Weekly Favorites

Well I thought I'd take a break from nearly drowning in school work 

and my job to share some weekly favs.

(can you actually believe I have a stack of homework already? Want to join my pity party?)

Favorite restaurant:

Happy Sumo's 2 for 1 Tuesdays.

A dolla makes me holla honey boo boo child.

Favorite laugh, video, dance, everything:

I. Can't. Stop. Laughing.

Favorite song:

Favorite quote:

Oh hey.. it's almost Friday :)

Ode To Summer

Summer has officially come and gone and I am back in school!

Although it's great to be back and learning new things...

I'll be a tad more busy. And by a tad a mean A LOT.

So I couldn't say goodbye to Summer with out a proper highlight reel. 

Here are some pictures of what made the Summer of 2012 special:

 Trip to New Port beach

 Baseball games with Erin.

 Trips to The Slab in Provo.

(Yes, I'm wearing winter clothes. It was cold. Promise)

 Tennis and trips to Macey's with Tyler

 Kaitlin Thomas became Kaitlin Darling!

Tyler and I were both in the wedding party.

 Visiting my friends back home & going to Stoney's.

 My first trip to Lake Powell

 My first trip to the Manti Temple Pageant.

(Getting up close and friendly with some Lamanites)

City Creek opening and making many trips there.

 Celebrating the 4th of July with my fam in Provo.

 Rooftop Concerts

 More family time at City Creek.

 Starting a new job at OrangeSoda.

 Hanging out with this kid before he moved back to Brazil.

Back to school shopping at City Creek and eating at Cheesecake Factory.

(I told you I went there a lot)

And of course,

a song that always reminds me of Summer.

Till next time Summer.

Hello, Autumn.

Throwback Thursday

This throwback comes from So You Think You Can Dance.

This dance still gives me chills to this day.

Patience, Experience, & Hope

I read this gem tonight.

Romans 5:1-5

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, 

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts 

by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Favs of the Week

Alright it's about time I share some of my favorite things this week!

Favorite song:

As heard on Warrior

Favorite giggle:

How stoked are you all that they're filming a 4th season of Arrested Development?

Favorite obsession:

Downton Abbey

I started AND finished the second season this week.

The second season was so much better than the first.

It was packed full of scandal, love, heartbreak, and adventure.

Bring on season 3!!

Favorite restaurant:

Guru's!

If you live in the Provo area you probably know what this is.

If not and you are in the area... GO THERE.

It's on Center Street next to Los Hermanos.

They have the best sweet potatoe fries in the world.

No lie.

Also, it's pretty trendy if you want to feed your inner hipster. 

Don't forget to wear skinny jeans, a beanie, and ray bans.

Hey it's almost Friday!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

John Steinbeck responds to his son Thom, who wrote to his father from boarding school confessing that he had fallen desperately in love with a girl there; Steinbeck received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962.

New York

November 10, 1958

Dear Thom:

We had your letter this morning. I will answer it from my point of view and of course Elaine will from hers.

First -- if you are in love -- that's a good thing -- that's about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don't let anyone make it small or light to you.

Second -- There are several kinds of love. One is a selfish, mean, grasping, egotistical thing which uses love for self-importance. This is the ugly and crippling kind. The other is an outpouring of everything good in you -- of kindness and consideration and respect -- not only the social respect of manners but the greater respect which is recognition of another person as unique and valuable. The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn't know you had.

You say this is not puppy love. If you feel so deeply -- of course it isn't puppy love.

But I don't think you were asking me what you feel. You know better than anyone. What you wanted me to help you with is what to do about it -- and that I can tell you.

Glory in it for one thing and be very glad and grateful for it.

The object of love is the best and most beautiful. Try to live up to it.

If you love someone -- there is no possible harm in saying so -- only you must remember that some people are very shy and sometimes the saying must take that shyness into consideration.

Girls have a way of knowing or feeling what you feel, but they usually like to hear it also.

It sometimes happens that what you feel is not returned for one reason or another -- but that does not make your feeling less valuable and good.

Lastly, I know your feeling because I have it and I'm glad you have it.

We will be glad to meet Susan. She will be very welcome. But Elaine will make all such arrangements because that is her province and she will be very glad to. She knows about love too and maybe she can give you more help than I can.

And don't worry about losing. If it is right, it happens -- The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.

Love,

Father

A Week Of Family

So this last week my mom, sister, and niece came in town!

Doesn't that explain why I've been M.I.A lately?

Well it was seriously a great week. 

It made me realize how empty my life on my own can be.

Nothing makes you more complete than your family.

Anyways, we spent the week exploring but mostly eating!

My mom also came up for Education Week at BYU,

so while I was working she was playing!

Here are some pictures I got of the week.

Which sadly aren't very many :(

 I hadn't seen this cute little girl in 2 & 1/2 months!

Emerson is almost 10 months.

She enjoys eating, sleeping, pulling your earrings, Baby Einstein videos, making funny faces, 

and NOT being in her car seat.

