Vietnamese Wedding Celebration

We made a last minute decision to go to California for a few days. Andrew served a mission for our church from 

2008-2010 in Anaheim, CA and he spoke VIETNAMESE! (I still can't get over it). He became really close with the 

members in the area because he was in the same area for the entire 2 years! One of Andrew's friends from the area 

was getting married and they had invited us to the wedding months ago but we were still on the fence about 

going because it was right after Christmas and we did not know how the weather was going to be. It was something 

that I knew would take a lot of time and I had so much to do at home (getting my new classroom 

ready with the layout, schedule, & lesson plans, putting Christmas decorations away, cleaning, etc.) so I was kinda 

dreading going. But once we made it it felt so good to be back in a place that Andrew and I love! 

(if you didn't know, I also served my mission in Anaheim, but English speaking)

We got there late at night (there was NO snow in Utah, but there was a snow storm on the Nevada/California border 

and it closed the road. Andrew and I took a L O N G detour that added 3 hours to the trip).

The traditional Vietnamese wedding ceremony was early the next day. I love culture, so I really enjoyed seeing it! 

In the Vietnamese culture it is traditional to wear red Áo dài (pronounced Ow-y-eye) on your wedding day. 

The groom comes to the bride's home with gifts for the bride and they do a tea ceremony which is presented 

to the the family's elders. 

^Gifts for the Bride's Family, and a pig is very traditional^

After the ceremony there was a breakfast, then after the breakfast came more food! 

And that was only the beginning of the endless food. 

The couple were getting sealed in the San Diego temple later in the day. Andrew and I drove down early so we could tour 

the area. We went to the Mormon Battalion site which is a Visitor's Center to learn more about the history. 

About 500 members of the church joined the United States Army in the war against Mexico (while the church was 

currently fleeing to Mexico for religious freedom). The army made it to San Diego and that's why 

there's a Visitor's Center there.

We met up with one of Andrew's old mission companions there and Linda 

(the girl who introduced Andrew and me).

^We panned for "gold"^

We went to the temple and that place is gorgeous! 

The couple got sealed and the temple is just as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. 

The rest of the wedding party went and got food, but we stayed at the temple longer. 

When we came out it was dark, and look how beautiful the temple lights up the night.

We drove back to Anaheim and picked up Andrew's "viet mom", got spring rolls, and went to Downtown Disney

 to watch the fireworks. It was such a fun way to end the night. 

The next morning we met my "mission mom" for brunch. It was so good to see her again and it makes me wish 

we lived closer to California so we could go more. 

Went for lunch dessert with our Viet crew.

(Andrew's mission mom & Andrew's mission companion + his 2 brothers)

And of course we went to the beach. Guys, I really need more California in my life. 

That night was the wedding reception and it was gorgeous! 

And there was SO MUCH FOOD! I think the entire thing was at least 7 courses not including the appetizers before. 

There was fried rice, shrimp, lobster, noodles, and so much more. And it was really good. 

Andrew did try an 1000 year old egg. It reminded us of James Cordon's Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts. 

Andrew has tried 3 different things from that show: Balut, Pig's Blood, and now the 1000 Year Old Egg. 

The wedding was a lot of fun. Andrew really enjoyed it because he saw so many members, some who have moved 

away so when we come back to Anaheim, he doesn't see them. 

And the bride had S E V E N dresses! 

1. Her red traditional Áo dài 

2. She wore a white Áo dài to the temple

3. Her temple dress

4. Her white wedding dress after the temple

5. Reception dress #1- Long ball gown

6. Reception dress #2- Shorter white dress

7. Reception dress #3- White going away dress

That wedding spared no cost. My favorite part was the reception food.

Before we left California the next morning we saw some people I love. I saw the Wick's, one of the members in 

the last area I served in. The kids are so old. The youngest just turned 8 when I left now he's almost 13! 

California is always so good to us with the the weather, the experiences, the food, but mainly the people. We love it all so much.

The First Saturday of Summer

Friday night my friend Alyse texted me and asked if Andrew and I wanted to go to Lagoon on Saturday. 

She had extra tickets from her work and she wanted to give them to us. 

So Andrew and I went up for a day at Lagoon. Honestly I am blessed with some of the best of friends.

