Camping with the Family

After JC came home from his mission me and my family went camping together. It was a lot of fun spending all of that time together after 2 years of being apart. We went up to Whitney Reservoir which is only about 15 mins from my cabin. In fact the turn off for the reservoir is only 5 miles from my cabin. We were there from Monday to Thursday. We were thinking of staying 1 more day but it decided to hail and then rain on us. That made the temperature drop to the 40s and low 50s. No fun while camping.
While camping we sat around a bit, went on walks and hikes, played games, went 4 wheeling, fished, and played at the Reservoir. None of us actually got in the water besides the dog. We were to scared of the cold water. :)
I love going camping with my family. Each time we go I get some very fun, fond memories. Some of the ones from this trip was the hike with my dad and then the rain. The hike I went with my dad was crazy! I wasn't really expecting to go on a hard hike so I didn't bring my hiking boots. Big mistake! My dad picked a hill that has no trail so we made our own trail climbing through the brush, over fallen trees, and around other obstacles. We wanted to go up more on the right side where it wouldn't be as steep. We didn't make it over far enough and ended up going up where it was so steep I almost felt like I was rock climbing on dirt! The view from the top was really gorgeous and on the way down me and my dad found a different root that took us by this natural lake that was almost a perfect square.
The rain was fun in the adventure of it. When it started hailing on us, me and mom were at the van so we quickly moved some of the food and jumped in. Everyone else laughed at us for "hiding." Later that night we all gathered in one of the tents and played hand and foot. My family is weird in that instead of playing in 4 teams of 2, we played in 2 teams of 4. We changed a couple of the rules to make it harder to go down and out (it would have been to easy with so many on 1 team). It truly was a lot of fun.

Back at it

After over 18 months I am back to blogging. I am actually amazed this is still up and running after not being used for so long. The mission was amazing, great, and one of the greatest experiences of my life. Slowly over time I hope to post some of my memories. And of course I'll be adding the adventures I am going through at the time.

First Snow Fall

It finally snowed! It has felt pretty weird to going to christmas concerts and there is no snow on the ground. Especially when I performed in Chirstmas in the snow. It really does not feel like christmas is coming unless there is snow on the ground. But now the snow is here and christmas can come!
(Oh and of course this snow was celebrated with a snowball fight)

The beauty of the Temple

I had many firsts this Thanksgiving weekend. The greates first was getting to go through the temple. The Temple is a beautiful place and you don't really get to see and appriciate its beauty till you get to go through a session. I'm grateful and happy that I got to go and especially grateful that so many of my family was there to celebrate the occasion with me!

The coveted parking spot

For those of you who do not know, the parking lot for my complex is tiny. If you don't get one of the few right next to the apt you end up parking far away. Well, my apt is right next to the managers and they get 2 assigned parking spots. This leaves only 2 right in front of my apt. The coveted parking spot is the one right next to the managers spot, right in front of my apt door.
Some how this semester I have managed to get this blessed spot many times. I had one week when I left multiple times and the spot was always still available (even after being gone for more than an hour). Well, somehow I got it again! When I pulled in the parking lot from the glorious week long Thanksgiving break, it was so full that I just knew that I would end up parking far away. But then I got around the corner and there it was! The glorious parking spot empty in a sea of cars! I am grateful for many things, and right now that spot is towards the top of the list!

Turkey Weekend

One of many highlights this Thanksgiving Weekend happened the Saturday before Thanksgiving. To celebrate Jared's birthday we went bowling. For the first time in my life I bowled a Turkey (or 3 strikes in a row for those of you who don't know)! This also let me go over 100 for the 3rd time in a year. I also beat Jared who turned around and slaughtered me in the next game by getting over 200. But I am proud of my turkey and can't wait to do it again!

Called to Serve

The day finally came. My mission call came in the mail and the next day was able to open it with my immidiate family and roommates. I am going to Richmond Virginia Mission and leave January 7, 2009. I am way excited and can't wait to go out there!