Weekend of Firsts

Since Kyle and I are moving to Boise this summer we wanted to make a trip to Cedar City for one last weekend of fun. And let me tell you, it was a weekend quite full of fun! I had work on Friday so we weren't able to leave Logan until 6 ish, but once we arrived in Cedar, Kyle's family was as welcoming as ever! It was a little different this time because Kyle's parents just moved into a new house, which I am so excited about. They love it and were so giddy while showing us around. That house is perfect for them and I am so happy for them!
This last weekend really was packed full. Saturday morning we had the opportunity to go to St. George for a temple session. Kyle has always really wanted me to go to that temple and I can see why. It is absolutely gorgeous! And of course the session was so great. After that, we were able to go to Kyle's sister Amber's house for lunch. I had never been there before either so I also got a tour. Oh and Kyle also got to take me on a motorcycle ride on Ryan's bike. After lunch, we made our way to Zion National Park to hike Angel's Landing. This must have been a weekend of firsts for me because I had also never been to Zion. Wow! It is so unique and beautiful! The hike was amazing! A little strenuous (especially for someone way out of shape) but the view was so worth the sweat, sore muscles and puffy eyes (I had allergies on top of getting over a cold).

 I thought this was gorgeous!

 Wally's Wiggles 

 Taking a break

 Yes, we climbed that. 

 My Stud Muffin

 We reached the top!

 Looking down

After our hike we went back to Cedar City to eat dinner, wind down, and enjoy good company. The whole gang was there besides Kaylie and Cody. We missed them and Kyle and I were both wishing we could have made it down before they left but it sounds like they are making tons of memories in NC. Anyway, we had a great time just playing games, talking, and being one of the kids.

Reunited and it feels so good!

Bad Ash and Kick Kass reunite! My cousin, best friend, and partner in crime, Ashley came home from her mission last Wednesday. I still can't believe she is back and I can't believe how much has happened since she left. . . the big one. . . I got married! I was so excited for Kyle to meet her and for her to meet him, after all, he had heard so very much about her and she only knew that he was the man I married. It was so great to see her again and to see how much she learned and experienced. Her experiences she tells about are so inspiring and faith promoting. I can really tell that she was called to the Phnom Pehn mission for a great purpose. It was a call from God and I know she influenced so many people with her accepting personality and her love for life. I'm positive the people in Cambodia are already missing her but we are all so very happy to have her back. I can't even express how excited I was to drive up to her house Friday night and see her running towards my car! I nearly cried from happiness when I hugged her! haha! It truly felt like we had just picked up where we left off. She did such an amazing job on her homecoming talk and the spirit was so strong. I could really tell that she loved and cared for both the people and the work she was doing. Before leaving, she lived for serving a mission. I am so happy and excited for her to continue her work and purpose back here at home. I especially look forward to catching up on adventures, creating even more memories with her, and having her and Kyle get to know each other. Welcome home Ashley!

 Friday night. . . I was super excited.

Saturday, Grandma and Grandpa had a welcome home bash. Grandpa got this giant cake for Ashley. 

Then proceeded to give her a very big portion of that cake.  

Another chapter ended, a new one just beginning

Graduating. Yes, that's right, the end is finally here! I never thought it would be but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and it's brighter than ever. I should be very excited. And I am. But at the same time I am at a loss. I mean, think about it. All I have ever known is school. Come fall, everyone will be gearing up for football season, reuniting with old friends and roommates, starting another semester in school. What will I be doing? I don't have kids, I don't have a job lined up for when we come back in the fall. This is all so strange to me. Don't get me wrong, I am so excited to get my degree and to be able to say that I am a college graduate. After all, I have been working towards this goal for as long as I can remember! But I have always thought of it as future plans. Now it is here, staring me right in the face, just seven credits away! It's almost as if I still don't think it will happen just yet, it is that unbelievable! And yes, I have psyched myself out at times, imagining the worst. My fears all come out at times of change and this time is definitely no different. "What if's" pop into my head every time the graduation subject comes up, "what if my transcript was messed up?" or "what if my adviser made a mistake and didn't catch it until now, when I have already sent out announcements?!" or "What if something goes wrong with my last 7 credits?" I know that these are all very small chances but then there is my future? What am I going to do in the fall? Yes, I plan on working but where? Where do I even begin looking for a job? A career? The unknown scares me to death! It is just crazy how fast life changes on you. One minute, you're loving the single life, living it up with friends, the next you're completely in love and can't even imagine how you lived your life without that one person. One minute you're in school, studying and agonizing over the midterm, the next you're being thrown out into the world with nothing to get you going but a college degree. At least when you're in school you have set things you need to be doing and grades that need to be kept up. As far as I know, they don't give out grades in life.

Wow! I am sounding awfully negative! Let me lighten things up a little. I am so excited to be starting a new chapter in my life. I am excited to explore my options a little bit and to be a working lady! And I do have to say that I am so very grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows my worries and concerns. He has a way of doing things so that everything works out and even though I worry and over think, I know he has a plan for me. Case and point, Kyle. I think he knew that come this time I would be a complete mess on my own. With that said, I am also VERY grateful for my wonderful husband who has supported me and helped me greatly this last year. If my degree doesn't give me anything else, it has given me knowledge of how to be a good wife and in the future, a good mother. I now look forward to fulfilling my responsibilities as a woman. That is, supporting my husband in his priesthood callings and duties as well as supporting him in his future schooling and career.

