COTOPAXI QUESTIVAL

One of the best 24 hour adventures I have ever had.

Thinking about it? DO IT.


And always...



DO GOOD.

My Three Little Sweets

Yes, sweets is what I like to call them. 

This summer it's been #threelittles or #threelittlesweets....

THEY'RE SO CUTE, I know.

Anyways, the back story. My wonderful aunt and uncle live about 30 min away from me in Utah and I was looking for a summer job. Not only did they offer me a position to watch their girls BUT this job came with the opportunity to see them all daily...

You had me at hello.

.....heartbeat.....

I took it. (took it in a heartbeat... hahahahah, get it?)

Job responsibilities included:

- Come to their home daily

- hangout with the girls/have fun

YES FOLKS, I was well qualified considering these three girls are my best friends and they bring out the inner 6 year old in me. Like that one time I was the only "adult" waiting in line for the frog hopper ride 5 times in a row. LOVED IT. Or that I became pretty good at spinning a fidget spinner on my nose and pretending I was a fairy in fairyland.

TALENT. *cue applause*

But in all seriousness... it was the best summer and everyday was spent doing something fun.

We started off by making a summer bucket list of all the things we wanted to do. We sat outside my apartment and got long pieces of paper and just started brainstorming away! We came up with so many ideas and I even started thinking "are we going to have enough time to do everything we want to?" Well we did as much as we could and enjoyed every single day!

Accomplishments:
*CUE MUSIC/GRAB A TISSUE*

- 7 peaks sun burn

- kool-aid hair dye

- library book check out/late fee (whoops, haha)

- killing the laser tag game at the fun center (team blue), and if you're Keaton, this means wearing all black to even further disguise yourself
- Lehi fun center
- finding out a sweet little sister will join them in January!

- becoming a pro at different hairstyles. Keaton either likes simple hairstyles which include ponytails or one braid in the back and never keeps her part OR she likes to try new things (see awesome hair below), Britain doesn't care, as long as it's smooth and has no bumps, Rowan has the most TENDER head, so I brush soft and usually put it in a ponytail, haha.

- learning that Nutella bread cannot be eaten for daily breakfast or that milk goes SO fast

- graham cracker cereal (WHAT, I know. Genius)

- museum visits

- how to manage a dog that's the same size as you

- how to chase down the same dog when he runs out the front door

- sidewalk chalk masterpieces

- saying "I Love You" always

- eating giant snow cones 

- disco skating
- aquatic centers
- WATER SLIDES

- cow appreciation day

- ihop hot chocolate is a hit hence the 3 milk moustaches

- puppy barn

- slumber parties

- launching ourselves off a half inflated air mattress

- using tape to change our face (picture below, you're welcome)

- Soccer games/soccer practices
- softball games
- morning cartoons
- star wars plays

- cherry picking

- creativity to change up daily lunch routines

- Zumba together in the living room or really wherever there is music

- PARKS ARE FUN

- splash pad
- dressing up American Girl Dolls

- nickel city

bumps/bruises/scratches but a whole lot of forever memories

It's been a blast. One of those summers where you feel the 'I NEEDED THIS' feeling.

I have felt nothing but love from these sweet girls as they greeted me by the door every day when I came in or consistently asked me "are you coming tomorrow?" There's something so special to be said about children. Christ taught, "Except ye be converted, and become as a little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as a little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." I really believe that. They're so loving, non judgmental, want to serve you and make you happy. They're pure, kind, and have the best imaginations.

SPEAKING OF IMAGINATIONS..

It's the best when I'm talking to the girls and they're playing and I tell them to do something and out of nowhere Keaton says, "Chelsea, can you please stop?"

HAHAHAHA, WHO'S CHELSEA. Beats me. Apparently I'm Chelsea? So I just replied "Okay Bianca" hahahahaha.

I never realized how much I was going to learn from being with them daily and how much it would impact my life. It was sure an adventure and a summer I will never forget. I'm very grateful that Heavenly Father blessed me with the opportunity to spend all my days with my three little sweets! It's starting to hit me now that I wont have the blessing of seeing them every day and hearing their crazy fun requests to go do something together, or cleaning up after their spilled lunch and leftover PB&J crust. I wont be able to tell them to take just ONE more bite.... and after that just ONE more bite until it's all gone hahaha, or look into my rearview mirror everyday and see three of my favorite girls occupying my back seat asking me to play our summer jam..

2 Heads by Coleman

or hearing them beg me to jump into the pool with them.

But life if full of seasons, isn't that what they say? And this one has come and gone, but I cherish the 4 months of pure ADVENTURE with these girls! I have loved every single second and we have nothing but memories upon memories!

PLUS, i'm their cousin..... so they're stuck with me!

