Howdy

I'm baaaaack!

Well, seeing as Thanksgiving is in a couple weeks, I suppose that means it's time for another blog post! (Where's the correlation there, you ask? Both are fun things. That is the only correlation.)

I'll start with some of the biggest news and happenings, then slowly progress to the not-so-interesting stuff. So if you start getting bored, just know, it doesn't get much better as you keep reading.

First item of business: I'M GOING ON A MISSION! Surprise, surprise! (Kidding. If you didn't already know that I have been wanting to serve a mission for years now, then we're probably not as close of friends as you think.) I am almost finished filling out the paperwork. All I need now is my doctor's visit (which is scheduled for Monday) and my Bishop and Stake President interviews. I'm well on my way! And I'll definitely make a post once I find out where I'm going. It's all very exciting!

*Side note* I'd just like to take a minute here to thank everyone who helped me prepare so thoroughly to go on a mission. That includes my parents, siblings, President Haymond, Brother and Sister Tyconovich, the amazing Kirtland sister missionaries, my encouraging friends, all my church leaders, and anyone else who has helped me reach this point in my life. Cesare Pavese once said,

"We do not remember days, we remember moments."

This could not be more true. I have been blessed with countless priceless moments with some of the most magnificent individuals that have shaped me into who I am and influenced where I am headed. I love you all. Thank you.

If any of you reading this are wondering what exactly a missionary does, check out this link, and I think it'll answer your questions. If you have any others though, please ask me and I would love to answer them :)
MISSIONARIES ARE AWESOME (click here)


And here are some random fun things that I've done since last blog post:

The week before school started I went with my brother and some friends to (Utah?) Lake and rode jet skis around for a whole day! It was one of the most fun things I did all Summer. I loved it. I LOVE boating and jet skiing on the lake. Ahhhh bliss.

Logan Wille and I went to a fun concert up in Park City. Well, it was probably fun. We didn't actually make it in time to see any of the bands. But the whole outing was definitely a good one. We rode the ski lift a couple times, scared some kids as they passed by going the other way, and walked around down-town Park City for the rest of the night. Any date ending with Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is definitely a winner in my book.

This here's Ross Watkins. He's a jokester. (Hence the eyes. They're not normally like that, promise. At least not as far as I know...) We went on a little double with his roommie Cory and my cousin Anna to a rooftop concert in downtown Provo. Then we made chocolate-covered strawberries. Have I ever mentioned that that is my all-time favorite dessert? No? Well I'm mentioning it now. It is. Anyway, fun night and some awesome time spent with Ross.
Also, I just realized I'm wearing the same shirt for both those dates. It's alright, you can say it. I admit it. OUTFIT REPEATER. I'm not ashamed!

My amazing friend Alyssa is amazing. She gets to go on the football field every BYU game to film, and she took me with her one game! This was really the chance of a lifetime. I loved every second of it. And I even got to say hi to my bud Ziggy Ansah while I was down there. What a great guy. And a great girl. Go Cougs!

Laurel and Nathan came to visit a couple weeks ago for a wedding and we got to spend some time with them! They took us out to Benihana for some good eats and some good company. It was so great to see them and the boys and catch up with everybody. And I realized how much I love seeing my neice and nephews because they remind me of the joy I feel when I interact with little kids. You don't get that too much at college. They help me to remember why I am working so hard to become a preschool teacher :)

I love my siblings! Thanks for everything, Laur!

This is a GNO Alyssa and I had together. We went to California Pizza Kitchen and then to get froyo. I love this girl!

The Kirtland Stake Alumni got together (thanks to Brother Dahneke) for a little (well actually kinda big) lunch at Brick Oven. It was so awesome to catch up with everyone in their different stages of life. It's crazy how fast time passes! I hope to do this again sometime soon, or at least once a year. I love me some Kirtland peeps!

I finally got to "meet" this little guy! Ali loves her little Logan so much, and I do too! If only I weren't the only girl in our family who hasn't actually met him in real life... Sigh. Christmas, why can't you come faster?!

Brianne came!!! I love this girl so much. Every time we get together, it seems like time has stood still because we just pick up where we left off every single time. We will always be best friends and I loved seeing her. Oh, and the look on her face when Cosmo came running up the bleachers next to her was priceless.

General Conference weekend was incredible. Not only did I get to hear the words of living prophets, but I got to spend it with some pretty radical people! On Saturday, Erik and I made some mini apple pies together (you can find the recipe HERE). Then on Sunday a group of us went up to Salt Lake and "scalped" tickets. It was a success! We made it into both Sunday sessions. Boy, being in that Conference Center is one of the most powerful experiences. I'm so grateful for Conference and prophets. I learn so much and always feel so edified after listening. That night, Erik, Tom and I went to G&G's for Nancy's birthday dinner. I loooove family. (And sorry, Erik, about the whole 'Nancy asking you for your phone number and address' thing. I promise she means no harm ;) )

Erik and I took a little visit to the HaUnTeD fOrEsT! Ooooh! Creeeepy! Scaaaary! Okay but for real, that place was freaky. It was a pretty legit haunted house/forest. The thing was like an hour long with different themes and types of scary throughout. But I think the worst part for me was when the two insane psycho people cornered me, got all up in my face, yelled strange things at me, and blew into my ear. All the while Erik was watching the situation from a distance (he managed to escape as they cornered me) and I had my hands glued to my face, cowering in fear. At last I felt a hand on my arm, pulling me from the corner I was stuck in (Erik to the rescue!) and I was saved from the incidence of seemingly never-ending torment. Can you tell it scarred me just a little? After that we went to In-N-Out for some shakes and animal fries. Great night.

 Megan and I (with so much help from a few others) put together this fabulous Fall Brunch for the girls in our Relief Society. And I'm allowed to say it was fabulous because I put so much work into this activity. It rocked. So here's the premise: We invited all the girls to a seemingly "normal" Saturday brunch. We decorated all fancy, had the girls come in skirts and dresses, and prepared a fancy brunch meal. But just as the girls got comfortable, we threw in a twist! We had the amazing Elders Quorum men walk out with the food! They were our "servers" for the night. We also had one playing the cello during the brunch. I really hope the girls felt special after this night. We had a fun time planning this, and everything really turned out exactly how we wanted it to. It was a hit!

On Sunday, Erik and I went to a little JDawgs dinner and pumpkin-carving-contest. Guess who's pumpkin won overall best?! That's right! You're lookin at it! Our little tree pumpkin won us a gift card to Red Robin. Yeehaw!

Unfortunately I didn't get even ONE picture on Halloween night. What a shame! I was wearing a cute cowgirl outfit, too. First I went to my friend Seabass' party with Alyssa. Then we watching Wait Until Dark (or something like that) at a friend's house. And later I went to a hoppin' party with Erik & Company. That was one fun party, let me tell ya. It was really really crowded, just how I like dance parties to be. That way, no ones notices you when you dance like a crazy person ;) I love Halloween.

So that's a little of what I've been up to! Life keeps moving forward, and you've gotta find beauty in every day. To all of you reading this-- don't forget that you have a Heavenly Father who loves you very much. Life is something to be enjoyed. And if you ever need someone to talk to or to remind you of how wonderful you are, I'm right here. You can count on me :)

And just for kicks and giggles, here's this: