Missing Clever Title

I have been surrounded by summer for 2 months now! It is hard to believe that I have been out of school for that long.  I miss being at Utah State University, but I don't miss going to class.... Except maybe Spanish.  I have a feeling when I start back up again, I am not going to remember anything that I learned in 1010 and 1020.   But let's be honest, I am not really worrying about that right now because I am too busy have fun!

So let me start at the beginning of summer!

First adventure: Washington DC

Ok honestly, I loved this place.  I am so glad that Megan, my aunt, was up to going with me.  We actually stayed in Oakton, Virginia, with Tom and Ellie Pocock.  Megan has done some travel for them in the past and they were so kind to let us stay with them! Ok, for real, I have never seen anyone Tom's age as on the go as he is.  When Megan and I were tired, he would tell us we could sleep when were dead, then we were loaded up in the car and off on a mini excursion.  We were going non-stop, and it was great!  

What we saw:

• Monuments by Night and a Window Tour of the District 
• Georgetown
• Capitol tour (thanks to Cami Capener)
• Supreme Court
• Library of Congress
• Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
• Holocaust Museum
• Old Town Alexandria
• Arlington National Cemetery 
• Washington's Mount Vernon Estate
• Manassas Battlefields (first and second battle of Manassas, Bull Run)
• The Washington DC Temple and Visitors Center

(There are pictures in the Where I've Adventured tab)

The trip was too short, but it was very exciting to visit the nations capitol! We may have taken a E-Z pass road, without the pass.... (we expected a ticket around $100, well Megan got it recently and it was $12 hahah) but we never got too lost. While we were there we also had dinner with the sister missionaries in the DC South mission (both were from Utah), dinner with almost all of the Pocock family, listened to Orin Hatch speak in his ward in Oakton, went on the underground trolley that the house and senate uses to get to the capitol, and shared a backyard with a bald eagle and eaglets.  It was a GREAT time and I definitely want to go back and visit!

Second Adventure: St. George 

I was a super senior for a little bit, but I couldn't miss state softball, especially because my teammates were still playing! Basically watched ball games, had some dirty drinks, and slept in a motel with no pool... but it did have granite counter tops;)

Third Adventure: Plymouth Mountain

This has to be one of my favorite family reunions! PLUS this year it didn't rain, so that makes it even better.  This side of the family is just a crack up. If there was one word to describe this reunion, it would be competitive! Well, mainly between Leon and Marilyn on the pasture golf course.  Oh and the Dean Anderson Family (my family) won the minute to win it games! #champions

I decided to try pasture golfing (on the mountain side, in flip-flops)... Let me just tell you that it is a good thing I played softball, I sucked.

Fourth Adventure: Malad?

I guess it is Malad.. In Idaho, I'm positive of that.  I went with Carlie, Ike, Wytten and Cameron to Ike's grandpa's ranch. It was kind of a spur of the moment, wake up and go.  We rode the ranger, shot Ike's Gun (pistol maybe?? I don't know the difference) and had a picnic on top of the mountain. We ate sandwiches with a side of bugs. There were so many! 

Fourth Adventure: Green River

So there we were with some of the Andersen family again.. You just have to know that it was a good time! More laughs, more memories, more places visited.  Each day we left pretty early in the morning, and we would not get back to camp until late at night.  So Thursday we went to Little Wild Horse slot canyons and hikes around, then we went to Goblin Valley.  Friday, we went to Hans Flat, named after my great great grandpa who was a ranch hand.  They now have a ranger station named after him, and I think the poor ranger in there had a little culture shock when 50 people showed up.  Probably more people in that hour than they see in a month.  While we were at Hans Flat we went to the corral Hans built back in the day, robbers roost, and the actual ranch. While at the ranch we met the current ranch hand. It was fun to listen to my great great aunts and uncles (Hans Children) talk to him. Later that night we had a BBQ with the whole family, those camping and those at hotels. I think I found my new favorite little kids there. All of Jeff and Karen's grand kids were a hoot. Especially Jason, and Adee. The watermelon picture will explain that.

