tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49503826864350357812024-03-13T09:46:19.132-07:00The StonesSamanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-29615581432666944972013-06-12T07:04:00.001-07:002013-06-12T07:04:03.753-07:00Life Update. Get Ready For A Dizzingly Long Post<span style="font-size: large;">I'm a terrible blogger. But because of jet-lag from my extensive trip to Japan, I'm up at 4:30/5am and I've got the time. Well, what you've missed in the last 6+ months is: (**Warning: These pictures may look familiar; it's because of the handiness
of Instagram and its ability to upload to facebook. I love instagram
because it's like an instant, mini, picture blog :))</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Before Christmas we went down to St. George to be with Loren's younger sister Jessica to go through the temple, in preparation for her becoming a missionary to St. Petersburg, Russia. We enjoyed spending time with the family and seeing his older sister Amelia who flew in from Texas. That day we went to the temple, had lunch at Chili's, the girls went out window shopping, bowling, ate at 25th Main, and watched a Christmas concert at the tabernacle. So jam packed with fun!! The next day Loren and I drove down to Las Vegas to watch Pentatonix perform! Pentatonix was on the TV show The Sing Off the previous year and we had them picked as our favorite. They won and got a record deal and they've been touring ever since. If you haven't heard of them, stop reading this and youtube them RIGHT NOW. Las Vegas was the closest option for us to go see them and it happened to coincide with the weekend we were going to be in St. George, a mere ~2hours away :D Pretty perfect.</span></li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">25th Main...about to get cupcakes ^_^</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Touring downtown St. George. Surprised 4 grown women can fit in a telephone box?</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">They were IN.credible!</span></td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas Day. I wrote a post about the day before Christmas but not Christmas day because both were big deals. Christmas was great--slept in til 8 (Loren could wait any longer to open presents so he woke me up), made breakfast, opened presents which was SO fun! Loren got a lot of camping stuff and I bought a few of my own presents so I could get what I wanted and Loren wouldn't have to stress about what to get me. He thought that took out all the love. Oh well. The big ticket item we got was a Wii along with Just Dance 3!!! I actually opened Just Dance 3 before the Wii because Loren thought I was opening a dvd, not a Wii game...so that spoiled the <i>big</i> surprise but it was still way exciting. We immediately hooked it up and played on it for an hour? It was so fun! We were invited by our landlords to have lunch with them--her parents were in town and they made empanadas. Random right? Well apparently not because mama grew up in Argentina and that's what they made for Christmas; they were so delicious. After that we went to the Wallace home (in Utah). We hung out with Rob, Sheri and the kids till it was way late at night. So so fun to get to spend time with them! They're my family :) While they were in town we went to see Les Mis and I took the two oldest girls out shopping.</span></li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christmas corner with handmade crafts on the mantle</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gettin' my groove on!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My cute girls--ALL GROWN UP! Afton, Abi, me, Kaylynne</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Playing in the insane amount of snow close to Christmas day--truly a white Christmas</span></td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"> We played some more during Christmas break. I took a crack at making bread (not my forte but it still comes out rather good, taste and density-wise). Also made blueberry muffins from scratch and they were divine! Honestly just like you would find at some coffee shop.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Being a faculty member at a high school requires you to go to some school events. I chaperoned a dance for the first time! My kids (special needs students) loved it!! It was so fun to see them dancing and interacting with the other students. One of my girls even got in the middle of one of those dance circles people make and was dancing like a crazy person :) It was pretty easy chaperoning but would've been better if me and the crew didn't stuff ourselves full of Mexican food (El Gallo Giro). And yes, Loren has a beard. You never know when it's gonna come back.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">We also visited an exhibit all about Leonardo da Vinci with my friend and co-worker Kirsten and grabbed some dessert at Cheesecake Factory with my old roommate Brooke. What a great way to spend the day :) We have also supported another co-worker, Scott, at BYU's Laugh Out Loud improv comedy show where he's been performing for a few years. We also had dinner before hand, with one of the (many) P.E. aides we had, in order to set him up. It didn't turn out...and she found another job shortly thereafter (not because of him!). </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">One of my good friends Evan (more like a brother) from back home came out to Utah to go to the MTC. His brother Laine picked him up from the airport and we all went out for a last celebration dinner (Evan was reporting to the MTC on his birthday). We got sushi, I made pecan pie for the group and we all played Just Dance. It was fun having our Bradley/Anderson group back together (minus Lacey)!</span></li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ashley, Laine, Evan, me, Loren</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDh6s4vsEUY/UbJhw45bFXI/AAAAAAAAA6M/YBdrpjMl2gw/s1600/IMG_4778.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDh6s4vsEUY/UbJhw45bFXI/AAAAAAAAA6M/YBdrpjMl2gw/s1600/IMG_4778.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'll admit, I cried as we dropped him off. So proud of him!!</span></td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Valentines day rolled around and I made Loren steak, mashed potatoes and asparagus for dinner, along with chocolate covered strawberries (that I had to make at Kirsten's house so he wouldn't see). Loren got me Wii Mario Kart and a cute, little rose bush. He said he would've gotten me flowers except that he wanted to get me something more lasting, like our love. So adorable! Our rose bush is still alive and kind of thriving, actually. Much better than the tulip plant he got me last year--didn't know I was supposed to continue to take care of it! Whoops...</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">This year I turned 24! We celebrated by eating out at Cheesecake Factory with my brother and his family then watching Oz The Great and Powerful--so fun! The next day, after Loren took an exam for his Saturday morning class (I hope he never takes one of those again), we drove to St. George for Jessica's missionary farewell. We could only stay for 24 hours because I had work on Monday, unlike everybody else who had Spring Break that week. Poo. After the farewell, we took family pictures since that would be the last time everybody would be together for a few years, since Rachel (the youngest) plans on going on a mission, too. A few days later the family came up to Provo to see Jessica off at the MTC, but not before celebrating four March birthdays at Tucanos!! </span></li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Celebration with my brother and his family</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Back LtoR: Dan, Bri, Amelia, Jon, me, Loren. Front LtoR: Rachel, Mary, Dan, Patty, Jessica</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Heaven...aka Tucanos</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">See you in St. Petersburg, Sister Stone!</span></td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">We have loved going on picnics and camping! Loren's accrued quite a bit of camping gear which made him itching to go any weekend we could. And, we even bought a Mozin Nagant so camping has now become camping/shooting weekends :)</span></li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was middle-late Winter semester and it reached 70 degrees! I made us go to a park and enjoy the lovely weather</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZfzt9Hng4w/Ubg23oPTgOI/AAAAAAAAA_U/_oFgoweb-Ro/s1600/IMG_5225.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZfzt9Hng4w/Ubg23oPTgOI/AAAAAAAAA_U/_oFgoweb-Ro/s1600/IMG_5225.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Best campfire chicken dinner I've had...so far :) Smores always follow, of course!</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzAjannyozY/Ubg23Zq_IVI/AAAAAAAAA_E/M1uY67AvYeI/s1600/IMG_5224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzAjannyozY/Ubg23Zq_IVI/AAAAAAAAA_E/M1uY67AvYeI/s1600/IMG_5224.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hit this sucker on my 2nd try! Loren was mad since that was our only target ;)</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c63OhYADGX8/Ubg24DXBT8I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/MSAaVp_u2Y8/s1600/IMG_5226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c63OhYADGX8/Ubg24DXBT8I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/MSAaVp_u2Y8/s1600/IMG_5226.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">So we came up with our own target! And he nailed it!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Late March/early April was my school's Spring Break so 2 of my coworkers decided to road trip it to San Diego!! Kirsten's family lives there so we were able to crash there--score! Surprisingly, this trip went very well. You know how sometimes too much estrogen, especially in a car for 10+ hours then palling around everywhere, can get to you? For us it didn't--PHEW!! I'll admit it worried me but I really really wanted to go to San Diego. On our way down we visited LDS Temples, St. George, UT and Las Vegas, NV.</span></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0R3CxLYoJ-Q/Ubg24CQqovI/AAAAAAAAA_g/HCtN_KUzqUk/s1600/IMG_5324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0R3CxLYoJ-Q/Ubg24CQqovI/AAAAAAAAA_g/HCtN_KUzqUk/s1600/IMG_5324.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kirsten (pink sweatshirt), Tiffany (black & white shirt) and me. St. George on left, Las Vegas top and bottom right</span></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pyKOGRdeY3Y/Ubg25HfNZAI/AAAAAAAAA_s/FjphWDZx_3k/s1600/IMG_5339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pyKOGRdeY3Y/Ubg25HfNZAI/AAAAAAAAA_s/FjphWDZx_3k/s1600/IMG_5339.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">View from Kirsten's home ward. Can you say gorgeous?</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5C7moXYyBI/Ubg25gFg7lI/AAAAAAAAA_8/JpLnpWSR-70/s1600/IMG_5346.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5C7moXYyBI/Ubg25gFg7lI/AAAAAAAAA_8/JpLnpWSR-70/s1600/IMG_5346.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J5d37zQ_FxI/Ubg25UAK-kI/AAAAAAAAA_w/APrQMTgiXcg/s1600/IMG_5343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J5d37zQ_FxI/Ubg25UAK-kI/AAAAAAAAA_w/APrQMTgiXcg/s1600/IMG_5343.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Had to visit the Mormon Battalion site--one of my fave attractions!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jc8jFoV3HHM/Ubg26DaApDI/AAAAAAAABAA/dWAkPwWWEVY/s1600/IMG_5401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jc8jFoV3HHM/Ubg26DaApDI/AAAAAAAABAA/dWAkPwWWEVY/s1600/IMG_5401.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">That boy is Kirsten's baby brother, in case you were wondering why there's a dude with us...</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">SIX FLAGS!!!! I think Disney people have it wrong, Six Flags is <i>THE</i> happiest place on earth!! :D</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dadZ-52o9rg/Ubg26E7s5pI/AAAAAAAABAE/jWBJ8YxeTRI/s1600/IMG_5404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dadZ-52o9rg/Ubg26E7s5pI/AAAAAAAABAE/jWBJ8YxeTRI/s1600/IMG_5404.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Photos with superhero stuff, in honor of one of our fave students, who thinks <i>he's</i> a superhero :)</span></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xsl7zMKa3zU/Ubg26cXN_HI/AAAAAAAABAU/o7jKlLZDN2I/s1600/IMG_5405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xsl7zMKa3zU/Ubg26cXN_HI/AAAAAAAABAU/o7jKlLZDN2I/s1600/IMG_5405.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">More rides--X2 was by far the best. Top right is the Minion I won! :)</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">The next day we were supposed to go to the beach but the weather conditions were not ideal. So instead we picked strawberries in Carlsbad! What a wonderful experience! You hop out of your car and the air smells of strawberries. You pay for a "bucket" and you get to eat and pick as many strawberries as you can fit in your tummy and bucket. So joyous! Kirsten's brother, wife and baby came along, too. After that we went to La Jolla Cove and took pictures, especially of Kirsten so she could finally have her pic up in her family's living room. Then we ventured to the San Diego temple (because it's beautiful and because Tiffany had never been) and ate at On the Boarder (which I haven't been to in years) and then proceeded to forget my card that I used to pay with. Never turned up. Thank goodness I had it cancelled immediately.</span></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iTXXJATkC7M/Ubg27PPp0zI/AAAAAAAABAk/t4xPf6RoZj4/s1600/IMG_5448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iTXXJATkC7M/Ubg27PPp0zI/AAAAAAAABAk/t4xPf6RoZj4/s1600/IMG_5448.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">So full and happy!</span></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NiIdla9-0RA/Ubg27-NKtFI/AAAAAAAABAs/uERcCGMNR38/s1600/IMG_5478.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NiIdla9-0RA/Ubg27-NKtFI/AAAAAAAABAs/uERcCGMNR38/s1600/IMG_5478.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Beautiful weather and scenery</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRvVqAyRE98/Ubg26wiuCWI/AAAAAAAABAY/zHPfHivd7y0/s1600/IMG_5473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRvVqAyRE98/Ubg26wiuCWI/AAAAAAAABAY/zHPfHivd7y0/s1600/IMG_5473.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"> I did my first 5k in support of Autism. About 2/3 of my students have Autism so my co-worker Kirsten and I, along with several members of our school's Special Olympics club all did it. The picture may look ugly but the overcast sky was the perfect condition for us :)</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0xTMIQlEePs/Ubg-925ODTI/AAAAAAAABBc/blEtErDEqcs/s1600/IMG_5689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0xTMIQlEePs/Ubg-925ODTI/AAAAAAAABBc/blEtErDEqcs/s1600/IMG_5689.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qLDNjyhQY8o/Ubg-_IqhpBI/AAAAAAAABB8/r5CdWuoZNfg/s1600/IMG_5690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qLDNjyhQY8o/Ubg-_IqhpBI/AAAAAAAABB8/r5CdWuoZNfg/s1600/IMG_5690.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Loren "stole" one of my nieces' bikes and they're chasing him for it</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvB_fUUy8n8/Ubg--9m3OxI/AAAAAAAABB0/qfnBIKba_wo/s1600/IMG_5712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvB_fUUy8n8/Ubg--9m3OxI/AAAAAAAABB0/qfnBIKba_wo/s1600/IMG_5712.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you miserable tax day and all the free food we scammed :) Arby's, Cinnabon and Outback--score!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t87vNbQlxRI/Ubg-_MbxyKI/AAAAAAAABCA/bFzcEhGPu9M/s1600/IMG_5729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t87vNbQlxRI/Ubg-_MbxyKI/AAAAAAAABCA/bFzcEhGPu9M/s1600/IMG_5729.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gettin' healthy: homemade black bean burger, chips and guacamole. YUM!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">My friend and bridesmaid Amanda was visiting Utah one weekend so we drove up to Salt Lake to hang out with her! We went to the Japan Festival downtown and boy it was filled with some interesting people, all dressed up in their favorite anime, etc. character. Not my cup of tea. I prefer a different side of the Japanese culture. :) </span></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C08KIYM5YDo/Ubg_AjH-ZuI/AAAAAAAABCQ/Xig75NiDbOM/s1600/IMG_5790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C08KIYM5YDo/Ubg_AjH-ZuI/AAAAAAAABCQ/Xig75NiDbOM/s1600/IMG_5790.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Loren liked this picture</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w_j-w_UBldc/Ubg_A8ujI5I/AAAAAAAABCU/4V8_9o3Gpqo/s1600/IMG_5804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w_j-w_UBldc/Ubg_A8ujI5I/AAAAAAAABCU/4V8_9o3Gpqo/s1600/IMG_5804.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQC78tIZaL8/Ubg_ArVVPmI/AAAAAAAABCY/of0Ssi-W8Ac/s1600/IMG_5816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQC78tIZaL8/Ubg_ArVVPmI/AAAAAAAABCY/of0Ssi-W8Ac/s1600/IMG_5816.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sushi food babies ^_^</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Our favorite (current) Sister Stone was still in the MTC and we decided to surprise her at the temple one Sunday! She was so surprised!! Her jaw dropped when she saw us in the crowd. We had a nice chat about what's going on in our lives, what she thought of the MTC, listening to her and her companion speaking Russian, and had her bear her testimony in Russian.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yeL5eZPl2hA/Ubg_B9aXvTI/AAAAAAAABCo/9DsbLzNo-gc/s1600/IMG_5821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yeL5eZPl2hA/Ubg_B9aXvTI/AAAAAAAABCo/9DsbLzNo-gc/s1600/IMG_5821.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Taking pics like we weren't loitering for a missionary ;)</span></span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--fS7diwcIRs/Ubg_B3g5yvI/AAAAAAAABCw/3LN01xE8ulw/s1600/IMG_5827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--fS7diwcIRs/Ubg_B3g5yvI/AAAAAAAABCw/3LN01xE8ulw/s1600/IMG_5827.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">The Stones came up for Loren's birthday and Rachel's track meet! We went shooting while Rachel was at the meet (not competing). The boys were on fire hitting all of the targets! We won't talk about me...</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6SjC256zu40/Ubg-8r090wI/AAAAAAAABBQ/AFeXDDxweaQ/s1600/DSC_0891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6SjC256zu40/Ubg-8r090wI/AAAAAAAABBQ/AFeXDDxweaQ/s1600/DSC_0891.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aiNkhlTWk8M/Ubg-8VEovuI/AAAAAAAABBI/Yegb5ToU2d0/s1600/DSC_0868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aiNkhlTWk8M/Ubg-8VEovuI/AAAAAAAABBI/Yegb5ToU2d0/s1600/DSC_0868.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JouwYGVA2oQ/Ubg_CwW-LPI/AAAAAAAABDA/gon3fV1SHEo/s1600/IMG_5940.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JouwYGVA2oQ/Ubg_CwW-LPI/AAAAAAAABDA/gon3fV1SHEo/s1600/IMG_5940.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a> </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5FoYrCyNHYk/Ubg_B7YeHWI/AAAAAAAABCs/G3lCIESLknE/s1600/IMG_5938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5FoYrCyNHYk/Ubg_B7YeHWI/AAAAAAAABCs/G3lCIESLknE/s1600/IMG_5938.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rachel's track meet. Summer was definitely kicking in!</span></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AFV6YcSs5p8/Ubg_C1I4VzI/AAAAAAAABC8/KwslwLAcKpg/s1600/IMG_5962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AFV6YcSs5p8/Ubg_C1I4VzI/AAAAAAAABC8/KwslwLAcKpg/s1600/IMG_5962.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Watched Iron Man 3 for Loren's bday</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">The fam came up again 2 weeks later for Rachel's State track meet. That time the weather took a turn toward Pacific Northwest standards--chilly and rainy. I kind of liked it but I was feeling sick so we didn't stay long. These pics might've been from the previous visit...oh well.