Take Me Out to The Ball Game

This weekend mi padre scored us some baseball tickets to the Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins game! I was so excited! I've never been to a MLB game before and it was just so exciting! I loved watching the game, like it just felt so American or something. Sometimes I wonder why baseball isn't more popular, like really, it's all about the American dream! I would have loved to live back in the day when baseball was the craze and I listened to every game on the radio and collected baseball cards like my life depended on it. Something about that just makes life seem so much simpler and beautiful. But this baseball game took me back to the good ole days when I was the the only girl in my baseball league and either the boys were jerks to me, or they loved me! And I can't deny the fact that I loved playing baseball with a bunch of attractive boys. And then after that when I played machine pitch softball with Amanda Johnson and the best group of girls to ever exist. And all those times at Grandma and Grandpa's cabin in Provo Canyon when all the cousins would play baseball in the front yard. Why did we all have to grow up? And obviously one of the best movies of all times revolves around small town baseball- The Sandlot. Something about baseball just screams small town USA to me, and we all know that there is nothing more quaint than that. Although the Mariners lost, it was just such a grand Saturday, and I can't wait to go to another game sometime. Add the Seattle Seahawks and the Sounders to my list of professional teams to see in real life, and I will be one happy human being!

SafeCo Stadium! Isn't she a beaut?

Not going to lie, I'm kinda a sucker for this view.
 The Seattle skyline is pretty incredible!

Our very first baseball cards! Too bad they weren't even Mariners cards!
What the?!?

"Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks! I don't care if I ever get back!"

OMAHA NEBRASKA!

This homegirl has been one of my best friends since we were wee little 8 year olds, and tonight she got her mission call to Omaha, Nebraska! I'm so proud of this girl! And thank goodness for technology so I could participate in the good ole opening party! :) Hey Ash, thanks for being my bestie and accepting me at my worst! Nobody knows my flaws like you do, and you still love me. And that is what true friendship is! I know that you are gonna kill it out there in the mission field and bless so many lives! I can't wait to see you in a MONTH and you better get ready to party hard before the mish! And then we will party some more when you return into my loving arms! :)

^^Boys, she's single till November 13th!^^

sUmMeR wEeKeNdS

Nothing says summer quite like a trip to the lake! On Saturday we took our first boating trip in the good ole Northwest out to Clear Lake. This place is one gorgeous lake, let me tell ya! With clear blue water and Mt. Rainier in the background, I think this place was quite heavenly. One day, if I strike it rich, I wouldn't mind a little cabin on a lake just like this one! It sure felt nice to wakeboard again, even if the water was a little chillier than I'm used to! But I'll stand by the statement I made in 1st grade when I first stepped onto a boat, "This is the life!!!"

And to cap off this lovely weekend, I got a letter from the one and only Sara Washburn! Totally made my day! :) Can't wait for our grand reunion come August! Let's rock 2013-2014 school year!

Small Town USA

"We drive and drive until we find a town far enough away. And we talk and window shop... and I know I'm laughing on the car ride home with you. And I had the best day with you today." -Taylor Swift
Sometimes when your mom and brothers are gone all day, you drive far away with your dad and sister. We wound up in small town Eatonville. It's such a quaint little place! We pulled over at a cute little cafe called Bruno's for dinner where I had some delicious homestyle pot roast. And you know you're in a classy place when the salt and pepper shakers are recycled beer bottles with holes in the cap. That little town just made me so happy with pickup trucks flying American flags out their windows, Baptist churches, and tractors plowing their fields. One day all I want is a cute little house with a big porch, and an American flag flying, and a swing in the tree out front; some fireflies in a jar every summer night; a cafe where the waitress knows your name; and a pickup truck rolling down the highway with the windows down and a little Jason Aldean coming outta the radio.

This right here would be my dream house!

And this will be the first car I ever buy!

Oh and shoutout to my girl Rachel Wood for making my day! Thanks for your letter my dear! Thank you for being a part of my life and for making me a better person! I can't wait to see you in a month! :)

Music Expresses That Which Cannot Be Put Into Words

Sometimes all it takes for my soul to smile is that long forgotten Shania Twain song that comes through the radio as I drive down the highway with the windows down. Joy is the moment when nothing else matters except my fingers against my broken, antiquated piano keys and Chopin's elegant harmonies. Beauty is calloused fingers from learning a new chord on the guitar. Peace is the reverent melody of a hymn.  Friendship is singing Soulja Boy and Taylor Swift at the top of your lungs with your best friend. Few things are more beautiful than music and the memories that come along. Today I am grateful for music and all the memories that are linked with every song I hear. Thank you Heavenly Father for creating music. Thank you for giving me ears to hear the sweet tunes. Thank you for giving me fingers to learn and play my own notes. Thank you for the several music teachers that have taught me more about life, dedication, and hard work than about crescendos and chord progressions. Thank you for making life beautiful.

