sister weekend

My one and only sista came home for a visit this weekend, and it was oh so great.
Since she doesn't get to come home all that often, visits are a good excuse to take a day off work, and play all weekend. It looked a little like this...

She got here Tuesday night and brought me the latest, and absolute cutest, birthday sweater.

  

We went to Runners Corner to pretend like we are athletic, and buy some fancy shoes.

  

Watched this classic

 Went to Thriller is Salt Lake City. It's a Borup Halloween tradition.
Please ignore my sprouting roots.

Remember how I signed up for a 5k with Bri? weeeeeeeell, we didn't go.

 Instead, we hung out all night with these pretty ladies.

 Best. Decision. Ever. 

Now Bri is back in California, and we are all left here missing her. But distance makes the heart grow fonder, right? makes the family reunions that much sweeter. *crossing my fingers another get-together in California is around the corner*

It was a wonderful wonderfully long long-weekend. Now back to work.
Happy Monday everyone!

special days

Since beginning working full time, at the crack of dawn, weekends have become especially special to me.

Saturday, and Sunday, mornings when my body naturally wakes up around 7, and I realize I may sleep as long as I please, I can only explain as pure joy. 

And the time not spent sleeping, is spent finding fun things to fill our day. 

Labor Day weekend was filled with Swiss Days and Sheep Dogs. 

Saturday was spent with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. 

We shopped, ate, gabbed, and sang a few songs from The Sound Of Music soundtrack. Weird since that was set it Austria, and we were supposed to be celebrating the Swiss. But no matter, I'm sure rain drops on roses, and whiskers on kittens make the swiss happy too. 

It was a perfect girls day, minus the fact that the right side of my hair decided it wanted to be straight and the left wanted to be curled. rough. 

Monday was spent at the Sheep Dog Championship at Solider Hollow. 

This was my brilliant idea, and I got Zane and my in-laws to jump on board with me. I am currently going through an animal obsession phase, for the last 20 years. 

It was such a fun atmosphere. I love my fellow dog lovers, they're the friendliest of people. 

The Splash Dogs were my favorite part. Zane and I have officially decided our future puppy will be a Splash Dog. Here's hoping that puppy is here sooner rather than later. 

The weekend was well worth the farmers tan, and peeling that followed. 

It's a little late, but I hope everyone enjoyed their labor day weekend!

what a guy

Saturday morning my dad completed his first century race, the UCLER, at Thanksgiving Point.
In reality, my dad and a few of his friends just signed up for fun. They didn't want to "race". To them this meant a nice long ride with water stops, medical support, and free lunch.
Still, I insisted I would be there to support my dad at the finish line.

 Crossing the very anti-climatic finish line

His super cool finishers medal I insisted he pick up. 

I couldn't be more proud of my sweet dad. The details of his time are still up in the air at this point. What really matters is this 50 years-young guy finished, with no medical attention and a smile on his face.

He may have thought me coming to see him finish was a silly idea, but I know he was happy to have me there at the end to give his disgustingly salty cheek a congratulatory kiss, and a hug. 

My parents are still young, but when the hopefully very far away day comes that they are no longer here with me, I will be comforted by the fact that I am able to honestly say, I knew them, I supported them, and I loved them. 

home sweet home

hello blog. Long time no see.

Growing up I was blessed to be able to vacation with my family to all sorts of fabulous places; New Port Beach, Hawaii, a Mexican Riviera Cruise, and my all time favorite, Greece.
I have been spoiled.
I hope one day I can spoil my future family the same way.
Currently my bank account says not a chance.

But I started realizing months ago, there is so much in my little state of Utah that I've yet to see. How can I desire to know the world, before I know my own home?
Thus, I have written somewhat of a to-do list.
A list of things of adventures, silly and amazing.

This weekend was the perfect opportunity to knock something off the list. My adorable sister was in town with some friends for the weekend. Her friends, one from Indiana, one from California, have never been to Utah.
She took them to Zion's on the way over, and the next day we made a plan to hike to Timpanogos Cave.

I have hiked to the caves before, but it's been at least 12 years. I was overdue for a visit. A visit I will actually be old enough to remember.

It was amazing. It is kind of eerily beautiful. As cliche as it sounds, caves are mysterious to me, and I find them so interesting. Or I find "it" interesting, since I've only been to one.
Going through the tour I am as eager to understand as the 8 year old boy standing next to me.

If you haven't been, GO! It's a good hike, and it's a beaut.

The group outside the cave entrance. 

Why is my husband's $10 target sweatshirt my favorite thing I've worn in months?

 I love my tan tis. 

The heart of the cave. 5'6 and 4,000 pounds. what!?

Matching

I loved waking up super early feeling satisfied with how I spent my weekend.
Utah has so much to offer, and I love exploring it with my family.

Anyone have anything I need to add to my Utah adventure list? 

Suggestions welcome.

Happy 4th

Last year this time, I met the O'Gwin family for the first time. So much has happened since then, 

but nothing about the way the O'Gwins celebrate the 4th changed a bit. 

We made a day of it to be sure. 

