1000 words.....

They say that pictures are worth a thousand words. Well if that is true, I believe that I just wrote my master's thesis. I am apparently not very good about staying updated on this whole blogging thing. I worked all summer at an architecture firm and got to play just a little bit. For those of you that don't know, school started today. That means that my life now become preoccupied with school and therefore things like blogging fall to the wayside. So I decided to give all of you a photo montage of some of the fun things that I got to do this summer. There are a lot of photos and multiple posts so be prepared! I am not joking about this. This may never happen again!

Last week I got to go spend some time in Texas with my sister, brother-in-law, and ADORABLE niece! It was so fun! Humid, but fun. We hung out at the beach and went to some great art museums. We also ate a TON of food. I have now found my favorite restaurant! CHUY'S! Too bad its in Houston. Most of the time I spent playing with Audrey, reading books, and just listening to the funny things she says. I love being an Aunt! I couldn't find a better job anywhere on the planet. Thanks for letting me come invade your home for a bit, Brekke!

The diva that she is!

Beaver Face!

Matt had been up for 26 hours when we decided to drag him to the beach. Poor hard working Doctor! He did have a great sunburn after this little nap.

This is the 1930's model that I found at the beach....oh wait, no its not! Thats just my gorgeous sister in her oh so flattering swimsuit!

Momma and Baby

Audrey loved the water!

This is her impersonation of a flamingo! Gotta love it!

She also figured out the fun of body surfing, but did like the salt in her eyes so much.

Audrey's playland

Awesome sculpture outside the Glassell School of Art

I don't know if anyone knows this, but I am obsessed with churches!

Museum of Fine Arts Houston

Taken from a Costco parking lot

Marc Rothko is my favorite modern artist and this chapel is devoted completely to his work. It was great!

This is to prove that I was actually there. Don't you love how this chapel has no windows? I do!

One more pic before the airport

Sisters! You can kind of see it, right?

SPIRAL JETTY!

My friend called me one day and told me to get ready cause we were going on a spontaneous adventure! So I did and this is where we went! Spiral Jetty! Oh the hidden treasures of Utah!

We saw a windmill fin on they way up!


And this is how Beccah felt about it!

And this is how Nicole felt!

Incredible Colors!

Got to keep the tradition up

Oh hey Beccah, nice pipe!

4th of July and Moose Sightings!

For the 4th of July, my family traditionally attends the Oakley rodeo. I am a little cowgirl at heart and I LOVE this traadition. This year Meggie came with us and we had a blast. Later that month we went to the cabin again and spent most of our time moose watching. It was great!

Don't we look excited?

This is Meggie trying to click her heals....may I point out the trying part!

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL!

This needs no explanation except to say: High School Musical Marathon! Thanks all for making this happen.

Bear Lake!

Here are some photos of a trip to Bear Lake that Alex was nice enough to make happen.

Here are some of my favorites. My friends were kind enough to be my models.

CABIN TIME!

After graduation, the whole family, even the Texans, headed to the cabin for some fun and relaxation. Even some aunts, uncles, and cousins we able to make it. It was a great break and beginning to the summer!

Audrey's new outfit from Grandma Nedra

Ain't we cute?

the boys admiring the new addition to the family

the caretaker's cabin

what does that grin mean?

the swing is always more fun with more people

Danen impressing all with his strength

who would guess she's from Texas?

Maybe the best family photo EVER!

a few of the cousins. I promise that Logan is not trying to eat me.

Every year we take pictures for Mother's Day and this year we tried them with a twist. I'll let them speak for temselves.

GRADUMATATION!!!!!!!

So I thought I needed to give all of you an update of the last going-ons in my life! There will be mulitple posts, so get excited!

On May 8th, I officially became a GRADUATE of THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH with my BACHELOR'S DEGREE in ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I believe those exclamation points show I feel about this fact! Most of that has to do with the fact that it took me six and a half years to get to this point. And thats not even counting the year and a half break for my mission. Yes, if you do the math that means that I have been out of high school for eight years. Thanks for rubbing that in! It has been a long process to get to this point and I'm not really sure what to do with myself at the moment. Oh, right, go back to grad school! Half of the journey is now over and it now feels wonderful to say that I actually have that little piece of paper. It may not mean much, but it has been a lifelong dream and can now be checked off my list. You know how you feel when you get to cross something off your daily list of to-dos? Well just imagine that feeling on a much bigger scale......and a much bigger to do list. That morning I opted not to go to the big University wide commencement so I didn't have to be up there til mid morning. My cute mom and I went shopping to buy a whole new outfit for me and it was so nice to actually have time to get ready! The ceremony was just the right length and since I knew just under half of everyone that graduated with me, it made it a whole lot more bearable. There are no unblurry pictures of the actual ceremony, but it felt great to walk across that stage and shake the Dean's hand! Afterwards there was a simple reception at the Architecture building where we all got to take pictures and see everyone. After a few formal and traditional pictures, my family headed off to celebrate with a lunch at CAFE TRIO! It was delicious and we got to enjoy our food in the sun on the patio. That night our family was all headed to the cabin so everyone was pretty anxious to get up there.. Overall it was a great day! Here are some pictures to catch you up on the days events!

Me & Tams

Me, Steve-O, & Enzo

Almost all the girls

I love how it looks like we are all conspiring something.....we probably were.

Christin & I

The Whole Fam...that could be there.

Just like everything else in this world, this has been a process. Little did I know two years ago that I would have gone to LA just to study schools, pulled so many all nighters, and learned so much. Architecture has always been a passion of mine and I have always known what I have wanted to study in school. None of this would have been possible if it wasn't for my parents. My father taught me to love architecture and instilled in me a sense of hard work. My mother gave me my creativity and the power to go after my dreams. Both of them taught me to try and fill the never-ending thirst for knowledge. Without their love and support I would not be where I am today and I certainly would not have my degree. Thank you for everything that borh of you do for me........usually without blinking an eye! I love you!