Lava Hot Springs!!!!!

What a fun final vacation we were able to have with both Sheldon and my family. We went to Lava Hot Springs for several days. We went camping, floating the river, taking on 60 feet of adrenaline, and cooling off in the hot pools! It was such a nice week to get away, relax, and spend time together.

The slides were definitely the highlight of our week. Grandma Charlie was the old lady pulling off all the tricks and the talk of the pool. Everyone thought she was the coolest. If she can do, anyone can!

1st Year of College: Come and Gone

Oh how time flies by! I just finished my 1st year of college!! Yay! I had so much fun, learned so much, and made so many lasting friends and memories. This semester marked the 10 Year Anniversary of BYU-Idaho becoming a 4 year school. Kenzie and I were able to be apart of the picture they did. We are in the bottom right curve of the U!

Accomplishments of the year:

• Got Engaged (fulfilling Ainslie's and every ones predictions)
• Passed all of my classes
• Only had to go the the hospital twice
• Didn't get stressed out to much my second semester
• Enjoyed college
• Had GREAT Roommates
• Learned to live on my own, budget, and cook
• Had great teachers and classes. Didn't hate a single one of them
• Attended my own ward and had my ward calling (ward and relief society pianist)
• Made it through a half winter at BYU-Idaho
• Had my first interaction with insurance companies and California girls (my first car wreck, or my game of bumper cars)
• Experience a lot of "first time" memories
• Learned how to drive stick-shift (thanks to Sheldon).

What a fun and memorable Year! I now know, I CAN DO IT!!! Because I just did!

Two Peas in a Pod

Sheldon and my dad are so much alike in so many ways. Here are just a few:

• Both have dark hair
• Both have curly hair
• Both are skinny
• They love and know the scriptures
• Love to teach
• Both served missions; Dad-Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sheldon- Boston, Massachusetts
• They like to get up early and retire early
• Both of them asked me and my mom to marry them on a Thursday
• Can talk about ANYthing- very blunt, but in a nice way. (Most of the time) :)
• Patient
• Great communication skills
• Broad vast of knowledge
• Love their moms to death and would do anything for them
• Loved by their mom's (mommy's boy)
• Both took me and my mom out of town on funeral dates
• Me and my mom meet both of them at the Young Single Adults
• Love to wear suits, and look very good in them
• Looks for their favorite hobby places out of town (Funeral Homes and Golf Courses). Know where they are and have been there or played there
• Can't keep secrets very long (get to excited)
• Tell you surprises before it's time
• Once a decision is made they just do it
• Spur of the moment guys
• Spontaneous
• Affectionate
• Like buying expensive gifts
• Don't care much for water sports

What does 19 Diamonds= 1 Very Gorgeous Diamond Ring and a very lucky Girl!!!!

On July 29, 2010 Sheldon Mallory and I got ENGAGED!!!!!!! It was the Perfect day. That night we left around 6 to go to Johnny Carino's in Twin. The runner up to the Olive Garden, my favorite Restaurant. I had my usual Spaghetti and he had lobster ravioli. I really like lobster now. And I had my favorite Italian Soda! After dinner we went to the Twin Falls Temple and walked around the grounds and looked at the landscape and fountains. He said it was my turn to decide where to go next. I finally decided it would be fun to drive down the canyon. I had never been down there by the golf courses and it looks so pretty down there. He said that was a great idea and so we drove down there. There was some waterfalls coming out of the canyon and the courses, trees, and river were so pretty!

It started getting late and I wanted him in bed by 10 so he wasn't tired for work the next morning (at 6:30). As we were leaving Twin he asked if tonight was a memory? I said, yes, tonight has been a really fun and pleasant date. We need more of them. He said he wanted to take the old highway home and asked me what my favorite spot along there was. I had no clue since all we ever do is drive and don't stop? So I said Murtaugh Lake because that's where we had girls camp one year and I thought it was pretty. As we were turning the corner before the lake he asked me if I wanted to make one more memory? Of course I would! So we went down to the lake and he had me stay in the car. He walked around and helped me out and then got in the car and played a song, "Keeper of the Stars, by Tracie Byrd" and we had our FIRST DANCE! It was perfect! He sang to me as we danced. The song finished and he said he had a surprise for me if I was good. Well naturally I'm always good, and I had to tell him that. :) He went to the trunk and pulled out a big long box and had me open it. Inside the box was a giant stuffed Dolphin! I Love dolphins. I took it out of the box and inside it's mouth was the ring box. He took it out and got down on his knee and asked me If I would Marry Him? I said YES like a billion time, I was so excited and shocked he asked me then. I knew he had the ring and he had been teasing me for weeks that he would do it at fair in front of the smelly pigs. I said, "now that one is romantic, let me write that in my journal!" He is so funny. The ring is really sparkly and pretty. He did a good job.

