'16 Going on '17

Been a while for the ole bloggity blog, eh?

2016 has been a grand adventure. Maybe it hasn't brought me everything I ever wanted or hoped for, but I do have the rest of eternity for that afterall :) I am so grateful for the experiences I've had and for the people who have enriched my life!

Some highlights!

I am a sewing fiend! Okay, not really... but I did take up some sewing projects of my own free will and actually did alright! First off I made an apron - turned out super cute! Then I made a levi quilt from a favorite pair of jeans that fell apart, yet that I didn't want to part with - also turned out awesome!.. ish. Don't look close ;) For something that was made to be thrown on the ground it is absolutely flawless! My last sewing project were these cute little owls that you fill up with corn and warm up in the microwave for a couple minutes to give you some extra warmth on these frigid Idaho nights (and days). It started off on a whim with a good friend, but then all the cute little nieces and nephews saw them and wanted one a piece... and well, I'm just not very good at telling their cute little faces "No". I must say, I got pretty good at sewing on eyeballs!

TRAVEL!! I love to travel!!! And this year brought me some great trips:

SOUTH AFRICA!! I love this place. I hope to have the opportunity to go again and again! You can see some select pictures on my FaceBook. I really need to get more of those RAW files converted to JPGS.... :o

NEBRASKA!! I got to spend a wonderful week with Heidi and her family. We were hit with a surprising snow storm in the days leading up to Easter that had us shoveling the drive way for a couple hours. We cooked the yummiest brownies I have EVER had in my life and - oh - SEWED owl pillows! (I love owls) I loved my week there and was sad when it was time to tell them 'good-bye'. :(

Freak snowstorm!

ALASKA! Have I mentioned I love my job? If it weren't for my job I wouldn't have such favorable circumstances that allow me to travel and photograph places I never dreamed of. Alaska was breathtaking and the bears were so much fun to see! I'd go again in a heartbeat.

SEATTLE! So this was a fun little layover pit stop on the way back from Alaska where I FINALLY got to visit my cousin, Ryan. He spoiled me rotten while I was there! He took me to the coolest movie theatre I've ever watched (and dozed off to {I seriously have issues.}) a movie in, toured me around Boeing, and drove me all over the place taking me to the coolest museums, sight seeing spots, and restaurants possible in a short period of time.

BEAR LAKE! This place that is SO close to home has been one of my favorite places since I was young. This year I was invited to go down with my bestie Sam and cousin Craig. Though I rarely see them, it's times like these that remind me why they are a couple of my favorite people ever and the people who got me through my college and early post college years. They planned a fan-tab-ulous adventuresome itinerary while we were there which included the very entertaining play of Jaunito Bandito at the Pickleville playhouse, setting up a tent and camping, and riding a surrey - so much fun!

FAMILY VACA to Glacier National Park!

We hit up Virginia and Nevada City on the way up

One of my life-long dreams came true! I finally got to dress up for an old-timey photo! 

Pushing Meg's 'burb at the campsite

This next year will bring China, India... and dare I hope... ICELAND?!?! We'll see. I have began teaching classes at Perfect Light Camera and Supply, along with offering classes at a local community college in Idaho Falls. I love sharing knowledge and helping others. Photography is one of my loves, along with people and teaching. I feel incredibly blessed that I am able to do something I love. I work with great people who make it easy to go to work every day.

Oh! And I turned 30! For a milestone this big, you'd think I'd remember! A couple weeks ago I told someone I was 29... so I guess it just hasn't sunk in yet ;) Or, maybe I'm in denial? ;)

Unforeseen yet inevitable faith trying circumstances occur that serve to strengthen my resolve to follow our Savior's example and teachings. My love for Him never dwindles or diminishes. In trying times and hopeless filled hours I am grateful for the peace He offers. I know that as long as I look to Christ, everything will be okay. :)

This was on the board one week before I began my Sunday School lesson. I couldn't bring myself to erase it, because let's face it, who doesn't want to be a Jedi?!? Come to find out, I've been one my ENTIRE life!! :D

Some other pics:

All of us! August 2016

This little gem was a happy surprise as I was driving up to Glacier National Park. My mission president had this on his wall and it was a theme for our mission (BTW - I've now been home 2 WHOLE YEARS!! I can't believe it!) I didn't even know it was a real place! 

Meg and I attended "Queen of the Kingdom" with Natalie. We all had a good time! This is Meg and I with Kim Duncan 

In February I went with work to WPPI in Vegas. It was an exciting experience!