UCSCP

Ugly Christmas Sweater Cheer Party... yep that's a mouthful but over the holidays some of my really close friends from cheer were all home for christmas so i decided to throw a party so that we all could get together. we try to get together as often as we can but it's difficult to get 9 girls all back at the same time. it was so much fun to see everyone and catch up.  my mom made us some soup and then everyone brought different things for dinner. we also had secret santa and exchanged gifts, watched some old cheer videos, and chatted A LOT! i'm so glad we've all stayed close and can't wait till we get together again! 

the table 

 the host

 the guests

 the ugly christmas sweaters... so glad we all got together! love you all!

grandpa earl

a week after thanksgiving my grandpa earl passed away. he is one of the greatest men i know and he lived a long and fulfilling life.  i'm so proud that he was my grandpa! he was always such a great example and did so much for everyone! i'll miss you grandpa. we love you!

the viewing and funeral services were full of lots of tears but for the most part we were happy for my grandpa. it was a day to celebrate his life. he did so much during his 94 years. what a great man!

 my aunt janalyn brought balloons to let go in the air because my grandpa always loved to party. the kids loved it and it was fun to watch the balloons disappear into the sky. 

 my whole family was able to come out for the funeral. it was good to all be together again. 

 my aunts and my mom wrapped up all these different things from my grandpas house. this was so much fun to watch as we went from youngest to oldest grandkid/great grandkid and open up the different trinkets that we all remembered from his house. 

 there were lots of laughs

 and we scored a lot of neat treasures!

there were a lot of great memories and it was so fun to all be together. we will sure miss our grandpa earl and so thankful for him and the life he led! love you grandpa!

celebowling

after i finished my finals thursday night, me and my roommates megan and amanda went bowling. it was celebratory games of bowling for finishing another semester. it was a lot of good laughs and horrible scores but nonetheless we had a good time. overall it was a really good semester! love you girls and i'll miss you amanda!

megan amanda and me

right in the middle of victory move... STRIKE!

 can you say... dwight?

such a good night!

the FINAL struggle

i am just finishing up my 3rd semester at BYU-I and it was a rough one. i took 16 credits plus worked 13-15 hours a week on campus. so i was definitely busy. i even had a struggle with 7 finals. Right in the middle of finals my grandpa passed away so my mind wasn't totally focused on finals but i luckily made it through. i had my anat/phys lab final on thursday then that following tuesday i had my medical terminology final, wednesday advanced first aid, thursday communications, medical law and ethics, anat/phys lecture, and doctrine and covenants final. By 6:30 thursday night i was completely done and all i had left was cleaning :(! i had clean checks on Friday at 4:30 so i cleaned ALL day then went home that night. so good to be home for 3 1/2 months now.

 ha so every time i study for my labs it makes me laugh because i sit on the floor so i don't get tired and i have a million things spread out so i can concetrate and memorize. it seems to work though so i just had to post all my stuff and some things that i had to memorize for my lab final. respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

 the kidney... 

cheesey pic buuuuuut... i earned my first aid and cpr certificate. i am now trained in both, first aid for 3 years and cpr for 2. ha it was a pretty sweet day! and good news. i did good enough on my finals to keep my good grades! yay! another semester down!

my grandpa earl

the things i loved most about my grandpa earl... gave the greatest hugs, has the cutest smile, was the most amazing organ player, ventured to lake powell with us at 94, would always send a wonderful birthday card even if it was a little late ;), made the best sourdough waffles, made sure we always had ice cream to eat at night, had a neat house, never worried about the spiders in the basement, always made sure we slept good, very generous, worked a hard and fulfilling life, served many years in the church, had an unshakable testimony, loved this gospel, cherished, loved, and took great care of his amazing wife, taught his children well, raised a great son, and loved his grandchildren very much! to the 19 years i got to spend with my grandpa earl... what a wonderful man! i love you grandpa!

so thankful

i'm so thankful for the many things in my life, especially this time of year. i got to have a week off from school and we all got together in utah to celebrate thanksgiving. i just wanted to say thanks for the wonderful family that i have. they are such great examples to me. i look up to each and every one of my siblings, and i'm so blessed to have two brothers and two sisters that i love very much... also in-laws and nieces and nephews of course! i want to give a special thanks and show of gratitude to my wonderful parents. they have raised me so good and have blessed me with a wonderful life. so thankful for them and helping me get through school. that is such a blessing in my life right now! i am also so thankful for the savior and the gospel. i don't know where i would be with out it. there are many many other things that i am thankful for but that list could go on forever. Thanks for the wonderful week family! 

 happy thanksgiving everyone!

 kellie took some sweet shots while we went through temple square and looked at the lights.

 kellie and kandis got to come back to idaho falls and spend another week with us. i had to go back to school, but i came back down as often as i could to see everyone.. since i am only 30 minutes away ;)

One night my mom and my sisters came up to rexburg to come see the happenings of rexy.. (which is not too much) but it was fun to show them my place and i took them to sammy's. probably best place to eat in rexburg.. my opinion! yummy!

 can you say merry christmas?... we all got to enjoy Santa at the mall this year!

the latest blogger

i'm joining the blogging world to keep my family and friends updated on my life... picture overload of what's been happening lately! hope you all enjoy!

there is always a trip to lake powell in the summer. i had to add this in because it's always the highlight of my summer and the best place to spend time with my family!

a visit from my sister kellie.. always a fun time when my family comes to visit!

 me and baby cooper... i love him lots!

one weekend my parents and i took a day hike up to Table Mountain (table rock as we call it). it was a lot longer hike then i remember but still worth it.. Tetons in the background

it was so pretty on the way down

we met kandis and her family in provo for the weekend for BYU's homecoming. lincoln me and kenedee

cute sisters

KANSAS CITY for the weekend for olivia's baptism. i still can't believe she's already 8. we are always gonna be best friends... i'm known as best friend aunt kate

asher man.. oh the joys of being an aunt :)

 Halloween weekend and a happy birthday to the Machen twins! 

It was my best friend Megan's birthday and i had to do something special.. so this is what i did.. and she basically loved me hah.. kinda!

HAPPY birthday megs!

Some of us girls from high school that cheered together took a road trip up to Caldwell, Idaho where our friend Courtney lives. We all try to stay in touch and get together when we can. We all miss each other lots!

friends foreva! ha