. . . I still can't believe I'm graduating! :) :) :)

Cruisin'

This last week, Kyle and I were able to go on a cruise with my entire extended family. My Grandma and Grandpa have always kept our family so close and they always try their best to make sure we all have a good time and enjoy each other's company. This is our second time doing a family reunion sort of thing while cruising the Bahamas. We had a blast and got to do so many incredible things, but I have to say, the best part about it is the memories we made with family and the time spent in good company. I think that has always been of utmost importance to my grandparents-time. I have so many fond memories of being at Grandma and Grandpa's house with cousins having the best of time. And us cousins never wanted to leave each other. My cousins are, and have always been, my very best friends. We would do anything and everything together and I have that relationship with them because of my Grandparents and the many opportunities they provided for us to be together. I love knowing that I always have close friends and that even if we've been away for awhile, we can pick up like we never were away. I am so grateful for that and for my family. I can't even begin to express how happy they make me.

With that said, the cruise was absolutely wonderful and I am so happy that I had Kyle there with me this time as well. He just fits in so perfectly with my family. It was great to have someone with me, doing and experiencing the things I was. Anyway, here is a little about our trip:

 Early Saturday morning Kyle, Chrissy, and I took a plane to Fort Lauderdale, where we would meet up with all of my family members. As you can see, we are very excited!

 My sister, Allison AKA Pookie, is just such a cutie and looks good in everything. This outfit I love so I had to snap a picture. This was the morning before boarding the ship.

 On Sunday morning, all 49 of us loaded our luggage and took the shuttle to the cruise ship! Excitement and smiles all around!

We boarded the Ruby Princess Sunday afternoon, checked in, and immediately went to see our rooms! This is on our balcony before the ship departed.

 We all went to my parents' room as the ship was leaving the dock so that we could wave at those wishing us a good trip.

 As we were leaving Ft. Lauderdale, we saw some amazing beach side houses with awesome backyards!

 Our first night at dinner. My grandpa reserved a whole corner of this restaurant for our family to eat dinners together. It was so much fun and the food is unlimited and delicious.

 We did a lot of sun bathing! So relaxing!

 This was our favorite act on the cruise. They're called RootBerry and they were very entertaining! A comedy/juggling act.

 We went to a magic show but we were more entertained by the man with the wheel chair battery which he refused to move out of the walkway. According to him, "If people would just watch where they were going, they wouldn't trip over it."

 Many of our family participated in karaoke night, including Breanne and Katelyn. It was fun to watch and Katelyn later got the chance to represent at the "Princess Popstar" finals.

 Just chillin by the pool.

 The first formal night.

 Sisters :)

Movie under the stars-War Horse.

Walking to the beach in St. Maarten.

The water was so refreshing on a very hot day.

On the tour bus in St. Maarten. For some reason my family was into giving the Star Trek sign to each other. We haven't even seen it. haha

St. Maarten had a statue for just about every person who ever started something on the Island. Alec the Butcher was the first butcher. There was also Ta Ta the Bus Driver and the Traffic Director whose name I can't remember. We thought it was funny.

We went to the Butterfly Farm. This had so many beautiful and exotic butterflies. It  was a lot of fun.

This little guy just kept eating and eating. He ate that all in just a few hours. I think the guide said this would be a monarch butterfly.

This is an old sunken ship. I can't remember what kind it was but it was cool.

The water is such a beautiful turquoise color!

A lot of the family took a sailboat ride to Turtle Cove where we snorkeled and then went to Honeymoon Beach where we had a delicious BBQ. This was one of my favorite days. We swam with turtles other fish and then had a great time playing on the beach. There was one turtle that came up for a breath about two feet in front of Kyle and me. Those creatures are so fun and amazing.

 I love snorkeling!

 At Honeymoon Beach there were rope swings to play on.

 And we saw wildlife! haha!

 On the way back to St. Thomas.

 Our ship.

My family
Grand Turk was another favorite day. Great shopping, beautiful beach, and we got to do this:

It was hard to get the hang of at first.

 But we still had a blast. One of the best things I've done. I now want a Flowrider.

I got the hang of it after a few times and was able to successfully do some of the tricks they showed us.

 Kyle did the deluxe florwrider where you could stand up. Sadly, my camera died before I could snap any pictures of that. But here is one from the warm up stage. He got the hang of it a lot faster than I did. He was good.

 Our last night photo op at the back of the boat.

 JuJu and Heather entertained us with their amazing dance skills before Katelyn took the stage for the Princess Popstar finals.

 Pookie, Nati, and Kate joined in the dancing too.

 Katelyn rocked the karaoke!

It was such a fun and memorable experience on the Ruby Princess Cruise. Lots of laughs, tons of memories, loads of food. A trip that will never be forgotten.