Lagoon Staycation

Andrew and I took a mini vacation with our friends this past weekend.

We started off our trip with Salt Lake and I have never really toured the area except for Temple Square and a few other places but we stepped out of the obvious things we normally do and I discovered that Salt Lake is a gem! It is beautiful and I want to go back and discover more! 

After growing up in Utah my entire life I have never once been to the state capital. I don't know how that is even possible. The building was closing soon so we did a quick tour by ourselves and accidentally crashed a wedding reception. Don't be too surprised if I ever blog about the state capital again. It is a gorgeous building that I want to return to. 

And once back in 1957-1965 George Clyde was the Governor of Utah and

he is Andrew's Great-Grandfather. We got a picture with him ;) 

We went to the Pie that is located right by the campus and that place is good.

We almost ordered the pizza that feeds 20 people but we withheld (the pizza's are huge!)

After our adventures we went hot-tubing at the hotel. 

The next morning we drove up to Lagoon. It was semi disappointing because the major attractions were closed for the day so we did quite a few carnival rides instead. We did make it on some of the big attractions throughout the day as some gradually opened up but next time I think we'll make the extra trip to Disneyland, Knotts, or Six Flags. 

We still had a fun time though and the rest of the pictures can do the talking :) 

We ended our little staycation with Pei Wei, a place Andrew and I had never been.

My favorite part was defiantly the unlimited fortune cookies. For some reason I love them. 

The End. 

(it was fun to get away for a day)

My Husband is Four ;)

Andrew got a mini drone for Christmas and now that the weather is nice we've been taking it and playing with it. He is once again a child! And I love him for it. 

Drone Selfies 

The camera is not the best quality but the whole idea of a drone is pretty cool. 

And it's fun to see him play with it and enjoy it.

He's cute, sometimes he'll put the drone in the trunk of the car before we go out on a hike or some other activity. Most of the time we don't pull it out but it's there as a "just in case" we want to use it. 

Nants Ingonyama Bagithi Baba

This past Saturday we went to The Lion King and it brought back the childhood memories. 

In the Broadway version there are new songs which I fell in love with.

Rafiki had one of the most amazing voices. 

The costumes were elaborate, intricate, and detailed.

It was beautiful. 

^The Earl Family^ (minus Ryan- he's mission serving)

^Curtain Call- those giraffes on the right are people on stilts^ 

The Lion King has so many powerful moments such as the song "He Lives in You" or when Simba takes his place on Pride Rock. And it's a good thing I had allergies to blame when Mufasa died or when Simba sang "Endless Night". I love this story and I think the Broadway play brought such a deeper and richer meaning to the original movie. I think that Disney is doing an new "live" movie and that makes me so excited! Oh and if anyone can please explain to me why Timon's puppeteer is green I would appreciate it. That threw me.  

Change

Andrew has worked at Qivana for almost six years and this week we had to say goodbye.

His company merged with another and while this change was expected it is still tough to make the actual adjustment. This company has been so good to him and he's really enjoyed the work that he has done and the people that he has been able to meet and connect with. 

So here's to new experiences, chances, and learning. 

It's tough but exciting at the same time. 

Creative Juices

On Monday night Andrew and I went out on a FHE date night with some of our friends. 

We went to Color Me Mine-- and we tried to be creative.

Andrew is way better at it than I am.

It took longer than expected, so we will need to go back and finish.

Which means, another date night! 

^Look at that bowl though! It's intricate design is going to be gorgeous when finished!^

^My coaster. The design is from a stencil and that is how I roll!^

^Those 2 coasters are 100% Andrew to a T!^

^I promise, I'm holding up a coaster I actually painted, and not just a blank one^

It was a fun night and I'm looking forward to seeing our our art and creativity will turn out! 

Anaheim has a HUGE Piece of my Heart

It has been 2 years since I have come home from serving my mission in Anaheim, California! Not a day goes by that I do not think of the year and a half I spent there. I remember the people I met by knocking on their doors or talking to them in the streets. I remember those times when we were invited into homes. I remember the things that strangers, members, missionary companions, other missionaries, my mission presidents and their wives' taught me. I remember the miracles that I witnessed and felt daily. I remember the times that the work was just too hard and I cried. I remember the times when I was so happy with the work that was happening, I cried. I remember those moments when the spirit would testify to me of my Savior, Jesus Christ and His love. The times when I strongly grew to know the Book of Mormon was true and the times that I felt and knew that the church of Jesus Christ has been restored! My mission was a wonderful and life changing experience and I loved it all!  Thanks to everyone that I met. You have helped change my life! 

Life 2 Years Later

Enjoying: 

Married life

and smores ice cream <----- that stuff is good. 

Living:

Utah 

Looking Forward To: 

Warm weather!

Reading:

Harry Potter #4

Job: 

Part time school in Special Education at the USU Orem Campus. 

Also working as a Special Education para educator. 

Working On:

 Homework and organizing videos since being married. 

Current Church Calling:

Emergency Preparedness Coordinator 

How My Testimony Has Grown:

I have developed a huge appreciation and love for visiting teaching and how it truly does bless lives. This program is truly inspired by the Lord as I have seen Him involved in it. I have been on the receiving end and it was a blessing. I've seen how visiting teaching is needed by others. Also, since marrying Andrew this past year my testimony of eternal families has grown. How grateful I am that I do not need to fear of losing him, my parents and brother, or my future family to come. How much God loves us! How much He wants us to be happy! I have a better understanding of how important having Christ in the center of your life is. Being a missionary, that's just what we did, but in real life it's harder. I've seen that as I read the scriptures, attend church, have family home evening, go to the temple, I am literally so much happier. God is good!

My Top 20[16]

I can't believe that 2016 is over!
Corny alert ahead... but whenever we ring in a new year I am always a little sad about the one left behind. The things I learned. The experiences that happened. Then I realize that I have a great opportunity for the current year and I get excited again!

In 2016 I had many tears shed. It was a HARD year!
Life was unpredictable 90% of the time with major life decisions.
I really struggled with college. Not academically but in other ways.
It was a lot of trying hard to be happy but not always succeeding.

2016 had it's moments of pure joy as well and I like to remember those!
Here are some of my absolute ones that made 2016 one to always remember!


1. Got engaged.

2. Went to the Provo City Center Temple open house 3x's + the dedication.
One of the most beautiful things ever.

3. Saw Zootopia. Literally, one of the best movies. It made it to the top of the year list!

4. Met Alex Boye.
(I don't know why I'm wearing all black. What was I thinking?)

5. Andrew and I ended our long distance relationship. Both local and so much better!

6. One last hurrah with my family at our cabin as Clifton's.

7. Became Mrs. Earl.

8. Took my first cruise EVER! 

9. Disneyland with the best guy.

10. Andrew's company gave us a weekend getaway for him working at the company for 5 years!

11. I got to meet Al Fox Carraway (read her book, "More than the Tattooed Mormon").

12. Washington DC.

13. Got accepted into the USU Special Education Program.
(this was a huge relief, my acceptance letter got lost and I was freaking out that I didn't get in. Luckily, I did get in!)

14. Made new friends.

15. Arches with my parents.

16. Temple Square to the Christmas lights. This day was perfect and so needed!

2016 has a lot of good memories. I'm excited to experience all the memories that 2017 will bring!

And this year I will have Andrew with me the entire time. No more long distance!

Marriage is a wonderful thing.