Spring Break 2013 &...... PROM!

This past week was our very much needed Spring Break. Lucky for me, I got to spend the first three days of it going to MATC to study for our Finals we have this upcoming week. But good news-I’m almost done! Then I can go on full externship at my Dental Office and won’t have any more class to go to except for Fridays. Huzzah!
Thursday my family went to Moab and spent our Friday hiking and walking around Arches National Park. I loved it! I thought all of the arches were so cool and I loved seeing how high I could climb.

My Family at Balanced Rock

{Dallin, Hollie, Me and my Dad sitting under an arch}

My cute sister and I

My Family at Delicate Arch

Delicate Arch

My family in our MATCHING T-SHIRTS!!
Aren’t we just the cutest? :)

The whole fam right before we started for home

Thank you mom and dad for the fun weekend!! 

Also.... I got asked to Prom!! We came home Saturday evening and I saw a package on the front porch. I went out to grab it and saw some cups stacked on our porch. I thought: “That’s weird”. But I picked them up and underneath were some smaller cups. Noticing the cups had letters on them I took them inside and set them all out. The big cups spelled out PROM and the smaller had the letters to the name CHAD on them. I’m so excited for this Saturday and can’t wait to post pictures :)

Thanks for visiting! Hope you have a lovely General Conference Sunday!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve

Grandma & Grandpa Marks came for Christmas Eve. We each showed off our musical talents and played a Christmas Song. Ash played her violin, I played my Flute, Syd sang, and Dallin and Hollie sang a cute duet :) I'm so thankful for all our musical talents!

{Grandma, Me, Dallin, Sydnee, Hollie, Grandpa, Ashlyn, Mom}

Christmas Morning

{Ashlyn, Hollie, Dallin, Sydnee, Me}

Christmas Morning Pictures :P

Oh how lovely :)

Syd

Ash

Dallin

Sweats!!!

{Ashlyn & I}

A few days after Christmas we went to Aspen Grove with a few of the families in our ward. It was so much fun lounging around in sweats, sledding, and playing games with all those wonderful people.

Ashlyn shoving snow in my face!

Matching Gap Sweatshirts!

My beautiful cousin, Courtney and I at Grandma & Grandpa Marks house for dinner.

Happy New Years!

This year we had the Edwards over to play games and eat food.

{Emma, Joel, Brendon, Brother Edwards, Sister Edwards, Mom, Hollie, Dad, Me, Ashlyn, Dallin}

The whole Marks Family got together and went tubing at Soldier Hollow. It was FREEZING but so much fun :)

{Me & my two cousins Cassidy & Tyler}

I hope you all had an amazing Christmas and New Years! I look forward to 2013 and hope it to be the best it can.

Dresses, Preference & Temple Square

Trying on more dresses :)

{BreAnne, Natalie, EmmaLee & Me}

{BreAnne, Me & Natalie}

This girl is my BEST friend in the entire world! 

I have no idea what I'd do without her!

{EmmaLee & I}

Our BEAUTIFUL Christmas tree!

 Out table set-up for Preference!

 My AMAZING bestest buds came over Friday night and helped move out all the furniture so we could decorate for Preference.

{Melanie, Kayla, EmmaLee, Callie & Natalie}

PrEfErEnCe! Our awesome group :)

{Christian, Me, Adam, EmmaLee, Damon, Melanie, Jadyn, Jordyn.}

{Adam, EmmaLee, Christian, Me, Jadyn, Jordyn, Damon, Melanie}

{Melanie, Damon, Me, Christian, Jordyn, Jadyn, EmmaLee, Adam}

Silly Picture! :P

{Melanie, Damon, Me, Christian, Jordyn, Jadyn, EmmaLee, Adam}

The Guys :)

{Adam, Christian, Damon, Jadyn.}

 The Girls :)

{Jordyn, Melanie, EmmaLee, Me}

 {My fun date and I}

 {EmmaLee & Adam}

 {Melanie & Damon}

{Jordyn & Jadyn}

 My friends and I decided to go on a date to Temple Square. Even though we missed the Front Runner Train and was a whole hour late getting to Temple Square, it was so much fun :)

{Jace & I}

{Jace, Me, Caitlin, Andrew, EmmaLee, Logan, Kody, Kayla}

Merry Christmas :)

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

     Christmas is my absolute FAVORITE time of the year! I love the snow, the decorations, the music, the smells, the colors. I love the puffy marshmallow coats and a mug of hot chocolate. I love sledding down giant hills and throwing snowballs. I love spending time with Family. I love the excitement on Christmas morning. What isn't there to love about Christmas?!

