"FHE Family; Brothers & Sisters"

Tonight was a great FHE. We were lucky to have everyone there, except for Jason who is Vermont. Some of our brothers have become a little inactive. Of course, I had to take advantage of this opportunity and get a group picture, because who knows when we would have this many come again. And we had to get a group picture with Riley since he wasn't part of our group at the beginning of the semester. Tonight we had a lesson and made sugar cookies to take to the bishop. It was a lot of fun talking, cooking, and just having a good time together. After the cookies were done and frosted we took them over to Bishop McCurdy and his families home. They are so great and even fed us dinner they had leftover. His is a really great bishop and his wife is so wonderful. They have hosted over 250 foster kids. They are great parents, and have a great family. Tonight was a Great night!! :) I LOVE FHE!

*Sleepover Adventures*

What a FUN Weekend!! Friday I was able to meet Kinzi's and Kenzie's uncle and cute cousins; Ali, Whitney, Brady, Spencer, Kennedi, and Dax. They were adorable and so fun to be around. After dinner at Wendy's, that I have been craving since I moved here, we went to their potato cellar and helped tape boxes for them to pack the next day. I was just going at it taping the boxes. The Kenzie's haven't done that so they were in charge of stacking them. It made me glad to feel like I was at home again. Every year for mutual we would box potatoes for our fundraiser and I didn't get to do it this year.

Afterwards we went to a party at the Ridge, and then came back home. We pulled out our mattresses from our rooms and put them together in the living room and had a GRAND SLEEPOVER!! Kammi Carlson, our great friend from upstairs joined us. We had a Blast! The next morning we woke up and made cinnamon rolls, bacon (that we got 1 lbs. for 99 cents, we are bargain shoppers) and scrambled eggs. It was super yummy! Then we watched a movie and just had a fun relaxing, lazy day. We also did another sleepover that night. On Sunday, we had some guy friends from our ward come over and we had an egg nog party. Boy do I miss being home and sharing egg nog with my dad.

-Pumpkin Carving Video-

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Here is the video we made while carving pumpkins last week. John is going into broadcasting, so it was his assignment to put this video together.

-Swimming Party-

Yesterday, for FHE, we went to the boys apartment Rockland to go swimming. We had a BLAST!!!! I haven't had that much fun in a while. The boys were crazy. My favorite part was when they would launch me into the air. I got pretty high up, or at least thats how it felt. But then I would come up out of the water and they would just splash me for like five minutes straight. I think they might need to fill the pool with more water, since I only drank about half of the pool. We played sharks & minos, and marco polo. We had contests for who had the biggest cannon balls. But most of the time was filled with the guys dunking and splashing us. David, Nathan, and I all have our battle wounds.

~Happy Halloween~

What a FUN time of the year!! I love Halloween, and this year was extra special. I was able to come home from college to take Mason and Mariah trick-or-treating. It's always fun to spend the holiday with family and friends, and to be able to come home to a home that is so Welcoming!!!

As usual, our neighborhood was packed with anxious children just waiting to get a sugar high, as well as over the age adults thinking they are Peter Pan and never going to grow up. And Halloween wouldn't be Halloween without the Thurston's Haunted House. They always decorate their house up so cute, yet creepy! After trick-or-treating and visiting our old neighborhood, and grandma and grandpa Blaine, my friends Adam, Becca, and I hung out. Becca had just gotten who wisdom teeth out on Thursday and we felt the need to cheer her up, sing her Happy Birthday, and give her the traditional Birthday candy poster!! ~HAPPY HALLOWEEN~

`Pumpkin Carving`

Kinzi's friend John Meier is in broadcasting. And for his assignment he needed to do a recording for the news on the subject of pumpkin carving. Lucky for us, we got to be apart of this video.

They picked up two huge pumpkins and we got to carve them while he recorded us. It was pretty cool being on the news for BYU-I. John carved a really cool pumpkin. It was the Joker from Batman. He's quite talented at pumpkin carving.

After we cleaned out the pumpkins, we saved the seeds and roasted them. They were pretty good, something new to try. Halloween wouldn't be the same without carving pumpkins!

*Concert Mania*

This Wednesday, a ton of my friends and I went to the 'Boys Like Girls Concert.' It was so MUCH fun! There were five bands there: for one price $. The bands were; Versa Emerge, Rocket Ship, The Maine, Cobra Starship, and Boys Like Girls.

