4th of July Weekend

 Both Gil and I have spent a significant amount of time outside of the United States {Him-mission in Sweden. Me-Study abroad in Jerusalem}. And Both of us agree that there is a feeling (emotion, energy? We don't know how to describe it) in America that can't be found anywhere else. I love this country lots and lots.

The Fourth

My parents had to go to the Stadium of Fire so that my dad could give away some tickets to a lucky

 crowd member. Meanwhile...the siblings and I threw together a little BBQ. Complete with food,

 games, and fireworks. We ended the evening with some Celine Dion "God Bless America" and 

conversation on how much we love this country.

I had an amazing experience exploring the world last semester. aaaamazing. But there's 

nothing like spending time in other countries that gets you to appreciate your home country. 

We're the land of the free and the home of the brave. We're baseball, BBQs, country music, fully

 stocked grocery stores, freedom, George Washington, red white and blue and much more.

 I love America :)

USA! USA! USA!

Forbidden Love

 

Last night was our first JC dance. the theme? Forbidden Love.
Very appropriate for the whole situation we, kids, got going on over in Jerusalem.

2.14 ❤

Valentines day in the Holy Land consisted of:

Sneaking valentines into each other’s mailboxes

Passing cards in class

Heart-made strawberries

Decorated doors

Pink apparel
Valentine grams delivered to our doors

Heart-shaped suckers

Love. And a lot of it.

But most importantly. Today is THIS boy’s birthday! He is one of my three favorite brothers, for sure.
(Sorry…the only picture I could find was from his mission). 

I love you, Jacob! Happy Birthday big brother :)

The best kept secret at Riverwoods

Last year I went to Riverwoods mall and was happy to see they had fires spread throughout the outdoor shopping mall to keep the shoppers warm. Me and my friend, Gil, decided we'd make another use out of the fire pits and roast smores on them.

Gil and I last Thanksgiving

Last Saturday I brought my roommates to Riverwoods for smore roasting round 2! This was the typical conversation I'd find myself in throughout the night.

Person in store: do you know you have hangers in your bag?

Me: yeah, I'm using them to roast smores

Person in store: where?

Me: the fires

Person: and you won't get in trouble?

Me: um...I don't think so..

For some reason everyone I talked to thought we'd get in trouble for roasting smores... I dunno why. I think roasting smores at Riverwoods mall is going to become an SJ Christmas tradition. I mean seriously, who else can say they roasted smores while listening to Jon Schmidt Live at the same time?

Roasting smores 2011-style

It's a great day to be an American

Happy Fourth of July!

I straight up love America. Every time I hear the song America the Beautiful I begin to get emotional as I think about what a great country I live in. Through all of my history classes, political connections, and interning on the hill I have come to realize what a great government this land is ruled by. I am so glad I am a citizen of this country!

This week one of my greatest friends, Anna Marie, came to visit me. I love visitors because when they come I feel like I am on a vacation of my own.

We spent Saturday canoeing on the great Potomac river! er...I guess we spent most of our "hour of rental time" relaxing, but it was one of the greatest hours of the day.

We went shopping in George town. I love this little town, it has the best shopping and I feel like I am walking through a European city.

While in George town on a later day we happened upon this on the sidewalk.

Gotta love those Mormons.

We took Anna Marie on a tour of the capitol. I ride on this little subway every day to and from the capitol.

This is a part of the capitol most people don't get to see unless they do their tour through their senator's office. (hint hint)

My roommate, Sheryl Garner, took us to get cafe rio and visit the temple. I LOVE the DC temple. I would get married in this one if I had the chance.

For the fourth of July we went to a Nationals baseball game. We melted in the heat, but it was totally worth it to watch us steal home for the win in extra innings!

We ended the fourth of July with a concert on the hill and fireworks. I came inches from touching Steve Martin's face and I stood three feet away from Jordan Sparks. A successful weekend? Oh...yes.

Valentines Day

I've always been indifferent towards this day. It has never brought anything negative into my life and I loved elementry school when we got to have little parties and such. Lately, however, I've been bugged with a day "forcing" us to show our love to one another. Why can't we just do this on a daily basis?! I wondered. Then one day I was at work--this is where I do my best thinking--and it all of a sudden hit me. This holiday is not forcing Love, it's celebrating love! It is just a day to say "yeah! We are human beings and we all love each other, let's hug!". Ever since that moment I have only had positive thoughts towards this holiday.

The beautiful Liz Merril from Bountiful

Making cards for FHE :)

don't worry, the boys are helping with the cookies not pictured

Jenna, my roommate going on a date with the Brun-dawg

Coming home to these made the day complete! I don't know how he pulled this off; they made me happy...couldn't help but miss him of course

Many Many checks

#28: Be in a parade- Since my dad is now the mayor he gets to ride in the parade. He asked his kids if any of us wanted to be in the parade and I, of course, jumped at the opportunity!

Stadium of Fire

Carrie Underwood is AMAZING

I want to be her when I grow up

the cousins watching the Brighton Parade

#105 go to the grocery store in footsies

The best part was that nobody questioned our motives

# 58 Go to Temple Square

# 12 Go boating with friends...again (hopefully this one happens again and again and again)