Britt Britt

Happy Birthday to this FINE Lady, Britt Dahlin.

I'm kinda lucky cause she is my adorable roomie!

Since Day 1, Brittany has been such a great friend to me! I am SO glad we got to be roommates because she has become such a close friend! And if you don't know her, she is so fun to be with! She will always put me in a better mood and make me feel better on those not so good days!

I love you Britt! Hope you're birthday has been fabulous! You deserve the best :)

Thankful 25.

I think today can be summed up in the 5 F's of Thanksgiving (as my brother would say)....

Family

I have the greatest family in the entire world! It's so fun to all be together, especially during the holiday season! Each person brings something unique to our family. I'm thankful for my parents who have always been loving, kind, and the best examples to me growing up. I'm thankful for my siblings. We can spend hours together just laughing, talking, and having fun with one another. I don't know what I'd do without Taylor's funny temper when he plays games, Callie's willingness to have some dance parties in the kitchen with me, Cody's loving comments and hugs, and Lexie's sassy attitude. I am one blessed girl.

Food

My parents make the greatest food! And I always look forward to our Thanksgiving meal because it is always so delicious (and every other time they cook food for that matter)! I'm grateful my parents have learned and loved how to cook.

Football

Turkey Bowl at 8 am. Yes, we played. Yes, they were with the little boys and the "less competitive", but we had a blast. I am sure thankful for my sports.

Friends

We're so lucky to have some great friends in town for the Thanksgiving weekend! We love having Paige, Curtis, and their cute kids come visit us! They are like family to us so we always have the best times when we're together. I'm grateful for the friendships that have lasted for years and that we can still stay so close to some of them!

Fun

Can't forget the fun games we play at night to end a very full day!

Basically, I am one lucky and very blessed girl.

Hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving as much as I did :)

Thankful 24.

i am thankful for the best vacation spot ever, Lake Powell.

I'm so grateful I've been able to go here almost every year since I was in 6th grade, besides 2 summers. But it is my most favorite vacation to go on. Lake Powell is like my 2nd home. I love that we get to go on the same houseboat every year.

It's such a beautiful place to go to and spend a nice, relaxing week with close family and friends. I'd give up every vacation during the year just to go here.

And here is why:

I get to spend a week with my family without cellphones, computers, and cable. I love the break from the outside world.

Witnessing some intense tube runs resulting in being sore for days...

Nightly star gazing and sleeping outside. My favorite.

Spending every day in warm, sunny weather and wearing bathing suits all day is the best thing in the world.

Finding a bunch of cliffs to jump off of...

Daily card games when we want to take a break from outside...

7 am morning ski runs...

Spending quality time with fam...

Riding around on the jet skis and exploring other canyons...

and exploring different ruins and landmarks such as Rainbow Bridge and Hole in the Rock...

Basically, if you have never been to Lake Powell, you should put this on your to do list. It's the best place ever.

Thankful 23.

Today, I am thankful for my job.

I honestly could go on and on for hours about how much I love it! I have the GREATEST co-workers in the entire world! I got really lucky! Most jobs, there's at least one person no one likes, but we all legitimately like each other (unless I'm the one they don't like...haha)

Anyways, I was looking for jobs for months and was so glad this is the one that pulled through for me! It took me 2 times to get hired at this office, but I am so glad I stayed persistent; it was definitely worth it. Our advisors (bosses) who work in the office are chill and fun to be with and all the student workers are awesome! We've had people come and go since I got hired almost a year ago, but we always get great new people (even though we still miss our old co-workers).

We honestly are like a little family. We all get along so great, have fun in the office together, and love having work parties! Some of us even like to just get together outside of work!

I also get to work with one of my best friends, Kyle, from freshman year too so that makes it a lot of fun! He was actually the one who told me about the job. So really, I have him to thank for finding such an awesome work environment.

Also, I met a girl who became one of my best friends, Miss Emily McBride. The moment I got into the office, she was so friendly and nice to me. It made me feel a lot more comfortable because sometimes I can be shy when I don't know anyone. Now she has become one of my greatest friends and we started to hang out a lot with each other. Em Bem has been such a great friend to me! I know she genuinely cares about my life and my happiness. She listens to me vent about stupid things and gives me great advice. Sadly, she graduated and moved to SLC so I don't see her as much these days, but we tend to talk on Gchat a lot when we are both at work! I love this girl to death and am SO glad we got to work together for a few short months! She is always such a fun girl to be with! :)

I could go on for hours about the amazing people I have the privilege to work with, but that would take a long time.

We have our awesome bosses Dr. Kaiser, Kris Tina, and Jesse. They are fun to hang out with. They know we are responsible students so they aren't very strict as long as we stick to the rules. But they like to have fun with us and randomly watch youtube videos for a little break.

