Have a Disney Christmas with my family

My mom is like my fairy god-mother. I've always wanted to have a Disney Christmas with my family. I'll be leaving on my mission in March, Derek will probably be leaving 8 months later on his mission, and our family will change after that. I absolutely LOVED this trip to California with my family. It was magical and dreams do come true...

Ride a camel

Summer 2011

Cairo, Egypt

Visit the Holy Land

Summer 2011

I was able to attend church at the BYU Jerusalem Center, put a "prayer paper" in the wailing wall, visit the Garden of Gethsemane, enter the Garden Tomb, see the River Jordan where Christ was baptized, buy a nativity set made of olive wood, buy baby blankets made in Bethlehem, and experience so many other awesome things!!!

Visit the Egyptian Pyramids




Summer 2011

I MADE IT TO EGYPT AND RODE A CAMEL BY THE PYRAMIDS!!!!


The tour that I went on was absolutely amazing and I loved every minute of it.

Visit the Ice Castles


Winter 2011 Semester

Help a team win an intramural championship!

Nine individuals of the BYU 88th Ward came together to play inner-tube water polo.
No one had ever played the sport, nor did they know the basic rules or strategies of the game. Every regular season game was lost. But the team learned. In the first tournament game, everything came together and the team discovered their potential. It was at that time that it all changed.
du Preez's Dolphins
(the epic name of my inner-tube water polo team)
So we lost every regular season game, but finally figured out what we were supposed to do. The team pulled together and started having success in the tournament. I didn't score ONCE all season, but then in the first tournament game, I scored about 30 points. We all discovered how to fulfill our responsibilities and won our way into the winner's bracket. We pushed through an overtime game, and several close games to play in the CHAMPIONSHIP game! With several ward fans cheering us on, posters and banners in hand, we fought a hard game to win the campus-wide coveted t-shirts that would forever identify us as BYU INTRAMURAL CHAMPIONS!!!!

Play on an Intramural Flag Football Team


RIVIERA RUMBLERS
Fall 2010, I put an intramural team together of girls in my ward last year that played in the 88th Ward Powderpuff Games. We've got Megan Tanner, Averyl Dieter, me, Kylee Adams, Hanna Willardson, Sara Kenley, and Megan Kenley. We had an awesome season together and had a blast. We made it to the semi-finals! I love all of the girls so much, and we made some great memories together!!!

