adventuring in california

I've been vacationing in CA this week, and it's been lovely. I like vacation. Very, very much.

So far, there's been lots of laughter. And walking. And screaming (on particular rides). More laughter. Lots more walking...

I've taken almost zero pictures (I'll snag 'em from Mark later on, he's got a lot!), but in the meantime, here are a few:

Shamuuuuuu!

Stopped by the San Diego Temple Monday night...

Radiator Springs, Disney California Adventure, Anaheim, CA

Love these people!
Mark, Michelle, Stacey and Dain

I kinda liked spending my birthday in the Happiest Place on Earth...

Met Mater. Love him.

Found some minion glasses just outside Universal Studios.
This is what we do for fun... :)

So far? Sooooo good! #justwhatthedoctorordered

filling in the gaps...

Hello again!

In order to try to make up for lost time, I'm going to phone in another post, kind of to get you up to speed on what's been going on in my life over the past few months (thank you, Instagram):

FEBRUARY:

In Feb, I gave a talk in church, and my folks came up from UT to show their undying love.
I sure have the most fantastic parents in the wide world...

Valentine's Day happened, and it wasn't bad.
Especially this super soft, super delicious cookie from a client.

I had some friends over for dinner, which included (but was not limited to) pulled pork.
Pulled pork is basically amazing...

I like to paint my nails. Ought not have taken a picture of my super chipped nail...

I have lots of scarves, and I loves them. They make cold days so much lovelier. 

February was an emotionally draining month for me, and this word meant a lot to me...

Taking a hot bath at the end of a long, cold day does wonders for the soul...

MARCH:

In March, I moved. Moving equals packing, and packing equals stress.
I shook my fist at the day. Several days, in fact...

I love the temple. Especially the one in Brigham City. (I'm totally biased.)

Giving blood every eight weeks helps me feel like a caring citizen of planet Earth...

Passenger is still pretty much my go-to music. Makes me smile through the stress.
(Although after I moved, life felt less stressful.)

I made an amazing cream cheese chocolate cream pie for Pi Day. It was delicious.

Chelle and I have gone to the Green Belt to feed the duckies and geese a few times.

I love being ridiculous with my nephews (and nieces too!)

My allergies have been extra horrible this spring...thank goodness for medicine!

I've been reading a lot...

Mostly youth fiction (The Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch)...

...and mostly at bedtime.

APRIL: 

That's Brigham City in the rear view mirror. I love that place...

Blew some bubbles with Janiebug...

Spent some quality time with these muffins (Marshall, Kaylee and Derek)

We painted Julie's toe nails for the first time. It took three adults to hold the little
wiggle worm still enough to get the job done.
She's so cute I could just die.

Hello, Idaho Falls Temple! 

My Jackson friend, shortly before he turned nine, I do believe...

MAY (so far):

Girl Scout Cookies rock my world.

Ugh, why is it so blurry?! This here is my new washer and drier set!

Found these bad boys at Walgreens and bought them out!

Spring is happening in Idaho Falls!!!

I stole this adorable picture from my SIL's facebook page: Derek smiles!

I love my Momma!!!

Two posts in one week. Game. Set. Match.

life happens. fast.

Wow. Lots has happened in the past few months. I mean, LOTS.

I've gone home a handful of times to visit my family. (By "home," I mean the place I grew up; I guess it'll always be home to me. So glad my parents always make me feel welcome in their home, even though I'm officially an "adult"  (had to catch it in quotes 'cause I still feel, like, 18 years old) and haven't lived with them for several years.

When I go home, I play with my nieces and nephews as much as I can. I have eight now, folks. Eight fantastic little souls who, thankfully, my brothers and sisters-in-law share with me. Eight glorious kiddos who make my world go round...

I cannot get enough of this sweet face!

Julie is sprouting some teeth!

Janiebug, the butterfly fairy...

  

Kissing the birthday boy.
I cannot believe that Jackson is now NINE!

Kaylee J, hiding in my hoodie.

  

Marshall!

Emmett gave me a nice long snuggle right after a nap one day...

Sethington is good at smiling...

Also, I moved. I moved out of Brooke's house and into a new little town home a few miles away with a couple of gals. And although the move was kind of emotional and very stressful (packing is my own personal hell), it's been a good move for me. I needed a change.

The new place is nice. Lots of space, two car garage, washer/drier hook-ups...and no washer/drier. Let me tell you; although I am technically an adult, I ended up taking my laundry with me each time I went to my folks' place so that I wouldn't have to go to a laundromat. (Honestly, a handful of friends offered to let me use their washer/drier, but I felt like a burden, so I just took it to Utah with me. And felt like a college kid every. single. time.)

But guess what. A few weeks ago, I bought a washer and drier! My friend Dain, bless his soul, found a set online for a steal, and if purchasing a washer and drier isn't a grown-up thing to do, then I'm not sure what is.

And, guys? I can do laundry at my leisure! At my own place! I don't have to fret about perchance running out of underwear, because I have my very own washer and drier!

During my lunch break today, I was looking through some old blog posts, and I think I finally miss blogging. It's such a great way to journal my life (since I've been kind of bad at keeping an actual journal the last couple of years). And I say, with sincerity in my heart, that I'd really like to try posting here on a somewhat regular basis beginning now. This whole 1-or-2-times-per-month-forcing-myself-to-blog-whether-I-want-to-or-not thing finally isn't sitting right with me. So. I guess I'm going to try, try again.