At the beginning of the concerts, we were more towards the back than the front. By the end of the concert we were in the front row. It was AMAZING!!! Me and my friend were super good at making our way through crowds. Everyone at the concert was so nice and fun to be with. I saw so many people, friends, and classmates from Burley.

I also got really lucky and caught two guitar picks that the band threw out to the crowd. I felt so lucky! We also got to go on stage with the band. At the end of the concert I also found one for my friend to have. We had an amazing time, and it was well worth it

FHE:~Teton Haunted Mills~

Well it's that time of the week I look forward to every week. Monday Night: FHE!!!! The best day of the week!

This Monday, Jordan and Kinzi decided that it would be fun to go the Haunted Mills. It was family night on Monday, so we got in for cheaper. 1/2 the price, and when your a collage student, you take every discount you can get your hands on.

I went previously on Friday on a date with Nathan Ramsey, my FHE brother. We quadrupled with the rest of our FHE brothers. We had so much fun! They made us dinner at their apartment, and then we headed over to the mills. I was so scared. We went in groups of four. We were so scared couldn't even go in at the beginning. We finally got in and then hit a really dark spot and didn't know where to go. We were there for like 5 minutes because we were all so scared to go. But we had so much fun, and I got really really scared. My favorite part was the wobbly bridge over the waterfall and raging waters. It sounded so cool. Afterwards, we went to Craigo's and got dessert to take home. It was so yummy! Then we ended the night with a movie, Moulin Rouge.

The Second Time through the haunted mill was even scarier than the first. I think half of it was we only had two guys for six girls. Vanessa, Mandie, Jordan, and I went in a group together. We were screaming, mainly me, the whole way through. By the end I was so sore from running and screaming. Afterwards we had hot chocolate and donuhts. What a fun FHE activity!

Daddy's Little Girl

Yesterday was my Dad's birthday, and I just wanted to let him know how much I love him and hope he has a FANTASTIC Birthday! Even though I couldn't be there. Last week, when I was down for the weekend, we celebrated it a little bit early, so that I could be there. We went and bought him a YUMMY dairy queen ice cream cake! I sure do love them. After conference, and dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Blaine's, we came home and had a little birthday party for him. Just the six of us, but that's all we needed. It was the perfect ending to a great weekend. Dad, thanks for all you have done for me and for always being their for me. Every since I was a little girl, I could always come to you, climb up on your lap, and cry on your shoulder. You were always there to comfort me and make me feel better. Now that I am gone, I still have your shoulder to cry on, laugh to, or share my moments with, or just to have hold me and make me feel better and safe. You have always gone the extra mile to make sure I have everything I ever wanted or needed. You make sure my experiences are the best. And you always encourage and support me in everything I do. I look forward to coming home and giving you a giant hug, just because I love you and you make me feel safe and happy. Dad, Thanks for all you do and being the best dad anyone could ever ask for. And always remember, that I'm your "little girl" and I always will be. And thanks for marrying the greatest mom in the whole world. My life would not be complete without the two of you together and forever. You two are the best. Happy Birthday dad and I Love You!

*Winter * WonderLand*

This morning, while at was at home in Burley, I woke up to 4 inches of snow....in October. I LOVE Snow, but wasn't quite prepared for it. Although, it was a beautiful morning, I was worried about heading back to Rexburg in these conditions, and so were my parents. I was almost ready to pull out the Christmas tree and start signing Christmas carols, because it felt like Winter. I'm really starting to get into the snowboarding/mountain mode. I can hardly wait to go! It was a wonderful conference sunday, full of great talks from inspired speakers. In between sessions my family and I went grandma and grandpa Blaine's for dinner. It was so YUMMY!!! Spare Ribs, one of my favorites, and grandma sure knows how to cook them to perfection. Came home and found Mason and Mariah out in the snow picking apples for me to take back to college. They are the best and certainly know how to take care of their big sister and are always doing thoughtful things for me and surprising me! I LOVE my family, home, and nature!

~The Haunted Mansions of Albion~

Josh, Becca, Stephanie and I went to the haunted mansions in Albion. We had a BLAST!! There were three different buildings that we went into; the auditorium, gym, and then the main, scariest. It took us a while, to convince Stephanie to come with us. haha, probably since we held her captive. But it was worth it and we all had a good time. I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets scared out of my wits. The lines weren't to bad and the weather wasn't deathly cold like last year. I did though, scream like a little girl, and run and hide in a corner. But I had my friends there to protect me and keep me safe from the scary monsters! :) They are the best and have always been there for me.