I was so giddy the whole way home. I got home and my whole family knew he was asking me that night. Me and the girls squealed and jumped up and down, full of excitement. My whole family was so excited. Sheldon asked if I was expecting it and I said yes and no. Parts of the night I wondered if he would, but then he was really tired the whole night, so I thought, nah, not tonight. But he surprised me and asked me! So glad I didn't have to wait until fair! We are planning on January 7 in the Salt Lake Temple.

2 Family Reunions- 1 Great Weekend!

What a fun way to end my second semester at BYU-IDAHO...with Family!!! I came home Thursday night right after my last final at 7:00 p.m. Boy was it hard waiting for that to come. Friday morning, Sheldon and I left at 6 in the morning to go to the Mallory Reunion. It was fun getting to meet all of his family. We went golfing that morning and I got to golf. I did ok on one of the holes, although putting is something I definitely need to work and improve on. But I had so much fun learning. We had a great day, we went to the hot pools that night that were right along the river. All except for getting bit a billion times and getting sunburned, it was a great reunion. I can't wait for many, many more in the future.

Saturday morning we left after breakfast to go to the Jensen Reunion. We met everyone as they were getting off of the ski lift at Pomerelle. We had an enjoyable day doing crafts, visiting, and catching up. This year we were so lucky to have Teresa and Allen Jensen and Lisa and Wendy. It was sooo good to see them, they are so much fun. I was laughing so hard. We had to go home Saturday night so that we could go to church and to Josh's Farewell. It was definitely a wonderful weekend that we got to spend with both of our Family's!

Mesa Falls!!!!

What another GREAT weekend Sheldon and I had!!! He came up a day early, on Thursday, and Surprised me!!!! It was so nice to have him up here with me for the weekend, and I can hardly wait for next semester when he is up here with me EVERY day!!! No more breaks!

Lower Falls

We had so much fun this weekend!!! We were definately kept busy. We went for a walk in the park and layed out under the stars, played night games with friends, went to the temple, went to eclipse, and went to Mesa Falls! The falls were so pretty! We went to the upper and lower falls. They had a really fun walk around the falls.

Sheldon and Me, with his old roomate Kyle and girlfriend Lindsey. We had a blast together.

The Upper Falls

Sheldon and mine's wonderful adventures!

Isn't he so cute and sweet! I am so lucky!

MESA FALLS!

I loved the sound of the rushing waters~!

4th of July: Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness

WOW!!! What a great weekend this Holiday Break was!!! One of the best weekends I've had in a long time. I was able to get an extra long weekend and have Monday off from school. Friday I went home and I went with Sheldon and his family to the fireworks in Logan! They were AMAZING!!!! We went to the Utah State Stadium and had a little picnic. They had a country band, bagpipes and a few other entertainers. They also had a military jet flyover, and boy was that plane HUGE!! The Fireworks were breathtaking, and choreographed to music. Jaxson and Alex were so funny. They were so excited the whole night. I was also able to meet Sheldon's sister Kellie and her kids Kaitlyn and Alex! They are so sweet and fun to be with. We got home around 1:30, but it was SOOO worth it.

The next morning on Saturday, we went to the Rupert Parade, our tradition every year. However, I was very sad that Swensen's went out of business. I missed our traditional walk there to get treats for the parade. It was fun to have Sheldon and his family their to share this tradition with us this year. After the parade, I went and rode with Sheldon and his dad in the golf cart while they golfed. I was excited he asked me to ride with them. They did really good, even though Sheldon begs to differ. We had a great barbecue at our house. Grandma and Grandpa Blaine, Nik & Kandis and their kids, and the Mallory's came over to enjoy some fun in the sun, even though I was freezing and prefered to stay inside. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, and yummy salads! It was fun to get together and enjoy each others company. Sheldon and I were exhausted and had to take a 2 hour nap. We went to his house and played some games and have a little fire, and then we went to Ben and Nikki's house for their firework show. It was as good as ever this year, if not better.

Sunday night we had Dad's Patriotic Program and each year it just keeps getting better and more attendance. I have really enjoyed being apart of the orchestra. Dad, Mayna, Helen, and Ellen pleased the crowd again with their Stars and Stripes Forever Octet! My dad sure makes me proud with all of his musical talents and for sharing that and the joys of our freedoms with the community. We enjoyed Burley's fireworks after.

And last but not least, before it was time for me to go back to school, I was able to go with Sheldon to his families barbecue on Monday. I really enjoy being with his family and getting to know them better. They are so funny and definitely make my day. I had such a busy and wonderful weekend, jammed packed with fun and patriotism!