4th of July weekend = complete success

I only have one complaint. I don't know where my camera is...
So, I only have two of my own photos documenting this whole weekend. Oh...and then one that I stole off of the old FB.
The weekend went something like this...

Friday: I worked all morning, with the pleasant thought that a three day weekend was ahead. Glorious. That put a little skip in my step. Even at 5:30 AM.
I made it home from work and went straight to the peaks with Ryan S., Mark, and Dean. A guaranteed good time. I wanted to get as much sun as possible this weekend...duh.
We floated the lazy river to our heart's content, and then I came back and went to the Freedom Festival Gala with Trevor, one of my favorite people in this world. We went with his whole family, who I love in it's entirety. The gala was good...a little lengthy...but, I guess that is what is expected at anything called a gala, no?

(Pretend there is a picture here of Trev and I all gussied up)

I came home and went to get my favorite frozen yogurt treat with Mark, Matt, and Benita, and then we sat on Ryan's porch until about 2 AM. This is becoming a habit, and I am not mad about it.

(Insert photo of all of us in our chairs on the porch laughing. a lot.)

Saturday:
I slept in until 10 making me miss spin, which I was very sad about. BUT, Benits and I still managed to make it to the gym. Post gym we ran to the store to get some stuff for the BBQ later and to get a flotation device for the river. *Note to self. Don't get flotation devices at Smiths. They aren't adequate. We did however, run into this lil' gem of a patriotic celabrator...

After we met up with our friends and floated down the Provo river.

(Insert Photo of the group FREEZING/laughing/panicking)

It was absolutely freezing. Still fun though. We came home and got ready and went to a BBQ with all of our friends, and a lot of our ward. It was SO nice outside, and it's always fun to get together and eat, right?

(Insert group photo @ BBQ...wow realizing all the photo ops missed...boooo...)

After the BBQ a bunch of us headed up to the temple hill to watch the stadium of fire fireworks.
guess what...here is the stolen FB photo...

This was followed by a few more hours of porch sitting. Glorious. I ended up falling asleep in a camping chair around 2 AM. I feel like that is talent.

Sunday:
Meetings meetings meetings. Church...all good stuff of course...
Come home from church, sit on a blanket outside. Take a little nap. BBQ at Sam's with a little bike ride and some bocce ball mixed in. All good things.

(Insert Photo of BBQ group #2)

Next, we piled Benita, Me, Lola, Ryan M., Dean, Mark, and Eric all in Lola's car and headed up to Park City for some more fireworks. All I can say is...WORTH IT. It was so awesome. We hiked a little up Park City Ski resort so we were able to get a good view and we all snuggled together to avoid the chill. The fireworks went off RIGHT above us. With the way the mountains are situated up there it made the echo's of the explosions even louder. It was awesome. I'll be back Park City, I'll be back.

(Insert Photo of the coolest firework show EVER.)

We made it back down to P-town around went to the local 7-11 on University to say hi to some friends. It was as crazy as was expected with all of the local hoodlums getting ready for the parade in the morning.

(Insert photo of Megan, Benita, George, JMan, Brian, Cade, and Brad)

After we met up with some friends to watch Sherlock Holmes...and by watch I mean totally fell asleep after like 10 mins. Surprised? I am not good at staying up late...

Monday:
After sleeping in a little Benita, Lola, and I rode our bikes to University to meet up with my family for the Parade. A definite Smith Family tradition. As per usual we were sweaty, thirsty, and all up to quota on our high school band/city royalty sightings. I always love seeing my fam though, and it's fun to see how into the 4th Provo gets!
Guess what...Photo #2

Darling Savy. I could just eat her right up. Although the photo was taken with my phone, and is clearly blurry...I still love it. My mom made her adorable tank top, and she looked so cute in my glasses i couldn't resist. With a little photo shop touch it looks so vintage. Darling, she looks just like her mom.
Post parade Benita and I rode our bikes to Pizza Factory for lunch. Nothing better than riding bikes and the salad bar at PF. Pure happiness right there.
We got home just in time to meet up with all our friends at the peaks, and we spent the afternoon lounging in the sun.

(Insert photo of Benita, Megan, Ryan M., Mark, Dean, Court, Lowell, Tyler, George, Drama, and Scotty enjoying some poolside fun.)

I'm sad to see this weekend go...real sad. It was such a good time. Happy 4th of July everyone!
p.s. Can we have more three day weekends please?

Pedicures on our toes toes...

Flip flops are a staple in AZ.
So, naturally, pedicures are a staple as well. We usually hit up our favorite nail salon for fancy designs, but we decided to take matters into our own hands this go round.
We sprawled out all over the kitchen.
We soaked, we buffed, we cut cuticles, we lotioned, we painted, we glittered, and we top coated.
All the while quoting this...

Kiley is pretty dang good at it, I must say.
"Hawnay you liiiieee krytow jaaaow fo yo naaaow?"

It may have taken us about three times as long as a normal pedicure would, and maybe they don't look quite as professional...but...it was a heck of a lot more fun! :)

Poolside

I could lay out professionally. I'm sure of it.
This was reassured to me as we did just that on Saturday.
The Barney's just finished their backyard and pool, so we took full advantage. It was pretty much necessary due to the fact that it was about 110 degrees outside!

We entertained ourselves by tubing down down the slide and jumping off the trellis.

Ki gave me a great action shot. This is real live fun...in action.

Ki and I managed to make a much needed stop to our favorite local Circle K for some refreshment. mmmmmmm...

Please note Savy giving Kiley the evil eye in this pic. Sooo funny.


Fun in the sun for sure.

A fine welcoming indeed.

There are several things I am not mad about.

