thanksgiving

Better late than never for a Thanksgiving post, right? The weather starts to cool down in Provo and that's Mike's sign it's time to pack our bags. Nov. 2 marked our first adventure as we jetted off to... LONDON! It honestly was a dream come true for me. I'll hopefully get around to posting pictures this week. After a short two weeks back in Provo we headed to Palm Springs for Thanksgiving with my family. Two and a half weeks later (this Thursday) we'll be off to Maui before wrapping up Christmas at my house in California. I love all our travels! But January rolls around and it's nice to be in one place :)

For Thanksgiving, we got together with my dad's family for my Papa's (AND his twin sister's) 90th birthday! It was great to see my dad's side because we rarely are able to anymore. It was neat that every member of both families was there to celebrate at the big birthday bash. Happy Birthday Papa!

california coastal

We've had the ultimate California adventure the last 12 days! We enjoyed beautiful La Jolla before experiencing first-class service at the Montage in Laguna Beach, finishing off an incredible trip at my favorite place in the world - home.

While I've been to San Diego a handful of times, it was my first time in La Jolla and I fell in love. The Beach and Tennis Club is right on the beach and surrounded by fun little places to eat.

Alexis and I loved our morning runs! I forgot how much easier it is to run in the low altitude!

I had to steal this picture from Tanner because I absolutely love it. These boys are so dang cute!

Saturday we ventured to Rancho Santa Fe (another amazing place), to the Bertha's for Alex's homecoming and Andrew's farewell. Alex came home from Mexico while they were sending off Andrew to Brazil (where Michael served!). It was my first time meeting Alex, but Andrew is an incredible young man and going to make the most amazing missionary. We love the Bertha's! They have the most beautiful home and Al thought of the neatest things when building it.

The trip wouldn't have been complete without a stop at Sea World. We had the best time! Shamu was a favorite, but if you're ever at Sea World, you can't miss the Cirque show. It was incredible - a Vegas show on water.

Brotherly love, David locking Michael out of the room.  

After five fun days in La Jolla, we traveled north to Laguna Beach. We've heard countless amazing things about the Montage and couldn't pass up the opportunity to stay there. The rumors are true, it's unbelievable. 

We had dinner with a friend of Michael's and his family who live in Emerald Bay. It's a beautiful beach community in Laguna, and Michael's dream place to live. I was happy to finally see it after hearing so much about it; it lived up to all the hype! The family is taking the missionary discussions and we had the opportunity to sit in on one of their lessons. It's a wonderful thing to be out in the mission field, spreading the gospel. It's crazy how small the church can be sometimes, everyone is connected. One of the missionary's dad's was Michael's dad's trainer! Brad had a great time talking to the Elder about New Zealand. 

After a couple days in paradise, we headed north one more time for my home. It was Tanner and David's first time up there. We were sad to say bye to Alexis in Long Beach who had to come home for a final. Unfortunately, I got sick the last day in Laguna so spend the first day and a half in bed at home while the rest of the family played on the ranch, shooting trap, riding razors, fishing, and more. My mom is the kindest and stayed with me and took care of me, like always. 

The sweetest part of the trip was having Grandma and Grandpa Hammond there with us in Santa Maria. They came to speak to our ward and give a stake fireside. We are so blessed to have them, their love, and their burning testimonies of the Savior. They have experienced so much, living across the world for the church, and have an infinite amount of knowledge and faith. 

I couldn't have asked for a better trip! It's nice to be home for a little bit though, to catch up before we're off on our next adventure!

california

We had the most amazing time in California last week! I love any chance I get to visit my family. We're lucky to have such great friends in James and Andrea, who took us on the trip, along with Mike's parents. We have so much fun with them! We tagged along on another trip with them in February to Sun Valley, Idaho and Vegas. It was my first time in Sun Valley and it was BEAUTIFUL! Mike's family is good friends with the Osmond's so they got us tickets to see the Donny & Marie Show. It was so much fun to see them up there dancing and singing their hearts out. They were amazing!

I'm from Santa Maria, California (about 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara, on the coast) and although Santa Maria might not be much, it's one of the prettiest areas in California. I love it! It was great to drive through Santa Maria again, I hadn't been back since New Year's, but it definitely doesn't feel as much like home anymore. Especially because my family's house is 30 minutes outside of town, in the mountains (more like hills). Now THAT, will ALWAYS feel like home to me. There really is no place like home...

It was a short trip (Friday-Sunday) but just what I needed. I hadn't seen my brothers since my wedding. I honestly think that's the longest I've ever gone without seeing them. They mean the world to me! I can't even describe how excited I am to have my brother Chad in Provo. Trust me, I'd have a countdown if I knew the day he was coming (the end of June sometime). My brother Steele has grown so much since January! They are both such manly/sporty/guy's guys ever, and yet, they both have the biggest hearts of anyone you'll ever meet. I'm one lucky girl to have them in my life.

We were in LA Sunday until Tuesday. I was so happy we went to The Grove on Monday, I love that place! It's like a little shopping village, and is the prettiest and coolest place during Christmas. Monday night we went to The Bazaar at the SLS Hotel. It was one of the neatest things I've ever experienced! You only have one bite of each plate because everyone shares, so you order quite a few different things. The food is composed different than normal. For example, we ordered tortillas and they came in a small cup with different layers of egg, potato, etc. It was a tortilla deconstructed. Some of my favorites were the brussel sprouts, Phily cheesesteak and caprese salad (although it was hard to pick the top three because I loved everything!) The brussel sprouts had a lemon foam on top, the phily cheesesteak was an air bread with melted cheese in the middle and had a slice of meat on top, and the mozzarella in the caprese salad popped in your mouth into a liquid form. We were a little skeptical, but it was amazing. For dessert, you move to another table. The dessert bar was beautiful! I wish I would have brought my phone in to take pictures. We had a great time hanging out with my family and in LA but it's nice to be back!

I'm so excited to go back for Chad's graduation at the end of the month!

happiest place on earth

Mike and I will forever be kids at heart... and Disneyland will always be one of our absolute favorite places! After an incredible trip to Hawaii with the Weekes, we were lucky enough to spend the second half of Christmas break with my family. After a few adventurous days at home on the ranch, we travelled down to Disneyland. We spent New Year's Eve (Mike's birthday!!) at the wonderful world of Disney. We capped off the day ringing in the New Year with an incredible Disney fireworks show. Of course, around 1 a.m., Mike and I were still ready for more, so the two of us stayed and enjoyed the new water show. It was unreal! I love that my cute husband loves those things just as much as me :) It was the perfect way to the end the day.

Our faces are priceless

Who doesn't love the happiest place on earth?!