An Elephant Never Forgets!

Even worse than my fear of spiders, I'm afraid of forgetting. So afraid, that I religiously write in my journal. (A lot of the time, more than once a day.) I'm even halfway through my 18th journal ...starting when I was 11. I fear growing old and not being able to remember my past or those who I love or see on a regular basis. So, if an elephant never forgets, why should I?! With only a day left in Australia, here are things I hope my forgetter never forgets!

The beaches were superb. The heat was lovely. The biplane ride was fantastic. The new constellations were intriguing. The night time swim (with possible sharks) was exhilarating. The chocolate was amazing. Animals? Fascinating.  The seashells, rocks, temple, waterfall, mountain, parks, water, city, and sunsets, were beautiful. The family ...sensational! Loving through and through. 

Tonight is the night I've been longing for since I got here; pizza night at (step-uncle) Bobs! Last time I was here he got a brand new pizza oven and flipped dough high in the air for me! I loved it so much that I've reminded Bob of it probably 20 times. He flipped the dough 10 feet up (sound effects inlcuded), and before you know it we had A LOT of pizzas and a house full of hungry people. After we were stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey, everyone was socializing, and I found Bob and Philip on the deck outside. They were playing on their guitars! I pulled up a chair, curling my knees to my chest, and listened to their collaboration of music! Philip taught Bob 4 chords and then Philip sang along and by the end we had people from across the street catcalling and clapping! Then Bob played a slower song that was quite lovely. I watched the city lights of Adelaide twinkle in the distance, and the cool night breeze blowing past. Before we called it quits, a hearty song of "I'm a Believer" broke out, and everyone was goofing off! Philip sang out as much as I think he could, and Bob and I took the back up singing. By the end, all 30 of our frozen toes went inside. 

My favorite thing about this trip is probably Chris' brothers. 

Rick says I'm the only one in the world allowed to call him Fred. He calls me his girl (which sounds a bit more like "gell" with his accent) and dahling! Always count on a hug and kiss from Fred!

Bob always winks at me when I laugh at his jokes or when he think's he's about to prove some one wrong. And when he smiles, you can't help but smile too because he has the happiest smile wrinkles and dimples ever! He calls me Canna, and I like it. 

Though not my blood uncles, I feel like they are really my family and like they all love me. ...Which makes leaving hard to process. (Or as Australians say, prOcess.) But here's what I've come to decide this trip:

Though it's difficult having family tucked far away in their own corners of the world, I find comfort that no matter where I travel, my family will be there. And there will always be a place with them I can call home.

Brides Special Dance

Andrea had a very special dance with some very close family and friends at her wedding. Her father passed away so her brother recored "butterfly kisses" and she danced with all of them during her Father and Daughter dance. it was a truly touching moment not a dry eye in the house.

Her dad, Mark, died earlier in the year from pancreatic cancer. Andrea's first dance is with Mark's father, followed by her brother Luke, then brother Nick and finally her new father-in-law Scott.

Just try not to cry. I dare you.

Priesthood Blessings

Priesthood blessing are really cool.

I got a belated "back-to-school-blessing"

from my home teacher, and he knows 

me, but he doesn't REALLY know me,

yeh know? So it kind of was really great

hearing him say things to me, that only

Heavenly Father and I could know. 

He talked to us beforehand and said

that his Dad died when he was only 12,

and he remembers that he would have

blessings from worthy priesthood holders,

and even though his dad wasn't giving 

him the blessing, he learned that it doesn't

really matter who gives you the blessing

because they're only a mouthpiece for the

things that God has to say to you.

I really liked that because I'm in the same

 boat. Dad died when I was 11 y/o, and

 I always have felt strange when it's not

 MY dad giving me blessings because I

 can't help thinking that Dad is missing out.

I decided to take a quick power nap before

they were to come over, which was about

40 minutes long, I woke up, and we went 

straight into the blessings. I was first. And

some things he said have answered some

questions I've been asking, and I thought it

very neat that he said something that is in

my patriarchal blessing I got over a year 

ago, and how that still stands for me today.

And I decided that although it is nice to be

able to talk to God through prayers, I think

I additionally like blessings also because 

He's talking back.

And it's not just a one-sided conversation.

All in all, I felt this overwhelming peace

in my home, over my family, and my heart.

lab rats

sometimes i feel like the older siblings were the experiment rats and got away with everything, but by the time my parental units work their way down to the younger set of kids, they've "perfected" their ways. (e.g. my step dad just told me that i'd be lucky to get my first phone when i'm 30 whereas my older sister got hers when she was half that age.)

it's not only the phone thing that's an issue... sometimes i feel like i have no freedom whereas for my friends its like they have immediate rights.