And some more, can't get enough if them
(Link to the Video)
Line of the day: Bob Lightfoot, nice to meet you.

Saturday, the Owen bunch went to Dead Horse Point, Moab, and Zions National Park. My mom didn't want us to walk that far and almost jumped the curb in the truck at Dead Horse Point.  And to top the day off we saw two guys and a bird, Kooper spit water on me, my dad almost passed out and we saw some interesting tourist.. They probably said that about our family too:) That night Kooper and I met up with THEE Megan Hatt (my Neighbor from FA) and one of her friends. We went to the Chow Hound, which reminded me of Macks Drive In. I hadn't seen her in almost a year, so it was good to catch up:) Sunday, this was the day we all departed for home. I will miss all of my little cousins and the rest of my family. Family really is EVERYTHING.  I am fortunate to know so many of my cousins.

Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon

Adee and Breelee 

Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon

Goblin Valley

Goblin Valley

Goblin Valley Pano.

Marilyn wanted a family picture at the Hans Flat Ranger Station.... Here it is:)

Hans Flat

 Hans Flat Corral

Karen was right.. There were wild asses

Adee and Jason with their cool rocks

The ranch hand drawing a map in the dirt, how to get to robbers roost

 Marilyn's name was still etched in from 35 years ago! Robbers Roost

Robbers Roost

Robbers Roost 

 Kooper falling off the edge at Dead Horse Point

Dead Horse Point

Arches National Park

Kutter holding the Delicate Arch

Well, basically my life has slowed down since the Green River trip.  The only other exciting event was my birthday.   Not because I turned one year older, and maybe not wiser.... No need to beat around the bush. Sarah, Dixon, Kutter and I were on our way to the movie to meet my family and my car started to shift so I pulled over, turned my car off, and it was a goner.  So maybe I should have known that when all the lights on the dash were on, something was wrong.  But, the young men didn't teach me that at our car activity (shame on them;]). Anyway, I got a new alternator? And now I am getting the air conditioner checked out.. it is kinda hot all the time.

[I will try to figure out how to post Sarah's vine.. It is a classic one:)]


Don't worry adventure number five will be coming soon.

Fifth Adventure: Powell, Wyoming
In three days!!!!

Sixth Adventure:  Island Park
In a week!!!!


Smell ya later stalkers.

✌ S H A U N I E ✌

This Really Happened!

First things first, I still don't really know what is going on, but I am not stressed at all. I learned in mission prep that stress is a faith problem, so basically I just know what happens is supposed to happen:)  

Ok, well I survived my first year of college! I'll be honest, I didn't really have that much fun the first semester.  I went from being super involved, to no involvement at all.  That changed quick when I started being more involved with the Student Alumni Association, I was on the committee for A-Week.

For all you non-aggies A-Week is basically homecoming in the spring.  Week long activities and mucho FUN!

So we started the week out with the Red Bull Chariot Races.  It was their 3rd year in a row coming to USU, which was very unusual, but Aggies are just that cool:)

The SAA team won, for the third year in a row. I think the competitors were just afraid of Bryan after the first race.... He really is the nicest guy when not competing:)

The rest of the week consisted of a movie in the Spectrum, which I was unable to go to since I was studying for mi examen en español... Next was the bike mob, which was pretty legit, I must say! Thursday was the Miss USU Pageant, and Friday was the dance and true aggie night.

It was a very successful week! I am so glad that I was a part of it. I met some pretty awesome people.

Another exciting thing during A-Week was when we ordered two pizzas this size.

I met Doug Fiefia through the Alumni Association and earlier in the spring my roommates and I were on his campaign team. He was running for ASUSU President, similar to student body president.  That was super exciting, PLUS his family made us dinner after every meeting. I am glad I was able to get to know multiple people through his campaign. It is amazing how many great people you meet when you are involved, PLUS you make memories.  Some of my favorite from the campaign, overall, would be painting the A-Frames in the butt cold weather and the Dirty Thirty (30 minute dance, no longer no shorter).

