Boston

When Dad invited me to make good use of a flight credit I had and tag along with him and Mom to Boston I obviously jumped at the opportunity.

I had always wanted to see Boston, and so I was excited to explore.

What I found quickly though was that Boston far exceeded my expectations. I fell completely in love with that city. 

How could I not though?

My first day there Mom took me on a  grand tour of the city. We shopped on this road referred to as "Antique Row" near Beacon Hill. The buildings were brownstone, the streets were cobblestone and it was love at first sight.

(Just ignore my red-eye-plus-sinus-infected exhausted look)

Also, I absolutely adore old things, and lets face it Boston is pretty much as old as it gets in this country. Old buildings, old cemeteries, old roads... I adored it all.

Another thing I loved about Boston-the Freedom Trail.

I've always loved American history, and it was so cool to see the places that helped shape our country.

Mom was nice enough to do the whole thing with me that day, and Dad was able to meet up with us after his meetings. 

The site of the Boston Massacre 

On Friday we toured Fenway Park. Now I'm not going to say that all of a sudden Fenway made me love baseball, but it did make me crave it.

I, for the first time in my life, wanted to go to a baseball game. 

See Boston really is magical. And I love that. 

On the Green Monster

Oh and the food. The food in Boston can't be beat! Especially in the North End. Between the Italian food and the delicious pastries I was in complete food heaven.

Another thing I loved about Boston? How close it was to Harvard. Ten minutes on the subway and there we were-at Harvard Square. 

The statue of 3 Lies-all of which I knew from the Social Network...

The thing I loved most about Boston though was definitely getting to explore it with these two. I had a great time hanging out with them. 

Well that, and the sailboats.

Thanks for letting me tag along Mom and Dad! (and for taking care of me when I was sick) You are the best. 

Independence Day Celebration

This 4th of July the London's were just a tiny bit sad, having said goodbye to our missionary just the day before.

Luckily we had great, big, firework-included plans to celebrate the holiday, and nothing cheers us up like a celebration... well that and fireworks.

We spent the day in Provo, arriving early enough to beat the traffic. The afternoon was a blast-we played some great arcade games, and saw the Lone Ranger.

And we spent the night at Stadium of Fire-in awe of Cirque du Soleil, Kelly Clarkson, and the very best fireworks.

It was a blast! And although we didn't forget about missing our missionary-all our dancing and fireworks sure cheered us right up!!

*Disclaimer: the men did not dance, but they were very good sports while we did.

Carly Rae Jeppson

 Kelly Clarkson

Sharing my Sister

I've started this post a dozen times, each time not sure exactly what to say.

So I've decided, I think, to just say this:

Sharing my sister is one of the hardest things I've had to do this far in life. Knowing that I won't get to call her when I need someone to make me laugh, or be able to burst out randomly in song and have someone there to finish it with me. Knowing that she will likely not be here for big changes within our family, as I start my career and decide exactly what I am going to make of this life of mine.

When I think of her not being here I can't help but cry.

However one thing I know without a doubt is this:

God is good.

He knows when we hurt, when we cry, and he knows how best to heal our pains.

For me that healing is the rain.

I am of the mindset that rain gets a bad reputation-for me rain is something that I find incredibly beautiful, a reminder of how grand and incredible and eternal things really are.

And it seems that when I most need it, when I hurt or stressed or scared God opens the heavens a little and lets the rain remind me that he is there.

Friday and Saturday I sat in our dark living room in awe-mesmerized by the rain beating down from the sky against our little house, against me. It was the reminder that I needed-that I am never alone.

So although Abbie won't be here for 18 months, at least I'll have the rain, and more importantly all that it brings with it.

Before her farewell

After she was set apart as a full time missionary

Right before heading to the MTC

I hope you all know too that I could not be more happy for Abbie. There is nowhere else I would rather her be during this time than on a mission-dedicating herself full time to preaching the gospel of our Lord. Honestly I am so very happy for her, so very proud of her, and so excited for what this will do to her and her life.

It's just that sometimes sharing your sister is hard.


If you're a fan of Abbie's (and really who isn't?) please feel free to check out her blog. Mom has asked me to take it on, and share her pictures and letters with our friends and family. Honestly, if you miss her just read her letters-there is no way to be anything but happy after that.

You can find the blog here.

Or on the sidebar!

June

I have been awful at blogging this month. I hope that means I've just been too busy living! However, June has been an absolute dream, I just had to pay tribute to that. So, what better way then a little happy list...

10 Things that Made me Terribly Happy This Month:

1-Having time to read for pleasure.

2-Max Brenner, Serendipity and naps at the pool in Las Vegas:

3-Buying a ticket to the Lumineers concert

4-Helping this lovely couple get engaged

5-My $3 investment in frosting tips

6-One of my favorite friends coming up to Sandy for a visit

7-Lots of family time (including family pictures)

8- Being done with our major cleaning/yard work projects

9-Listening to this girl talk in church (twice!) and seeing her get ready for her mission

10-Spending time with this guy

A Day for Dad

Happy Fathers Day to this guy:

The guy who never gets mad even though I accidentally kill my car battery at least 3 times a year.

The guy who handles with class more fits of hysterical laughter than he ever could have imagined possible.

The guy who, no matter how busy he is, will always respond to my calls/texts/e-mails ASAP.

The guy who is always excited to get to bring his girls to basketball or football games. (who needs sons?)

The guy who gives the best hugs, becomes interested in whatever it is his kids are passionate about, and  works hard to be able to provide a good life for his little family.

Honestly, I couldn't have picked a better Dad for me. He really is quite simply the very best there is.

Happy Fathers Day Dad!

Summer Fun

Lately, things have been pretty fun around here. 

It's sunny, I'm surrounded by the best people, and some great projects.

In fact it's been so fun that I've hardly had any time to worry about the fact that I don't have a job.

(despite searching for them daily)

So, here is a glimpse as to how I've been keeping busy and keeping the worry at bay....

 Chalk dates

Afternoons at Seven Peaks

Family pictures

Rocking out to country music

Perfecting my homemaking skills (homemade enchiladas and hand picked flowers)

Shopping at the Sister Missionary Mall with Abbie

 Teaching these cute kids how to build proper blanket forts

Watching Duck Dynasty

 Introducing this guy to the pie

Going to the zoo

Cheering on Real Salt Lake from stellar seats

Reading great books

and mostly just hanging out with my family.

Obviously it's been a pretty great summer so far.

Oregon

On my birthday I made a list of 23 things I want to do while I am 23. One of them was to go somewhere I have never been before.

(I feel like that is a good goal every year, not just at 23)

A week ago I  was able to check that one off the list when I had the opportunity to go to Oregon.

It was a great trip, full of wonderful people, lots of games, delicious food and a ton of fun. On top of that, it was also very education. I learned quite a lot on this trip. For example....

In Oregon it is against the law to pump your own gas. For some reason this fascinated me.

Also, there is no sales tax in Oregon. Now I know just where to go shopping in the future.

And lastly I learned that everyone who has ever been there is right-Oregon is beautiful. I simply could not get over how many trees there are! Or how green it was at places! And the waterfalls! Seriously people-Oregon. Is. Stunning!

And the company? Well that was pretty great too....