On the 24th of July, in a Vacant Parking Lot, We had a lot of Fun

So Utah shuts down on the 24th of July. They are really obsessed with it. But lucky for me I had some time and for just a little money, we were able to buy some fireworks and have some fun. Way to go pioneers for coming over the plains, so we could have fun on an otherwise pretty typical day. :)

I am on the left. These were some big sparklers.

Luis is so happy. He is not from the USA and enjoys all of our miscellaneous holidays such as 4th of July, Halloween, and 24th of July.

We had two kinds of sparklers, great ones and not so great ones.

Luis in the middle has the boring ones and Esther and Yohan who are on either side of Luis have the amazing ones that they do not make in California.

I am completely terrified. I was told it was going to explode in my hand. I am holding it as far away as possible in order to not get hurt. Little did I know, that it wasn't going to explode, but instead that the boys find satisfaction in telling me lies and seeing me be scared.

Lighting fireworks with other fireworks. It was great.

Just a couple of California girls with Jumbo Phantom California Candles.

These were my favorite part, and the perfect end to a fabulous day off.

Some More Summer Fun In Southern California

So I have never really gone on a trip to visit anyone or anywhere without my family.

So I decided to try it out. After going to Sacramento for a week, I made a pit stop on my way back to Utah in Southern California, to visit my roommate Devin and her cousin Breanne.

So here are some photos as always.

So I get off of the plane at the Long Beach Airport, and the streets are lined with palm trees. I can't help but smile and after being in the one hundred degree heat of Sacramento, I was able to enjoy the 70 degree weather, which is considered HOT for them, but felt nice for me.

Here is their flight control tower. It is shaped like a tug boat. Did I mention that only about 1/8 of the airport is indoors and the rest is all outdoors, even security. It was way cool though, I got to enter and exit the plane via staircase. I enjoyed it. My plane also had TVs and internet on it. That was a 1st for me. It helped keep me distracted.

So my first stop was her Grandma's house. It is shaped like a castle, and you can really go up there and look out. It has 3 stories and a spiral staircase, along with a dance hall on the top floor. It was pretty amazing.

The next day was beach time. Here I am all ready to go. I bought that beach dress within hours of arriving and basically wore it for 2 days straight.

Here is Breanne and I wearing some movie star glasses and relaxing on the beach.

Devin and I also posing for a movie star glasses photo.

The perfect day: Good beach, Good weather, Good friends.

I requested to see the sunset, and here are some of the shots I took.

This one is my favorite from the whole trip.

These surfers look like sharks.

More palm trees. They are everywhere.

The tiny sign says that this is the San Clemente Cafe. I didn't go there but just thought it was cool.

This is my departing day. Devin and I right before I left her house.

On the way to the airport we bought the world famous Rainbow sandals, which are made in Devin's hometown. Let's just say I wear them everyday since I bought them. :)

On the way to the airport we drove pass the Newport Beach temple, so i snapped a photo of it.

Me flying off into the sunset. I was very sad actually at this moment because I knew I would not be back there in a long time and that I unfortunately was headed back to work and school and boring utah. haha

Well that's my trip and an experience that I will never ever forget.

My first day back...

So usually I travel alone, but holly came to utah to see her mission president's homecoming talk, so we flew back together. It was fun.

We had a layover in Portland Oregon. Here we are flying over Mt. Hood.

My dog and I after 9 years. He is getting old and so am I.

My best friend came home!

My cousin came home from his mission in Guatemala.

Family Photo.

The mom hugging photo.

Hugging the little brother.

Hugging the Grandma.

You can just see the sheer joy on her face. Her son is back for good.

Me and him.

Together again at last.

I forgot how tall he was.

HOME

I went home for a little while. My family and I headed to Calaveras Big Trees State Park. A family friend allowed us to borrow their cabin. It was very nice to be in California Mountains, rather than Utah Mountains. Here is photo documentation from the trip. Hope you enjoy!

I miss my family so much. It was really good to see them.

Janessa already posted my favorites check it out gilbertgazette.blogspt.com or dannyandjannessagilbert.blogspot.com.

This is me inside of a tree.

This is the beginning of a story of an aunt trying to take pictures with her nieces and nephews.

Here is Colbie she is more than happy to take a photo with me.

Karlee too. She is making her cheese face.

and there is Allan who is making his cheese face not at the camera.

But would kind of pose for holly instead. :)

I like this one of Danny and Allan.

So here is a really big stump with people walking on it.

here is the tree from that stump, which my cousin climbed up on.

Beautiful California.

I have decided that I am basically a tree hugger. I love trees and never stop talking about Utah's lack of quality trees. I show people these photos and they are like wow, I have never seen trees like that before. And I say exactly.

They match. Its funny.

Allan and Danny ridding down the stairs. He thought it was a roller coaster.

This is me taking a ride down the stairs.

Video of Allan and Danny going down.

4th Of July and all that Jazz

Well Provo is pretty typical and not very exciting most of the time, but boy do they know how to throw a party on the 4th of July. I know it was last weekend, but what can I say, I have been pretty busy. Alright in sequential order this what I did.

#1 Woke up and worked all morning. (time and a half baby)

me.

my boss and I

Fellow Jamba people

Brigham and Calley. (and yes his name really is Brigham)

This is Kevin. He is pretty much one of the most amazing young men I have ever met. Too bad he leaves for his mission in just a few months. He is pictured here with Buzz Lightyear.

And behold it is Brigham, who attached an american flag to the banana suit, so that it looked like a cape. This picture is suppose to give the illusion that he is flying.

#2 Swimming and Barbeque

Lets just say the food was good and the people were even better. I however got thrown into the pool. But it was good I suppose since it was a bit hot outside.

The spread of all of the food and people eating it.

This is me looking pretty girly with attitude on my face.

I found those sunglasses at work, and since my other ones broke I figured I might as well wear them. I look so smug and Sarah is so happy.

Sorry there is no photos of us in the pool.

We did however play a good game of water basketball which I wasn't too bad at.
#3 Poker and Firework Waiting

Well we live right across the street from where they light the fireworks off, so we went out early and staked out a spot. We got a church table and some chairs and played poker for 3 hours while waiting for the fireworks show to begin. Don't worry there was no real gambling or money involved it was all pretend. All the people who were walking to the fireworks show and concert, passed us by and were saying some pretty funny stuff. They all said we were brilliant for staking out a spot with tables and chairs rather than just a blanket.

These pictures are backwards. This is toward the end of the night.

We had a bunch of snap its. Those were the only hand held fireworks we had. Here they are sitting on the poker chips. We enjoyed throwing them into the street.

See here it is daytime. I am sitting here playing poker in my texaco shirt.

It wasn't planned but seemed fitting as we were playing texas holdem.

Oh and this is the Y mountain. If you squint really hard, you can see that they are turning it into an american flag. They were wearing red and blue shirts. I wish I could have gotten a better photo.

And the fireworks began! Yay! (I didn't take this photo)

HAPPY FOURTH EVERYONE!