     With all the lights, festive music, and goodies baking in the oven... It's sometimes hard to remember the true meaning of Christmas. I invite you to watch this short message from our Prophet about Christmas:

     I love how, at the end, it asks: What will you give for Christ? As I read the words, it really made me think, what will I give for Christ? Our family usually has a small green stocking we hang up above our fire place with all the rest of the stockings. Embroidered on it is Jesus' name. Throughout the weeks leading up to Christmas, our parents have asked us to put things we're giving to Christ this year. 

     A few years ago, my Young Women leaders gave us a each a blank letter and an envelope. We were told to write down our gift to Christ and to work on it. This year I did the same thing, and It's helped me to focus more on the gift I'm going to give to Christ. I know He isn't here for you to physically give Him a present, but what will you give to Christ this year?

     It may be hard to think of something to do. Some ideas are: Have a humble heart, Give thanks Daily, Read & Study your scriptures every single day, repent of a sin, serve others, make a goal and accomplish it, etc. I know that whatever your gift to Christ is, He will love it.

     While watching the message, I couldn't help but smile as I saw all the many wonderful acts of service happen. Christmas isn't about the gifts, it's about the love and kindness behind the gift. We should focus on those around us we love.

                                               

     President Monson said: "There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves the the principles taught by Jesus Christ." Looking back on past Christmases, I've realized that I haven't focussed as much on the Savior as much as I really should. So, I decided to make this Christmas more centered on Christ.

     I was reading through a blog (http://www.christcenteredtraditions.blogspot.com/) and they had mentioned that each Sunday leading up to Christmas, they take time to "come unto Christ". I decided to take on this goal as well!

     I hope that this Christmas Season we can come closer to Christ and realize what the true meaning of Christmas is. I know Christ loves each and every one of us and He's waiting with open arms for the day we will return home to Him. I invite you, this Christmas Season, to come closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ. This is a special time of the year and I know that if we focus on what truly matters, we will remember and cherish this Christmas forever.

Merry Christmas :)

Preference? Already?!

     Sadie’s was just ending and girls had already begun asking to Preference... and it was more than a month away!! Crazy chicks! But I’ve had fun helping friends ask (EmmaLee & Melanie) their dates, finding a date for myself, asking him, and trying on dresses!!

Callie and I helping Melanie ask Damon

     Trying on dresses at the University Mall. Although only two of us can actually go to Preference, we all decided to go and try them on just for fun! And I have to say-I have some pretty GORGEOUS friends!

{Me, BreAnne, Natalie and EmmaLee}
This brown dress was a few sizes to big but I HAD to try it on! It was beautiful!

{Natalie, Me, EmmaLee and BreAnne}

Some {EXTRA} news!

    

      It’s official! My application to BYU-Idaho has been completed! Now-we wait :/ It’s crazy to think that in just a few short months I’ll be preparing to leave home for college life! Senior year came WAY to fast! Don’t get me wrong-I’m VERY excited to Graduate and go to college! But, I’m going to miss Band and all my amazing friends!

     HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I’m SOOOO happy that this week is Thanksgiving. It couldn’t have come at a better time! This is a MUCH needed School break for me!

     I’m SO thankful that we live so close to all our Family and that I get to spend time with them this Thanksgiving as we stuff ourselves and remember all that we’re grateful for!

     This year, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to be in the top band at the High School, the Wind Symphony. Being part of this band, I got to audition for All-State and Honor Band. I haven’t heard back about All-State yet, but I do get to be in the Honor Band! Which I’m incredibly excited about! On Monday we had chair placements, and I was placed 1st chair! Although, I’m completely scared out of my mind to be in 1st chair, I am VERY excited! I also get to play with the Orchestra for the Christmas concert! Which I am also loving :)

Thanks for visiting!

Happy Thanksgiving!