Great start to a great summer!!

1. As many of you know, I got to go to LONDON!!  It was so amazing.  I seriously felt like I was in a movie or something.  My parents sent my brother Adam and me to visit my cousin Kellee and her cute little family.  They live there because Kellee's husband, Jared, is going to school there.  This was honestly one of the most awesome experiences of my life.  There is so much history there.  I loved learning about all of it, and actually being in the place that the history took place.  I learned so much!  This was definitely not a relaxing vacation; it was one of those ones where you get up early every morning, and you run around sight seeing the whole day until you are completely worn out.  It was soooooo worth it though!!  We even got to see two Broadway shows (well London's version of Broadway).  Of course we went shopping, and I was very pleased with my purchases.  One of my favorite things we did was go to a Butterfly house.  Okay.  I LOVE butterflies.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a little bit of an obsession with them.  They have a lot of significance for me, and I just adore them.  I was in heaven with hundreds of beautiful, exotic butterflies fluttering about.    Just getting to spend time with one of my favorite cousins was also one of my favorite parts.  We would stay up late just laughing our heads off while telling embarrassing stories, or quoting different movies.  I can't wait until they move back to Utah!!  I already miss the little babies.  Adorable.  So anyway, this isn't really a cute, fanciful written post but I just thought I would share.  London is AMAZING!!  You need to go.  :)

All of the "flats" are laid out like this.  They are so dainty and movie-like.
Most of them have little front gardens with a tiny gate,
and roses or vines climbing everywhere.

Les Mis!  Adam and I are sort of musical geeks.  Whatever.

Probably my very favorite place we visited.  The Tower of London.
It has so much awesome/creepy history.
  It was built in 1078!  Can you believe that?!

Big Ben/Parliament buildings.  I wish I would have had my fairy dust so I could go fly by it
 like in Peter Pan.  I ran out last week, though. :(
I should have thought ahead.  

Westminister Abbey!  Gorgeous.  Also very old and historical and fascinating.  

Kelle and her cutie kids.  Jude dude, and Hazel Mei. 

So happy.

Best friend

They really liked Hazel.  She did not feel the same affections.

Just chillin' in Hyde park!

2.  I got an awesome job! I work at Sportsmed Physical Therapy.  I am a therapist aid, and I love it.  It is way good experience for me!  I'll also be working for my dad and Russon Brother's Mortuary.  I've done it for years now, but it's good too.

3.  I went on my first temple trip of the summer.  Many more trips planned.  It was so great, and the spirit was strong. I love going there, especially with the people I am closest to.  Umm the temple workers are hilarious, and somewhat awkward.  Story.  So, one of my best friends in the whole world, Garen, and I went to the temple to do baptisms and we were constantly referred to as each other's dates.  The temple worker man kept telling us how great of a "couple" we were that we would go on a date to the temple.  The whole time Garen and I would just kinda look at each other and chuckle, but on our way out, the awkward man told us once again, "thanks so much for making your date a temple trip (or something to that affect.) You guys are great...you gonna do a little hand-holding on your way out?  Okay bye!"
Alright.  Who says that?!  At that point, Garen and I just busted up laughing.  The awkwardness was tangible. They are cute old people just trying to build the kingdom of God, eh?  Kudos to them.  I think we were both bright red, and so we just kept walking out the door.   Anyway, it was just funny, and we had to laugh about it.

4.  First "hang-out" of the summer, my friend Becca and I sat on one couch for like 3 hours not really doing anything because we don't have friends.  We sat and named off people we could call, but all of our best friends were still at school, out of town, on missions, or just plain unavailable.  Awesome.  If that was a precursor of what the rest of the summer is going to be like, Becca Anne and I will get real close.   Haha, it's okay.  We set some excellent goals for the summer, and had some good laughs.  I'd just chill with Becs like that ANY night.  It really is going to be a fantastic summer!

5.  My sister's baby is due in three weeks!  Even though I already have 12 nieces and nephews, I get so excited for those new little ones to join us here on this adventure we call life.  So precious.  We don't know if it is a boy or a girl yet.  We will be surprised!  Look forward to more updates on that. :)

Well, those are just a few things (small to big) that have made me smile so far this summer.  More memories to come! Thanks for reading.  Cheers!