Weekend Wrapup

What a weekend. I don’t even remember what happened haha. But I know it was an interesting one! Full of mom coming home from the hospital, working and dashes to Provo, seeing friends and saying goodbye to friends, and of course my favorite moment of the week, email Sunday.

Sent to Randy. His response? I’m very pleased to see that you’re still just as beautiful as ever.” After the last picture I sent him, I think he was worried;)

Got to see these fun friends. It was so good to be back in the college swing of things, even if it was only for a little while. I miss everyone more than you can imagine. 

Our family is dwindling in numbers. And we said goodbye to Juston, dad, yesterday. What a great guy, a great talk, and a great family:)
Happy Monday everyone!

Chacho

It’s Rachel s birthday. This is a big day. She’s finally 19 and we can officially begin husband hunting;) She’ll probably kill me for putting that. Oh well:)

Basically I wasn’t sure if Rachel and I were going to get along. Now she’s one of my best friends. One of my Fat Five ladies. I don’t know what I would’ve done last year without her. Or what I would do next year without her. She’s been there with me through so much, and I owe that girl SO much. So much of who I became last year is because of Rachel (the good stuff I mean;))

Rach thanks for being one of my best friends. Thanks for making me feel important, for keeping me updated on your life and listening to all my boring stories. Thanks for cake batter and brownie nights, movies, whipping your hair, getting crazy at dances, car dancing, blasting music while we drive, Walmart and McDonald’s runs, being my baby, always having Diet Dr. Pepper in the fridge, for being our entertainment source;)
For crying with me, laughing with me, telling me when I’m being dumb, having spiritual time with me, sharing experiences, doing “homework” with me, curling up in a ball during finals, not caring what anyone thinks and teaching me not to care either, for teaching me how to let go and have fun, and for showing me what it means to be a really good friend.
I love you Chach! Only 2 months until we’re back together. I SO EXCITED:) Happy birthday love:)
Also. Yesterday was one of those days. The ones where you sit and cry in the shower and then eat pie in your bed while watching Netflix. Don’t lie, you totally know what I mean. 
The good news is, I had really good pie to eat.
Happy Sunday everyone!

Huge corn dogs:)

Another day off work? Yes. This is happening. My mom is getting surgery so my parents are gone at the hospital, I’m off of work playing “mom” for a few days. So we’ll see how that goes….

Meanwhile here’s what’s been up lately. Life according to my iPhone if you will:)

Remember the letter drought? Yup…it’s over:) Two great letters and this girl was very, very happy!
HUGE corn dog. It was delicious. We went to the little hot dog vendor on the side of the street, next to the snow cone shack. It was a good choice.
I saw this sign yesterday and it hurt my heart. All my musical productions friends will know why. What a good song:)
We look happy. It is a lie. We went and swam at Cherry Hill at 6:45 because Big Budah was there, and my boss wanted the park to have people in it! Yeah…it was freezing, but still super fun:)
Also. How can it already be June 20?!?!?! My summer is almost halfway gone!!! I can’t believe it. I thought I was cruising through summer, doing so much. NOPE. I need to step up my game and make this summer even more epic! Well now I have to go do the dishes, so we can go BACK to Cherry Hill and play some more. It is no longer enough that I work there, I need to go play there too! That’s how great it is:) 
Happy Thursday everyone!

Was yesterday Father’s Day?

I kid. I know it was Father’s Day, if not because I celebrated with my family, the hundreds of instagram and facebook posts would’ve been a clue;) It was actually really sweet to see everyone talking about their dads and how great they are.

But now I must end the debate. Because my dad is the best.

So here’s a shout out to the best father a girl could ask for. He’s taught me so many things about how to live, and LOVE your life. He showed me great movies and music, how to play chess and ride a bike, helped me endlessly with math, shared his testimony with me, came to all my shows, and has done a million things to show me that he cares about me. I can’t even begin to start telling you how great my dad is, how much he’s overcome and how amazed I am that he’s who he is today. So while you all may think you have a great dad, I can assure you that my dad is the best. So thank you daddy, for always being there for me and always loving me. I love you!
Alright world. Bring on another week:)
Happy Monday everyone!

Tid+bits

Lately things have been crazy! Good crazy, but crazy. Here’s just a little peek of what’s been up recently.

