in Maine I . . .
spent an afternoon at Pemaquid beach

saw some more lighthouses

went on a lobster boat
worked at Applefest

went to New York City

Jared came to visit


ran a 5k

made new friends

had an 80's Thanksgiving


and celebrated my birthday . . . sadly I didn't take any pictures on my birthday, but I'm sure you can all imagine what I looked like.

That's my quick summary of my life in the fall. I am head over heals in love with Maine. I left my heart in Maine and I can't wait for the day I go back!

The Month of August Part 1 - The DC area and WV

I went to Washington DC for my friends wedding in the middle of August. In DC I . . .

made some new friends
Got some AWESOME gifts . . .

Got a mani and pedi . . .

Saw the DC temple . . .

And had a great time! (I had my hair curled and it died because of all of the humidity.)

August was probably one of the most eventful months I have had in my life!

South Dakota

Day #1

Driving and lots of it

Spencer was in charge of taking pictures while we drove.

We stopped in at Martin's Cove for about half an hour. We went into the visitors center, heard the history from the senior missionaries there, and then ate lunch at Independence rock.

MMM cracker sandwiches.

After 10 hours of driving we finally made it to South Dakota! Spencer and I . . . well, I got lost when we first arrived at our destination. . . but we weren't really lost. I just ended up taking the longest way possible to Mount Rushmore.

Day #2

Mount Rushmore!

Ranger walk with Oliver

Gutzon Borglum studio

We found a mammoth archaeological sight near Hot Springs, SD

Wind Cave

I thought that this was the dumbest pose from a mannequin I have ever seen!

My camera broke right before the tour. The pictures I did take didn't turn out too well. :(

DAY # 3

Remember how my camera broke? That's why I don't have many pictures of Day 3, but we went swimming at a nearby lake and pretty much just relaxed all day. Spencer made a cute little friend who helped us create a small lake and rivers of our own in the sand. Later, Oliver took us on a drive up Spearfish Canyon! It was absolutely breathtaking. I have never seen anything like it. Spearfish Canyon

Oliver's backyard.

Day #4

Goodbye South Dakota!

The drive home was quite an adventure. I was pulled over for the first time (luckily I just got a warning) and Jared's car broke down as we were almost to Casper Wyoming. It was SO hot and the car had overheated. We ended up spending the night. We arrived home Saturday afternoon safe and sound.

Spencer said that this was the best vacation he has ever had! I was so grateful that we could spend some brother sister time before I moved back east for 3 1/2 months.

Thoughts On Life

I went to a funeral today. Funerals always put me into deep thinking moods. I think about my life, my family, my friends, the direction my life is taking. . . I think about the life lived by the deceased, about their family, their friends, what direction they took with life. I think about my funeral. Who's going to come? Who's going to cry? What are they going to say about me? Did I do all I wanted? Did I leave a good impression? Did I strive to always do what is right?
I thought about how lucky I am to have only attended a few funerals in my short life. I'm so blessed to not know what it feels like to lose someone so close to me, that my life is severely changed.
I was at a ward function the other week. People from my past and present were there. People that I have looked up to since my memories begin that have played such important roles in helping me become the woman I am today. My heart swells with happiness and love each time I see them. I feel their love reciprocated and am reminded once again how lucky I am to have so many wonderful people in my life. People that care about me, set an example, and serve me.
We get one chance at life. Am I living it the way I want to? Are my wants things pertaining to righteousness? Am I living my life so that each day I am striving to become more like the Savior?
I'm finding that as I get older, things that I once thought were important, no longer hold a place in my heart. I find that money doesn't bring happiness, and that if I'm not happy in the state I'm in, money will never change that. Cute clothes don't make friends, I do. Always having my hair and make up done doesn't define who I am on the inside. Just because someone thinks badly of me, doesn't mean that the whole world does. Just because love doesn't always work out, doesn't mean that it never will. Plans fall through, people disappoint you, life is rough, but all I can control is the way I handle it.
I have one chance at this life. It's about time I make the most of it.

I LOVE Tie Dye!

My shirts! That was my first spiral!

Carissa's shirt turned out AMAZING!

I forgot to buy gloves. . .

One day Carissa and I wanted to tie dye together, so we did. It was very enjoyable! I was really pleased with how the orange and green turned out.
I learned how to tie dye while I lived in Maine. I was the tie dye girl. I would teach the kids at the camp how to tie dye about 2-3 times a week. I showed them the basic techniques and then set them free. You can be so creative with tie dye! You can never go wrong.

Evening With The Ladies

A picture of Melissa, Me, and Pene at The Pie. I'm not sure why I always insist on opening my mouth when a picture is taken, but Sara says I look perfect when my mouth is open. She's such a good sister!
Pene, Melissa, and I (my oldest childhood friends) walked around Salt Lake City on Wednesday. Pene brought her camera to take pictures, we ate good food, and even got stalked by a man that thought I was cute. . . long story.
I'll have to find some of the pictures that Pene took and post them. She's pretty great!
We ended the evening at The Pie. SO GOOD! It's this underground pizza place right next to the U of U campus.
Very successful evening.

HA HA HA! So funny! Melissa was cold in the back seat as we were driving home. She decided to cuddle up next to a newspaper for warmth .

On The 3rd Of July . . .

Spencer and I hiked the Y! I wanted to watch The Stadium Of Fire fireworks from the so, I dragged Spencer along with me. It was quite an adventure. I almost died, but with Spencer's support I made it!

A clip of me talking with fireworks in the background.

Starting out hike around 9:45ish at night.

Spencer acts as if nothing happened while I struggle for breath.

Some firework shots. . . not the best camera for the job.

I'm Running A 5K!

That's right. You heard me. I'm running a 5K on July 31st. I've been training for almost 3 weeks now. I started running everyday at the gym for at least 15 minutes and now I'm able to run 20 - 25 minutes without stopping. I go about 2 - 2.5 miles a day. It's amazing how far I've come in the short amount of time I've been running. I actually enjoy it sometimes! I hope to become like my aunt and learn to LOVE it!
If anyone would like to run with me I would love to have you. It's for a really good cause. Checkout the website for more information.
http://www.coopersrun.org/