This time last year ...

This time last year I was in New York City with my homegirl Lia.
Since I never documented it (November was a crazy month for me last year), I thought I would now.

Such a fun, last-minute trip.
It was a whirlwind. We were there less than 48 hours.
We walked everywhere. I was sore for like the next week, but it was so worth it.

I may have cancelled my first date with Scotty to go ... but we can forget about that. 
Hopefully he's forgiven me by now.

In our short trip we ...
... Went to Rockefeller Plaza.
... Went to Time Square.
... Got hit on by a married Russian in Time square. What can I say? Foreigners love me.
... Ate a cupcake at Magnolia's Bakery. #teamsprinkles
... Saw the Statue of Liberty from a distance.
... Rubbed shoulders with the top-dog of GMC on Wall Street.
... Walked by Ground Zero.
... Took a train at Grand Central and Penn Stations.
... Made friends with the NYPD.
... Visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
... Walked by the Manhattan Temple.
... Walked through Central Park
... Went in Carlo's Bakery ...Cake Boss anyone?
... Had an exclusive tour of CNN.

A few of my favorite pics from the trip.

I wasn't kidding about the Russian man. 

As his friend was snapping a picture he was like "my wife will like this."

 Larry King's Set

They pretty much begged us to stay, but I didn't want to make Anderson Cooper jealous. #naturals

And of course the NYC Macy's already decked out for Christmas.

Can't wait for the next trip with my tour guide and company.

Girls get ready!

the boys (girls) are back in town

Last Saturday my dear friend Holly invited a group of us over for dinner and games to celebrate Maggie being back in town. Holly is always such a good hostess. I miss living with this girl.  

Holly remember that time when you were engaged and we were experimenting with your eyebrow pencils?!
I just thought of that and it made me laugh.

It was so much fun catching up with these girls and playing the bean game...a favorite.

Me and Miss Holly (and this amazing Peanut Butter Pie).

 Playing Bohnaza (aka The Bean Game). I definitely did not win.

Stephie ... this is proof of my sad attempt at "the bun"

The gang.

Sorry Holly I stole the pics off your blog.

Success!

I told myself that as long as I didn't spend New Year's Eve on the couch alone, I would consider it a success. Last year I spent it on my couch watching the ball drop in Times Square. My dad was on the adjacent couch asleep. Pathetic. I could only go up from there. So this year I went to a movie with some friends. We're such party animals, I know. Even though I think New Year's Eve is an overrated holiday ... I don't know if I could've handled another singles ward experience last night. So I'm going to consider it a success! Maybe this is a good omen for 2011?!?

To top it off New Year's Eve day was a blast. I went skiing up at Sundance with a couple friends. It was beyond cold, but the snow was awesome. I was also able to successfully avoid another pole-bending miss hap ... though it was a close call (in the exact same spot) as I had to literally jump off the chair lift while my skis and poles went everywhere.

 Lia, Gillian, Me

Successful New Year's Eve and day skiing? 

2011 is looking up.

twinners

When I said before that sometimes me and my co-workers come to work wearing the same things I wasn't kidding. It happens actually more often than not. 

I guess great minds do think alike. 

This was not planned. Scouts honor (or something like that). 

Fridays we get to wear jeans if we wear BYU apparel. Last night was the Basketball Home Opener ... hence the same T-shirts. The rest is just good fashion sense I guess.

florida

This past weekend I was able to travel to Florida for work. It was fun, a lot of work, and so so hot! I don't think I have ever been the hot in my entire life. Tallahassee isn't the most exciting place to visit for your first trip to the south, but I can see why people love it. People were so nice. I loved the southern hospitality. I also loved the old plantation-like homes. But the humidity. Oh the humidity. I could have done without that. ... and the outcome of the game.

My co-workers.

Pretty sure we just walked right on the field. There is no security there. Check out that scoreboard. It was amazing. Proof of how much they love their football.

Their stadium is HUGE!

We took the group to the Pebble Hill Plantation in Georgia (now I can say I've been to Florida and Georgia). It was amazing! I felt like I was on a movie set for Sweet Home Alabama.

Check out this house. This doesn't even show half of it.

Game day. This is before I melted away in the heat.

YQB

A couple weekends ago I was involved in a quarterback reunion and scholarship fundraiser. It was so much work, but a fun experience at the same time. Friday was a golf tournament and dinner/auction in the evening. And then on Saturday was the game against the University of Washington. Oh Washington. I miss that state.

Just checking people in.

This describes my feelings. Despite what my family thinks...Like Stephie, I really was torn.

Gameday.

Me and my daddy.

Half time.

Picture time. Cheesy smile.

Me, Jim McMahon and Stephie.

Oh and lets not forget Steve Young. I look horrible in this picture. It was a quick shot, and took me off guard but oh well.

Me and the fam at the game. So glad they came down. They're the best.

camping friends we'll always be

When I was in Washington I was able to meet up with some of my girls from high school. I realized how much I miss them. I have so many fun memories with these girls. I wish we could see each other more often. They're the best!

coeur d'alene

Lake Coeur d'Alene is one of my favorite places on earth.

It is so beautiful.
You can't get much better than Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Simply Heaven.

While home we were able to go boating there a couple of times.

As you can tell I was a little excited about the whole lake thing. 

We busted out the skis and I still got it!
Though I think I cracked a rib on a fall.

Emily's first boating experience.

Scottie showed me up with his slalom skiing skills. 

And then there is Stephie...

 

She was our resident entertainment for day. Not only did she tell the lake police they were "messin' with the major" when they pulled us over (click for story), but she allowed me to capture this amazing fall.

Up and Going.

Going.

Going.

Gone.

Look at that form. 

Toes pointed and everything.

{ hitched }

Well, they did it. Holly and Jon tied the knot. The weekend was so nice. Such a fun celebration. I don't think there could be a happier couple. They were just glowing. 

Here is the weekend in pictures...

To kick off the festivities the bridesmaids got together for dinner at Texas Roadhouse on Thursday. All of these girls are so fun!

Friday evening was the Wedding Dinner at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. So nice to catch up with and to make new friends...and to celebrate the love birds. We all discovered what a small world it is. 

Then came the wedding ...

Wedded Bliss.

 Kisses.

 The bride looked absolutely stunning!

 Always a bridesmaid ... ?

Our new friend Sheryl. Too bad she lives in D.C.

Totally fell in love with the cake.

 I am going to miss living with this girl.
Such a fun and classy lady.

Congratulations!