Happy Fathers Day!

I just wanted to give a shout out to My dad for being an awesome father! He has always been such an amazing support to me throughout my whole life in everything I do from school to sports to jobs to photography, etc etc. He always worked so hard to support me and my sisters and mom physically and financially, he wanted us to be able to try out our strengths and discover things for ourselves and not be limited because of money or work, he wanted us to experience life and have fun doing it! But more than that he was always my emotional support and encouragement! He was always so busy, but he would always drop what he was doing at that moment and come in and talk to me and listen to what was going on in my life and offer whatever advice and insights he could, and I know that time he spent on me often came at a heavy price to him, such as another sleepless night getting the work done that he had set aside for me. He always knows what to say and makes me want to do my best and be better, but without ever making me feel like I'm not absolutely perfect right now. I love his testimony and knowledge of the gospel; I have seen the way it has changed his life and his quiet example of living his testimony has strengthened mine and blessed our family in so many ways! He is also one of the best story tellers I know! He is so personable and makes anytime a good time with his jokes and knack for adventure and getting lost. He has always been so good about taking us along on his adventures and teaching us to be hard working, self reliant, and to have fun doing whatever it is you are doing. I love our camping trips, hikes, climbing outings, target shooting sessions, etc etc.

Dad, thank you for everything!! I really don't know how to express how very much you mean to me and how much I love you and look up to you. You have taught me so much and are so much a reason of who I am today. Thank you!!

To the other father in our family, and my brother in law, Alma, I am so glad you are a part of our family!! You have added to its completeness, and I always have so much fun with you!!! You are an amazing person!! I learn so much from you everytime I am with you, you make me feel like I am the most important person in the world when you are with me. You remind me so much of my dad, you are quite the handyman, and I can always count on a fun time and some adventures when I'm with you, whether its flying a kite, going on a hike and sledding down a mountain, or just wrestling with a dryer sheet!! I love the way you love my sister and nephew, and the way you treat and interact with them. You are also a gospel stud! I love listening to you teach the gospel and lead discussions; you are going to be an amazing teacher!!! Thanks for being such a good brother and friend! You sure set the standard high for my future husband, but I wouldn't have it any other way, you are the greatest!!!

Visiting my home away from home

This weekend I got to go back up to Rexburg and spend a few days there with my fabulous sister and her husband and little boy. It went by way to fast of course, but I was still thankful for the little time I got to see and hang out with my best friends. We did some sweet kite flying on Friday, and the winds were blowing so crazy that the kite was dragging me around the field as I flew it. My favorite trick was I would hop and let the kite pull me, Alma said I got a good 8-10 feet. Even though I'm not as pro as Alma at flying kites (he can do some pretty wicked tricks) I still had lots of fun. That night we went to Alma and Nicole's friends' for an amazing dinner, and then played a game where you each have a piece of paper, and you write a sentence at the top; then you pass your paper to the left and then the next person illustrates your sentence. Then you fold over that person's sentence and pass it again, and the next person has to make up a sentence for your drawing!! It was hilarious!!! Its crazy how distorted the "story" would get. Saturday we had a delicious crepe breakfast then went to the park and fed the ducks. There were sooo many! and they surrounded the bench we were on, by less than a foot! Oh and there was one duck that was way skinny, and it sat up all straight, so the neck wasn't curved, but it was a straight line from the head to the tail.... really weird. Oh and instead of breaking off pieces of bead and throwing it to the ducks, if you throw the whole slice one duck will get it, and then the rest chase it around the park and take bites out of it! It is hilarious!!!! Much more entertaining than feeding them piece by piece. Well later that day we did some swimming, had another crazy delicious meal, and then made a fire in the pit outside and roasted apples, and played horseshoes-- Alma won, but only by a point! After we watched/quoted Matilda.. that movie is so funny! The principal totally makes the movie! Then Sunday we went to church, where Nicole played an amazing hymn medley on the piano (with only an hour notice) and later that night Alma taught an awesome lesson/discussion about the story in Mark 2 (You're going to be an awesome teacher Alm!!!) and we finished out the night with some brownies and ice cream and a few games of uno. Then Monday Nicole and I made some head bands, and then she took me to the airport, only to find my flight was 3 hrs delayed!! Luckily she waited there and so we went to the mall for a little while then got some lunch and had a picnic.. then I had to say goodbye. :( Luckily I will get to see them again in the end of August. It was so fun to see them, and Jagger is getting so big! Its fun to see him develop his personality, and his laugh is so funny!!! I love when he does his sign language too!! Thanks again guys for letting me come and stay with you for a few days and for taking such good care of me!! I always have an awesome time with you guys, and learn so much from you! I love that you are just good, genuine, and fun people who love each other and love/live the gospel. You are such examples to me, and you make me want to be better. Thanks for all the fun times and I love you so much and miss you already!!