Christmas Time Is Here Again

Helter Skelter

I'm a dork- don't be jealous

Justin (creepy emo-goth) and Julie

blackjack with the Pres and first wife.....let me tell you-abe can play some blackjack!

Julie and me- i'm a geek

So Halloween was a little weird for me since I was in the process if moving that week. i didn't really hit up any parties on halloween except a last minute one Saturday night. Sadly, I didn't dress up for it and we were only there for about twenty minutes before the police came and busted it up...(lots of people-great costumes) but I did get a chance to dress up for my friend's 30th birthday party- happy birthday Justin! Julie, Aaron and I all went together- Aaron as Abe lincoln, Julie as his wife Mary. I went as a Jedi x-wing fighter pilot. I had been wanting to make this outfit for years and finally, this year, it all came together. I will most likely be using this costume again in the future since I barely got a chance to wear it. It's not the cutest outfit- basically, i look like a dude....But I thought it was awesome and it got a lot of compliments.....mostly from geeks, both closet-star wars fans and full-on nerds alike.

Two Of Us

(These next 3 posts are backwards in order) Well it was hard for me to choose a title for this post- I almost went with Day Tripper, it's hard to say which is more fitting. But here it is- the Carnie Tour continues! This trip was to Powell, Wyoming. 7 days, 2 carnies and partridge in a pear tree. It was actually a really enjoyable work trip. Kent was pretty patient and we had a good time eating grapes and gummy bears and bouncing kids. I was suprised at how hot it was there! I piled on the 70 spf but still got burned. :( I'm still recovering from it -(leatherface). I'm still just an amateur carnie- I have a long way to come. haha

One excited carnie
Kent kept begging to wear my Boston hat, so I finally consented.

Ahh the smell of corn dogs and rodeo dirt...cover bands' music fills the air

Kent does interesting things (like talking with his hands) when he sees a camera pointed at him. He must be explaing what it takes to become a pro carnie

He also strikes poses like this

Straight up traded for this sweet John Deere hat. Love Wyoming

I talked Kent into taking the route through Yellowstone home. Why not, right? It was a pretty drive- We got only half way around Yellowstone Lake before deciding we HAD to jump in. Ice cold dip anyone?

Kent is starting to chicken out. He knows the lake water will be very cold. But with my encouragement and threats he finally toughens up enough.

Why can't I feel my ankles? Is it possible to get hypothermia in the face?

Ok, really I didn't plan on getting my hair wet, knowing we still had hours ahead on the road. But I had a feeling that the gentleman next to me would change those plans for me....and he did. :)

All Together Now

We pulled into Salt Lake Sunday night and I had a few days to hang out with some besties before flying home. Tacy and Adam were nice enought to let me stay with them and they treated me like royalty :) Julie and Aaron came up Monday and met us for dinner at Cheesecake Factory ( I love those avacado eggrolls. mmmm.) And then we chilled at Tacy's place afterwards. It was rally good to get everyone together-

Tacy and Julie exchanging numbers (they're MFEO)

Julie, me, Tacy...sorry I didn't get any pics of the boys :(


Holding Blue.

On Tuesday I went and met up with Hayley and Tristin at Primaray Children's. Blue was getting some check ups. We had a blast talking and talking and eating good chocolate and yogurt. I could spend hours with those two and never get sick of it. It's never a long enough visit.

Chillin with my homie, Abe

Bracken and I trying to imitate Abe....yeah I don't really know what we're doing.
Definitely a great visit to Salt Lake- I didn't get as many pics as I wanted. Other highlights included breakfast with Tacy (we love breakfast food!), Kent taking me to the see the Joseph Smith movie- i still get excited about visiting temple square. I think it's cause I didn't get to see it much growing up. I find the whole place very fascinating. Ha- you'd think it was my first time there. Thanks to all my peep's for spending good time with me and making me laugh!

Mother Nature's Son

Adam and Tacy were nice enough to take me rock climbing up cottonwood and show me how it's done. Kent was able to come join the fun too. These guys are super climbers- I was definitely impressed!

Adam belaying

Tacy's got my back

Adam- obviously getting his hands on my camera

Adam leading like a pro- you rock dude!

Me trying to fit in

The boys

Kent making it look easy

Kent repelling down

Good climb

Tacy, my hero- so strong

The pretty view

Just being up the canyon was so relaxing and beautiful. Watching the sunlight play on the rocks and watching my friends tear up the mountainside were moments of pure enjoyment. I love being challenged and this sure kicked my trash! Our little outing was so fun- I think I'm addicted and will have to get back very soon. Thanks Adam and Tacy!!!

Rain

Kayla and I went and worked in Portland in June. It rained everyday except for two days which made everything a bit uncomfortable. But overall I really liked Portland. It was so green and beautiful, the city had a lot of character, and the people were friendly and very unique. We made some good friends there- unfortunately, my camera died halfway through the trip, so I didn't get too many pictures.

I was lucky enough to see Walker (a mission buddy of mine) He met up with me a few times and took me to really yummy restaurants and made me laugh constantly- thanks Walker. And yes, this is the only picture I got of us...my camera died right after this shot.

This doughnut shop is famous. I tried the maple bar with bacon on it...not bad

Maltnomah Falls

Apparently they shot some scenes in Twilight here...big yip

Kayla and I trying to keep dry