 Oh, and of course, Doug Won!

#Fiefia2013

Ok, so the last exciting thing before finals was the End of the Year Bash.  I only went to one day of the bash, and that was to the concert.  The bands that came this year were awesome! It was He is We, The Ready Set, and Parachute.  I was on the Floor, close to the stage.  Let me just say that I had a hold of Will's, the lead singer from parachute, sweat rag, but no, a bunch of boys decided they wanted it more... But I didn't really care to be honest. 

All three of the bands were super amazed, at least that is what they said, at how many people were in attendance. They are bands that usually play in smaller venues, but the spectrum was FILLED!!

After the concert we went with some friends from Old Farm to Hyde Park Canyon and had a pallet bon fire! And I am proud to say that I have now roasted a marshmallow on a real wooden stick. Why had I never done this before? All I can come up with is that the metal sticks seemed more sanitary.

Finals went perfect! My finals week wasn't too filled with test, only one, actually, for español. I had finals in all my other classes too, but they were spread out across the last four weeks of the semester. 

Well, no more classe... BIG WHOOOOOOP!

*Until Fall*

S H A U N I E 

The Universe Inside My Head

Why don't you ask me what my future holds.... because I can confidently say I have no idea, whatsoever. 

I just love when you think you have a general idea of where your future is going, but then something changes.  You realize that maybe your plans might not be right.  This whole process has happened in the past couple weeks. 

I started my freshman year with an undeclared major. 

Freshman year is almost over, and I still have an undeclared major.  

(I usually wouldn't post on the internet something this personal, but I feel as though I need too.)

The past couple weeks I though I had my major figured out. I was just needing to plan to meet with an elementary education advisor and plan out my schedule.  I even had my classes planned for fall semester.  I also had another plan.  I was going to attend fall semester and then submit mission papers and leave at the beginning of 2014. But now, I don't know if that is what I need to do either.  

Maybe those plans will still happen, I am not saying they won't. I just don't think I have came to the conclusion the right way.  As I thought about the plans I had made this past weekend, I realized those were my "desires" at the time.  It sounded good? And maybe it is good.  

The reason I am back and at the starting line is because I don't think I have been open to my heavenly father if that makes sense.  I have prayed about what I should do, but like I mentioned above, those were my desires.  

This might sound weird, but the timing of this situation could not have came at a better moment. 

I was spiritually fed this weekend.

It is amazing how things work out the way they do. 

So my family (the whole gang) spent the weekend in SLC. The previous monday I was bummed when I walked out of institute and saw Brooke Walker was going to be the speaker for Religion in Life.  Shoot.  I desperately wanted to go, but we would be leaving Friday morning which meant I would not be at school for Religion in Life. I wanted to hear what she had to say so badly, I was going to have someone voice record it. 

Well, things happened and Wytten ended up having a doctors appointment on Friday at 11.. This was my opportunity for something great! Not really. But since we were waiting for them, I convinced my parents that we should plan to leave at 1:30.  They agreed which meant this girl got to hear the words of someone special. 

** Note when I found out I couldn't go I tweeted about it, and Brooke replied. So when I Found out I was going I obviously tweeted her back and so on**

I had spent the night in Garland because it was my grandpa's retirement party the night before.  So I woke up, got ready, and headed to campus.  You don't even know how excited I was. 

On my drive over, I had this realization that what she had prepared, was what I needed to hear. And it was. Everything she talked about I could apply to my life. It was unreal.  After Religion in Life was over, I went up and talked to her (in her twitter reply she said "please come say hi afterwards" well I wasn't going to pass up that opportunity.) 

