See ya later, summer.

I love summer. 

Sunshine, freedom, water, no school...what could be wrong with that? 

Nothing. Until it ends. 

And suddenly you've got school, a job, a sorority, and a social life to juggle--all while trying to sleep and eat and shower in a regular fashion. It's rough. 

Especially when you had a summer as wonderful as mine. 

I jumped off bridges [and cliffs and rocks and rope swings] and climbed mountains and trees. 

I ate too many french fries and drank too much caffeine--and didn't regret it for a second. 

I swam at pools that weren't ours and took way too many selfies. 

I spent an absurd amount of time with the people I care most about. 

I finished my fifth Ragnar: sick, sunburned, and sore--but finished nonetheless. 

I got this cute boy to make lots of long drives from Denver and Phoenix to Logan for me because we all know summer sales are stupid.

 

I spent a week in Oregon with my family and played too long in an ice cold ocean, drank too many milkshakes, bought too many books, and spent the best birthday on the beach.

I realized [for the millionth time] just how lucky I am to be where I am, with the people I'm surrounded by, doing what I'm doing. This summer was perfect--and here's to a school year just like it.

On the move.

Boots + scarves + tights + sweaters. 

Hot chocolate + rainstorms + fireplaces + hoodies.

Football games + changing leaves + thunderstorms + canyon drives.

Pumpkin spice everything + apple cider.

There's a couple dozen cliche reasons why I'm in love with fall--I'm not ashamed to admit I got overly excited when they told us peppermint hot chocolate was back on the menu at work. 

Don't get me wrong, I live for the summer: the sunshine, the water, the freedom, the adventures. 

But I thrive on the cozy comfort of the routine that comes in the fall.

Summer brings tan lines and snow cones and lake trips. 

But fall brings a set schedule, a routine, and a way to make organize the chaos that is life. 

And as much as I love the greens that come out in the spring, I'm in love with the changing leaves and stormy nights that fall brings. 

We're lucky that we basically get two starts to every year. 

January brings about change, but it's too cold and dark to hold any promises. 

Autumn's new start comes with a new schedule, new people, and in some cases, new places. 

Autumn is the like the world's last chance to prove itself before the cold settles in for months--especially in Logan. 

Football season has started, and it's almost time to make sure you have a jacket with you everywhere you go.

Hot chocolate sounds appealing again, and everything is pumpkin flavored. 

Tights aren't crazy anymore, and swimming is becoming a distant memory. 

Driving through Sardine Canyon yesterday on my way to Brigham City, you could feel a change in the air. The leaves are beginning to change color, and the sun isn't quite as intense. 

So as the greens and pinks fade to reds and golds, hold on to the memories that summer gave you--

but fall in love with autumn. 

Here's to summer.

Here's to new adventures, new jobs, and new apartments.

Here's to tiki masks, dance parties, midnight movies on LoveSacs, and trading hoodies. 

Here's to hours of night games, hiding under bunk beds, inside showers, and behind closet doors. 

Here's to riding on a mattress in the back of the Suburban, jumping off cliffs, and swinging on ropes.
Here's to best friend alerts, the Twerk Team, and a summer fling. 

Here's to a thousand McDonald's runs, sushi nights, and a dozen trips to PacSun. 

Here's to too many people in a car, being Beyonce's staff in Ikea, and dysfunctional family dinners.
Here's to paint twister, lunch dates, and campus golf.
Here's to freshmen stalkers, staff sanities, and finding a thousand and one ways to wear grey t-shirts. 

Here's to road trips, Dirty Dr. Peppers, sugar cookies, and Friends marathons. 

Here's to fountain swimming, statue climbing, hallway dancing, and firework mishaps.
Here's to 7 am meetings, 21 hour work days, and double jobs.
Here's to midnight drives, the Fourth of July in Huntsville, and JT jam sessions.
Here's to this summer, the memories made to tide us over until next year, and the friends that came with the summer.
Here's to summer, and here's to us. 

We can't stop.