STAY TUNED. Summer 2k17 video coming soon.

Happy Birthday, Sahara!

Let me first start out by saying that Sahara May Skagen is one of the best people I know.

When I transferred to BYU, one of the things I was worried about the most was who my roommate was going to be. I prayed so hard that I would find a place to live and roommates who would be fun and accepting. I remember walking into my new apartment and into our room ready to put my stuff down, SO NERVOUS for my classes, a new school and the fact that I had likeeeeee two friends. I had just changed my major on a whim to something I did not know much about but was ready to do all I could to succeed... then I look over at Sahara's bed and she had a book laying there that said "Speech Language Pathology"... the same major that I had just chosen.

*cue sentimental music*

She was and is a huge answer to my prayers.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S SO MUCH MORE.

The first weeks of the semester were really rough for me, but Sahara became such a light in my life. She would leave notes at my desk telling me she loved me, and she had only known me for two weeks!

Gradually, we began to have those "late night roommate talks" where we really grew our bond and shared our lives with each other. There have been a lot of times this past year where the thought has crossed my mind... "I don't know how I would have done this without Sahara."

To me, one of the most important qualities of a friend is one who is slow to respond and quick to listen. I am so grateful for the many UPON MANY times Sahara has lent a listening ear or a tight hug, or the times she has stayed up late with me to dry tears. 

Okay, here are some things about US.

One time I poured cold water on her in the shower and she screamed so loud, we both laughed so hard. We both had absolutely NO idea what "netflix and chill" meant... She really likes it when I keep her company outside the bathroom door while she showers so we can talk. Sharing toothpaste our thing, she runs out and uses mine, I run out and use hers. We are the same size in clothes and shoes, it's magical. Diet Coke is our thing, along with snap chat goats and sodalicious runs. She's willing to drive to SLC to pick me up from the airport even when I fly into Provo. #TRUEFRIEND. McDonald's large fries and large sodas are always a win with us. During the semester, we realized our beds were a little too far apart... so we changed that. We are quite content when we make our special salsa and we have a knack for coming up with great ideas for snap chat videos. We have very secific moments where we "dab" in various songs. We will one day post a hip hop video... keep an eye out for it. One time, we were convinced it was Tuesday... and we were mad at Cafe Rio for not serving the coconut shrimp tacos! Turns out... it was Monday.

More importantly, here are some things about SAHARA.

Sahara, "yes, like the desert" as she would say. I have never met someone with such humble confidence in themselves and in the Lord. Sahara helps others grow just by her example. There was one time when Sahara came up to me and said, "I want to write a ton of notes to people and deliver them anonymously so they can feel good!" She is so dedicated to the gospel and it is evident in the way she carries herself, treats others, and teaches her Sunday lessons. She is a returned missionary who gave all she had to those 18 months and still lives her life with diligence to gospel.

Sahara will tell you she loves you time and time again so you will never forget it. She always makes sure that if you need anything, you can reach out to her for help. She has some great dance moves and hilarious voices. When she gets really happy, her voice gets into this high/raspy tone and that's when you know she has reached... 

maximum excitement.

She is pretty good at painting nails, and if she gets any on your skin she will let you know "it will come off when you wash it"... hahaha. If you listen carefully, there are moments when she says things in a Scottish accent. Texts from her will never say, "what are you doing?"... you will get the shortened version... WHAT DOING? She LOVES cup of noodles...she will eat it even when she does not have to. She likes a clean pillow case. One time she thought she could make a DUI blog post instead of a DIY. She's a model at heart and also a hip hop dancer. If she could watch step up daily, she would.

 Sahara is one of the few people who will go out of her way to make sure you are okay, whether that requires 10 min or 1 hour and 10, she will be there. She puts others before herself, it is always about what she can do for someone else to make their load a little lighter. She has such an excitement for the scriptures, if she is reading in the same room as you, it is like you are reading, too, because she loves to share and her insights are so applicable. Sahara lives life simply, yet beautifully. She does not need much to make her happy.
She is so smart!

Yesterday we threw her a surprise birthday party and she said she knew something was happening even though we did everything to hide our tracks. I asked her how she knew and she said, "little comments here and there made me assume something was happening." You cannot get one past her!

She loves kids and treasures their attributes. She loves unicorns and even has a unicorn shirt she wears on days to make her extra happy. She likes shirts with cats and tacos, too. Sahara is forgiving, she loves everyone. She is fearless, willing to try something new and have confidence in doing so. Sahara is inventive. She is bold, and brave, trusting wholeheartedly in the Lord through all her decisions. She is adventurous and so kind.

The list could go on and on.

