California Dreaming.

As amazing as Disney always is.... I still have to give some credit to the rest of my California trip too. Because the whole thing was quite grand. 

A stop at Huntington Beach.

And T.K. Burger while we were at it.

 We drove past this place while on the way to the beach and I pointed it out to all of them. It's been an old family fave for awhile. We use to come here when we'd visit Heather (back when she lived on Huntington Beach). It's just this little run down, hole in the wall, burger joint, but it's the yummiest! They decided they wanted to try it out and they all ended up approving of my suggestion. This place really is like a little hidden treasure! 

And while walking the streets of Huntington I can't ever help but admire all the perfect little homes. Too cute!! 

The first night in California (during the crazy storm) Blake introduced us to one of his favorite places: The Creamistry. It was the coolest. So fun to watch them make it all!

Seriously so clever. I've got to open one of these places and become famous and rich. 

Presidents Day Takes Disney.

Presidents Day weekend started early for me. On Thursday to be exact! That was the day that I loaded my things in the car and drove to the one and only.... DISNEY LAND. If you know me at all you know that there's no place I'd rather be. MY HEART BEATS FOR DISNEYLAND.

We actually stopped and stayed the night in St. George (at Aynsley's families house) Thursday night and then completed our drive to California early Friday morning. We spent the rest of Friday night hiding indoors at the Costa Mesa mall because it was storming bad.

We were so nervous the the next day (our day at Disney) would be just as stormy, cold, and rainy. To our luck, it was perfect outside; no rain and just a little chilly! God was on our side. THANK YOU BIG MAN UPSTAIRS. 

 

Gang right here. I drove down with Aynsley and her Lover (Fiance to be exact) Mitchell. We met up & stayed in California with Aynsley's older brother Blake (who's currently living in Cali). To be real, I had met Aynsley once before our trip and hadn't ever met Mitchell or Blake. So basically, I went on a road trip/vacation with some humans that I had never met. It was obviously nerve racking to an extent, but I can honestly say that it was one of the funnest trips I've been on yet! Everything was so comfortable and so chill. I kept forgetting that I had just met these fun people. I truly felt like I was a bunch of friends that I had known forever! We had a blast. If I could relive the trip I would in a heartbeat! 

^^^Ask me how us girls felt about getting wet on splash mountain... hahaha. I was prepared to NOT let that happen^^^

We got in the park early Saturday morning and immediately hit it hard. By the time the park closed we were pooped and so ready for bed (and to rest our legs). Disneyland is truly magical. Lucky for me, I'll be back in a short 3 weeks. 

Happy Valentines Day.

As you all probably already know, Valentines Day IS MY JAM. To be more specific, the color pink is my jam. My whole Instagram feed was full of wedding pictures, PDA, snugly couples, and long sappy captions. I didn't mind one bit. I THRIVE OFF OF THIS STUFF. So much love for people in love... ya feel?! I wish every day was Valentines day. 

There's nothing I appreciate quite as much as going to the grocery store in January/February and seeing a whole aisle covered in pink, red, and purple. It's just the cutest. I'm weird. But it makes my girly girl heart real happy. (Especially Target. Their dollar section is killing it at this time of year. I mean when isn't it?! But it's on steroids during this holiday. Give me aawwwllll the glitter and heart shaped confetti).

We celebrated by making festive cookies for co-workers and friends and wearing all the pink and red.

One of my moms preschool students had brought Valentines donuts for snack time, there was an extra waiting for Maycie when she woke up from her nap and she was so excited. 

My older brother came home from work with a dozen roses for his wife, & balloons + fruity gum for his little girls. He was pissed when I started taking pictures to document the moment.... that's Tyler for ya haha.

I'll be honest, my heart melted when I saw my brother walk in the door with little gifts for all of his 'valentines'. The smile on his girls faces was pretty sweet too. Tyler is not a hopeless romantic; and he isn't super sentimental either. He's the kind of person that thinks Valentines day is a little bit dumb. He is the least festive person I know hahaha. But despite his feelings on the "pointless" holiday, he's always taking care of his girls. My older brother seems rough and tough on the outside, but I love seeing him turn into a marshmallow for his family. He's got a lot of quality's that I hope my future husband possesses! 

My mom made lots of homemade fudge for all of her 'valentines' (my family) and also left little gifts/a favorite 'treat' of ours on our pillows. 

Mama knows the way to my heart.

