Tid Bits

Took the kids to get sno cones to enjoy one of the last days of summer. It ended up a sugary sticky mess..but so worth it.

When mama comes to town, we always eat good. Thai food was chosen for dinner and you bet sweet coconut sticky rice with sliced mango was ordered for dessert. So freaking good.

These boys love going for a ride during my morning jog. And I love getting out of the house to enjoy the crisp morning air for a little while each day.

HOW ADORABLE IS THIS LITTLE BOY?! he never snuggles me and when he does it's just the cutest and my favorite.

Best friend came to town for a few days to say goodbye to Beth!!!!!! Always the best time when we're all together-so happy she came. And we ran into Jordan Hess in Provo? Super random.

Had to say goodbye to this beauty. Beth was my first friend when I moved to Florida EIGHT years ago and left this week to go serve a mission in Boise, Idaho. We have made countless memories together and I'm excited for this new chapter & adventure in her life. I'm so proud and know she'll do great things..and I may or may not have already written her twice (she's been gone 33 hours. this is gonna be a long 18 months....)

xoxo,

Linds

Sunday Stroll

Today was a perfect day for sitting, talking and walking around the temple grounds..so I picked Beth up and we did just that. What we didn't realize was that there would also be hundreds of missionaries from the MTC across the street who also get to go walk around on Sunday afternoons. We ended up seeing a lot of familiar faces and even ran into Austin Tautu (demonstrating the classic missionary "handshake" picture) Can't believe Bethy will be off to serve as a sister missionary THIS Wednesday. Then Lauren, then Savannah leave..gonna go cry myself to sleep about that now. K bye.

xoxo,

Linds

Final Florida Dayzz

The last weekend I was home was the YSA Conference in Orlando. I wasn't too excited about it but once I heard a few thousand people were going to be there, I was in. We got a hotel room and it was actually lots of fun!! I seriouslyyyy slacked when it came to picture taking but the weekend was great, even if I don't have several photos to prove it! I even danced with a random guy and we figured out his cousin is married to my cousin! Small freaking world. There were two dances, lots of classes (and skipping them to get coldstone..some things never change), socializing, longgg food lines, a luau, "late night pool parties" (hah), 1 am iHop run w/ Zach, Vannah and Kasey and church on Sunday! Naturally, we didn't take pics til the very end so that's why we're all dressed up. Procrastination status at its finest. And iPhone pictures too. Top quality, only the best :)

That night (my last night in Florida) my dad drove up to Tampa from Ft. Myers to take me & Vannah to dinner! Olive Garden it was and obviouslyyyy shakes afterward. So glad I got to see him!

I spent the next day at the doctors office (BOO) and flew back to good ole Utah that night. Trips home are always the best and I am SO grateful I got to go. See ya soon Florida.

*notice: I actually finished blogging an entire vacation. Usually I get too behind and then figure "oh,forget it" so yeah, i'm proud. ok, end of notice :)

xoxo,

Linds

"I'm on top of it!!!!"

One of my favorite days in Florida was when me, Savannah, Taylor and Sam made the hour drive north up to Homosassa to swim with the manatees in Crystal River. Despite there not being any coffee, donuts or muffins waiting for us at the place (much to Taylor's dismay) it was a great day. One of the best.

It was determined that wetsuits either look reeealllyyy good or terribly bad on people. There is no "just okay." I'll let you be the judge.

"look at each other and smile, it'll be cute. trust me."- Sam. debatable Samantha, debatable...

After we spent the morning/afternoon with the manatees, we were starving and asked Captain Steve where the best place in town for lunch was. His suggestion led us to some back roads and eventually a tiny place in the middle of nowhere, located on the marina and only accepted cash. We weren't sure of the legality of this place, but it was AMAZING. Best shrimp. Hands down.

xoxo,

Linds

reunited.

Sam, Taylor and I finalllyyyy were reunited Sunday night. I cannot believe it had been an entire YEAR without seeing them. That is 364 days too long. Stupid college..separating us and all that. Savannah and Niki also came over and the night was spent laying in the hammock on the pool lanai, reminiscing about high school, playing with dogs, lots of talking and lots of laughing. And also Publix chocolate chip cookies..but that's a given.

These two pictures are proof that Taylor's "rest face" has the ability to ruin a potentially cute photo. Classic Tay, classic... :)

^^The traditional piggy back picture. Poorly executed. And just..don't compare the color of our legs.

Monday was spent on Sand Key beach with Sam, Savannah and Josh. I think that takes the cake for my favorite beach. It has SUCH clear & beautiful water, white sand and is a whole lot less crowded than Clearwater. The whole time I was there I just kept thinking about how I grew up in paradise yet totalllyyyy took it for granted! Makes me strive to look for the beauty in Utah too and focus on where I am in my life right now.

Then, more reunions on Monday night! Me, Lauren, Van and Emy went out for sushi. Any time sushi is consumed is a good day..but it's even better when it consists of $3 rolls and your with some of your favorite people. Afterward, we went to the Thompson's for a Bachelorette finale party. Stilllll the party house :) Desserts were devoured and cheers exploded when Juan Pablo was announced as the next bachelor. January can't come soon enough. Trashy reality television is my downfall, okay??

