wedding, reunion and foof.

As if I havent mentioned it enough, I was extremely blessed with the most amazing group of college friends a girl could ask for. 

the Lanai Crew. 

Living in the best apartment complex for 3+ years, makes an amazing group of friends. Although we have all moved on from Lanai, and mostly moved on from Provo and BYU, we are still a great crew. A group of friends that never cease to keep in touch and often get together for reunions. 

Most of these reunions are in the form of weddings, but nonetheless, I absolutely love that at these weddings our crew comes back together, all traveling some distances to reunite and celebrate. 

(you all better come to my wedding or I will kill you)

Back in September I was sitting in Bardi's car outside Cafe Rio in Las Vegas with some of my very best friends, after we had just been to a Lanai wedding of our friends James and Karly Barker . We sat there and discussed who would be next of our Lanai Crew to get married. We all guessed Ronnie SquireS. And right we were! So this past weekend marked one of those reunion/ wedding weekends.

A great part of the weekend was my blogging guru and BFF Allie was in town to not only visit the above mentioned Jimmy B, her twin, but also to attend the wedding. 

I took Friday off of work in order to spend some time with the Barkers down in Orange County.

We went to Balboa Island and enjoyed some signature frozen bananas.

We then took off to Temecula to attend the reception. 

Ronnie and Mikael Squires were married last Friday and the whole crew got together for the wedding. 

I have been friends with Ronnie from the beginning of my Lanai career and he is absolutely one of my most favorite people ever. He has overcome many physical trials in his life and is such an amazing inspiration to me. He is one of the funniest people I have ever met! I never cease to laugh hysterically while I am in his presence. I have loved hearing his ridiculous stories, watching countless hours of Man v. Food at his apartment and intense work outs at the gym.

The garden reception was beautiful! I would have taken more pictures but it was just one of those things that pictures wouldnt do it justice. Ronnie and Mikael were beautiful and glowing.

The Lanai gang was all huddled around one table all trying to catch up on each others lives.

I also love being with this gang because nothing has changed when we get back together. We had a blast at the reception, although it went by too fast.


On Saturday, back in Orange County, JB and KB were awesome enough to plan a BBQ at Dana Point for the gang. Perfect beach with the harbor in the distance.

We had some problems getting the grill started.

Took lots of pictures.

Played some football.

Laughed lots.

And played foof. The made up football/ frisbee golf made up by the boys. Highlight of the day. 

So much fun! I wish I could do this every Saturday. Im keeping my fingers crossed that we can have a repeat of our LA trip of 09 later this summer. 

And I know, Im super obsessed with this group of friends. Im sorry. 

Saturday night I crashed a wedding with T Hoyt. 

The highlight there was seeing X-Tina! Such a surprise that she was also in OC for the weekend. 

WOO! Loved that weekend. Love the Lanai!

what so proudly we hailed, at the twilights last gleaming.

Happy 4th of July!!

I LOVE America.

I LOVE jumping photos! Jessica and I outside Independence Hall, location of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. Nov. 09.

I LOVE George Washington. 

I love everything to do with the founding of this country.

I love the Revolutionary War.

I love hearing stories of how the colonists were discouraged, without supplies, cold with poor clothing, not formally trained soldiers, did not have proper war strategies and were still able to beat and conquer the Red Coats. 

I love Valley Forge. 

I love the Continental Army.

I love Bunker Hill.

I love the Continental Congress.

I love Lexington and Concord.

I love the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 

I love Thomas Jefferson for writing such inspired words.

I love the Founding Fathers. 

I love the Colonists militia taking over Dorchester Heights.

I love the crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Day.

Nothing brings me more joy than learning and appreciating the struggles that so many endured to found a country in which we can enjoy so many freedoms. 

I love history so much because it further deepens my love for this country. 

I love America. And  I am so proud to be an American. 

Happy 4th of July!

However, that being said, I hope you all know that the Declaration of Independence was actually first approved on July 2nd.

my photo taking twin.

I like to take pictures and I take a lot, but I think I have met my match in M'Kynzi.
And when we are together, we like to take even more. We love snapping away as many as we can!
We felt like we were back in London taking so many photos together. 

As previously mentioned we had such a great time taking in the LA sites and just catching up with life. 

I absolutely love friendships in which it doesnt matter how long its been, or how often you keep in touch, but when reunited again its as if no time has passed. 

As soon as I saw Kynz it was like our study abroad, London travels and bunk bed days had never stopped. 

And it was the best. 

Kynz is an absolutely amazing friend. She is ok with my photo bombs, loves hearing about my dreams, a little snobby and a Ute. But I love her. And im just so glad she has finally started sharing her secrets with me. 

