Disneyland Documentation

Every year we take a girl's trip to Disneyland to run the half marathon! We went in September but I never got around to posting much about it. Yesterday I had some spare time though and made a (very amateur) video.

Disneyland is such a magical place, and you can't know me without knowing that I love going there! I'm not much of a thrill seeker and so the 'total experience' centered Disneyland is perfect for me. I'd rather be people watching on a bench in Frontierland than be riding the world's tallest roller coaster, but that's just me. Who doesn't love the smell of baking croissants wafting out of the shops as you walk down Main Street. The gentle chime of music playing in the background, and the sight of Sleeping Beauty's Castle up ahead? I'm a real sucker for that kind of cheesy stuff.

3rd Anniversary

Happy 3rd (what the heck) Anniversary to my main squeeze, Nathan Hartshorn.

I'll start out by cliche-ly saying I have no clue how the time has flown so fast because frankly it has been going by at lightning speed.

I remember when I first saw you at the BYU-Idaho country dance and thought you were so handsome and wished that you would ask me to dance.

Then you did, and the rest is history as they say.

You are tall, handsome (and getting more handsome every day in my humble opinion), and amazingly smart. You are hardworking, thoughtful and you always let me do whatever I want, and I'm very grateful for that.

I'm proud of you for becoming a diesel mechanic, and I am so happy to see your own dreams coming true.

Thanks for reading Harry Potter finally so that we can discuss it and laugh and Fred and George together.

Thanks for scraping the ice off the car every morning, and for fixing the washer. Those little things mean a lot to me.

And finally, thank you for putting up with me and my quirks because heaven knows I have a lot of them.

You are my best bud forever.

23 and Christmas Trees

 People, today marks my first school-free, stress-free, test-free, assignment-free day and it is absolutely beautiful. Hallelujah, thank you Christmas!

Somehow I managed to complete my very first year of nursing school, and assuming I pass my state boards in a couple weeks I will officially a NURSE! Which I find absolutely awesome but also terrifying. For those of you who don't know how the hierarchy of nursing works, after one year you can choose to take your NCLEX - PN, which will license you to work as a practical nurse, and then after another year you can become an registered nurse or RN. So my nursing school journey is not yet over, but I feel pretty good about completing my practical nursing program to begin with.

Nathan and I went with my family to see the MoTab Christmas Concert on Saturday, which was an absolute delight.

AND guess what I turned 23. AH! 23. That is such an old number, I am practically ancient. We had a gingerbread house making party yesterday to celebrate, per tradition, however I did not snap any photos. But it did happen, I promise.

This month has been jam packed full of awesomeness and I love it. December is the best, hands down. I love the smell of oranges and peppermint and the sight of a glowing Christmas tree and the feel of wrapping paper and the sound Bing Crosby's White Christmas playing in the background.

I take issue with those who do not enjoy Christmas, so if you have anything bad to say about it then let's fight!

Kidding.

Merry Christmas one and all!

Christmas Cheer

Currently my Christmas spirit far exceeds my nursing school spirit which is a major issue considering next week I am going into finals and following that taking my state practical nursing licensure exam (the dreaded NCLEX, ah).

For example last night I put on Home Alone with the good intentions of 'just having it on in the background' while studying. Uh yeah, no. There was no background anything going on. That movie was front and center, and studying got the boot.

My cat loves tinsel and seriously sat in this tinsel nest she made for like 3+ hours without moving. Awesome.

Annnddd.... here's Nathan and I's fantastic Wal-Mart Christmas tree that we absolutely love. Best $25 dollars I ever spent. I decided to go with brown paper wrapping and fancy ribbons this year again. Something about 'brown paper packages tied up with strings' that I just cannot get away from. Maybe next year I'll go back to traditional Christmas wrapping.

We went to Temple Square with some friends this last weekend and it was quite enjoyable. A traditional Christmas activity that must be done at least once a season by all Utahns.

OK my grandma is the most hilarious human. My grandpa asked her if she would come 'help' rake leaves and this is what she did. Stood on the tarp while reading her kindle. Classic.

Here she is again, insisting on dressing her reindeer in their Christmas outfits. I love my grandma.

