365 Project-#35

New bicycle, new fun. this is my sweet new bike. Thanks to my parents recent divorce, I inherited this bike. It is way sweet and I really love to ride it. I am really grateful to be active and to have a life where I am able to be. I am also grateful that it is finally spring...well, spring enough to ride my bike and enjoy myself. Will it probably snow again at least on more time? Yes. But that is totally ok with me. I love Utah, and I love being able to be outside and do amazing things. It is awesome.

P.S. It does have a real seat. I just took it off because you never know who might steal it.

365 Project-#34

Oh to be young again. Oh wait...I am just as silly as these two little girls are (if not more). Let me introduce you to Candice and Hailie. They are two of my cousins who live in Duchesne. They are also two of my favorite people. As we were cleaning today at my Mom's house, we found some of my little sister Audrey's fake teeth...her "grillz". The girls thought they were hilarious, and thus this picture was taken. They both make me laugh a lot.

I love coming to Duchense for the sole purpose that I get to screw around for two and a half days with the people I love. It sure makes my life easier.

365 Project-#33

Finished..."Nuff said."

365 Project-#32

I have been such a slacker the last couple of days. I will blame it on finals, because they have been crazy. So, I totally didn't take this picture today. I did take a picture for today, but as Michelle and I were looking through my pictures on the computer I came across this picture from last summer. This is my little cousin Candice. I love her so much. Michelle and I agree, this has to be the saddest picture that either of us has ever seen.

It also makes me laugh though. We had been camping for like two days, and poor little Candice hadn't had a bath. She was tired and grouchy...and it wasn't probably the best time to take a picture of her. But I think it is amazing. Just looking into those big eyes makes me melt.

365 Project-#31

So, I have been completely lame the last couple of days. The semester is wrapping up here at BYU (last day of classes was Tuesday) and well I have been swamped. Anyway, today I actually had a chance to take a photo, or two and decided to post it for all of you to see. My roommate Michelle and I decided to go to Sushi-Ya today and eat. I know...I know what some of you are thinking. "Sushi...that is so gross!" Well, my friends, let me tell you. A year ago I would have been right there with you. But since then I have become converted.

It turns out I really like sushi a lot. I still can't bring myself to eat the raw stuff (I thought ALL sushi was raw....IT ISN'T!!) and Michelle likes to eat the eel....which I can't do either. But as for the California Roll, Tornado, Godzilla, Spicy Cucumber, and Avocumber...I am all over those, plus a few more. Pictured is a Godzilla roll. If you EVER have the chance to go to Sushi-Ya, take my advice and order this. You will not be disappointed. I promise.

365 Project-#30

This is my boss Brye. The big moosie, the big cheesebread. I love him so much. Tonight I had the opportunity to learn a real life lesson from this man. Sometimes he amazes me.

Brye and I grew up in very similar situations. He and I have a ton in common. I think that is in part why we get along so well. He went from being my boss to being my friend a long time ago. I have worked at BYU and for Brye for...um...like 3 to 3 and half years. He and his family have become a huge part of my life (I'll give a shout out to Wendy, his wife, Lexie, his oldest daughter, and Erik, his son) I love spending time with them and having the chance to be part of their lives. Though I am positive that they influence me more than I could ever influence them. Take for instance tonight. Brye helped me to understand something that I have never been able to really grasp in life. Something that I have never been able to wrap my head around. He has no idea the impact this has made on me. He probably will never know. But I am grateful to have learned from him. I am grateful he is in my life.

365 Project-#29

This is my beautiful little sister. Her name is Audrey, and I love her more than life. She is my most favorite person in the whole world, and I love to spend time with her. I am so glad she lives in Utah now, and that she is coming to the Y in the fall. She is the best little sister I have (which I tease her about all the time, because she is my only sibling). I seriously am so thankful for her though. She is the most fun, most outgoing person you will ever meet. She can make me laugh about nearly anything. I am so glad she is my sister, and that she is in my life.

I love this picture, because it looks the most like what Audrey looks like all the time. Always that stupid grin on her face. That stupid grin that I love!