~Holiness Unto the Lord~

Today was my first time doing baptisms for the dead at the Rexburg Temple! I was so excited. I went with my family to the open house, but had never gotten the chance to do any work for the deceased. We went at 6:00 a.m. and it was so beautiful. My roomates Kinzi, Katie, and I went together. I was so ready, cheerful, and excited this morning! :) Which is very unusual for me since I am not a morning person. I definately felt the spirit while I was there and needed this spiritual uplifting. I am so grateful to be able to see the temple everyday as I am walking to class, going to church, driving around with my friends, or a having a rough day. It really brings the spirit into our campus and into my personal life on a daily basis. I LOVE temples!!!

*Tennis: Sand Dunes: Bonfire*

Yesterday Tianna, Kenzie, and Kyle and I went to go play tennis. Dallon Henkel, a kid who used to go to school with me and Tianna back at home, came up to visit and met up with us. We went to the tennis courts at Porter Park, by my apartment. We had a ton of fun together.

Later that night, a bunch of my roomates and our friends went to the sand dunes and had a huge bonefire. We first had to make a stop at dairy queen to get some ice cream. When we got to the dunes we joined another group and had a huge bonefire. It was fun to meet new people and have a good time together. Some kids brought some glow sticks and we played a game of glowstick tag. The sand made it very difficult to run in and definately gave you a good workout. But I loved it. It was so soft and felt better than the beach did. And lets just say, I had some as a sovenir to take home. I dumped cupfulls out of my shoes and pants. BYU-IDaho=Sand Dunes=new friends=tons of fun!

-Breakout at BYU-Idaho-

Friday started a bad day of the hives. I got ready for school and was really itchy on my legs. I had these spots all over the back of my leg, that looked like mosquito bites. I thought that was weird, but hurried to class to get there on time. I didn't really think anything about it, until really late that night when I was getting ready for bed. I had watched a movie with some friends and my ear and foot had been itching the whole time. When I got dressed into my pajamas, I had a billion spots all over my leg, moving up back. They were getting very huge. My foot also itched and had spots all over it. I was starting to get really worried because this has never happened to me, and I am not allergic to anything. I took some benedryl, and said a prayer. I talked to my friend on facebook and was freakin out a little to him. His roomate is an EMT and was giving me advice, but nothing my mother hadn't already taught me. By this time I was getting them on my arms and my stomach. It was about 2 in the morning and I was in tears and just wanted to call my mom and talk to her. I did what she would have told me to do, but I just wanted to hear her voice and pretend I was crying on her shoulder. I asked my friend what I should do and I just decided I couldn't sleep without talking to my parents. So I called them and explained what was going on. My mom told me to go to the ER just to be safe. Just in case my throat got swollen or it was something else going on. So I asked my friend Kyle, if he could take me to the hospital. He was here in about 10 minutes. I'm lucky to have such a good friend who would take care of me at that time in the morning. We got to the Madison Hospital and as we were driving up to the parking lot, I really missed my hospital at home. I was worried because I wouldn't know anyone there. We walked in and the guy admitting me was extremely nice. He told me my dad had called and told them what was going on and gave them all of my information. I was so grateful for dad and doing that. It made it so much easier for me, and I was at ease. I have the Best Parents in the World, and family! They deserve the Family of the Year Award! The nurse came and got me and took me back to my room. She was extremely nice. I showed her my hives, and by this point my foot was swollen and my hives were extremely red. My nurse took my blood pressure, oxygen level, and temperature. She really made me feel better and at ease. We talked for a bit and then Dr. Mayberry came in and checked me out and listened to my chest. He said I must be having an allergic reaction. I hadn't eaten anything unusual, and he said it might be the environment and I think possibly stress. He gave me some steroids, adn then a prescription for prednisone. The staff at the hospital took extremely good care of me. Kyle came back into my room while I was waiting for my medicine. We talked to the nurse for a bit, signed my discharge papers and then headed home. We got home a little after 3:30 a.m. I called my parents and told them what the doctors had said, wrote in my journal, and iced my legs, and then headed off to bed. The next day I went and told my landlords what had happend in the night. We have cameras and a curfew and I didn't want them to think I was just leaving with a boy in the middle of the night, and get kicked out. I am so grateful for families and the power of prayer, and don't know what I would do without them! Haha, I guess I just love BYU-Idaho so much, that they gave me a case of the Hives!

