Catch up!

Well, once again, my life has been extremely crazy! July was pretty much amazing, as I only worked 3 days at the clinic and 3 shifts in the ER! I LOVED not working...that is the new dream!
This summer has been filled with several boating trips to Willard, Utah Lake, and Lake Powell. I sure love it! Someone recently asked if I ever get bored of boating, and the answer is definetly a no! I wish I could do it every day of the week! I have loved getting into biking...it was has been a blast! I usually ride up Provo Canyon 2-3 times a week; right now I am averaging about 18-20 miles and trying to build up! I am loving riding my bike way more than going to the gym! I will sure be sad when winter rolls around and I can't do it as much!
Work is going decently well at both the cancer clinic and the ER. I love getting to know the sweet people at the cancer clinic; however, as you might guess, it is difficult when these patients pass away and lose their fight against cancer. I love getting to know my patients and being able to help them in some small way. They are amazing and I have learned so much by watching how they deal with the trials in their lives. So many of them are so positive despite how desperate their situations may be. Some of them are trying to set me up with their grandsons and friends...they are so cute! So maybe something will pan out there! :) At both of my jobs there is so much change going on constantly, but I guess that's the name of the game in healthcare. I'm just lucky to have 2 great jobs! I continue to love the ER and the energy I get from working there. Last week, I received a great compliment from one of my favorite docs. He always teases me about working with dead people; teasing aside, he asked me when I'm coming back to the ER because I have such a talent for working in that environment and that I am missed. Another nurse mentioned how amazing it is that I am able to keep up on my skills despite a lack of working there. I feel like I was meant to be an ER nurse, even though it's not exactly what I'm doing now. I am so glad I can still work there!

As far as trips this summer, I have had another busy summer! Back in June, me and my brothers took a trip to sunny St. George. We spent a few days with our cousins and aunt and uncle. They are always so gracious and wonderful to invite us down for some fun! We spent a hot day at Sand Hollow Reservoir wakeboarding, skiing, and tubing. We left for a few hours when the wind kicked up, went and saw the movie "The Killers", and then came back for some sunset boarding! It was pretty darn amazing! We also had lots of fun watching movies at home, playing games, cleaning the boat, shopping, eating at Pizza Factory, and simply spending time with family! We always have a great time, so thanks guys for an awesome trip!

More pictures and information about our Canadian Rockies trip to come! But Canada was an awesome couple of weeks with stunning scenery and fun adventures! We flew into Seattle and saw Pikes Market and the Balalrd Locks. We spent time in the San Juan Islands at Friday Harbor, the lavender farm, alpaca farm, going on several feries between islands. One of my favorite places was Victoria, with such a fun atmosphere and nightlife. We visisted Butchart gardens, one of the most beautiful set of gardens in the world! Other highlights included Minter Gardens, the Columbia Icefields and the Athabasca Glacier where we were in a blizzard (on July 13...we went from setting record highs to a dang blizzard!), Bamph, Lake Louise, Emerald lake, Moraine lake, Natural brige, the Calgary Stampede with carnival rides, fabulous rodeo, exciting chuckwagon races and amazing grandstand show and fireworks, Waterton National Park and Glacier National Park! There was so much to see and do...wish we could have had more time to explore some of these places but they sure were pretty! It was fun to spend time with friends and even make some new ones!

Yet again, we had another fabulous time at Lake Powell. I sure can't get enough of that place! The beauty and calmness of that place is amazing! I love spending time with friends and family. This year we inviteded some new friends from my parents' stake. Both families were a lot of fun and it was great to get to know them and renew old friendships. For once, it was nice to have people come around my age. We lucked out with awesome weather, tons of fun wakeboarding, waterskiing, tubing, surfing, learning to drive the new boat (my parents sold our old boat and bought a new one this summer), playing games, winning the marble tournament, cliff jumping, watching movies through a crazy rain/wind/lightning storm on top of the houseboat, relaxing, and spending time with people I love! We also went on an awesome hike through some slot canyons up Face Canyon. We didn't go super far because it was starting to thunder quite a bit but it was still fun!

This summer marks another big event for me...turning 25...a quarter of a century old! It's pretty crazy...and I'm not a huge fan of it but oh well, I guess. As my family likes to remind me, I"m now a menace to society! :) I was lucky enough to be in Canada to celebrate my birthday internationally!

Well, sorry about the lengthy post but it was way past overdue!

Highlights of the Summer

Severeal fantastic boating trips with friends and family. These pictures are from June with Libs, Becca, Patrick, and my family!