365 Project-#28

Today we went to Nine-Mile canyon to spent the day with our family. We spent the day looking at the ruins left behind by generations of Indian's who lived way before us. It was really fun to get out and hike around in the sagebrush and dust. A lot of people from our family went, which was also a lot of fun. As you can see in this picture, we decided to rappel off of this cliffside. I have to admit it isn't as tall as I have made it look in this picture with cropping efforts. But, it was tall enough for us to be able to rappel off and have a good time. This is me and my Uncle Rodney. As you can tell, he is kind of crazy, and decided to come off face first. We laughed at each other the whole way down, because I thought he might smash me. It was so much fun. I love rapelling, and quite frankly, I think I may be addicted. :D

365 Project-#27

Today was productive. I drove to Duchesne, after sitting with my roommate Michelle for the majority of the day (she had her wisdom teeth out...ouch!). Got here, and before I came to see anyone I decided to drop a line in the water and see what I could catch. As soon as I dropped my line, I got a text on my phone. Lo and behold it was Uncle Shane, "Does the river look fishable?" His ESP amazes me sometimes. Anyway, after like 3 casts I snagged a little Brown. Pulled it into shore and decided it was too small to keep. The hook was easy enough to get out, and I put it back in the water and sent it on it's marry way. Uncle Shane continued to text me, and I continued to catch fish. After another 4 or 5 casts I snagged the next fish. It was nearly the same size as the first, but this time I was using my brain and decided to keep it. It is the fish on the right. Then after another 4 or 5 casts I caught the one on the left.

Upon returning home I called up my Uncle Brandon to see if he could help me fillet (since I've never done it) the fish I had caught. Pretty exciting stuff. The secret spot where I was fishing is usually always faithful with at least one fish. I have never caught more than 2 there though. Uncle Shane showed me this spot. He and Uncle Brandon seem to know where all the good ones are.

365 Project-#26

"One Day Without Shoes 2010"

I participated. As you can tell by my feet, I did in fact go all day without shoes. It makes me laugh a lot, about how many strange looks I got, walking across BYU's campus without any shoes on. I did see fellow "shoeless" people walking around. I didn't say anything to them, but all of them made eye contact with me, nodded, then moved on. Those that didn't participate, don't understand. And that is ok. I participated, because I believe that children all over the world deserve shoes. I know, that being one person, I don't have much of an impact. I also know, that things (big things) always start with just one person. I want to be part of something bigger than myself.

So, I went without shoes.

To learn more...go here, http://www.onedaywithoutshoes.com/

365 Project-#25

From snow to Daffodils. And not just Daffodils....but double Daffodils! What an amazing couple of days. As I was walking home today from school, I noticed this little flower on the side of the road. Taking a few minutes I laid in the grass and snapped a few quick pictures. Much to my dismay, the owner of the yard pulled up. I really didn't think much of it, I mean, we do live in Provo, and I figured he would just think, "Eh, it's one of those crazy BYU students." About 3 seconds after he pulled up though, he let his dogs out. Two big dogs...charging across the yard, barking and snapping like I had just stolen their best tasting steak. I quickly stood up, and stretched out a hand, hoping to maybe make a friend instead of enemy. The dog's both looked at me, turned tail and ran back into the house.

It makes me laugh how sometimes I life we can think about an event and consider it good or bad. Laying down to snap this picture was good. Being charged by two pretty massive dogs, not so good. But, coming home still having two hands and feet...and my face pretty much intact...awesome. I will chalk this up as a learning experience. Neither good nor bad. Sure, for like 5 seconds I was pretty scared. But then again, the dogs were probably scared too.

There are always two sides to every story.

365 Project-#24

There is beauty all around....even in the puddle outside my apartment complex. I've decided that today I should stray back to my "artsy" photos...for today anyway. I am not gonna lie, today was kind of crazy. Got up this morning to snow. Went to work, came home worked on some homework, then headed back to school in the not so nice looking weather. At about 5:00 PM it started to look really nice. I mean really nice. Sunshine and warm. At about 7:35 when I got out of my last class, it was once again snowing. Oh how I honestly love Utah's season's. I love that I can wake up and by the time I go to bed we have had an array of different things happen during the day.

It for sure keeps me hoppin'!! And I love it!

365 Project-#23

To-do lists. To-do lists are ridiculous. I hate them, with a passion. Yes, they help me feel organized, and sometimes even accomplished (when I can mark things on them off). But in all reality they just stress me out. Looking at the huge list of things I am supposed to get done, just makes doing them seem so tedious...and well, not really worth my time. This is my to-do list for this upcoming week. It is packed full of things I don't really want to do. Actually, out of the 7, I can honestly say I only really want to do like 2 of them. And there is more to come, I am sure.