So glad we were freshman year roomies and we actually liked each other!  

Also glad she moved so close vs. being in Seattle. That was way too far. I'm pretty happy we get to see each 

other as often as we do. She is one amazing person! 

(and not just because of the Lagoon tickets, she really is as best as they come)

Later that night Andrew and I went to the Parachute concert with Amy and her roommate.

Andrew loves live music. He is singing and dancing to the music and loving every minute!

I'm so excited that summer is here! Can't wait for all the summer events to come!

Don't Take Your Friends Ice Skating

Holy cow, what a weekend we had! We were booked solid but it was so good!

Our friend Dennis planned a very last minute trip to Utah so we got to hang out with him! :) 

We started off our weekend with ice skating. It went really well until the very end...

We were doing only one lap more lap around because they were closing and the next thing I know Dennis 

is on the ground covered in ice. He makes it off the rink and when we get back to our apartment his ankle is swelling and 

he's hobbling around. We had a doctor look do a quick examination at the house and after he poked and 

prodded his conclusion was a really bad sprain. Ooops! Sorry Dennis!

Come to find out when Dennis went back to Connecticut he fractured his foot in 3 places and his hand! 

Next time Dennis comes to town, I think we'll skip the ice skating. 

The next morning we woke up and took pictures. Dennis wrote a book called,

"Is He Nuts?: Why a Gay Man Would Become a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ"

and he wanted Andrew to take some pictures for his social media account and other purposes.

It's a wonder he got his shoe on and he was hobbling around as we dragged him everywhere. 

But I think they got some good shots even with the circumstances. 

One thing special that we were able to do was to go to the Provo City Center Temple. 

Dennis had a brother who died around 15 years ago and Dennis went to the temple for his brother on Saturday 

(to learn a little more you can click here). So grateful for temples and so blessed to live so close. 

I mean this one is walking distance from our apartment

(of course we didn't walk with Dennis' foot and all) but so happy to live where we do. 

This gospel is true and I feel so much peace inside the temple. 

I love knowing that God loves all of His children and He wants them all to have a chance to receive His gospel. 

I love knowing that there is more to life than just this life- that there is life after death made 

possible through our Savior Jesus Christ. 

I love learning more about my Savior. I love becoming closer to Him.

And I love the countless blessings the gospel of Jesus Christ brings to my life on a daily basis #blessed.

^And of course, brides are everywhere, so we needed one in our picture, haha^

We continued our downtown Provo tour at Hruskas Kolache which I highly recommend. 

It's the perfect place for breakfast! 

In the evening we went to Comedy Sportz which is one of the best outings there is. 

Dennis is someone who loves to laugh and is constantly upbeat with a smile on his face.

He loved it! If you're looking for clean comedy, this is the place! This was Andrew and mine's 3rd time this year alone!

On Sunday we headed up north to see one of the many sister missionaries who served in Dennis 

home ward give her homecoming talk. 

^Look at all the missionaries Dennis has worked with + more not even here.^

And don't you love his footware? He couldn't wear his shoes so Andrew lent him sandals to wear. 

We had such a good weekend with Dennis and we found out that he is my 8th cousin twice removed.

So we're related which is pretty cool no matter how distant we are. 

He tried funeral potatoes for the first time and I don't think I've ever seen someone more excited to try a new food.

It was crazy busy all weekend long but we enjoyed it just the same. 

Sorry we broke your foot Dennis, but thanks for partying with us anyways!

Oh, and Dennis' book is coming out August 13 THIS YEAR! 

He is having a book launch party that day and anyone is welcome to come!

It's happening in Provo and the tickets are F R E E! 

Yep. Free.

If you would like to come tickets are being "sold" here. 

Come, enjoy, and celebrate! 

Estes Park + Arches Day 2

Guys, I have reached that point in the semester where I'm done. 

When I'm working around 24 hours a week (or more) plus full time school, I'm exhausted.

So, that leads to me procrastinating homework, which leads to me blogging. 

Oops. 

And blogging about Colorado makes we wish we were back on vacation. 

Good thing Thanksgiving break is around the corner or I might die (i don't even know if i'm exaggerating or not here, 

for reals my brain is almost dead). 

But anyways.... 