*siiiiiiiiigh*

on other notes, i've kicked off my awesome summer by sitting in my room all day making friendship bracelets as if i were having a flashback from age 12, and as if i had people to give them to... but lets face it, if i had a plethora of friends i'd be out with them instead of in my room.

Work dat updo!

I always wanted a little sister. Instead I got 2 younger brothers... The thing about the younger brothers though, is that they're not willing to work with me. That's where my big brother comes in. He and I are best buds. And since he's been home, we have:

• Watched Pride and Prejudice... Soon to do it again because that movie is just THAT good.
• Watched Mean Girls and recited out favorite lines.
• Had numerous ice cream trips.
• He's taken me out driving and has helped me back around corners, cause quite frankly, I can't drive backwards. 
• He always says "good morning missy!" (when I wake up) or "love ya missy!"(when we say bye on the phone) ...He insists he's always called me that, but I feel like it's a new thing... Hmm. 
• He's listened to me cry.
• He's tried to make me laugh after I cried.
• ANNDD he lets me do his hair. And this wasn't the first time either! Today, despite my sore achey throat, I laughed so hard I couldn't even think of my cold. (And that my friend, is how I get abs. Laughing is key.)
• Oh yes. I musn't forget this one. I showed him the Waka Waka song by Shakira... He cried. Why? Well. He found out that that song was written for the FIFA World Cup, and he likes songs that bring people together. ...Or something.

He drew the line at me doing corn rows..... But french braids were cool.

I'M SO ESSCITED FOR THE NOTEBOOK TONIGHT!!

I'll supply the tissues.

Love yaa bro!

Happy Monday.

I asked Chris to pick up some FLOUR while he was out... And he came back with FLOWERS instead ...oh man:

Oh yeah, and I'm free of this nasty cold full of tea, tissues, and bandanas. Woot woot!

Happy Monday. Happy break. (:

That thing called "love"

Okay. I've said it before. I'm not a huge fan of Valentines day. 
...But today was pretty...hmm.... Okay. (:
Let's rewind to this past weekend.


On Saturday, during church basketball... My (right) foot thought it'd be a good idea to roll and make a loud cracky noise mid run... Later that night, this is how swollen it looked...No beuno:

YAY KANKLES!!! PREGO ANKLE!!!!

Yeah, it felt like an Easter egg was under my skin.

On Sunday I went to Stake Conference... Which was 2 hours long. Then at 5pm I headed to Tacoma for a 2 hour long mass at my best friends church, prepared to support her as she received the Holy Spirit. It was cool seeing (again) how the Catholic church worships, and I'm glad I got to go.

Monday night, I went to Olivia {my best friend's} house, bringing 17th birthday gifts!

{kissy!}

This ballon ^ made the lady at QFC get excited and ask "WHO HAD A BABY!?!?(:" to which I explained my best friends mom did....17 years ago. ;) She got a kick out of it and Olivia did too!

Side note: I painted her the painting in the background for her birthday 2 years? 3 years? ago!!

May I just take a slice of humble pie and say I'M A REALLY COOL BEST FRIEND!?

She wouldn't smile for me...

...but rather gave me sass...

....quite frankly I don't know what was going through her mind...

....But I got tired of trying to take a nice picture, and I started eating the ice cream I had just bought her (not pictured).

This was my attempt at NOT dressing in sweats and a sweatshirt to seminary... And NO I did not curl my hair at 5am... It's called, sleeping in a messy bun! Boo ya. 

Oh, did I mention my Valentine is the 12 year old down the street? ---No I didn't bribe him with a lollipop and a bouncy ball saying "you make my heart bounce" for him to be "mine".

I then proceeded to make Valentines Day as happy as it could be by making the house lovely, and not having the main focus be that you have to have a "boy toy" (as my sister says) spoil you.

2 of the 3 dozen flowers to Mom

The hearts I made 2 weeks ago by melting crayon shreds between wax paper and hanging on the chandelier, and in windows. Thank you Martha Stewart. 

Nathan busy at work making valentines for Mommy (his valentine).

German pancakes for breaky.

A Winnie the Pooh Valentines card from Mom... to rub into my sisters face who ADORES winnie the pooh...

My festive bedroom

Lexie's Valentine to me last year.

Valentines the boys will be receiving TOMORROW.

