In Missouri!

I know this blog is WAY behind. I'm still working on catching up. So while this is old news, I'm still grateful for it. At the beginning of December my family moved down to Missouri, outside a town called Richmond. We are so blessed that things worked out. After going through lots of offers and looking at lots of houses, they finally found one they love.

My parents have wanted to move from Illinois to Missouri for a while, and finally got their chance. They have also always wanted an older house on some land; and this is it! The house was built in 1915 and is on 25 acres that includes ponds, woods, pastures, a barn, and a couple outbuildings.

Over Christmas I got to go down and visit. The house has so much charm inside and out. It's also in amazing condition for being so old. The land is beautiful and it's nice not to have any neighbors and to be out where it's quiet. My family loves every bit of it!

Updates and New Year's Resolution

My sister Rebecca and I at the really cool Navajo bridge over the Colorado River in Arizona. It was built in 1929, it is 834' long and 467' above the river. It was absolutely breath taking. These cell phone pictures don't do it justice at all. It was so quiet and beautiful!

I know it's been three months since I've posted. I am repenting and resolving to do better. In fact, my New Year's resolution is to post at least twice a week. Hopefully more than that.

A lot has happened in the past three months:

• I graduated! Well, I walk in April but I am all done taking classes at BYU! What a great feeling. Now if I can just find a job.
• Went home to Illinois for Christmas! I really needed a break and it was so nice to get away from everything for a few weeks and spend time with my family.
• Went to Texas to do some work with my dad and visit Grandparents. It was an absolute blast. We got some work done but also watched some favorite TV shows and played lots of games! I also got to see Swing! for the first time, which was great.
• After driving from Chicago to Bedford, Texas with my sister, we packed up again and headed for Utah. We took a different route than normal and got to see some parts of the country I've never seen. Not only was it amazing to drive for days on end (we figured it was about a 40 hour drive all together) with my best friend, it was fun to see sites along the way. We made some great memories!

Shop Till You Drop!

My sister and best friend Rebecca flew out a few weeks ago and spent a few days here shopping, watching movies and eating Chinese food. I don't think I have ever hit that many stores in that short of time before in my life! Rebecca is great, and I had the best time with her. The picture above is one of my favorite pictures of us. Sorry for the blurriness; it's a picture of a picture.

One of our favorite stores is Down East, whenever I go I could spend a fortune there. I love that their stuff is so classy but also different. So, we went there, to the malls, some outlet stores...and I know I'm leaving some out.

Rebecca and I also LOVE What Not to Wear. Every time she comes out here we watch episode after episode. It's fun to watch Stacy and Clinton put outfits together and even more fun to watch their witty banter as they help people dismantle then rebuild their wardrobe.

Thanks for the best weekend ever Rebecca! Love you!

West Side Story

When I was down in Texas a few weeks ago I got to see the musical West Side Story at the amazing Artisan Center Theater. The theater is "in the round" which means the stage is in the middle and the seats are all around. The action takes place on stage as well as next to and even behind the seats. With sections only four rows deep, it felt like we were in the thick of a gang fight.

I gained a whole new appreciation for West Side Story, in fact, I almost cried at the end. The performers were so talented and their voices were amazing. The set was great and the dancing was so well choreographed.

I know it has been forever since I've blogged. A few good things that have happened recently:

Went home to Illinois for 2 weeks.


Went to Idaho for a family reunion.

Moved to a new apartment with an awesome room mate!

Went to Texas for work and got to visit my grandparents.

Got my schedule set and will graduate in December!

Got a new computer!

Rodeo

Last week I went to the rodeo with my friend Abram and some of his friends. It was so fun! My family used to go to the Spanish Fork Rodeo when we lived in Utah, but that was several years ago and I hadn't been to one since then. The Strawberry Days Rodeo in Pleasant Grove was really cool. I just learned that Strawberry Days is the longest running city celebration in Utah.

There were all the usual events and a really exciting dirt bike show. These guys were going up HUGE ramps and flipping around in the air. It was seriously amazing. Every time they went up they looked like they were just going to miss the landing pad on the top of the semi truck, but they made it every time.

I didn't have my camera with me and the delay on my cell phone camera made it so I kept missing all the action. So, my New Year's resolution (yes, I know it is June) is to take my camera with me everywhere!

Happy Father's Day

My dad is truly an amazing person. He is always there for me and my siblings. He is an extremely hard worker. My dad is an example to me of righteousness, leadership and love. My dad has always been very adamant about serving others. Through callings, work and on a personal level, he has served those around him, even when it may not be easy. I remember as a very young child going to deliver Sub for Santa gifts, helping clean the local high school and being taught to look for opportunities to help others.