</span></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ao7GGGNyQH4/Ubg_yUXnxFI/AAAAAAAABEA/qcfmQFXJCSU/s1600/DSC_1090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ao7GGGNyQH4/Ubg_yUXnxFI/AAAAAAAABEA/qcfmQFXJCSU/s1600/DSC_1090.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Candid! Which you don't get much of from me</span></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bPBYMHHkh7Y/Ubg_ySL5O-I/AAAAAAAABD0/ZHi57KSqzug/s1600/DSC_1106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bPBYMHHkh7Y/Ubg_ySL5O-I/AAAAAAAABD0/ZHi57KSqzug/s1600/DSC_1106.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love her face in this</span></span></td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Practicing my photography skills with their nice camera and these are some of my favorites :D</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UwMIG3G4Fu0/Ubg_zkqj2FI/AAAAAAAABEM/sp9G9sjCOJI/s1600/DSC_1156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UwMIG3G4Fu0/Ubg_zkqj2FI/AAAAAAAABEM/sp9G9sjCOJI/s1600/DSC_1156.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pyEDQyffxzE/Ubg_0ogRxiI/AAAAAAAABEg/3zaXkTt374M/s1600/DSC_1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pyEDQyffxzE/Ubg_0ogRxiI/AAAAAAAABEg/3zaXkTt374M/s1600/DSC_1173.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RJUkigyO2XU/Ubg-9yEa9sI/AAAAAAAABBk/X_QEJ3zt7Ps/s1600/DSC_1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RJUkigyO2XU/Ubg-9yEa9sI/AAAAAAAABBk/X_QEJ3zt7Ps/s1600/DSC_1141.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">On Mother's Day I got to talk to my BFF on her mission in Taiwan! The Thomas family is so sweet to include us on their short, intimate time with their missionary--thank you!!!</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kI7yzz1jCl8/Ubg_D3kBYeI/AAAAAAAABDQ/9x_RJBEftRg/s1600/IMG_6034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kI7yzz1jCl8/Ubg_D3kBYeI/AAAAAAAABDQ/9x_RJBEftRg/s1600/IMG_6034.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1dgJlC2dIhg/Ubg_EJkIsuI/AAAAAAAABDY/NuAT6GHELYU/s1600/IMG_6002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1dgJlC2dIhg/Ubg_EJkIsuI/AAAAAAAABDY/NuAT6GHELYU/s1600/IMG_6002.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mt. Timpanogos temple</span></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-el-yyr5nczE/Ubg_Dq0z7_I/AAAAAAAABDM/A09RGizBHwM/s1600/IMG_6001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-el-yyr5nczE/Ubg_Dq0z7_I/AAAAAAAABDM/A09RGizBHwM/s1600/IMG_6001.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">LOVE the flowers!</span></span></td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"> In May we had been going to my brother's house almost once a week, to help with yardwork or watch a movie. This day I had taken my oldest niece, Elise, on a girl's date to Kneaders and the mall :) </span></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h1gKREJfBw8/Ubg_FZqHq9I/AAAAAAAABDk/szWnHAKj7Io/s1600/IMG_6078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h1gKREJfBw8/Ubg_FZqHq9I/AAAAAAAABDk/szWnHAKj7Io/s1600/IMG_6078.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 out of my brother's 3 sweet girls</span></span></td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">On May 29th I was officially done with work, but the 30th was my students' graduation. 10 out of 17 students in my class were seniors! So of course I had to go and support! Kirsten (who got another job a month ago) even got off work for the ceremony. The whole procession was great, with just a few hiccups in between ;) Unfortunately I'm not able to post any pictures or stories of the students due to legal issues, otherwise I would and would have throughout the year. I have some great tales but can't share. Bummer. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">After I was done, Loren and I ran around like crazy to get ready for our 5 week trip to Japan! It was a bit stressful but it all worked out and we're here!! I'll do my very best to post often and include lots of pictures, if not for you then for me :)</span></li>
</ul>
Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-27471763081076865142012-12-31T15:47:00.001-08:002012-12-31T15:47:10.417-08:00Leading Up to the Big Day!<span style="font-size: large;">Loren and I spent this Christmas (break) at home in Orem. If that sounds boring, I can testify that it wasn't! Loren finished his exams a week before I was finished working at the high school. Last day of school (and days leading up to it were a Winter Wonderland)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YwVBEdn4vIg/UOIaPLy4sKI/AAAAAAAAAy0/x5Rrnz9vPDw/s1600/IMG_4423.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YwVBEdn4vIg/UOIaPLy4sKI/AAAAAAAAAy0/x5Rrnz9vPDw/s1600/IMG_4423.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> When school was out, we ran some errands, like going to BYU to fill out some transcript order forms. It was weird being back on campus and not feeling like I belonged...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YwEFhSwQWHw/UOIaQdJvnOI/AAAAAAAAAy8/5mbn1qh0PAw/s1600/IMG_4425.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YwEFhSwQWHw/UOIaQdJvnOI/AAAAAAAAAy8/5mbn1qh0PAw/s1600/IMG_4425.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HnVe24jwHUU/UOIaR4blu-I/AAAAAAAAAzE/xgaPERRG7e0/s1600/IMG_4426.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HnVe24jwHUU/UOIaR4blu-I/AAAAAAAAAzE/xgaPERRG7e0/s1600/IMG_4426.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TTNioWXZA9A/UOIaTaimfCI/AAAAAAAAAzM/8e8YgBlLXNA/s1600/IMG_4428.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TTNioWXZA9A/UOIaTaimfCI/AAAAAAAAAzM/8e8YgBlLXNA/s1600/IMG_4428.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After finishing school and our errands, we felt it appropriate to take a trip to Middle Earth to be with Bilbo and the gang ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2iprscEiT_o/UOIaUu062kI/AAAAAAAAAzU/VMUtr4Zh_ow/s1600/IMG_4438.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2iprscEiT_o/UOIaUu062kI/AAAAAAAAAzU/VMUtr4Zh_ow/s1600/IMG_4438.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All the while during our Christmas break, I accomplished little bits and pieces of my many grad school applications. I have one check and one paper to fill out then I'm <i>finished!</i> This is what I looked and felt like while doing all the tedious apps</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1VfHWTYBbrI/UOIZ41c8ylI/AAAAAAAAAys/gTWEE4gLscE/s1600/IMG_4466.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1VfHWTYBbrI/UOIZ41c8ylI/AAAAAAAAAys/gTWEE4gLscE/s1600/IMG_4466.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Of course we had some fun in between! If you know me at all, you know I can always fit in some fun ;)</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KebpQIBMCiY/UOIaVRBIv7I/AAAAAAAAAzc/S2hfGxkHcH0/s1600/IMG_4441.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KebpQIBMCiY/UOIaVRBIv7I/AAAAAAAAAzc/S2hfGxkHcH0/s1600/IMG_4441.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">J-Dawgs cutie</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Christmas ornament shopping at the mall. We had success at Macy's, go figure. And lucky for us, they were 70% off--score!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mmoDnBA7mbo/UOIaZlo4tmI/AAAAAAAAAzs/Id4wM40fWDE/s1600/IMG_4455.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mmoDnBA7mbo/UOIaZlo4tmI/AAAAAAAAAzs/Id4wM40fWDE/s1600/IMG_4455.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And we just <i>had</i> to stop at Chik-Fil-A for their chicken biscuit breakfast! I miss chicken biscuits like no other since living out West.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6xO4ahaw4Gw/UOIaXx-8gyI/AAAAAAAAAzk/J2P1Z37Ngzg/s1600/IMG_4452.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6xO4ahaw4Gw/UOIaXx-8gyI/AAAAAAAAAzk/J2P1Z37Ngzg/s1600/IMG_4452.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Taste buds and tummy were overjoyed ^_^</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That night we decided to splurge and go watch this fantastic movie! Definitely worth going to see! Great story, characters and voices, and take home message :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="194" data-width="259" height="299" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR2BFsn38sEXUz74W-4kouGywvC1Xia23nKi7CQLk8UYx6g152w" style="height: 194px; width: 259px;" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the movie, we walked over to Iggy's. A few weeks ago, my work had a Christmas party where I won a $25 gift card to Iggy's! (Have I mentioned that I love working for Timpanogos High? They're so generous to the faculty that I never want to leave!!) For dinner we got cheese fries (so sinfully good; I'm sure my arteries are still clogged!), sandwich and a burger and only paid 18 cents extra. Oh yeah! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-834HWNYS0vA/UOIZ2tpYx1I/AAAAAAAAAyc/En3CrJMuWvk/s1600/IMG_4461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-834HWNYS0vA/UOIZ2tpYx1I/AAAAAAAAAyc/En3CrJMuWvk/s1600/IMG_4461.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xLyhbzG1edM/UOIZ3fAhXsI/AAAAAAAAAyk/nOipfnuBd3U/s1600/IMG_4463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xLyhbzG1edM/UOIZ3fAhXsI/AAAAAAAAAyk/nOipfnuBd3U/s1600/IMG_4463.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Christmas Eve was so wonderful that it felt as great as Christmas Day! I got a Christmas card and letter from a good friend in high school, Lindsay. She <i>hand-wrote</i> me a letter updating me on her life and the lives of our close group of friends. I was so delighted to receive the letter--who does that these days (minus if you're a missionary)? The fact that she would take the time out of her busy law-school driven life to do that for me was really touching, worth way more than any boxed up present. After that, I had a brief run-in with Afton, Kaylynne and Rob Wallace from back home who are visiting family in Utah. We talked outside only for a few minutes but to see my old "family" was a joyous occasion :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">THEN, to top it all off, I got to Skype with my BFF Sister Candice Thomas!!! The snow had been coming down literally <u>all day</u> that I was worried to make the drive out to her family's house in Bountiful to Skype "in person." So we figured out that I could be on Skype with her sister while Candice was on Skype with her mom. Bingo! At first she didn't know what to talk about. So we did a lot of talking for her :) But after a little bit she told us some stories and she was herself and not in missionary mode haha. I took some screen shots to commemorate the occasion ^_^</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NTf5kwGS7Gg/UOIhpAtj5OI/AAAAAAAAA0M/DfnM_kR5EXo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-24+at+9.03.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NTf5kwGS7Gg/UOIhpAtj5OI/AAAAAAAAA0M/DfnM_kR5EXo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-24+at+9.03.11+PM.png" height="225" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGLRjHVXaV4/UOIhqE0-yNI/AAAAAAAAA0U/8EiydrxV3Tw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-24+at+9.11.07+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGLRjHVXaV4/UOIhqE0-yNI/AAAAAAAAA0U/8EiydrxV3Tw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-24+at+9.11.07+PM.png" height="225" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lTGPWsyrxGA/UOIhrIQvvNI/AAAAAAAAA0c/XoRH3f-ez2o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-24+at+9.22.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lTGPWsyrxGA/UOIhrIQvvNI/AAAAAAAAA0c/XoRH3f-ez2o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-24+at+9.22.25+PM.png" height="225" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I told her to smile but she moved back and looks like a scary ghost</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2E58U_ZzlXk/UOIhsNDt9GI/AAAAAAAAA0k/sCy_jVI8HCA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-24+at+9.25.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2E58U_ZzlXk/UOIhsNDt9GI/AAAAAAAAA0k/sCy_jVI8HCA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-24+at+9.25.14+PM.png" height="225" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">She couldn't hear us...haha</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTXxlVQsMAg/UOIhszQ7ToI/AAAAAAAAA0s/CfZVlEL0KwY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-24+at+9.33.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTXxlVQsMAg/UOIhszQ7ToI/AAAAAAAAA0s/CfZVlEL0KwY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-24+at+9.33.13+PM.png" height="225" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dmqv4ZFykfM/UOIhuI1u4wI/AAAAAAAAA00/X3BYdhHajeA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-24+at+9.33.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dmqv4ZFykfM/UOIhuI1u4wI/AAAAAAAAA00/X3BYdhHajeA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-24+at+9.33.25+PM.png" height="225" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Isn't she adorable?</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> I didn't take up the whole time she was on, I promise! Ample time was spent talking to the family. Unfortunately she's forgetting all her Japanese!! And some of her English too ;) Can't wait til she's back in America where she can be re-educated :) It was so great to see Candice and to get to talk to her. It was one of my favorite Christmas presents. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> That's all that happened leading up to the Big Day! <span style="font-size: large;">Of <span style="font-size: large;">course we snuggled, watched movies, watched the snow pi<span style="font-size: large;">le up, play<span style="font-size: large;"> games and more in between ;) </span></span></span></span>Christ<span style="font-size: large;">mas Day report </span>to come soon!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-14025680831667384232012-12-02T21:34:00.003-08:002012-12-02T21:46:41.719-08:00Thanksgiving '12<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">For Thanksgiving, we drove down to St. George to spend time with Loren's family. Once we got there Wednesday afternoon we chatted with the family a bit and then took Mary to the park since it was so beautiful outside. I think she enjoyed herself :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Later on we all played Dice, when Danny and Bri (Loren's brother and his wife) drove into town from Phoenix! After dinner we played Beyond Balderdash--such a hilarious evening! Shame you can't capture those family time moments but it was a cherished night :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The next day, Loren, Papa Stone and I went to Kanab (small town close-ish to the Grand Canyon and Lake Powell) to clean their vacation home before another family came into town that day. It was a B-eautiful day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">After a few hours of traveling and cleaning, we made it back home to help out making a dish or two. Here's the lovely newlyweds fixing the mashed potatoes. Check out the muscles on these two! ;) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">After a yummy meal, we played Mexican Train dominoes! It was a really close game, well not for me, but half the group was neck and neck! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Poor Loren--I made him change into his nice clothes for Thanksgiving and pictures. He was a good sport and doesn't he look dashing? :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The next day we said hi to Loren's old boss who's going on a mission with his wife to Bulgaria! Then we hung out to "play" with the family's chickens!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Making sure the chicken didn't poop on him, hehe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The lone white chicken!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Along our trip, we made a short stop at Cedar Breaks National Park. I've never been so it was an adventure :) It was a gorgeous day, albeit brisk and windy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zAK6qqJ0Rd0/ULw3pnP5EEI/AAAAAAAAAxY/E-k-BEKePr0/s1600/IMG_3960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zAK6qqJ0Rd0/ULw3pnP5EEI/AAAAAAAAAxY/E-k-BEKePr0/s1600/IMG_3960.jpg" width="298" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Luckily for us, there was a couple there at the same time so we took pictures for each other. I like those making "deals."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3x60jZzUJyU/ULw3rRfurKI/AAAAAAAAAxg/0KdO2Vt5Qmg/s1600/IMG_3967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3x60jZzUJyU/ULw3rRfurKI/AAAAAAAAAxg/0KdO2Vt5Qmg/s1600/IMG_3967.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">These were our "model"/we're enjoying nature pictures. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This is a picture that I took, turned Black and White and somewhat, actually very amateur-ly edited, and submitted to a Utah BW contest on Instagram. No luck getting picked. Oh well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">That Saturday night we had a date night with our BFF couple, John and Eva Fisher, who are visiting since their relocation in June to West Palm Beach, Florida for his job. We got delicious Zupas (take out, since we left their baby with her parents--first time they've gone somewhere without him! Big step!) and played a game called Carcassone. Think Settlers of Catan but without resources to make things. It was fun but I'm not the best at strategy games. Although our third time playing I got second! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Eva and her cute niece, who's the spitting image of the adorable young daughter in We Bought a Zoo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sunday came around and we went to Eva's home ward so that her son Keith could be blessed. Loren was invited to be in the circle, which was so nice. Here's the pair of them now! Loren will make a cute daddy some day :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-90W3y2I8w/ULwziG5r5MI/AAAAAAAAAwc/t7NglrIkeyY/s1600/IMG_4094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-90W3y2I8w/ULwziG5r5MI/AAAAAAAAAwc/t7NglrIkeyY/s1600/IMG_4094.jpg" width="298" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">After another round or two of Carcassone, we talked and said our good-byes. We'll see Eva again in May--yay!! As we were heading home, we saw these awesome lights! I love Christmas!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flnFhuI2fXU/ULwzjbstobI/AAAAAAAAAwk/1IGwvwWf5OE/s1600/IMG_4103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flnFhuI2fXU/ULwzjbstobI/AAAAAAAAAwk/1IGwvwWf5OE/s1600/IMG_4103.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br />And that's a wrap! Our Thanksgiving was short but so fun filled! I loved about every minute of it! The only down side was my cat allergies from the weekend turned into a cold/sinus infection that lasted the whole rest of the week! :( I even stayed home from work one day because I couldn't shake it and didn't want to get the kids in my class sick; although they might have exacerbated the illness. Staying home was really helpful to getting over it and it turned out great for me because my co-worker said it was a day from <span style="font-size: large;"><u>hell</u></span>. Glad I missed out on that! ^_^</span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-32661104114700952262012-11-18T22:41:00.001-08:002012-11-18T22:42:30.056-08:00Well, what had happened was...<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After church and after we had dinner and ward member's house, I was totally going to sit down and just blog! But of course facebook distracted me a little bit. Then I got on my email, decided to email my best friend Candice, who's on a mission in Taiwan. Normally I don't write her lengthy emails to her because I try to save the good stuff for letters (when I actually take the time to write them) but also because I feel like not much goes on in my life. But I thought "cut the crap. I'm sure she wants to hear some of it!" so I wrote her little anecdotes of work life. Nothing revealing, because apparently there's no discussion whatsoever about what goes on at school... Well at least about the students and what disabilities they have and whatnot. But I still think I may post funny stories of things they say on here, at a future date of course. So anyways, I basically wrote her a novel of work stories and whatever's been on my mind. I just wrote what I would say to her as if we were on the phone together. After that, I decided to get on Pinterest. I seriously don't get on that much, but when I do, I pin my heart out! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So as I'm pinning away, what should I see but the number of emails in my inbox change--and guess who it's from? Candice!!!! What luck that I should be on at the same time she is in Taiwan writing her weekly email to her family! We were able to pass some emails back and forth and it was so wonderful! I miss that girl so much. When we emailed, it was the same her, so delightful and referencing some of our old inside jokes ^_^ And when I asked her what she wanted for Christmas, of course she couldn't decide. Her reply was "uh... a muffin mix.... maybe?" Haha</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anywho. No one appreciates this as much as I do. I don't care. I'm just happy I got to connect with her! Only 197-ish days until she's home!!!! You can bet I'm gonna be at the airport to give her the biggest bear hug of her life! Watch out, Candice! :)</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mw_9kkwypYg/UKnTSCDIZVI/AAAAAAAAAs4/lwgOM09jTks/s1600/IMG_9854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mw_9kkwypYg/UKnTSCDIZVI/AAAAAAAAAs4/lwgOM09jTks/s1600/IMG_9854.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d5jPx9hQc6Q/UKnUECy7s0I/AAAAAAAAAtA/qIaq4bhYwBo/s1600/IMG_1735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d5jPx9hQc6Q/UKnUECy7s0I/AAAAAAAAAtA/qIaq4bhYwBo/s1600/IMG_1735.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-81107315675744178522012-11-12T20:18:00.002-08:002012-11-12T20:23:07.910-08:00Snuggie Texts.<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Found this on Pinterest. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This guy got a text from a stranger and decided to play along with it! Definitely worth reading!! I was about to cry from laughing so hard! Read it. NOW! And read the follow up post that says "Click here for Part II" at the bottom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://itjustgetsstranger.blogspot.com/2011/12/snuggie-texts.html" target="_blank">Snuggie Texts</a>.</span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Enjoy!! :)</span><br />
