Denver Colorado

This last weekend we were able to go to Denver for one of my best friend's wedding reception. Kendyle and Steve were married in the Salt Lake Temple on Thursday and then had a reception back in Littleton at her parent's house Saturday night.

We flew out first thing Friday morning and had such a good time. We relaxed and hung out at the pool, enjoyed downtown Denver, the Cheesecake Factory, saw the Cirque de Soleil show Kooza, and spent a few hours at Elitch Gardens, an amusement park.


Kendyle's reception was gorgeous and I loved everything about it. I felt so lucky that we were able to be there. Congrats Kendyle and Steve!

Top of Utah Half Marathon

On Saturday me and my sister Katie ran the Logan Top of Utah half marathon. We had run it last year as well and I think this time around was so much better. It made such a difference knowing what the course was like and what it felt like to actually run 13.1 miles! The first 6 miles were downhill through the canyon and it really was beautiful. Katie and I were able to stay together the whole run and I was so glad to have her there pushing me along! Thanks Kate! We finished in 1 hour 51 minutes. I am so happy that it's over!

Road Trip

Last Thursday after work we headed to California with our friends Austin and Shaeli Ellis and Zach and Marjorie Riches. We drove to Primm and stayed in our $13 rooms at Buffalo Bill's. Friday morning we did some shopping at the Outlets and road the crazy Desperado roller coaster before we got back on the road. We made it to Barstow and of course had to stop and eat at In-n-out for Marcus. He loves it.

We spent the evening at the beach and the water was freezing! The boys are crazy and still played in the water for a long time but I only lasted a few minutes.

Saturday we spent the day at Disneyland. Marjorie hadn't been since she was a little girl and she was especially loving it. It wasn't too crowded and we were able to ride the Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain and California Screamin over and over. We had such a fun trip and our only complaint was that it was way too short!

5 Years

Saturday night Jessie, Jamie and Adam, and Marcus and I went to our five year high school reunion. At first I couldn't believe it had actually been five years, but being back in the school again made me realize it feels like I've been gone forever!

After we went to Nelsons for some frozen custard. So good and so fun.

Happy Today

I found a cute article on WebMD called Choosing to be Happy. You know we all see those people who no matter what happens, are always just SO happy. But there are also those people who are constantly complaining, worrying and wondering why they can't just be happy. These are the 7 steps that the article outlined to become a happier person.

1. Don't worry, choose happy

2. Cultivate Gratitute

3. Foster Forgiveness

4. Counteract Negative Thoughts and Feelings

5. Remember, Money can't buy Happiness

6. Foster Friendship

7. Engage in Meaningful Activities

I thought all of these are a good reminder to me and are all really important. It says, "So it turns out that happiness can be a matter of choice -- not just luck." I liked that. It's my choice.

I think the best example I have of people being happy regardless of their circumstances are my family. Elise is out on her mission, and in one of her recent letters home she explained that they have no power. She says it so cute, she said,

"And we had no power...again!! We needed to wash our clothes, but our apt was too cold...they´d never dry. We needed to go buy food but we had no money....we had to spend our money on the gas bill and the mission hadn´t reimbursed us. We couldn´t even see in our apartment cuz we had no light. I felt helpless! It was so frustrating, but then I realized something: this experience--no light, no heat, no money, no washing machine-- is a one-time thing for me. Probably never again in my life will I have to deal with a freezing apartment, no electricity, handwashing my clothes, and not having money for groceries. But so many people here deal with this every day of their lives. Wow, I am blessed."

She is ALWAYS so positive and happy no matter her circumstances. I see that all around me too--My other sisters, Tierra and Katie are also prime examples of always having such a good attitude and just loving life. So is my cute husband Marcus. He always reminds me that I can't change things but just to accept the circumstances and be happy. I am so lucky and so blessed and have so many reasons to be happy. Today, I am definitely happy.

Sunday Evening, 5:25 p.m.

Hawaii

We just got back this afternoon from such a good trip to Hawaii with Marcus's family. We had tons of fun just hanging out, going from beach to beach and relaxing with Dave & Marie and James & Laura.

We spent one afternoon at the Polynesian Cultural Center, we ate Jack Johnson's famous banana pancakes at the Hukilau Cafe and hiked through botanical gardens to swim underneath a waterfall. We got delicious shaved ice at Motsomotos (the Chinese red beans in it were NOT good, it tasted just like you would imagine, beans mixed in with your shaved ice and ice cream is not delicious. I would highly recommend just getting the shaved ice and ice cream!) We also did lots of snorkeling where we stayed and also at Shark's Cove and Hanauma Bay. It really was so amazing swimming with the turtles and all of the beautiful fish.

Everything about Hawaii was beautiful, including the sunsets. We loved sitting on our beach in the evening and just watching the sun go down.

Thank you Webbs for such an amazing trip! We loved it and are really going to miss it. I already want to go back.