I was nervous. That usually doesn't happen, but it did.  I waited for her to get off the stage and I told her who I was and she gave me a hug and we talked for a minute.  Sweetest person. I don't even know why I was nervous. Such a personable and beautiful lady. Like really, I want to be her friend!  We took a picture, and she asked me to tweet it and link her in it. (Twitter is Awesome) 

How blessed I am to have met such an amazing women Role Model:)

I left Logan so happy, I knew it was a start to a great weekend. What I felt was not the everyday, normal feeling.

The second amazing thing that happened was the 183rd Annual General Conference. So many wonderful talks all telling me to have faith in the lords timing, to know that he has a plan for me and to stand firm and steadfast having confidence in the lord.  (If you weren't able to watch conference click HERE) 

I might not know what I am doing in my future, but someone does. It is comforting to know that. 

Well,  that is it for now... I think:)

#TomorrowisaNewShow

#Usetheinternetforgood

Ok so if you want to read an awesome blog, I dare you to check out Al Fox's Head! 

Reminiscing the Good Ol' Days

I have went through many stages of missing the team experience.  I especially miss my Slider family!!!

Those memories are some of the best.  

Being trailer trash at every tournament possible. Trailer trash was the way to go for sure. 

It seemed like every time we played in the Triple Crown World Series we would lose our first tournament game, which meant we were done for the day.  This is when we decided to cheer every one up by buying different varieties of underwear and wearing them over our shorts and pulling or sweats down. 

Then we would have team sleepovers in JanDee's Trailer 

Being trailer trash at the Wold Series meant camping at the Oakley Fairgrounds! I remember the one year we were there, there was a horse on the loose. All of the guys went to go and help catch the horse... and so did Bailey! Her animal calls were also hilarious. 

Another year at the Oakley fair grounds we went to a cabin that was right next store. They had a little pond and one of those water trampolines. Morgan and Kelli got on the trap, thinking it was attached.. well if wasn't and so Kelli used her flip flop as a paddle to get them back to shore:) 

Kelli... Running through the all star game with a sparklers and a thong on her head 

Or riding a bike through the Brigham Tournament championship game. 

This car has been many places... I think it has hit all the back roads possible when trying to find the ball park:) I remember showing up to our game minutes before it started, all of the trailer trash was not only not warm, but car sick! And other times we would just load the Yukon with the whole team and coaches:)

Team bonding on a rainy practice day. 

We had some of the greatest fans.. and now they are all grown up!

HAHAHA Grandma Sliders sign:)

Our limo tour of the strip in Vegas because JanDee is thee best!

Some more of the memories include:

• Hairy Ice after every practice no matter what.
• Practice under the lights
• High heel grounders
• Throwing raw eggs
• Slip in slide in the sprinklers
• Miranda's Goggles
• Kylee tripping over the cord her first practice
• Miranda having the bat rebound off the giant kick ball and hitting her in the face..(ok not that isn't funny)
• Lining up for honey shots
• Venessa Pitching
• Over running third base (Embarrassing!!)
• We were the come back kids
• Mental station with JanDee
• Ride that pony and Little sally walker before games

There are soooo many more it is unbelievable.

My teammates are incredible people! I would go back any day to the summers where almost every weekend was spent with them.  I just LOVEEEE them SOOOO much

Last but not least... None of these memories would exist if it wasn't for the most incredible coaches ever!!!

Jami Summer and JanDee Canfield 

I was so blessed to have them as coaches growing up. If it wasn't for them, I don't think I would have been as successful as I was in high schools sports and life in general. 

From them I learned the importance of teamwork. 

Never to give up on ANYTHING because I can accomplish anything I want.

Working hard will pay off.

To set goals and achieve them.

Sacrifice.

The love of the game!

They sacrificed so much for our team, and I don't think I can ever repay them for what they have done for me.  I look at the influence they were in my life, and I can only hope I will have the same influence in another persons life!

 [Jami if you read this don't feel guilty ;)]

This isn't even a dent in how much I love my team! After all they were my summer sisters:)