Girls Trip

I met a couple of my closest friends while working at my job the last few years. For that I am so grateful! Lia now lives in Southern California so Gillian and I decided to go on a little getaway to visit her. It just happened to be Gillian's birthday so it was an even better excuse to party! I loved every second of the trip. Though I missed Scotty, it was a nice distraction. I love exploring new places, not to mention we had so much fun and laughed a ton. I just love these girls.

Our first stop was the Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade. Then we headed to the Getty, which was amazing! They had an Ansel Adams exhibit and the gardens and view were to die for!

Naturally we had to go to sprinkles! It just so happened to be in Beverly Hills so we took a little 

drive in some neighborhoods and down Rodeo Drive. 

Luckily the LA temple was close by so we ate our cupcakes there.

Saturday was the dedicated beach day, though we may have started out with pedicures
for Gillian's birthday! Lia took us to this amazing beach in Laguna. 

It wasn't too crowded and we even saw a couple whales and a dolphin in the ocean! 

Nohea was as happy as could be with her mermaid tail. She would even burst out singing Little Mermaid songs. Nohea was our sidekick and by the end of the weekend she was calling me "Auntie Lisa." Love her!

Thanks to the Barlows for being such wonderful hosts. 

Can't wait to come visit again ... next time with Scotty.  

Memorial Weekend Road Trip

Scott and I decided to treat ourselves to some sunshine for Memorial Day.

Scott hadn't taken a day off work since Christmas (crazy) and I just needed a break (obvi).

We found a great deal on Priceline and took off to Las Vegas. I don't necessarily love that city, not really my scene, but I did love laying by the pool drinking a Pina Colada.

Funny fact. This is only like the third road trip we've been on since we started dating. I don't know why. I actually like road trips. I think we need to get out more.

 Our hotel was huge and kinda confusing. The room they put us in was down this long hall and then down another equally as long of a hall. Guess that is where they put the poor people.

 Our hotel had an awesome pool, but it was super crowded during the day because of the holiday.

Yummy Pina Colada ... in case you were wondering if you don't want alcohol in it they are calling it "Zero Proof" now. Who knew?!

A Day in Seattle

While I was in Washington we zipped over to Seattle to see my sister's new baby boy. We played tourist for a few hours on Wednesday to give my sister a break from the chaos. I still can't believe it had been 10 years since I had been there. Man I love that city!

We just had to make a stop at Pike Place Market. It is one of those places you just need to experience yourself. So unique and so chaotic. I also finally got to experience the infamous gum wall. I didn't think I would be as grossed out as I was ... ew. After Pike Place we zipped down to the piers. We couldn't leave the city without having a bowl of Ivar's Clam Chowder.

Summertime and the Living is Easy

Well my second trip with the in laws was a success, and this time did not result in a hospital stay. I mean that's what I call a success! Scotty and I were only there part of the time, but it was so fun! Not to mention very relaxing.

Scotty and I spend Saturday in Huntington by ourselves, as the rest of the fam was driving down from northern California. We didn't really have an agenda. We just hopped in our rental car and drove straight to the beach. It was so nice spending time together outside of our normal routine.

The plan then was to return our rental car and get picked up by the fam ... but they got stuck in MAJOR traffic. So we ended up setting up camp at the airport for 5 hours. As you can tell I wasn't bored at all ... though I realize it was worse for those stuck in it. Sorry guys.

Once we FINALLY got to the condo in Oceanside all was well and we had a great time. Sunday evening we took family pictures. It was right at sunset and couldn't have been more beautiful.

  Monday was beach day. We literally spent all day there and there was no lack of water, sand (as shown all over those girls), or sand castles. I learned that the McKells are serious about their sand castles. This was just one of three they made. ... aaannnd I may have gotten a little burned.

Tuesday was spent at Disneyland. The McKells also take Disneyland very seriously. We were there literally from open to close. I'm usually not the biggest amusement park goer, but it was way fun. I think it's more fun with kids.Elle thought she was so funny and covered her Uncle Scotty's eyes for like 15 minutes.

Unfortunately Scott and I had to go back to this thing called work. Boo. I didn't want to go back to reality. There was also this thing called moving that was hovering over our heads.

Vacay

It would seem logical that as soon as we got the keys to our new place we'd move in.

But logic wasn't on our side in timing and I'm just going with it.

We left our new house completely empty, busting out our surfboards (that we don't have) and are off to Southern California for vacation!

So right now it's play before work!
I might be regretting that next week, but I'm a-ok with it right now.
If you need me I'll be on the beach. 

Staycation

It's amazing how one day off of work can rejuvenate you. Tuesday was a holiday in Utah. Pioneer Day. We decided to celebrate our pioneer heritage by staying over night in a high-end resort town, with every amenity possible. Good plan, right? 


Scotty and I met up with his family in Park City on Monday night and stayed in a hotel on main street. It was a fun little getaway. We played games, hung out, went shopping at the outlets, and rode the Alpine Slides. I had never done that before. It was so fun! 

I now totally get the appeal of a staycation. We might just have to plan another one soon!

The Irony of Life

Let the pity party commence. Ready. Go.

Before Scott and I got engaged I had been planning a trip with Gillian to go visit Lia in New York City. The Big Apple baby! It was going to be the trip of all trips. Not really. But we sure were planning a fun time! It's always a fun time with us.

Remember this?

But ... when we got engaged life got beyond busy and I couldn't even think about the trip until after the wedding. So I held off. Then all of the post-wedding health drama happened ... the blood clots being the culminating factor ... And I decided that it would be best, both financially and physically, if I stay put.

I was so so sad to cancel on the trip!

Last week Scotty came home and told me that a business trip had been scheduled for an entire week to New York.The kicker? It was for this week, which means he would be there the EXACT same time I would have been there! Not to mention this is the longest we have been apart since we started dating.

Scotty went to dinner with the Barlows last night. I almost cried when he told me he was going to dinner with them. If I could've teleported myself there, I would have in a heartbeat.

So my husband and two home-girls, people whom I love so much, are off gallivanting in the Big Apple while I am here. This is where you can feel sorry for me. I guess this is what I get for canceling my first date with Scotty to go to New York. Karma? Perhaps.

OK. Pity party over.

Honeymoon

Our honeymoon was spent in Southern California. Nowhere crazy. But I was more than ok with the quick flight, warmer weather and the beach!

We spent a few days in Oceanside where we visited the San Diego LDS temple, had the most amazing mexican food in Old Town San Diego, walked around La Jolla and Coronado.

 San Diego LDS Temple

La Jolla.

Then we went a little more north and stayed a few days in Newport Beach. I fell in love with that area. We rented bikes and rode along the beach, laid out in the sun, visited the Newport Beach Temple and drove up and down, gawking at the rows of amazing houses on Balboa Island. 

 At the beach.

I swear I didn't wear that shirt every day! That's embarrassing.

One of the highlights was when we took a day trip up to Los Angeles and "happen" to run into my brother who is serving in the San Fernando Mission. He had no idea (I hope I didn't get him in trouble) and with a little puzzle piecing and persuasion from my mom and Scott, we may or may not have figured out where my brother was. I wish he could've been at the wedding but he is where he is supposed to be ... and "running" into him made up for it a little.

Proof. I miss that boy!

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!