Sunday, September 27, 2009

Fall


{Me, Mark, Spence & Karin}
My sweet cousin Spencer walked me home after our cousin dinner tonight. When he found out I didn't have anything pressing to do tonight, he told me to go grab a book, then drove us up to the canyon. It was so beautiful.

I wanted so badly last year to go up into the canyon to see the leaves and just enjoy all the colors. This was better~



I liked the leaves in all the mud. Contrast.


Spence found a trail he's been to a few times and we took tons of photos.
This was the prettiest open meadow.

Can you see the moon?
We split off the main trail and ended up sitting by this little river to read. It was so nice. Mama has always liked the sound of running water (well who doesn't really) because it is so calming and you feel like taking a breath of fresh air.

It really meant a lot to me to have my cousin spend time just with me and talk with me so kindly. Sunday evenings always feel so calm and this evening was definitely that~

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Roommate fun

It has been such a blessing to be living with my roommates in my new apartment. They are all such genuinely kind girls. We talk like we've known each other for years and support each other in all our school life stresses. The four of us (Kaitlin, Brooke, Jenny and I) just mesh!

Like my first weekend here in the new apartment my social roommates actually managed to get me out at night to one of the biggest parties I've ever been to. (we're talking 2,000+ people)
All beautiful girls and so kind.
{Kaitlin, Me, Brittin (friend), Brooke, Megan (adopted roommate!)}

Jenny, Kaitlin and Brooke threw me a mini party with balloons...

...and cake!

Roommates old and new took me out for
a birthday dinner at Carrabas. Anything
Italian and I say YES!

For old times sake, Kylie and I. Have we ever NOT been together? I consider Ky my sister and love her so much because she's always there for everything important that's ever happened in my life.

Aunt Molly flew into Utah to visit cousin Karin Rowan (who might as well be an adopted roommate because we see each other at least twice a week) and her two sisters. Lucky for me, they had extra tickets to the R.S. broadcast. This was my first time and I just loved the feeling of being surrounded by all those women! Jenny got in on this deal too! Afterwards, we all went to a yummy French Cafe for treats. Girls nights out are wonderful. And what a sweet way to prepare for Sunday hearing the words of our great Sisters of the R.S. as well as the ever tender words of Elder Eyring. This church is a blessing~


Thursday, September 24, 2009

Cedar City


So Call has started at SUU in Cedar City for his freshman year of college and I have now been up to see him twice! One time dad was there too and we planted tons of trees on a farm my uncle is starting in Enterprise. I love having family close!


I got a really thorough tour of the campus. He took me to every class and showed me all the sports facilities, which are so nice and so clean! Really impressive actually. This campus holds Shakespearian festivals each year so he took me to see the outdoor theatre as well.


That evening we went to dinner at Chili's...his request. We were laughing and having so much fun the waiter actually apologized for interrupting us to take our orders! Then I had the brilliant idea to make brownies for him and may I just say...Gharidelli chocolate brownies far surpass the normal Betty Crocker ones. YUM! We ate quite a few...

And what trip can ever be complete without a morning visit to IHOP?

Or...happy faces out of leftover sausage and eggs?!

Then it's off back to Provo.

Even though it is a long drive it's totally worth it to see my Callie Boo.
Love you hun!



Sunday, September 20, 2009

Hi-Jacking My Daughters Blog

This photo is of little Anne Marie. She is twenty-two
years old today!! I, her mother, have hi-jacked her blog
and placed this post here. To view my Happy Birthday post
to her go to: http://myheartleapsup.blogspot.com.
Or, you can click on "Mom" in Anne Marie's
list of blog sites that she follows.
SURPRISE...and HAPPY BIRTHDAY
ANNE MARIE!!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Brumsy & I



So, Ty boy has long since been affectionately coined by myself as "brumsy." The dudes and I have like the best time when I'm home. Here are some of my most favorite photos of us. Oh, man...I just love this boy more than I can say~

Look how young!

Dad was picking out glasses and...
Ty and I got carried away!

This was in the middle of Hailey's farewell party.
Guess we got distracted with each other. Haha!

Just hangin' on the front porch~


So, Ty had to have a chaperone on his 8th grade
graduation field trip. Of course,
I "volunteered" and off to six flags we went.
The bus ride was long so...photo shoot!

P.S. Some friends of his thought I was his girlfriend.
Yes friends it's true,
I can STILL pull off age 14 convincingly...

Evidence of 14 yr. old behavior

So the goal of this one was for only one of us
to be in the frame at a time.
The timer was way too short for much success...
But we were laughing SO hard!

Hey Brumsy...
I'm listening to Angels & Airwaves "Sirens"
(red van+ sunset+ Quincy + this album + U = best times of summer)



Thursday, September 3, 2009

As One Chapter Ends, Another Begins


Well friends, as all good things do, this fun African portion of my blog comes to a close. I have just two more photos to share.

About a week after returning home to the US, a wonderful couple in my home ward who are Ghanaian came to visit. I shared with them a few stories and thoughts about the trip as we all gathered around my computer going through my photos. It was so fun to see the excitement they shared with me about my time in Africa. They knew exactly what I was talking about when I shared with them the many cultural things I experienced and saw... and in return, I could clearly picture and understand their stories and explanations about life in Ghana. I just loved hearing Isaac and Abigail laugh every time I would say something that one could only know by actually living and observing daily the ways of the African people, like the handshake and snap! In church my first Sunday back, we showed mama our handshake/snap and when mama didn't "get it" Isaac laughed and said, "You don't know the tricks, you don't know the tricks!" So fun~


Ghana was their home for many many years and though it was only my home for a month, we three now share a special place in our hearts for the wonderful people and places of West Africa.
P.S.
This is my first "creation" (a skirt) from the yards and yards of fabric I purchased in Africa...and it's only the beginning!


I have absolutely loved sharing my thoughts, feelings, and photos with all who have followed this blog hourly (as with mama!), daily, or even just occasionally. I am forever changed from my experience in Africa. I appreciate and am very touched by all the kind words and thoughts that have been shared with me by those who have followed this blog and, in a sense, journeyed with me through Ghana. I am blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family members. I hope to continue to share with you more of the important and fun moments of my blessed days on this earth as I close this chapter of my life and open a new one.

Much love,
Anne Marie