I am not mad about flying to Arizona to help my sister Linds/her kids/Grammy Elaine drive back to Utah to visit ME.

I am not mad about being greeted with the news that we are headed to Yogurtland after stopping at Urban Outfitters.
I am a connoisseur of frozen yogurt at this stage in my life and Yogurtland is ranked at the top.

I am not mad about experiencing the Soda Shop, which was our next destination.

I was not for a second mad about the fact that this darling shop had isles and isles full of sodas in all sorts of old fashioned glass bottles. It was an awesome sight.

I wasn't a tad bit mad when Nichole and I found our Diet Cokes. Something about drinking it out of a bottle made it that much more fun...we later decided it didn't taste quite as good, but...still fun.

I don't think these boys were mad about their bottled Orange Crush.

I wasn't at all mad about later getting some dinner at Paradise Bakery. One of my favorite locations.

Let's face it. I'm not mad at all. In fact I'm QUITE happy to be here.

Home Schweet Home.

I love Sundays at home. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love mornings filled with meetings and all ;) but...sleeping in, reading, and going to church with the fam is pretty nice too.

"Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come."

- Jeffery R. Holland

If you're looking for a little Sunday inspiration...read THIS talk. It's amazing, and very inspiring.

MOAB. It's hot there. Reaaalll hot.

Truth: I am not a camper.
A bunch of our friends, and about 300 other peeps from the Provo area decided to head on down to Moab this weekend for the "Massive Moab Trip."

Good times were had by all. The friends I went down with are some of the funniest people I know. I think I laughed for a solid 24 hours. The activities actually began Thursday night at about 11:00 PM when Mark, Ryan, Benita and I decided that if we were going to do this we were going to do it right. So, it was off to Walmart to purchase some new white hanes v-necks and some spray paint. The next 3 hours were spent in pure creative genius, ending up with some group trademark tattoo's all around.
*Please note everyone's white v's in various pictures...sheer genius.

After we pulled into Moab we went and hiked to Delicate Arch which was really pretty.

Post arch hike we went to eat at Pasta Jay's and headed back to the campsite. I don't know why Benita and I were under the impression that we didn't need to prepare much for camping out, but needless to say, we didn't. Benita borrowed some sleeping bags from her sister, and that was all we had. I ended up sleeping on the dirt in my sleeping bag, no pad, no mat, no nothing. Just me, the rocks, and the bugs. Luckily everyone around me was in just as much discomfort, so we we spent the night pretty much wide awake talking and laughing our heads off. The stars were beautiful. The bug bites all over my arms are not. I think we topped out at about 30 mins of sleep. Not a joke.

The sun decided to rial us up at 5 am...perfect...where we were quickly reminded of just how uncomfortable we were. The day started off with some rock climbing. The guys are all really good, and they were very patient with people like me...totally afraid of heights. I loved climbing up. That part was really fun. It was the leaning straight back and repelling back off the side of a cliff that scared the crap out of me. Still way fun though.

I have never been to Moab before and I couldn't believe how beautiful it was.

The trademark tattoo. Lightening bolts all around.

Saturday after we went climbing we ended up at Ken's Lake which was WORTH IT. Childhood inflatables? Yes please.

Sunburns, sing alongs, laughing, endless jokes, Mash, the suburban, maverick frozen yogurt, rock climbing, hiking, cold water, the samuri, the chastity sack, nick names, glow sticks, dance parties, bugs, the throne, hanes v-necks, spray paint, lightening bolts, etc. etc. etc. good times.

I like to ride my bicycle

3 day weekends are great no? I never complain about them. I had a great one, and I hope you did too. Several things made it great...

Benita has officially moved back to P-Town. Best news ever. She moved into my room with me for the time being, so we could get her here ASAP. I love it. It's like a slumber party all the time.

Also, my mama cita was in town which made things just that much more fun. I loved having her here and getting to hang out with the fam a bunch! On Monday we took a picnic up Provo canyon. We hauled all the bikes up to Vivian Park in Dad's truck and then rode all the way down the mouth of the canyon. It was to die for. I loved every second of it.

I didn't have my camera, so these photos are courtesy of Ty's Iphone w/a little photo shopping action. Isn't Harper darling?

Doesn't that just look awesome. It should, cause it was. I'm game to go with anyone that wants to.

Also...on other notes.

I finally, made it to the hospital with some friends who go all the time to eat. I don't think it's so much my style. I didn't eat, but it didn't look like all the rave like everyone says.

Our friends had a BBQ on Saturday that was phenomenal. I usually go to BBQ's having eaten beforehand because I know that A. It won't be healthy and B. It won't be good. I was proven wrong on both accounts. Teriyaki shishkabobs, grilled pineapple, grilled corn on the cob. It was good. Well done Whit and Jimmy!

I went to the new Cafe Paesan in Orem. I LOVED it. That might just make the rotation. I got the salad with grilled veggies and the balsalmic dressing...mmmmmm...If you haven't gone yet do it. I feel like it's going to get real busy...real fast.

We spent an entire meal with friends developing a show for MTV where Rob Dyrdek has a midget that dresses up in costumes and rides the mini horse. I think this could be a money maker.

I watched the movie The Dead Poets Society. I don't think I liked it very much.

Benita and I watched the Bachelorette last night via hulu. I don't know about this Ali girl. Still undecided. I don't have a favorite just yet, but seriously...Craig M? A complete tool? Yes. The weatherman...a flamer? Yes. I don't know how I get roped into these shows.

I can't wait to get to St. George tomorrow night. The weather here is making me feel like I live in the Truman show, and someone is playing a joke on me. Not funny. I need some sunshine. I'm ready to ride bikes to 7 peaks and lay out.

It's almost July...which means my WHOLE fam will be here. This is great news.