Happy birthday to me!

It's my birthday again! Yay! Although, I cannot believe I am 25. That seems like a foreign number. I even get to go to the "25 or Better" activities now, hahaha. Yeeeah....that probably won't happen. ;)

So, Dad came up to Logan again this week to help drive the boys back to Forks after USU let out for the summer. He and the boys helped Gramps reshingle the entire roof during the week, which was quite a project. But, I know that Gramps appreciated all of the help. And, I even got Dad to help fix a few things on my car and at my apartment. It's always nice to have a Dad around, if even for a few days. :)

I had a BBQ with friends on Saturday in Gram's backyard, which was fun. Then I had a birthday party on Sunday with the family. I did have to convince Dad to stick around for the weekend and my birthday, but it was good to actually have lots of family around for my birthday for the first time in awhile.

AND, I MADE MINON CUPCAKES!!! They were the best!

Birthday Interview:

1. What are some of your favorite foods? Oh, I love pasta! And, bread. And, chocolate. And, pickles. And, cheetos. Just maybe not together...

2. What's your favorite color? Easy. Purple and green.

3. What things make you happy? I like the rain, purring cats, and, of course, my family.

4. What makes you sad? Being alone.

5. What are your favorite movies or TV shows? Right now I'm kinda into "Once Upon A Time". I just love the whole fantasy thing.

6. What are your favorite books? I just finished re-reading the Hunger Games. I really relate to Katniss, so I've enjoyed those books. Now, I just need a new series to read.

Summertime, Summertime, Summertime

I should probably get caught up on all my summertime adventures before I forget all the details. I'll try to keep it short, so you don't get bored. ;-)

First, I know my birthday is not in the summer, but, hey, I missed it on this blog. I turned 24 this year. Crazy. I just don't think that I feel that old, lol. I had a fun birthday, though. I got to have two parties and two cakes. I'm just that awesome. :)

In the beginning of June, I drove up to Forks with my grandma so that we could go to Bryce's graduation from Forks High. I went to the library before we left to pick up some books on tape to listen to in the car. It actually made the trip seem a lot faster, and since I drove most of the way, that's a good thing.

We stayed in Forks for a week and a half or so. It was beautiful weather while I was there. I got to visit my wonderful ocean. I got to see Pursey. I drug my family out to the Hoh Rainforest for an afternoon. We also discovered that there was an archery range in town. I actually really enjoyed myself, and I don't think that I did too bad. :)

I went back to Logan for about a week and then headed off on my next road trip. One of my good friends from Forks was getting married in Las Vegas, so I headed down there for a few days. It was my first trip to Vegas. I can't say that I was really impressed. It was interesting, lots of flashy lights, but lots and lots of people.

It was also very hot down there. I think that I saw one store thermometer that read 120 degrees. Seriously!? That's way to stinking hot for me to handle. And, we were genius enough to decide to walk the strip during the day in that heat. We basically walked from place to place, hanging out in each building for awhile before heading back outside. Next time I go to Vegas, it will be in the winter, lol.

My friend had a bachelorette party a couple days before the wedding. I think I expected a Vegas bachelorette party to be, well, a little more extreme. But, it was really pretty tame, and therefore pretty fun for me. The wedding was also a good time. It was the actually the first one that I've ever been to. It was small, out in a little gazebo behind the casino. It was nice to see all of my Forks friends again, too.

It was then another week back in Logan, some fireworks and holiday things, and then I was off on another road trip. The Johnson Family Reunion was in Clayton, Idaho this summer. It's always a good time being with the family. We did some crafts, played some games, watched some movies, visited an old mining town, and slept in a loft with lots of loud children. Oh, that last part was the most enjoyable. ;-) I actually really enjoy family reunions, and it was good to see everyone again.

Kelsie and Mom also came back to Logan with me after the reunion. We went to Bear Lake, a Pickleville play, did some tubing. I think Mom wanted to spend some time with her parents and in Logan, and it was a fun couple weeks for me, too.

So, my summer was pretty busy, which is how I prefer it to be. Fun times. :)

It only comes once a year!

What's that you ask? My birthday! lol. On May 13th I turned 23 years....young. :) Well, actually I can't get used to the 3 looming after that 2... yet. I don't know why it feels so much older than 22. Oh well. I got to celebrate all weekend long.

