summertime goes on.

ive been reading a lot of my friends blog posts lately about how they love love love fall.

they love the changing of the colors, the cooler temps, the start of school....

well. i dont. 

i dont really care for fall.

sure i love me some college football

and the trees changing colors to red and orange are alright

but really fall just means that winter is getting that much closer

which means...coats. boots. scarves. snow.

i hate all of those things listed above. 

but in Southern California, we dont really have a fall and as you guessed, im totally ok with it. 

that means i can wear my flip flops until Christmas

I can go to the beach in late September during the hottest heat wave of the year 

yup. triple digits again. 

 and enjoy the best beach day ive had all summer, although "fall" is suppose to be upon us. 

some sort of an endless summer.

just add that to the list of reasons im so glad to be back in CA. 

a wedding is a great excuse for a reunion.

I have definitely mentioned a time or two that I have easily the best group of friends around.

And I know I talk about it ALL the time but its just so hard to even fully explain the amazing Lanai Crew.

We all moved into a little place called Lanai. And I never knew how much that place would affect my life. I became friends with the ward, and year after year we all stayed to Live the Lanai. Nick Lombardo was the self proclaimed king. Trent Hope appointed me as Queen. I think it’s a little rare in Provo to live in a complex with the same group of friends for three years in a row. And because of this we have developed a great and amazing friendship. So amazing that even though we have all sadly moved on from Lanai or for the most part Provo, we all keep in touch and realize how lucky we had it in Provo, and no new crew of friends will ever live up to Lanai.

So when James Barker, B1 alum and reigning Two-Ball Champ and member of the Crew decides to get all married on us we instantly start planning the reunion.

We planned a little trip to Las Vegas 

and then St. George for the wedding, but to be honest witcha sometimes I forgot I was going to a wedding at all, I was just so happy to be reunited with my friends. But of course I wouldn’t miss a good friends wedding and any excuse to have a Lanai party.

We came from all parts of the country.

LA, SF, Palo Alto, Provo and DC

(ok so the last one is Allie, who was required to come, but still)

I know I easily get excited about the simplest things in life, but I was so happy to be seeing my Lanai friends.

The festivities of the weekend included:

And of course we, or should I say I, took a lot of photos. Not surprising.

Laying at the Trump Hotel Pool.

A great dinner night. That’s how Lanai rolls. We relish in going out to dinner. 

A little gambling, in which yes, no one won any money.

Hanging out at Nick’s. Watching music videos. Eating Raising Cane’s. Staying up way too late. Waking up way too late. And then the drive to St George for the wedding dinner and reception. And don’t you worry, the whole point of us going to STG was to attend this wedding, and yes, we were late to it.  But no one noticed. Karly Staples knows how to throw a wedding. It was easily one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever been to. The theme was nautical (which Nick was very upset that he missed the memo) and “true loves meets by the sea.” Everything was impeccable and perfect. She will definitely help me plan my wedding. 

The Bride and Groom. 

  I caught the bouquet! And I couldnt have been more excited. 

 It was so great to see some friends in STG that did not come to Vegas. Most importantly Allison J Barker. Allie and I were friends at Lanai and then roommates our last summer there, and then spent time in DC together last fall. She is my best friend. We talk almost everyday. Share celebrity gossip with each other. Both say “I KNOW” in high pitched voices and she is seriously so beautiful. And so yes, I cried when I saw her at the wedding I was just so happy to see her again.

  

And then to be reunited with my two favorite DC peeps. 

 Lanai takes so many pictures…Or maybe just I do.

 You just never can take too many pictures with Nick Lombardo.

 And don’t you worry, through the 200+ photos that were snapped, Nick got a lot of my most classic look.

I almost no joke bawled when I had to say goodbye to everyone the night of the wedding. One weekend was just not enough! Too much of a tease, and too hard to go back to real life come Monday. But of course by the end of the Saturday night we were already planning our next trip together. 

New Years 2011 in SF. Im already counting down the days.

Thanks JB and KB for an amazing reason to get together! 