Our last full and final day in Colorado we were able to go up to Estes Park. 

Colorado is it's own little nature land and I loved it! Estes Park just added even more charm to it all.

Later I found out that my dad came here all the time when he was a kid with his family. 

Being the history person that I am, especially when it comes to family (you may have noticed that from yesterday's post) 

I wish I had known that before. Being where my dad and grandparents were 50 years ago and having those made up images in my head... 

Guess we'll just have to go back ;) 

^We were so close! I'm amazed every time I get close to wildlife^

 They had the cutest Christmas shops all over Estes Park. 

I freaked out when I saw all the different styles of nativities. I love them so much! 

At that point I could have skipped over Halloween and gone straight to Christmas.

^Estes Park also had so many different taffy stores that had the funnest flavors too^

Some of the best taffy I've ever had. 

After Estes Park we went back to the Hayes' apartment and just relaxed, talked, and laughed a whole bunch. 

For instance, have you seen this video? We had it on repeat! 

Colorado is unquestionably beautiful. I loved touring the area and seeing all the unique things around.

One day we'll go back and take it all in again. 

We absolutely loved our time in Colorado. Go there! It's amazing. The end.

Ooohhh, and I'm going to squeeze in our 2nd day at Arches in here real quick.
Because who knows when I'll have time to blog again (#life #homework).

The following day Andrew and I said our goodbyes which are always the worst and left back to Utah.
Once again, the drive amazed me. I am someone who gets in the car and if the car ride is longer than 45 minutes, I'm out.
But driving through Colorado I was awake the entire time! I was that amazed!

We decided to go back to Arches because our pass was valid for 7 days. Totally worth it.
We hiked to Landscape Arch and beyond.

^Utah has its beauty too.  I mean come on! 😍^

^Double O Arch^

We went to go and see the Dark Angel which was beyond the Double O but Arches fooled us
because the entire time we thought it was an arch. Lies!
A storm was coming in and we were looking for a arch and we could not find it.
We reached the end of the trail and right in front of us is this tall rock. Somewhat disappointing.
But now we've seen it. Done and check.

Thanks school for giving us a fall break. We needed you. 

The Mile High City

One of my absolute favorite things about our trip to Colorado was going to the Denver temple. 

All growing up I heard the stories about events that happened at this temple.

Clifton family history time: 

(1) My parents got engaged here. Part of a threat. haha. My mom and dad had been friends for YEARS

(i'm talking around 12 years here) and my dad had asked my mom several times to marry him but she always said no. 

She liked dating and he was just her friend. 

Well he surprised my mom at the temple one day and said if she didn't say yes this time he was leaving 

and would be gone forever. Well, she thought about it and 2 hours later in the temple she said yes. 

(2) Two months later they were married in this temple. 

So I really wanted to come and see the place where their forever began.

It was special. 

And I am so grateful for my parents and all the sacrifices they went through to make sure 

that getting married in the temple happened. 

I loved every minute. 

^28 years ago^

I love them so much! 

We went out to eat after our trip to the temple and funny story (and totally me): 

We brought clothes to change into that were a bit more casual. I went to change and I packed everything but a
shirt. Well, guess that I meant I was staying in my dress for the rest of the day. So glad I packed a pair of flats.
Or that would have been killer! haha. 

The Hayes took us to the cutest ice cream shop that I've ever seen in my entire life.
And it was all decorated for fall as a pumpkin patch with hay and pumpkins.
I almost died.
Not only was it cute but it was delicious and they had some of the funnest flavors.

Such as french toast, pb&j, ginger snap, horchata, salted oreo, lemon lavender. 

We tried quite a few before settling on which ones we wanted. 

 ^We all got smalls which come with 2 scoops. pb&j and space junkie were my favorite.^ 

We toured Denver and it was funny. It was a Saturday night and hardly anyone was out. The city was almost dead.
I said they were all camping. Colorado is an outdoor kind of people place.
We had a lot of fun being in the city and saw a lot of people were high, and not just in the elevation,
if you know what i mean.... 

Denver was such a fun place to be. It was a city inside an outdoor town. 

Wish I was back there because there homework doesn't exist! ha! that would be great. 

Only a month and a half left of the semester and then I can breathe a bit!