When your daily routine gets a little too routine, and you're out of adventures to go on, you have to get a little creative. 

This would be us [the #TwerkTeam] running around campus at midnight in our swimsuits. Shenanigans, dance parties, and foreign activities took place. 

Being the classy individuals that we are, sushi is always a yes. But in case you were wondering, sushi + ice cream in the same night is always a no. 

And when we all finally have a day off work, we caravan up to Bloomington Lake. With a rope swing, cliffs to jump, crystal clear water, a group of my best friends, and a view like this....

you can't go wrong. I could live on the side of this lake and not feel bad about it for a second. You really don't need much more in life than water, sunshine, a rope swing, and cliffs to jump off of.

 When two of your friends haven't been to Ikea...you pile six people into a five person car, and make the two hour drive to Draper. You play house for two hours, fail to buy the couch we went there for in the first place, and introduce the bunch of crazies you spend every day with to your family [this picture epitomizes Brian. So he gets to deal with it. That, and it was the only picture that we took on my phone all day].

When Trent needs help with a video about AED's for campus, Wolfie "dies" and Big Blue takes off his shirt.  

[Bonus: I got to hang out with Big Blue all day.]

And even after all these crazy adventures, sometimes there's nothing I'd rather do than sit on Braxton's bed with my favorite boys and watch them play video games, Tinder, or listen to Selena Gomez until way too early in the morning--even if it involves dozens of pictures of Trent&Sherlock, Brian, and ____ Braxy Brax.

I guess I'm just very very glad I met--and got to really know--these boys this summer. I was worried about not having people to do stuff with...but that fear disappeared very quickly. 

Brian, Trent, Michael, and Braxton [and the rest of the SigEp boys + the other A-Teamers] made this summer a blast and a half. Whether we were doing back flips off a rope swing, fighting with pool noodles in the basement, playing watching Minecraft on Braxton's bed, hitting up McDonald's for yet another large drink in a styrofoam cup, attending Beyonce Home Evening, playing Snapchat telephone, swimming in the fountains, twerking all over campus, or fighting over what movie to watch on LoveSacs...I had a blast. 

S/O to the #twerkteam for a perfect summer, and for becoming some of my best friends. I guess I kinda like you people. 

Escape from reality.

With two of the original roommates out on their missions, the remaining four of us decided there was nothing else to do but escape our lives and responsibility for the week. St. George was the best way to forget about the chaos of our lives for a second, and it was an excellent way to catch up with my best friends. 

I'd never been to Tuacahn before, and Kenzie got a ridiculously good deal on tickets to Thoroughly Modern Millie. I loved musicals before, but I decided that there's no better way to experience than nestled in the red rock of Southern Utah. That ampitheater is beautiful. And the musical itself made me want to live in the 20's more than I've ever wanted to before. 

We also learned a very valuable lesson...don't let the adorable old lady attempt to get a picture of you jumping into the pool. 

Obviously, we spent a majority of our time laying out by the pool. It was nice to finally let my skin see the sun, after being in polos and at work every other day this summer. [And I didn't get a sunburn. #winner.]

This picture is really only here to show you how excited we were to not be in the cave anymore, not have jobs to worry about, and be in air conditioning--well that, and how stoked Lauren was to share a bed with me for four nights. I may or may not talk in my sleep. And she might have woken up with me taking over the whole bed and with my arms around her once or twice. I like my sleep, okay?? Also, it's almost physically impossible for us to take a decent picture together. This is about as good as it gets. 

This basically sums up our whole adventure. A whole lot of time together, no makeup, top knots, swimsuits, enough shopping to fulfill my wardrobe wishes, and hotel beds. 

I guess you could say I consider myself very lucky to have had some of the best roommates imaginable. These girls keep me sane--and that's not always an easy job. They understand when I flip out in the middle of traffic, and don't judge when we decide to sleep through the hotel breakfast. They get the fact that I'll watch Friends at any hour of the day, and laugh at my weird jokes. 

