Saturday, December 31, 2011

2011 will go down as my most memorable year of my life...

...and through pictures, this is why
(they are in backwards order...i tried to flip flop it but it wouldn't work)
i am so thankful for everything that happened in 2011
happy new years! 

happy new years!

i love my bachan and jichan's house

annual christmas jubilee!

new york city at christmas time!

b. mosman's birthday celebrations

kooks concert and attacking them after
fourth half marathon!
dayglow!


mud run!


lily's 19th!

surprise trip home for homecoming!

road trip to boulder, colorado

bruce's baptism

byu football games

90's dancing

meeting blink 182

hiking

european cruise!

goodbyes to missionaries 

booya camping

oc fair

road trip home with college besties

byu summer term 


graduation!

family disneyland trips!

san diego with my loves!

senior luau



senior activities 

twin day

san clemente days

sammy's baptism

camp pendleton mud run

asb banquet 

college day/ 3rd period asb


duatholon!

the musical with this babe

best surprise birthday 

skydiving with my dad on my 18th birthday

mock crash 

the construction of the these bad boys!

passion pit 


days at the golden spoon 
room 711/ my home for all fours at t.h.s.

prom

trip to orlando to visit britt/mulan/pocohantos

roadshow

moprom

acceptance to byu

gothic

tesoro's winter formal

washington d.c.

san clemente's winter formal
hip hip hooray for life!

Sunday, December 25, 2011

a CHRISTmas kind of post

yes, yes, i suffer from an excessive sentimental disease, but hey ill look back and appreciate it one day...right? anyways, this entire break...i've really been touched by the Lords hand in my life
mama vivs has repeatedly said all break, "remember the reason for the season." 

I love my family and my home.
its a place of peace, an oasis, energy bounces off it's walls, and its a haven where the Spirit dwells.
...and i give all credit for this feeling i get at home to the people who live in this home. 
dad, mom, britt, blake, and sammy, i am so fortunate to call you my family

being home this break has had its highs and lows.
to be fully honest, it was quite an adjustment from the heaven i live in, BYU's campus. 
the 80 degree weather, my family and best friends, the beach, my bed, my fridge, etc... i've missed
(sorry for the honesty)..but when my friends are in an intoxicated, blazed state...that, i have not missed.
however, my love for them is unconditional and i would never think any less of them.
its just different, and sometimes it makes me sad that it is different.
but, we all go through stages, 'ups and downs' and the reality is, everyone isn't on the same roller coaster
when we are on our 'downs' we can be lifted up by those and look to those on their 'ups'
and when we are on our 'ups' we need to support others in their 'downs'
for that is what Christ would do. 
He lifts us up, gives us hope & comfort in our 'downs' 
and we must rejoice in Him and & give thanks to Him during our 'ups.' 
my testimony of His great power has been strengthened this week. 

everything happens for a reason, He has a plan for each and everyone of us. 
He knows us, by name. He loves us. He is forgiving. He grieves over our pains and affliction. He is aware of our fears and our dreams. He is omnipotent. He is our Savior. He is the king of the world.
He is the 'reason for the season' 

i am so thankful for Him. 
today, we celebrate the birth of Christ.
because this baby was born, the world is saved. 
He paved a way for us, by the power of His great atoning sacrifice, to dwell with Him again, one day. 
He is my greatest example, my best friend, and my happiness.  
so today, and everyday, i praise Him. 

Merry Christmas! 



Tuesday, December 20, 2011

christmas in the city! LAST AND FINAL DAY (5)

canal street!



elevator in the empire hotel!
blair and chuck totally have hooked up in here!
central park!


  1. canal street/chinatown/ little italy- lily and i had a crazy experience with a purse dealer.  i'm gonna post the video soon! hilarious, elizabeth checketts in canal street...a rare occurrence i will alway chuckle over.  chinatown smelled awful.  little italy was nice.  all in all, good times!
  2. gray's papaya-the famous new york hotdog place was extremely....average.  but we did get the recession special, two hotdogs and a drink for $5!! 
  3. empire hotel!!! thanks to the suave best friend i have, we walked confidently in, sat down at the bar, ordered some pierre and bruschetta and as i slyly took photographs of the bar, i was in gossip girl heaven! being inside the hotel was awesome.  we went up the elevator to the top floor and tried to get on the roof! ah! so cool! we also saw the palace hotel and the rehab center that eric was in! chuck dont die on me...please!
  4. central park was beautiful! we were there right at dusk so the sky was stunning! there were people jogging, horses giving carriage rides and hot dog stands.  this iconic park was the perfect ending to this dream of a weekend!
  5. after we went back to our room, packed up and hailed a cab to take us to bro checks, who drove us back to the sweet town of new canaan, connecticut.  when we returned we ate yummy tacos and went caroling with the entire checketts family! this family honestly is hysterical, we decided that caroling is awkward but 10 bagillion times more awkward for the people listening...do you sing along...do you smile the entire song...how many songs is appropriate to be sung...do you offer them to come in? anyways it was a total blast. 
  6. after eating a carmel apple and some carmel chocolate drizzled gourmet popcorn, we threw the towel in.  what a day! what a weekend! what a trip! tomorrow i will spend my last day in new canaan then fly home in the afternoon.  this whole trip has been flawless! i swear, how lucky am i?! thanks to the checketts and to lily for making this east coast christmas getaway a vacation of a lifetime! i am so blessed to be graced with elizabeth's friendship and i look forward to the many more adventures that await! and as for now, time to rest these exhausted feet and slumber away in elizabeth's bed fit for a queen!