Purchased with Peanut Butter

Last January my ward had a date auction. We used food to bid on on dates, and then the food was donated to the foodbank. I LOVE auctions, especially when it is for a good cause, so I was eager to participate. I ended up buying a date to go shooting with assault weapons. Yes, I have now started buying dates in order to go on them... sad, but true.

Well we FINALLY went shooting, this past weekend. We drove out to the west side of Utah Lake and I shot three different guns, and even hit some of the things I aimed for.

Wearing my new hat and holding the Glock.

Aiming the Glock

Shooting the AR15, I liked shooting this one the most.

Follow Your Bliss

After feeling overwhelmed by life I decided, on a whim, to go down to Bryce Canyon with some friends. It was so good to get away! It was great to hike, relax, enjoy nature, and take a much needed break.

Where in the World?

At work we had a celebration to announce where I will be going to grad school.
This is one of the many reasons that I love my job!

Lindsey and Brianna helped to get everything ready. We spelled out the name of the school with muffins (yes that is right, muffins), then covered the muffins with a sign that said, "Where in the world is Anne going?" We then added balloons with the names of all of the schools I was considering, plus some of the schools that Lindsey and her husband are considering.

Everyone gathered around. After a drum roll and Becca's version of the Star Wars theme song Gary pulled off the top sign to reveal...

Arizona State University

Yay!

Life Lessons

As I look back on the past year I realize that I

learned many valuable lessons...

Sometimes it is a good idea to drive for 10 hours, only to end up back
at home. Other times this is not advisable.

Persistence pays off!

Bear Lake Raspberry Milkshakes are good. Bear Lake Raspberry
Milkshakes with lime and dreams of a sailboat are amazing!




It is worth the wait, if, waiting means not eating lunch at a
buffet and then sleeping in a van.





Sometimes the reason for doing something isn't as important
as actually doing it.




It is normal to freak out when experiencing a major life change.




A good blender and a nice set of German knives help to ease
the blow of a life crisis.




Mandatory ice cream breaks are not only important, but essential.




Life's a climb, but the view is great!

Sometimes the biggest motivation to keep moving forward is knowing that other people have confidence in me and are cheering me on. Thanks for all the support!

Merry Christmas

This year I decided to buy my own real Christmas tree, and am so glad that I did. Buying the tree was and adventure all by itself that included some backwoods tree salesmen, learning about different tree varieties , texting chacha for help, negotiating tree prices, and having some sap shoved in my face, all of this while being out in the freezing cold. It was such a funny experience. I found a Douglas Fir that I loved, and after some intense negotiating I was able to take it home.

I love my tree!

My eclectic tree has ornaments from different trips that I have been on, and some ornaments that I got long ago. I love all of the memories on it. My new travel additions this year are: the Twin Spires at Church Hill Downs in Kentucky, a wood carved whale tail from Sea World in San Diego, and a salmon from Seattle.

A Sock and a Safety Pin

When I was in 5th grade a boy in my class came to school with a sock wrapped around his neck that was held in place with a safety pin. Of course all of us asked him why in the world he had a sock around his neck.

His answer was simple, he had a sore throat, and this helped to keep his neck warm which would help him to get better quickly.

Well I, along with my fellow classmates, told him just how ridiculous this was.

Yesterday, I had a sore throat. I was out running errands, and wished that I had something to keep my neck warm, something like a sock held in place with a safety pin, because that would make my throat feel better.

Oh how little I knew back then.

If you can't beat them, join them

In an effort to appease the masses I now have a blog. This would have never happened without blogging 101, and all of the persistent requests, thanks guys. Hope you enjoy reading.