I'm so glad I can call these ladies my best friends, and can't wait to see where this year takes us. 

I wish you all 5's, girls. :) 

While you last.

I know it's barely July...but listen to this. 

Probably my new favorite song [and it helps that these two artists are two of my very favorite]. 

Music is a wonderful thing. 

[summer fling, anyone? #yolo right, Laur?]

All under control.

I'm just warning you, there's a very good chance you won't really hear from me again until the end of June. SOAR starts on Monday (USU's new student orientation program that A-Team runs), Ragnar is in less than 20 days, I'm still working my serving job, and trying to balance a "thriving" social life and being a good daughter and sister on top of that. My calendar is jam-packed--but I love it. Time is flying by, I'm satisfied, and life is good. 

That said, there's a couple of things I need to get through my crazy busy life. Copying my 20x20 list, here's a list of: 

20 [inanimate] objects I can't function without [in no particular order]. 

1. Dr. Pepper. 

I have a problem with this stuff. Like a Marley+Diet Coke kind of problem. I don't like Coke, Diet Coke, Pepsi, Mt. Dew...any of that. But Dr. Pepper and I get along splendidly. 

2. Extra Polar Ice Gum. 

I rarely go a day without this gum in my purse, backpack, and car. I love peppermint, and this stuff is cold enough to make your eyes water. Perfect. 

3. Maybelline's Baby Lips chapstick [but only the "Quenched" flavor].

I hate lipgloss and lipstick; HATE them. But I always have chapstick with me. At the moment, this Baby Lips stuff is stealing my heart. I think I have every flavor...but Quenched takes the cake. 

4. My cell phone. 

It may just be the generation I'm a part of, but I don't go anywhere without it. They might be cliche reasons, but my calendar is all on there. I make my to-do lists, reminders, and random ideas on there. I can get ahold of anyone, and I'm not denying the fact that I'm an Instagram addict and a tweetoholic. 

5. Mascara, and lots of it [and by lots, I mean the four tubes I have in my makeup bag right now].

Eye makeup is the best, and mascara is my favorite part of that. I honestly have probably six different kinds in my possession, but I only use four on a regular basis. They all do different things, okay?? 

6. My planner/calendar. 

My planner is one of those super dorky ones that lets you plan your day hour by hour. I love it. And my calendars--yes, plural--keep my life in color-coded order. 

7. Rocky road ice cream.

Just ask Jon, and my roommates, how much I love ice cream. It's seriously my favorite food. 

8. John Frieda's Heat Defeat straightening spray. 

My hair is naturally curly...and by curly, I mean it gets ridiculously frizzy and thinks it's curling. This spray makes it straighten like a charm, smells good, and makes my hair soft. It's my favorite. 

9...and on that same note, my BaByliss blowdryer. 

Sometimes, my dad finds the best blowdryer my mom and I have ever owned...so we order two within a day of each other. Merry Christmas to us! 

10. The blanket my aunt Maddy and Grandma Jo made me for graduation. 

Don't laugh at me for this one [but even I think it's a tiny bit ridiculous]. For graduation, my aunt and Grandma Jo made this minky blanket for me to take up to school. It's a giant purple blanket made of pure heaven. I may or may not take it to and from home and my apartment with me, and I just might have trouble sleeping without it. My poor future husband. 

11. BIC fine point ballpoint pens. 

I hate inky, wet pens. I hate gel pens. Honestly, the best pens are the ones you get in hotel rooms or from banks...but fine point BIC pens are the next best thing. I have probably a dozen in my purse for work, and even more in my desk jars. It's an addiction. 

12. Avocados.

Lauren may be the only person on the planet that eats more avocados than I do. I could honestly eat them with just about anything. My favorite combination? Wheat toast, swiss cheese, and fresh avocados; all sprinkled with salt and pepper.  

13. My toothbrush+toothpaste+floss. 

I brush my teeth probably a million times a day. When I wake up, after I eat anything [I hate the taste food leaves in your mouth after a meal or a snack], before I leave the house, as soon as I get home, and before bed--and sometimes more than that. 