~Family Home Evening~

Today was our first Offical day of Family Home Evening with our FHE Brothers! We have six guys from 'Rockland,' the mens apartment building behind us, and two local guys from Rigby. We had an amazing dinner together and a wonderful lesson, taught by Jordan. He is from Rigby and is our FHE dad, and Kinzi is our FHE mom. Our group consists of Jordan (and his twin Rylee, not pictured), Alex, Nate, Nathan, David, and Jason. Sunday night we also had some guys over for dinner. We had spaghetti, garlic bread, green beans, and appetizers. Vanessa's friend Mark made us some homemade Carrot Cake. They did a really nice job with the whole meal. The night ended with a couple of rounds of SPOONS!!!

*Home* Sweet* Home*

This weekend I was able to go home to BURLEY!!!! I had a lovely poster waiting for me on my bedroom door, thanks to my amazing family. I Love them so much. They are the Best! Camille, Mariah, Mason, and I went to the Minico/Burley Football game, and as usual we lost. Haha, but it was fun anyways. I also went to my friend Josh's house and hung out with some old friends. And, of course, Mason, Mariah, and I had our favorite sleepover! We have good memories together. The next day, Mason and Mariah had their soccer games. It was so much fun to be able to watch them. I was so proud of them, and they both did excellent. And Mason even made a Goal! YAHH!!!! We were able to go Maxie's Pizza in Kimberely as a family for dinner. Cause Families are Forever. Becca and I then enjoyed the night driving around and catching up on the good ole' days! Sunday was a very windy, beautiful day. I went to the Singles Branch, which has decreasd in its numbers and much smaller than my college ward. After Church, I went over and visited with Grandma and Grandpa Blaine. Grandma fixed me an amazing dinner; sirloin steak, cheesy potatoes, homemade rolls, fresh tomatoes and cooked carrots from the garden, cantolope, and her amazing HOT APPLE PIE!!!! :) It was so nice to be able to visit with them and catch them up on my new and exciting life.

We had a fun photo shoot together and got to go over to Aunt Shirley's and Uncle Dick's house to visit with them.

I LOVE THEM!!!!!

And of course, college wouldn't be complete without good friends, even if we are two hours away. It was so fun to get together with Becca, just like the good times! I Love coming to a home where everyone is so welcoming. Nothing is like "Home Sweet Home."

~College: 1st Cooking Experience and 1st Sunday~

Today was our first day attending College Singles Ward! We are in the 56th ward, 9th stake, and go at 12:00 in the afternoon, which is nice for us night owls! We meet in the Ricks building and have a rather large ward. Much larger than my branch back at home. Its funny to meet in a room that looks identical to my psychology class. Sometimes I wonder if I am going to class or to church? We found out who our FHE brothers are, and we are lucky to have a pretty even ratio. Some of the other FHE groups had two girls rooms to one boys room. That is equivellent to 12 girls per 6 guys. We are also divided into 4 different Relief Societys. We have a really neat Relief Society President, and a fun group of girls. I am really going to enjoy it. After church, my roomies and I cooked together for the first time. We made no bake cookies for a potluck we attended at our I-Team leaders house. We had so much fun and were really pleased with how they turned out. Everyone devored them at the potluck. And of course, we made a double batch so that we can have some left over for us!

All of Us! Mandie, Vanessa, me, Katie, Kenzi, Kenzie. Oh, and our adoptive roomate Nena!

First Day of School!

So yesterday was officially my FIRST day of School! I am currently taking 17 credits, my first semester as a freshman. I ended up only having three classes, and not having to go to my 7:45 a.m. lab for Anatomy and Physiology. :) This definately made my day. My first class was Psychology. I am super excited because my roomate Mandie is in my class. Came home and made lunch and hung out with some friends. Then at 3:15 I had my child development class. I also got my friend Mitchell to join social dance with me! The class was full when I registered, but if you could find a partner then you could join. This is going to be a really fun class! We will be learning the foxtrot, swing, cha cha, and rumba! nAll of my teachers are really great! We start every class with a prayer, and in child development we sang, "Let Us All Press On." This is going to take some getting used to. Sometimes I forget I'm at school and not church. Everyone on campus is very nice and extremely helpful. This morning I had my Anatomy & Physiology Class. It was a very packed class. I was also able to go to my University Orchestra class. We have a large orchestra, and I am excited to be able to work with such a great and talented group of musicians. I am also in the first violin section! I think I am going to enjoy all of my classes, but I definately have some studying, memorizing, praying, and crying ahead of me.

