We Grow Up, Kinda

Everyone has a certain group of people they go bonkers around. That crazy and gut busting laughter that happens every time you all get together. There really isn't anything like it. Everyone builds on one joke after another. 

A baby photo of us from one of the best summers on record (2010).

 Through high school...and Halloween.

The road trip to California,

And dancing on the beach at night are always in the back of our minds. 

We knew graduation would come. 

And so would college. (Missy down at BYU)

One thing remains certain, we keep in touch. Group messages are frequent and the annual Christmas parties, well, they never stop and probably won't until we're nearly 90. I'm pretty certain of it. 

An entire summer they some how got me to stay in the little town, West Yellowstone. It was all the Scrabble games. "Heat rises and I'm on fire."

They've seen me at my worst when I looked bald.

They have surfed in the middle of the night with me.

Traveled to Jackson Hole in a little car.

Jumped into freezing lakes.

Giving Meem Star wedgies for days.

Used explicit words to make me laugh...ahem Meem (still laughing).

Surprises at the airport.

More annual Christmas parties with bowling. Always bowling.

Themed dinner nights...Gothic was by far the best theme.

Sunday Brunch.

Meem's 21st birthday celebration at Buffalo Wild Wings

Helping me climb into a rock and laugh for a solid 20 minutes.

These are my people and no matter where I go, or wherever they go, there will always be a bond that no one can understand. Countless hours in Ko's kitchen laughing and eating, spending an immense amount of time at Hebgen Lake, acting like complete fools at Logan Lanes, Putty Cake, Jurassic Park, and who could forget the time in Smith's when Maria dropped a can of spray and it exploded everywhere. These are the stories I will be telling my kids about in many years to come.

This is the first summer where we are all in completely separate places. Life moves on and we all grow up, but never apart. 

Ko is completing an awesome summer internship in the Philippines with USU.

Sid has been a champ in moving and working her way through tough nursing school! She will be stitching us up when we decide to do something crazy, insane, and probably stupid.

Missy just left for her LDS mission to Russia.

Madi is fulfilling her dreams as a Disney Princess at Disneyland California.

And our sweet Meem is living to the fullest in Montana! She will be moving fairly soon to Mexico to become a diving instructor.

As for me? I'm in Park City for the summer. A later post to give you the details and updates of summer plans will be coming soon!

All of us are on our own journey and chasing our dreams wherever they will take us. It doesn't matter how long or how far away we are from each other... we pick up right where we left off.

-The Giggles-

B-A-N-A-N-A

Mother Teresa loves Banana Cream Pie.

And so does the rest of the family. So here is an easy, fluffy, and delicious recipe from:

FIND PIE HERE

Let them eat Pie

It's National Strawberry Day.

So naturally I made an apple pie.

Recipe courtesy of: Salted Caramel Apple Pie  

I used two different kinds of apples: honey crisp and granny smith 

 And let's not forget a hint of lemon zest and juice!

Cinnamon, ground cloves and some suga...

Papa Jeffery ranked this pie a 9 out of 10.

And Mother Teresa said she would pay for a piece of pie.

Of course I shared with grandma. She saw me dish up my moms plate and quietly whispered in my ear, "I want a bigger piece than that."

"When someone asks if you'd like cake or pie, why not say you want cake and pie?"

-Lisa Loeb-

Waving Goodbye

This morning started out exceptionally well... I'm not usually one to post things like this however, the story I listened to today, I felt needed to be shared. It was incredible. 

It was our Stake Relief Society Women's Conference with the theme 

"Develop His Power Within You."

Three mini classes were given on certain topics in which you would pick two to go to. One of the two I chose was taught by Jennifer Jergensen. Her story she shared:

Her twin boys at a young age sat her down and told her this Kindergarten thing wasn't working out. They were done. Jennifer was slightly nervous and wanted to figure out the best way help her kids understand why school was important and a good thing without forcing them to go and hate it. 

They continued to go to school and it continued to be a struggle for them. Jennifer soon found out from her twin boys school was hard because:

1.) Sometimes kids were mean

2.) The classes were hard to find in a big school where you could get lost

3.) Sometimes they didn't understand the material taught in class and felt behind

Jennifer gathered her small boys and took their hands. On their palms she wrote her cellphone number. She told them whenever they felt scared or alone they could call, knowing that she was there and thinking of them.

 As the boys were scooted out the door to board the bus, Jennifer would wait at the door with a glass window and wave goodbye. The boys would walk a short amount, stop, turn around and wave back two to three times before they would board the bus. The boys knew Jennifer would be waiting for them when the bus would drop them off after school was over. 

Jennifer said the thought occurred to her, I bet our Heavenly Father felt the same way with us before we left the pre-mortal existence to come to earth. 

We too were scared and nervous because sometimes, kids would be mean, we could get lost in a place that big, and perhaps at times we wouldn't understand and feel behind.

Our Heavenly Father would watch and wave from the window as we turned around and waved back, knowing that He would be there when we were finished and on our way home. 

His number in our palms, was there so we could call at anytime and know we were in His thoughts. 

We could call at anytime we were scared, hurt, lost, or confused.

                                                                                                          

"The future is as bright as your faith."

-Thomas S. Monson-

The quote from Monson was taught and spoken of all day. How true it is that your attitude and faith shape the happiness in your life. If there has been one thing I have learned more than anything between now, last year and today, it's that we can choose to have a good day or a bad day. 

When you wake up in the morning choose good. 

When you choose to have a good day, you choose to be happy in life.

Learn from your past, prepare for your future, and live in the present. 

Catch and Release

The weather was warm and it was the perfect day to go fishing with dad.

A good time to soak up the outdoors and make some memories. We decided to venture to Oneida Narrows in Idaho. 

First, let's get one thing straight. I haven't ever been fishing in waders. The shore line in my rain boots or barefeet, yes. Not waders. So I borrowed my brother's. Ian if you're reading this...sorry not sorry! 

They were slightly big for me but I managed...until I had to wade into the deeper part of the river. Then I had to take hold to Jeff's sleeve and waddle over like an old lady. Noob status. I eventually got the hang of it.

So stylish. 

The weather really was perfect. A slight breeze with a hint of spring on the way. Clouds occasionally strolling in to cover the sun for a brief moment. 

My dad in his waders and jean jacket, classic. 

Today was nothing short of boring!

Even though it was a nasty sucker, I still caught the biggest fish of the day! As you can see by my face, I was so excited. When the fish bite within 20 minutes of the day you get pretty pumped.

We did catch some cute little Rainbow Trout though!

It was such a beautiful day and I took a selfie because that's just what our generation does.

Catch and release, nah, hook 'em and cook 'em!

Today will be one of those days that I lock away in my heart. Enjoying the simplicities of life and reminding myself to slow down and take a breath was the perfect way to start my weekend. 

"Breathe, my friend. You are not old, you are young. You are not a mess, you are normal. Extraordinary, perhaps. In the blink of an eye your life will change. And it will continue to change for decades to come. Enjoy it, embrace it... be grateful for the ride. You are not old, you are young. And faith will get you everywhere. Just you wait."

-Abby Larson_