There is no rest for the wicked, as my Uncle Shane always says. And I would have to agree. It feels like it is never ending. It is ok though, because I just keep trucking. I am thankful to have things to do. It would be a really lame life without them.

365 Project-#22

This is what my drive to Provo from Duchesne looked like today. White-out. It was pretty nasty the whole way, I'm not gonna lie. I am glad I made it back safe and sound. Driving in weather like that is no fun. No fun at all.

365 Project-#21

This is Petty Mountain. It is located near Moon Lake, north of Duchesne about 35 miles. I love going here, and I love having the chance to be so close. There was a lot of snow today as we drove up, so we didn't even have the chance to see the lake. But, we did get to see Petty, where the white rocks turn into the red. And the sage brush and willows grow huge. I love it. I was so glad to have the opportunity to go. I think I have pictures of this mountain nearly every season of the year. Infact, I think I have like 1,000 pictures....this same picture...of this same mountain...in this same place....with snow, with spring time buds, with summers green, and with fall colors. It makes me laugh, because I waste a lot of time at the lake taking pictures, of the same things....I already have 1,000 pictures of.

365 Project-#20

Du-shane, that is how you say it. Some people call it Du-chess-knee, but that isn't right...though it is funny. This is the town I am "mostly" from. This is the town where I hide away each weekend when Provo and the big city life gets to much for me. This is the town my family is from. And the town where most of my friends live. Where I can ride horses, or hunt, or fish, or go for a drive out in the middle of no where, just because. This is the town where nothing really matters. Where you feel like you are days from anyone. And where you can find real peace.

Located 96.4 miles from my apartment in Provo, Duchesne is my home. I love it here, and I come as often as school and work allow. I am proud to be "mostly" from here. Yes, I went to high school in Illinois...but you know...when you really feel like you are from somewhere, I say that's where you are from. And that would be Duchesne for me. My whole family is from here...both of my parents were raised in this little town...of no more than 2,000 people. And feel more at home here than any other place I've ever lived. I love Duchesne, and I am grateful for the chance I have to come each weekend, spend time with my family, and detox from living in the hustle and bustle of Provo. It sure is nice, to clear my head.

365 Project-#19

50 Nifty birthday's galore! Today, the 1st day of April, happens to be one of my favorite holidays. The reasoning behind this is two-fold. First, it is April Fool's day. The day when you get to prank everyone you know with ridiculously funny things. I love it. It and St. Patrick's day are my favorite holidays! Second, it is my Uncle Shane's birthday. Today's post is a tribute to him.

Uncle Shane was born April 1st 1960. That my friends was a long time ago. He is the first of 7 children. As you can tell from this picture the man has quite a sense of humor. He really amazes me sometimes. Uncle Shane is one of the best guys you will ever meet. He is willing to do almost anything for anyone. He teaches the third grade, and influences the kids he teaches more than he will probably ever know. He is the best fisherman I've ever seen...and can catch a fish no matter where we might choose to cast our lines. He is also a pretty darn good hunter. I saw him once hit a deer at 300 yards, in the dark, with a 4 power scope. He is also the best basketball player I know. Put him on the outside arc almost to the corner, plant him on one foot, and watch him put it in all day long. He is the raiser of birds...pigeons to be exact. He takes care of these birds like they are family. He is also an athlete. Running 6, 7, sometimes 8 miles a day (which just blows my mind...especially at his age!) Just kidding Uncle Shane!

He is the jack of all trades, that Uncle of mine. He can do almost anything, once he puts his mind to it, and usually does. There are so many amazing qualities that he possess, that I can't even begin to list them on this page. To even try to do so would pale in comparison to who he really is.

He is my "go to" guy when I need advice or help. Heck, he is my "go to" guy for almost everything. I love him more than anything And I am very thankful that he is my Uncle. I am thankful to have him in my life. I know that I wouldn't be who I am today without the influences of this man. He has saved my life on a number of occasions. Literally and figuratively. And I can only hope that he knows, even a little, of what he means to me.

50 birthdays Uncle Shane! Let's make it 50 more!! I love you!!