<br />Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-73123363941508889412012-11-10T23:13:00.001-08:002012-11-11T09:57:39.405-08:00Youtube Vids<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm gonna do my best to post on my blog more often, even if it's just random. Like the videos I'm going to show now! Enjoy!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My friend from work showed me this one. Super funny! It's called "Night time... Day time!" :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/wvQFHk7gXko?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This one is Jimmy Kimmel's challenge to parents to tell their kids they ate all of the Halloween candy. So great! Some of these kids need a spanking or two for how they react...or they just don't get their candy back. The last 3 children are the cutest! I wouldn't mind having them as my own kids :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This one is "totes adorbs" (totally adorable)! :) He's speaking in English but the subtitles are in Portuguese, so don't pay attention to them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Pentatonix. An acapella group made famous by <i>winning</i> the show The Sing-Off on NBC. They're <b>in-cred-i-ble</b>. I would love to see them in concert! Check out any of their videos on Youtube, they're all good! I just like this mash-up and how you can really hear Kevin's skills. Kevin is the black guy. I love him (in an I love music sense). He's seriously an awesome musician and person. Check out the next video to see how cool he really is!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/jDLQMQ_swCk/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jDLQMQ_swCk&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jDLQMQ_swCk&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This one is a parody of the famous song Somebody that I Used to Know by Gotye that then had a cover done by Walk Off the Earth. If you haven't seen either of these, check them out before watching this. Or at least the <a href="http://youtu.be/MsoRSI7ei4E" target="_blank">Walk Off the Earth</a> version. This video will be much funnier if you do that. Viewer discretion is advised for a bleeped out swear word and pretend throw up sound. Other than that it's funny. But you've been warned.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/IwPHy17Iu6E?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This one isn't funny but it's entertaining. It's another video from The Sing-Off but the performers are the Dartmouth Aires. They came in 4th place. This episode is a mash-up of 3 songs by the same artist--Queen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is song is Tokyo by Imagine Dragons. My youngest sister in law Rachel showed us of video of theirs a year ago and we love them! They're from Utah or at least some of the band members are so their songs are always clean--yay! Unfortunately this song isn't on their album which makes me sad. But the video is funny. <a href="http://youtu.be/s6Nc4qEI3k4" target="_blank">Amsterdam</a> is another good song and cool video of theirs. Enjoy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well that's all I've got for now! I'll keep track of other good vids and post them another time. Let me know what you think of these videos! :)</span>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-85254123261182769242012-11-02T17:53:00.000-07:002012-11-10T23:15:36.920-08:00Sun Diego!<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A friend of mine brought it to my attention that I haven't blogged in 4-5 months... I blame the busy summer and start of work. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For the first time in my academic career, I got a Fall Break! It was like a new term to me, like "what's that supposed to mean??" It means I get a 5 day weekend! And that means partayyyyy!!! Loren and I had been toying with the idea of going to San Diego but didn't want to spend too much money. Fortunately, around that time we were contemplating, my dad offered his Marriott hotel points (from all his years of business travel) to us since he's retired and doesn't need them anymore. Cha-ching! Hello California!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So we packed our bags and shipped off Wednesday night to St. George (where the in-laws live) to cut part of the traveling time down. Here's an incredible sun rise we saw as we were filling the car up with gas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thursday we drove down rather leisurely, considering how badly I wanted to be at the beach. We hit some nasty storms on the way--reminded me of driving in the torrential down pours of Mississippi. Never want to do that again. We got to sunny La Jolla, California, immediately got in our swimmy suits and drove less than 5 mins to La Jolla Shores! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UspAGOZ7XJ8/UJRdAqd3I8I/AAAAAAAAAmw/dwGMT8NixQo/s1600/IMG_3444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UspAGOZ7XJ8/UJRdAqd3I8I/AAAAAAAAAmw/dwGMT8NixQo/s1600/IMG_3444.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">That day we didn't jump in the ocean because Loren thought there weren't enough people around to scare off the fish that could be lurking in the shallow waters. Also, this was the same beach that his sister Rachel got stung by Sting Ray years ago and he didn't want to risk another incident. So we built sand castles instead! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We went back to the hotel, ate a delish lasagna Mama Stone made for us, and watched Harry Potter 7.1 and 7.2 on tv. It was a good day :) Friday, we hit up a <i>nice</i> outdoor mall near by</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then we checked out Seaport Village in San Diego. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Birds of Paradise flowers, so neat!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Blurry pic but check out how awesome this swing is--foot rest and all!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then we ate at a yummy Greek restaurant overlooking the water.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Gyro and something else. The Gyro was my fave</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Delicious, homemade Baklava!! Totally worth the calories ^_^</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After our bellies were full of goodness, we had to spend a couple hours at the beach! My main desire for going to San Diego, versus somewhere else, was to go BOOGIE BOARDING!! My first time boogie boarding was this summer in San Diego during the Stone Family Reunion and I fell <b>in love</b>! So of course that's all I did while there and naturally my inner legs were chaffing so bad from all the sand in the water. But I didn't care. I wore it like a badge of honor! After boogie boarding for hours, we headed down the road to La Jolla Cove to see the seals!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">That white-ish part of the rock is bird poop. Thought you ought to know!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We crashed that night! Did I mention our hotel had the <i>best</i> continental breakfasts?! Because seriously, every morning I stuffed my face full of french toasts sticks, eggs, potatoes, yogurt, oatmeal, etc.! Mmm mmm good! Saturday morning we drove up to Mt. Soledad which has a 360 degree view of San Diego--so incredible! I wish I had Panorama on my phone!! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The bright, white spiky building is the San Diego temple</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I could see this from the beach and it lights up at night</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After this, we drove through Balboa Park, hit up a free museum within our 15 min parking limit! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then we went to the Mormon Battalion visitors center. I love this place--it's so fun and interactive. I <b>highly</b> recommend this to anyone visiting the area! And lucky me, I ran into an old friend/co-worker who is now a sister missionary there! It was such a delight to see her!! :D</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sis. Brittany Davies in her pioneer garb :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">She's so cute.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I volunteered to dress up as one of the pioneer soldiers, since all the other visitors were shy and old.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Serious pioneer face pic</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">By now it was time for lunch. And what are we then ready for next? You guessed it, the beach! Loren got tired a while into boogie boarding so he slept on the beach. After 1 1/2 hours of not budging, a lady came up and shook him, then let out a sigh of relief. She said that he hadn't moved in a while and thought he was dead! Haha ;) While waiting for some good waves to come my way, I enjoyed people watching and viewing part of the Miramar Air Show--planes constantly flew by, doing nose dives and other fun tricks! It was so neat</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Not an attractive look but check me out riding the wave in!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After cleaning up, we headed to Escondido to have dinner with Grandma Stone! It was so fun to get to see her and visit with her!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sunset at her house</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This was our final day here. We slowly made our way back home on Sunday so Loren could go to school Monday. I had that day off and played with my co-worker Kirsten :) Basically, this was the most glorious vacation: I couldn't have asked for more fun, better weather or a better partner in crime!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">'Til we meet again, San Diego! :) </span>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-47268252540593767702012-05-10T22:58:00.000-07:002012-05-10T22:58:14.730-07:00Always a Student, Never a Graduate<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Hello friends and fam who read my blog, sorry for the long absence! April was a bit crazy with finals, graduating with both sets of family in town (which was pretty great) and work to do. Busy busy. And not much to blog about besides all that stuff, and who wants to read about that? Here's a summary with some pictures :)</div>
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As a 5th year senior, I didn't have many credits left necessary for graduating. I took 12 credits in the Fall, including three major classes, leaving only one GE my final semester...Humanities. I don't have anything against Humanities in general, just my first experience with it at BYU was horrendous, mainly because of the professor. If I had a blog during that semester, you'd hear a lot of ranting and complaining about that guy. Ooh did he rub me the wrong way <i>all</i> the time! Anyways, my friend Jessica (who's in my major and works with me) also had Humanities as her last GE and suggested we take it together from a certain professor--Lauri Haddock. She was awesome!! So funny, lively, super informative with interesting side notes since she had been to the many European towns and museums dozens of times (she hosts a tour of Europe every summer). She made me really enjoy the subject. Since this was a GE it was considered a "freshman" class, which was easy breezy for me, the 5th year senior! ;)</div>
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We had 3 exams, 2 papers and a final presentation--even better, the class was under the student limit to qualify for a TA so Lauri cancelled the second paper due to limited time to read all of them. SCORE!! As for the presentation, it had to encompass a piece of work (art, music, architecture, etc.) from each era we covered, but most of all it had to be "creative." So my group decided to cover a styrofoam sphere in blue frosting as ocean (in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impasto" target="_blank">impasto</a> style--look at us thinking like freshmen!) and hot glued mini M&M's in the shape of the major European countries that we covered in class...basically <u>France</u> and a few others. We then printed miniature pictures and pinned them to the globe where they were painted. But that wasn't enough. We recreated famous works of art. Our medium? Predominantly, candy. ^_^</div>
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Here's what another girl in my group did. View original <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_with_a_Pearl_Earring" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girl with a Pearl Earring. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Medium: Blue taffy, Coco Puff and Cheerios.</div>
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And this baby's mine! View original <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_scream" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Scream.</td></tr>
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Medium: Variety of flavored pull-apart Twizzlers, Charleston Chews, Smarties, and taffy. The face is made of cookie dough taffy, that's how I got the eyes and mouth. Awesome, right? Well, I'm proud :)</div>
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After we gave our presentation (which my professor enjoyed and gave us full credit on!), I rushed off to dinner with my parents. Here's a picture of us enjoying Mexican food on a previous day, it was the only one where no one's head got cut off. Don't let the camera fool you, I haven't gained 10 pounds in my face.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After eating at El Azteca :)</td></tr>
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The day after my Humanities presentation was Commencement. I had no idea what this was about. I only knew it included a fancy, well liked speaker, sort of like a "hoo-rah" sort of speech? I had no idea you were literally paraded around in order to reach your seats! I stood around a parking lot waiting to enter the Marriott Center, to walk up the bridge to be level with the stadium, see the accoladed President and deans of the school, just to walk down some stairs and around through what I thought to be a secret tunnel to the bottom floor of the stadium, then walk up and around some more dang stairs to my seat. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessica and myself, walking along the bridge. Pre-knowledge of parading.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Secret tunnel. West side of Marriott Center.</td></tr>
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Luckily for me (and Jessica), some lady asked a couple of girls if there were sitting together. I knew they weren't since they hardly spoke to each other so I immediately raised my hand and said "we are!," having some notion that answering so would be in our favor. It was. We were quickly seated to 3rd row seats, center section in front of the speaker. Our speaker was Elder Dallin H. Oaks. :) Great guy and talk but unfortunately it was on the warm side in the stadium and the talk was carrying on a little long...so my head might've bobbed a few times..... The poopy side of sitting so close to the floor is waiting for everyone to file out of the stadium. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Oaks, mid speech. I tried to be discreet. </td></tr>
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After exhibiting salmon-swimming-upstream maneuvers, we finally emerged from the crowd to take a few pictures. Notice how the hand-on-hip trick worked in my favor with the unfortunate billowing graduate gown. </div>
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We also had a lovely dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant with Loren's family but we regrettably did not get a picture of that. After dinner, we played Apples to Apples at the hotel. 'Twas fun, as my 2nd youngest sister-in-law would say :) The following day I graduated! Yay!! Here's proof!</div>
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I had to be at the Smith Fieldhouse at 7am. Boo! Super fortunately for me, I literally live across the street from it. No commuting or parking troubles for me, yes! The front row of people, minus the Latina looking girl (Idk her name, it's a pretty big major) were in my study group (but missing 2 other girls). Thank goodness for them or I wouldn't have gotten A's my last year and half-2 years of major classes! Notice how the hand-on-hip trick was an extremely poor choice in this shot. *Shudder*</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Communication Disorders picture</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adorable graduating toddler!! (He made tons of noise during the ceremony though)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see me?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking! Shaking Dr. Nissen's hand</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dear parents who are reading this, please share your graduation pictures with me! ;)</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tia Tygard. My favorite person in the major and best study partner.</td></tr>
