Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked

and walked.

For Pioneer Day I walked 10 miles in celebration. In the morning I made my Utah shaped Utah Scones and watched the parade.  Then Jesika, my mom, Brynn, Deirdre, Kristan, Reyna, and I went to visit my dad at This is the Place Park and learn about the Pioneer way of life.  We played in the splash pad, watched some Navajo dancing, saw the animals and buildings, and watched my dad make banjo pieces and a spinning top.

 At the apothecary we learned how pills were made.  It was really fascinating.  They would grind the ingredients and mix it with the prescribed liquid to make a dough, then roll it into a long roll and cut them into tiny pills.

That night Jesika and I went to a BBQ at Alan's and then to watch the fireworks at Liberty Park.  Overall it was a nice way to spend the day.

Sunday night Aimee, Alan, Jesika, Janee, and I went to Gilgal park downtown.  It is so weird.  It is full of statues carved by the same man who saw them in dreams.  The most bizarre one is the face of Joseph Smith carved into a Sphinx.

 

LA: Warner Brother's Studio Tour

I couldn't take enough pictures and tell enough stories to do this tour justice.  So many cool behind the scenes and in front of the scenes moments.  Click each picture for more detail.

Big Bang: we weren't allowed to take pictures in person, so these are via google.

 

LA: places and things

For Toni's birthday we did a day at the beach in Malibu:

Had to get my hair done at the elite Nine Zero One.  It was a ton of fun.

 

 

LA: Welcome to La La Land

I had a few free days that [finally] happened to coincide with Toni's free days and her birthday!  So I flew to Los Angeles for a little getaway.  We had a ton of fun planning each day the night before and seeing what we could see.

I also took advantage of scrapbooking my trip on the Project Life app as it was happening so that pictures and notes in the next couple of blog posts are coming straight from the App!

 

These pages are collaged highlights of some of the icons and moments we had throughout the weekend.  We saw some stars, ate some really good food, and enjoyed the urban art.

Food, Friends, & Sunshine

It has been really hot this summer but that hasn't stopped us from having some adventures.

Taylorsville Dayzz:  Alan, Zac, Scott, Chris, and I had fun at Taylorsville Dayzz eating all of the carney food and watching an 80's coverband and fireworks.  It was nice to just hang with the guys and chat.

I enjoyed some shark on a stick, deep fried cookie dough (which was to die for...and will probably kill me) and to balance that out some lemonade and broccoli on a stick.

West Jordan Western Stampede Rodeo: Becca joined me with the boys to go to the rodeo.  I haven't been to a rodeo in a very long time.  It was a blast watching the mutton bustin little kids and the cowboys ride and rope.  I came up with a fun rodeo name:  Possum Boxchute. 

British Bake Off: Becca, Jesika, and I decided we needed a girls night out and after dinner at Blaze Pizza we made a Victoria Sponge cake and watched the Great British Baking Show.  We forgot to add baking powder so it was more cookie than cake, but it was still so so tasty!

Midsingles Luau: I had a great time catching up with James and Scott at the Luau.  It was so nice to visit with Rebekah, Amber, Alan, Zac, and Emily as well.  Afterwards we all sat in the parking lot of Wendys eating frosties and talking about nothing.  The perfect summer night.

me and Scott

me, Alan, Emily, Zac

me and James

me and Amber

The 4th of July: food, fireworks, and drama.  Basically it was a typical 4th of july experience with a BBQ at Alan's house followed by firework watching at Saanii's party at a house next to Murray Park.  It was a perfect place to watch all of the fireworks.  I dared Alan to slip in between RaAnn and Amber, put his arms around them, and say that the fireworks were about to begin.  He did it!  I owe him a photo op at comic con. I am grateful for good friends.

 

La La Land in concert: Krystal, Becca, and I had a great time going to USANA and seeing the Utah Symphony perform La La Land in concert.  It is such a great movie and we were able to listen to the music live which was just delightful.

The Mountains are calling: On July 4th Brynn, my Mom, Reyna, and I decided to escape the heat for a bit but going up Big Cottonwood Canyon and walking around Silver Lake.  Brynn is obsessed with maps, and I am obsessed with the mountain air.

Nightshift Potluck: Maggie from T7 organized a patient tower nightshift potluck for the holiday.  It was a lot of fun to mingle with friends from each floor as you stopped for salads or desserts.  Rob and the ED manned the grill in the Ambulance bay.  Grateful to work with such stellar people.