The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!

  I am back in Utah right now. I am not sure if I am happy to be back or not, yet. Going home was kind of a whirlwind of a trip and I wish there was something I could do to slow time down. The 4 days that I was home absolutely flew by. It was so great to get out of Utah for a little and also to relax at home with family! Relaxation and my family are two things that I really miss in my life. However, I really did have so much fun at home! I was able to see most of my close friends and family, the food was great, I got great gifts, the weather was perfect for Christmas... all in all it was just a great trip.

  I am lucky to be an aunt to 5 beautiful nieces and 2 nephews. I was only able to see Brooklyn and Georgia... they are so darling. I miss them so much! I love the cute things they have to say and watching them and how they try to make sense of things. I would say one of the greatest gifts of the year was being able to see the genuine excitement on those little girls' faces. Most definitely a priceless gift! I wish I was able to see more of Brooklyn, Georgia, Claire, Olivia and little Jacob. I live close to Mackenzie and I hardly get to see her two cuties. It has been so fun to see how they have grown over the past few years. 

  For those of you that have never been to my house at Christmas time- - you're really missing out. My mom does an unbelievable job at decorating the house. Her decorations are so unique and gorgeous! I love being home... but being home at Christmas time is the absolute best. I never really appreciated it as much as I should have until I have been living on my own. I don't have near the collection of decorations as my mom and I know that I wouldn't have her skill either. I miss my mom and I know that I should pay more attention to the things she does-- so, for when it is my turn to be grown up, I can instill the same feeling in my home. I am very grateful for my mom and the little things she has taught me over the years. As stubborn and difficult as I may have been in high school, I learned a lot from my mom. There are things that I am able to get done today, that I know I wouldn't be able to do without my mom's influence.

  It was really great to see two of my four sisters! I miss them  a lot. It has been great to grow closer to all of my sisters. I wish we could be together more often! It was so fun to be with my dad also! He's a great man that has a lot of my respect and love. I appreciate his wisdom very much. It is funny to watch the dynamic of a family change as everyone grows and matures in their own way. I like it a lot! 

  I love Christmas time... Can't wait for next year!!! 

Happy New Years Everyone!!! 

FINALS WEEK

Finally... the semester of hell is coming to an end. Pardon the language, but it literally has felt that way. It went by very fast in some aspects and really slow in others. I am really looking forward to finishing these classes and moving on to my next semester. I really don't believe that it could get any worse than this. Maybe I am being a little dramatic. As much as I say I despise school, I don't. I really enjoy to learn! I just do not cope well with the stress of being graded. I pray that as I continue on to more major specific classes I will enjoy it a little more and be less stressed.

   Oh and... Merry Christmas everybody! This picture is a little blurry.. but, just my cute roommates and I in front of our lil' tree. 

    My friend's Hannah and Kim. We were invited to the Kaufusi's family Christmas party last Sunday. It was so much fun, as always. Let me tell you something a little funny though. So, about a week before the party, I got a text from Alexis (Kaufusi), asking if Kim and I would like to sing a song with Corbin (her younger brother) at the family party. So, the party arrived and Hannah, Kim, Corbin and I sang "Away in a Manger". It was supposed to be a talent show, and each family had their own talent. We were the Kaufusi's talent. It was so fun! Corbin, for those of you that don't know him, is hilarious. I laughed several times throughout the song because he pronounced Jesus as "Hay-sus". All of us singing had a hard time staying composed... but, I think we did an alright job.

  Okay, if you haven't seen Miranda Sings on YouTube... you must. My team always makes jokes about her and imitates her. This is a common face of "Miranda"... if I had bright red lipstick on, it's an identical match. Miranda has some Christmas songs, for all of you that are interested. Tis the season!!! 

Merry Christmas!!!!!!  Home in 7 days!!!!

Hawaii!

   I just got back from a little place I like to call paradise! Hawaii is always so amazing. I absolutely love it there, I have been about 6 times now and I think I appreciate it more and more each time. Our team was there to play in the Hukilau Tournament at BYU- Hawaii. We played really well and won both of our games! We had a day to play on the beach and a day to hang out at the Polynesian Cultural Center. It was an awesome trip. I was able to see many people that I love. My dad came along with us, my niece Brooklyn was in Hawaii with her grandparents, my good friend Felicia played on the USD team and my longtime friend Aneka (who actually goes to BYU-H). It was so much fun! I am a little sad to be back here in the cold and having to face the enormous amount of homework .

  We were also lucky enough to go to the Laie, Hawaii temple. It was just recently renovated and dedicated. It was beautiful and an awesome experience. 

   When I was about Brooklyn's age (5) I came to Hawaii with my grandma and grandpa and I remember them taking me to this cool thing and taking pictures. It was fun to go with Brookie! I love that little girl. 

Life on the Road

  This past week has been crazy! Last Thursday we left for North Carolina to play Duke! Straight from North Carolina we headed for Chicago to play the University of Illinois at Chicago. Unfortunately, we lost both of our games. We played incredible against Duke! They were an awesome team, but I would love if we could meet them again someday and beat them- because we can. The game in Chicago, there really isn't much of an excuse. We played terrible, came out really flat and dug ourselves a huge hole. We were down by 21 and within 5 minutes we got it tied, however they got the last basket and we ended up losing by 2 or 3. A good lesson learner- we can't start games that way.