Oh yeah! Then I heard a knock on my door... And I was given THESE:

 Pretty GORGEOUS Aren't they!?
DEFINITELY made my WHOLE day wonderful! AND... It didn't take a boy to make it that way! A Sunday school teacher/a dear friend of mine since the time I was 7 years old took the time out of her day just to get me flowers! You have no idea what simple acts of kindness can mean to somebody. Love that lady! (:

*trying* to be artistic!

After 3 hours of painting at my art class, I got home to my 10 year old cousin who handed me this Valentine (:

Essentially, Valentines day, TODAY, has made me realize, it's not *alllll* about the mushy-gushy stuff that couples feel the need to pawn off to each other... But rather another day where people express in different and creative ways just how much they appreciate you; and boy do I feel appreciated!

The End.

Christmas Hangover

After a very long day full of forcing myself NOT to sleep past 10:34am ...again, I made yummy chocolate oatmeal with bananas and whipped cream, because, oatmeal is healthy for you. I then decided that I should put pants on for my families sake, now wearing $5 man sweats, a big Christmas night shirt, and my hair right on top of my head. Then I realized my sister, Lara, is going back to Provo tomorrow... So I got my creative juices flowing and I painted her a portrait of her in -mermaid form- using my handy dandy Crayola paints. That went well. After I gave up on being productive, my little cousin came over and we watched Life As We Know It ...even though i've already seen it once this week. (...oops!) After that, I decided that my acne is really bad because I haven't been following the 3 simple rules to a clearer face by:
1. Eating healthy -- Which means I can't continue this pattern of breakfasts
2. Sleeping long enough/at appropriate times -- Example: 2:30am-12:30pm
3. Exercise -- no comment
Then I got SUPER-DEE-DUPER bored, and did what those crazy people who have no lives do and I put on a face-mask and whipped up an egg and put it all in my hair till both my hair and face were stiff. Then I showered it all out and my face is not only as SOFT as 5yrs. worth of acne skin can get, but my hair feels like that light-weight airy feeling you get after a haircut. Plus it's silk smooth as well. So um. I recommend doing that if you have time to waste. Ha.

On my bed I found new running shoes my mommy got me! My last pair made my toes get bruised and turn black and now I'm scared my nail will fall off, so I paint over it with nail-polish and pretend it's not there! But now I can go exercise. Going to the gym FIRST THING IN THE MORNING!

My big brother Ryan and I had that tickle fight he had promised me we'd have before he left (because I know that his feet are his weakness and I can ALWAYS get him on the ground!) We laughed so hard our abs hurt. I tackled him to the floor.

Later, we spent family time and ...ate... then played 5 Crowns. (To which I failed miserable.) Then, as if one movie wasn't enough, Lara and I watched One Day (for my 3rd time) and I cried. I tried to play it as cool as her. But nope. Gosh dangit. I CRIED. And I get to cry again tomorrow when she leaves.


So there you have it. Another day in my life. Weird Worth it!

T'was MY night before Christmas

I decided the most appropriate way to tell the story (being the night before Christmas) was to go traditional. (Beware, this was all on the spot writing, nothing actually special):

T'was the night before Christmas, the family party was finished
As we stayed to clean up, the part-goers diminished.
We packed up our stuff, and we drive home in the dark
To find our hairy greeter went missing, so we heard not a bark.


The neighborhood was silent, quiet and mellow
All except for the calls for our lost puppy, Longfellow.
We whistled and shouted as I shed a tear
The night before Christmas and my dog was not here.


Tuckered and tired my siblings soon said
"I'm sure he is fine, let's crawl into bed"
Their words didn't soothe, the pain in my gut
So I sent out once more, to find my poor mutt.


A ways down the street, I walked out of sight
Equipped with only, a small bright flash-light.
While frightening thoughts, soon filled my head
I rationalized a way my best friend could be dead.


T'was the night before Christmas, and I nearly gave up
When quickly I turned at the cry of my pup!
Though past 10 o'clock, I knocked on a neighbors door
My dog was in their back yard, I WAS SO SURE!


The lady was friendly, and let me walk through her house
When I adverted my eyes to her half naked spouse
I wished those were boxers rather than tiny black briefs,
I walked out the door with a SIGH of relief!


I ignored the image now etched in my brain
But all of this trouble did not go in vain!
Covered in leaves, and quite muddy
But who cares!? I had found my long lost buddy!


I found my doggy, he was shaky and tense
Trying not to fall off a ledge, he got half stuck in a fence.
He sprang in my arms and he was filled with delight
It was a Merry Christmas Eve, and we had a goodnight.




