Snow in late May?

The weather here in Utah is really starting to get downright awesome. It’s sunny and not too hot which is making me antsy to get out as much as possible. I have been waiting to get a fishing license because we had been planning to go to Idaho over memorial day weekend and I didn’t want to buy 2 since I am not a resident of either of those states. I picked up my grandpa, who flew into town to be there for the summer, and Talyn on Wednesday evening. We drove there and we greeted by small flurries that night.

We then woke up the next morning and we greeted by heavy clouds and some rain. Later in the day there was a break in clouds, and we got to shoot around.

Then Daniel and Andrew showed up and we continued our enjoyment but the snow and wind picked up even more.

These are the highlights of the times we were actually outside enduring the cold. After awhile I couldn’t take it, I had to go to the park and do a hike.

It was awesome and the weather even cleared up just enough to go on the hike and get back in the car. It started to snow right when we got in the parking lot. It was a cool feeling.

We then went to Boondocks to celebrate Larry’s birthday and Father’s day a little early.

Halfway Point of the Semester

Surprisingly, the semester is going by very fast and it feels very close to the end. We had our first tests and I was worried because of the accelerated curriculum that I wasn’t going to do as well. I was dead wrong. I got high A’s on both of the tests and felt very over-prepared looking back, which bodes well for finals. We also had our engagement pictures taken on Saturday. I don’t have them, because they are being edited by our photographer, Kiara, but once I do I will post some of them. I couldn’t stay serious for long in these pictures, so there are a ton of funny pictures. We then went shopping for Talyn to get some outdoor gear (she didn’t have any). We both felt like we robbed Park City with the amount of good stuff that we got due to the huge sales they were having. She even got an Arc’teryx down jacket, which both my dad and I are super jealous of.

Basically, this trip got us super excited to hike (I mean walk), so we drove with both her parents to Battle Creek Falls near their house. It was awesome (better than I expected) and the temperature was perfect.

Now we have a three day week and then we head Island Park, Idaho with my grandpa Larry to enjoy the plethora of activities to there. It is supposed to be pretty cold (in the 30’s at night, with rain/snow) so it will be even more of an adventure.

Adventures of a lifetime

I have had a busy couple of weeks and now I am in school again and don’t feel like catching up a whole bunch but I will submit pictures and tell the stories through them.

My dad, uncle, a couple of buddies and I did the subway hike in Zion’s National park.

It was an A for Awesome! The water was a lot higher than the last time I did it, and a lot colder.

My dad was shaking so much he needed a “walrus” hug to warm him back up again.

I absolutely had a blast and want to do it again.

I also did a pretty important thing that same weekend…

I went on a hot air balloon…

And got engaged! It was an amazing experience and I am so glad that Talyn said yes. We will be getting married on August 10 in the Mount Timpanogos temple in Pleasant Grove, UT.

Then we left the women…

and went golfing. Here is me with my hole-in-one!

Then last weekend I went to Las Vegas to visit family, have family meet Talyn, and go to my uncle’s memorial service. Of course I don’t have any pictures from this trip, but we did have a great time. We really appreciated my Grandpa Ron for letting us stay with him and spend so much time with him.

FInals are over!

I finished finals and man, does it feel good. I worked really hard this semester and I was really happy with how it ended. I got all A’s for the first time in my life, and it left me wanting more. I learned a lot and I appreciate all of the help that I got this semester from Katie Willis (chemistry study buddy) and especially Talyn Camp. She supported me all semester long and encouraged me to study when I could’ve blown off my school work to relax. I am excited for this weekend because my parents are meeting me in St George to hike the subway in Zion National Park. It will be great to have 6 days free from school before I start up again in spring.

Finals week, it’s long

So I am in the home stretch and don’t have a ton of time but I can at least keep myself in the competition, right? More like I just don’t want to eat at Texas Roadhouse, even though Talyn and I didn’t agree on that being the consequence, whatever. I have never studied so much in my life and let me tell you, it is FUN! You have no idea how great it feels to wake up and then study, for the whole day. Well, I am sure some of you do but let me have my moment, ok? Since this post is definitely content, this video isn’t so enjoy!