  Playing on the Cameron Indoor floor was pretty incredible! I always watch basketball games being played on this floor and it seems as though it would be a huge and super nice facility. It is SO small and a really old building. So many legends have played and coached here. It was so cool.

  We also got to tour around the United Center (where the Bulls and Blackhawks play). It was pretty neat, we got to go into the locker room. I sat in Michael Jordan's locker! No one uses it anymore because they swear that it is cursed. Every person, besides Jordan, that has used that locker has gotten seriously injured. So, I guess I didn't really sit in the locker, I just stood beside it because I didn't want to risk it. Especially with the luck that I have with dumb injuries.

  So, it is easy to say that it is a very busy life and it will only continue to get busier over these next few months! Playing college basketball is crazy! But, so worth it... I love it. I love my team and I love all the experiences  I will get over the next 3 and a half years. I am a very lucky person and sometimes forget what a real blessing this is.

Basketball Season Is Finally Here!

   We had our first game this week! Granted, it was only an exhibition game it was a nice break from practice. We have been practicing since the first week of October and it gets extremely monotonous and annoying to have to scrimmage against your own teammates day after day; especially when everyone knows each other's tendencies and all of the plays that we want to run. It gets a little frustrating, but I guess that is what makes you better, right? The team that we played was from Colorado-- Ft. Lewis College. We beat them quite handily (sort of the purpose of an exhibition game), but it was a lot of fun to be playing in a game again. Also, a quick thanks to my sister, Mackenzie, for the cool pictures.

  Our game was on Thursday night and the next night, the men were playing. The guys are pretty dang good and so much fun to watch! They were playing BYU-Hawaii, an exhibition game for them also, but it was a lot of fun to go watch. I went to the game with my roommate Karin and her boyfriend Cole. They are so great because you NEVER feel like a third-wheel... well, at least I don't. They are a lot of fun. Go Cougs'! 

  Okay, so my week was alright. Oh... but wait! I have to mention this. I met a guy, a pretty great guy too! His name is Chris and he plays on the men's basketball team here at BYU. I went out for ice cream with him on Thursday night after my game and had an absolute blast. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to meet a nice, down to earth, easy going and humble student-athlete, especially one who is on the basketball team. It's a big deal. I laughed for a majority of the time; he has an impeccable sense of humor. We have a ton in common and I had a great weekend getting to know him. He is a very impressive guy! I am really excited to have met someone as cool is he is. 

   Lastly, I wanted to share this. I laughed for a solid 5 minutes when I saw this picture of little Nacho Libre. Those of you who know my little niece Georgia, she is a crack up and looks nearly IDENTICAL to the little critter on the right. I told Caitlin that she must dress Georgia up as Nacho for halloween next year. It is just too perfect. I hope that this makes you laugh has hard as it made me laugh.

  

Happy Halloween!!!

Beware...

    Okay... I know, this is a little too real looking and a little too creepy. It was so much fun though. Our entire team dressed up as high school cliques. As you all can tell, I was one of the goths. I found the lovely 'cloak'  treasure at the D.I. We presented ourselves to the coaches and then headed to Cafe Rio for lunch. When I was about to walk in, I had assumed that the rest of the team was already in the restaurant- so I walked in with a murderous look on my face and my cape was blowing in the wind behind me to joke around with my teammates... little did I know, I was the FIRST to walk into Cafe Rio. I scared a lot of innocent people that were just trying to enjoy their pork- barbacoa burritos. I felt bad and I reassured them that it was JUST a costume. What a day! 

   Later that night I decided to dress up as something that wasn't quite so harsh. I went to a dance with my roommate Aubri, I was dressed as Pocahontas. So...I decided that I officially... do NOT like dances. I really struggle not being able to talk with people; it frustrates me. I am also a terrible dancer- no rhythm at all. I have no problem with looking like a dork, clearly. But, there is just something about the impossibly loud music, being surrounded by dirty dancing and not being able to hear yourself talk that doesn't really agree with me. I love to have a good time, don't get me wrong! I find that I have a lot more fun when I can communicate with people without having to scream at the top of my lungs. 

   On Saturday night, I had a nice mellow evening. My good friend Hannah Tempest, Brandon Comfort and his friend Alyssa as well as my cousin Zach came over to my place to carve some pumpkins. It was a lot of fun! However, I don't remember pumpkins ever smelling that bad!! I had a few moments where I had to take a step back because I was starting to gag. I was able to finish and these are our beautiful works of art! Pretty cute.

   For those of you that have NOT seen Toy Story 3, that is really too bad because you're missing out on the cutest thing ever. When I first saw the movie, I couldn't get over how CUTE this little toy was. Peas in a pod! Look at those cute little smiles. Then you can zip it shut. How can you not love that? My mom sent me the best Halloween package! Only she would remember me saying how much I loved this little toy. She is the best for things like that! I love getting packages from home, it is so much fun. Thanks so much mom! I love you.

   I had a pretty good week. I haven't been able to practice because of my concussion, so that has been a little frustrating. However, I am feeling a lot better and expect to be practicing in full force this week! Our first game is this week. I cannot believe that I am entering into my second season here at BYU. Time really does fly. I'm really looking forward to the season starting- my team is hilarious and we always have a good time on the road. I decided to red-shirt last year, so this year I get to play! I am so excited but nervous at the same time. It's going to be a great season.

Happy Halloween Everyone!!