Happy Anniversary!

Here's a little shout-out to two wonderful people who started this eternal family 27 years and one week ago (I'm slow on posting this one). My then-newlywed aunt and uncle lined them up. My uncle, who had just snatched my mother's older sister, met my dad at work. "I was selfish, really," he said. "I had to figure out a way to keep your dad around." Fortunately for all of us, his plan worked! Thank you, Aunt Ireta and Uncle John.

Fortunately, my mother was kind and patient (she knew on the second date) and my dad made the right choice.

Twenty-seven years and four kids later (my oldest brother passed away), they are happy, in love, and going strong!

Thanks, mom and dad, for all your hard work and for 27 wonderful years! Here's to the the next 27 years (and the eternity to follow that).

We love you! (and we're glad you got to go on a little getaway-- you deserve that.)

For more about eternal families and how your family can be happiest, click here. We're grateful to know death is not the end.

Alaska Teaser

I finally got my pictures (long story) from my trip to Alaska a month ago. Here are a few to tide you over until I have a chance to upload some more. A little taste of its beauty and a sneak peak at our fun!

Reflection off the water at Turnigan Arm, near Anchorage.

One of the tallest peaks in the nation's largest National Forest towers above the earth near Glennallen, Alaska.

The famous Alaskan Oil Pipeline. I actually got to touch it at one point during our drive.

And what's North Pole, Alaska without a stop at Santa Claus' house? Unfortunately, he wasn't there. I guess April must be vacation season for the big bearded guy.

Of course, you'll never guess which Christmas song played in my mind as we drove down Santa Claus Lane (I'm not kidding) in North Pole, Alaska, just outside Fairbanks.

You know you have a cool internship when...

...they ask you to sit at the phone, "just in case the White House calls."

I love my internship!

(photo courtesy http://www.ksro.com/Pics/Misc/rotary-cell-phone.jpg)

Day 1...

...of the most awesome internship in the world.

Did I tell you I work here...

photo courtesy www.identity-theft-basics.com/images

...for him...

photo courtesy kued.com

...and him...

photo courtesy utahgop.com

...and their staff?

Oh, and this has added some fun and coolness to the experience, too:

photo courtesy deseretnews.com

President Obama named Governor Huntsman to be the U.S. Ambassador to China--pending Senate approval.

Day One of the coolest internship in the world was awesome. I am so blessed. And I get to learn so much. I pretty much have the most amazing internship in the world.

General Conference Choir

In April, I sang in General Conference in the Priesthood Session Choir. What an incredible experience! The three songs we sang were arranged by Brother Randall Kempton, one of our conductors. In the last song, I'm in a close shot at 4:38 in the top left corner.

For those of you who weren't able to see it, here are the three songs we sang:

Sing Praise to Him


Father in Heaven


I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go

Life as I knew it...

Here's a quick re-cap:

In January, the semester began. It was by far the craziest, busiest, BEST semester ever.

For three and a half months, I served with these two in the Student Representative Council (SRC) Presidency. Joseph (left) and Neil (right) are awesome. I loved gleaning from their insight and counseling with them several times each week. If you want to experience Zion, work with them.


Highlights of my service includ: meeting Elder D. Todd Christofferson and other Devotional speakers, weekly presidency meetings, weekly one-on-one stewardship reviews, working in the governing councils of the university, working with the university president and vice presidents, and working with an awesome Student Representative Council.

We had an AWESOME council this semester. It has been an awesome experience. I wish I could put it all into words.

(Sorry, I don't have a picture of our council. As soon as I can get my hands on one, I'll post it.)


We also got a new Bishopric (the second week of school). I loved serving for nine months with Bishop Smith and his counselors: Brother Parker and Brother Blacker. This picture was taken the day before they were released. (L to R) Me, Sister & Bro. Parker, Sis. and Bishop Smith, Sis. and Bro. Blacker.

I balanced the schedule of our new bishop, Bishop Johnson for three months, and I loved working with him. I feel blessed for the time I got to work with him.

In March, I helped plan and host Business Summit, an annual event hosted by the College of Business and Communication.

I got some good practice in PR, events planning, and hosting. I was also the student host for James H. Quigley, Global CEO of Deloitte Touche Tomahtsu. Wow! What an incredible experience that was. The man is very talented and very smart. It was an honor to be his guide for the day he was on campus.

April brought on finals and an onslaught of fun. I sang in the General Cenference choir from BYU-Idaho, and finished the semester with some great grades.


Then the fun began with a two week trip to Alaska with BYU-Idaho Collegiate Singers. Pictures to come SOON. But I'll tease you with this one (above) of Homer, AK on an overcast morning. It's still gorgeous!

In the meantime, you can watch us on YouTube: "Collegiate Singers Alaska Tour 2009" by YouTube user "naturallearning." (***Note: because it was recorded on a camcorder, the sound and sight has been compressed and appears less incredible than the live performance)

Then my brother came home. Life is good.

He's home!

My younger brother, Ammon, came home today after serving a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was faithful and strong from beginning to end.



The best part is having us all back together again!
Welcome home little (ahem, BIG) brother! We're glad you served faithfully, and we're glad you're back again!