Summertime!

I feel like summertime has finally arrived!

Summer started off so wet this year, my softball games and rounds of golf kept getting rained out, so I was really beginning to feel the summer time blues. However, the sun has been shining the past couple of weeks and I have been taking full advantage of it.

This year has been the summer of hikes and enjoying the outdoors. Last Monday I went with some friends and climbed up to Ensign Peak in honor of Pioneer Day. It was my first time going and we planned to be there in time for the sunset. Needless to say that the breathtaking vistas overlooking Salt Lake City and the Great Salt Lake did not disappoint.

I feel so lucky to have such beautiful mountins literally 15 minutes from my house. I bought a hiking book and am trying to systematically go through it and see all of the wonderful things that are practically in my back yard. On Saturday, we decided to go to Hidden Falls which is just a few miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon. We kind of prepared for a day of rugged hiking., but were pleasantly surprised to find Hidden Falls about 3 minutes from the parking area. For some reason we thought it was really funny and couldn't stop laughing about it. It was a good thing we packed our water bottles! We stayed there for a bit, and took some fun pictures, then we

got out our trusty hiking book and picked another hike.

And then finally, today I was able to go ATVing with the Hunts at Three Peaks just outside of Cedar City. We had a great time climbing on the rocks and riding the motorcycle and four wheelers. It has been such a fun summer so far and I can't wait to see what other adventures I have this year!

No Ka Oi

Today I had the priviledge of getting together with some Sisters from my mission. It was so much fun to laugh and reminisce about the time we spent together in Hawai'i. We talked about funny memories and spiritual memories. We talked about what we learned while we were there and what we have learned and experienced since we have been home. We talked about people who have joined the church and people who have left the church. We talked about babies that have been born and loved ones who have passed on.

What an incredible experience I was able to have on my mission. Not only did I get to go to one of the most beautiful places on earth, but I also got to meet and associate with some of the most beautiful people on earth. The women in this picture changed my life for the better and I am so glad that I get to call them friends for the rest of it.

There is a phrase in Hawaiian that means "the best", it is "No Ka Oi", in fact that was our mission theme, and I can truly say that these Sisters are No Ka Oi!

Independence Day

I love the 4th of July.


I admit that part of it is because it is summer and I believe that pretty much every celebration is better when it is warm and sunny than cold and wet. It was especially great this year since it was on a weekend.


This year I was able to spend the weekend with my family and good friends. It started Friday night with going with my brothers and their wives and nephews going to the Real Salt Lake soccer game and fireworks. Saturday I spent the day with my sister and her family playing an intense round of ping pong. Then Saturday night I went to the Oakley Rodeo with some friends, and finally on Sunday I enjoyed a barbeque with good friends in the beautiful mountains. Basically I was able to be a true American with fireworks, ping pong, cowboys and BBQ. It just doesn't get any better than that!

On a deeper note, I am so grateful for Independence Day and what it represents. Not only for the freedoms that I enjoy being an American, but also what it symbolizes in my life. Freedom to be the person that I want to be, to practice the religion of my choosing, to have a career that I enjoy and to change my mind whenever I want.