A Summer in Pictues.

 I had the most amazing 11 weeks ever. Full of fun, family, laughter, beaches, sleeping, eating, tanning, vacationing, roller coaster riding, shopping, movie watching, Olympic cheering, sweating, dreaming, loving and PICTURE TAKING. I did it. I really did. I lived the best summer of my life and I took 1000 pictures while doing it. So heres to sharing those pictures with all of you lovely people so you can get a little taste of the adventures I had this summer. Enjoy.

First stop, EFY.

I had hands down the best week of my life at EFY. This was my second year going and I attended the session in Flagstaff. The theme for this year was Arise and Shine Forth.

First reason why I had the best week ever: My counselors. They were seriously the nicest, most genuin, spiritual people that I have ever met. And I love them so very much. This is Chelsea and Brandon.

This is Eliza. Shes just the cutest girl alive.

Me and Brandon like to take awkward pictures. PRO.

I met just the cutest girls evs. Seriously, LOVE THEM.

Cute Maddy.

The whole gang. ♥

Most of all, I had the greatest spiritual experience of my life. My testimony grew 10 fold and I realized that the church is the most glorious thing in the entire world. I love the gospel and can not wait for the day when I can return to live with my father in heaven. I know that trials make me stronger and am grateful for every opportunity I have in my life to become a better person. I can not wait to share this wonderful gospel on a full time mission and enjoy sharing the gospel through my actions and choices each and every day.

Stop #2: TREK. 

Whoah there. Yet another wonderful experience. I have no words to describe how much respect I gained for the pioneers through this experience. And although we were sore, tired, hungry and hot for the majority of trek it was the funnest experience of my summer and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Showing off them bloomers.

Mitchell and his backwards baby.

We're cute cause its only the FIRST day of trek.

Taylor.

Blahahahahaha.

Proud of this picture. I just loved trekking so much.

The girls of my lovely family. Love them.

Thank goodness for these.

♥

No comment.

Twinning with mu best friend on trek. We pro.

Even down to our dirty shoes.

This picture says it all.

Loved my fam.

SOOOO much dirt. No, thats not a tan line.

Oh goodness.

Oh goodness gracious. I am a horrible person. I don't know why in the world I have neglected blogging for a couple months. Actually, i do know why. Summer is a blur. Always is. And so I thought that after school started up again I would naturally be in a routine and have MUCH more time for blogging. WRONG. Way wrong. It turns out that if I thought I had no time this summer I have negative amounts of time now. Between all honors classes, volleyball, student government, church callings, homework, and online classes, making time for blogging seems almost nonexistent. But its Sunday and I had a few moments of down time. I decided blogging was a grand way to spend it. So here I am. First stop on the blogging catch up marathon, Summer 2012.

A cup of cake. A cup of joy.

When my mom spontaneously suggests that we "bake gourmet cupcakes tonight" she doesn.t have to do much convincing. I was immediately on board. After wondering the grocery store isles for a good hour we finally left with ingredients to make Coconut cupcakes and mint chocolate cupcakes and I couldn.t have been more excited. I.m kinda addicted to mint chocolate ANYTHING. I got the recipes off Pinterest but I have to admit that I didn.t exactly follow every single thing. It was fun and easy to use a little creativity. I also have to admit that I cared a little more about how they looked than how they tasted although they did taste REAL good. And while the coconuts tasted better than the mint, the mint made up for it with their looks. And in the end, they were all heaven in a cup.

We definitely devoured our "Cups of Joy" to say the least! ♥

A perfect start.

Its hard to think that there are only 53 days of Summer. In my case, of freedom. There is a part of me that hates knowing how many days summer holds. I.m constantly worrying about how many days are left before I have to return to school. But for now, i.m trying to enjoy my summer. And its off to a pretty perfect start. I spent the first real day of summer doing all the things summers should hold. Longboarding, swimming, shopping, eating icecream, watching movies and spending quality time with my best friend. A few days later we headed out for our first officaial "summer field trip" (As my mom likes to call them). We gathered some great friends, picnic lunch, tennis shoes and swim suites and headed up to Sedona for the day! What fun we had. We spent the day hiking, having lunch and visiting the famous "Slide Rock". And returned home that night exhausted and satisfied. The rest of my summer days have been filled with friends, late nights, movies, pictures, air conditioning, cupcakes, and lazy days. And i.m loving every single second of it.

We love summer♥

Long boarding.

Me and my girls in Sedona.

We hiked West Fork in Sedona and it was so beautiful.

Love my dear mommy.

Top of the jump.

Cliff jumping (if you can call it that. It wasn.t too big of a drop!) [:

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We also love ice cream.

Very proud of these mint chocolate homemade cupcakes I made the other day! More on these beauties a little later! [:

1000 pictures.

Yes, you read that right. 53 days of summer. 1000 pictures. I.m not quite sure where the idea came from, but its solid. And i.m excited. Since the beginning of summer (approximately 9 days ago), i have been determined to make these next 53 days ones i will never forget. And if that means taking 1000 pictures to document every moment of my summer, i.ll do it. I.m just hoping i can stick to it. So, heres to 1000 pictures in 53 days. Wish me some luck, i think i.m going to need it. [:

Its been fun, Freshman year.

My first year of high school was unforgettable to say the least! I was so blessed to have made the right decision about what high school I attended. As summer came to a close last year, I was completely torn as to what school I should attend in the fall. After much praying and tour taking, Sandra Day O'Connor seemed to be the perfect fit for me! As the year progressed it was no mistake that I had been guided by the spirit to attend this amazing school. As I got involved in stugo, made the volleyball team and got adjusted to all my classes, high school started to become FUN. I was determined to learn a lot and have some amazing experiences! And that, i did. While taking all honors classes was indeed a struggle, student government, volleyball, tennis and caring teachers seemed to even all of the stress out with laughter, fun and joy. I MET SOME AMAZING PEOPLE. I can.t even tell you how amazing. I learned that everybody has a story and in high school everybody wants the same thing: to fit in. I made some friends this year that I have no doubt will be standing by my side up until to moment we walk on graduation day. I cant wait to spend the next 3 years with some of these people. And I dead the day when I have to say goodbye to some equally amazing upperclassman that I have become close with who will be graduating next year! I don.t even want to think about parting ways! I am so greatful to have had an unbelievebly amazing freshman year and eagerly look forward to the upcoming years of high school!!
 
I apologize in advance for the flood of pictures! [;

STUGO carnival 2012

DISNEY LAND ♥

They.re cute.

Shes da best. 

Seeesters. ♥

Homecoming 2011

Love these girls!