14. My usual jewelry. 

I cannot leave the house without my CTR ring, the ring I wear on my right middle finger, and some form of sparkly stud earrings in my ears. I'm also developing a ridiculous attachment to my collection of gold bracelets. 

15. Light.
Probaby the dumbest thing on this whole list, but it makes sense to me. Not just light in general, but natural light. Sun light. There's nothing that irritates me more than closed blinds and a light turned on. I love windows and sunshine...and I'm not afraid to admit that the dark still stresses me out.

16. Ice. 

I hate drinking anything without ice in it. Milk is the only thing I won't put ice in, and even then, I don't like milk, so...

17. Maxi skirts. 

I think I legitimately own 15. 

18. Crackers. 

Ask my roommates, I love crackers. Especially Goldfish. And Triscuits. And Saltines. As Kenzie says, "You can take Ashley's clothes and she wouldn't care. But mess with her crackers...." Judge me. 

19. Hair elastics. 

My hair is ridiculously babied. But as much as I pamper it, I still don't know how to focus with it down. If I'm doing homework, at work, or trying to be productive in basically any aspect of my life, I can almost guarantee my hair will be up in a knot on top of my head. I have yet to figure out how to do that with a pencil or something...so I keep a lifetime supply of black hair elastics in my possesion. 

20. My car.
If I need to calm down, I drive. If I'm bored, I drive. If I need to talk, I say, "let's go on a drive!" If I need to think, I drive. Ironically enough, I hate being the driver [this whole driving thing was a lot easier when Bronson was home. We both love car rides. And he loves driving. It worked out well]. I've learned that my car is the perfect place to think, cry, talk to myself [don't judge, you all do it too], and blast whatever music I want.

Basically, I know what I like. :)

It's officially Sunday, which means that SOAR starts tomorrow. I'm mostly excited, but a little bit freaked out. Let's hope USU's newest batch of students doesn't eat me alive the first day.

Gone too soon.

Friday night, we had one final dinner as roommates before Kelsey leaves on Wednesday. While we were sitting at Zupa's, someone said something about how the next time we'll all be together, there'll be wedding rings involved. Just about blew my mind. 

For the last nine months, I've spent just about every waking moment with these five girls. We've cleaned, cried, yelled, slept, cooked, and laughed together; and they've become my very best friends. 

Kelsey goes into the MTC next Wednesday, and then we'll have 21 months before we're all together again.
Gives a whole new meaning to "see you soon."
I'm so excited for the people of Knoxville [not Nashville, contrary to popular belief] to get to know Kelsey. She's one of the most Christlike people I've ever met, and she's got a stronger testimony than just about anyone else I know. She's a ridiculously hard worker, and more motivated than I'll ever be. And those traits alone are going to help her work wonders in Tennessee. 

Yesterday was Boston's farewell too. Our mom's have been friends for a ridiculously long time, and we kind of got thrown together. That led to sleepovers every day of the week, daily homework sessions, and bike rides to our favorite swing set in Kaysville. Being a year old than me, Bost was always one step ahead and acted as the perfect example for me to follow. She heads to the MTC on the 5th of June before leaving for Spokane, Washington...and I feel like I'm losing a sister. She's taught me so much, and I look up to her and admire her more than anybody else.

Basically, I've been ridiculously lucky when it comes to my friends. They're incredible examples of Christlike lives, and they have testimonies that help mine grow every single day. I'm so proud of each and every one of them and their decision to serve, and I can't wait to add to my list of letter-writing buddies. Missionary work is such an amazing thing, and I'm so glad I get to see it happening on so many levels.
I went over to Bronson's house yesterday since it had been forever since I'd seen his family. After four hours of talking about everything under the sun, a snapchat conversation with Jonnynog, and updating them on everybody's lives; I realized just how lucky I was to have not only amazing friends, but to have  good relationships with their families as well. The Kunzler's are some incredible people, and I'm so glad they're a part of my life.