This is what I love about the internet, any idiot can be famous for a day.

The tests are over...well, sort of

What a great way to start the week! It was conference weekend and fortunately, I was able to get tickets (thanks again Adrian) to go on Sunday afternoon. It was sleeting all over the place but we were able to get there unscathed. I loved the messages that were given. It truly made me feel inspired

Since it was conference weekend, it also meant that I had a mission reunion to attend. It was great to see my mission president and his wife and to catch up with old companions and friends from the mission. 

It has been a busy week but at the same time not stressful. I had two different chemistry tests this week and I need to keep my streak alive of really doing well to get A's in those classes. I have studied hard all semester long and I have really tried to finish strong. I was able to get an A on the first one yesterday and I took the second one today. It was free response so I don't know what I got but I am pretty confident that I also got an A. Things are going well and I can't wait to start studying for finals that start in two weeks. I have an elder's quorum camp out, that I have helped plan, tomorrow and I will let you guys know how it goes.

Compilation of Greatness

Usually near the end of the semester, you don't have any tests to prepare for, just finals. I guess my professors didn't get that memo and instead they love doing just that. I don't understand it but, alas this is what goes on. Fortunately, through effective study times, I am able to figure everything out and participate in some great activities. Adrian (my room mate) and I went up to Park City to go snow board after a great load of powder fell (20 inches!). It was going to be one of the best days this whole season because of how much snow had fallen.

 However, on the first run of the day, Adrian fell and broke his clavicle. It was bad, ergo the awesome xray and video of the fall below.

Is he doing it right?

Everyone knows what happened last week that shook the college-kid infested town of Provo, the movie Hunger Games came out. The way it was discussed on campus, made it seem like something life changing was happening similar to everyone getting A's on their finals or having world peace. Alas, it was neither, and I had to keep studying and praying for both of those to happen. Joking aside, I got a ticket for my birthday from Talyn and her family to go see the movie. This movie experience was a little different then I am used to, but in an awesome way. We had assigned seats, we didn't have to wait in line and the movie was the night that it opened up but we got to see it at 6 pm, so no late night. The movie was pretty good and it was good to have dinner with her family before. 

Waiting for the movie to start 

The lines for the movie at 9 pm for a 12 am showing

Then after a couple of tests were slain, it was time to party it up in Salt Lake all day on Saturday. We got up early and drove to Rio Tinto Stadium where the professional soccer team plays and waited in line for free tickets to the game that night. Yes, you heard me, FREE! We couldn't pass up this wonderful opportunity, but we did pass up on sleep to get the tickets. Instead of driving back to Provo, and then at night returning for the game, we decided to make a day trip about it. We stopped by the Sandy public library so I could get some homework done and then hit up the mall and my favorite, REI. I got a gift card for my birthday and I was anxious to spend it on something. I found some great hiking shorts (they don't make hiking shorts for people that are tall, unless I want them to be the same length as my underwear) and I was willing to spend the gift card and some of my own cash to get it, but then I realized that the dividends would be ready from the last year and that there was a 20% off coupon for any item in the store. REI offers this deal to its members that you get back 10% of everything you spend. I know, they are great. It was the best day ever! Not only did I get the shorts, but I still have my gift card for another day when my dividend runs out. Then we went to the game, and boy was it exciting. We lost 1-0. There were tons of corner kicks but they just never panned out. It helped remind me of how exciting soccer can be, when you are at the game. 

I then had to wake up even earlier the next morning (what happened to sleeping in?) to have a meeting with a general authority on all the other Elder's Quorum Presidents in the stake. Elder Lund made some great points and reminded me why I serve. I know how important the church really is, and what Christ can do for me, if I let Him into my life more.

I have already gotten a 100 on one test yesterday for chemistry, and I have Bio test this week that I should do pretty well on. After that is over with, it's time for more studying (still not for finals, but for other tests), working and watching as much general conference as possible. I can't wait and of course, you guys will here about it next week.