Labor Day Weekend Festivities

Well hello world. I'm going to try this Blogging thing again

So this weekend my cousin and I drove out to California for my Grandpa's funeral (i feel like there's a recurring theme here with my posts) hopefully this will be the last one for a long while. But this trip, was special, my two other cousins Martin and Duncan came along. Martin just got home from his mission in Provo, and Duncan is about to turn in his papers.  Needless to say it was a real good reunion, and what better way to catch up then spend 12 hours in a car with them?

especially when you have such beautiful scenery around you.  Gotta love them salt flats. 

The funeral was wonderful, a bagpiper marched in and played while we carried his casket in. It was really neat. After the funeral, we had a little fun and had a few laughs. We're a pretty good looking crew I think. 

The rest of the weekend consisted of us reverting to our 14 year old selves. We gave too many wet willies to count, ticked each other until we couldn't breathe, pulled a few pranks here and there and really had way too much fun. Which is pretty impressive considering we were in the most hellish part of california. 

 On the way to Costco, all four of us sat in the back seat (which we did every car ride), and somehow Martin squished me into the leg space so my legs were in the middle consul of the front seat and my but was in the leg space. Literally folded in half. 

Most of the car ride home consisted of me jumping from the front seat to the back seat to try and beat up on the two boys (i was provoked, usually a double wet willy and tickling was the case) but i never won. 

Although this picture might look like its three little boys because our hair is all the same length- it is in fact me with Martin and our other cousin Chris. 

All in all, even though we all met up for not the happiest of reasons - it was really nice to be able to hang out with extended family and become close with them again. I think we'll have a lot more family time in our future.

Hearts

well hello lovers

Happy Valentines Day! 

Whether you are celebrating with a loved one, going on a first date, or watching the notebook with your girlfriends (or with a bag of chocolate) enjoy the day! the sun is shining and its almost 50 degrees!

and a big, big congratulations to Hayden and Marcus for getting engaged last night! two people that really couldn't be more perfect for each other. and congrats to Beth and Landon, 1 year ago today they got engaged!

Speaking of Beth and Landon....


lululemon athletica from Fielding Films LLC on Vimeo.
(yes, i like to show off my very talented friends)

Comfort Zone

most people that know me know that i am not a dancer. not in any sense of the word. i just did not inherit that gene (although i'm pretty sure no one in my family can dance) so i guess i did inherit the non dancing gene. i've never taken a dance class, unless cheerleading counts when i was 6 (yeah, i got the sparkle and shine award) or gymnastics when i was 5. Strictly kept to sports. 

last night a very good friend of mine, who knows that dancing is my kryptonite suggested forced me to go 80s dancing with her. yes, 80s dancing. she even so graciously lent me a leotard from her dancing days. so we got ready, i grabbed myself one big red bull and prepared myself for what was to come. 

i knew i would have a good time. because we always do and she is quite the dancer, so usually i try to copy all her moves (it never works out, i can't keep up with her/my body just does not move like that) 

so, needless to say - she was right, we had so much fun. minus one instance where i was about ready to walk home when all of a sudden ABBA came on and everything was better. I am still experiencing my 80s night hangover but it was definitely worth it. 

so cheers to you bestie, for taking me out of my comfort zone and in return having a night we will definitely not forget 

81 Days

Clearly I have been off the blogger band wagon for a while but I have been peer pressured (more of a friendly reminder) into getting back on the wagon. 

So fall semester came and went, Christmas break came not at the happiest of times as my Uncle Ken passed away from pancreatic cancer on December 3 and was buried in Modesto, CA next to his Mother. Uncle Ken was one of the most wise men I have ever known, and I am so thankful that I am related to him. He went through trials that not many people can relate to. After his trials he met a wonderful woman and created a great family with 5 kids. He was a great example to everyone in too many ways to write. I am grateful that we were able to have so many holidays spent with the McNeil family. They are amazing people.

Uncle Ken with Jeremy (my brother), Matthew and Amy (both are cousins)

A painting my Grandma did of Uncle Byron and Uncle Ken (the littler boy) in the Canada wheat fields

Christmas was spent in Olympia, Washington with my brother, Jordan and his wife Bonnie and kids Chase, Collin and Carson. It was so nice to see everyone until practically the whole family got sick. Christmas eve I had a 102 fever, Chase had a cough, Collin was sick, Bonnie was nauseous - everyone in general just kind of felt bad. Good thing Santa still still comes even though you're sick! It was so fun watching the boys open their presents. Collin was opening all of Carson's and Chase was trying to open all of Collin's presents it was pretty funny to watch. 

My Dad got Jeremy, Jordan and I all stock of the Green Bay Packers, so now we officially own part of our favorite team The Packers! Such a cool, creative gift that we all really love. Who wants to go to the stock holders meeting in July?

A quick trip to San Francisco with Cousin Kerri, Aunt Nanci and my Mom! 

Where we ate the best Crepes! 

The boys

Baby Carson

Collin with the cat

 Chase getting ready for karate

Carson's 1st Birthday

Collin loved Pooh, the cat

Most of my other nights were spent like this..... 

That's all for now... see you in 81 days! (kidding)

Lucky

I feel so very extremely lucky to have friends like Beth and Landon who are so incredibly talented.

Around the Utah State Fair time - Meg, Elise, Beth, Landon and I went to the fair together. Beth and Landon brought their fancy camera and were able to take some pretty awesome videos of all of us together doing ridiculous things around the fair grounds! 

so without any further adieu: 

Fielding Films LLC - Fair Video

While you're on their website be sure to check out the rest of their videos, they are nothing short of amazing, I promise you that! 

So thank you Beth and Landon! You two really are so amazing and giving. 

Spooky Scary

I don't know about anyone else, but I am ridiculously excited for halloween. I hope everyone is getting into the halloween spirit and eating lots of candy corn, decorating their houses, planning their costumes, going to haunted houses and getting ready for a great weekend!!!

tell me this isn't the best childhood memory of halloween books and i call you a liar. 

So everyone get their school work done, study hard and get ready for halloween! 

Grateful

I'm Grateful For:

a Best Friend. 

you dont find many people in this lifetime that are always on the same page as you. i happened to have found one of those people and somehow we always seem to be thinking and wanting to do the same things. 

not a whole lot of people can stand to lay out and tan from 12pm-4 but she can, and wants to! 

she is always willing to help me do my make up and curl my hair and genuinely wants me to look good! i grew up with girls who would pull the "oh my gosh! you look great!!" even if i looked like crap. 

she isnt afraid to tell me what looks better, or that i'm being a brat. 

she has the best advice and isn't afraid to share it. 

she looks out for me and will drop anything if i need her. 

i'm so grateful i have found a friend like her that is an example to me and that i can look up to and trust telling anything to. 

she is hysterically funny and has a heart of gold.