Last, but certainly not least, today was email day! Emily's been eating some freaky foods in Paris (rabbit, goat cheese, escargot, and pureed celery--whatever that means) and Hailee's companion knows next to no English (the word of the day was "sketchy" and her companion lost no time telling her, "Sister Henson, you look sketchy today." Oh the joys of a foreign language). Bronson's loving Michigan. (He also said a bunch of ward members had found my blog via Facebook...so hello to any new readers in Michigan! Take care of my best friend, alright?) And he sent me this picture saying, "I think this will make your day." He's changed so much in the last four months, and yet he hasn't changed at all. What a goof. 

Life is good, kids. So good. 

Reason for being.

Watch this before you read any farther. 

Monday morning, I moved into my apartment for the summer...not fully realizing what I was getting myself into. 

Last time I moved into an apartment I had my best friend with me, and four other girls moving in with us that I knew from school, EFY, and Girls' State. We were in a building with tons of kids I knew from high school, and everyone was moving in the same time.

This time I moved in to an apartment with 10 girls I've never met, three days before anyone else, and all my friends were at home in Kaysville or Farmington. 

Monday night, I was so bored and lonely I could barely handle it. I read my whole book for Connections, wrote three missionary letters, and organized my already clean closet. I woke up Tuesday morning to go to work, went on a run, and then went back into work at nine p.m. I got home and couldn't help but wonder what all my friends were doing. 

I was in a huge house, with two girls I'd never met, and was missing my family and best friends more than ever. 

I checked Facebook on my phone (because I had no idea what the wifi password was, and it was 1 am), and watched this video that my uncle made, and honestly it was just what I needed to hear. 

While we're growing up, we make our friends the most important part of our lives. We're dependent on them for everything--how to dress, what to do on the weekends, and what to say. 

I was no different; my best friends were my world. 

Then they started leaving on missions. Now I'm sending letters to Michigan, Paris, Honduras, Ghana, and Washington. Some of them moved home for the summer, or for good. Some of them have gotten married. 

I found myself fending for myself more than I'd like (I hate quiet, and I hate being alone. I'm definitely a people person). 

I also found that I didn't mind it. As much as I hate being by myself, I've learned that my friends and family--while incredibly important to me, and a very large part of who I am--aren't the reason that I exist. 

Like Andy says in that video, we shouldn't define ourselves by who we hang out with, or the things we have. Who we are is based on what we do. 

With that in mind, I decided that it's my job to be the best "me" possible. 

Whether that's by being the best A-Teamer I can be, studying English better than any other Aggie, or doing everything I can to get to cosmetology school someday....it's up to me. 

Ultimately, it comes down to how I can answer my Grandma's question of "Are you being good?" 

Am I living to up to my utmost potential, and accomplishing everything I can?
Or am I simply existing? 

In an earlier post, I said we're only given one shot at college--and it was our job to make it the best experience possible. The same goes for our lives; we've got one shot to prove we did what we wanted. Why waste a second of it just existing? 

Live. 

All grown up.

Twelve hours from now, I'll be on my way up to Logan with my best friend. We're almost completely moved in, and the rest of the roommates join us tomorrow. (Family Home Evening? Be prepared. Snow 102 is the coolest dorm on campus. Just wait. ) Since I'm all grown up now, and it was my last weekend home, we went on a few adventures. 

Last night, we went to Johnny Rockets with the SSMT (figure it out.) after we'd shopped and explored Centerville all day. Then we went up to Kyle's to watch a movie. Considering the fact that it was Hailee, Haley, Emi, Maddy and I there, he got out-voted pretty quickly on the movie. Our bad. The night before, Hailee, Kyle and I went up to Mueller Park to build a fire, and realized that we would in fact survive in the wilderness if it ever came to that point. The things I learn with these kids. 

I spent Monday-Thursday babysitting the three girls while Ryan, Brittany and my parents were on Trek. We school shopped, went to Zupa's, and played at the pool. I'm gonna miss these hooligans. 

