21

My birthday was so much fun!

At work, I brought cookies to all of my kids. Then for lunch I went to Argentine Corner with my daddy and some of his coworkers who went to Argentina on their missions. Then I went home, and found a little Ariel cake from my mama, and a pinata from Johnny. I was in "Hairspray" that night and it was a really good show. My family and the Wanlass family came to see it for my birthday. Then I went out with the cast and Dani surprised me with a huge Ariel cake for the cast! It was such a fun day!

Goodbye, 20!

So tomorrow I will be 21.

Where in the crap did this year go?!

What I did at age 20:

• Survived my 2nd year of music at WSU- done with music theory classes forever!!!


• Was a WSU Concert Choir Officer- so fun!


• Was in the final production at RMT/Had to say goodbye to one of my favorite places on earth.


• Was in my first opera/first production at WSU.


• FINALLY SAW WICKED!/Awesome mini-road trip with Best friends!


• Decided to go on a mission.


• Was called to serve in the Argentina, Neuquen Mission!


• Got a job as a teacher at a daycare- I have learned so much from this job!


• Was in "Hairspray" at the Sandy City Amphitheater.

And the Main Highlight:

• WENT THROUGH THE TEMPLE!!!!

I know I did other things too. I really do stuff other than school and work and musicals. I promise. For some reason, I just never remember anything else.

Age 21 is going to be the most life-changing year ever! I'm so Excited!

I Have a Favor to Ask

Can you please pray for me and for my Hairspray cast?

I don't care what your beliefs are, I would still really appreciate it.

Here's the deal; I feel Satan trying to discourage me all of the time right now. I know it is because I am preparing for my mission and going through the temple in 2 days. He's not really tempting me, he's just trying to make me feel frustrated and inadequate. And unfortunately, it's working a little. With 2 jobs and the insane amount of stress Hairspray is causing, I just don't have the energy to battle these feelings.

As for my Hairspray cast, we've been through a lot of things we shouldn't have had to go through. You see, our director was causing a lot of problems and we were getting nothing accomplished and the show was just really crappy, despite the astounding amount of talent in our cast, and we were opening in a week. We were fighting and had lost our desire to make this show happen and no longer enjoyed rehearsal. Our director was fired on Friday, and it is amazing how relieved and close we all feel now.

Unfortunately, he left of lot of the show uncompleted, and some things he did do were, in my opinion, stupid. Now, in the last 3 days, we have redone a lot of the show and changed a lot of things. They are good changes, but now we only have 2 dress rehearsals to make sure we do all of the changes. It is very, very overwhelming.

I just need some help right now.

Little Mermaid

I don't know if you are aware of this, but Ariel has been my favorite Disney Princess ever since I was born. Like, look at the presents I get every birthday- at least one is always Ariel related. Look at my pajamas, my purse, and my bedroom sheets. All Ariel. My room has a lot of Ariel decor. I am obsessed.

Little Mermaid was a musical on Broadway a few years ago. The show is at Tuacahn this summer. And on our way to Arizona, my family went to see it. Guess how happy I was? WAY HAPPY! Musicals and Ariel combined? Those are my two favorite things! haha I may have cried a bit during the overture because I was so excited.

It was my favorite show I've ever seen there. Ursula and Sebastian were amazing, and the set and effects were so gorgeous. I loved it.

This is How We Celebrate the Pioneers

Every year, we all gather in the front yard of my Aunt Andrea and Uncle Gerbear's house. He hooks up his iTunes to a speaker, and he brings out his drum set. My dad lights fireworks, and we have a dance party and watch fireworks at the same time. Gerbear plays his drums to the songs, and the little kids get a chance too. One time, the neighbors thought we were all drunk. Understandable, haha.

Vacay in Show Low

This is kinda late, but my family was in Show Low, Arizona over the 4th of July. The point of the trip was to visit my family before my mission. It was SO FUN!!! Have I mentioned how much I love my family?! Probably only 1 million times! haha

On Saturday, we all went out to eat at a Mexican restaurant and it was so fun! Then we went to the nearby town of Taylor and saw fireworks.

Sunday morning, the whole family went to church. That afternoon, we all gathered at the grandparents' to have lunch. My favorite part of the day was watching my cousins' kids play. I became obsessed with this little guy:
I think this is the largest family gathering we've ever had without it being a family reunion.

Here's all of the cousins:
Here are my two closest cousins on this side, Eric and Julianne. We are the closest in age and we've had so much fun over the years!
The next day was the 4th, and everyone came to our hotel where we had a nice spot for the parade.


After the parade we went to lunch at a Chinese restaurant. My Grandpa was going on and on about how good the food was there. He was right! I have never liked Chinese food, and I even thought it was good!

Then some of us went and played whiffle ball. It was very entertaining!


After the game, we went to the carnival and ate yummy treats and bought crafts and jewelry and stuff. Then it was time to go back to our hotel.

The next morning we left Show Low, and I was so sad. I cried, as usual, because I hate that I hardly ever see these people. They are some of my most favorite people ever! I'm so glad I saw my family! I love them so much!

Harry Potter

Last night at 12:20 I saw the final Harry Potter movie. It was actually a very emotional experience for me. I was just overwhelmed with a feeling of love for this amazing series. Words cannot properly express my love for these books, so this is all I will say: I first read Harry Potter in 2000 and have read all the books at least three times a year since. It's the only series that I feel ends in the absolutely perfect way. I also have loved the movies a fair amount, although sometimes I hate the changes they make. I'm so glad that I was a part of the generation that got to experience all of the books and movies coming out- it's been so much fun!