For those of you who look at my blog.....I am still alive!!!

So I have once again made a goal to start blogging again, shocker I know!!! Well I am back at BYU and can hardly believe I just started my fourth week of school already!!! Here is just a glimpse of a few things I've been up to lately....

Maverick.....only one reason I go.....Frozen yogurt ice cream cones!! Sometimes I even go alone, and now that I'm off sweets (except frozen yogurt), I frequent maverick stops more than I probably should.

All the girls meeting up at a bonfire!!

Britt and I making hummus. This was our second round of doing it and I highly recommend homemade hummus instead of store bought!!! YUM!!

I have also starting to cook this semester. I guess you could say I've always been afraid of cooking, and not afraid of baking, but believe it or not, I am beginning to overcome that fear. This past week I made chicken curry one night, and then a shredded southwest chicken and bean soup another night. I have decided I am loving cooking and am already coming up with new things to make as soon as I have time for it. Let me know if you have any favorites!! I'll post my recipes if I run across any new fun ones. But in the meantime....check out this site: www.pickypalate.blogspot.com. I love this site and am in the mood to make something every time I look at it (which probably isn't a good thing)!!!

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!! Love you all!!!

3 finals to go...then homeward bound!!!

I am officially done with all of my classes for this semester! I cannot believe how fast it has flown by and how Christmas is just around the corner. This semester has been an incredible one for me and I can't believe how much I have learned and how my eyes have been opened to so many things. I am so grateful for the chance to be here right now! I have three finals starting on Monday, and then come Thursday I'll be flying to AZ for Christmas!! Let the countdown begin!!

This is my roomate Jacque and me at our friend's popcorn party this past weekend! I love this girl!

Temple Lights!!

So last night I had the chance to go to the Salt Lake Temple and see the lights for the first time! I couldn't believe how different they were from the AZ lights, but I loved them just as much!!!After we saw the lights we hurried to the Gateway to get hot chocolate to warm us up!! Then while we were there we stopped at this yummy cookie shop called Ben's Cookies! I only had a small bite of one, but it was wonderful!! I hear they have the same little cookie shop in London, and I think I'll make a quick trip there the next time I have a craving :)

The past few weeks!!

Because I have been so slow to updating my blog, I thought I'd fill you in on the past few weeks of my life!...

A couple weekends ago some of my friends had a hot chocolate party!!!I love these girls!!

Getting ready for the party to start!!The night before I left to fly home for Thanksgiving, all the girls came over to our house and had a sleepover!! We went out for Thai food, painted nails, and stayed up late watching chick flicks and chatting. To say the least, it was a blast!

Then when I was home in Arizona, I didn't take hardly any pictures, but one of the nights mom, dad, and I went downtown Tempe on Mill Avenue to see the lights and fireworks. and there I managed to snap a couple!Dad and I in front of Tempe town lake. Poor dad was a good sport that night as mom and I made him walk down Mill Ave after he had just had knee surgery a week or two before. I'm sorry dad, but I'm glad you came with us, you were a good sport! Mom and I love you!!!Then i returned to my little home in Provo and Christmas was in the air! This Thursday I didn't have school, so I took the time and decorated for Christmas! I never really thought I'd get into decorating, but it was so fun! I just want to keep doing more, but I thought I better save my bank account and quit for now! Above is the kitchen (i'm not crazy about the garland on the shelf, but it'll stay there for now until we find a better place for it), and below is the main living area.

My favorite is the top of the bookshelf. Not too bad for a beginner :)

by the way...

I forgot to mention the picture of mom and I is actually from this summer. I have been terrible about taking pictures lately but wanted to put one of her up, so this one will have to do!!!

Surprise!!!

So this weekend mom was speaking in Stake Conference and I really wanted to surprise her and be there for her talk. Because I am so sneaky, IT WORKED!!!! Thanks to Josh and Melissa, they kept quiet the entire week for me and then came to pick me up from the airport Saturday late afternoon. Right after they picked me up we went to the institute, where mom would soon be speaking. I quickly changed into my dress clothes and then we waited for mom and dad to arrive. I was waiting in the opposite side of the chapel in the waiting area when finally I could hear mom talking to Melissa. I knew that was my cue to surprise her. I nonchalantly wandered into the chapel where mom was talking to mel and josh. She looked up quickly at me and then back at Melissa. Then she suddenly realized I was standing there! She burst into tears!! YES!!!!!!!! My plan worked :) I was so excited because mom and dad had absolutely no idea I was going to be there. Earlier in the week I had talked to dad about coming home, but told him I was just going to wait until Thanksgiving!!! (I'm so sneaky)

I'm so glad I got to go home and listen to mom speak. For everyone's information, she did a fantastic job, and I'm not just saying that. She really did do a great job and constantly had people coming up to her afterwards to tell her what an amazing job she did! Way to go mom!!!