And last but not least, my baby sister is a psycho. She decided that since Mom was gone, she could drive her car with her eyes closed and no hands, and backwards. Weirdo. 

Pointless post, but the moral of the story is, I definitely won the friend lottery. Also, my siblings are the best I could ask for. And even though I'm only going to be an hour away, I'm going to miss all of them like crazy. Yay for Skype and Google+ Chat and FaceTime. 

Be prepared for some epic intro to college posts. Seriously. It's going to be the adventure of a lifetime. 

It's all a little underwhelming.

While I was laying Mary--Baby Rapunzel--down for a nap today, my Utah State planner fell off my desk. Serving as a not so nice reminder that not only do I only have six weeks left here, but I only have SIX WEEKS LEFT HERE. I freaked, just a little. Hmmmm. [deep breaths. in. out. in. out.] It's kind of like one of those moments where you just keep thinking, "This can't be happening. There's no way this is happening. This is really happening."
Let's just say it's a very good thing that a vast majority of my best friends are moving up with me, or else I'd be in trouble. But Hailee, Morgan, and Maddy aren't. And I'm a little distraught about this whole thing.
While I'm all overwhelmed and stressed and such, I'm still not quite sure what's going on. Girls' Camp is this weekend, and it still hasn't quite hit me that this is the last time I get to go. I have an assignment due for my first class on the 22nd, and I'm not even thinking about starting it yet. I'm still 17 people, I'm still a child. And yet...I'm not. It's mind blowing, really.
In other news, I'm bored with my mane again. Like seriously contemplating some new ideas. Any suggestions? They'd be much appreciated. I'm thinking new hair will count for a lot of the 18 TIL 18 BABY countdown....yes. Yes, it will.

I really, really, really like this one, but I don't know if I have the guts. Do I go lighter again? Cut some of it off? Or keep it the same? Let your ideas flow kids, because I'm up for anything. 

Also, I've got to start packing up my life soon...and I want your thoughts on what's essential. Any of you stayed in Logan? Fill a girl in, would you? Any thing you wish you'd had your first year of college? Let me know. Comment here, tweet me, or FB me kids, because this is a whole new road for most of us, and we need all the help we can get. 

It's only happened once.

#PC2012

An excellent adventure with my best friends. We ate a lot, shopped a lot, swam a lot, and laughed a lot. Highlights of the trip? 

Massive jacuzzis in both hotels. Which required all of us girls to take tool pictures, and take group showers in order to fully use up our available resources. Bubble bath beards like we were three? Check. Shower rotations, rather than waiting our turn? Double check. Tool pictures in the mirror? Triple check. (I left off the duck-face one, because I do have some dignity.) 

The boys were just down the hall from us, but we had all the food. So rather than being kind and giving them breakfast, we rationed them grapes and a carrot and made them fight for it in the first annual Utah Hunger Games. The response was underwhelmingly entertaining. 

While the rest of us girls were being game directors, Emily kicked me out of our bed and managed to take up an entire king by herself. Stay tuned for round two, which involves her in the same position, in a different hotel and bed. I'm still the one that gets kicked out. 

Slightly out of order, but this is when we tried to go to bed for the first time, around 2 am. Slowly, all of us girls reconvened in the main room until 4:45 am, laughing over nothing and taking all sorts of pictures. Friday morning, we got checked out of one hotel, and headed over to the outlets. Where we literally shopped until we--or the boys--were so sick of shopping they wanted to die. So we checked into our next hotel (we're not going to talk about the adventure we had finding it) and got ready for Emi's birthday dinner.

WE SAW BANKSY. Four Art History nerds meant that the rest of the group got dragged up and down Main Street while we tried to find the crazy cool art work left by this famous graffiti artist. I honestly don't think I've ever seen people so happy, and others in the same group so completely un-thrilled. Also, J. Kelly Oram commented on my picture on FB, so life is good. 