Working on figuring out my college schedule. I’m getting into my major soon so it’s starting to become a game of what classes to take when…all of it is stressful and confusing, but I’m so excited for all of these classes! Hello journalism major and art history minor, and hello junior year!
Congratulations to all my Davis High seniors who are graduating today! Makes me remember my graduation: the long lines in the heat, the speeches that I actually really liked, walking around with over 700 other people to get a diploma, the teachers who were smiling and shaking my hands, my best friends and my family all being there to support me. Yeah, that was a good day. Congrats to all you kids graduating today! Good things are coming!
It’s summer AKA I never wear shoes. Not on the grass, the sidewalk, or even in the road. And yes my toes are still messed up from ballet. It’s fine. 
So that’s what’s up! Now I’m off to work for 10 hours at Cherry Hill…that should be fun right? 
Happy last day of school to all my Davis County friends! And happy Friday everyone! 
Linking up with:

It’s a great day to be a Dart

So if you know me, you know that I follow Hailey Haugen (now Devine). I love her story. I saw her at City Creek once. I read her blog. Yeah it’s boarderline obsessive, but it’s totally fine.

Imagine my shock when I won her Shabby Apple giveaway!!

Yup, this girl is heading to Shabby Apple with 100 dollars to blow. It’s a pretty good setup if you ask me. Don’t know how it happened (I’d like to think it’s Hailey’s way of telling me she appreciates me wanting to be her. But that’s probably not it,) but life is good my friends.

Also. It’s yearbook day at high school which has got me all weepy and nostalgic. I’ll save my full graduation post for tomorrow, since that’s when the class of 2013 graduates. But here’s what I remember about yearbook days from high school:

-Deciding what to wear. It was a challenge for me.
-Running around with my friends to sign yearbooks.
-My hand being tired from writing.
-Sitting outside on the grass and it being SO HOT.
-Running inside to get teachers, and see who was inside that I needed.
-Spending forever in the theater room with everyone.
-Walking out with Randy after and being sad it was all over.
-Heading to Spencer’s to swim and play all night.
-Reading through the nice things people said to me, and realizing high school was pretty great.

So happy yearbook day class of 2013!

And happy Thursday everyone!

iPhone anyone?

Yesterday was one of the greatest days ever. I got an iPhone. Is it pathetic that it was one of the happiest days ever for that reason? Perhaps. But whatever, it’s fine, I’m happy and life is GOOD.

So I discovered a few wonderful things about my iPhone very fast. I can do group messages with 2 of my best friends. I can talk on the phone THROUGH my car speakers (drive safe folks). I can have an INSTAGRAM (see my contact info to follow me!) I can have my music AND Pandora on there. I can have my CAMERA ready to snap ANY picture for the blog, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. I have my scriptures RIGHT THERE whenever I need them. I could go on and on. Basically, I’m in love.

His name is Rajah, after the tiger on Aladdin. I have an obsession with Disney, it’s fine.

So if you have favorite apps, helpful hints, or tips, PLEASE comment or contact me! I would love help milking this iPhone for all it’s worth!

So all my dear friends, expect more photos, more posts on social media, and good things to come for this blog. It’s going to be grand.


My home screen. AWWWWW:)


First selfie ever. Don’t expect too many of these. I hate taking pictures of myself.

Also, it’s the last day of May today. Bring on June! I’m heading off to see some old teachers today, and then to deliver invites to a bridal shower I’m throwing next week (expect an entire post on how to do it. Now that I’ve thrown two, I think I’m a pro. I’m not, but still.)

Happy Friday everyone!

Phone Dump

So I finally figured out how to load pictures from my phone onto my computer. Yes I could send them to facebook or my email, but that took FOREVER. So I got a micro-disk adapter and popped those babies into my files. And you HAVE to see some of them. They are too great.

On the bus to 7th grade!!! AHHHH

Ready for sophomore prom

Bandy with my dinosaur at the Senior Carnival

Randy at Menchie’s the summer before we started dating!

Carla and I at the annual summer photo shoot with Russ

Ash and I at that same photo shoot. It was 7th grade people.

Car….

Ash…

And Morg at Park City for Carly’s birthday. 8th grade.

Sleeping Rachel

Mr. Rice duct taped Taylor Russel’s mouth shut one day. That was fun.
It’s funny to see pictures and things from the past. How lucky I’ve been to have had the life that I’ve had. It’s made me who I am today. And I’m pretty happy about that. 
Happy Wednesday everyone! 

Birthdays and more

I have to give a shout-out to two of my sisters. One is really my sister, the other played my sister in Fiddler on the Roof.

Kira Holmes is one of the most unique people I know. She is 100% herself, she cares about others and she is one of the kindest people that I know. Kira makes me laugh and always makes me feel like I am so important to her, which is a wonderful feeling. So happy birthday baby Kira….you were just a fetus when this happened;) I love you!


We totally won Scattergories against the rest of our family. Regardless of what they tell you, we won.