Just like every holiday, Valentines day makes me extra excited to be a mama someday. I'll be that mom making heart shaped pancakes topped with pink sprinkles for breakfast, dying my kids milk pink, serving boxes of truffles for dinner, working on homemade Valentines boxes for over a month, decorating the entire house with streamers and hearts, and probably putting way too much effort into homemade Valentines cards for my kids classes. Go big or go home man. Festivity is in my blood. 

The reasons.

Last Thursday cute Nie Nie Dialogue's (who we all know rocks my world) posted about the "reasons why she loved today." The first thing on the list was "It felt like spring and I opened a few windows". As I read it Friday morning I instant thought "I AGREE!!!!!" and decided I wanted to make my own blog post listing reasons I loved last week. 

1. It felt like spring. I didn't open any windows. But it felt like spring. And my heart was so happy. And my snap chat was full of videos of people playing at the park with their kids/the kids they nanny, people taking walks, hanging out outside without coats etc.
2. I finally saw La La Land. It was dreamy.
3. While on the topic of "band wagon" type of stuff, I started watching Stranger Things. Oh my essentially!! Why have I waited this long? 100% hooked.
4. HIGH Fitness. I don't think this is a real thing? Like I'm pretty sure someone recently made it up..... but it is the funnest. And it makes my heart so happy. You're essentially just having a dance party with a bunch of other women. Jessica teaches Wednesday nights at the American Fork VASA. Get there! She is the cutest and happiest.
5. I got a solid 30/30 on my math test *YESSS*
6. Sending my little brother off on his first date (PGHS sweethearts dance) he is the cutest.

One year.

One year ago (on the 4th to be exact) we celebrated one year of having our lex home. 

It really was the sweetest day. I remember February 3rd so perfectly. It felt like Christmas Eve night. We stayed up late painting posters, cleaning the house, and preparing to attack her with hugs. Such a fun day/moment to reminisce on!

 It's been such a great year of having our Lex back in the 801. Even though she'd go on another 18th month mission to serve our Lord in a heartbeat, we're keeping her here and never letting her leave again.

Watch a little video of that special day HERE (made by our favorite and cutest friend Indy Blue). It may or may not make you cry.... IDK, but what I do know is that it makes my family cry. WE LOVE OUR LEX <3 

Happy birthday Chlo.

Last Tuesday my bestest of best friends turned 20!! We celebrated with a friend lunch and then pedicures. 

Chloe is such a blessing in my life. She's supportive, loving, and caring. She isn't selfish and she's always looking out for her friends. She's one of the happiest girls I know. She shines light everywhere she goes with her humor and her darling laugh. She's hilarious. And as pretty as they come. Although she might hate it, I envy her height and long legs. Can I be reincarnated as Chloe Rickenbach in the next life?! 

Happy birthday Chlo. Love you more then words can describe. 

See Chloe's last birthday here.

Nursery Bud.

Early last year I got a calling to be a primary teacher for the cutest group of little girls (5 turning 6). It was the greatest first "adult calling" I could have asked for. I was so sad to watch them "graduate" onto a bigger class at the end of 2016. Not only did they move to a new class - so did I! For about a month I taught the 10 turning 11 year olds, and I LOVED it. I was so nervous at first because I didn't have coloring to rely on. I actually had to plan lessons that would last our whole class time. Also, the kids were old enough to really understand the lessons. The fact that my kiddo's were now listening and actually knew what I was saying now seemed a little intimidating. The nerves quickly left and I realized right away how much I adored the older group of kids and our "real" lessons. There was just something so satisfying about teaching a whole long lesson, feeling to spirit, and having the children's undivided attention! It gave me the biggest sense of accomplishment. Sadly, I was only with this cute new class for about a month. I was then released and called to serve in the Nursery. If we're being real, I was a bit bitter at first. I loved my new class and our new lessons so much and didn't want to leave. Despite being stubborn and willful (and maybe having a wee bit of a bad attitude), I accepted my new calling in the nursery. And guess who's in nursery with me?! 

Little Maycie Moo!! 

I shouldn't of had a bad attitude about the new calling in the first place, but I especially shouldn't have because of little Mayce. She's my new Sunday pal. I love it. What more could I ask for then to hang out with her for 3 hours?! We get to play with toys, eat animal crackers, go on walks, color, sing songs, and learn about how Heavenly Father created animals. It's a solid church day if you ask me! 

Freaking love this little face.