Identify 100 things that make me happy! ☺

  1. I love sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
  2. My family
  3. Jumping on my horse and galloping across beautiful fields
  4. Writing about every exciting detail of my life in my journal
  5. Cranking up the music in my car when I'm alone (or with a car load of people, too ☺)
  6. Babies. My heart simply melts when I hold their little bodies in my arms.
  7. Taking pictures. (Facebook would never reveal this secret ☺)
  8. Mountains, thunder, waterfalls
  9. People that laugh!
  10. BYU and everything about it!!!
  11. Getting all dolled up for formal dances and special occasions
  12. Temples. When I look up at them, or as I gaze around when I am inside, I feel like I am of royal birth, like a queen, like I'm special...I know who I am.
  13. Setting goals and going after them
  14. Making my parents proud and happy
  15. Hot baths
  16. Organizing big ideas or activities and making them happen
  17. Hearing the birds singing in the morning!
  18. Hiking to the top of a mountain to think
  19. When my mom tickles my face. "If I were a cat, I would be purring by now!" ☺
  20. Flowers
  21. Running full speed toward a wood floor in my socks, and then sliding across it!!!
  22. People who cry happy tears...it means they are softies ☺
  23. The reflection of mountains in a lake or pond
  24. Watching Disney movies
  25. Strawberry and Raspberry Lemonade!
  26. Sunsets and sunrises
  27. Visiting new places and learning about other cultures!
  28. Ballroom dancing, especially the Cha-cha
  29. Snuggling up during the winter in a fluffy, soft blanket. And I recently discovered that I snuggle up to the fireplace, even when it isn't on. I also love snuggling into bed with Mom and Dad when I get home at night, and talking about life. Dad tends to fall asleep as Mom and I giggle and shake the bed, until he wakes up and sends me to my own room. ☺
  30. The smell of Cal Ranch (shoulder shrug) I don't know why!!!
  31. When I come home and someone runs around the corner, super excited to see me!
  32. Sippling hot chocolate in the kitchen with my mom and talking about the day
  33. Playing the piano
  34. "Ding-dong-ditch", but I only do the GOOD ding-dong-ditching ☺
  35. Pushing myself to do the best I can
  36. Day dreaming. I love it when I zone out, dreaming about something, and then snap back into the real world and realize that I have a big grin on my face.
  37. Good country, love songs ♥
  38. Driving with the horse trailer hooked up behind. It gives me a feeling of freedom, power, and...cowgirl-ism. ☺
  39. Flag football!
  40. Singing in a quartet with male and female voices
  41. Running in the early morning, or late evening. It's very..peaceful.
  42. Being creative and trying new things
  43. Taking NAPS ☺
  44. Green, rolling hills on a sunny day!
  45. Working hard all day, then coming home and laying flat on my back on the floor.
  46. Boating with friends and family!
  47. Riding bikes in the evening with my mom
  48. Drinking Vitamin D or Whole Milk! Haven't broken a bone in my body yet...!
  49. Earning money and SAVING it.
  50. The feeling of being sore after a good, hard workout
  51. Kneeling down and praying
  52. Reading the Book of Mormon
  53. Giving great, big hugs!!!
  54. Taking a nap under the sun and getting a tan
  55. Fireworks!!!
  56. Chinese and Thai food
  57. Giving speeches, talks, or any kind of public speaking
  58. My trophies, ribbons, rosettes, etc from horse showing during my younger years. They hold lots and lots of memories with the best horse I could ever dream of!
  59. Music from the Man From Snowy River!!!
  60. The sound of sprinkler pipes in the evening on the farm
  61. Swimming with horses in a river or pond
  62. PEOPLE. It's nice to be alone in a quiet place once in a while, but I can't be alone for too long.
  63. Big, fluffy clouds!
  64. Eyes! I love looking into people's eyes...they are said to be the window to their soul, you know! ☺
  65. Lucky perfume!
  66. Big, diamond rings! ☺
  67. Singing in the shower
  68. Making slide show movies
  69. Making lists (obviously) ☺
  70. Baby-sitting
  71. Baking homemade pies! I especially love cutting the dough and "lacing" a design on the top!
  72. Elegant pillars on a house and old fashioned bridges!
  73. The smell of apple flavored horse treats...I haven't tasted them, but they sure smell good!
  74. Playing date tag in the Tanner Building at BYU
  75. Shiny, black grand pianos!!!
  76. Watching wedding videos and dreaming of my own when I get married
  77. Hearing about miracles and inspirational stories
  78. The smell of soil pep
  79. Listening to a creek, while reading a book
  80. Watching my dad get excited about something and pacing just a little
  81. Fresh mangos
  82. Long eyelashes
  83. Good smelling lotion
  84. Performing on stage, having the blinding spotlight in my face in a dark auditorium and presenting something that I have put a lot of work into
  85. Baby horses are on of my FAVORITE things
  86. Rolling the window down on the passenger's side when I drive by a sprinkler and getting my passenger a little wet ☺
  87. The smell of freshly cut hay
  88. The smell of Lysol, or a squeaky clean house!
  89. Sitting on the porch during a thunderstorm
  90. Playing the piano and singing with friends and family
  91. The feeling at Christmas time. The feeling of Love.
  92. Funny tan lines
  93. When Mom leaves the house messy to run an errand and comes back after I've got it sparkling clean
  94. Brother Bott, a professor at BYU. He is spiritual, but in a "gung-ho!" way. He motivates me to be the best I can be.
  95. Sewing or cross-stitching projects
  96. Traveling!!!
  97. Learning about finances.
  98. Josh Groban's voice!!
  99. Running and doing speed drills, while listening to "pump up" music, and imagining playing or competing in something competitive ☺
  100. Fresh raspberries and peas

Learn how to drive a stick shift car

"Chug...chug...chug...boom! Whip-lash! Giggling! Cardiac arrest (or what seemed like it)! Rebecca Ross was the brave soul that allowed me to drive her car and taught me how to drive a standard! I was a nervous wreck and she was calm and patient. We chugged-a-chug-chugged along Bates Road several times as I practiced. Ok, it was not that dramatic, but my heart sure was pounding! I didn't kill it until I tried to park, several minutes after driving around and shifting. And I only killed it a few times. =) Now no one at work can make fun of me, because I now know how to drive a stick shift vehicle!!! THANK YOU BECCA!

Sew a Patch Quilt


I bought the fabric in the Summer of 2008. I'm surprised it didn't get mold or cobwebs because it sat in the closet for 2 years, untouched. Finally, I returned home from my first year of college at BYU, and set a goal to finish the quilt during the summer! After hours of dedication, my mom cutting the fabric, and my own on sewing, the quilt was completed the day I went back down to Provo. It was a close call, but it is DONE!!! :) Now it gets to wait patiently in my hope chest or "truso", as my mother would call it, until the day I get married and have a house and husband of my own.

Bike a "marathon"



Not only did I bike 28 miles, but I biked 28 miles with Al Young, who has biked all over the world. She went on The Odyssey, which is a year long bike trip, biking on 6 of the 7 continents! As we biked to work, she would tell me all about her adventures. She also wrote and published a book about her travels. Al is one amazing woman, and she got me into biking! (P.S. This picture is not of me, haha!) =)

Hike Table Rock

I made it to the top!!!! We left at 5:30 am and returned at about 4:00pm! A group of the 4th Year hikers at Girl's Camp made the journey!

Visit Martin's Cove


This is actually the THIRD pioneer trek that I have gone on with the Driggs 1st Ward. The Ward Pioneer Treks are AWESOME!!!! This time, my entire family had the opportunity to go. There were so many experiences that strengthened my testimony. I can't wait until I get to meet the pioneers that inspired these treks! They must be amazing people.