Los Angeles Temple.

 I absolutely love the Los Angeles Temple. 

Growing up here my entire life and witnessing my two sisters get married there has easily made it my favorite temple. I love the huge hill that it sits on and the beautiful palm trees throughout the grounds.

The Visitor's Center recently just reopened after being closed for a long time for remodeling. And so this past week my ward went for Family Home Evening to check it out.

It is now SO beautiful. It is filled with tons of amazing videos to watch--stories filled with service, eternal families, the Book of Mormon, love for God, the building of the Temple and Joseph Smith.

It was a little overwhelming having so many things to look at and having so many people there, but it is truly amazing and I loved being there.
My favorite part was when you walk in and off to the right is the room with the statue of Christ. It is so overwhelming and powerful to sit there and see him, with his arms outstretched and then to hear Christ's words through the scriptures.

At one point a few of were admiring this statue, I then turned to look at my friends and I saw this. 

Once my back was to the statue I could see Christ's reflection in all of the window panes that open up to the back of the Temple and even some palm trees. I just loved this. I loved seeing the statue of Jesus Christ all around us. 

All of the glass windows throughout the Visitor's Center had this small imprint of the Temple. I just loved it. 

I also loved that literally my whole ward showed up for the event, it was great to be there with everyone.  

i think its fly when girls stop by for the summer.

I made a good group of new friends during the summer, as they were all heading back to Provo for school they were all super sad that their summer was over, saying they had the best summer ever. 

It made me reflect back on my own summer.

Also my sister Laura recently did a little summer recap post, which inspired me to do one of my own.... 

My summer started with the unexpected move back to sunny California. 

When this year started I told myself that it was the first time that I didnt have a set plan in my life.
 However I had one plan.
 I was going to live in Provo till the end of summer and then move somewhere else. That "somewhere else" was never ever going to be back at home...

My summer involved heartbreak. And Im still kinda dealing with it. 

However, my summer then involved making new and awesome friends which have been such a blessing to me. 

My summer involved two family vacations. Well the first involved Kelly coming here, but since I didnt work and we hung out everyday it felt like a vaca. 

And then a great trip up the coast to San Fran. 

My summer was lots of Dodger games. I tried to go as much as I could. My count is at 12 games thus far, with three more games in the works before the season is over. I have collected a dodger beach towel, dodger lunch pack and hopefully receive a dodger towel next week! 

My summer was filled with learning about apartment leasing. And although I am so so grateful for Matt with hooking me up with a well paying job as soon as I got home that was super flexible I realized I dont like working with adults in such a professional setting. They dont appreciate my big hoop earrings like my DC students, I cant get away with saying words like "aint" and they could care less if I can attempt to Jerk. 

My summer involved hanging out with my niece and nephew (and sister for that matter) all the time. And I absolutely love it.

I love the excitement Chase has every time I see him, even if I did see him the previous day. Although it has made me miss seeing the Larson kids all the time too!

My summer was Sunday night dinners out on the patio, which were and are my all time favorite thing to do. And playing Mexican Train at night. 

My summer was trips with friends.

My summer was going to the beach a lot. Although I only once got in the water. And that was only up to my waist. I know, Im pathetic. 

And lastly my summer ended with a new job! I am working for a lady in my stake. Its an awesome opportunity that just fell into my lap. Im a tutor/ political campaigner/ personal assistant and so far I love it! Im working for an organization called the Kitchen Cabinet. Its flexible, fun and Im learning a lot! My dreams that past few nights have all involved Republicans and Democrats. I have loved becoming more informed about the political world (so make sure you all go out and vote this election!). I feel required to start spreading the word for the company that I work for. So check out the website!!

I guess after writing all of this, it has been great.
But its just so hard to compete with Desperate Housewives everyday and 7 Peaks while being the Queen of Lanai.
 But maybe this takes a close second.

in other news LFO lead frontman Rich died over the weekend. Im seriously heartbroken over it. They were the greatest one hit wonder and he was so good looking.