Now it's Christmas day, and I feel very spoiled! Yoga pants and undies (which are MUCH prettier than that old mans down the street) from Vickies Secret. Nikon camera. Life As We Know It. Chocolate. A pretty cardigan. An egg beater (I still can't figure out why I got this one...!) Socks. Nail polish. A childhood favorite book, Harold And The Purple Crayon. Giftcard to Starbucks. A 3oz. mug from Starbucks. Lotion. Probably a few more things I can't think of... But I definitely feel like this is one of those bigger Christmas' for me. As daddy would say "Spoiled rotten to the core!" I miss that man.


Church was only an hour long, and it was pushed back an hour so it started at 10am. We had crepes, filled with nutella and bananas for Breakfast. The choir at church performed, and the narrators voice made me want to fall asleep (in a good way) ...And I got to mingle with a few friends afterwards. We got home and broke open all the packages under the tree! Now dinner will be at 4pm because my family enjoys eating.


And there's still. no. snow. ....RAIN, actually.
Merry Christmas everybody!

j'adore les bébés

"What is your favorite memory?"

I've read this question so many times, it seems to be a popular thing to ask under certain circumstances, and it's usually an awkward thing to try and answer. Well, today; I have one.

Baby.

That my friends, was a fabulous time in life. Think about it! 

(Daddy as a baby)

Ignorance was bliss. You freely enjoyed the service of others wiping your butt. You were fed all the time. Awesome toys hung over your crib to pass time if you couldn't sleep, and when you do sleep, the whole house makes an extra special effort to be quiet and not to wake you (like you're a king or queen.) Whether your clothes were cute or not, the whole baby factor still made them adorable. And in my case, I was the pudgiest baby ever...According to mom and dad I was also the cutest child they had! (That's right. they told me I was the cutest out of all the kids. PARENTS DO HAVE FAVORITES.) People will act completely stupid just to get something as simple as a smile out of you. Paparazzi is everywhere! The video camera loved me! You could get away with taking off your clothes and the whole world would Ooo and aww(: Ifyou couldn't get somewhere, you'd find a way of transportation through a pair of arms or feet! (see below). You always had a seat dedicated to you in the car; no need to call your spot ("shotgun!") Your skin was so soft that people just liked to touch you. Your scribbled art amazed the world. And you were still able to spotlight others just by saying the simple words "mama" and "dadda". There were never worries of procrastination, and you could remember stuff better when TV shows like The Magic School Bus taught you important lessons. Kissing little boys was harmless and cute. And nobody got on your back if you had accidently drooled! I would totally go back. 

Now though, I have a better understanding of both sides of the picture. For every thing I loved up there ^ meant something had to be given up by my parents: Sleep. Money. Pride. Getting sick if you caught a bug. Time. And a lot more. 

In fact, when I first started babysitting I convinced myself I never wanted babies because all I ever saw of babies was that they poop and scream and have dried up snot above their mouth/wipe boogers on you, they never go to sleep right when desired, then they think they can get away with chewing on everything that isn't food! Then they just repeat it all over again! To me they were just stubborn. I mean, how could children never be as good as I was? It was beyond me.

Then I learned about how prego mothers barf from morning sickness, have fat feet, and then after 9 months they have to push a baby out their ...loins, and then tell you that "it was all worth it!" Ew, no. I was never going there. It's bad enough having Auntie Flo come every month without fail, how the heck would I ever be able to put up with GIVING BIRTH?

(This story is almost over, I promise)

So I was looking through old family photos... And I just LOVE them! And I saw how happy we all were! And I always failed to see there was good that came from families, and happy times and precious moments that are unforgettable. Now what? Well. I just can't wait until I'm married, because I will be that much closer to babies than I am now. Plus being a teenager sucks. 

Yay for past! Boo for present. And I'm happy for the future! ...Distant, future. :)

Mommy and Daddy

Adrenaline Junkie

Today is day #6 in Park City. Where is the time going? 

Well I signed away my life for the second time today! ...Call me an adrenaline junkie, but taking 3 ski lifts up a mountain and paying an additional $30 to go on the big zip-line to practically fall off a mountain... Now that was fun! The last ski lift was the worst, and that was almost scarier than the actual zipline! It had a flimsy little rod in front of us but otherwise if we rocked we would be gonners! As we were being hooked up, my eagerness was building! 

Jack Sparrow: You know that feeling you get when you're standing in a high place with that sudden urge to jump?... I don't have it. 