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After graduation and more salmon like maneuvers, the 2 families gathered at Terra Mia, an Italian restaurant in the University Mall area. It was pretty good and <u>not</u> crowded! Dad has the only picture from that--hint hint dad. As a side note, I should give a shout out to my brother, even though I know he doesn't read this. He skipped part of work that morning, drove 45 minutes (plus however much more due to graduation traffic) and had to park 3 blocks away just to come to my graduation. What a great big brother!! We got together with him and 2 of his girls that night for dinner at Olive Garden. Yum yum :)</div>
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The only thing I had to worry about after that was finishing up work at BYU and packing for the Washington trip! Details to follow :)</div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-65529604715106633952012-04-04T23:12:00.000-07:002012-04-04T23:12:18.706-07:00Conference Weekend & March<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Two days ago, April 2nd, marked the one year anniversary of when I got engaged! It's crazy that it feels so long ago when time seems to be flying by. I've been married for almost 8 months (on the 12th) and it's been nothing but bliss! Well, besides school and work always getting in the way of "us" time. But that's the price you pay as a newlywed college student :) Isn't he so cute?</div>
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This past weekend we went down to St. George to visit Loren's family. Unfortunately, I hardly ever take pictures when I'm there. We did fun things, I just didn't document all of them. Poo. Well after we got there, we had some lunch, talked for a while and then I purchased this baby!</div>
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I've been toying with the idea of getting a sewing machine since I've been in my sewing class. Luckily for me I found it on Craigslist from a woman who lived in St. George. This really worked out since we were already going to be in St. George this weekend and even better, she dropped the price so I only paid $40 for it! My mother-in-law Patty came with me to the woman's house to make sure it was a decent machine for the price and she approved. This alone made the trip down there great! But there was more fun to come with the Stones :) Later that night we got Thai food--yuuuuummmmy!! The options for dinner were Mexican or Asian cuisine. That's basically like choosing between my dad and my mom; and that's a tough choice. We decided to go to Benja's Thai (& sushi bar) restaurant that I've seen plenty of times but just never went. Thank you for the date night, Patty and Dan, it was delish! </div>
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Saturday, we had "Waffles and Apostles"! We had a waffle breakfast before we watched General Conference to listen to the words of our beloved Apostles and Prophet Thomas S. Monson. You can check it out <a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2012/04?lang=eng" target="_blank">here</a>. After we watched the first 2 sessions, the men went off to watch the Priesthood session while the girls went shopping! Then the guys joined us for Cold Stone ice cream--great way to end the day!</div>
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Sunday was great too! More good talks and yummy food. We even got our taxes done--woot woot!! Unfortunately we have a leak in our radiator so we couldn't leave as early as we wanted. Even worse, we left late and ran into some bad weather :( First it was just super fast wind, then some rain, then <i>swirling snow</i>! Legitimately swirling right at us. It was so distracting. We barely made it 30 mins out of town when we decided to return to the Stone home in fear that we'd get into an accident. When we left the next morning, this is the beauty we were greeted with, on our engagement anniversary!</div>
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In other news, during the previous weeks, we went to a Vocal Point concert!! Last semester I was obsessed with the tv show The Sing-Off so it was so fun to see these guys in concert! It kinda stunk because some of the guys from the group on the tv show were no longer in the group. But they still sounded great! Here's a picture I wasn't allowed to take...oh well.</div>
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And we also went to Tucanos to celebrate my birthday. That's a fun little tradition we've got going on. They have a birthday club where it's a BOGO free meal deal. That makes for a happy (and fat) couple :)</div>
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Another time we babysat my nieces. Here's an adorable picture of Katelyn, where you can also check out my new bangs :)</div>
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For St. Patrick's day, we had Mexican food, not corned beef and cabbage. My full Irish grandfather must've been disappointed in me that day. But we discovered our new favorite Mexican restaurant, called "El Azteca"! We ate yummy <i>green</i> lime and cilantro chicken enchiladas and <u>amazing</u> <i>green</i> horchata! Even better, they have a salsa bar with a sweet but slightly spicy salsa--mmmmm! </div>
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Well, those are our adventures. Until next time!</div>
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<br /></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-23514809639734676312012-03-24T16:41:00.001-07:002012-03-24T16:45:17.122-07:00Spring Forward to 23!<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Happy 1st anniversary of my blog (plus a few weeks)!! To be honest, a year ago I had a feeling I was going to get engaged soon and wanted to be able to share our story when it happened, as opposed to starting the blog <i>after</i> we were married. So I figured that creating a blog around my birthday was a good ploy. The unfortunate part was that I couldn't make my URL thestones@blogspot.com. That would've been quite a surprise to a lot of people. Oh well. And although this blog includes things about me <i>and</i> Loren, it's written by me so that's whose name is in the URL. </div>
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Anywho... </div>
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My Birthday was March 10th and I turned the big 2-3. Nothing real special about that birthday except that it was the first of my married life so therefore, it was cause for celebration :) My big, not-going-to-happen wish was to go to Southern California and spend it on the beach. But that would mean having to take off work and shirk other responsibilities. It's a good thing I have Loren to keep me grounded and disciplined or I'd be in trouble, ha. We'll make it to CA eventually but for my bday adventure, we went to Park City, UT! Neither of us have been and I've heard good things about it so I thought that would be a good way to travel but not go crazy.</div>
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We enjoyed about an hour of beautiful snow covered mountain scenery as we drove up to Park City. </div>
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Once we got there, we went up and down Main Street, looked at art galleries, shops and then got some grub. </div>
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After our tummies were full, we didn't feel like walking anymore. So we drove up a little farther and went on the Alpine Coaster. It's a baby roller coaster that whips around surprisingly fast. I'm trying to work Loren up to going on a massive, tumbling, twirling roller coaster at a Six Flags or something ^_^ hehe. I rode it full throttle without touching the brakes once! Here's the video I took of the ride, if you'd like to see. Enjoy!</div>
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When my little cart stopped, Loren laughed at how all my hair was windblown and practically glued to the chair but then took a second look and said "your look like a model." That always makes a girl feel good ^_^ I don't think so but I like the look of my hair.</div>
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After the coaster, we ventured over to the Olympic Park! Remember how Salt Lake City was the host to the 2002 Winter Olympics? Anyways, I've always wanted to see it. We didn't do too much but go through the museum. We could've paid $$$ to go on a sled or luge ride where the Olympians competed but our wallet wanted to hold on to our money. We still enjoyed going around looking at a few videos, the pictures, playing with a few of the hands-on activities, etc.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's the great speed skater Apollo Aton Ono. He's Japanese-American from Washington--my mom and I <u>love</u> him!!</td></tr>
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After that we just did a little more window shopping then made the trek back to Provo and saw more beautiful scenery. You'll see some nice sun reflections off my window because there was no way I was going to open the window to have 55 degree, 60mph wind freeze my hand to make me drop my phone :)</div>
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In Provo, I did a little clothes shopping at Target (thank you parentals!) while Loren played games on my phone--thank goodness for smart phones and their apps! Then we finally headed home after picking up some pizza and ice cream cake! I don't remember the last time I had one of those for a birthday. It was absolutely delicious. Loren even had a special message written on it :D Too bad Cold Stone messed it up... There's not supposed to be two I's next to each other. Oh well, I knew what he meant.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Au Domoni Iko is Fijian for "I love you"</td></tr>
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Of course I opened presents, too!!</div>
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For those of you who don't know what a Whirley Pop is, it's a big pot with a crank and spinning "blade" on the bottom to pop your own popcorn and then add yummy flavors to it!! Loren always wants to make popcorn but I don't like it plain. This way we can eat it all the time, in more than one scrumptious way! Thank you mom & dad in-law!!! They also wrote a sweet note saying I'm their favorite daughter-in-law. YES!! But when Danny gets married, I'll have some competition... </div>
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This is a cute jewelry box because all my jewelry is stashed in a drawer. That's no way to keep your stuff nice for very long. The first picture is me trying to figure out how to open the sides, ha. And Loren said he'd even paint something cool on it--I'm excited for that! This next picture depicts what my dad likes to say as "making out like a bandit!" Btw, that color blue would have been one of my wedding colors last year except that it was <u>no where</u> to be found! This year it's seriously <u>all over</u> Target!! Oh well. </div>
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Thank you family for making my not special numbered birthday great!! I was one happy birthday girl ;)</div>
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P.S. The "Spring Forward" part of the title is because the day after my bday was Daylight Savings...but we didn't know that. Thank goodness for iPhones that change the time automatically!! We woke up on Sunday feeling exhausted and making it to church on time, which is more than we can say for 3/4 of our ward...ha.</div>
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<br /></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com3Park City, UT, USA40.6460622 -111.497972940.5978707 -111.57693689999999 40.694253700000004 -111.4190089tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-69409436410313793752012-03-24T14:59:00.001-07:002012-03-24T14:59:28.788-07:00Still Surviving.<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
I miss blogging. Deja vu... I'm pretty sure I've said that in a recent post. I haven't done it in a while because I've been super busy lately. I made it a goal to blog more but that was a bust. So I'll just try to blog <i>enough</i> so people will know we're alive and not completely boring :)</div>
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Our lives so far are: stressful, scheduled yet still somewhat procrastinated (mainly on my part), include lots of late nights, yearning for the future to come quicker, and trying to see the silver lining in everything. </div>
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Success story for the Stones: Loren didn't have a job for the first half of the semester which was really stressful for him. He wouldn't even look at our bank account, thinking our money was depleting. Super fortunately for us, the Lord was looking out for us! Loren's sister Jessica said her work was hiring so he sent in his application and her manager called Loren and told him that because she trusts Jessica, she won't interview Loren but just give him the job! At first I wasn't too excited for it because he would be working until 10pm (the reason we didn't want him to continue working at his last job for this semester) and he would be a delivery boy using our car, hardly getting compensated for the miles. He was ok with it all, he was just excited to add money to our bank account. After his first pay check, he decided to investigate the damage to our savings only to discover we hadn't lost any money! We were blessed with a chunk of money left over from his grant for school and money from my tuition since I'm not taking a full load of classes. <i>PLUS</i>, he delivered food to a lot of generous people who all tipped him a few bucks <b>every time</b>. Loren said he'd get back to the restaurant and listen to the other drivers who'd complain that no one tipped them. We were doing what we could to say our prayers and read our scriptures at night and pay our tithing every month and it definitely paid off, more than we were hoping! This definitely gives me a testimony in paying your tithing :) Other than that, Loren is good! He's got some fun but demanding classes with lots of homework assignments. But he's a smart kid and does a good job planning ahead to get his homework done on time, if not early every time. I should learn from him.</div>
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As for me, I'm doing all right. Humanities isn't as demanding as I thought but sewing is worse than expected! Who knew sewing was so time consuming, particular and hard?! Goodness, my back kills all the time from hunching over the sewing machine making sure my seam line is straight! I have a 3 hour lab twice a week but I stay in the sewing lab on campus until 10pm at least one night a week. Yet I still don't finish whatever I'm working on. Crazy.</div>
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R-E-S-P-E-C-T. That's what I have for my mother-in-law Patty. She's a seamstress and a darn good one!! She made her daughters these dresses for my wedding. </div>
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Nice, huh? I can't even imagine making a dress! I was complaining about how hard it was to make PJ but that was nothing compared to a SHIRT. And a dress is basically a very long shirt. Gag. Go you, Patty! I hope to be somewhat as good as you! (Pictures of what I've made soon to come, k everybody?)</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As for where I'm going for grad school--stay tuned. I still have a couple of schools to hear back from and if/when I get accepted, I'll be shouting for joy and posting ALL about it! Other than working, school, sewing, and waiting to hear back from a terribly nice school, we've got nothing big going on. But just you wait, something big will come around! ;)</span><br />
<br />Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-14816089272884200332012-01-22T17:35:00.000-08:002012-01-28T13:06:41.256-08:00Our First Christmas Part 2 & New Years<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Ok here's the second part of our Christmas adventure! Told more through pictures this time:</div>
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We went to Tortilla Flats...a Ghost Town!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pretty extensive vacinity</td></tr>
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Beautiful scenery! ...and us ;)</div>
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We're caged Love Birds! In front of what I think is a whore house...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the heart we're making?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I caught Mary smiling!</td></tr>
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Beautiful Canyon Lake pit stop</div>
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POLYGAMIST FAMILY!!! (to the right) Click on the picture to zoom in.</div>
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Another pit stop in Superstition. Cool tree w/Indian and buffalo with houses underneath</div>
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Fun family activity, like a "Secret Santa"! We went to Goodwill (thrift store), all got $5 to spend on a present for another family member and this is what Papa Stone got. So great! </div>
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This is a steam burn I got from opening the pot to our Christmas Curry :( It hurt for days!</div>
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This is Elder Cava (pronounced "Thava"). Loren helped prepare him for his mission while in Fiji and now he's in Phoenix! We were fortunate enough to take him and his companion out for lunch--thanks Jon and Amelia for letting us borrow your car!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full, happy, Fijian boys :)</td></tr>
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After Christmas, we returned to St. George and the two of us soon left for Kanab, UT. A cute town also known as "Little Hollywood" for its many Western film productions, including films with Ronald Reagan and John Wayne. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous desert sunset</td></tr>
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The darling vacation home my in-laws let us use for New Years weekend! It's a historic home once owned by G. Franklin Swapp in 1912. The Stones did an <u>incredible</u> job fixing it up!! The before and after pictures are amazing!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fireplace in our room--sweet!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AND nice kitchen!</td></tr>
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We hiked to a nice spot and had delicious sandwiches</div>
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Nice view!</div>
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Loren likes to climb things and freak me out. There was a very <i>long</i> fall if he fell backward!</div>
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We saw an honest to goodness American Bald Eagle! But of course when we put our car in reverse to check it out again/take pictures it flew away. And dropped its dinner (a rather large and mangled bunny/jack rabbit)! This picture was taken as we were <b>hiding in the bushes</b> waiting for him to come back. He didn't and the crows claimed his prey.</div>
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New Years Eve with our sparkling cider--Apple Mango flavor! Mmm mm mmmm!</div>
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Pretty scenery as we drove back to St. George and then to Provo. </div>
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Now Loren and I are just doing school in chilly and now snowy Provo. More holiday back tracking updates to come! Love you all for reading my blog! :D</div>
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<br /></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-53832412816349811672012-01-17T18:39:00.000-08:002012-01-28T13:06:26.431-08:00Take a Seat: Our First Christmas (part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm currently having a lie-in. Is that what British people say? Anyways, I'm
sick with a sinus infection and decided that it's time that I catch up a little
on blogging. This is the first blog post of the year...and in months. Whoops.
