Best Valentine's Day Ever!

So for Valentine's Day since I'm always single and this year was no exception...I decided I needed to do something amazing...so some friends and I headed so So Cal and went to Disneyland! So I spent Valentine's Day at Disneyland! Starting with a sketchy morning, we went and bought our tickets from a "travel agency" that turned out to be an Asian man selling tickets out of his garage...nice. We were nervous that the tickets might be fake, but it turned out they were legit. The day was really nice and there weren't that many people there. We never had to wait more than a half hour in line except for Indiana Jones which was 45 minutes. We also walked by star tours right as it opened and walked right onto the ride! Almost the same with Space Mountain! It was amazing! We had so much fun! We started the day in California Adventure and then headed to Disneyland. Although I've been there tons before, it was so great because both Crystal and Ryan had never been before so I got to be their little guide and see how excited they were about everything. The night ended with the Fantasmic water show and then fireworks! Amazing!

California Adventure



The Magic Kingdom - Some day our prince will come!



The Tiki Room!



Sunday we went to Newport Beach and saw the temple there which is gorgeous. I love the Spanish look to it. Then we went to the beach which Ryan has never been to before...who has never been to the beach? A kid from Oklahoma...haha! And amazing things kept happening...like we saw a pod of dolphins! And they were jumping out of the water! Then we went on the pier and saw the biggest crab I have ever seen that a guy caught on his fishing line and then multiple birds such as a pelican, stork, and cranes. Crazy! On the way home Monday we got trapped in the Cajon pass on the 15 freeway. There was a little bit of snow/slush falling from the sky and everyone freaked out. We were like...we drive in Utah, this is nothing! Let us through! We finally got through about 2 hours later of bumper to bumper 5 mph traffic if we were lucky to be moving at all. But the rest of the drive wasn't too bad and we made it home 10 hours later. But overall it was an awesome trip! I miss CA.

The huge crab at Newport Beach



The Newport Beach Temple



I am so surprised by the weather here. It's actually staying in the 40s which is amazing! Hardly any snow which definitely makes my day. It should rain this week which hopefully means fresh snow in the mountains so I can go boarding on Friday. It will be my first time this season. Oh an just a little plug, I went and saw "Marly and Me" last night and it was really cute! It was a good family movie...we need more of those.

This week is looking pretty good. School isn't too stressful and some of my classes are coming to an end which is really nice. It will free up my schedule so I can hopefully get another job. I need more money! haha! But don't we all?

Winter Fun

So winter semester is trudging along and so far we have a month down and only 3 to go! I try to keep myself busy during the winter months here in Utah because for some reason, I just really don't do well with all the snow and cold. I'm a So Cal girl...I need my sun and beach time! I think after not being able to feel the sun for so long really starts to get to me. But I have been having fun doing things like a Jazz game, Jon Schmidt concert, country dancing, fhe, institute, temple trips, watching the office, and going out to eat with friends. Wow, remembering these things really makes me realize that I really need to start taking more pictures! I do have some pictures of going to the Nickelcade and the Draper Temple Open House. So in Orem there is a Nickelcade with old video games that cost a nickel or a couple of nickels. My friends Donny and Brandon were going and asked me to come along. It was so fun! And the highlight was us beating the Jurassic Park game! Haha! Apparently that is hard to do, but we did it! My favorite game is something like DDR but with you hands. You'll have to watch the video of Donny and Brandon. Wow, sure reminds me of freshman year!



Tuesday I also had the opportunity to go to the Draper Temple Open House. The temple is gorgeous! They told us that the stone on the outside was imported from China, the glass and artists were from Utah, and other materials on the inside were imported from France and Africa. I loved sitting in the sealing room and thinking about how someday I'll be there with my eternal companion and will be sealed for time and all eternity. It was wonderful. I went with Crystal and Ryan and there was hardly anyone there so we really got to take our time and and just enjoy being in the Lord's House. The Oquirrh Temple will be finished this summer which will be another great open house to go to. This was my third open house I've experienced. I went to San Diego as a little girl and then Redlands which we actually got to help with when I was in high school. I just love temples!