I-Night Extravaganza!

Tonight was the end of Get Connected, which was a great way for me to meet new people and become involved with the campus. We had the I-night extravaganza where there were a ton of games you could play; mechanical bulls, bowling, a dance, a dating game, free pictures, cotton candy, rock wall, laser tag, etc. They also had Kirby Heyborne come and do a comedy/acoustic show for us. He is an actor on the church movies, such as, Singles Ward, Singles Ward 2, Best two Years, the RM. His is the classic mormon star. It was a really great show, and he is hilarious. He had the audience roaring with laughter. After the show he came outside and talked with us and took pictures. I however, forgot my camera. I was rather upset. BUT....I did get to TOUCH him and talk to him! He did one more show after ours, so my friends and I went back to my apartment to get my camera, so that we could come back and get a picture with him! But, he didn't come out and I didn't get a picture with him. We walked back to my friends apartment and we passed the BYU-I sign, and I of course didn't want my camera carrying go to waste. So I took advantage of the moment and got some pictures with my Burleyites in front of the sign. And of course the BEAUTIFUL REXBURG TEMPLE! It is gorgeous at night. I am really blessed to be able to live so close to the temple and be able to look at it everyday!

Roomies!

Well I have met the roomates and decorated my room! My family was a GREAT help! Couldn't have done it without them. They are the best! My colors are turquoise and brown. My friend made me this cute E for graduation that goes great with my room. My other friend also gave me a blue corkboard that matches perfectly and my grandma and aunts made me a cork/magnetic/white board as well. I have five roomates! Kenzie from Illinois, her cousin Mckinzi from Washington, Vanessa from Washington, Mandi (who is a twin) from Boise, and Katie from South Carolina (who is the only sophmore and has a cool accent). We are all getting along so well and have a fun time together!

Moving Day, Moving Day!

Well the day has finally come for me to move out on my own. Ahhhh... this is definately going to be a big change for me to adjust to. But I can do it. This moving was quite an adventure full of great memories, with a little case of homesickness. We left around 4:30, after my family got out for church. My Grandma Gwen came over to say goodbye, and be our college photographer. And you know the phrase, don't let the door hit you in the but on the way out. Grandma made sure that we captured that special moment. We got to my apartment in Rexburg at Tuscany Place, picked out my room, and unloaded my stuff. And boy did I have a ton of stuff. But thanks to my mom, who is an excellent packer, fit it all in one car so that we could travel together as a family. We went to go find a hotel to stay in for the night and everything in Rexburg was BOOKED. Actually, everything in Rigby and pretty much Idaho Falls was booked. We tried a ton of hotels. Finally, one hotel had only ONE room left that had a king sized bed in it. We took it, anything is better than a night in our car. We walked to the Olive Garden to get us some dinner. I had been sick all day, but somehow I managed to eat a ton. You would have thought it was my last meal! Then we went to Walmart to get some cots and blankets to sleep on. Mariah and Mason slept with mom and dad in the king bed, and Camille and I set up some cots and blankets to sleep on. It was quite the ADVENTURE! But definately worth the MEMORY! What a great way to start college with my family, with a memory!

A Birthday Shoutout!

Can you believe this hunk of love is 15 years old ALREADY! Wow, time is going by so fast. I am really starting to feel like an older sister. Oh no, only one more year and she will be dating. Well, I guess it is time for me to get out my pepper spray (instead of a gun since I don't have one) and give these guys a talking to. They wouldn't even dare mess with my sister because they will end up getting a piece of my mind, and they would have wished they wouldn't have messed with me. Well, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAMILLE! I sure LOVE you!

A New Beginning!

Well the time has come for me to start my new and exciting life; COLLEGE Life! It is a little scary but I am very excited and ready to embrace this new adventure. I will be moving in one week up to Rexburg, Idaho (the burg they call it because it is so cold), to begin my college career. I will be majoring in nursing, following the path of my amazing mother who I look up to very much. I hope to be able to get my degree and work in the Labor and Delivery Department. I LOVE newborn babies! I will be a full time student, new roomate, friend, and living out on my own. A lot of new things will be happening, but it is all apart of this adventure they call LIFE!