There is nothing like a Utah sunset.

Summer

Sounds like fireworks.

Looks like a pile of books waiting to be read for pleasure.

Smells like a barbeque.

Feels like running through the sprinklers.

Tastes like a tiger's blood sno-cone.

This. Is. It.

GUESS WHAT I JUST BOUGHT TICKETS TO?!!!?!!!?!

Bah! So excited! July 15th at 12:01 a.m., here I come!

I wish I had real pictures for this blog post . . .

but I don't. I forgot my camera.

But this is my rendition of my dear, dear friend Emily and me:

Aren't we cute? 

Emily and I have been friends since 6th grade. It's amazingly awesome, actually, that we've been friends for so long. Here's another picture of us (this one's for you, Em):

(Pictures courtesy of squeetus.com)

But really, even though we've been friends for more than a dozen years, I still don't have any real pictures of us! What is this?! (Emily, you'd better fix that.)

But let's get to the important part.

On Saturday, Emily got married to her best friend, Chris!

And I am so happy that I got to be a part of her day.

Emily, I'm so happy for you! I truly wish you and Chris every happiness and blessing in life.

Let's be friends forever, yes?

Okay. :)

In Which I Hike Rock Canyon and Meet Clifford the Big Red Dog

The hiking adventures continue.

Last Saturday, Sharisa and I hiked up Rock Canyon. It's one of my favorite hikes because:

1. The rock formations are incredible.

Beautiful! Yes, I am definitely a mountain girl. 

2. There are cool, natural spring drinking fountains:

The water is soooooo cold and good.

3. There is a Noah's Ark rock. I'm serious. (Or a Jaredite barge, tight like unto a dish. Whichever floats your boat. Oh dear. No pun intended. But it's staying there now.)

                                                              Can you see the ark?

On the Noah's Ark rock. 

4. There's a rushing river along the trail. 

The river was a LOT higher than last year. 

 A little too excited to take a picture with the water. 

 5. There are bridges along the trail. I love bridges. 

Senior picture, anyone?

After our hike, we headed down to the Festival of Books which was happening on campus. And guess who we saw?!? Clifford! My favorite big red dog!

We also ran into a Stormtrooper (not pictured) and a frog. I don't know what character he was supposed to be (the Frog Prince, perhaps?), but I had to take a picture with him, too.

Another full weekend. And, it's finally warming up! Life is good.

To make an end is to make a beginning . . .

Today, my little sister Sarah graduated from high school.

Now, since this is my blog, I get to brag about her for a bit.

Sarah is an incredible person. She is one of the sweetest, smartest, coolest people you will ever meet. She is a National Merit Scholar. She spoke at graduation. She serves others on a regular basis. And she can quote any Harry Potter book or movie at the drop of a hat.

But most importantly, she's my sister.

So, dear sister, here is a letter for you on your graduation day:

Dear Sarah,
        Congratulations! Today you graduated and dipped your toes into the "real world." Can you believe that you finally made it? I knew you would. It wasn't even a question. (Except for those few days when it looked like you might not complete your EHS health class . . . but that's over now, too.)
        But here you are, in your white cap and gown, looking like the angel you are, and eager to explore the world, yourself, and your dreams. There will be time for your dreams--a lifetime for them--an eternity for them. In four years from now, you'll be astounded by how far you've come, yet humbled by how much farther you have to go.
        But oh, the places you will go! Believe me, sister, you will move mountains. Through your faith, goodness, and dedication, you will change lives. You've changed mine.
        And it's hard for me to fathom that you're leaving and coming. Leaving home, and coming here. In a way, coming to me. For in two more years, you'll find yourself where I am--looking behind, but always looking forward, moving in the direction of your dreams.
        Who knows exactly what the next two years will bring? Two things are certain: you'll learn that change is part of life, but that there is more in store for you than you could ever dream. I'm excited for you, dear sister--dear friend. You have so much joy ahead of you. Never forget that.
         And never forget this: I love you and am prouder than proud to call you my sister.

         Love,
                Megan

Climb Ev'ry Mountain

Last Saturday, my roommates and I decided to hike to the Y from our apartment. No car transportation to the base. Just us and our feet.

                                                                Walking up to the base.

Still walking to the base. 

Let the second half of the hike begin! 

                                                               Typical exhaustion face.

                                  View of campus from half-way up the mountain. Schön, oder?

Okay, Sharisa, really. Stop taking pictures of us! 

                                                      Sharisa and Erin on the Chair Rock.

View from the top of the Y!

Eating fruit leather on top of the Y. 

                                                                        We made it!

Yep, that's right. We started from here. And totally conquered that Y. 

Yeah, we felt pretty legit.