Then there's all the awesome receptionists (they are the best part, but maybe that's just cause I'm a part of them): Deidre, Jeff, Krista, and Jason (until he had to take over Joy's spot and became the editor).

Our Pre Heath Advisors: Kyle, Jessica, and Sam

Our Pre Law Advisors: Steve, Adrienne, and Kasey (sorry, no up to date picture)

Our Letter Secretary, Darcy, and Kris Tina's secretary, Mackenna.

They each bring a little something to our office and we enjoy spending time with one another.

I really am grateful for the opportunity I've had to work at this office and with these amazing people! :)

I'm sure gonna miss it once I graduate in April and can't work there anymore! I have loved my job!

Not thankful for...

...Delayed flights where we now are delayed for over an hour and a half.

Bright side? They gave us $12 food vouchers to use.

Bad side? Lizzie and I bought food and were eating it when they announced this great piece of news. That would happen to me.

(clearly, this is a rough picture but at this point- I don't care.)

Dear Airport,

You make me vomit.

Just get me to Georgia.

Sincerely,

I hate being stuck in the airport during the holidays.

Thankful 22.

Today, I am thankful to be from the South!!

It is honestly one of the greatest and prettiest places to be!

I feel so lucky that I was able to grow up in the South and meet some amazing people and experience some great things in my life.

We have that Southern Hospitality: every person you meet is so nice and friendly.

People from the South have some style and know how to dress! (not saying me personally, just all my friends growing up)

We have some unique food places there (some are delicious, some not so much): Zaxby's, La Parilla, The Varsity, Waffle House, Steak N Shake

Even though it can be EXTREMELY humid and hot, I honestly would have that instead of the dryness out West.

Georgia is beautiful. I love how I am constantly surrounded with trees and greenery. It's a lot different than the mountains I am now surrounded by. But nothing can beat the beautiful trees.

Another one of my favorite things about the South is the thunderstorms!! I absolutely LOVE them! People love the snow in Utah, I love the thunderstorms in the South! There is nothing like it!

All 5 kids have been born and raised in the South! It's so fun to still be able to visit home every once in awhile and have all these memories come back of my childhood. I sure do miss it.

And of course, it's the home of the Atlanta Braves. Can't get enough of them. Maybe I'm just a little sad cause it's off season.

I'm glad I wasn't one of those kids who had to move from place to place. Although there were times that I wished I could move to a different state to meet new friends and explore new places. I'm glad my family has stuck there spot in Georgia though. Plus I feel like my family took quite a few trips back in the day so it was nice to get away but it was even better to return back to my lovely home in Georgia. Nothing can beat it.

Anyone want to visit? You won't regret it.

[i get to go home today for Thanksgiving break and am THRILLED]

Thankful 21.

I am SO thankful for EFY!

In case you haven't realized my obsession with this either... I LOVE EFY!

Not only are they such uplifting weeks and the highlights of my summer, but I meet some incredible people. These people have come into my life for a reason and I have learned so much from all of them. And now, some of these people are my really close friends! I have loved EFY every since I was a participant and even enjoy it more now that I am more in charge and meet some incredible kids and co-workers! I've been touched and blessed by so many people over the years from EFY. Honestly without EFY, I wouldn't have met half the friends I have now. Not to mention, I LOVE the music. I listen to it all the time, especially when I need to be uplifted. It's great. Basically, EFY has been such a blessing in my life!

Let me just introduce you to some (sorry if some means A LOT)

Remember Sweet Kaycie? We definitely met back in 2005 as participants in the same group. Since then, we have grown super close and are pretty much the same person. We've been participants, co counselors, BC's, and she was my FC this year. It has been so much fun to have this girl in my life. I know the Lord put her in my life at the right time and has blessed my life so much. I won't brag too much since I just did a few weeks ago. Thanks to EFY, this woman has become one of my best friends. I love her.

This is Miss Katie Claire.

We met our last year as participants in 2006 and were able to be counselors together for 2 wonderful years, and eventually roommates for a year! We shared the same love and obsession for EFY and hit it off right away. Now she is off and married, but I sure do love her and miss her.

This is Sister Harrell. Wow, I love this girl a lot! I met her at EFY in 2009, but sadly we didn't really become friends till the 2nd week in Georgia. She told me that we were going to become great friends because the Braves game was on in our dorm during pizza night (we lived in the sam building). Yes, we share the same love for the Braves. And ever since then, our friendship grew. We've had lots of laughs and heart to heart conversations. She is the definition of a true friend. I know I can always talk to her and she'll always be there for me. I'm so glad we've become such great friends. It has made EFY all the better with her around.

This is Rachy. She is my 3 year old twin. I don't know what it is, but whenever we are together, we tend to act like children. But we have so much fun together! She makes me laugh so much and helps me forget about all my troubles. Not to mention, she has been such a great friend to me too! We've grown so much closer since we met last summer in 2009 at EFY.