I'll make a New Year's resolution to blog more often.<br />
<br />
I always think of things to comment on or talk about for a post but I never
bring myself to blog about it. Like how I want a seat in my shower. I was dying
to have one as I bathed this morning and my head was pounding. I wouldn't have
cared to shower but I already felt I was disgusting and sick people don't need
to look more gross than they already do. So yeah, I propose that more showers
include a small seat for such times. I also want to make a little
shout-out to my husband Loren who has been so great at taking care of me! He
fills up my water bottle often, holds me when I'm hurting and even made my
favorite "sick soup" when he got home from class today! He's so
wonderful! Marriage is great--single people are fooled when they think they're
living "the life."<br />
<br />
So let's catch up on our lives real quick. Most recent news, I'm applying to
graduate school. I'm applying to 4 different places and am willing to go to any
of them because I'm just desperate to get in. My GPA is average but our program
is becoming increasingly more competitive. So we'll see where I get in :) And
because I'm a 5th year senior *cough cough* I'm taking it easy my final
semester--7 credits! I'm taking Humanities 202 (my last GE), swimming,
racquetball and beginning sewing! I've never really touched a sewing machine or
know anything about the subject so this will be an adventure. I'll post my
projects so you can see what an amateur I am, ha. But don't worry, I'm not
completely wasting my time. I'm also working for BYU still and volunteering
with a former professor in her clinic involving Palatometry. You can check out
her <a href="http://palatometertherapy.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">blog</span></a>
or google it if you would like to know more.<br />
<br />
While I'm finishing up my undergrad career, Loren is only starting his. He just
started his 2nd semester as a freshman at Utah Valley University (UVU) and his
first he did excellent in! All A's/A-'s!! He's enjoying his current classes as
well but it's hard to get in the right ones because it seems like there's a
waiting list for a lot of them. Loren was working as a custodian for his school
but it was the night shift and his classes started around 7 or 8:30am so I hardly
saw him at all during the day. Needless to say, we arranged our schedules so we
could see more of each other. After all, we still are/act like newlyweds :)<br />
<br />
I'll work my way back through the months I never blogged about. So first comes
Christmas! After a tortuously stressful finals week, Loren, his
sister Jessica and I whisked off to St. George for a 2 week blissful, school-free break! We spent the first 5 days Christmas
shopping, wrapping presents, preparing for our trip to Phoenix and having fun.
Part of that fun was seeing Sherlock Holmes 2. I don't want to excite your
expectations too much but...it was freaking AWESOME!! Better than the first,
I'd say. We even went to see it twice :) Ok, I'll stop. But go see it. Now.<br />
<br />
After we hung around Southern Utah, we made the long trek to
Phoenix. The reason we went there for Christmas is because the oldest child in
the family, Danny, is doing his residency there and can't get time off for a
visit. So we decided to go to him! We had to split up the party of people since
there were 10 of us total. Basically the married children (Me, Loren, his
sister Amelia and her husband Jon) stayed with Danny at his house while the
other 3 kids and mom & dad stayed at a house they rented...which was
unfortunately located about 40 mins away from Danny's. But we made it work! The
view from the back porch was nice</span><br />
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</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times; text-decoration: none;"></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1_BUy14xVoE/TxYcpwbhc7I/AAAAAAAAARg/DJB7lzk4afA/s1600/IMG_1600.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1_BUy14xVoE/TxYcpwbhc7I/AAAAAAAAARg/DJB7lzk4afA/s320/IMG_1600.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Here's the close up of that fountain</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CQHoa6PQpjk/TxYeQA7ny8I/AAAAAAAAASY/ab0FR-yI_iI/s1600/IMG_3994.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CQHoa6PQpjk/TxYeQA7ny8I/AAAAAAAAASY/ab0FR-yI_iI/s320/IMG_3994.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It
was once the world's largest fountain for 10 years. Pretty cool</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;">We did other fun activities, like gingerbread man/woman making (a Stone family
tradition)</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_r5_5HSGoAA/TxYc5_gvNYI/AAAAAAAAARo/IsPkb5TLanE/s1600/IMG_1604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_r5_5HSGoAA/TxYc5_gvNYI/AAAAAAAAARo/IsPkb5TLanE/s320/IMG_1604.jpg" width="239" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Loren's
creation. Possibly an alien</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Opl3XPDLibk/TxYc-326KeI/AAAAAAAAARw/HNkGk0KfiKE/s1600/IMG_1608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Opl3XPDLibk/TxYc-326KeI/AAAAAAAAARw/HNkGk0KfiKE/s320/IMG_1608.jpg" width="239" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My
creation. Can you guess that it's a zombie? :)</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-size: large;">
We hung out with some family cousins, the McCowns, at a frisbee golf park.
Played some of that. Mary LOVED the swing!</span><br />
</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HCZlwz25n1Q/TxYbkNwAqfI/AAAAAAAAARY/kEoAuf5qWuE/s1600/IMG_1612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HCZlwz25n1Q/TxYbkNwAqfI/AAAAAAAAARY/kEoAuf5qWuE/s320/IMG_1612.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Check out that smile!</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then we went to
the Mesa temple to see its Christmas lights. Really fun but <i>cold</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ih5BVkYGXCc/TxYdd4mC_HI/AAAAAAAAASA/bKd4OEi_WCo/s1600/IMG_1633.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ih5BVkYGXCc/TxYdd4mC_HI/AAAAAAAAASA/bKd4OEi_WCo/s320/IMG_1633.JPG" width="320" /> </a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;">And we also hiked Squaw Peak on Christmas Eve.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">We thought we were half-way. Pssh! Not even close!</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CUpSjrtKTkQ/TxYdnRs78HI/AAAAAAAAASQ/sVO7rcK4ph8/s1600/IMG_1651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CUpSjrtKTkQ/TxYdnRs78HI/AAAAAAAAASQ/sVO7rcK4ph8/s320/IMG_1651.jpg" width="239" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">We thought THAT was the top. Just the beginning.</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DK92WAhh8-A/TxYhIZZc-4I/AAAAAAAAASg/HNOA_uFpRBg/s1600/IMG_1658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DK92WAhh8-A/TxYhIZZc-4I/AAAAAAAAASg/HNOA_uFpRBg/s320/IMG_1658.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Still not the top. Good enough for us though!</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;">We didn't make it to the top. Old ladies and toddlers did and they assured me I was <i>almost there</i>. But I saw people literally climbing to the top. Yeah, I'm ok <u>here</u>. Thanks, though! </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;">The hike was fun and pretty but a little frightening for me. I can probably count the number of hikes I've done on one but definitely not 2 full hands, so to see people just hopping down this sloping mountain would about stop my heart, particularly when they were close to the edge. Also, I thought wearing Chacos was a good idea. They're meant for hiking, right? Apparently not. I got a few comments on them like: "you're wearing sandals?!" or "wow, you're brave to wear those on this hike!" And those people were right because I got blisters. Wonderful. Then we had Christmas that night because Danny had that day off. There were so many presents and lots of smiles on people's faces.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Then came Christmas day. We went to church where Jon's little brother is serving a mission--the elder was completely surprised! There were 2 happy brothers that day. And I was surprised by my former Young Women's leader Linda Abbeg, we happened to go to her ward as well! It was so fun to see her and her adorable 4 month old son :) This was also the day we saw the famous fountain. The kids didn't feel like going for a walk around the park but returned home to play games. But we didn't have a key. So we made due by having Rachel (the youngest and most petite) sneak in through the cat door!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;">For dinner we had "Christmas Curry," as I like to call it :) And we delivered some to Dr. Daniel Stone while he was working late that night.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll stop there. It's taken me like 3 hours to write this post because I keep sneezing, peeing (sorry, TMI. It's all the fluids) and taking a step back from a throbbing head. But I hope you'll return for the next half of our trip! :)</span></span></span><br />
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</span>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-26646187407904107812011-11-30T21:56:00.000-08:002011-11-30T23:04:54.452-08:00What I have is enough<span style="font-family:georgia;">I have a very,</span> very <span style="font-family:georgia;">blessed life. I know it and I <span style="font-style: italic;">try</span> to recognize it often. I am abruptly reminded of it when I see a homeless person, hear a story of those who are financially struggling during these hard times, or see a handicapped person. But there are times when I think the grass is greener on the other side, so to speak. I'm not saying I want those hard times at all, don't get me wrong! I get jealous of things that other people have or are doing. I think I'm missing out on opportunities others are taking--spontaneous, frivolous, far-off trips or the adventure of starting a family (still going to wait on this one a little while). I feel like some of the people around me, like in my ward, are so amazing and that I could be that way too if I was given their callings and handled the trials they had. I could be a creative, thrifty, DIY wife (& future mother) if I were to search Pinterest long enough...and set aside enough time to buy and make such researched things. I could be incredible and always know what I've got when I've got it (remember that song "Yellow Taxi" by the Counting Crows? <span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">I</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> wouldn't lose whatever it is that I have). </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Really, Samantha? You're ridiculous. Get over it. Be happy with what you've got because it could always be worse. Am I right or am I right? I should just roll with the punches. Take life as it comes. You know all those cliche sayings. The thing about cliches, though, is that they're true.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">But no matter what I'm feeling, I eventually snap out of it and realize that I have the Gospel in my life and that is</span> enough.<br /><br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EMwKxmTLaCs" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-80280710922860879222011-11-10T18:37:00.000-08:002011-11-10T21:51:41.309-08:00Fall Fever<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." ~Albert Camus</span><br /></div><br /><style><!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-fareast-language:JA;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSectio</style><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" >Fall is my absolute FAVORITE season! It seems like a lot of people I talk to love the summer and hate that now it’s </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">so cold</i><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" > out. Summer’s great, especially when it comes to water sports and such but I hate being hot, sticky and sweaty. That’s basically how I can succinctly describe any summer I’ve experienced in the following places I’ve lived: Mississippi, Japan and Utah. This is especially true when lugging around a backpack all day at school. An exception to an insufferable summer is Vancouver, WA. It’s the perfect temperature there and one of the most gorgeous places you could visit. So basically, when Fall finally arrives I accept it like it's the Queen of England!</span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> I just can't get enough of how crisp the air is, how gorgeous the leaves are when they change color, and the scrumptious delights that are baked during this time of year. It's like, "can life get any better?" Nope. :) Let me show you through pictures:</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-69nhyECQ-Ng/TryP4JfwKfI/AAAAAAAAAMI/Rl4_3qwZs7Q/s1600/IMG_1403.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-69nhyECQ-Ng/TryP4JfwKfI/AAAAAAAAAMI/Rl4_3qwZs7Q/s320/IMG_1403.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673567825364527602" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">We can walk to the temple without sweating before we even get inside. And yes, Loren was growing a beard.</span></p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left; font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CpbBJa2J_bk/TryR6hgS3zI/AAAAAAAAAMU/phiN8AIaQh8/s1600/IMG_1409.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CpbBJa2J_bk/TryR6hgS3zI/AAAAAAAAAMU/phiN8AIaQh8/s320/IMG_1409.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673570065192247090" border="0" /><br /></a></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">It's BYU Football time! First game of the season!!<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Unfortunately, that was the horrendous game against Utah. We won't talk about it any further.</span></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wcOIEtal9MA/TryR64bifZI/AAAAAAAAAMg/I9866JEpw0c/s1600/IMG_3849.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wcOIEtal9MA/TryR64bifZI/AAAAAAAAAMg/I9866JEpw0c/s320/IMG_3849.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673570071346314642" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">This game we won! But what's better-we got front row seats!! Cosmo was always 3 feet away me, never next to me. Poo. Btw, thanks Amelia for knocking some <span style="font-style: italic;">sense</span> into me because<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">I LOVE BYU FOOTBALL!!!</span></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QiTnubuwH_w/TryR7S0Om1I/AAAAAAAAAMw/9JdB1QjB0Fg/s1600/IMG_1488.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QiTnubuwH_w/TryR7S0Om1I/AAAAAAAAAMw/9JdB1QjB0Fg/s320/IMG_1488.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673570078429190994" border="0" /></a></p><p face="georgia" style="text-align: center; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">I get to see <span style="font-style: italic;">this</span> everyday. And what can I say? BYU has a gorgeous campus :)</span></p><p face="georgia" style="text-align: center; " class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left; font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Fall = General Conference (if you want to know what General Conference is about, go <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/about-general-conference?lang=eng">here</a>). I am fortunate enough to get tickets from my former Bishop, Rob Wallace--thanks again!<br /></p><p face="georgia" style="text-align: center; " class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left; font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><br /><p face="georgia" style="text-align: center; " class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlAnT7t7YD8/TrysY8CzftI/AAAAAAAAAOY/O9VBShKcWO4/s1600/IMG_2332.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlAnT7t7YD8/TrysY8CzftI/AAAAAAAAAOY/O9VBShKcWO4/s320/IMG_2332.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673599175014710994" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Conference while bf/gf--2010. <br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left; font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OGPclwFOl0s/TrytCVPlemI/AAAAAAAAAOk/dcdtQ8X6Gyw/s1600/IMG_1462.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OGPclwFOl0s/TrytCVPlemI/AAAAAAAAAOk/dcdtQ8X6Gyw/s320/IMG_1462.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673599886153841250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">One year later. </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Conference as a married couple ^_^</span></div><p face="georgia" style="text-align: center; " class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p face="georgia" style="text-align: center; " class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h9E5ZEjzHFQ/TryZhsfAtUI/AAAAAAAAANc/B_GK7eq1_v8/s1600/IMG_3855.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h9E5ZEjzHFQ/TryZhsfAtUI/AAAAAAAAANc/B_GK7eq1_v8/s320/IMG_3855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673578434735945026" border="0" /></a></p><p face="georgia" style="text-align: center; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Colorful landscapes going up Provo Canyon for a little BBQ/picnic. Beautiful, right?</span></p><p face="georgia" style="text-align: center; " class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p face="georgia" style="text-align: center; " class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p face="georgia" style="text-align: center; " class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbCT3kAGHms/TryZiI7gUDI/AAAAAAAAANo/D-UITRSt1WY/s1600/IMG_3861.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbCT3kAGHms/TryZiI7gUDI/AAAAAAAAANo/D-UITRSt1WY/s320/IMG_3861.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673578442371649586" border="0" /></a></p><p face="georgia" style="text-align: center; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">The studly cook</span></p><p face="georgia" style="text-align: center; " class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p face="georgia" style="text-align: center; " class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QEVUCxdO8gU/TryZiQgYkUI/AAAAAAAAAN0/Elk6sq5M6bk/s1600/IMG_3871.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QEVUCxdO8gU/TryZiQgYkUI/AAAAAAAAAN0/Elk6sq5M6bk/s320/IMG_3871.