THIS IS NOT ME! I am not afraid of heights at all, but sometimes when I'm on the tip of something, I'm scared I won't be able to fight the urge to jump off and then I'll just splat and die. For example, when walking across the Tacoma Narrows bridge, I looked over the edge and saw a boat just about under me, and the only thought in my head was "if I jumped, would I make the boat, or just dive right through the boat?"  Lets NOT confuse suicide with adrenaline. That's what scares me.

So there I am, being strapped on and I just am wanting to dive into this! After I passed that emotion and we were off, it was AMAZING being able to look all the way down the mountain, and watch Lara screaming on the line beside me, and to realize that I am WAYYY above those trees going über fast and realizing that if the main 2 chords holding me on snapped, then I'd be screwed. It was the best use for $30 EVER. Did I mention that I was wearing converse cause Lara told me they'd look better in stead of keeping my feet warm?? Oh and by the way, I beat Lara down the mountain! I am a precision instrument built for speed!

So far we've covered: House-renting. Restaurant-going. Jacuzzi-ing. Tubing. Sauna-ing. Sneaking onto a bunny hill. Ice-skating. Number-taking. Zip-lining. Signing away our lives. My family has gotten so cool! What's next, SKY DIVING? That would be awesome.

Tonight is the last night for my older siblings... ): And I got my second nose bleed today. I hate how dry it is here. But that about catches you back up on how awesome we are ...Until Monday when I go back to being boring.

Matchmaker! Matchmaker! (...follow up)

This is to continue my story about Derek, the magical man from the ice-rink...

Once upon a few hours after the first ice-skating trip ...about 7:15pm (after dinner), we looked at the clock and realized Mr. Look-A-Like-James-Franco (Derek) would be getting off of work in just 45 MINUTES. We hurried to get our shoes to skate even if only for 20 minutes more. Plus, Lara HAD to get his number. ...She just didn't know it yet. We get there, we skate around, everything is more fun than earlier, only the air was MUCH colder. We went inside to heat our fingers, ears and face up. As we were doing this, Lara and Derek chatted away, and he couldn't wipe that smile off of his face, and as he turned away to grab more of the disinfectant for the skates, when he stumbled on a trash-can or a counter or whatever was behind him. Which was hilarious.

Nathan asked: "Are you related to anyone ....FAMOUS?"
Derek: "Uhh... No, I don't think so"
Nathan: "Have you ever been told you look like someone?"
Derek: "Oh yeah, James Franco"
We all laugh a bit and Lara says, "Definitely our dinner conversation"

(Let it be known that I was the one who pointed that out to our family)

So Lara and him are talking again when the conversation changes to skiing, and how HE WILL be skiing in the morning... "Yeah I hope to see you guys on the hill!" and "Seriously, you should go tomorrow!" and after saying basically the same thing a THIRD time, he sounded kinda nervous and said "...Haha sorry!" This was plain obvious to everyone other than Lara, that this was him begging for her to go.
We get up to leave, and as we walk out the door Lara says: "Derek, right?"
Derek: "Yeah! I'll see you in the morning!
For the next 10 minutes from walking to our car to the whole car ride back, ALL of us were saying how EASY it would have been to have gotten his number even just by saying "Oh that would be cool for you to give me some tips, here's my number" But no.
She just said "I was sandwiched between 4 siblings, I didn't have my flirt on okay!?"
By the time we pull up to our house, Lara starts to feel disappointed in herself that she didn't do better when all of her siblings are just now pointing out what she could have done... So what now? Well. We all get shoved out of the car so Lara can be chauffeured back to him in hopes that he hadn't gone home yet so she could get his number. ...Finally.
Meanwhile, I'm in my room pacing back and forth staring at Lara's phone WAITING for ANYTHING! Suddenly her phone rings with an unknown caller and I'm bouncing for joy asking throughout the house where this area code came from...
5 minutes later, Lara gets home to tell us that she marched right up to that rink, saw he was still inside, she knocked on the window, he SMILED (good sign) stepped outside, Lara asked for his phone, she punched in her number and clicked the dial button (that's when I was freaking out in my room) and want to know what he said to her!? DO YOU EVEN WANT TO KNOW!??! It's pretty painful!
He said that it wasn't her number he was hoping for... But it was MINE. Me. HANNAH.
SCORE!! HOW DOES IT FEEL LARA!? HA! YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY BEAUTY IN THE FAM BAM!!!
...Okay fine. Maybe it didn't go exactly like that... I guess he said something along the lines of how he was going to ask for her number... yadda-yadda... and I guess that if the skiing thing didn't work out then they were going to go on a date or something later in the day. blah blah blah. Anyway, now he's saved in her phone as Derek Franco.

