Spring Break, baby!

March 6th, 2011 was the first day of one beautiful week. Three weeks ago today, I was driving for what seemed like an absolute eternity. Remind me to save up my mula and do the airplane thing in the future. However, I was riding with a pretty fun group of peeps so it wasn't as miserable as that long drive to San Diego, California could have been. Let me now preface the story:

At my darling friend Madi Dodd's missionary farewell the week before, I was talking to my friend Karen Schmidt about spring break plans. Most of my friends already had plans or had to stay in Logan to work. I had gone on the trip of a lifetime (aka: Hawaii) just a few months before, so I shouldn't have been itching to go anywhere. But for some reason, I HAD to get out of Cache Valley. I had to get away from my life here and just have fun. So, I was devising a few different options of potential Spring Break plans. When Karen invited me to go to San Diego with her and a group of friends, I had absolutely no hesitations. Put me on board! And get me to some sun and warmth. ASAP.

So, six of us took off in the "Burb". Karen's brother kindly lent his sweet car to us and we drove the 15 hours to Cali. The first day in San Diego was a little chilly. But after that, it was warmth and beauty. I could totally get used to living by the beach. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love me some Utah mountains, but I would give them up for a while to live on the coast somewhere. The lifestyle just seems so chill and laid back. I love it! Here are a few pictures of the adventures in Cali.

Loading up in the "Burb"

The gang checking out a cool battleship from WWII

Throwing our pennies into the wishing fountain

We found a carousel at Seaport village. Childhood dreams coming true :)

San Diego, CA. Watching the sunset from the pier at Seaport.

Pacific Beach

Playing football

Getting buried in sand...or even better stated, getting abused.

A perfect day at the beach

The best drinks ever. D-Lush.

Bonfire on the beeeeeach

Riding bikes at Coronado

The San Diego Temple

Our ouchies :(

After three fantastic days in the sunshine of San Diego, we packed up the Burb and headed back to Las Vegas. We stayed in the Excalibur on the Stip....real classy, I know. I'm pretty sure that half of Utah State was in Vegas that weekend too. It was the WAC Tournament so you better believe that we got our tickets and supported our Aggies! Best part of it? WE WON the tourney! I've never sung the Scotsman so proudly. :) We also did a lot of other fun things, including two broadway shows. Karen and I were totally the show junkies of the group. I'm glad that she was there to go with me. We saw The Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian and The Lion King at Mandalay Bay. I literally got chills during the shows. They were UNREAL! Here are a few photos (and a video) of our adventures in Sin City.

Watching the water show at the Bellagio

The Phantom of the Opera

After the semifinal game of the WAC. Aggies won.

Three of THE cutest girls I have ever met.



My dear friend Ryan Neeley LOVES to dance. He even won some sweet stuff in Vegas for winning a dance-off. While laying out at the pool, there was a little dance party that started in the corner. The dancing consisted of...well, mostly dirty dancing. So good ol' Ryan decided to show everyone the right way to dance. They didn't really know how to react to him haha. Please enjoy this as much as we did :)

Doing baptisms at the Las Vegas Temple

The crew at The Lion King

Rushing the court after a stellar win! WAC Champions!

Celebrating on the court with all the fans

The trophy, baby!

Needles to say, it was a fantastic Spring Break. It was just what I needed. A week away from reality with a new group of people. I had a blast. Sometimes I wish that I could return for just a few days. In a dream world, it would be Spring Break every week. I will say though, by the 6th and final day, I was missing my life just a smidge. I missed eating my mom's home-cooked meals. I missed my pops asking me how my day went every day. I missed my little brothers constant sports analysis and chatter/the never ending sound of basketballs in my house. I even missed my older brother quietly popping in and out of the kitchen and chatting with him about life, dating, the future, etc. I was happy to come back to good ol' Logan, Utah. After a week of sleeping in foreign beds and eating out, I realized just how much I love my home and family. Just like Dorthy said in The Wizard of Oz,

There's no place like home.