We woke up around 5:30 to see the balloons, unfortunately we were a little late.  We made it in enough time to see them rise over the hospital, as we watched from the parking lot. At least that way we missed the traffic and the breakfast rush. 

Next, we were off to Village Inn for some breakfast, and then headed home to relax, and shoot off a couple parachute fireworks. And by a couple, I mean, a ton. 

Followed by my personal favorite part of the day, Spiderman!

My husband is quite the Spiderman nerd/expert. Those words can be used interchangeably can't they? 

I believe I'm allowed to say that considering he is my husband and I love him for it. 

Since Zane has come into my life, his loves became my loves. Well, actually not really, but at least the love for super-heros has (though not quite as much, I assure you.)

We absolutely loved the movie. It is probably my favorite superhero movie yet. Sorry Avengers, nothing personal.Andrew Garfield, and Emma Stone?! Two of my favorites to be sure. Plus their dating in real life? I do love a love story within a love story. 

Go see it. 

After the movie we all lounged around, eating some delicious food, taking little naps, watched Independence Day, waited for the sun to go down, and the temperature with it. 

Finishing the night off, of course, with a couple hours of fireworks. 

wellp, it is what it is1

 Our first 4th of July murried

A firework addict right here, and a cute couple over there

I am so grateful for all the freedoms we enjoy here in the United States.
It was a perfect day of celebrating all our blessings with family.

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!

Now back to reality, what a mean trick to have the 4th be in the middle of the week. 

TEAM COCO

In case you were wondering, I have been wearing this shirt for the last 3 days.

For those of you who haven't heard, my sister works at the Conan O'Brian show. By default that makes our family "team coco", and proud of it.
Basically wearing my Conan swag makes me feel like I'm the cool sister living out in California, meeting famous people and such.
I'm living vicariously through her, and my new shirt.

Sometimes she blogs, here. (but not often enough. Get on it Bri!)
And you can find a clip of her on the show, here.

And you can find me, here, where I've always been, in this t-shirt.

A musical event

Saturday morning Zane and I had the opportunity to go see a little production called "Cries of Freedom" at a local park.

I have two beautiful cousins who were performing in the show, and the did a fabulous job. They've got more talent in their little bodies than I've ever had. 

It was a perfect start to July, and all the patriotic celebrations that are around the corner. 

Some of the songs brought tears to my eyes, remembering all those who fought for our freedom here in the United States, and all those who are currently sacrificing their lives to do the same. 

I consider myself blessed to live in this beautiful country, and I am excited to celebrate that blessing all month long. 

Bring on the anthems, flags, fireworks, rodeos, productions,  parades, and bbq's!

For those of you who live around Orem, Utah, Cries of Freedom is still currently being preformed at the Scera Park. I encourage anyone who can, to make the time to go visit. It's a great way to celebrate with the whole family, and it's FREE! 

They all hand out little flags after the show. 

Ours are currently decorating our flower pots.

Congrats to Halle and Kaelin on doing such a great job!


How are you guys celebrating this month?

getting back into the groove

I've been neglecting the blog. I know this, and I'm working on it.

Tomorrow morning my Niece, Nephew, and siblings from Georgia leave for home.
It has been so much fun to have them here. It's bitter sweet to see them go.

At some unknown moment in my life, I apparently fell in love with babies. I realize I am one of the last people on earth to jump on that bandwagon, I just never remember being drawn to children.
My mom told me I shouldn't tell people that. It's not the most charming trait.

These days playing with my sweet 10 month old niece seems like a perfectly heavenly way to pass the time.

It's interesting to notice changes within myself happening this late in life. I mean, I realize I am young, but aren't I supposed to be a grown woman now? Weren't those years in jr. high and high school all about finding out who we really are?
And here I am, 20, and ever changing.

All my changes may not necessarily be as positive as baby loving, but I'm enjoying the never ending process of rediscovering myself.
And isn't it kind of comforting to know change IS possible?

Looks like you can teach an old, okay still young but not as young as before, dog new tricks.

Bye-bye cute kiddos!

must be true, company's here

My niece and nephew are visiting from Georgia.

Needless to say, we're loving every second of it. 

These two will keep everyone busy for the next two weeks;

 prepare yourself for adorable picture overload, and maybe a clip or two.

1st item of business, the sandbox. 

a weekend of reminders

This weekend we made a little trip to Rockville, Utah.

We have a great deal of family history down there, and when I was a little girl we used to visit all the time. 

Since I've grown up, visits became less frequent. I guess I figured I had grown out of the family farm as well. 

It turns out that couldn't have be more wrong. 

It was so peaceful to be down there in the sun, with my family, away from all of the world.

Connecting with my family, and being able to share those people, and that place, with Zane, was a perfect getaway.  

Weekends like the one I had, remind us what's really important in life. 

These are the memories that you cherish at the end of the day. 

This weekend is reality... That's the best way I can put it. 

And I only took a little over 500 pictures, so just be grateful I only chose a large handful to post here. 

Lots of memories at this place

 It's a pony

Hiking to Emerald Pools

 That is a guitar made from a bucket. 

Hello sexy husband.

I hope you all had an equally wonderful weekend!