Australia!!

Guess what!! I'm finally updating with my blog with my summer study abroad!! I have so many pictures that I really have just kept putting it off. But my wonderful smart mother gave me a great idea...do it in parts!

Part 1: Australia

This picture is in Cairns. Our first destination. We had been flying for about 24 hours and as you can see I look like it. But Ally and I were tent-mates and so we had to show off our wonderful job of setting it up. We spent 5 nights here and it was pretty great. They had a swimming pool (but being winter the pool was freezing) and they had showers and free internet. It was a great place! We made friends with the local YSA ward and spent a lot of time with them, including going to Harry Potter 7 Part 2 with them.

While in Cairns we went to the Rain forest Station. It was great! We got to pet kangaroos and Kola Bears. They were so fun and I really was temped to bring some home.

I think that Dingos are so beautiful!! Unfortunately their really mean so we could only look but that's alright I enjoyed looking.

Can you see the baby?!

This is Jack The Ripper. He was HUGE!! They call him that because they tried to mate him with 12 yes count it 12 females and he killed them ALL!! He's an angry guy...so don't mess.

I learned how to throw a boom-a-rang...I'm no good but it was still fun.

On one of our drives to a beach we stopped at this beautiful view. There were some great views!

We are now in the Outback of Australia. To be honest a lot of it looks a lot like Southern Utah. But it was still pretty awesome! This is Katie Jensen and I

Oh and I got to ride a Camel. It was so fun! You couldn't help but smile and laugh while you were up there.

Finally some warmer weather for our hikes.

this is Katie, McCall, Emma, and me

Emma, Me, Kirsten, Katie, Kate, and Ryan

Cute Jessie

This place is an ancient place that fathers use to take their sons to learn about the female anatomy...kind of like maturation.

Left to right: Neeley, McCall, Ally, Me, Emma, Katie, Kate, Kirsten

Uluru Rock. This is in the evening with the sun setting. It was great to see it then!

We are now in the Blue Mountians

The weather was rainy and chilly, but then again it was winter there so that's understandable.

The 3 sisters....

This is on a sky coaster. We rode across this amazing valley that was just COVERED in trees. So amazing!!

They had this funny ride that we went on. None of us knew what was happening we just followed the instructions to get on. We were really confused with the cage like atmosphere. We were wondering how we were going to see the view...turns out that's not the point. It's one of the steepest incline in the world. We got to ride down in and it was pretty exciting!

This is a hike we did called the Natural Pass. It took us about 2 hours I think and was so awesome and beautiful!!

Now arriving in Sydney!

I've always wanted to see Sydney so this was pretty exciting for me. We got a lot of free time here so we got to really explore the city. It's an amazing place...but we sure did stand out in our quick dries.

On the train to go see the opera house with McCall.

The opera house. Not great weather but we got our quick dries so we were fine!

After walking ALL day we decided we need to eat. We wanted to eat somewhere local and different. We asked a few people and they would keep telling us that it was only a 10 min. walk that way. After about 20 min. we would ask someone else....they would do the same thing. Finally someone gave us good directions...kind of. They sent us down this dark Alley. We were a little skeptical at first but then we came across this awesome Italian place. It was really delicious and the people loved us because there were so many of us (well only about 10 from the group) and we were all in big rain jackets.

It was the highlight of the day.

We also got to see a Rugby game. Turns out...I LOVE Rugby. It's such a fun sport to watch! I don't understand it at all, but its still cool!

We got to see the Wallabies vs. South Africa. Which happen to be 2 of the top 3 teams in the world. We had a great time!

Over all I loved Australia! I would go back in a heart beat. It was a really great place!

Lexy Lou!

Yes it is true I'm finally updating my blog. My Study Abroad ones are coming soon I promise. But first I wanted to take this opportunity to pay respect to two very important family members. Today we had to say goodbye to the best dog ever! Lexy Lou Hanks, 1997-2011. I remember the first time I saw her. Mom brought her home to show Dad to see if we could keep her. I went and played with her and fell in love immediately. She was a sweet tempered puppy and remained that way her whole life. She was Clayton's little buddy so its pretty sweet that she would get to rejoin him so close to his birthday. I'm sure he was so happy to see her again and same with her.

I would also like to quickly mention a quick Happy Birthday to Clay. It's been two years this weekend but it still feels like it happened yesterday. I still miss you everyday. I know you're doing great work on the otherside. Keep it up bro. We miss you here!

I thought this picture was perfect. The two of them together!

I realized that I didn't have many great pictures of her. So this is one of the few that I have of her.

Just a few pictures to remember Clay. He sure did bring a lot of joy and light to the family!

Mazatlan and other things....

Ok so turns out...I'm not that great at blogging. But here's a little catch up

So the whole fam headed down to Mazatlan Mexico for a week. A much needed break!!

Here's the view from our balcony...Love it!

Of course we had to do the pottery at our hotel. The kids love it and they always turn out super cute!

Cute father-daughter picture!

The waves were huge the entire time we were there! Even I had to get in and catch a few waves.

The kids loved playing on the beach together.

Our (almost) daily water volleyball game. Our family is a little competitive, but we kept it pretty good. It was a lot of fun!

One night coming back from dinner we decided to go watch the ocean. The moon was full so the tide was reaching all the way to the wall. I left for 5 minutes to go to the bathroom and I came back to everyone wet (except for Megan, somehow she got away quick enough). But while I was gone a wave came up and crashed over the wall....getting everyone wet. hahaha gotta love it!

The last night Mom arranged a private fiesta for our family. We all had a great time and it was a perfect way to spend the last night all there together!

Thanks to these two great people we all spent a week together and had a blast!! It really was such a great trip. Thanks so much Mom and Dad!!

After my awesome trip I got to go to Logan to visit some old friends. Marlee put on a house warming party for her and chey's place now and mine and Steph's in the fall. We met a lot of great people, played some fun games, and ate lots of food. Great times!

I love these two girls!!

For Memorial day we all went to see Kung Fu Panda 2. A super cute movie! After we stopped by Clay's grave and decorated it a little then headed back home for a BBQ.

Good day!

So oh my goodness....Lisa Dickson is headin to the Phillippines!! I can't believe it. She got her call on June 1st and is heading to the Quezon mission, Tagalog speaking! She reports to the Provo MTC on October 19th. I'm so excited for her!

CONGRATS LIS!! You're going to be an amazing missionary!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

This post is dedicated to all the wonderful mother's in my life! Especially my own!! I have so many wonderful examples of how to be a good wife and mother that I'm super grateful for!

I want to say thanks to Mom, Grandma(s), and my sisters (including the in-laws)!! You guys are great!

We had the grandparents over for dinner on Mother's day. It was a lot of fun! After our delicious meal prepared by Dad we headed downstairs so the kids could show Grandma and Grandpa Just Dance 2. They thought it was awesome.

We all had such a great time!!

On Saturday Mom, Dad, and I headed out to South Jordan to watch a little soccer. Both Addi and Boston had games. Boston was a little disappointed that he wasn't starting the second half so we had a little photo shoot to cheer him up. There were a lot more, but I felt these ones were the best.

This was a happy face.

Sad face.

Kissin Bos. I LOVE Boston's face in this one.

It was such a beautiful day!

Saturday night I met up with these lovely gals. We headed downtown to a cute little waffle place called Burges. It was super yummy and we had a great time!

Not a bad way to start off the summer if you ask me. Now I'm just working and enjoying the break from school. Next Monday we head to Mexico which will be tons of fun. That will probably be the next post!