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673578444405379394" border="0" /></a></p><p face="georgia" style="text-align: center; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Our fellow picnickers--BFF Candice (left) and Jessica (Loren's 2nd youngest sister)</span></p><p face="georgia" style="text-align: center; " class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p face="georgia" style="text-align: center; " class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pROib33mSmA/TryZi89KExI/AAAAAAAAAOA/21BHixVcgo0/s1600/IMG_1492.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pROib33mSmA/TryZi89KExI/AAAAAAAAAOA/21BHixVcgo0/s320/IMG_1492.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673578456337224466" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Just one of the many yummy things I get to make in the Fall. Banana squash with dill sour cream sauce. Mmmm.</span></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p face="georgia" style="text-align: left; " class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p face="georgia" style="text-align: left; " class="MsoNormal">Fall is also when Halloween happens. We went to St. George the weekend before to spend time with the Stones. 'Twas fun :) We just relaxed, went on a triple date to a corn maze (I had never been to one before) with Loren's younger sisters, and ate <span style="font-weight: bold;">delicious</span> food. Patty definitely knows how to make healthy and filling food. I love eating there!<br /></p><p face="georgia" style="text-align: left; " class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVufchZ3-Bk/Try0EgtwmsI/AAAAAAAAAOw/BugvdFUAwac/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2011-11-10%2Bat%2B10.30.01%2BPM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVufchZ3-Bk/Try0EgtwmsI/AAAAAAAAAOw/BugvdFUAwac/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2011-11-10%2Bat%2B10.30.01%2BPM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673607620174322370" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">The two boys on the ends are brothers. Cute how it was a family affair, huh?</span></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rSMP3RGSG0M/Try0E0ZoFwI/AAAAAAAAAO8/SckKeo9C2yY/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2011-11-10%2Bat%2B10.30.01%2BPM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rSMP3RGSG0M/Try0E0ZoFwI/AAAAAAAAAO8/SckKeo9C2yY/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2011-11-10%2Bat%2B10.30.01%2BPM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673607625458587394" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Rachel (whose head I'm trying to bite) looks positively devilish. :)</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">I will never cease to love Fall. I found this quote that perfectly expresses my admiration for the season (and my dream to fly) <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." ~George Eliot. </span></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x-RVVY2nP4I/TryncHbdsrI/AAAAAAAAAOM/yeLKgyxFhm8/s1600/IMG_1463.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x-RVVY2nP4I/TryncHbdsrI/AAAAAAAAAOM/yeLKgyxFhm8/s320/IMG_1463.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673593732052398770" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">See how much we're in love, with each other and Fall?</span><br /><br /><br /></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-29222246934091219492011-10-09T20:48:00.000-07:002011-10-10T09:08:33.352-07:00Oh so busy and bridal<span style="font-family:georgia;">So when I was engaged, I was WAY too busy to blog. Even now I think I'm too busy to post, yet I take time to read other people's blogs... Doesn't make sense, right? Well I just want to catch you up on things that happened over the summer:</span><br /><br /><ul style="font-family:georgia;"><li>I was taking my Advanced Writing English class--Technical Writing. I heard it was a breeze, especially from the professor I signed up for. Turns out, she gave up her class to someone else. I though, OK, no big deal. Apparently, the teacher (but in reality, a <span style="font-style: italic;">grad student</span>) I got thought someone died and made her Queen of AllmattersEnglish. She taught straight from her powerpoint slides (which she instructed us not to do--what the heck?) and she gave us dumb projects that she graded way too harshly for the in class time she gave us to work on them. We were required to write a 10-12 page research paper, a proposal (of which there was no page requirement but she said that she would think we were missing something if we didn't have it at least be 4-5 pages long. That's <span style="font-style: italic;">half</span> the original paper length, woman!), and to top it all off--a 4-5 page review of a classmate's paper where we had to talk about its strengths, weaknesses (not being too harsh or easily, otherwise WE would be docked points), check the correctness of its quotes and resources AND give a grade that was <span style="font-weight: bold;">within 5 points of what the teacher would grade it</span>. Freaking ridiculous, right? I'm so glad that's all over with. I couldn't put up with her cheery but hard-A crap any longer. I was so ticked off from it all that I now only <span style="font-style: italic;">semi</span>-regret writing her a scathing student review. She deserved it.</li><li style="text-align: left;">Anyways, I also got a job. <span style="font-size:78%;">I'll embarrassingly admit that it's the first in my college career.</span> Fortunately, it deals with my major. It's called SEEL (Systematic & Engaging Early Literacy). Essentially, it's developing early elementary lessons that are geared toward teaching literacy through strategic but fun activities. If that doesn't make sense, I suggest that you check out their website--<a href="http://education.byu.edu/seel">http://education.byu.edu/seel</a>. It's pretty interesting :) I started volunteering with the SEEL team back in February, gathering materials for the lessons that are used in the classrooms. But in April, I got a paid position and my first assignment was to do assessments. Throughout the year, the Kindergarten kids were taught letters, spelling, reading and other skills like sound onset and rhyme and I tested them to see how well they learned those skills. It was kinda fun because the kids were cute but it took weeks to do and got old because I had to test 50 kids 3 separate times. @_@ But I've got different tasks now and it's pretty great! The people I work with are fun and smart and I'm hoping that this will help me get into grad school <span style="font-size:78%;">(Pleasepleaseplease)<span style="font-size:100%;">!</span></span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Oh lastly, I was engaged and planning my one and only wedding. It was <span style="font-style: italic;">so</span> hard to do by myself. Normally, girls around here (going to school, LDS, have family close by) usually have their moms plan their weddings and the girls periodically just give their input. I <span style="font-weight: bold;">wish</span> that was me! I didn't even go all out on my wedding by choosing a fancy-schmancy reception center with a caterer, hundreds of flowers, etc., etc. and it was <span style="font-style: italic;">still</span> hard. I could at least ask for help and opinions of family members and my wonderful BFF Candice Thomas. Without her, I would have crumbled under the pressure of trying to get everything to be decent, nice and put together. Candice and her family were like my family away from home--they helped me look for places to have the reception, made food for the reception, helped set up and take down the decorations and there for the much needed moral support! Oh how I love and appreciate them!!</span></li></ul><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">Now on to pictures and a story :) (Background part) I had a hard time finding a photographer (because I didn't realize how far in advanced I needed to book one...whoops) but fortunately, had people reply to my facebook reply asking if anyone knew of a good photographer that wasn't ridiculously priced. A girl that's married to a guy from my old ward suggested his sister--Lacey Jones (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/laceyliiphotographypage?ref=ts">http://www.facebook.com/laceyliiphotographypage?ref=ts)</a>. Her work looked very nice, I especially liked her prices, but most importantly--she was available! She was so nice and great to work with.<br /><br />So on August 9th, 3 days before my wedding, we drove to the Salt Lake Capitol Building to take my Bridals.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hvzao-A21lA/TpJg8c_dqZI/AAAAAAAAAJw/HNBA-FglZc8/s1600/IMG_9219.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hvzao-A21lA/TpJg8c_dqZI/AAAAAAAAAJw/HNBA-FglZc8/s320/IMG_9219.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661694273248930194" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5SBjCigQ7cI/TpJhXD-XRfI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/LHBaVJLPtY0/s1600/IMG_9226.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5SBjCigQ7cI/TpJhXD-XRfI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/LHBaVJLPtY0/s320/IMG_9226.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661694730389898738" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">I really like this picture...except that Loren's hand on my stomach makes it look like we're expecting. <span style="font-style: italic;">Not</span> the case, fyi.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It was around </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >this</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> time that it happened. A tour bus of Chinese tourists unloaded from their bus and started walking up the stairs to where we were. They were flabbergasted when they saw us. We were shocked to see them. They started to take our pictures, too! They kept saying things to each other in Chinese, with the occasional English phrase shouted at us--"Beautiful!," "Congratulations!," "Wow!," and the like. I felt so weird. They were expecting to see American-type architecture and learn historical things...yet we were their first site. Sort of funny.<br /></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bjppxXf3u9g/TpJiohs9OdI/AAAAAAAAAKA/mmAcmpPI4Kg/s1600/IMG_9244.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bjppxXf3u9g/TpJiohs9OdI/AAAAAAAAAKA/mmAcmpPI4Kg/s320/IMG_9244.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661696129939356114" border="0" /></a><br />So as my photographer (Lacey) was taking this picture, a couple of Chinese ladies stood right next to her to take my picture. I felt like a star ^_^ So when they finally entered the Capitol Building, we all had a good laugh at the odd situation we were just put in. And then, a bus full of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Italian</span> tourists flooded the steps!! No joke! They were a tad bit more understandable when they were talking amongst themselves (all good things, of course) and they even chanted for us to kiss so they could take our picture! Haha :) We kept running by the tourists and they were always so sweet. That was the highlight of my day, by far!<br /><br /><br />Here are some of my fave pictures...even though you can see all of them on my facebook page.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pQJbPazZIXQ/TpJqYthhvoI/AAAAAAAAAKo/Xwpnd9qvAd0/s1600/IMG_9575b%2526w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pQJbPazZIXQ/TpJqYthhvoI/AAAAAAAAAKo/Xwpnd9qvAd0/s320/IMG_9575b%2526w.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661704654327758466" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--T01MJWbJtI/TpJqYe-rvqI/AAAAAAAAAKg/tt-Nc0hOCVs/s1600/IMG_9543.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--T01MJWbJtI/TpJqYe-rvqI/AAAAAAAAAKg/tt-Nc0hOCVs/s320/IMG_9543.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661704650423516834" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jxmGjOncRKk/TpJqY-ny-KI/AAAAAAAAAKw/9Xn17Nm12LQ/s1600/IMG_9674.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jxmGjOncRKk/TpJqY-ny-KI/AAAAAAAAAKw/9Xn17Nm12LQ/s320/IMG_9674.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661704658917456034" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xunvJy8Q2Co/TpJpwfs113I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/3qRiSXHa_3g/s1600/IMG_9290.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xunvJy8Q2Co/TpJpwfs113I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/3qRiSXHa_3g/s320/IMG_9290.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661703963422349170" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1iLCv-Gp_80/TpJpv3FcgCI/AAAAAAAAAKI/tlQFOPO0Zt8/s1600/IMG_9270.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1iLCv-Gp_80/TpJpv3FcgCI/AAAAAAAAAKI/tlQFOPO0Zt8/s320/IMG_9270.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661703952519692322" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ehS2PglgRdo/TpJpwroz7AI/AAAAAAAAAKY/woWcdUVLSC8/s1600/IMG_9513.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ehS2PglgRdo/TpJpwroz7AI/AAAAAAAAAKY/woWcdUVLSC8/s320/IMG_9513.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661703966626671618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />If I have time tomorrow, I'll write about my wedding day. Stay posted! :)<br /></div></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-46456364393103509332011-09-09T17:19:00.001-07:002011-09-09T17:54:50.866-07:00I'm a rock! No, I'm a STONE!<span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" >Hello all! I'm FINALLY MARRIED!!! It's so glorious and I'm so happy that all of the stress, hassle and planning is at last lifted off my shoulders. *sigh*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" >So I'm now Samantha Stone :) It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? Like a spy name! At least that's what I think ha. Lately I've been trying to make that official--drivers license (I miraculously was in and out of the DMV in 20 mins! But I had 2 sketchy guys watching me the entire time, yuck), changing my marital status at BYU but not my name until I have my new SS card, spent forever in the Social Security office today, and hopefully that's about all I have to do. Oh yeah, and merging our bank accounts so that it'll be </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" >our</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" > money. ;) We're becoming an actual married couple and family! We even have kids! Don't freak out!! They're bamboo plants ^_^ See?</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iqBMPLLncLM/Tmqvh1MCexI/AAAAAAAAAGw/vMMwsYDZYiM/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B9-9-11%2Bat%2B6.28%2BPM.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iqBMPLLncLM/Tmqvh1MCexI/AAAAAAAAAGw/vMMwsYDZYiM/s320/Photo%2Bon%2B9-9-11%2Bat%2B6.28%2BPM.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650521678237825810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Our first was the small one on the left is named Matthias Ka Lai lai (Fijian for "little thing"). And the bigger one is Bruce Kamagata (Fijian for "fire snake" bc I think he looks like a Chinese dragon)</span>. <span style="font-size:85%;">We got these little guys at IKEA--which I LOVE!</span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">There have been SO many things I have to update about that I don't know where to start! I don't want to gush too much about our wedding until I have my pictures...which I'm still waiting for. Hhmph! :( I want them soooo bad! But I do have a few that I hijacked from people's facebooks, hehe. Here's a sneak preview of what's to come of my wedding day glory!</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EgvrkfC4om4/TmqxXqxuh9I/AAAAAAAAAHo/0qC2em656F8/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2011-09-09%2Bat%2B6.15.55%2BPM.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 254px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EgvrkfC4om4/TmqxXqxuh9I/AAAAAAAAAHo/0qC2em656F8/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2011-09-09%2Bat%2B6.15.55%2BPM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650523702667675602" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l84hjeJ2Q78/TmqxCVkymdI/AAAAAAAAAG4/dyiHrMrtDA4/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2011-09-09%2Bat%2B6.15.55%2BPM.png"><br /></a><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" >We just got out of the temple and was greeted by all of our wonderful friends and family!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QpMYkqEQko0/TmqxCxj_wjI/AAAAAAAAAHA/JRYduaqQs-0/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2011-09-09%2Bat%2B6.13.29%2BPM.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 237px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QpMYkqEQko0/TmqxCxj_wjI/AAAAAAAAAHA/JRYduaqQs-0/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2011-09-09%2Bat%2B6.13.29%2BPM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650523343711879730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Me and my BFFer Candice Thomas! My wedding was made possible because of her!</span><br /></div><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GeLGS3qmtR4/Tmqx-O04FpI/AAAAAAAAAHw/-e58jTQGDaY/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2011-09-09%2Bat%2B6.17.02%2BPM.png"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 319px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GeLGS3qmtR4/Tmqx-O04FpI/AAAAAAAAAHw/-e58jTQGDaY/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2011-09-09%2Bat%2B6.17.02%2BPM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650524365179590290" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br />Cutting the cake!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k5TwzchxYQQ/TmqxDMARwzI/AAAAAAAAAHI/lduBWeQo3Ts/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2011-09-09%2Bat%2B6.15.31%2BPM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k5TwzchxYQQ/TmqxDMARwzI/AAAAAAAAAHI/lduBWeQo3Ts/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2011-09-09%2Bat%2B6.15.31%2BPM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650523350809822002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Our first dance--precious!</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EWHSl3GQ9kM/TmqydqQ1LOI/AAAAAAAAAH4/8eP-6q_o5Fc/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2011-09-09%2Bat%2B6.16.16%2BPM.