I also remember the stories my dad tells. From the time we were very little my dad has told us stories. Sometimes they were true stories about himself, patriotic leaders, or people he knows. Sometimes his stories were out of books and the best ones were the ones he made up on the spot. The life lessons and morals he taught are priceless.

My dad is so fun to play games with, even if he does cheat. :) He got us started early on Junior Monopoly and now we're pros and can sometimes beat him...sometimes. He has always been involved in our lives and our interests.

I am so lucky to have my dad. He is the greatest man I know. His constant love, knowledge and advice mean the world to me.

Thank you Dad!

Summerfest

I went to Orem's Summerfest with some friends the other day. Even though it rained, we had a good time. Lots of booths to look at, good food and a cool old car show.

I remember as a little kid (when we lived in Orem) going to the Summerfest. Sometimes we went to the carnival and we always went to the parade. It's such a big deal! Everyone goes down to Center Street the night before and puts out blankets and lawn chairs to save a spot for the parade. I remember one year at the carnival my brother, Bob, won a frog at one of the games and we were so scared to take him home. Our parents aren't really animals-in-the-house kind of people. :) But, whether they wanted to be or not, they were good sports and the frog stayed. That is, until my brother got sick of him and flushed him down the toilet.

Mom!

I know it's been forever since I posted. I've just been so busy! But, a few weeks ago my mom visited from Illinois! It was SO fun to see her and just hang out with her. Between all the shopping and old movies we just talked and ate out at fun restaurants.

We went up to see my grandparents (her parents) and aunts (her sisters) in Logan and then we headed down to Castle Dale to see another one of my aunts (another of her sisters). I haven't had that much fun or laughed that hard in a long time! While we were down in Castle Dale we drove out to The Wedge which is like a smaller version of the Grand Canyon. Holy cow! It was HUGE and man was it beautiful.

My mom is truly the best. She is an amazing wife and mother. I don't know what I'd do without her!

Sadly, I didn't take my camera with me, so I don't have any pictures. I need to get in the habit of taking pictures!

Mother's Day

I know this is late, but I thought I'd post about how great my mom is. She is amazing! She incredibly smart and witty and has the best sense of humor. She knows everything about everything. I call her all the time and she is always there to give advice or just listen. She is also a wonderful homemaker and cook! Man, I miss her food...especially her cookies! :) I don't know what I would do without her. I am truly blessed to be able to call her my mom. I hope to someday be able to be half the mom she has been.

Called To Serve

You might have caught this great video between conference sessions. It's a music video style rendition of the hymn Called to Serve. I love it! On a related note, check out the blog my dad updates about my brother's mission.

Dad in Town!

This past week my dad came to town to do some consulting work. While he was here he spoke to a PR class and was on a panel for PRSSA. It is so fun to have a dad who majored in the same thing I'm majoring it. It's awesome to be able to talk about public relations related topics and career plans for the future with him. He is an amazing person, as a father and as a public relations professional. I really look up to him and want to be like him someday.

When my dad dropped me off at BYU as a freshman, he took me to see one of his good friends and colleagues and told her to talk me into majoring in public relations. He had always told me I would do well in it and would love it. His friend told me to find my passion and do it. I have definitly found my passion in public relations! My dad was right. In short, I owe my career choice to him! :)

While my dad was here, it was so fun to go out to eat, watch movies, just chat and watch 24 with someone who is just as addicted as I am! I am so grateful and lucky to have my dad!

Elder Call

I dropped my brother off at the Missionary Training Center yesterday. It was such a wonderful experience. Even though he is my younger brother, I have always looked up to him. He is serving in the Idaho Pocatello Mission and will be a wonderful missionary. I am so proud of him! The MTC was such a great place. Everyone was so friendly and welcomed Bob like a long-lost friend. While it was hard to say goodbye, I am so excited for him and glad that he has made decisions in life that have enabled him to serve the Lord. You can follow his mission at the blog my dad set up for him: Elder Robert M. Call.

Carole King

My dad is a huge Carole King fan. Lately I have been going back to my roots and listening to her music. Tunes like "I Feel The Earth Move," "Smackwater Jack," "You've Got A Friend" (this version has James Taylor too) and "Where You Lead" bring back memories of Dad's Thunderbird and cleaning the house on Saturdays. You'll probably recognize "Where You Lead" as the theme song of Gilmore Girls. My current favorites are "Up On the Roof," "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" and "It's Too Late." Carole is a wonderful and talented artist with way too many good songs to mention here.