It should be a crime to deprive yourself of time well spent 

in the beautiful outdoors, especially come fall. 

Over part of the weekend, we took a quick trip up to meet up with Anne and Coleman and spend some time with Steven, Deanna, and Ginger at their home in Vegas. 

We spent a good portion of our time there climbing in Red Rock Canyon, which is gorgeous desert. I love Nevada (and anywhere else) in the fall and I love spending time with family. This shorty trip was packed with it all and it was a lot of fun. I'm so glad that Tommy has such a wonderful family and that we all get along so well.

It felt so good to get out and "drink in the wild air." 

And to just "get away from it all" and run around in the desert with bare feet. 

I really channelled my inner childhood, which felt soooo good.

The climbing was a blast. I've decided that sandstone beats the gym any day. 

Plus, it's beautiful!

Relaxing with the family and just taking it easy was pleasant. 

And little Ginger was adorable, as usual. She joined in on the climbing fun by having us put a princess up top for her to climb up to and save. She ended up saving all six of them before she sat back to relax.

And Tommy conquered too, of course. He's a champ. At everything.

The boys stuck around a little longer while the ladies got to enjoy the Relief Society General Broadcast. It was inspiring. It's so incredible to be part of a world wide sisterhood with such great women.

Overall, the weekend was great. We had such a fun time exploring, relaxing, and especially enjoying the company of such likable people.

So grateful for seasons, family, nature, inspiration, loving relationships, and getaways.

{I forgot to bring our camera, but Coleman and Anne snapped some picture for all of us. Thanks guys!}

Happy Thanksgiving!

I forgot to pack my camera, but I snagged some pics from my mama.

Landon  Tibi  Dad  Me  Kira  Marc

Delighting in the Thanksgiving Feast.

Tibi  Me  Lexie  Landon

Laughing through a game of Popcorn.

Mother  Me  Kira  Connie  Lexie

We had a jam-packed weekend of fun like usual. 

Wednesday night we had welcoming and hugs. Thursday we had a pancake breakfast, games of Bump-out, feast preparation, The Feast, lounging, family night, pies and goodies and late-night laughing and games. Friday we had a quarry hike, lunch duty, yummy leftover sandwiches, playing at the park, a game of football, carnival games, film shooting appointments, cannelloni dinner, family commercial show, pies and goodies, dancing, late-night laughs and games and a late-night game of Popcorn. Saturday we had shooting, boutiquing, shopping, errands and goodbyes.

Until next year!

It's a great day for a

Pomegranate Festival.

So, attend one today is exactly what I did.

It's fall.

A personal favorite.

And a pomegranate jubilee was the perfect way to celebrate.

These little pretties caught my eye.

Alligator Jelly and Bam Jam.

So. Good.

What a lovely, little event.

Stick around a while fall.

I like you.

What are your favorite fall festivities?

I don't know about you guys...

but one of my favorite smells has got to be the smell of sticking your head into your trick-or-treat sack aaand.. SNIFF...!

Ahhh.........

If you don't know exactly what I'm talking about

GO DO IT!

Distinct. Halloween. Goodness.

That's right.

I went trick-or-treating.

With Eugene, Nacho and Dr. Studwell.

Happy Halloween!
{and yeah..... I'm 23...}

Tis' The Season

to be eerie...

Although, I have already busted out the Christmas tunes, I'd like to jump back and acknowledge the holiday at hand.

Halloween!

And all of its' creepy splendor!

For me, dressing up for the holiday is always a must. That is utmost important. Other festivities include, but are not limited to: devouring candy, carving pumpkins, asking EHh-verybody what they are going to be for Halloween aaaaaaaaand watching some spooky delights!

Here are the films that I like to welcome during this holiday season.

{in no particular order}

1) Clue - Murder, madness, mystery, mayhem and funny!

2) Wait Until Dark - Audrey Hepburn is spectacular and this movie is just so chilling!

3) Harry Potter - Any of the Harry Potters really, but the first one has a Halloween celebration in it.

4) It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown - Classic.

5) The Burbs - Tom Hanks and great late 80's outfits.

6) Disney's The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad - Animated adaptions of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Wind in the Willows."

7) The Birds - Hitchcock at his finest.

8) Casper - I actually haven't seen this since I was a kid, but I loved it when it came out.

{Post inspired by Ashley}

Today is the day.

I usually at least wait until after Halloween is over, but with THIS BABY out I just can't resist. I started listening to Christmas music today. That's right. No, no, you're not mistaken, it IS October.

In my defense, I got into the family car a couple of months ago to run an errand for somebody and what do I hear? O Sing Choirs of Angels by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir happens to be playing in the cd player. In August! Mother....?