 Emmie sitting in my brother Matt's chair at OrangeSoda

(where Matt and I both work now)

One beautiful evening Jenn and I went up to Salt Lake to visit some friends of hers.

We went to Hatch Family Chocolates 

WHICH I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

The owners have a show on TLC.

It was so yummy.

I got a brownie sundae.

You better not be judging me right now.

While my family was here we ate at a few delicious places such as:

Gandolfo's and Joe Vera's.

Joe Vera's is on Center Street in Provo.

Not very well known.

But one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Provo.

It was really the most fun eating at Molly's in Provo on Columbia Lane. 

Molly's is owned by a friend of my family.

Molly's is only open 11am-2pm Monday- Friday but seriously go try it.

It's basically like the best comfort food your grandma made.

AND GET DESSERT!

Here is a link to Molly's facebook page.

On Friday I caught a ride back to Vegas with my mom and sister.

It was a really fun car ride blasting Disney and having some girl talk!

(but not when Emmie is sleeping. Wake the baby and Jenn will kill you.)

Jenn is doing the Jef Holm look. Too cool for school kids.

Saturday was my only full day at home. 

I know, what a bummer.

But I made the most out of it and what a good day it was!

I woke up and swam with Jordan and my dog Max.

Max thinks he is human and can't stand it when we're having more fun than him.

Then I tried to lay out but only really survived for about 20 minutes.

That Vegas heat is killer.

 Next my mom and I got pedicures.

She definitely spoils me!

I decided to dedicate the color of my toes to the last week of summer.

HOT PINK.

It was really fun hanging out with Jordan!

He is now a large chunk taller than me and loves picking on me now that he's stronger.

Pay back for all the years I teased him I guess :)

Saturday night I went to a beautiful wedding reception for a lifelong family friend Kenal Nisson.

It was such a lovely reception and I'm so excited for Kendal and Josh!

They looked so in love.

And they left the very next day to spend their honeymoon in Italy!

Talk about lucky in love :)

Sunday I went to church, ate dinner with the fam, and flew back to Utah.

Back to the grind!

School starts 1 week from today.

Let's live it up.

An Oldie But Goodie

Weekend Happenings

This weekend was a blast!

And yet super sad.

My roommate Michelle graduated from BYU

and moved back home to Oregon.

We were all sad to see her go.

So we decided to send her off with a bang!

Friday: 

The thing I love about all these girls is that we're all so different.

And we all get along SO well.

Each roomie has something unique that makes us all click.

Meesh was my partner in crime!

Michelle's family came in town for her graduation.

They took us all out to eat at the Bombay House Friday night.

I love Indian food.

I hadn't eaten it since last summer in Fiji.

(there is a surprising heavy Indian influence in Fiji)

That is Michelle's sister photo bombing in the corner :)

After we ate dinner the roomies decided to take Meesh 

out for some frozen yogurt at Yogurtland! (the best)

Then we went for a drive in Hilary's car.

Blasting music.

Dancing like crazy.

And somehow we ended up at Squaw Peak...

Dancing like crazy.

I definitely woke up with some battle wounds from Friday night.

Too. Much. Craziness. 

Saturday:

Got my zumba on.

Then I FINALLY saw Warrior!

I really loved this movie.

I loved the soundtrack.

And Tom Hardy is in it so no complaints there.

But really I was surprised that I loved it so much

since fighting movies aren't really my thing.

Also, I wasn't expecting how emotional I got watching it!

Sunday:

Church

Sleep

Eat.

Monday:

Guess what??

My mom, sister, and niece are coming in town today!

I can't wait for our girls week!

Many many cute pictures to come.

Have a wonderful week.

Keep on keepin' on.

Cool/Not Cool

Cool:

My ADORABLE niece Emerson.

I can't stop look at this picture.

Not cool:

My little brother getting his driving permit.

If he's getting older then I'm getting.....

Cool:

Radiohead

Enough said. 

Radiohead Creep by skinandbones

Not cool:

Our check after eating at Bucca di Beppo.

But let's be honest, this sundae is pretty cool.

A Terrible Confession

Last night something awful happened.

I killed an actual living thing.

And I'm not talking about insects

(who clearly want to die and you're supposed to kill them)

I'm talking about an animal!!

It was awful.

Last night my friend Austin & I were driving around in the

mountains at night and we passed what I thought was a twig.

Austin: "Oh there's a snake"

Me: "No that was a stick"

Austin: "No it was a snake I will prove it to you."

Me: "Haha oh let's kill it"

What came over me? I didn't mean it!

Austin: "Ok!"

So we drive back and sure enough it was a snake!

I hate snakes.

And I certainly didn't think I would feel so bad for killing one.

So we turn around and Austin DRIVES over the snake.

It was the worst feeling ever.

Yes I could feel the snake being ran over in the car.

I'm an animal killer and a terrible person.

Here is a picture I drew so you have a better idea 

of what actually happened (cause I know you care).

Tuesday Treats

Here are a couple of things I'm loving today.

Favorite quote:

Favorite song:

Favorite laugh: 

This is so stupid but my roommates and I

can't stop talking like this.