And now for my actual sister. Olivia. She is seriously so amazing. People say we look alike, but she’s probably 100000000 times more beautiful than I am. She is smart, adventurous, kind, funny, and so sweet. She goes for what she wants, and is AMAZING at everything she does. She forgives easily and doesn’t stay mad, she loves laughing and doesn’t let the drama of high school get to her, instead she just laughs about it until it’s not a big deal anymore. She is sensitive to what people need and always makes sure that she is a good friend/sister. I am lucky that she’s one of my very best friends. I love you Liv, and I hope you have a great sweet sixteen!

Ahhh sweet sixteen. First date, getting a driver’s license, all that good stuff. My first date was legendary. I went with Brandon Carling to a concert. He called me and asked me to go to Keith Urban on a Wednesday night, the day after my birthday. And I said yes. We got to the Energy Solutions Arena and were walking around. Brandon’s best friend’s mom had gotten him the tickets, and they were waiting at the Will Call in front. So we went up there, and got our tickets. An usher than went to show us to our seats. We walked in a lower bowl door, and kept walking. Down, down, DOWN INTO THE SEA. No but really. We kept turning to each other and saying “Where are these seats??” Then…we stopped. Front row. Dead center.

I touched Keith’s hand. I got a guitar pick. It was the best first date known to man.

Here are a few of my favorite dates that I’ve been on (besides the concert. which was INCREDIBLE)

  • Picnic. Honestly going on picnics and then playing at the park is SO fun. Trust me!
  • Making dinner. It’s so fun to cook and make something together! You could do this with dessert too.
  • Ice skating. Need I say more?
  • Classic Skating. There are bounce houses, roller blading, arcade games. It’s a good time.
  • Laser tag. Get that competitive side out!
  • Dinner and a movie. Classic for if you are dating or know each other really well. Still a really fun date every time!
  • Hiking. Just make sure you bring lots of water!
  • DI shopping spree. Have a competition, make each other outfits, anything!
  • Put notes in the books at Barnes and Noble. It’s really fun. Promise.
  • Chili’s chips and salsa and molten chocolate cake. Ten dollars of deliciousness. Trust me.
  • Finger painting. Or just painting. Do something crafty. It’s fun!
  • Gingerbread houses. You can get all the supplies for not too much!
  • Go to a concert, show, or game. Whether it’s high school or professional, it’s always really fun to go out and see people show their talents!
  • Star gazing. Hot chocolate and a blanket and you’re set!
  • Go to the zoo, aquarium, or planetarium. These are all really fun, not too expensive, and will last the whole day!
  • Paintballing or shooting. Just make sure the girl is up for the challenge!
  • Rock climbing. Real or fake rocks, it’s fun to see how well you do.
  • Swimming or a waterpark. Better if you know each other well enough to see each other in swimming suits!
  • Scavenger hunt. Plan a scavenger hunt for each other and end with a yummy treat!
  • Make a movie or music video. Better for a group date!
  • Window shop in Salt Lake or any other big city.
  • Fishing. Just get some fishing licenses and a pole!
  • Museum. There are lots all over. Just pick one!
  • Bowling. Yes. Just do it.
  • Walking and talking. These kind of dates have turned out to be some of my favorites.
So those are my little date suggestions for today. 
Happy Tuesday everyone! 

Memorial day and Star Trek

So we celebrate Memorial Day like most families. Watching Star Trek: Into Darkness.

Kidding. Most families don’t do that. But mine does!

We also had a BBQ and are celebrating my sister’s birthday (stay tuned for her birthday/sweet sixteen post TOMORROW) and going to the cemetery to remember those who are no longer with us.

But we also went to see Star Trek.

In a word. It was fantastic. Mind blowing, relevant to the old ones and yet had a fresh new spin. If you are not a Star Trek fan, shame on you. Become one. It’s worth it. If you are a Star Trek fan, this movie does not disappoint. Go see it, soon!

Now for a more Memorial Day appropriate post.

I am so grateful for those who have come before me, who have served our country and those who haven’t. Memorial Day was originally for those who died serving our country, and has now been made to honor all who have come before. I have always thought I had an appreciation for my country, but it wasn’t until I was in a small, American cemetery that I really came to appreciate our soldiers.

I’ve already blogged about the wonderful things that happened to me there, and you can view that post here.

So today I just want to say thank you to those who will never read this blog. Those who are gone, in a better place. I am so grateful for the comfort my religion brings me about eternal families, and the chance I will have to see those who are gone again.


Image courtesy of Cherry Hill

Happy Monday and happy Memorial Day everyone!