I've posted about my grandma's Christmas "shelves" on here before but felt the need to document this year's set up. Instead of a traditional Christmas tree, with you know....green branches and other tree like qualities, she has Christmas 'shelves'. This IS her tree, guys, and I get the privilege of setting it up each year. I say privilege in the sense that yes I do enjoy setting up her Christmas decorations each year but these shelves are truly a pain in the butt. I have to thumbtack each piece of tinsel and lights on every square inch of this bad boy and by the time I'm all done I'm shocked I even have a thumb anymore. But listening to the Carpenter's Christmas album while I set it all up seems to make it a pleasant enough experience that I keep coming back every year.

The finished form. Nativities and all.

Hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season and the best of luck to all of you with finals!

Holiday Controversy

The two most controversial holiday topics are:

1. Whether or not teenagers should be allowed to trick-or-treat.

2. Should you listen to music before thanksgiving?

Seriously, people feel very passionately about their stances on either of these topics, and it's really quite funny because both 'issues' are incredibly insignificant in the grand scheme of things. However they definitely  cause a lot heat and emotion to come out of people, do they not?

I for one believe that teenagers should be allowed to trick-or-treat because... well, you're only young once and who really cares if a fourteen year old wants to trick-or-treat? I'm certainly not offended. Let them be young and have fun before they have to grow up and enter the real world where nobody gets to trick-or-treat and all you have to do is pay bills. People act as though some injustice has been served them if a fifteen year old comes to the door for some candy. I mean maybe if a 35 year old trick-or-treated I would be upset. Actually probably just more creeped out by the 35 year old.

Secondly I believe you should be able to listen to Christmas music whenever the heck you please. Do I think Hobby Lobby maybe jumps the gun a little bit when they put their Christmas decor out in August? Yeah, maybe a little bit. But if you want to listen to your Christmas tunes on November 1st then by all means. It's not going to destroy my Thanksgiving if someone wants to jam out to 'Blue Christmas' two days before, and I highly doubt Thanksgiving feels as though it's getting the shaft by those early-xmas-music-listening fiends either. How dare they.

Proof that I am one of those blasphemers that listen to holiday music before the kick off date. No shame. The above actually happens to be my favorite Christmas tune. Nothing quite like a good old fashioned pop 80's Christmas tune to lift your spirits.

AND, do you know what the BEST Christmas album of all time is (no, not Michael Buble)? It's the Carpenters Christmas Album, peeps. Respecting the classics. Look it up if you haven't heard of the Carpenters because they'll change your life.

SO, two questions for y'all.

1. What's you're favorite Thanksgiving food? (mine is stuffing)

and

2. What's your favorite Christmas song/album?

As of Late

So nursing school is pretty much kicking my trash, so I never post anymore, but I've decided to be a rebel and put off my homework for like 15 minutes while I try to squeeze in a little update here. 

Since nursing school is my life right now let's talk about that. Pictured above is what results when you are on your last straw of sanity after sitting in the same seat in class for the 2939847th hour that day. I have some pretty suuweeeet friends though which helps me get through the day to day struggle. Someday I am going to write a lengthy post about how nursing school is like selling your soul but today is not that day.

Back in September I was very lucky and had the privilege to visit my most favoritest place on the planet - Disneyland! My mom, aunt and myself ran the half marathon and it was the bomb-diggity.

OK so this picture is hysterical so I must share the story. My dad went to the BYU vs. Nebraska game back in September and guess what... he got on TV! His friend back at home took this lovely picture. This totally cracks me up because there's my dad, like the only BYU fan standing up in a sea of red. Too funny.

Although I sold my soul to nursing school, like I mentioned earlier, occasionally I have had time to hang out with friends. This is my lovely friend Ashley and she is an absolute peach. She and her husband live in Salem and they are so close to the mountain that you could hear elk bugling from their house a few weeks ago! We went over there and sat by the fire and listened to the elk all night. If you have ever heard an elk bugle you will understand that there's nothing else quite as majestic.

And of course I have to make mention to the fact that it is now fall, my favoritest season. I don't do the whole pumpkin spice thing but I do love bundling up in sweaters and going on drives to look at the leaves.

