Sweetest 16..

Yes it's true, we have another birthday to celebrate in the family! This time it's my little baby brother Jesse.  This isn't just any other birthday though.. it's his step up into manhood? I'm not sure if that's the right word but he does get his anticipated license!       

He has grown into such a stud!

Me and Jesse right before we went whitewater rafting in Jackson Hole

 In Lake Winnipesaukee last year

 In the fall at Brick Oven Pizza

 And my personal favorite.....

Making mom upset and pretending to smoke our candy ciggs.

Jesse is the sibling I've always been closest to.  We have practically everything in common and have always stuck together.  Here are just a few things I admire about my baby brother..

• His complete willingness to always serve others (mom in general with her calls to take KC outside)
• His fantastic and dry (good thing!) sense of humor, he can always keep me laughing!
• Whenever I would get sick he would always write me a sweet letter telling me how much he loved me, he would leave it next to me when I was sleeping so I could wake up to it.
• The countless hours we spent watching Spongebob Squarepants and Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends together. (as you can see spongebob plays a big part in all of our lives)
• The way he interacts with our nephews and cousins, he is always ready to play with them and loves them so much.  I personally don't know any other teenage boys that are as family oriented as he!
• His commitment and love of running, he never misses a practice or race. He finished his first marathon when he was only 14.
• His strong testimony of the gospel and the fact that at such a young age he has read and prayed to know for himself that it is true.
• His beautiful talent and ability to play the piano flawlessly. He is hands down the very best piano player I know.
• Whenever he gets any sort of assignment or task that needs to be done he completes it beyond the best of his ability.
• His sweet and kind spirit.  He is nice to everyone he meets, I don't know one person that could ever have anything bad to say about him.

These are only a few of the great qualities my baby brother posseses.  I adore him and hope that he has the best sweet sixteen birthday! I love you Jesse! Happy Birthday :)

summer sundays..

Today was such a beautiful day! I've come to terms with the fact that we rarely get any warm, summer days up here in rexburg. Fortunately today beat the odds and provided sunshine, warmth, and complete beaming bliss from me! I decided to get somewhat productive, which resulted in..

lots of overdue oil pastels

 My rendition of starry night

 I may or may not have watched tons of spongebob during the process..

This is summer to me, I'm happy as can be.

Memorial Weekend..

Typically on a four day weekend I would travel on home to Utah for some quality family time, but this time I decided to stay up here in the little bubble of Rexburg for a change... just to test the waters. And I have to admit I had a pretty relaxing weekend!
Campus was completely empty which means the entire town was also completely empty! Three of my lovely roommates stayed back as well, meaning my weekend consisted of lots of movies, bracelet making, and a perfect trip to jackson hole with Katie!

This is a massive spud we found on our way back from Jackson

Only in Idaho...

Another one!

Happy Birthday to my sweet brother Adam!

He is serving a Mission currently in Guadalajara, Mexico for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and completely loving it (even though we miss him like crazy over here)

 Anybody want a peanut?

Here are just a few of the things that I love about my brother Adam:

• How family oriented he is, always wanting to spend time with us any chance he gets
• His love of kids and how he interacts with his nephews (that love him!)
• How every summer instead of prowling the town with friends everyday he would spend that time with me and Jesse, playing mario kart, swimming, riding our bicycles to parks just to climb trees and watching Spongebob Squarepants (This will be a hard summer without him)
• His witty and strong sense of humor
• How outgoing and adventurous he is
• How he does all he can to please others (while sticking to his own beliefs)
• The fact that he is out in Mexico serving the lord and setting an amazing example to everyone he knows
• His strong testimony of the church and how steadfast and faithful he has stayed all these years
• How accepting he is of everyone
• His deep love of music, the fact that no matter how many times people have put him down for it he has always stuck strong to what he loves to do

There are so many more things that I love about my brother, I am so blessed to have him as a shining example of all that is good.  I miss him so much and all the little things that we used to do together but I know he is in the right place serving the lord and hope he has the happiest birthday!

In front of the Salt Lake City temple a month before he left

Obsession..

.. on friday mom sent me a package of string and I think I've become a little addicted..

 what do you think?

The best part is that my roommates have gotten in on the action and we tend to catch ourselves sitting all together in our living room, weaving away. 

I'm a little too ready for summer I think..

My Sister..

today is her birthday!

I love my sister Lyndsay with all of my heart! I feel so blessed to have such a beautiful, loving and inspiring sister as her! Here are just a few things about her I admire:

• Her deep love of kitties (and how she loves to hiss and purr like them)
• Her sleek and slender physic  (the fact that she NEVER talks about weight and doesn't judge others)
• Her luscious, long, thick locks of hair 
• How she can run hundreds of miles and never get sick of it
• The fact that she graduated college flawlessly with a now amazing job (I aspire!)
• Her radiant smile that lights up a room
• The moment we walk into a room or through a mall where everyone takes that second glance at her ;)
• Her strong and ever growing testimony of the church
• Her wise wisdom and advice she is always so willing to share with me
• How she always stuck it through with me and strived to better our relationship when I was terrible to her
• How she is always there to wipe away my tears and help me laugh through any trial

There is so much more! But for now my dear sister, I wish you the happiest birthday and only wish I could be there to celebrate with you!

Outlets..

 I've always loved experimenting in the way I dress.  Ask my mother and she'll tell you I dress eclectic with a vintage flair. I believe everyone has their own little outlet of expressing themselves.  Some with cooking, painting, even auto mechanics, the possibilities are endless and for me that outlet is in the way I dress.  The one thing that can always catch my eye in an item of clothing or complete outfit is  the attention to detail. 

Here is what I wore yesterday..  

Tank: Target, Lace Sweater: UO, Sweater Shall: Anthropologie, Belt: Fossil

On another note it was just recently my birthday last Sunday.  The entire family got together to on Saturday at The Gateway in Salt lake to eat, shop and celebrate! 

We ate at California Pizza Kitchen (tradition for my birthday)

How adorable are my nephews?

Shopping is always so stressful for me lately, and it never should be! I picked out a few things, but the presents I really appreciate are the ones from my parents with deep thought and meaning that I've collected over the years.. 

Heart Locket for when I got back from DC, Diamond ring for my 16th birthday, Necklace charm for my 19th birthday, Pendant for Easter.