Ohhhhh we're halfway there....

Wooooah! Check out my almost-done portfolio here! Not too bad, eh? I just have one more section left, I'm taking my Chem lab final on Friday...summer term is really wrapping up! I even made it to the gym tonight. Finally getting over my sickness/general unwell-ness and going back into the swing of things!

before gym

after gym

Mi casa es tu casa

I finally ordered a couple of new pillows for the living room! Hopefully they'll come sometime this week. Since I was feeling so homemaker-y, I saw this wreath at Target and couldn't resist. Pretty cute, no?

you have arrived! 

Sunday Funday

I am beat! So this post will be short and sweet. Today was the usual church/Werners, we had a yummy meal with a new roasted zucchini with parmesan recipe that was to die for! And a layered pudding/whipped cream/cream cheese dessert. Yum.

view from the top

side view. look at those luscious layers

I don't think I'll make it to a 6 am workout since I'm still trying to take it easy, but I am trying to get into work early since I'll be gone on VACATION for most of next week :)

Post-Pioneer Day

Thursday was my last Chem lab! And I woke up with a lovely crusted-over eye...I managed to get into the doctor that day and lo and behold, it was conjunctivitis (pink eye). Luckily I was able to start drops right away, so I'm hoping it should clear up relatively fast. 

can you see the drop counter and I have the same face?

Thursday night Danielle and I went to her house in Lindon for a little vacation. Unfortunately, as I'm writing this Saturday morning, we came home Friday night (sooner than expected) because I was just feeling beat. Between pink eye, a cold, and cramps I was done and just wanted to be home. But on Friday we did get a nice walk in up to Battle Creek Falls, and the Nixons took us to see Far From the Madding Crowd (which I HIGHLY recommend! Pride and Prejudice-esque, drama and romance, and Victorian costumes :) and to Zupa's for dinner.  As we were driving around at night you could see all kinds of fireworks going off across the valley. Happy Pioneer Day!

yes, this was a real thing! It was on a bunch of billboards on I-15.

at battle creek! It's not very impressive, to be honest.

And it's much trickier to hike in glasses than contacts ;)

Today I plan on taking it easy, mostly running errands and stuff. McCall is less than TWO WEEKS away!!! I can't tell you how excited I am!

Horse Wrangling on Wednesday

For our ward activity tonight we went to our high councilor's ranch and did a little horseback riding! These were no girl scout horses-they were rarin' to go!

the view of the valley was incredible

Since there's no school on Friday, three-day weekend vacation starts at the end of the day tomorrow! And it's my last Chemistry lab!

OPI...Check!!!

Today I took the OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) for my final Spanish class. It's a 15-45 minute interview in your test language (mine was half an hour) that covers a variety of topics. You call in on a special phone # and access code and once your interview is over it should take about three weeks to get your score (rating of Spanish, like Intermediate, Advanced-Low, Advanced-Mid, etc). I'm glad it's done and I think it went okay. I'll be interested to see my score!

Tonight I also had yoga class and was able to finish a book. It's nice to have this week be my last week of Chem lab! I'm counting down the days until McCall (and our three-day weekend for Pioneer Day!).

Sunday Dinner

I know, right- two posts in one day! But I'm trying to make up for my lack of posting last week, plus dinner was so amazing it deserves its own. We went to the Werner's neighbors, the Maciels, for an Argentinian barbecue!! Con bistec vacío para un asado argentino. Yum. And chimichurri, this yummy yummy and VERY garlicky sauce.

chimichurri preparation. check out that garlic. 

the spread.

the chimichurri up close.

my plate. 

The meat was only seasoned with a little bit of salt. THAT'S IT. and it was amazing! So so good. We made a zucchini lemon blueberry bundt cake for dessert, sadly, it wasn't as fantastic and Jami and I hoped it would be. Guess the barbecue just took the cake (literally)!

Catch up (again)

I know I know, it really sounded like I'd be consistent this week with blogging! But to my chagrin (and probably you readers) it didn't happen. So here's the usual weekend catch up post!

Wednesday- Cycling class in the morning. This time they had a lovely display of Banff National Park in Canada playing on the tv, so you could pretend you were cycling along. Pretty fun, I thought. And the scenery was beautiful!

not a bad workout!

I've also been inspired to try and switch up the house with a bit of spring (okay summer) cleaning and redecorating. See the picture below for what I have in mind with the gray couch!

On Friday it was Disneyland's official 60th birthday and yes, I was sad I wasn't there.

This weekend will be a three day weekend with Pioneer Day! Too bad I have a pretty busy week ahead-I'm trying to wrap up a lot of my classes/work before McCall. It's a very good motivator. Today in church I played in Sacrament meeting, and let me tell you, some of those Pioneer Day numbers are tricky! So cut your local accompanist some slack :) A wonderful time at church, it's a beautiful day, and I'm looking forward to visiting the Werners! 

Sore sore sore

When your exercise instructor says you're going to work a certain body part, like your back right between your shoulder blades, guess what? They know what they're talking about! Haha I feel like a bodybuilder working random muscles ever day...I never know what's going to hurt!

Today I had work and then Chem, check out my sweet google line that I get. Safety first.

they're not bags or wrinkles I promise.

For dinner tonight, Danielle and I went to her mom's hosting of a RS "Summer Salad" activity. It was delicious! All sorts of salads, fruit, traditional, veggie, pasta, dessert... you name it! Their backyard is beautiful, see some pics of recent additions!

fairy garden for grandkids (danielle made the ladder and swing)

fun repurposed bike!

Then I had barre class and now I'm off to bed! I have a lot to get done at work tomorrow. Plus, some homework if I have time to get to it.

Reunion BBQ!

Tonight it was a Los Altos ward reunion with the Nelsons, Michael J, Katrina and Jordan H, and myself visiting with the Jepsens to christen their new pool! A yummy dinner, fun times catching up, and a nice get-out-of-Provo jaunt. In other news, check out page 18 of this newsletter- you just might see a name of someone you know! https://www.usnscf.com/Foundation/TheOakleaf/Current

The Update to top all updates

I'll preface this with a massive apology...yes, it's been a while, yes, I have no excuse, really, yes, exciting things happened (two trips!) that haven't been documented....so here you go.

Fourth of July
I left town and headed to Washington state for the Fourth! It was a lovely little family reunion. We visited a farm, watched cousins in the parade...small town life for a little.

onnie and the black sheep

bunnies!

I'm an apple tree!

gooooo molly!

grandma ann! Another cow float in a parade!

amateur firework photos

sparkler siblings

Then I was back home for literally three days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) and I went home to California on Friday to help with two weddings!

i got a rainbow in before I left utah though!

Well, okay, one open house/reception and one wedding where I played the piano for the ceremony. Very fun to see friends and catch up/also to see my family so soon again! Now it's three weeks before we'll be reunited.

food galore

blurry minted fruit cups! 

good old steak and potatoes

arranging/prepping (can you spot mom's hand and renny?)

desserts galore!

wedding #2!

at the reception

more sparklers! and an adorable mom

ah, young love

ah, no love

an amazing chocolate spread!

let love sparkle!

we were gifted one of the flower arrangements. just gorgeous.
and so good to be home (for 72 hours!)

Now I'm back home! I'm trying to get lots of work hours in this week to make up for my weekend jaunts. Just the usual work/school/gym/social (hopefully) grind...and then in three weeks it's MCCALL!!! You bet the countdown is on!