sdsu tournament

Cassie and I's friend from high school, Sam, plays club water polo at San Diego State University. Their team made it to Nationals which was conveniently held in Kearns, UT, about an hour away from us. 

We decided to make the trip out to watch him play. 

They were doing so great and 

ended up in 2nd place. 

It was so great to see him and 

catch up since high school. 

It made me miss high school and water polo and all my friends. I'm excited to see them come Christmastime. 

family

Recently, my great Aunt Barbara came to Provo to visit all her grandkids and great grandkids that live in the area. 

She took us all out to Tucanos. 

yuuuuuumy. 

There were 20 of us which took up two tables, and this isn't even a quarter of our family.

 It was so fun to see everyone, especially my cousin Rachel who just got home from her mission in the Philippines. 

I love my family. 

missions

I recently read this article and just had to share. 

It's the story of a girl who shares 6 things she learned from not serving a mission.  

http://jennkofe.blogspot.com/2014/10/what-ive-learned-from-not-serving.html

It's definitely different being at BYU with the wave of girl missionaries returning. 

It's been tough, to say the least. 

I've been in situations recently where I'm in a group of people chatting, getting to know each other. Then the mission topic comes up. 

The girls around me start telling us where they served and experiences from their missions. 

I don't have much to contribute to these conversations and feel left out. 

I've never regretted my decision not to serve a mission. It was right for me. 

But that doesn't mean I don't feel the effects of that decision. 

member when all my friends got married and i'm the only one still single? me too. 

Anyway, here are some photos as a tribute to my two best friends and their new husbands. 

 This is Kristen Cagle Schaat. Kristen and I met our freshman year in college at BYU-Idaho. 

She was rooming with my good friend Jamie and we instantly became friends. We lived together that next year and that's where she met her husband, Gavin. He was in our ward and we quickly became friends with him and his roommates. Since the first day Kristen and Gavin met, our friend group was trying to set them up; not so subtly, I might add. But eventually, our schemes worked and they're happily married today. 

 Now this is Mallory Merrill Wolfgramm. 

I met her through a mutual friend, Allison, last year at BYU. We were both looking for a place to live and decided to just move in together. And what a great decision that turned out to be! We became best of friends and it was in that ward that she met her husband, Stranz. 

I have to say I was responsible for this relationship because I forced Mallory to write him a nice-note at ward prayer. So, you're welcome, Mal and Stranz. 

Friends are one of the greatest gifts we have in life and I've been abundantly blessed.

summer is over

Before the fall semester started, I went home to California for 2 weeks. 

It was bliss. 

I hiked the hill behind my house, laid out in the back yard, snuggled with Frankie, ate wonderful home cooked meals, went to the movies with my parents, and caught up with some old friends. 

 (my dad's sweet new wooden cane)

 (Jackie, Cassie, Caroline, and I)

(bbq ribs are always a good idea)

all in all a successful trip. 

I was so so sad to leave, but it's good to be at BYU again (at least while it's still warmish...)

lake mary

I spent the weekend with Nell and Josh at their new place in Holladay. 

We went to the Dodo Friday night to celebrate Nell's 27th birthday! 

All I've ever heard is how good that restaurant is and how I just have to go. 

Well, I have to say, I wasn't impressed. 

I know, I know, shame on me. 

Doesn't change that it wasn't that good. 

The next morning, we made our way to Brighton ski resort to do a little hiking. 

We got to Lake Mary and it is honestly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. 

The mountains were so lush and the lake was perfectly crisp and mountain blue.

Also, there were little chipmunks that came up to us and just ate out of our hands. 

so stinking cute. 

weddings galore

My two roommates and two best friends got married this past weekend. 

Weddings everywhere!

Friday was Mallory and Stranz.

They got married in the Bountiful temple which was BEAUTIFUL. I had never been there but fell in love with it. They both looked stunning and so so happy. 

The reception was held at the Brigham Young Farmhouse that night. 

Yummy dessert was served. Bouquet toss. Garder toss. First dance. you know the drill. 

But, because Stranz is Polynesian, there were all sorts of dances, including the haka. 

It was surely a party. 

Then on Saturday, I drove to Idaho Falls and barely got there in time to see Kristen and Gavin come out of the temple. 

They were glowing! I've known them separately and together, and I must say, they are perfect for each other. 

That night, they had a small reception in a backyard in Gavin's hometown-Menan. 

It was beautifully decorated and simple. 

Bouquet toss. First dance. The exit. 

What a wonderful weekend of marriage! 

Congrats to the Wolfgramms and Schatts!