red white and blue

well i'm a day late in posting this, but that's cause i was too busy enjoying my favorite holiday--the day where we celebrate our nation's independence!  but i did want to share a few thoughts i had while i pondered on why i love this holiday and this country so much...
-i am grateful for the constitution and the inspired men who established this nation
-i am grateful for the freedoms we enjoy because of it.  i can practice my religion without fear of persecution from the government.  i can vote and help decide who leads this country.  and a boat load of other great stuff
-i am grateful for the economy and the progressive attitude of this nation..a week ago i had anaphylactic shock and had to be rushed to the hospital.  it was scary, but i couldn't help but think how grateful i am for those paramedics and the fact that we have the medicine and availability to it that we do.  if it weren't for that medicine i'd be dead.
-i am grateful for the men and women who serve to keep this nation secure, and all the people who serve each other on a daily basis out of love and a desire to be good
"we are great because we are trying to be good" -senator mike lee (at the freedom festival patriotic service last sunday)

happy 4th, everybody!  god bless america.

peace+love

my future family photo

you know what today is, folks?  why, it's my favorite holiday!

boy am i proud to be an american...
i feel like i've always been someone who tries to live life to the fullest.  but, having lived overseas for a year and a half i really came to realize how blessed i am to have been born in a country where i can do what i want, when i want.  i don't have to work 12 hours a day just to survive.  i don't have to have a locked gate around my home and iron bars on my windows.  and i'm even more blessed to live in utah where i have access to hiking and biking and swimming at any free moment.

god bless america.

don't make fun, but for some reason this song always gets me choked up a bit...

peace+love

it's the american way...

hmm...i have no explanation. but i have a feeling this picture was my idea.

4th of july 2 years ago, bear lake aka lake+fireworks+rasberry shakes+danger on the waverunner=perfect 4th of july--that's my cousin dougy on the left. he's on a mission in south africa and he gets home october 2nd. i'm so stoked! (p.s. ladies he is single) on the right is my old bff shawn. and the butt belongs to douglas' brother topher. what a weasel.

1. The very best thing about the summer is the 4th of July. parades, fireworks, baseball, bbq. it just doesn't get better than that .

2. My first crush ever was 1st grade = Travis Christensen. one day we stayed in from recess and my friend frankie kissed him, so i decided to as well. didn't want to be left out. .

3. This may sound really silly but i'm like a little kid answering the phone when it comes to checking the snail mail. once i figure out what time the mailman comes to my complex, i'm the first one out the door with the mail key. sad thing is, most of the time there's nothing for me .

4. I squeeze my toothpaste from the end of the tube of course .

5. My absolute favorite "comfort food" is i don't have a comfort food. i have comfort music. sometimes i get the coconut chocolate brownies at pastry pub though. mmmm. i think i'll go get one now .

6. A random fact about me is that my absolute favorite flower is sunflowers and i'm allergic to them. it's so sad. .

7. The one piece of technology that truly makes my life better and I couldn't live without is my iPod. is that really surprising to anyone?

peace+love

never forget

peace+love

on my favorite holiday...

liberation day march/parade in italy (yes, i was there)

this independence day weekend i...

swam 3 times

got attacked by a tree while floating the provo river

ate way too much junk food

did not sleep enough

threw candy in a parade

watched one fireworks show

put on a fireworks show

unintentionally attended a "tea party" (i love politice...refuse to get involved)

heard "God Bless America" performed at least 6 times

heard "Proud to be an American" performed at least 7 times

and only heard the National Anthem once...sad, i know

roasted mallows

made the most perfect s'more this earth has ever seen...really

night sat

---pictures coming soon---

peace+love