Tuesday was spent in downtown Tampa at tea time at Oxford Exchange with some of the best girls I know. Lizzy even drove all the way down from Gainesville just for the day. #truefriendship. And you bet a pit stop for cupcakes was a must.

xoxo,

Linds

and the good times were rollin'

Mormon night at the Trop is always my favorite. All the missionaries serving in the Tampa mission get to go to the Rays game and a whole lot of members go too. I was even lucky enough to run into Elder Boardman while out getting the BEST LEMONADE IN THE WORLD. He was one of my good friends all throughout Elementary School (when I lived in Utah) and he's serving in Tampa! Hadn't seen him since 6th grade and not only did we recognize each other but he said "last time I saw you, you had brown hair!" um what? Glad that's the only thing that's changed about me since I was 12. Boys..oblivious I tell ya'. Haha. But still, it was crazy seeing him..such a small little Mormon world.

^^hugeee shout out to my bff lauren for always capturing my life in photos & for giving these to me ;)

Sunday was spent going to church in the Odessa Ward--the best ward in existence as well as the singles ward. We may have stayed for the entire three hours just because of the buffet after. (bribe me w/ food..it'll always work). Of courseee a photo shoot took place afterward (cause we were so colorful! and we HAD to document that..) and of courseee the majority of the pictures turned out like this one. You would think we'd have it down how to take a picture by now but clearly we still don't. I secretly love it.

xoxo,

Linds

And so they begin.

Disclaimer:: vacation posts are tha worst. I am so very aware of this..buttttt it's gotta happen. So just bare with the pages of scrolling and scrolling? Gracias mi amors. (is that even proper spanish?) 

The day I flew home might be one of the best days ever. Despite the two layovers and 8 hours of flying, it was absolutely perfect. Besides, flying cross-country isn't all that bad when you get to fly with one of your best friends. Lauren & I were lucky to be on the same flight and it consisted of being entertained by a drunk Indian wedding party, sleeping, reading, recreating this video, talking and feeling the anticipation of being home!

Upon arriving in the good ole TPA, Miranda picked us up and drove us straight to Frenchys on Clearwater beach. (I had just met her and that girl already knew the key to my heart). Words cannot describe the feelings of joy, peace and overall happiness that came with being back on that beach. I was just so thrilled to be HOME. Why am I so obsessed with that place?? After dinner, we shopped at the stands on the pier, marveled at the gorgeous sunset and then jumped in the ocean. We then headed to Lauren's house where Savannah surprised us (which was very poorly executed haha) and the three of us stayed up wayyy too late doing who know's what. Love them.

xoxo,

Linds

Wait. Hold up.

Let's rewind a lil bit..before I even left for Florida, I went to the Bees game with a few of my favorites. You're probably wondering, the Bees?? Yep. I lived in Utah for years and never even went to a game until a few weeks ago. Salt Lake has a minor league baseball team..who knew? (apparently a lot of people.) Oops.

That night Chipotle was consumed, a mishap regarding the sneaked (or is it snuck?) in chipotle took place, reunions were had, catching up was guaranteed, lots of laughs shared, A Bees victory and an after-game "parking lot photo shoot" happened. Obviously.

xoxo, 

Linds

Sneak Peek

I'm still organizing and narrowing down the billions of photos taken during my 10 days home in the good ole Sunshine state. Not to mention, currently taking care of five kids while their parents are out of town. Soooo it may be a few days before I post pictures of my perfect week home. Trips home always go by WAY too fast and this time was no exception. We packed in so much in so little time.. beach trips, downtown Tampa, Oxford Exchange, swimming with the manatees, ysa conference in Orlando, Rays game, seeing my dad, pool days, and so much more. Honestly, just spending quality time with some of my very best friends was the definitely the best thing about being home. Couldn't have asked for a better time..as always, it was exactly what I needed right now.

In the meantime here's a little glimpse for those just dying to see pictures (aka no one). Besides, the majority of the people who even read this little blog of mine are in most of the pictures. But for journaling purposes of course..here's a few!

No filter. No editing. No nothing. Just the natural, beautiful Florida sky. I will never get sick of that view..or that beach. My version of heaven!

xoxo,

Linds

Back in the Beehive State.

Sad to be reporting after delayed flights and 8 hours of flying, I am now back in Utah. I know I've been awol lately, but I've been living it up in sunny FLORIDA. The past ten days literally flew by and were definitely some of the best I've had in a long, long time. Grateful for good times, good friends and a good life! I will post lots of pics from my trip over the next few days..ya know, when I have a few seconds to spare.

xoxo,

Linds

Tid Bits

Alright, Thursday officially ended 19 minutes ago, but as promised..here's a little "tid bit" of my life lately. The pictures on my phone are mostly of kids and puppies, because, well let's be honest...that's what my life mostly consists of these days.

Paint toes and add some little toothpick flowers and little girls will think you're a pro.

EVERY TIME this song plays on my pandora station I think of Rexburg and my girls, therefore me thinking of TB runs, the sand bar and netflix marathons. Miss them.. and I'll see you in November Selena.

Made homemade oreos with Lauren on Saturday. The amount of cookies I inhaled that night is unreal. Like, I'm talking double digits people. My cookie detox started....well, it hasn't yet but it will soon ??

A new puppy was introduced to the fam Tuesday night. Her name is Monroe (as in Marilyn Monroe..but it's just weird to call a dog that) and she is such an adorable and fluffy ball of sweetness.

These are the girls I spend my days with. Seriously, they are so much fun.

Just another pic of me chillin with a dog. You know, the norm.