Other than the Pantry, our adventures included:

Dodger stadium.

Kynz had never been to an MLB game! And what better time to go then with the Dodgers biggest fan. 

Downtown LA and Olvera Street.

We were lucky enough to do during the Fiesta de Flores. 

I could go to this tourist street all the time. Love the great photog shots, the food and all the things to buy.
If only I hadnt been too full to have some stuffed churros. 

Santa Monica Beach. 

This Utah girl had never been to the beach! She loved soaking up the sun and riding bikes along the sand. 

Hollywood. 

Cant come to LA and not see the craziness of H&H. 

we saw BIG BEN! it was like we were in London all over again.

The LA Temple. 

Great way to end our Sabbath day. 

"why would you ever need a two second timer?"
Well said Kynz.

We are self timing pros. 

And of course a much need reunion with Lillie! We were one short of a Terrible Quad Reunion.

But I think my favorite moment was Kynz and Lillie sitting on my bed, reminiscing on our London days while looking through pictures and my journal. And its always great to have amazing girlfriends to talk about all of our boy problems and frustrations in dating.
It was such a much needed weekend.
I LOVED having you here M'Kynzi!! I wish we could hang out all the time. Glad you finally made the much anticipated trip here, and please come back soon!!

i am so grateful.

I am so grateful for so many things in my life. 

I think we could all make a gratitude list easily. 

And we all do. Its called Thanksgiving day posts. 

But right now I am so grateful for the gospel.

I am so grateful for those small moments when you hear, read or feel something and then think,

"that was exactly what I need to hear"

or

"that was totally for me."

I feel like I have been having those moments a lot lately. 

And I am so very grateful for them. 

I was on Facebook (shocking) earlier this week and a friend posted a quote from President Hinckley. I read it and thought, "Yup. Perfect timing. Thank you Heavenly Father"

And now lately, like the rest of the blogging world, I have become obsessed with Pinterest. 

And as I was pinning away today, I came across that same quote. 

Coincidence?

I think not. 

I am grateful for this gospel. 

I am grateful for the peace it brings me when I pray.

I am grateful for the inspiration I receive. 

I am grateful for living prophets to guide and direct us all. 

I am grateful for my Savior. 

I am grateful for my faith. 

Valley Ventures: The Pantry.

After months and months of persuasion, my London roomie and member of the Terrible Quad M'kynzi,  finally made the trek out to California for a visit. We were way over on our lunch dates to Cafe Rio and Kynz had never been to California! 

A visit was much needed.

I always take it upon myself to show off the great sites of LA when visitors come.

Hopefully I did not disappoint. 

Of course between the two of us, Kynz and I took a ridiculous amount of photos together over the weekend (we were snapping photos like crazy, just like London all over again) Ill be showing off some of our photos and our adventures in a couple of posts. 

As part of our LA experience I took Kynz to The Pantry on Saturday morning.

I have never been before but it has always seemed like a landmark place to be.

I love that it is nestled in downtown LA and established in 1924, and eight decades later still has the ability to make you feel like you are walking into that era, your family diner. It is now owned by the former Mayor of LA Richard Riordan.

The line to get a table was out the door. I was intimidated and made Kynz wait in line while I parked. 

But dont let that scare you off, the line moved fast. 

We had a hard time deciding on what to order because it all sounded so good.

So we just kinda ordered it all and you cant ever go wrong with breakfast foods.

French Toast. Potatoes. Bacon Omelet. Toast.

Good and Good.

Update: I just got around to catching up on reading my blogs and found a fabulous post from M'Kynzi about her visit and a little post about myself. While Kynz and I were in London she liked to take lots and lots of photos. And because of that I really enjoyed sneaking into her photos as much as I could. She always complained about it and I just LOVED it. Look at her blog for proof of all of my "photo bombs" must of those pictures I have never even seen.
You love me Kynz!

i love him. on my own.

Three years ago I was in a little place called London. 

We didnt see too many plays (which I regret now) but I was insist on seeing two specific plays.

Phantom of the Opera as it is my childhood love.

And Les Miserables. 

I feel like I was super insist on seeing this play although I knew nothing about it.

 I just knew it was GOOD. and a must see. 

I went with four of my friends but ended up having to sit by myself. Which was not cool because like I said before, I knew nada about the play. And with unexpected and nonstop singing I could never get my head around the play. Leading to a little recap for me during intermission.

Nonetheless I was captivated.

Fast forward to the Summer of Dreams of 09. I worked on my tan all day at the Peaks while I read Les Mis!
And that is when I fell in love.
A story of love, sacrifice and devotion. Such a sweet and yet heart wrenching book but as I closed the last page just smiled and said, I loved that.
However, I was disappointed. I thought I would never be able to see the play again. At least not for a long time.

