Costa Rica

I recently returned from one of the best weeks of my life! I spent this spring break in Costa Rica, flying through the cloud forest canopy, hiking to the continental divide, swimming in the most beautiful waterfall, and serving with local villagers.

I have a lot to reflect on and share but I will do that soon. For now, enjoy the pictures below in no particular order.

Pancake Tuesday

Happy Pancake Tuesday to all! For those of you unaccustomed to this holiday, you may know it better as Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday. Either way it is all the same: the day to splurge before Lent begins. Now, lent isn't part of the LDS doctrine, religion, custom or even tradition, but I think it is a great thing. Ever since I was in college, I've been giving up something for lent. I think of it as a re-new years resolution. I've never been too good at keeping the ones I make in January, so here's February, and I get another chance.

So, here are my items I am giving up for lent (I'm being possibly over-ambitious and choosing three, mostly because I think they are all necessary, and I can't decide.):

1. Facebook. This will be really hard. But I think it will be really good to unplug. I am however, giving myself a few caveats. First, I use social networking for work, so I am still allowed to do that. However, I have to log in with my work account only. I also use the messaging to communicate with people across the pond. So, my messages will be able to be read from my email box. Other than that, good bye facebook.

2. Sugar. Particularly sweets (I'm not going crazy and swearing off sugar in bread and stuff).

3. Driving to work (only three days a week, because some days I really need my car.) I live right by the TRAX station. The only reason I don't take the train everyday is because I'm running late. Here's to being on time and saving money.

New Years Resolutions

So, I know it is already into February, but I have been hard at work, kind of working on my new years resolutions. So, while they are not all going so perfectly, there is one I am still on track with and super excited about. This is 2012. I live in the state of Utah where we happen to have 12 temples in operation. There are 12 months in a year. So begins the visit-a-different-temple-a-month challenge. So, here is the schedule:

January: Jordan River

February: Bountiful  Provo (Turns out Bountiful was closed for most of Feb. Switched with March)

March: Provo Bountiful

April: Oquirrh Mountain (went in August)

May: Monticello (with a quick trip to Moab)

June: Manti (and the pageant) (skipped the pageant. went in August)

July: Logan

August: Vernal (plus the dinosaur museum there) (closed in August. I need to do better on this planning.)

September: Draper

October: St. George (plus a visit with Courtney in Cedar)

November: Timpanogas

December: Salt Lake City (and the Christmas lights)

I'm excited for this adventure. If you're interested in joining, please let me know.

2011 in review

So, it seems like all my blog friends are posting their year in review, and I started to really wonder what has happened in my life in the last year. So here it is:

January

Rang in the New Year at the happiest place on earth with some of the most awesome people in the world.

Quick trip to Seattle for my first niece's blessing. 

Love her!

February

Surprised my brother at the SLC airport as he was on his way home from his mission.
Awesome weekend with the whole family. 

First time in 4 years!

March

Festival of Colors.

 The picture says it all.

April

Had a great birthday with a bunch of awesome friends. 

May

Got last minute tickets with my friend Ed to the U2 concert.

AMAZING!

June

Lots of fundraising events with the Fight For Air Run and the Urban Challenge Utah. Both of which you should all participate in in 2012.

July

Took a quick jaunt to Seattle for the 4th of July weekend.

Love this girly so much!

I moved into my first real place. And by real, I mean totally unfurnished. I now own furniture.

August

Officially started a new job. I still love it a lot.

September

I finally joined the modern age with my first smart phone.
Rooted for my Cougars in the annual BYU-Utah football game, despite my new affiliation with the U. Sadly, the Cougs lost.

October

Went to Boise to watch my awesome sister rock her socks off in the DIII marching band competition. On which trip my car turned over to 100,000 miles.

November

First Thanksgiving with the whole family since who knows when.

December

Christmas in Boise, my best friend's wedding, and bringing in 2012 at Disney.

Here's to an awesome 2012!