Can I AT LEAST take credit for finding this man?  ANNNDDD for making Lara go back and get his number? Call me the matchmaker. Because... I'M GOOD. 

GOBBLE 'TIL YOU WOBBLE

Finally here!! The day where I can eat as MuCh as I want and no one can stop me because everyone else is doing exactly the same thing! Motto: 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Yesterday, day 3 in Park City, I got to go tubing for the first time with my familia. It was AWESOME. Ryan even said it's probably one of the best hills he's been down! We raced on our tummys, and spun in groups, laughed and screamed, it was absolutely delightful! Too bad we didn't get any pictures ): cause between riding up the conveyor belt, waiting in line, then taking a lift up to the tippy top of the hill, we had ZERO time to grab the camera and take pictures! We had 2 hours there and only got 5-6 rides. But it was memorable!

This would be my family... Too picky for turkey. So we're having some type of other meat like steak or something. Not to worry, mom is buying me turkey of some sort... But seriously, they claim it's always "too dry" PSHHHH. Girl please. 

This morning, instead of being in my hometown and running the 10k turkey trot which I had been practicing for, I'm sitting in front of a TV watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade eating yummy chocolate chip bread, and it was hilarious watching Daniel Radcliffe (aka Harry Potter) dancing around cause I guess he's in some musical now... Then there was a depressing/guilt-trippy commercial which i can't find now, but it had Jennifer Aniston, Robin Williams, Morgan Freeman and Luis Fonsi on a childrens cancer research hospital about how all kids want for Christmas are to get better... Makes you feel kinda REALLY greedy.... AND OH MY GOSH, SANTA IS ABOUT TO COME DOWN 34TH STREET IN MANHATTAN! My youngest brother, Spencer, claims that it's just a "fake" Santa Clause... Whatever. You know I sat on Santa's lap this year already! He gave me a lollipop and denied my wish of a snowy Christmas... But now I'm just rambling...

So anyway, have a thankful Thanksgiving, eat lots, and be happy! (:

This is the only picture up on the internet so far of Santa Clause from the parade. BEST Santa I've EVER seen! And Mrs. Clause was there too! She's never done one of the parades before! Seriously though, they were adorable! He even KISSED her! Oh gosh. I want to meet him.

A smile is like tight underwear…It makes your cheeks go up.

Day 2 in Park City was filled with FAMILY.

I saw my wonderful grandpa and my grandma Lois... I saw my auntie and uncle and their offspring from Texas, and we all went out to lunch together where I had some rather uncooked doughy/floury pizza... But the sweet potato fries made up for it! Then we came back to the house and visited and laughed together just like we always have done before. There were snow ball fights outside, games played, funny videos watched, and then just like that they were gone. I love my distant family and hope to never lose contact with them like so many other people have done.

My calves are starting to KILL me. This whole vacation thing has turned more into a "Hey kids! You're out of shape! I'm going to fill your stomach with sugary foods and then make you climb 250+steps repeatedly!" BECAUSE THERE ARE SERIOUSLY STEPS EVERYWHERE. If I need to go to the bathroom I have to plan going 2 minutes sooner than last minute because otherwise I won't make it to the 7th floor without peeing my pants. Not only that, but my heart rate is GOIN' by the time I'm up there! 

We all were tired and ready for a nap, but instead of doing that, we kept going, and I'm glad we did! Outdoor ice-skating was closed, but the gorgeous man who was working there said that we could sneak out onto the bunny hill (which is actually a slant, not a hill) and that we could pick up speed if we had garbage bags! ...We had none though... So he told us he'd give us some if he didn't rat us out. There is just something about beautiful men. Especially in Utah because there's a good chance they're LDS. (: So we get to the hill. And the groomer was out looking like it was about to eat us. It left. We snuck onto the hill. We tried. We failed. We laughed. We got cold. It was one of those memories that you'll have a hard time forgetting. 

After that we raided Starbucks and bought all of their non-caffeinated/coffee/etc. drinks!  Now back at the house, the fire is on, Michael Buble's new Christmas cd plays, we have some jacuzzi-goers, footie-pajama wearers, and about to watch the movie Elf with my siblings. 

So that's it. Today was wonderful. It felt like Christmas. I want to spend all of my grown up Christmas years in a cute town like this... Or just somewhere with snow! Poor Hawaii.