Plus, who doesn't love Kristen Wiig?

Cheers To The Weekend

The weekend has come and gone.

Is it Friday yet?

Just kidding...

But really.

I love the feeling you get on Friday at the end of the work day.

But isn't the feeling you get on Sunday night the worst?

Anyways, this summer has been full of amazingly crazy weekends.

Here are some highlights from this last one:

Friday:

It started off with the Rooftop Concert Series in downtown Provo.

I highly recommend going to these concerts if you haven't already.

Such a fun atmosphere and always a talent filled set.

These guys captured my attention from the very beginning. 

Don't let the name of their band detour you from falling in love with them. :)

After the concert I went home and went to the gym.

What 21 year old does that?

Who am I?

Saturday:

If you know me at all you know how much I love to go out and eat!

So since it was Michelle's last Saturday in Provo *tear*

she got to pick where we went to breakfast!

Kneader's is always a good decision.

(Especially the one in the Riverwoods since it just opened

and is not nearly as crowded as the one on Bulldog Blvd.)

I usually get their french toast but decided to branch out and

get an omelette. Another good decision. 

THEN

We ran into this guy!

Saturday night I crossed an item off of my bucket list.

I went shooting. 

Can you believe it?

I got a little country on ya'll. 

I actually LOVED it.

Even though it scared me so bad I'm pretty sure I was shaking.

I hit four clay pigeons! BAM. 

Take that Annie Oakley.

And who knew guns were so heavy??

(and by that I mean that is probably common knowledge

known to everyone but me)

Anyways, it was super fun and I'd do it again.

I still don't think I could actually kill anything though.

Except for maybe a cat...

Sunday:

Went to church.

Still working on my fear of bearing my testimony in public.

Then Zack invited us over for dinner.

And it was quite the dinner!

Zack is an amazing cook and made us tacos.

Also, he works at Los Hermanos so he brought back some chips

and salsa from work. Yummmmm. 

I could eat chips and salsa for days.

So there it is.

Keep on keepin' on till the next Friday :)

Music Monday

This is what I'll be rocking out to today.

Happy Monday everyone.

Don't forget to smile.

Just Turn The Page

"You know what? Just move on.

Move on with life, & leave those who

don't care about you behind.

Don't stress over anyone anymore.

Don't continue to hold on to those words

& promises they've once told you. 

They proved themselves wrong,

all it did was hurt you.

Just keep fighting. 

Move on because they were just a chapter in the past-

but don't close the book.

Keep your head up high 

and just turn the page."

I think we all experience growing pains eventually.

Some more than others.

And some more often than others.

The last three years have certainly been filled with them.

But it's not as bad as you think it will be

when you're first starting off on your own.

You will feel more pain than you might have know.

Yes.

You might be more afraid of the future than 

you thought you could be.

Probably.

But I promise that there is always a new beginning.

A new chapter that is better than the last.

Everything always works out.

I promise.

And it's okay to be afraid.

Groban's Garden

You know those little gems you find on youtube

late at night on a Sunday?

Well, my roommate Michelle (Meesh) showed me this.

If you didn't love Josh Groban already.

You will now.

Is anyone else unbelievably excited for this to come out?

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower 

This makes me really excited to embrace my quirkiness. 

Step Up Revolution

Wednesday night Lucas and I went and saw 

Step Up Revolution.

I definitely walked in being very skeptical of this movie because

basically the only movie out of all 4 Step Up movies that I have
liked was the very first one with Channing Tatum.

But I was pleasantly surprised!

This movie brought me back to my dancing days

and Step Up Revolution really made me want to just start dancing right there in the movie theatre.

I guess I could have cause we were the only ones there...
But anyways,

I actually loved the actors/actresses and the choreography 

which in the past it seemed to be either one or the other was actually good.

I highly recommend going to this movie for all you dance lovers out there.

Moose might have even made a surprise appearance ;)

And seriously... I need the soundtrack. NOW.

Here's a clip to get you motivated.

 Yep, we even saw it in 3D.

Just A Little Bit Of Happiness

So I finished the 5 seasons of Friday Night Lights.

Sad day.

Clear eyes, full hearts, CAN'T LOSE!

I miss Coach Taylor.

Haven't heard of Friday Night Lights?

Check this out.

So maybe I watch too much TV?

It's Summer. I can do that, right?

Anyways, you know that feeling when you finish a really good book series

and you're so depressed because you fell in love with all the characters?

THAT is also how I feel about really well written TV shows.

So after finishing FNL I decided I needed a rebound. 

I surfed around Netflix for some ideas and came across 

Heroes.

And what a good rebound it is!!

I'm so obsessed.

I'm only on the first season but I'm so in love.

Is it sad that I love inanimate objects this much?

Cause I do.

And I'm ok with it.

Anyways, word on the street is that the only good seasons of Heroes are the first two (out of five). So that kind of puts a damper on my love affair but I am willing to be open minded and see where things go between us ;)

Haven't heard of Heroes?

Check this out.

If you haven't figured this out by now...

I totally nerd out about little things.

It's the little things that count right?
:)