"Funny how a melody sounds like a memory." -Eric Church

I never thought I'd see the day that I'd actually start a blog. I was always content with my handwritten journals, and I'd always been somewhat reluctant to embrace technology, let's just say I'm not that savvy. But here I am, trying something new, because that's what life is all about, isn't it? It's crazy to think that in less than a month, I'll be leaving Washington for the second year in a row to head back to Utah and good ole BYU. So here's to a few lessons I've learned this summer:

1) Little kids have an incredible amount of energy. I would like to learn where it all goes when you get older. But shout out to Dean, Dawson, and Bentley Walker; Brayden, Reagan, and Dallin Aurich; Britton, Troy, and Jordan Walther; Anna, Kate, Coco, and Jake Okiishi; Kaley Steadman; and Hudson Haight for letting me hang with y'all this summer. 

2) It's ok to wear sweaters and drink hot chocolate in the summer. Especially if you're from Utah and find Washington summers a little chilly. 

3) Siblings can be your best friends. Even if they are a little sassy sometimes. Shout out to my BFF Brady for graduating high school and seminary this year! Hey kiddo, I'm so proud of you. I probs don't tell you enough, but I'm so happy you're my brother. We've always been besties (or at least since high school when in your words, I stopped being shy and became funny.) I can't imagine moving my senior year and having to deal with ERHS, new friends, and all that junk. But I'm proud of you for sticking it out. I know this is where you needed to be and I look up to you so much! You're gonna rock it at BYU-I this January. Zach, sometimes you're sassy, but I love you! That black bear yogurt was freaking good, and you're a good steamroller when we're camping out. I can't believe you're starting to drive, and high school. Just remember to keep good friends and always look out for those who need a friend. Everyone loves you, so that shouldn't be a problem for you. Keep your chin up kiddo, things work out. Aubs...I cried for 10 years because I wanted a sister so bad. I finally got her, and I couldn't be happier with the sister God gave me. We are complete opposites, but that's why I love you so much. I wouldn't want you any other way. Keep being super friendly and energetic, and include others, except boys. You don't need them. So stop flirting. Or teach me how, either way. But you're my bestie and I'm so glad we've had time to hang this summer. 

Port Townsend. Finally a beach with sand!

Seminary Grad!

Happened across these gems. 

4th of July Fireworks

Campout in the backyard

25 cent corndogs at Sonic

Why do people always think we are twins? I don't see it.

3)Dad, I can still beat you at naming the artists to songs first, even if those artists include Randy Travis, Garth Brooks, George Straight, Alan Jackson, Alabama, The Nitty Gritty Dirtband, and 90s Toby Keith. #realcountrymusicfanhere. But hey, thanks for all those walks. I'll definitely never forget how every night we would go on a walk and talk about our days. Especially when we made it into that gated community because we chased the UPS truck. Thanks for always being there for me. I love that we can make fun of things together. You'll always be my hero.
4)Mother dearest, thanks for spending every single second of every day with me. I know I can be annoying, especially when I get bored. But thanks for putting up with me. And thanks a million for helping me out with the haunted organ when I had to play in church. The ghost likes you for some reason, and she just likes to mortify me in front of the whole ward. But thanks for having my back. And thanks for all the times you helped me out when I was nannying. Just wait till I have my own kids, you'll probs get a million calls a day from me. 
5)It's hard to see a lot of your friends leave on missions, but hey, it's not like I won't see y'all when you get back. And missionary letters are amazing. I'm so proud and grateful for all the amazing friends I've had throughout high school and college. I don't know how I would have made it through without strong friends who have amazing testimonies. Y'all are gonna change the world, no doubt. Love each and every one of you. Thanks for making me a better person. 
6)This world is beautiful. From mountains to beaches to islands to cities, Washington, you have it all. I'm so glad I've been able to see this wonderful state! While I can't really call you "home," you are exactly what my family needs right now. I'll always have a place in my heart for good ole Puyallup, I do love you and miss you when I'm away. 

Lighthouse at Vashon-Maury Island

Christmas Seattle Cruise

Jesus Barn Farm

Zombiez-The quirkest restaurant ever, but that's your specialty isn't it Vashon-Maury Island?

With my dear grandmother at my future home on Vashon-Maury Island.

JOEY'S FORT!

7)I'm sorry Utah, but your 4th of July celebrations just can't compare to Washington's. Like the legal fireworks here are INSANE. When I can shoot off my very own fireworks, that is pure joy. (Although I do miss the annual hot dog roast and good ole PG fireworks and riding in the back of Grandpa's truck. I'll always be a small town Utah girl.) America, I love you, but you've always known that. One day I will be teaching your divine history to a bunch of snotty nosed kids. #cantwaitforthatday
8)There's one big lesson I've learned this summer, that I will be learning all my life, and that's learning to trust the Lord. This summer has been really hard with trying to decide what to do with my life. But I've learned that my plan doesn't really matter. The Lord has a way better plan for me, and I pray that I can have the faith to let Him take the reins on this one. Although I like to have things planned out a million years in advance, sometimes that isn't the way things are supposed to go. So, wherever this life leads me, whether that includes a mission or not, I know that I will follow God's plan for me to the best of my ability. D&C 68:6, you changed my whole life this summer. 
9) Read Jesus the Christ. Just do it. And Preach My Gospel.
10)Life is hard, but it's worth it. After all, we fought to come here. Let's count our blessings, follow the Lord, and Return Home with Honor. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13.