Here is a picture that will make organized people think, "this must be Michaela's sick idea of organization" and disorganized people think, "well I guess Michaela needs to blow off some OCD steam.."

Well, you're both right. It's actually me trying to work out my schedule for winter 2012. Too bad for you you can't hear the wind whistling outside, Bing Crosby singing some jolly tunes or smell my creamy, bacon, potato soup. I'm tellin you guys... Winter is coming. And I'm listening to Christmas music tonight. So there.

So Long
Sweet Summer

All of finals week I looked forward to blasting and belting out this song. And as it goes, I'm now longing for school and bouquets of sharpened pencils. I can't help but feel the crispness in the air and happily welcome in the beloved season of football games, changing leaves, pumpkins and sweaters. With this comes the want to gear up for school. "It makes me want to buy school supplies." And, what can I say, I <3 college. So, with or without school, I'd like to warmly welcome Fall to show up this month.

And there went November. Thanksgiving was great and is basically all I remember about this November. Seriously. So, here is a picture overload of Thanksgiving in Santa Clara.

The family enjoying the Thanksgiving Feast. We were only the 2nd table to get in line for food this year! Not bad considering there were about ten tables and one hundred people. I think the trick is to sit by Randy and Penny's family. OR the sure trick is to not sit by the family in charge that year.

Teenagers doing their yearly duty of Thanksgiving dishes. Tibi, Jorgan, Jensen, Landon and Zack.

Shulte Sisters.

Everybody mixing and mingling after the feast.

The audience enjoying Family Home Evening. Levi, Peter, Jonah and Connie.

Landon, Me and Tibi having a Vans Party before the Thanksgiving Feast.

Tibi doing what she does best. Effortlessly entertaining the happy little children that gather around willfully.

Mom and Dad welcoming the Christmas Spirit and Season.

Randon, Kylee, Jaden, Tiffany, Melissa and friend.

It was great to see everybody! Until next year, take care Willards!

I missed October. Where the heck did it go? It's gone! Happy late Birthday to... Melanie, Sharrid, Marc, Mitch, Paula, Lexie, Connie and Gregg! Because I most likely missed it! I don't know where I've been! Well, actually I've been at Wally's working. That's most of what I remember about the last few weeks. I did manage to have some fun though.

I feel like BYUidaho is finally creeping up on me. I can't wait, but I have to admit, I am getting just a bit nervous. Butterflies spaz out in my stomach when I start to think of it, when before they were dancing at the thought. I'm still very grateful and excited to go! Just.. a little nervous.

I'm stoked about the holidays. I'm one of the crazies. One of those crazy people whose world just seems to revolve around the holiday season. One of the people who has been welcoming the season with Christmas music since a week or two before Halloween. I love the glow of the lights, the smell of the pine, the magic in the air and the holiday cheer. I know everybody loves Christmas, but I hope you know the kind of people I'm talking about. Two people come to mind when I think of "Christmas crazies". My missed roommate Natalie is one of them. It was so nice rooming with her. She was basically flawless and the fact that she was completely obsessed with the holiday season (especially Christmas) made me feel like I wasn't the only crazy out there. The other person that comes to mind is my dear friend Greg. I love both of these people. And I think they will always be in my heart when the season rolls in. My fellow "Christmas giddies :)".

Mom, Dad, Tibi, Landon and I were able to go to Randon (my cousin) and Kylee's Wedding Reception in Ivans. It was adorable to say the least. And they are an adorable couple. I was lucky enough to have a dance with Dad, eat a doughnut and sip on hot cocoa, see cousins, laugh with Tibi and Landon and admire the general splendor.

The premier of "CONAN" was on tonight. Oh, how I've missed him. I'm so glad he is back. :)

I'm a huge fan of Google, but I think that their Blogger is a pathetic excuse for a program. Whoever designed it should be fired or should work for Yahoo.

This is Halloween! Everybody make a scene!
My friend Greg threw an awesome Halloween dance party at his place on Saturday night. It was way fun. I spent most of the night breaking down on the dance floor! Here are some pictures of us.

Me




Will and Savana
(the Mad Hatter and Alice)
They looked SO rad!


Me Steph Heather
(Minnie Mouse and Night Elf from Warcraft)


Danny as Indiana Jones


Greg the party host and also a hardcore Mousketeer! He looked awesome!


This is my Relief Society president, Kelly, dressed as Joan Jett.
Her boyfriend went as Alice Cooper. So original!


Here are some peeps dancing. The nasty naked one is dressed as a duffel bag.
I got a kick out of the two guys dressed as ketchup and mustard though.


Marc Will Aaron Greg


Dudebra Jeremy Heather Me