There are a lot of ways the Lord answers prayers, and one way is the blessing of a good friend. The essence of true friendship is putting someone else first, being honest, chaste, loyal and seeking their highest good. Perhaps it is the word commitment that unlocks the real meaning of friendship.

Sahara, thank you for all those encouragements, motivations, guidance, help, smiles, and cheering up. Heavenly Father knew I needed you and for that, I am so grateful.

Happy Birthday! 25 never looked so good.

San Francisco, Adventures, and Gnarly Flies

It's been a while, so hello again.

I LOVE BLOGGING... but finals and life got the best of me. 

No excuses, I know.

Lots has happened, but more importantly..

SCHOOL'S OUT. #HAGS

As soon as finals were over, we decided to go on a ROAD TRIP. We needed a break.

Our trip was down to Northern California with four of my friends.

it was a blast. 

Sun

Parks

Ocean

New Food

San Francisco

COOL CAST TANS

Yeah. The whole nine yards. It was such a fun trip.

San Francisco was our main destination and since I live really close, it was like exploring home and places I had never been before.

If you go to San Francisco, these are the places you HAVE to visit.

1. Golden Gate Park - the trees are beautiful and it is great for a 20 min cat nap.... if you know what i'm saaaaaaying.

2. Japanese Tea Garden (also in Golden Gate Park) - super pretty, free before 10 am. You can even stick your go pro in the koi fish pond and get some cool footage. Yup, that happened. #ThanksMario

3. China Town - a must. You really will feel like you're in another country. There's a cute little bakery called Wing Sing Dim Sum that has the best sticky buns. So good.

4. Mission District - the day we went, it was full of people because there was a parade at the park, but if you go, find clarion alley (amazing murals) and there's a super popular ice cream place there, too. I don't remember the name, just look for the line of people out the door. 

5. Fisherman's Warf - this is the place to be! Always tons of street performers, sea lions, crepes and of course, San Francisco's famous sourdough bread bowls with clam chowder. You can't miss it.

6. The Golden Gate Bridge - a MUST x1000. We drove up to the Golden Gate visitors center and couldn't find parking, but if you go back out to the main street and turn left, there's a big parking lot and the parking fee is pretty cheap.

NOW.... if you pay for parking... make sure you give yourself enough time to cross and come back. We thought we would be back in time... turns out, we had 30 minutes to get back to our car and a 1.5-mile walk (the bridge is about 3 miles crossing and back).... so we ran.... across the Golden Gate.

IT WAS SO FUN. and tiring... BUT FUN.

7. Muji - a Japanese store that is so organized. THEY HAVE .3 PENS (which write so beautifully), fun bean bags and a container for anything you can imagine.
8. Lombard Street - this is such a popular tourist destination, everyone comes from far away to see this street! YES, you can drive down it or walk up/down it. Or go pro down it (;
9. Hailey's - small little hole in the wall breakfast/lunch place. Great sandwiches and waffles!
10. Cement Slides - you can't skip these, you just can't. We're all kids at heart, and this will get your adrenaline PUMPING.
11. Pacifica - this was a new adventure for me! I had never been. We stayed in a little hotel RIGHT on the ocean. The view was amazing and the water was icy cold, but of course, we put our feet in.
12. Kirby Cove - probably one of my favorite spots in the world. Head over to the "vista point" on the Sausalito side of the Golden Gate. Cross sides by going under the bridge and hike up to the other "vista point". There's a small little trail on the side of the road that'll lead you down to the Kirby Cove campsite. Hike down and it'll take you to the beach where there's a really popular little swing that'll give you the most amazing view of the Golden Gate. PLUS, IT'S THE BEACH....P.S. If you're feeling adventurous, about 5 minutes after you start hiking down the trail, there's a secret path to the left that'll take you to an old army base where they used to have cannons and bunkers. Everything is pretty much graffitied, which is super cool and fun for pictures.

Best for last...

13. Oakland Temple - this is a must. The temple is always a must. The view from the temple is spectacular. You can see the Golden Gate, Bay Bridge, and the bay. It's breathtaking.  Also, the visitor's center is so great.

It was such a great trip. We saw so much and did so much and got the strangest tan lines ever.

One thing I loved about this trip was how happy it was. GUYS. Life is so happy. Adventures are so fun. Laughter is the best medicine. Loving others is what's most important.

God created such a beautiful place for us to explore!

I put together a little video (little meaning 10 minutes) of our adventures during this trip. I loved making this video just as much as I loved recording all the footage and being with Vern, Nicole, Whitney, and Tasha.

ALSO, please rejoice in the footage of us trying to kill a GIGANTIC fly in my bathroom. Dad left the screen door open and we had a couple friends join us. It was so funny.

enjoi.

PPS: Serve someone today and SMILE. (you're on camera)

Love y'all.