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 312px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EWHSl3GQ9kM/TmqydqQ1LOI/AAAAAAAAAH4/8eP-6q_o5Fc/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2011-09-09%2Bat%2B6.16.16%2BPM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650524905120541922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Daddy-daughter dance--so glad we got to do this!<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b3MtQahNB54/TmqxIt8Qk9I/AAAAAAAAAHg/tAXI590cMP0/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2011-09-09%2Bat%2B6.17.25%2BPM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b3MtQahNB54/TmqxIt8Qk9I/AAAAAAAAAHg/tAXI590cMP0/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2011-09-09%2Bat%2B6.17.25%2BPM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650523445819118546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">One of my favorite Bridal pictures</span><br /></div></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I will blog again soon to post pictures of our honeymoon to Hawaii--which was incredible, by the way!<br /></div><br /></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-72575889463198947862011-06-12T13:39:00.000-07:002011-06-12T16:13:43.473-07:00*Proposal Story*<span style="font-family: georgia;">I've been meaning to post this story for 2 months. Sorry for the delay... But without further ado... :)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">A little background story: We had our temple date set for quite a while </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">before</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> we were actually engaged. Like a few months. We knew it was going to happen and we wanted to be on the safe side because the Salt Lake temple fills up quick for summer weddings. So that gave me peace of mind knowing we at least had a date, time and place figured out so early. But, for those who don't know--I'm sort of an impatient person, and I was starting to get anxious by March that I wasn't engaged yet. How could I ask family members to make arrangements for my wedding before it was too close to the date? My birthday rolls around (March 10th) and I was </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;">sure</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> he was going to propose to me then--what could be a better present? Easy peasy right? Well, he made me </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">think</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> he was going to propose by asking if I wanted to go on a hike and picnic for my special day.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Here's me thinking the big day was finally here</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cllC-wISLDc/TfUnMjB0t3I/AAAAAAAAAFc/A5tLahCq_C4/s1600/IMG_2993.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cllC-wISLDc/TfUnMjB0t3I/AAAAAAAAAFc/A5tLahCq_C4/s320/IMG_2993.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617439206729365362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Fool</span></span>.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />So anyways, we go on the hike and had a picnic and instead of a ring, he wrote down the story of how we met and started dating. Very sweet. But not exactly what I was expecting. However, after that I turned on my Sherlock skills trying to figure out everyday how we was going to do it. Finally, the week before he proposes, I get all impatient, sort of whiny and ask in a 1st grade manner "why haven't you asked me to marry you yet?" :( Luckily, he thought that was very cute and amusing instead of annoying. Anyways, after I was being a child for a while, he tells me that he hasn't even thought about it yet. "Give me another month" he says. Can you believe the nerve!! He's trying to keep his serious face on because he had already bought the ring and was planning to propose to me within 7 days. Stinker. All the while I'm thinking "I have to wait another month to be engaged! How could he not have thought about what he was going to do if he wants it to be so great?! Uuugh!" I know, I'm ridiculous. But because of his reply to my question, I give up trying to figure out how and when he is going to propose.<br /><br />So we go down to St. George (his home) for General Conference weekend to spend time with his family and to get away from stupid school before my exams arrive. We go to the St. George temple right when we get there because he promised me we'd go. Here's my favorite picture from that day<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DOHiKOwieZM/TfUv6i7fbSI/AAAAAAAAAFk/01JYYH0FzZo/s1600/IMG_3107.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DOHiKOwieZM/TfUv6i7fbSI/AAAAAAAAAFk/01JYYH0FzZo/s320/IMG_3107.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617448793069808930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Blissful us enjoying the gorgeous weather and temple grounds<br /></span><br /></div><br />The next day we go on a family picnic, which we did the last time we went down so I didn't think anything of it, and go on a hike. Before the picnic though I notice some things but don't think much of them because I have my Sherlock skills turned off. Things like asking his sister to pick up stuff for him instead of us buying them, his family getting sparkling cider (for a picnic? That's different...) and things of that variety that I am not picking up on.<br /><br />We go to Snow Canyon park and have an enjoyable picnic.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9smYysL1m_0/TfUwj3aeppI/AAAAAAAAAFs/HNvGkunV9aI/s1600/IMG_3124.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9smYysL1m_0/TfUwj3aeppI/AAAAAAAAAFs/HNvGkunV9aI/s320/IMG_3124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617449502943127186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Unsuspecting me and Loren trying not to be nervous</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />We all eat and his sisters are "anxious" to go on the hike. They leave before the two of us because he's still chowing down on chips. Really, they needed to set up the proposal scene and he was taking his sweet time so they could prepare. Shortly after, we head out on the Hidden Pinyon trail. I'm having allergy sneezing attacks which gives the crew notice of how close we are. Eventually, I see this<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CrnlsRXBb9o/TfU4DvIqaQI/AAAAAAAAAGM/iW5FQ0fjfO0/s1600/IMG_3136.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CrnlsRXBb9o/TfU4DvIqaQI/AAAAAAAAAGM/iW5FQ0fjfO0/s320/IMG_3136.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617457747058125058" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9N3KAoierI/TfUydwROsyI/AAAAAAAAAF0/NRjKgZQ-364/s1600/IMG_3137.JPG"><br /></a><br />I look over and see this<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w2aZJYQRQvM/TfUyueLWC0I/AAAAAAAAAF8/HuC_d7M4X5k/s1600/IMG_3138.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w2aZJYQRQvM/TfUyueLWC0I/AAAAAAAAAF8/HuC_d7M4X5k/s320/IMG_3138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617451884170578754" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm instantly intrigued and tell Loren to follow. In actuality, I'm falling right into his hands. So we walk over and I discover this<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OdrLnBtB0j0/TfUzPpzGt_I/AAAAAAAAAGE/FAa5scE1OrE/s1600/IMG_3125.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OdrLnBtB0j0/TfUzPpzGt_I/AAAAAAAAAGE/FAa5scE1OrE/s320/IMG_3125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617452454225819634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Ignore my shadow</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div></div>My first reaction is "Aw that's cute!" And then the next moment I say "It looks like someone proposed here" and I start to walk away. <span style="font-style: italic;">No joke</span>. Loren is flabbergasted behind me and yells at me to come back. He gets down on one knee and I still don't believe him. I say "Loren, you're not funny. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Stop using someone else's proposal.</span>" The reason I think this way is because he's fake proposed to me once or twice before. I am not about to give him the satisfaction of being fooled again. He pulls out a piece of paper and reads a poem he wrote for me but it isn't until after he says a few sentences that I figure that this is my proposal. He puts the paper away, grabs my hands and says the sweetest things about how we'll have a happy life together and he'll provide for me, etc. I'm totally crying throughout this and then he pulls out the ring and shows it to me. At this point my knees buckle and I'm completely inundated with tears and joy. He finally asks me to marry him, puts the ring on my finger and we do the usual--hug, kiss and take lots of pictures for blogging and posterity purposes :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipKeWntFXWM/TfU4Ua6cEQI/AAAAAAAAAGU/YbvrPb2sOmw/s1600/IMG_3129.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipKeWntFXWM/TfU4Ua6cEQI/AAAAAAAAAGU/YbvrPb2sOmw/s320/IMG_3129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617458033687531778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Imitated surprised look. But feeling true joy :)<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br />I'll only show that one because I look like I had been crying, which is exactly what happened. But get this--his dad was hiding behind some bushes videotaping the whole thing! That was supposed to be a surprise but it slipped. So I'm gleefully walking down the trail back to the car when we meet his family who is about to serve us sparkling cider and congratulate us :)<br /><br />One thing I don't appreciate about that day is how grubby I look. Really? Getting proposed to while wearing a BYU Basketball shirt and having my hair in a pony tail? Uh, gross. Oh well, it was a great day anyways. We finished it off with some yummy Mongolian food. Notice Loren's sunburn ^_^<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_VKEGeUiEO0/TfU5wVyfZ6I/AAAAAAAAAGc/TI-gd9uuVTQ/s1600/IMG_3155.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_VKEGeUiEO0/TfU5wVyfZ6I/AAAAAAAAAGc/TI-gd9uuVTQ/s320/IMG_3155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617459612859983778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Me proudly showing off my new engagement ring!</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />That's it! Hope it was an enjoyable story :)<br /></div></div></div></div></div><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-49230321348542952782011-04-23T20:31:00.000-07:002011-04-24T00:51:48.549-07:00Our Beginning<span style="font-family: georgia;">This is the long awaited story of how Loren and I met!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">It all started when I became friends with his older sister Amelia back in my home ward in Vicksburg, MS. We were Girls Camp counselors together then hung around dinky Vicksburg making food and little crafts. It was fun and all along she kept telling me that I should meet her brother who was coming home from his mission in FIJI. I wasn't too sure about it because she had set me up once before and that kid was </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">awkward</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">... NOT a reflection on her of course but still, that experience made me a bit weary :)</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3MsMbk1O63I/TbObbEOmXOI/AAAAAAAAAEA/b-eHQoaKlAQ/s1600/IMG_1173.JPG"></a><span style="font-size:85%;"></span>I ended up leaving her sweltering in the heat of a Southern summer to go back to school at BYU. We still kept in touch and she told me that she was visiting St. George, UT soon to see her brother come home. She said that I should come down to see her and added that I had meet her brother ;) I wasn't so sure about meeting her brother (because, really, how often does that sort of thing actually work out?) but I was excited to see her and visit St. George in the summer.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />So on August 6th I drove down after my classes and arrived in the early evening, just in time for dinner. I was greeted by Amelia and her husband Jon and met her mom and one sister. After a few minutes everyone gathered around the kitchen table while I ended up bumping into Loren in the hall. Being a little surprised and scrambling for words, I threw my hand out for a shake and said "Hi, I'm Samantha! What's your name?" He snickered (thinking "you know my name") and replied "Loren." I felt pretty dumb for not thinking of something remotely better to say so I focused on what was on my plate and the family members around me. I noticed he kept looking my way during dinner but I shrugged it off thinking I was making that up in my head. It was fun talking to the family and listening to his slight but oh so cute British accent :)<br /><br />Anyways, that weekend we did a lot of fun things...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We went to a concert of women singing patriotic songs in the town's tabernacle<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--DOB4frbv-s/TbO1QX2-EhI/AAAAAAAAAEI/VA-ezEHPakI/s1600/IMG_1635.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--DOB4frbv-s/TbO1QX2-EhI/AAAAAAAAAEI/VA-ezEHPakI/s320/IMG_1635.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599018054638768658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Our first picture together--<span style="font-size:85%;">at a park outside the concert</span>. He was in the process of making a funny face</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-39uC0fm205k/TbO15opV5yI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/TAn2E5RgKu8/s1600/IMG_1647.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 269px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-39uC0fm205k/TbO15opV5yI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/TAn2E5RgKu8/s320/IMG_1647.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599018763519649570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">After tubing down the Virgin River<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div></div></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PULmEiviCRM/TbO2Wb6j5jI/AAAAAAAAAEY/u06VsEvodao/s1600/IMG_1664.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PULmEiviCRM/TbO2Wb6j5jI/AAAAAAAAAEY/u06VsEvodao/s320/IMG_1664.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599019258318415410" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Jumping pictures outside the St. George temple</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Notice the hand-holding :) That was actually the second occasion. The first was tubing down the river because my tube was floating away and he caught me by the hand...and didn't let go! ;)<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P63kArgwnwE/TbO3PX2ovXI/AAAAAAAAAEg/jtjGupF2WuQ/s1600/IMG_1677.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P63kArgwnwE/TbO3PX2ovXI/AAAAAAAAAEg/jtjGupF2WuQ/s320/IMG_1677.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599020236480757106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">His Homecoming: Isn't he so cute in his sulu (Fijian skirt)?</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />He actually paid quite a bit of attention to me at his homecoming. He kept talking to me and glancing over and saying bye when people left...oh well :) I noticed he shook this girl's hand that he knew in high school and I wondered if he would do the same to me. When I left I gave everyone in the family a hug and thanked them for my stay, I asked if he preferred a handshake. He opted for the hug :)<br /><br />The next day he added me on Facebook, after asking me earlier if I had "the Facebook"--I thought that was so adorable! We communicated through messages (because he didn't have a phone yet) and he asked me on a date for next Thursday. That surprised me because he lived 4 hours away but he was coming up to help his dad with their family's condo. That day, August 12th, was the last day of my Summer term finals so that was a good day for 2 reasons (and soon to be 3)! I ran home, butterflies in my tummy, and got ready. We ate Pupusas (like a meat and cheese pancake) at the El Salvadorian restaurant in town then had a pie shake at Sammy's. All the while I kept thinking how attractive he was and how much fun we had talking and laughing. The date ended after 3 1/2 hours--I'm sure his dad was wondering when the heck he was coming back to help him.<br /><br />The date was seriously my best first date because we were able to talk and talk without any awkward pauses or long silences switching to other conversation topics. A week and a half later I went to San Diego for my freshman roommate Amy's wedding. When returning, we drove back up through St. George and called Loren to have dinner together.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l-ZuGGKw9D4/TbO-pEVUFnI/AAAAAAAAAEo/_OGeoSXEq_U/s1600/IMG_2048.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l-ZuGGKw9D4/TbO-pEVUFnI/AAAAAAAAAEo/_OGeoSXEq_U/s320/IMG_2048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599028374498711154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">We got to see each other again--yay!<br /></span></div></div></div><br /><br /></div></div>Less than a week after that, he had a mission reunion in Salt Lake. He wasn't sure if he was coming up but after joking with me that I could come to the reunion as his "pretend girlfriend" and I accepted, he made his way up :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e7z-7QjG5is/TbPA3bQJotI/AAAAAAAAAEw/a7AiZp-cNsg/s1600/IMG_2057.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e7z-7QjG5is/TbPA3bQJotI/AAAAAAAAAEw/a7AiZp-cNsg/s320/IMG_2057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599030820192494290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Our day tour of Salt Lake City, UT</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />We went to the reunion and everyone was <span style="font-weight: bold;">shocked</span> that he had a girlfriend. He had only been home for a month while these other guys who had been around for a lot longer were showin' up stag. All the older missionary couples were telling me what a wonderful guy he is and what a great missionary he was, etc. I felt a teeny bit guilty for not actually being his girlfriend...but it's not because I didn't want to be! ;)<br /><br />He stayed over til Sunday where we went to my new ward's very first church meeting of the semester. This boy had the nerve to hold my hand in front of everybody, almost as if he was marking me as his territory. My first thought was "Well, I guess I'm not going to date anybody here... Oh well, who cares?" I tried to supress my grin that was growing ear to ear but I'm sure he caught a glimpse of it. We had a wonderful afternoon eating chili, introducing him to Psych and talking up a storm. I felt bad that I kept him in town til 9pm, whoops. I guess we had a lot to say. Not only that, he kissed me! ^_^ By then it was too late, I was over the moon for this boy!