re-cap of summer trips

Colter Bay

Jackson Hole

Newport Beach

I can't believe it is September 1st today. This summer has literally flown by. Since I only had two weeks of summer, we were able to squeeze in some awesome trips. We went to Colter Bay with my family and camped for a few days. I love it up there. Then we went to California and played on the beach everyday. It was a perfect vacation to wrap up the summer before school starts and before Richie left for Jerusalem...which was today! I think it finally hit me that he will be gone for the next 3 1/2 months, but hopefully it will go by as fast as this summer did. 

going private

After googling my name and seeing all of my blog posts show up, I have decided to go private. So...those of you who want to continue to visit my blog, leave a comment with your email address and I'll invite you to be a reader.

Welcome Home!

This last week we met up with Richie's whole family in Sun Valley to celebrate his parents coming home from their mission. It was such a fun week and so great to spend time with everyone. The week flew by, but we were able to fit so many fun things in. We stayed at a beautiful place which had a tennis court as well as a swimming pool. There were plenty of beautiful morning walks for the girls, a day at the park, bike riding, fly fishing, river rafting and golf for the boys, shopping, fireworks, Hailey Rodeo, a day at Red Fish Lake, yummy meals, ice cream, and so much more. 

Richie, Elizabeth and I at the Hailey Rodeo.

BEAUTIFUL Red Fish Lake.

Sun Valley

Yes...we did rent a tandem bike.

Walking around Sun Valley on the 4th.

sign me up for summer

I never thought in a million years I would sign up for a summer semester at the U. I actually wrote down somewhere in my journal a few years back that the ONLY way I would ever take a summer semester was if it were a summer semester abroad. Well I am definitely not abroad, but am taking three classes this summer. I think I had the worst of the worst expectations because to be honest I am loving my classes. 

I am taking a math class that has taken me back to my freshman year of high school...geometry. The class also goes over a good chunk of statistics too, but for right now we are going over geometric shapes and learning about quadrilaterals, triangles and polygons. It is a great review because I have forgotten most of what I learned in 9th grade.I am glad I am going to have the whole summer to focus on this class, instead of trying to cram so much math (which isn't my subject) into six weeks. Another one of my classes is an educational psychology class that has been so fascinating. I love my professor and am so intrigued by everything she has taught us thus far. I am kind of sad that this class only lasts six weeks, but at the same time so thankful I won't be this busy with school the whole summer. My last class that I am taking is a technology class where I am learning how to create lessons and lesson plans all on the computer using different websites and software. I am surprised at how much I have already learned in this class. It does get a little boring at times, so I guess it is good that this one only lasts six weeks as well. 

I am a little disappointed that I wasn't open-minded to summer semesters in the past, because I have really liked my classes.

memorial weekend

Over memorial weekend Richie and I had a great time doing so many things. I don't know how the weekend is already over. It flew by so fast. Over the long break, we loved: 

• hitting up the outlets in P.C.
• going 4-wheeling in Midway 
• wandering around Cascade Springs 
• visiting Chad who just got home from a mission 
• visiting graves 
• having the first campfire of the summer up at my cabin 
• making tin foil dinners and s'mores
  
• seeing "Night at the Museum II" 
• visiting grandparents
• going out for sushi

I can't believe June is almost here. I am so excited for summer and hopefully it won't fly by as fast as this last weekend did (even though I'll be in school). I am still so excited for the little weekend trips, the days at the pool, campfires, boating... I could go on and on. I am loving the warmer weather!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BFF!

HAPPY 22nd KATIE!

I LOVE her!

I was so lucky to have such great roomies.

She is my partner in crime.

We really are twins.

We are and always will be three peas in a pod.

Katie...

I hope you know how much I love you and am so thankful four our friendship. You are so amazing. Thanks for always being there! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Namaste

This last Thursday Richie and I headed to St. George to stay with the Bennions and also take a quick day trip Vegas to see a family that he taught during his last weeks in India. They came to the U.S. to visit some family for about a month. They are such a sweet family and so incredibly generous and giving. It was such a great experience. I had heard so much about them and was so excited to finally meet them. Richie raves about Shanti's (the mom) cooking, and while we were at dinner she offered to teach me how to make Chicken Biryani and a few other Indian dishes sometime. I can't wait!

They took us to a really nice Indian restaurant that was so delicious. I had a lot of fun trying new things, and surprisingly I loved everything I ate. 

We were able to walk the strip for a little bit before we met up with Shanti's family. I wish we would have taken more pictures, but this is the only one on the strip. 

My dad was down in St. George on Friday for a golf tournament and he was able to get Richie into the tournament Friday morning. I was the designated golf cart driver.

Happy Mothers Day

I don't know how I got so lucky to have such an amazing Mom who truly is my best friend. I don't know what I would do without her especially living in a houseful of boys. She is such a great example and I hope one day I can be like her. Happy Mothers Day Mom! I love you