...peach days, utah football, goodbyes, and home...

I absolutely LOVE going home!! Today I am dealing with the homesickness that I experience when I have been there for more than one day...so I am dealing:) Brandon and I had quite the busy weekend.

Thursday: I started the morning out bright and early at 5 a.m. to go and enjoy practice:) After practice I headed out to see my cute Chelsea where I wished her all the luck for her 10 day trip with her family. I headed to the LBC from there where I helped my grandma update her front room (mind you I am not a decorator), once my mom got home from work we went to Taco Time and then off to the Peach Queen Pageant (no comment). My mom and I always go to the pageant...one of my favorite Peach Days traditions:) I was so happy I ran into some old high school friends and I got to see my favorite Lindsey and her cutest little baby bump...I miss that girl like crazy!! I am sad I left my camera:(
Friday: Got up and went to breakfast with my grandma headed back to her place got ready and drove back to SLC for a little going away party for Tolley (we will miss him like crazy) It was fun to hang out with all of Brandon's friends that have been so nice and taken me in like I was one of them:) I was going to drive back to the LBC but decided I would rather get up early and head out, hoping I would not miss the Peach Days parade.Saturday: Woke up really early and headed home once again (everything that I get ready with was there...so early rising it was). My mom, Ryan, my "G", and myself headed out to the PD parade...we were all excited (Brandon had class Saturday morning). After the parade we headed off to the bleachers to watch the people. Finally Brandon got there and we ventured off to find some lunch...I swear I have never seen PD so packed before. Ryan left us and headed up to the Utah game and we walked down to the car show. Brandon's friend that held the Christopher Reeves car show entered his car:) but we couldn't find him anywhere...can you believe they had 908 cars!! That is incredible:) After we walked through the car show we headed into Idle Isle for some dinner. We watched Infinity dance and talked with many friends that we have not seen in some time...love them all. Brandon oh so subtly stated he would like to watch the Utah game (miss Peach Days?? come on now) so we went and watched the 3rd and some of the 4th quarter...I love Utah, so I guess it was ok, besides they put UNLV to shame:) Headed back to PD where Brandon and I rode the Zipper...seriously I think I am getting old. After we were down I felt so sick to my stomach....I missed my Amy girl on the ride (we were hoping to meet up, but it was busy). And basically that was Peach Days in a nutshell...I cannot believe another year is come and gone. I absolutely love it and would never miss it. I am so glad that Brandon could come and enjoy it and take a little piece of Brigham with him:)
Sunday: We headed to our home:( Brandon and I had separate vehicles and this is what I got to watch as we drove home....I don't enjoy watching him ride his bike because it scares me to death ( I realize not the safest thing taking pictures on the freeway)

...i have been waiting...

I have been waiting to post about my amazing friends Tawny & Kortney. I have had to let my emotions sink in a bit before I could write about them... TK & Totey just recently up and moved to Corvallis, Oregon (no idea on spelling of the city). We have all been through a lot together and yet we are still as close as ever. We have had our typical ups and downs, but once we realize we couldn't survive without one another everything seems to work itself out. I would do anything for these girls and they are my sisters.

Kortney- I have known Kort since she was in her mothers womb:) (we are about 6 months a part). Her family is mine and mine is hers. We have been hanging out since we were little tykes always running a muck. I used to read to Kortney and she used to entertain me with amazing renditions of Future Rockette cheers...Can I hear...I SAID A BOOM CHICK A BOOM!! I spent every weekend of my intermediate, middle school, most of high school days at Korts house, sitting back sippin' on some Diet Coke, lemon juice, and a frequent Friday night delivery of Domino's. Those were the days. My best memories have always been with her and our amazing group of buddies. We have all gone in our different directions, but we all know that we have a special bond and although we don't talk to some or see each other as much the bond cannot be broken. Kort and I have had our share of ups and downs, but she knows whatever our current situation is I am always there for her. I don't know what my life would be like without my little spunky, f-word saying red head. Its funny really, I think I know Kort better than I know myself at times...I can read her like a book. Our personalities are nowhere near each other...so we honestly compliment one another:) Kortney is a beautiful person who is complex and sticks to her guns. She is stubborn as hell, but that is what makes her, her...I love her to pieces!!
My Tawny Jean- I believe Tawny and I officially met in sixth grade. I knew that she was a big time dancer, so in my heart of hearts I knew we were meant to be:) Tawny is the one person that has taught me what loyalty truly is. This girl would bend over backwards for her family and friends. She always puts others before herself. I admire, look up to , and strive to be like Tawny. I have danced with Tawny from about sixth grade on up to college and this girl is so graceful and talented that she stops me in my tracks. Tawny and I have a very unique relationship; we can be out of control and put on some killer music and literally dance to 20 something tracks in a row, we can go for car rides where we don't say a word and that is the most relaxing thing, we can look at each other and understand, we can always cry to one another, and man can she make me feel better when I am upset. Thank you for always taking care of me and the rest of the world TK hey ho:) Love you!!!