This is my Niners. Nina and I were co-co's in Summer 2009 and then I was her BC this summer too! I love Nina. She is so witty and always has the funniest things to say! She can honestly make me laugh for HOURS! She's also been a good friend. Sadly, she is in Virginia most of the year so the only time I get to see her is at EFY. But we make the most of it those few short weeks together. I love this cute girl.

This was my awesome Southeast team from this summer- (top: Jordan, Philip, Heather, Ammon, Annette bottom: Ellen, Andre, Kaycie, and Me. other picture: Ben) Holy smokes- BEST TEAM EVER! I don't even know how I got so lucky to be a part of such an awesome team! Not only did we all get along, but even our Health Counselors were Amazing and wanted to be a part of this team with us! I knew some before (just Kayc and the BC boys... I had been co's with Andre and Philip years before, and I met Jordan through Kayc) We all became super good friends over the few weeks and was sad to leave them all. But we really became close and made this summer at EFY awesome!

As of Friday- ANDRE AND ELLEN ARE ENGAGED! :) I am so excited for them!

I am grateful for these 2 boys who were with me from the beginning. Mr. Daniel Joyner and Brandon Norlund. Sadly, they weren't at EFY this summer but they played a huge impact on my life the first 3 years. They were always there for me and encouraged me whenever I was feeling down. They were two of the major reasons I decided to be a BC last summer because they gave me so much confidence. And I'm so glad I listened to them! They always had faith and trusted in my abilities. I sure do love them.

Ok so maybe we were friends before we became counselors. But really, EFY as participants is what brought us together as friends. And lucky for me- they both game as counselors this summer and we had a blast! I love Tay and Brandon. They always make me happy and bring a smile to my face!

And of course, I've met some FABULOUS youth! Honestly, they are the greatest kids I have ever met! I feel at times like they are my own kids and I am constantly thinking of them and want the best for them. They have been an example to me and have strengthened my testimony.

These 2 cute boys are Casey and Matt. Matt is on a mission and I've known him for a few years, and at this point- Casey wasn't a member and was barely introduced to the church before he decided to come to EFY. This kid had a testimony and knew the church was true. After EFY, he called me about a week later to tell me he was getting baptized in a few weeks! I was thrilled! Some kids teach me so much just by their examples.

"The Crew" Wow.. I have known some of these cute kids since my first year as a counselor and it made every year after that much better. I have always looked forward to seeing them every summer. I was lucky enough last year to have 4 of these cute boys in my group and it was a blast! They have their heads on straight and their futures look bright. I sure do love them all.

All in all, this company I had was fabulous! I've had some pretty awesome companies and co-co's most of my time at EFY. They have all strengthened me and helped me feel confident in my abilities teaching.

And minus Ryan in the background, I've known Kels and Linds since they were youngins. It's always been fun to have them around and I've watched them grow into beautiful young women. I feel like they are my little sisters and I am so proud of them and who they are today.

Honestly, if you know me at all, I could RAVE about EFY and all the fabulous people I have met and who have impacted my life. But mainly, I just focused on the friends I've made this year (cause if I started from the beginning that'd be trouble and take WAY too much time). EFY has changed my life for the better and am SO grateful I've had the opportunity to be a part of this great program for the past 4 years. It is the ultimate happiness in my life.

Thankful 20.

I'm thankful for the sports teams in my life. I'm also glad my parents raised me to like sports. I know there are some people out there who have no interest in it, which I don't fully understand, but I just love talking about sports and watching games! I think it's maybe cause I grew up watching my brothers play sports all year love. I mainly love going to and watching Baseball, Football (mainly college) and Basketball games (College and NBA). It's a lot of fun to get into, especially during playoffs and such.

These are my top 3 favorite teams that I fully love and support:

1. Atlanta Braves (if it hasn't been obvious enough these days)

The Braves have been my life for the LONGEST time.

I look forward to February when Spring Training starts and will watch as many games as I can and attend as many games as I can until the season ends.

You might even say that I am one of the most hardcore Braves fans you may know.

Like remember that one time I went to San Francisco for only 36 hrs and 24 of those hours consisted of driving just so we could go to Game 2 of Playoffs? Ya, that was the BEST game I have ever been to. It was well worth it for my boys; I love them and love baseball season.

2. BYU Basketball.

For the past few years, Ashley & friends go to games about 2 hours early (if not earlier) to get some of the best seats in the house. It's well worth the wait to be so close and you can just feel the energy and excitement of everyone around us. I love those basketball games. They are my life during winter semester.

3. BYU Football.

Sadly, our boys haven't done as well this year, but I still love and support my football team. Ever since I've been in college, our team has done fairly well so it's always been fun to go to the games and cheer them on with lots of friends!

I love sports. I especially love the Sports teams that are a part of my life.