This isn't the best picture we took, but it accurately captures our excitement, and Kyle's...less than excitement. The difference was even more exaggerated Saturday when we dragged them through every gallery on Main Street in the 100 degree weather. Yay, art?? 

Part Two of the "Emily hates waking up and gets mad that we didn't tell her breakfast was ready" saga. It's enthralling, really. 

These two were meant to be friends. Really. 

Kelsey gave Emi and I sleeping masks for our birthdays, and this is our modeling picture. It's also at two am, so don't judge. And yes, we all slept in the same bed. What of it. 

When I say we went through every store in the outlets, I mean every store. We even made the boys go through Claire's. Maddy and Kyle really liked the hats in Columbia...and they went on an adventure, according to Maddy's face. 

I deleted the picture, but both mine and Emi's cars broke down in the space of three miles. Hers overheated in Parley's canyon, and we went to pick up Trent and Sadie to go in my car. As we were loading, I made the mistake of saying, "My car's working fine!" and three miles later, we were pulling off at 2100 South in SL because mine was overheated. Carma's a...wonderful person. (Hailee reference.) 

Long story short---AND I WANT DETAILS PEOPLE---this weekend was fantastic. Despite being completely sleep deprived and extremely exhausted, it was one of the best ways to celebrate a birthday we could have ever done. Thanks kids, for being the best friends a girl could ask for. 

Also, the countdown til I'm an adult (18 TIL 18 BABY) has officially started. Day One and Two? Spend a weekend in Park City with your best friends. Day Three? Plan the last girls' camp you'll ever attend. Stay tuned for days Four-18. It's an adventure in the making. 

We called it an adventure.

My aunt Amy is in town with her family--they live in Portland, Oregon--so this week, we planned all sorts of activities to keep us all sp busy we didn't have time to think straight. Today? We took everyone to Lagoon. And although it was pure chaos at meal times and finding an even number of people to go on every ride was crazy, it was fun. My feet won't forgive me for a while, but memories are worth it, right? 

We made all the kids go on Wicked, at least the ones who were tall enough to do so. This picture was waiting in line, before Dallin and Davis (the little boys pictured) screamed like little girls, and Emily asked, during a dead stop no less, "Dad? Are we still upside down?" They loved it, a fact they'd only admit after they were on solid ground again and far enough away we couldn't rush them back in line. 

For some odd reason, my family found a strange delight in Rattlesnake Rapids. Like, we rode the ride a combined total of 50+ times. Granted, there were at least 20 of us that went, but still. Numbers, people. After a majority of us decided we were done being wet, Grandpa and Jo decided they wanted to keep riding. So they took a bunch of the kids, and the rest of us watched....and paid for the water geysers to go off on them at every possible second. As if they weren't already wet enough. Aubrey was freezing cold, and my Grandpa and Jo looked....rather damp the rest of the day. 

I played the best big sister ever for part of the afternoon, and took Mary and Aubrey on just about every ride in Kiddieland. Mary asked and asked to go on these cars, even though I warned her she'd be bored after the roller coaster. She insisted, so I put her on it with Addy, Lauren, and Aubrey. As she came to the end where we were all waiting, she pounded her fists on the steering wheel and said, "Ash. That was the lamest ride, EVER." Told ya so. 

With a bunch of little kids, the train was an obvious choice for a ride. But then, we found out there were animals to see. If someone had told me I could see a zebra, lion, Siberian tiger, ostrich, llama, panther, and a stinking kangaroo within walking distance from my house, I would never go to Hogle Zoo again. Except for the giraffes. They're worth the drive. 

If Addy's little face here doesn't sum up the excitement these kids had all day, I don't know what would. Tomorrow, we're off to some museum at BYU to look at all sorts of animals and eat massive hot dogs, which should keep everyone happy. Plus, BYU friends are planning on making an appearance. Yay college friends! (I used an exclamation point. That's big. Which means I'm excited.) Also, three days until PC. The excitement is escalating.