Run at least one 5k race every year

This was the Commit to Virtue race, held on BYU's campus. The General Young Women's Presidency came and participated, too! It was so neat to be around them because they generate light and they "sparkle". =) I thought it was cute when Sister Dibbs gave a brief inspirational speech/talk, she said that she was striving to "be fit for the kingdom".

Take a Vocal Skills class at BYU

I took Basic Vocal Skills during Winter 2010 semester! My professor was a man from England who had an incredibly amazing voice, and one of those catchy English accents. There were about 15 students in the class, and we performed solos from selected genres of music every two weeks! The levels of experience ranged from students that had starred in musicals to some that had never sang a solo before in their life! It was neat to watch everyone progress and become better singers. =)

Read the entire Bible


I did it!!!

Be a member of National Honor Society

Visit Evil Knievel's Bridge

Twin Falls, Idaho 2008

Visit Carthage Jail

Summer 2002. Carthage, Illinois.
Joseph Smith, the first President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was martyred at Carthage Jail.

Hike the "Y" at night

Fall 2009

Run in the Footlocker Regional XC Championship for Team Idaho

Walnut, California

Visit the Louvre Museum

Paris, France 2008

Visit the Colusseum

Rome, Italy 2008

Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Pisa, Italy 2008

Visit the London Bridge

London, England 2008

Visit Arche de Triumph



Paris, France 2008

Visit Inspiration Point, WY

Visit the Windcaves

Summer 2009 with most of my family. You can barely see the cave and waterfall behind us if you look closely!

Paint in Paris

Haha! I went all the way to Paris, and I painted the mountain range from back home! :)

Learn how to Quickstep

2nd semester at Brigham Young University I took Dance 184 International Standard and learned the Quickstep and Waltz. My partner, Todd, and I competed at the United States National DanceSport Competition in the Quickstep, and made it through the 3rd round of "recalls"!

Serve as a Student Body Officer my senior year

Student Body Officers of Teton High School 2008-2009

Model for Margen'e Bridal


My Junior year of high school, I had the AMAZING opportunity to model modest prom dresses. There were 17 young ladies on the team from schools all around Eastern Idaho! We were in a Fashion Show with over 1, 000 people in the audience and we also got to advertise and give out magazines. As a bonus, we all earned a free prom dress!

Make the Top Ten at Idaho's Junior Miss

I made it as a Top Ten Finalist at Idaho's Junior Miss and I won the Interview category, as well! Scholarship money is so nice!

Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower


Mom and I made it Summer of 2008! We were up at the top at about Midnight and saw all of Paris lit up!! It was AWESOME!!!

Be a member of Show Choir

Shanna, Jess, and I after our final Show Choir performance my Junior Year! Sophomore year, the choir received Superior Rankings at Festival.

Run Varsity Cross Country all 4 years of high school

We were Academic State Champions my Freshman year, took 4th at State Sophomore year, and 3rd my Junior and Senior Years!

Learn how to snowboard


Some friends took me up to Brighten and taught me how to Snowboard!

Be a State Champion


Cruizer and I are 3x State Jumping Champions !!! I bought Cruizer with my own money when I was 10 years old, after raising calves during my childhood. It was a rough journey to winning our titles, but I learned so much from and with him, and I love him!

Go white-water rafting

Be a Rodeo Queen

Teton Valley Saddle Club's Rodeo Queen 2007

Be Teton's Junior Miss


On Saturday, March 8, 2008, I was named Teton's Junior Miss!

Learn how to shoot a BB Gun

After the Jane Austin Ball, Chad and I went up Provo Canyon and met with some friends! He taught me how to shoot a BB gun and then he was my target... :)

Raise A Colt...


Someone in my ward had asked me to watch his horse, Lady while he served his mission. As payment, he said that I could breed the mare and keep the colt! I was so excited! After the first year of enjoying her, I started searching for a stud to breed her with. Another year later, Lady was ready to have the foal!!! On June 30th, 2007 my first little colt was born under a Blue Moon. I had set my alarm clock for 9 pm, 12 am, 3 am, and 6 am, hoping that I would somehow be able to watch the foal be born. I couldn't sleep, so I layed in bed until my alarm FINALLY went off at midnight! I jumped up and drove up to the corral. I couldn't see Lady anywhere, so I started walking around the fence line. In the opposite corner, I saw her dark body heaving up and down on the ground! My heart lept! "AH! This is it!!!" I sat down about 10 feet away from Lady. My heart was pounding! What if something went wrong? What if the foal isn't alive? I had so many thoughts racing through my mind. The feeling that I had was SO special. There I was, 16 years old, sitting under the blue moon, watching my colt be born! The little body plopped onto the ground and didn't move. But just a moment later, his little eyes opened up and his ears twisted around!!! Oh my goodness! I decided to call my new little treasure, Magnum.

Brigham Young University

After the Lord guided me, my life plans changed completely from what I had in mind. I had planned on going to BYU Idaho, and then going on to study Pharmacy. Never had I even considered going to BYU. I was terrified. By the time my high school graduation rolled around, everything had changed. I would now be attending Brigham Young University in Utah, and majoring in Family Life. I stepped with faith into my new life at the end of August.
I went to the Foundations of Leadership Conference in Aspen Grove, and instantly began to love BYU.