On another note, I am a total nerd. I like to consider myself a cool nerd, but I'm a nerd - right. So I just got my husband to start reading Harry Potter and I am so excited about it! He has never read them before and now he's on the second book and FINALLY I can make my nerdy Harry Potter jokes and he gets it now. It's the small things in life, people.

Alright peace out, folks.

Roses and Comfort Zones

// I was the florist for another friend's wedding this week! I love being surrounded by hundreds of flowers and just being able to sit and work with them for hours on end. Who could be sad when you get to play with flowers all day? Plus those roses smelt divine.

// I start school again in 2 weeks (eek!) this will be my last semester for my nursing program and I will graduate in January! I am really excited and also horribly nervous. The thought of being the 'nurse' both thrills and terrifies me. Am I ready for that responsibility yet? I don't know. Hopefully I will feel better at the end of this semester, haha.

// I hate the 'comfort zone'. It's like you know you have to push yourself out of it, and you always turn out better for it, but it's like the worst thing ever. I understand that I won't progress at all however if I don't stretch for heights I'm not used to, so here's to being really uncomfortable for the sake of someday being more comfortable. Does that even make sense?

Shhh, it's a Cecret!

Last night Nathan and I went hiking up to a lovely place called Cecret Lake (yes that's with a 'C' and I know my post title is overly cheesy but whatevs).

Anyway it's been on my bucket list all summer to go here and I'm glad we finally did! It was a wee bit crowded because apparently this is pretty popular hike, and so we had to park like 2 miles away from the trailhead. The actual hike itself is only a mile and so the walk TO the trail was farther than the actual hike... but that's ok, we definitely got our steps in for the day!

This was one of those moments where I wish I owned a decent camera because the wildflowers were out of this world! There were so many kinds that I hadn't even seen before, as well as the usual like Indian Paintbrush.

The lake is a watershed for Salt Lake County and so no one is allowed to jump in it, which I don't know why anyone would because it is glacial cold, but there are some cute salamanders that live in  it and it was kind of fun to watch them swim around.

After the hike we went down to Leatherby's in Draper to share an ice cream sundae and cheese fries! Has anyone ever been to Leatherby's? It is SO good. Their sundaes are unbelievable and I am not a sundae person but honestly you can't resist these. You sure as heck better be sharing too because no one in their right mind could finish one on their own. They're like colossally large, but soooo delicious. Yum yum in my tum.

18 Things I've Learned Since I Turned 18

(me and my friends when we were seniors in high school, ah!)

This is meant to be more of a personal reflection rather than an advice column, and being that I have only technically been an adult about four and half years it is not like I am an expert on the subject. However with that said I have learned some things, albeit mostly through trial and error. Please bear in mind though I am certainly not perfect at any of these things!

1. Being poor can actually be quite enriching.

2. Life is too short to be sad or mean.

3. Follow your dreams, but don't forget to be practical and realistic.

4. Going out of your comfort zone is the only way to really grow.

5. Always keep your word, even on the little things, because a man is only as good as that.

6. If you have something nice to say, always say it.

7. Don't be afraid to spend a little money on other people.

8. Everyone has something good about them.

9. Work hard, work hard, work hard.

10. It's your responsibility to build relationships, so don't get sad if someone else doesn't put forth any effort. That's your job.

11. If there's something you don't like about your life, then change it.

12. Don't ever criticize, condemn or complain.

13. Save your money, you don't need a new couch. Really, you don't.

14. The past is the past for a reason, so move on.

15. Stay close to God and keep your prayers genuine. He'll take care of you if you do your best.

16. There's nothing wrong with making mistakes, as long as you fess up to it. It's the ones that try to hide it that everyone gets mad at.

17. Don't gossip, it's worthless and stupid.

18. Smile and be happy, it's your choice.

10 Things

1. I am a strawberry blonde and proud of it! I used to hate the things that came along with a being a redhead however. Ya know, stuff like blonde eyebrows and eyelashes... white, ghostly skin, but I've learned to embrace it, and also how to pencil in a well shaped brow.