I wish them the best of luck and when I have a job and have some money....you better believe I am coming up there to rock Oregon!!! The picture below was our last Utah trio picture. It was after one of the longest days of my life...moving them, well Kortney, bless her heart she had the most stuff:)

...Jeepin'...

So I married into a family of hard core jeepers...that's right:) They build them up just to run em' into rocks, ledges, whatever you can imagine. I have known Brandon going on three years now (give or take him not talking to me for some months) The first time I went to Moab was to go jeeping, his family goes about 2,3,4 times a year...I am a brat and I have been to Moab only 3 times...This past Labor Day being my lucky number 3. I have driven Brandon's jeep before on a trail, but I was always a chicken and lasted like 2 min. but this trip I drove quite a bit and was very proud to climb rocks and what not in the dark of night. What I like about jeeping is seeing how excited Brandon gets, that what makes me have a love for it:) It is fun, I can only take the fun for about 3 hours though, but non the less it is quite an adventure and I really had a ton of fun over the Labor Day weekend, except that my favorite sister in law couldn't come:( Next time Rach (however that may be next Labor Day for me)!!

Brandon has an incredible family which I love very much!! I am very thankful that they have taken me in when I am not a big camper or jeeper...!! They are awesome and I so happy to be a part of their family:)

...i couldn't resist...

Ok, I am hoping that this is ok:) (Brody you just let me know if this is a no, no) I am just so excited about the pictures that Brody did for us (these are the pictures I made Brandon get back in his suit). I have been going through the hundreds that he took to pick out the ones I want to buy and it is so hard...I want them ALL. He posted some on his blog, so I kind of stole them so I could show them off on ours...Brody does such and AMAZING job, I am so happy with the outcome:) He captures everything and is an amazing photographer and above all an amazing person!! Here they are...(sorry for my excitement)

...UTAH fire it up, here we GO...

I am watching the University of Utah game as we speak!!! I love Utah...it is my favorite. My beautiful aunt, uncle and cousins that live in New Jersey used to live and Michigan and made the 10 hour trip to go to the game. Both my aunt and uncle graduated for the U and lived in Michigan so it was only natural they would attend the game of the year (luckies)!! The game has been sold out for awhile so I believe they purchased some scalper tickets. My Uncle John and Josh ended up going into the game while Tara and Abby decided to go shopping. When the kids were out a couple months ago Josh made a bet with Brandon and his friend Wade about this game. Josh wants Michigan to win and everybody else wants Utah to win...of course. So Josh bet Brandon and Wade that if Michigan wins Brandon and Wade must wear Michigan stuff and if Utah wins Josh has to wear Utah stuff (which he loves Utah...Josh informed me that when he plays college football if he cant play at Michigan he will play at Utah) John has been texting us most of the game and sending pictures of Swoop and the Utah crowds...I am so jealous. Josh was really upset because John is wearing a Utah shirt and he is surrounded by Utah fans...

GO UTAH!!! U-T-A-H GO, GO UTES (yes I have school spirit)

...one of my favorite times of the year...

Just a quickie to explain my excitement!! Exactly one week from tonight...drum roll...PEACH DAYS is here!!! I love Peach Days...I love the pageant, I love scuba burgers, I love the zipper (although I have nobody to ride it with), I love being able to walk down the middle of main street, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE going home:) My list could go on and on and on about my love...

...I live for moments like these...

So I am a sap and I look for miracles each day...I know I am weird, but it reminds me of all the good that we are surrounded by. So Saturday night we all went to the Cheesecake Factory for Dusti's birthday. It was a blast and we always have so much fun when we are all together. While we were eating we were waiting for Micheal Phelps and team (I feel bad I don't know their names) last relay, hoping to see history be made. So as the relay was beginning Brandon and I switched seats so we could see the television. Honestly, this is going to get way sappy:) While we moved where we could see the television I noticed that everyone was literally looking over their booths to see. It was the COOLEST thing I have seen in awhile. So I tried to capture the moment of the USA team taking the gold...the little flick is dark, but it kind of has a sense of something and I was super proud that I recorded it so just ignore my commentary. I had the biggest chills when everyone started cheering...I really live for moments like that when everyone is feeling the same thing and for that one moment everyone is on the same side. I know I am so silly, but I thought that the littlest thing like that relay was so amazing:)