YIKES...

So I had some time today between statistics and biochemistry and instead of waiting in the hall outside my classroom - pretending to occupy myself on my phone like everyone else - I walked into the chemistry department offices and declared a chemistry minor. This decision was only semi-sporadic. I have been thinking about it for a while but today I saw the office and decided to just do it.

The nice thing about a chemistry minor is my major puts me one class away...so there isn't a lot of work I have to do.

The bad thing about a chemistry minor is I HATE CHEMISTRY. I can't stand it. I have had at least 3 credits of chemistry since my freshman year here. This year I am maxing out at 5...and its awful. And I'm not even that good at it. All of my lowest grades are in chemistry. I have to work really hard in chemistry, and its not fun for me.

It just makes sense for me to do it because I am so close. So its done...I am officially minoring in chemistry.

So here is to my last chemistry class (a FOUR credit lab!). The only good thing is I'm not taking it until next fall...so what I am really looking forward to next semester is a semester with no chemistry. :)

Thanksgiving Weekend

I LOVED Thanksgiving break this year. There is seriously nothing better than spending time with family and eating. Its the greatest. This year we had 16 people at our house for Thanksgiving dinner and then about 50 for dessert...so it was a party.

On Thanksgiving morning Danica and I ran a 5k which has become a fun tradition. Even though we are both out of shape as far as 5ks go, its fun to race every once in a while, especially with my sister.

After the run, all of our attention was turned to cooking.

Danica mixing up her favorite Thanksgiving dish - stuffing - in mass quantities. That's how we do it in our house :)

Everyone got in on the cooking Thanksgiving morning...some more willing than others (exhibit A...Drew's face).

Matthew was super proud of the apple pie (or should I say "Dutch Apple Crumble") he created himself...and he should have been...it was delicious.

My dad handled the turkey this year like he always does. This year we even got him in an apron haha

Beautiful table settings...

...delicious food...

...and a Thanksgiving nap. Nothing better.

For dessert we held our annual pie making competition...the catch - only men are allowed to enter (and the grandmas/great aunts are the judges...but that wasn't really intended to be a catch...it just happened). This year we had a total of 11 entries so the competition was intense.

Congratulations to Drew for winning for the second year in a row (although the legitimacy of last year is in question)...this year he won over the judges with a banana cream pie. Oh, and a special shout out to Rob and James for a tie in the "people's choice award" haha. Good job to all the men who participated...they were all delicious.

On Friday we recovered by going out into the dessert and shooting stuff...and when I say stuff I mean trash - old TVs, computers, bottles, cans, mattresses, whatever we can find really...and some clay pigeons. It was a little windy but it is always a good time.

Danica

Rob and Drew

More Danica...different style.

Me and Drew...I have goofy looking form I decided but hey...it gets the job done.


Matthew in his favorite shooting position. He was extremely dirty by the end of the day.

After shooting we all went and saw The Blind Side. So good...such a great family movie to finish out the weekend.

This Thanksgiving I have realized how thankful I am for my family. I know they are always there for me and I love how close we all our. Thanks family. I love you all.

Matthew's Baptism

Last weekend I went down to Vegas to see Matthew get baptized (and because she is practically part of the family, Jess came too). It was fun to see some of my family that I haven't seen in a long time (my mom! and my grandparents) and seeing Drew baptize Matthew was something that I will never forget - and I hope they won't either.

Drew and Matthew before the baptism.

The family...I don't know where I am looking in this one, but it is the only one where everyone else looks decent. Sad.

Matthew and the grandparents.


Matthew with all the aunts and uncles that were in town for the event.

All of the cousins that were there...not a great picture of everyone but with this many kids it turned out alright.

Congratulations Matthew on this big step in your life. Never forget it.

Weird

Here are some pictures taken from my apartment today...




...and the weird thing is...I'm kind of happy about it. Last night was the first real snow of the season. This morning I got up and had to scrape the snow off my car so I could go to the gym. It was snowing when I ran into the gym freezing in shorts and a sweatshirt. It has more turned into rain now but I'm sure it will snow more tonight. I was dreading this day...but today I don't care. I am excited about the snow, I am excited about winter...what is wrong with me? I guess I am just now appreciating living in a place that has seasons. Fall was beautiful and I think this winter is going to be a good one too (there is always the fact that I get to be in Vegas for a nice piece of it...that makes it a little more manageable haha). I am looking forward to this winter...you might just have to remind me that I said that in April...when its STILL winter haha.

Halloween at Disneyland

The past few years my family has been going to Disneyland over Halloween because the kids get school off on Friday (for Nevada Day) and its relatively uncrowded. This year Jess and I took a day off school and joined them for a fun time in California. Not only were we blessed with fun rides, short lines and good food, but the weather was beautiful (meanwhile...it was snowing in Provo haha).

My mom, being the excellent planner that she is, had both Friday and Saturday scheduled out for us...giving us the maximum ride time, the minimum wait time and even some free time :). On Friday we were standing outside Disneyland by 7:15 waiting for the park to open at 8. We got in right when it opened, ran through Downtown Disney (as I am trying to explain our surroundings to Jess who was experiencing Disneyland for the first time!) and straight to our first ride. The day went on with rides, running into people from home, a delicious lunch, and more rides. After dinner Danica, Drew, Jess and I went back into the park and partied it up until late.

Yay for DISNEYLAND!!!

Matthew and I on Dumbo with Jess and Danica behind us.


Drew, me, Danica, Jess and Matthew waiting (for the Matterhorn i think...)


Doesn't Danica looked thrilled to be riding with me haha.

This is probably my favorite picture. My family likes to make the pictures on the rides interesting by all making faces according to a certain theme. One time we were all monkeys, once we all had Jazz hands...but this theme was Asian tourist (sorry if that offends anyone). Best. Picture. Ever. My dad is just classic. Unfortunately Matthew is a little difficult to see behind him...but I promise he didn't fall out.

Jess and I got soaked on this ride...it took us the entire rest of the day to get dry. The picture was totally worth it though.

On Saturday we got to sleep in for a little and then we went to California Adventure and lined up to race to the Toy Story ride as soon as it opened. From there its all a blur of roller coasters, cotton candy, elevator drops (Tower of Terror) and Halloween decorations.

The girls on the Ferris wheel.

Matthew, Jess, Drew, and me...getting ready to blast off.

Last weekend was so much fun. It was so good seeing my family...especially my mom and sister because they refuse to come visit me like the rest of my family (*just kidding*) and to just relax. Amazingly I didn't do any homework the entire weekend. LOVELY. Thanks family!!

P.S. Jess...I am so glad you got to come. You can be a part of our family anytime. We all love you. I hope you enjoyed your first experience at Disneyland.