But alas, I dreamed a dream and it came true!
Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Tour!
No doubt about it that I would be seeing this fabulous play with Lillie. Luckily we convinced Christina to come with us.
My favorite duo and me!
Our night started off with dinner in Little Tokyo with Mr. Ramen.

yummy ramen noodle bowls.

order the mini bowls fyi.


loved when we rotated our bowls to try each others.
And then literally a race to get to the Ahmanson Theater on time for the show.
We were running a bit late that night. And you know me. I absolutely hate being late. And I was not about to miss any of the show!
I navigated well through the streets of downtown, drove kinda fast, and hyperventilated through the parking lot and sped up the escalators.

Our seats were ideal!

And snapped a few shots before we got in trouble.
The show did not disappoint!
(even sans revolving floor)
The music was incredible. I got teary eyed and the chills, happy and sad. Just loved it all and really didnt want it to end.
I am obsessed with Les Miserables.
Its my favorite.

The Book. The Play. The Music.
Its been nonstop soundtrack for days!
Anyone up for seeing it with me again?
 and im not even joking. 

oh hey Lake Arrowhead!

If you couldnt tell I really to party with my friends and especially go on weekend trips.

This last weekend proved no different as I took off to Lake Arrowhead with NR3 to Tom's cabin. 

Here is a little recap of our getaway including all the fun and drama that went on during the weekend.

I have to point out my guy friends are slackers and have no jobs, and hence were able to skip town Friday afternoon.
 The working girls followed up Friday night.
 The drive there was good until we got to Arrowhead and got super lost. Little did we know that the address Tom told us did not register on our GPS, so instead it led us super astray. We drove around the Lake for over an hour, drove down the smallest and sketchiest side streets, scared that an axe murderer was going to jump out of the woods and kill us, all while frantically trying to put the address in three different GPS's and talk on the phone to Tom in  hopes of being navigated. And dont forget about Linden's nose bleed and getting pulled over by a cop. 

(apparently I have problems with getting lost in the woods, huh tay!?)

Not a grand way to start out a weekend trip as the boys found humor in our frustrations and the other girls were super pissed.

We got over it as we stayed up till 4 AM playing Battle of the Sexes, laughing hysterically at what the boys thought PMS stands for, rounds of UNO and the constant warming up by the fireplace. 

Saturday felt like the longest day of my life. We packed in so many fun adventures. 

Big pancake breakfast brought to us by the boys.

Lazy afternoon spent at the Lake, laying out on the dock and taking in the scenic views.

I had never been to Arrowhead before and I was amazed at the beauty of the Lake. Seriously gorgeous.
The sites of California continue to amaze me.
Most people know I kinda have a phobia of water but for some reason I really wanted to go in the lake. and not just casually get in, I wanted to jump. So after all the boys went in (and told us how cold it was) I got up and made a run for it and jumped in the lake. I feel like that jump kinda changed my life. I might actually get in the ocean now. (might.)


After being out on the dock we explored the town.

loved the trees.

friendship flower. 


 Immediately bought some amazing ice cream. We couldnt resist those waffle cones!

Barbecued for dinner. Also brought to us by the boys. AKA Bray'd and Ryan.

More UNO.

Watched a movie by the fire and made smores.
And the highlight of the trip: midnight jump into the lake. 
Earlier in the day we all decided to jump in at midnight. But after watching a movie, in our sweats by the fire we were all less motivated, sans Tom and Stephanie. In the time it took Tom to change back into his swimmy, Steph had convinced all of us to take the swim.

I wish I had a photo of all us lined lined up on the dock.
Pitch black besides the beaming moon and millions of stars with the lake perfectly still and all of us on the dock.
 cold, nervous and definitely apprehensive.
Not surprising was that the girls hesitated to make the jump, once we counted off, until after we saw the boys go first. Wouldnt put it pass them to go out there and just trick the girls into jumping without themselves going in first. But they did it.

So.Much.Fun. Loved that jump.

We immediately ran to the house to be warmed up by the fire. Played more UNO and had some crazy dance parties.
Sunday.
Went to Church.
Went on a drive.

Took a stroll around the lake.

Laid by the dock some more. 

And almost got thrown into the lake by the boys. I kicked and screamed to get out of that one. So I may or may not have started it by squirting them with the squirt gun. But worth it.
And that was our trip!!
I absolutely LOVED everything about it.
Music being played nonstop and chilling with some of my favorite people ever.

Thanks Tom!
cant wait for LA Round 2!!