Adventure is.. in Utah!

I have spent the last few weeks back in Utah, home sweet home. The days have been full of adventure, complete with loads of family and friend lovin' and some time in the mountains. We spent Mom's birthday weekend in a cabin in our most favorite place, Sundance. Nothing more peaceful than spending the day in the company of family, wrapped in a blanket by the fireplace, looking outside at the woods, and reading a good book. And the annual family enchilada party rocked, as usual.

After our serene weekend of relaxing in the cozy cabin at Sundance, we spent some time at our condo in Park City. Our dearest friends, the Gibsons, are also spending the week in Park City and we've enjoyed every minute this week with them. Our week in Park City included zip lining 2,200 feet across the canyon (I might add, the longest zip line in Utah), strolling Main Street many times, eating our most favorite meals in town, enjoying the condo, and just good ol' laughter and love. Last night we ate at my favorite restaurant, Prime Steakhouse, and enjoyed each other's company for hours (seriously, over 3 hours) on the outside patio overlooking Main Street. Such a lovely night of sharing funny stories, listening to live music, and oh, the yummiest food.

These past few weeks in Utah have been simply perfect. I love this beautiful home of mine. What's even better than this beautiful place though, is spending time here with my family. We really have the best time together, and I'm sure going to miss them when I head to Europe next week. 'Til then, I'll be here in Utah, continuing these adventures...

Our cabin in Sundance

The annual enchilada party complete with homemade cake by these sweeties. 

On a hike in the mountains. Utah sure is pretty. 

Photo credit for a few of these pictures must go to my friend Mitch. An awesome photographer who takes me on all kinds of adventures for photoshoots. Lakes, cities, in the woods, you name it.. and he's there with his camera. (usually forcing me against my will to make some hipster pose for him)

This is the canyon we zip lined across.  Bucket list- check. 

This particular photography outing to Utah Lake ended with us all in the water, fully clothed and freezing. Gotta love summer, friends, double-dog dares, and gross lake water.  

Uncle Mike and Aunt Lisa even came to Utah for the Sundance weekend! So good to spend time with them. 

My people.

Today was a special day for Miss Lindsay Jane Hauser- her baptism day. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my sweet cousin choose to follow Christ for the rest of her life. Such a memorable day filled with family, friends, giggling, playing, and cake. Lots of cake.

God has blessed me with the most incredible family a person could ask for. This summer has brought so much quality time with the ones I love most dearly. My adorable cousins are also my best little buddies in the world and I have enjoyed spending every second with them this summer. Thank you family, for being awesome. Seriously, the best. Congrats my little Linds, on this happy, happy day :)

Happy, Happy Birthday

This year I spent my birthday in Denver, Colorado. I had been looking forward to this weekend all summer because I got to visit my dearest friend Carly. Carly is one of my very best friends that I met at BYU. Our rooms at the freshman dorms were right next to each other, and although we weren't roommates, I think we spent more time in each other's rooms than in our own. Our nightly bedtime quickly became past 3:00 a.m. and  I think we probably had more hilarious college adventures than I could even begin to list. And not to worry, because next year (and most likely the rest of college) we are DEFINITELY rooming together.

Anyways, we had been trying to coordinate a weekend visit all summer, and this ended up being the weekend that worked! And our weekend was simply lovely. Friday, Carly took me to the ranch and we got to spend the day riding her horses. Oh, how I had missed being in the saddle! I think Carly got a kick out of the giddy smile plastered on my face all day. Goodness, the ranch and the horses were absolutely breathtaking. Saturday, we spent our day at the lake with Carly's family riding jet skis which, of course, was sooo fun. On Sunday, my 19th birthday, my dad took me to explore downtown Denver.
We shopped, ate yummy food (HELLO best ice cream ever), saw the sights, and had an absolutely wonderful daddy/daughter day.

Thank you my dearest Car Car and your sweet family for letting me visit and spend my birthday weekend with you in Colorado. I enjoyed every minute of our reunion. And thank you dad, for giving me such a happy, happy birthday this year.

Bluberries and Sailboats

I know, I know... My last blog post was filled with stories about the cutest, most quaint beach town I've ever seen. However, we found yet another perfectly charming beach village. South Haven, Michigan. Not to be confused with one of my most favorite movies Safe Haven. Although, as I have found myself saying much too frequently, this place is DEFINITELY straight out of a Nicholas Sparks movie. Mom and I spent the entire day in Safe Haven exploring Main Street, hopping in antique shops, having lunch on a riverboat, stopping again by Kilwin's ice cream parlor, walking to the red lighthouse, and relaxing on the sand. We even happened to be in South Haven on the first day of their annual Blueberry Festival, complete with live music, food stands, and yes... blueberry cookies. As I strolled through town, I told my mom "I am most definitely living here one day." So friends, I now am officially done googling "Nicholas Sparks looking beach towns" to add to my bucket list. I have found them, and they are simply lovely.

A Day in St. Joe

My parents and I spent our Saturday this weekend in St. Joe, Michigan. One item on my life bucket list is to find a perfectly quaint beach town like the ones in the Nicholas Sparks movies. You know the kind. And it MUST have a lighthouse. Well, I can now check that off my bucket list because St. Joe, Michigan went above and beyond what I imagined in my mind (and the towns I have previously googled with my best friends). Saturday brought us beautiful beachy summer weather as we strolled through the town. Main Street was lined with shops, restaurants, and ice cream parlors. (And yes, we did wait in the 45 minute line to get a giant ice cream cone). We even stumbled upon a chalk festival on main street and the cutest cupcake truck we've ever seen! After dinner, we made our way down to watch sunset on the sand and check out the lighthouse. Sadly, we just missed the live country concert on the beach but next time we'll be there! Thank you St. Joe, Michigan for being the most perfect beach town and providing me with one more check off my bucket list! I'll be back soon to enjoy your charm, probably this weekend :)