happy new year, just sayin'

So when I typed "2011" in a Google search, this is what came up:

Well, I won't own anything this pretty for a while, but I do hope that many wonderful adventures and friends are made. My life is full of blessings and I could not ask for anything else. 

But hey, I did catch the bouquet at Jess' wedding...

Just sayin'.

Pretty Christmas happenings.

 Our pretty Christmas tree. I'm not sure if my mom was going for a "themed" tree, but BIG ornaments is about right.

 Lots of yummy treats ALL around.

 Not so pretty {due to the mess} but. Whatevs.

 Ali. The princess of this house...

 LOTS and lots and lots of delicious Mexican food was cooked for our Christmas dinner. Bring on our New Years dinner. Oh ya.

 Pretty sis.

Beauty and the Beast cousin.

True colors.

The most wonderful time of the year!

Worth a thousand words. Don't judge. You would love them too :)

Best Christmas EVER. Seriously.

I love my loving/crazy/ridiculously fun family. Isn't it great that we'll be together forever and ever?? {For a more detailed post about this awesome Christmas weekend, click here}

I hope your Christmas was wonderful as well!

Patience

You know that saying "Patience is a Virtue"... Well recently I've been pondering about how impatient I've been. Even with little things. For example, when are my professors going to post grades, why is the Internet so slow, why is she going 25 on a 30 {mind you I've been that slow driver many times}, can Christmas come a little faster?? 

Well, you get the point. Except these aren't the only things I have been impatiently worrying about.

Even though this is a blog and you're supposed to pour out your heart and soul {right?..maybe not?} I feel like it's still very public. So for the sake of things I'll just say "the big decisions". 

That's when my patience just. Runs. Out. 

And then something sweet happens. Because you know without a doubt that He is watching over you. And He knows that in its own due time, things will happen. It may not be what you thought you would do/choose. But because He has a plan for you, it will be what's best for you. And He reminds you that you have a great life ahead of you.

One of my favorite quotes:

When you are compelled to give up something or when things that are dear to you are withdrawn from you, know that this is your lesson to be learned right now. But know also that as you are learning this lesson, God wants to give you something better.

It is so true.

Pretty Lights!

A must see.

I feel like the lights at Temple square get prettier every year. It is definitely my favorite outing!

The girls and I had a delicious dinner and then ran into Santa Claus and Buddy from ELF!

Haha, interesting but so fun.

 What a fun night!!

Friend..

Well, Jess is getting married! We had a bridal shower for her on Saturday and it was so fun to talk to her about her future. I remember talking with Jess a few years ago about {marriage}. Of course, I was right in saying that she'd be first. I love her.

When all fails...

 Blog!

I'm sitting here writing a paper. And I can't. Write. Anymore.

I am literally to the point of repeating myself just to write one more sentence. Just to go on to the next page.

Just to make it four pages.

Whaaaa?? Four pages?!

Yes.

My mind is on a different project right now, making it really hard for me to write this simple paper.

Nevertheless, I'm enjoying the guy next to me playing Farmville {he is whispering about tomatoes?}, I just saw a fox walk in the TSC. GUYS., and I'm going to have lunch with my favorite Evan James.

I would also like to give a shout out to my sweet, sweet family. 

They keep me sane in times like these.

Oh HEY guys!

That time..

Well everyone, it's that time again.

White powder has reached the valley.

Pretty Christmas lights have taken over.

Hot chocolate in the morning. And lunch. And dinner. 

Fuzzy socks, a billion t-shirts, thermals {ahem...judge me}, gloves, LAYERS. 

You have to watch every step you take because of black ice.

Everyone is happy.

Presents are being wrapped.

You get to be with the ones you love and share stories by the fire.

Unfortunately, I'm not talking about Christmas.

My cute, little working area at the library.

I'm talking about FINALS!

yep. finals.

So when I survive finish these tests, I'll talk about Christmas!!!

Until then, I'll be in the library.

A Beautiful {cold} Wedding.

So here's the thing,

Tori got married on Saturday {November 27th}

And it was FREEZING.

However, it was a lovely day and I could not be happier for them!

Waiting for them outside the Temple. Just a little bit cold. No big deal.

So cute!

bach·e·lor·ette

[bach-uh-luh-ret, bach-luh-]

–noun

 1. an unmarried young woman.  

2. anything goes. 

 Personally, I like the second definition!

Yesterday we had Tori's bachelorette party and it was FUN.

Our sweet Victoria will be with Ryan for eternity,

so we made sure she had some single-ness fun.

"No strippers, ok?!"

Thanks Ryan, for those words of wisdom :)

 Woah..
Every girl needs to host a bachelorette party. {gaah!} 

Harry Potter is cute. But Ron is cutter.

Whatevs....

We waited eight hours outside of the theater.

Boy was it worth it!

Here we are with Hagrid.

Some people went all out. really.

No, really!!

Maybe next year when it's not soooo cold I'll dress up. Maybe.

As of late...

I've been feeling a lot like this guy

Although, my nose is not as red...kinda.

I've carried around and finished one of these bad boys

Did I mention I finished it by myself?

And about a million{no, really} of these

I've had this cold for about a week.I'm a walking germ. Ew whaa??

But, I can't complain much.

I can breathe again,

I got into evey class I wanted to register for,

and Harry Potter is coming out this Thursday.

And you bet I'm going.

Life is wonderful.

Elder Ballard

On November 7th I had the greatest opportunity to participate in a 1000+ member choir

where Elder Ballard spoke to the young adults of the church.

He gave such an AMAZING talk.

It was an experience I will never forget.

We sang True To the Faith in Spanish, Portuguese, and Korean.

Can we say gift of toungues?

It's hard to learn a new language, let alone sing in that language...

After practicing every Tuesday night from 8:30-10:00 for a total of eight weeks, we were ready.

It took about twenty school buses to get us all (1000+) to BYU.

Once inside, we warmed up a bit and everyone started to arrive.

Elder Ballard has such a sweet spirit!

Singing in different languages testified to me that the Gospel is the same and true everywhere around the world.

And even if they didn't understand the whole song, I hope they felt our testimonies from that one verse in their language.

I love this Gospel and pray that soon everyone in the world can have the happiness it brings into your life.



Danny, Katie, Gaby and I along with Danny's brother and wife after the Fireside.





Old Main is a beauty.

Old Main is so, so pretty in the morning.

If you don't have a class at 7:30...

you should go running or something at Old Main.

You get to see pretty things like this

and this..

and hey, you may even run into this..

:)