2. French fries are my staple and Diet Dr. Pepper runs through my veins.

3. Love, love, love oldies music. Pretty much anything from 1920 onward I probably have a Pandora station for. Think Motown, Elvis Presley, James Taylor, Frank Sinatra, etc. etc.

4. Married to a country boy and proud of it! He is a 6' 2" diesel mechanic in training, blond hair, blue eyes, and rides dirt bikes. He is my fave.

5. Little known fact about me is that I love cleaning my house. Nothing makes me happier than a freshly swept and mopped floor. I also tend to believe that successful people make their beds every morning.

6. Widely known fact about me is that I love Disneyland. Currently dreaming of a trip to the Disney World though. I make sure to mention it to my hubby as often as possible to make sure it sinks in, ya know. Ha!

7. Amateur horse rider, wannabe barrel racer. I grew up trail riding with my grandfather in American Fork canyon and am currently taking some lessons to work on my technique! Shoulda been a cowgirl.

8. One time I ate a 5 patty hamburger in one sitting at Five Guys. It was painful. I have attempted numerous other food challenges such as the Sensuous Sandwich two footer challenge (and my picture even made it onto this Utah food challenges count down click here to see me stuffing my face. I believe it is the sixth photo down). Sad fact about all this is that I have never once been able to actually finish any of the food challenges I've done. So that's why I say *attempted*

9. I believe laughter is the best medicine for any ailment and the combination of a positive attitude, hard work and keeping close to God will lead to a happy life.

10. I learned two new things this summer that I'm really exited about! The first is I learned how to longboard, which is a real feat for me, because I have zero balance, and I also learned how to do a real dive off a diving board! Pretty awesome, eh.

Happy Birthday Disneyland

-

I will full-heartedly admit that I am one of the biggest Disneyland nerds you will ever meet. I have been that way my whole life! With that said, today is Disneyland's 60th birthday! Pretty awesome, huh? What's crazy to think is I remember going to the 50th Anniversary when I was in Jr. High. As much as I wish I was there today... I am not. So instead I have been reminiscing with some old pics.

Pictured immediately above is me and my BFF Shelby at the D-land for our senior trip. We have been to Disneyland together like 5 times, so that's pretty cool. Now that we are both married we have been thinking of planning a trip with us and our hubbies! Disney Nerds 4 Life.

Today I have decided to share my top 5 Disneyland favorites in honor of the 60th Anniversary. OK, here we go!

#1 MINT JULEPS

I cannot even express the amazingness that is the mint julep. Sandwiched in between the New Orleans Square train station and Cafe' Orleans is a tiny window that exclusively sells mint juleps and beignets and all I can say is YUM to the E. For those of you who are thinking what the @#!$ is a mint julep, let me enlighten you. It is a refreshing, minty lime drink garnished with a maraschino cherry, a lemon and a sprig of mint. Perfect for a sweltering hot day at the park. I like to enjoy mine as I ride the train around Disneyland to cool off. Highly recommend these.

#2 The Disneyland Half Marathon

The Disneyland Half Marathon is such a unique way to enjoy your Disney trip. Honestly whether you are a seasoned runner or not it doesn't particularly matter. I noticed a lot of people fast walking it! The portion of the race that actually goes through the parks you spend a lot of time stopping and taking pictures with the characters and so it's definitely not a race to PR (personal record) on. It's more about having fun and enjoying the experience as a whole. There's bands playing music along the whole course, as well as several miles worth of the roads lined with classic cars, people cheering and holding signs and you even get to run through Angels Stadium! If I could use one word to describe this race it would be FUN.

#3 CARS LAND

It's a little out of character for me to choose something that is in California Adventure and not actually Disneyland but this place is so awesome I could not resist. Anyone who has stepped foot into Cars Land knows exactly what I'm talking about when I say it's just like you're in the movie, and doubly so at night when all the neon signs are lit up. I have always had a hard time feeling like California Adventure had even a fraction of the magical factor that Disneyland does, but Cars Land changed all of that for me! From the Cozy Cone Motel to Flo's Diner, no detail was spared, and the Cars ride (Radiator Springs Racers) is amazing. Just be willing to wait in a 1.5+ hour line or book it to the park extra early so you can get a fast pass because they sell out fast.

