weekend trip to utah

I took a couple days off work for a long weekend to visit my fam, and am having a delightful time.
Kirst and I went to the Oquirrh Mountain temple open house. I'd never been to one before and it was way cool. (Also, the chosen spelling of that name is atrocious-- someone ought to be ashamed.)

My cousin Tessa, me, and my sister Kirstin. I think I miss hot summer afternoons on the boat the most about living near my family.

Both sporting vintage-inspired bathing suits. Both unbelievably pale. I have a full-time job that keeps me inside all day. Kirst, what's your excuse? :)

Because one-handed on the surfboard is more impressive than two?

This was not planned-- we each walked out of our bedrooms wearing a bright blue v-tee and brown skirt. Umm, seriously?

it's a hundred million degrees outside

It reached 105 today , and was already 80 degrees by the time I left for work. It never really cooled down last night, which made for a really miserable attempt at sleeping in my un-airconditioned apartment. This is not appropriate Oregon summer weather.

Tonight Diana decided to plan a water fight with water balloons, squirt guns, hoses, and a slip n slide. It was so fun, took me way back, and definitely cooled me down for a chunk of the evening. Great idea Di! Now of course I'm back home and absolutely dying. But tomorrow night I will be sleeping at my parents' house, enjoying their AC.

muddy buddies, anyone?

Six batches later and my person and my kitchen are now covered in melted chocolate and peanut butter.

I will see YOU at Linger Longer!

overrated (clap, clap, clap clap clap)

Nordy's Anniversary Sale started last Friday. For the first time in years I was not at the door at 7am as they opened, but definitely made it there later that night after work (and a pedicure and dinner with friends). I hadn't seen much of anything I liked in the catalogue, but assumed there'd be other stuff I'd wanted to buy at the sale. I went to Nordstrom totally willing to spend money and do my part to help the economy, and was completely under-whelmed by the selection. I didn't buy anything. ANYTHING.

I'm worried I'm depressed and hadn't realized it before now. Because one of the signs that you're depressed is that you no longer enjoy things you used to enjoy. Has Nordy's thrown me into depression?! I am not pleased.

trail, tram, trolley, train

The other weekend I went on an urban hike with Megan, Corey, and Jared. It took us all around Portland, and we used all kinds of transportation alliteration!

Here we are at the beginning of the trail, just across 26 from the Oregon Zoo.
The tram that goes from the top of OHSU to their campus down below on the waterfront.
Megan and I confused/skeptical/awed by something not pictured on the trolley.
At the end of the hike, at the elevators that took us from the Max train back up to the zoo. I love summer hiking. :)

base tan weekend 2.0

Here are some more very overdue photos from my trip to San Diego with RZ and K-Hill over Memorial Day weekend.

Proof that we really only like activities that require helmets.
Lots of good food, including frozen yogurt. Letting me serve myself does not fare well for portion control.
Checking out the San Diego YSA scene.
Sea kayaking at the La Jolla caves was so fun!
Pedicures are a necessary part of any girls' weekend.
Enjoying the sunshine and a lemonade stand. Love you girls!

it's not going in our yard russ, it's going in our living room

Say hello to the largest smiley face balloon anyone has ever seen. I got home from the gym and this was floating outside my door. I was trying to guess what great accomplishment one of my roommates had done (I know it is neither of their birthdays). But the card on the door was addressed to me! My home teacher left me this enormous balloon bouquet for no reason at all other than just to be nice. Frickin' sweet.

some ireland highlights

I had such a fun trip to Ireland with my dad. He is lonely after working there by himself and sure appreciated the company. (Evidenced by the fact that we got to do whatever I wanted the entire week.) This picture is in front of a delicious seafood restaurant in Dingle Town. They base their menu each day on what they could buy fresh from local fishermen, and if there is a storm and the fishermen can't go out, they don't open the restaurant that day.
There were so many gorgeous views of the coast and the countryside during my trip. Ireland is a really beautiful place. This picture is from the Ring of Kerry.
St. Patrick's Cathedral. I really love seeing old cathedrals and churches.
Here I am at a peet bog. I am so fascinated by peet bogs. This one is being harvested and used as fuel to heat homes, which is why the preserved peet is exposed.
This was such a gorgeous beach on the Dingle Peninsula. And probably my favorite photo of the entire week.