<br /><br />The rest is history. Over the months we tried to visit each other as often as we could, trying to work around school and work schedules. We were able to see each other only once or twice a month but we talked for hours at a time every night (I think our record was over 4 consecutive hours). I honestly think Heavenly Father had a part in all of this. Considering the long 261 mile (who's counting?) distance between us, we were able to see each other 4 times in one month of meeting each other. If we weren't able to do that, I don't know if we'd really be together right now... Ok here's a few pictures from those few and far between visits...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HWGBYfy3i0o/TbPLnn5ON4I/AAAAAAAAAE4/tCQsK_nonFo/s1600/IMG_2332.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HWGBYfy3i0o/TbPLnn5ON4I/AAAAAAAAAE4/tCQsK_nonFo/s320/IMG_2332.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599042643335985026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">General Conference Weekend</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ORtprSHlX3o/TbPMW0na5dI/AAAAAAAAAFA/mZ0_ZECY5sw/s1600/IMG_2409.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ORtprSHlX3o/TbPMW0na5dI/AAAAAAAAAFA/mZ0_ZECY5sw/s320/IMG_2409.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599043454204831186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">LS heart<br />& SB</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm glad we worked out, otherwise this poor tree suffered for nothing<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNts5Zbgkvk/TbPOBCq8xTI/AAAAAAAAAFI/6AtypII03NY/s1600/IMG_2651.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNts5Zbgkvk/TbPOBCq8xTI/AAAAAAAAAFI/6AtypII03NY/s320/IMG_2651.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599045279043863858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Surprise visit! Detour from Mindy's wedding in Arizona returning home</span><br /></div><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dc86p6y8MRA/TbPPbskcjOI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/yQciBkAt9kc/s1600/IMG_2798.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dc86p6y8MRA/TbPPbskcjOI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/yQciBkAt9kc/s320/IMG_2798.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599046836479102178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Snow Man building with his sisters 2 days after New Years</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div></div>The story now is that he lives up in Provo, just a few short blocks away from my apartment--MUCH better than 4 hours! We get see each other every day--cook food, study side by side, occasionally watch an episode of the hilarious Shawn Spencer in Psych, and now plan our wedding :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Proposal story coming soon!</span><br /></div></div></div><br /><br /></div></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-6242065723085757492011-03-14T20:19:00.000-07:002011-03-14T22:46:41.517-07:00Even Better<span style="font-family: georgia;">What's better than a birth</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">day</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">? A birthday </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">weekend! </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">My birth</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">day</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> was pretty uneventful. I just went to school all day, did baptisms at the temple then went grocery shopping. Unfortunately, Loren had to work til close so I didn't have any plans with him. Luckily I have some cool roommates and they took me out to </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:verdana;" >Spark</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">, a fun swanky lounge that serves non-alcoholic drinks :)</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-65tff23pzIA/TX7fpX2yr7I/AAAAAAAAABA/xC6kH-evL6U/s1600/IMG_2969.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-65tff23pzIA/TX7fpX2yr7I/AAAAAAAAABA/xC6kH-evL6U/s320/IMG_2969.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584146489857454002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Me, Ashli and Kayla</span>--<span style="font-size:85%;">Double berry and kiwi martinis</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">But after we got home, Loren was waiting to deliver these beautiful roses! I'm so lucky to have him!</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BemZlU7V5Ws/TX7xtqKE2VI/AAAAAAAAACY/aWGLG0btO2Y/s1600/IMG_3068.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BemZlU7V5Ws/TX7xtqKE2VI/AAAAAAAAACY/aWGLG0btO2Y/s320/IMG_3068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584166354698950994" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">On Friday, I only had an 8am class and the rest of the day I was </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">freee!<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">So Loren and I made yummy crepes and went on a hike. We tried Stewart Falls up around Aspen Grove but it was still under heavy snow, so we went to Bridal Veil Falls instead.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-86RjHKTjQR4/TX7peKtDacI/AAAAAAAAABI/-XJLE4EZWCI/s1600/IMG_2980.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-86RjHKTjQR4/TX7peKtDacI/AAAAAAAAABI/-XJLE4EZWCI/s320/IMG_2980.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584157292464662978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">See how happy we are? Even with the detour to our plans</span><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We packed a lunch and found a sweet spot onlooking the falls. See!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3TYOiCG-6BA/TX7qPY4geKI/AAAAAAAAAB4/4AgPvmgFmro/s1600/IMG_3019.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3TYOiCG-6BA/TX7qPY4geKI/AAAAAAAAAB4/4AgPvmgFmro/s320/IMG_3019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584158138084391074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">It's called the Love Shack!<br />It's seriously gross inside but it's a nice place to lay your blanket down and enjoy the sun :)</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />Here are some other pictures from our adventure...<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rx0-avgrOfQ/TX7peXefUvI/AAAAAAAAABQ/XG1c3cXNltQ/s1600/IMG_2984.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rx0-avgrOfQ/TX7peXefUvI/AAAAAAAAABQ/XG1c3cXNltQ/s320/IMG_2984.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584157295893238514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This rock looks like an alligator, huh?</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lGJIJP8EGlE/TX7pvx9TWpI/AAAAAAAAABg/3t3miW_UGsY/s1600/IMG_2991.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lGJIJP8EGlE/TX7pvx9TWpI/AAAAAAAAABg/3t3miW_UGsY/s320/IMG_2991.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584157595059575442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">We had to take this picture but I think we're still cute and hey, we got the falls in it<br /><br /></span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-574UamgbbTE/TX7pwdDCxQI/AAAAAAAAABo/q9OhPMhNJig/s1600/IMG_2993.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-574UamgbbTE/TX7pwdDCxQI/AAAAAAAAABo/q9OhPMhNJig/s320/IMG_2993.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584157606626379010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">After that picture someone offered to take this for us, yay!</span><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AxyHxhRKXLU/TX7qPDiIFqI/AAAAAAAAABw/qs5eX3KsGeM/s1600/IMG_3008.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AxyHxhRKXLU/TX7qPDiIFqI/AAAAAAAAABw/qs5eX3KsGeM/s320/IMG_3008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584158132353373858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">And here's my favorite! Hehehe</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g3gd2jCwsRw/TX7pe_Vp4JI/AAAAAAAAABY/GjNg8QD6F1Q/s1600/IMG_2990.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g3gd2jCwsRw/TX7pe_Vp4JI/AAAAAAAAABY/GjNg8QD6F1Q/s320/IMG_2990.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584157306593599634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Pretending to slip on, but really trying to break, the ice</span><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">After our hike, we got ready to go to Loren's mission trainer's wedding reception.</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3TYOiCG-6BA/TX7qPY4geKI/AAAAAAAAAB4/4AgPvmgFmro/s1600/IMG_3019.JPG"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-reb22wGHCeo/TX7v6cYejcI/AAAAAAAAACA/PPkcxamaHds/s1600/IMG_3021.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-reb22wGHCeo/TX7v6cYejcI/AAAAAAAAACA/PPkcxamaHds/s320/IMG_3021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584164375316303298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This was after he and his new wife cut the cake and shared it...the messy way ;)</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then we practically flew back to Provo to make it to our reservation at the best restaurant in town--TUCANOS!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xcIkCk_2iFs/TX7v6t-Wr8I/AAAAAAAAACI/mFrRrLDFzS8/s1600/IMG_3022.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xcIkCk_2iFs/TX7v6t-Wr8I/AAAAAAAAACI/mFrRrLDFzS8/s320/IMG_3022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584164380038574018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Mmmm...full bellies ^_^</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />Saturday, the two of us just hung around the apartment, made food, did whatever until he had to go to work. I had a really lazy day but had to get ready for my birthday party that my BFF Candice threw for me! We had mocktails which were delish! But my favorite feature of the event, by far, was the CUPCAKES!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hr-19dZkF2s/TX7xlWit9dI/AAAAAAAAACQ/jW_ORWF3htg/s1600/IMG_3028.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hr-19dZkF2s/TX7xlWit9dI/AAAAAAAAACQ/jW_ORWF3htg/s320/IMG_3028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584166211994645970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">She's amazing! She made a red velvet w/cherry filling, lemon w/lemon filling, chocolate w/chocolate filling and my favorite--chocolate w/raspberry filling and cream cheese frosting w/ a strawberry on top ^_^</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />The party didn't last all night and didn't include a lot of people, just good, close friends, but that's all I needed! I had a lot of fun and appreciate all the effort that was put into it! Here are some other pictures of the night:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xe4J1FRoBJ8/TX70MULQRHI/AAAAAAAAACg/AdoOcxny3ww/s1600/IMG_3039.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xe4J1FRoBJ8/TX70MULQRHI/AAAAAAAAACg/AdoOcxny3ww/s320/IMG_3039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584169080397513842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Jordan, Ashli, and Phil</span><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ynFliClwdFo/TX70MqKDA8I/AAAAAAAAACo/3Mm4GVeojsc/s1600/IMG_3040.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ynFliClwdFo/TX70MqKDA8I/AAAAAAAAACo/3Mm4GVeojsc/s320/IMG_3040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584169086298031042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This is a fave. My roommate Kayla and her fiance Dave</span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6uz_o9Ba_zE/TX70Mw0FG5I/AAAAAAAAACw/hoDkPfflgzI/s1600/IMG_3041.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6uz_o9Ba_zE/TX70Mw0FG5I/AAAAAAAAACw/hoDkPfflgzI/s320/IMG_3041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584169088084941714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This is my "oh you're taking a picture of me? Sure thing! This gives me a chance to show off my inner dork!"<br /></span><br /><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_3hCMntUnyE/TX70fog_84I/AAAAAAAAAC4/k_sb3mzer_Y/s1600/IMG_3050.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_3hCMntUnyE/TX70fog_84I/AAAAAAAAAC4/k_sb3mzer_Y/s320/IMG_3050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584169412274942850" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Playing the animal game. Everyone has a sign and you pass "it" around clapping a certain rhythm. Sorta hard to explain but fun and easy to play. You just slap your legs a lot doing it.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MP9dwCaiYFU/TX70fwFvktI/AAAAAAAAADA/hLjydk2aRlg/s1600/IMG_3053.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MP9dwCaiYFU/TX70fwFvktI/AAAAAAAAADA/hLjydk2aRlg/s320/IMG_3053.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584169414308106962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Gotta have a shot of blowing out the cups of cake :)</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ah_0pJNNVbw/TX72QkPbOMI/AAAAAAAAADI/b2QxwU7vaZc/s1600/IMG_3046.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ah_0pJNNVbw/TX72QkPbOMI/AAAAAAAAADI/b2QxwU7vaZc/s320/IMG_3046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584171352452708546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">And one of the gang! I like the personality in it<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />P.S. Loren had to close for work again (super lame) but came later to the party. I just failed to take a picture of us. Oh well.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Then comes Sunday. That morning was a little rough on all of us I think. It was Daylight Savings which means losing an hour of sleep--very precious to college kids! But it was such perfect weather outside that it didn't matter! And because it was so nice out, I wanted us to take some cute pictures. So I snagged my roommate Ashli and we took pictures on the temple ground. Cheesy, I know. Shush. This one is my favorite<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BijDu16srnI/TX73f6OOv5I/AAAAAAAAADQ/8zq39qHcwFQ/s1600/IMG_3055.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BijDu16srnI/TX73f6OOv5I/AAAAAAAAADQ/8zq39qHcwFQ/s320/IMG_3055.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584172715562942354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After that, we made some cookies for the ward Break the Fast. Poor Loren had to wait in the back of the line while all the girls got to be first in getting food. Don't worry, I grabbed some extra yummies and gave it to him while he had to wait in line. I wouldn't let him go hungry. Following that, we just enjoyed the day! Visited Candice some, played foosball (we each won a game but my competitive side wasn't happy about ending on a losing note), I had to take a quiz for a class and then we said goodnight.<br /><br />All in all, it was the best weekend! It was spent in good company, in the most perfect weather that I could ever dream of, and lasted for more than one measly day! <span style="font-style: italic;">Perfecto!</span> Here's to being 22! :D<br /><br /></div></div></div></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-8757499340835325322011-03-09T21:01:00.000-08:002011-03-09T21:30:48.716-08:00See ya later Youth!<span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:180%;">365 days.</span> That's how long I've been 21. It's so weird; I'm growing up! I don't want to say that I'm getting old but I feel like after 21, that's when you finally </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">have to say goodbye to your childish ways. Maybe not...but with becoming 22 I feel like I'm embarking on a new season of my life. Graduation, trying to get into/preparing for grad school and much more!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">21...it just rolls off the tongue so nicely. Oh well :)</span><br /></div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vl_62jnURB0/TXhfutSiSgI/AAAAAAAAAA4/lg7hhcPmEtk/s1600/IMG_0902.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vl_62jnURB0/TXhfutSiSgI/AAAAAAAAAA4/lg7hhcPmEtk/s320/IMG_0902.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582316994161691138" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">Here's a cupcake to celebrate the last day I'll ever be 21. *sniff*<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950382686435035781.post-74120492961387985942011-03-08T21:02:00.000-08:002011-03-08T21:50:38.008-08:00Finally!<span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I have been wanting to create a blog since this past summer. But every time that thought popped into my head, I always tossed it aside declaring that I don't really have anything to say. That isn't quite true because I can talk and talk and talk about pretty much anything...besides politics. I also thought that no one would read or comment on my posts because I'm not exceptionally witty or funny. I also used to think that blogs were only for married people and those with cute anecdotes about their kids. But who cares? It'll happen in my life eventually :) And I feel like doing this so that my family and friends across the world can keep up with my life. I'm not the best at calling people up and giving them updates so I hope they can be satisfied with this. Please say yes! :)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">So yeah. This will be your conduit to </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >my life</span><span style="font-family:georgia;">. Enjoy!<br /></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rznYM5pvXeo/TXcUi1t5riI/AAAAAAAAAAM/zt4xwUYfqpo/s1600/IMG_2372.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rznYM5pvXeo/TXcUi1t5riI/AAAAAAAAAAM/zt4xwUYfqpo/s320/IMG_2372.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581952851916729890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762442352725732311noreply@blogger.com1