#4 MAIN STREET USA

For most, the quintessential symbol of Disneyland is the castle, but for me the essence of Disneyland is embodied in Main Street USA. Nothing says Disneyland to me more than getting my ticket scanned, walking in and looking up to see the train station! It's the first thing I see when I get there, and the last thing I look at when I leave. I love walking through the tunnel and seeing the bands play, the horse drawn trolleys gliding down the street... smells of cakes and cookies wafting out of the shops. I love the penny arcade and it has become a tradition to use the Kiss-O-Meter and get our fortune told by Esmeralda each trip. Main Street is charming, lovely and has all sorts of cool secrets hidden in the nooks and crannies, but that's a post for another day.

#5 EARLY MORNING BREAKFAST AT THE PARK

While on vacation usually the last thing you want to do is wake up early, particularly after a long, late night walking around Disneyland, however I think it is definitely worth it to make it to the park before opening at least one day of the trip! It's pretty exciting to watch them drop the ropes and let everybody in, and there's something to be said about being the first person on a ride for the day. However what I usually prefer to do when I arrive to Disneyland at opening is to go straight to the River Belle Terrace for some Mickey Mouse pancakes! The River Belle Terrace has an outdoor patio overlooking the Rivers of America, and it makes for a perfect view to sit and eat your breakfast and enjoy that first quiet hour the park is open.

Whelp there's my top 5, but certainly not comprehensive list of Disneyland favorites. Happy 60th Birthday Disneyland!

What're your guys' Disneyland faves? I would love to hear them!

Fishtails and Sad Tales

// I tried out this hairdo from pinterest. How'd I do? I don't think I'll be signing myself up to be a pro hairstylist anytime soon but I was happy with it :)

// Today, honestly has turned into a rough one. This morning I was off to a great start, but things have been turning progressively sour. I try to stick to the life motto 'Never criticize, condemn or complain' but today has been very hard not to complain. I suppose we are all human and a bad day now and again is part of the deal we all signed up for. Send me some good vibes, peeps, I am in desperate need of them.

// I really really really realllllyyy want to drive the Pacific Coast Highway! I was hoping to do that this summer, but it looks like it'll have to be put on hold for now. I've started doing my research though. Anyone who has taken this drive have any good tips for me? I need an agent, haha.

// I think I'll break out the Seinfeld DVDs and pour me some Diet Dr. Pepper, that always makes me feel better.

Peace.

Wedding Flowers

This summer has kept me SO busy with all of the weddings I have been arranging flowers for! I seriously need to get a real camera and take some decent pictures of my work, but these iPhone pics will have to do for now.

I made like fourteen flower crowns for my best friend's wedding back in June. I wish I would've thought of these for my own wedding because I think they are so fun and a lot easier to keep with you than a bouquet because you can just wear them on your head.

(ok looooowwww quality photo, I know. forgive me!)

Here is the bridal bouquet! I actually had to end up spray painting those ranunculus pink because the wholesaler only had orange available! In fact when I went to pick up the floral order the day before the wedding they had completely forgotten about my entire order, but we were able to sort it all out thankfully. It seems like every time I do a wedding about 39398484 things go wrong before I come out with the finished product. You just have to learn to roll with it.

This bouquet has been my favorite I have done this summer! Aren't those roses absolutely gorgeous?? They are David Austin roses and this particular pink beauty is called 'Juliet'. I think they are just the bomb but they are also verrrrryy pricey at a whole $10 a stem.

Loving these peach colored hydrangeas! I love the look of hydrangeas but honestly they are a pain in the rear to work with because they need so much water! If you cut a stem the wrong way or they are out of water for too long they will wilt and end up looking sad and it's hard to bring them back from that point.

Anyway just thought I'd share a few pics from what I've been working on this summer! I have two more weddings coming up and can't wait to share some of those pictures with you. I will try to get some of the professional photos of the flowers from my brides and maybe I can share some better looking stuff, haha.

If any of you have questions regarding flower care or just an arranging question or would like a tutorial on how to make something let me know!