So, on my actual birthday I went out to Texas Roadhouse for dinner with my grandparents. They had never been there before.  I think that my grandpa really enjoyed the atmosphere actually. They almost let it slip to the waitress that it was my birthday, but I stifled that revelation before it could be uttered. I did not want to sit on that saddle and be whooped at!! haha.

Then Grams made me an angel food cake with strawberries and whip cream. So good! And, my mom sent me some flowers. They made my whole apartment smell wonderful! I even got a few presents, and that always makes you feel special, doesn't it? Dad actually got me my new snowboard, which is fabulous. Thanks Dad. :)

Then on Friday I convinced my friend to take me for a motorcycle ride. Yay! I love those rides. Someday I will get my little dirt bike working so that I can really learn how to ride for myself. And, I went that night with a huge group of friends to see the new Robin Hood movie. Honestly, I did not expect much, what with Russell Crow portraying my hero. But, I was pleasantly surprised. The movie was good...not my favorite by a long shot...but good in it's own right. The scenes of the English countryside made me think of Landon.

Saturday was the fun day, though. The weather FINALLY shaped up. The sun came out. The rains ceased for the day. The temperatures reached up to 70. I was so stoked. We had decided to celebrate my day with a BBQ at my grandparents' house. I think about 25 of my friends showed up. We grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, played badmitton and volleyball and ladderball, hung out in the backyard, and played Just Dance on my wii inside. I must say, I love my friends so much. They made my birthday pretty darn fun. I've attached a video of the festivities for your enjoyment. :)

So, I also like my cousins' birthday interviews...but I will modify mine a little bit to fit me. :) Here ya go....

1. Height and Weight: 5' 7" and 130lbs...This hasn't changed in years, and I'm totally good with it. :)

2. Favorite Color: Purple and green.

3. Favorite Movie: Lord of the Rings for sure! But, my favorite movie of this year would have to be How to Train Your Dragon... I loved it!

4. Favorite TV Show: Hmm...can't say I watch too much TV. But, I do love LOST. I'll watch Chuck and the Big Bang Theory when I can find the time, as well.

5. Favorite Music: Fall Out Boy.... yes, still! Nickel Creek and Sugarland come in a close second and third, though. I will really listen to anything besides rap and grungy junk.

6. Favorite Food: Pasta, yum! and bread. I love bread.

7. Favorite Hobbies: Snowboarding for sure in the winter. I also like hiking and going to the beach. I love reading. My favorite book of the year was Life of Pi. I love to play the piano, my guitar, and flute. I love country swing dancing and trying new things. Is it weird that I miss going to school, too?

8. What do you want to be when you grow up? Can't I just find Neverland?? Well, I suppose I can't, so someday I hope to have a job that I love, but more importantly...someday I will get married and be a mom. Of course, I see that happening no time in the near future...but it is the end goal and I'll look for the opportunities to get there. :)

9. What makes you happy? Being with my family. Being with good friends. Being with my cats and my rabbit. 

10. What makes you sad? Simple...being away from my family for long periods of time.

11. Where would you go on vacation if you could go anywhere? Australia! I would surf and go to the Great Barrier Reef. Go down under in the outback. Learn the accent and maybe catch myself a really cute Aussie. ;) If I could, I'd sidestep to New Zealand and see the sites of Lord of the Rings, as well.

12. Thoughts about the past year: It's been a whirlwind of a year! Landon and I got close when we was living here in Logan with me. It was a little sad to see him leave in August. But, I know that he will be a fabulous missionary, and I know that he is having a really good time in England. I took my last semester of college in the end of 2009. My feelings on this are sooo mixed. I was ready for a break from classes, but I miss being on campus and being around people my age all day long. Entering the "real world" came by way too quickly for me. I am considering going back to school, once the money is saved up, to get my teaching degree for English. Do you think I could handle teaching? I'm giving myself just a little time to think, so that I know what the right choice is for me. I moved out my grandparents, and it has actually been a really good experience. I like the independence. I bought my first car. I love it, even with its quirks and shortcomings. I got a second job. It really pushes my comfort level, and I am learning a lot. I keep trying to play the dating game, but I've come to the conclusion that it's a lot of dang work. I seem to attract a lot of creepers, haha. Overall, the year has been good. Time has passed slowly and I continue to look for the good things and the growing experiences. I can't wait to see what the next year brings me! :)