Moab Muni Fest 2009

on friday- directly after getting off of work, we packed up our things and hit the road.
up spanish fork we drove, through price, past green river and into the red rocks of moab.
although we didn't arrive till 1am, and everyone was already asleep- i woke up the next morning to beautiful moab all around me. we started our morning early, waking up around 7, and heading out for the hike at about 8. as we reached the top i was informed there were two trails- one was five miles and one was 13. because we were already at the top, it was just a matter of making our way down, meaning most the trial was downhill. as i learned that most everyone would be doing the 13 mile hike i quickly began my mental preparation. i knew the shoes i stood in were not up for doing the 13 miles, but i was- so they would make it.

it was a beautiful day, perfect temperature. we started out and i was surprised at the amount of energy i had. the little red headed girl behind me began running after the three boys unicycling in front of us. {three boys: dallin, christian, karl} then i realized i agreed with her, why would i want to miss out on seeing the unicycling- that's what we came for right? and although i was left as the lone runner after the little girl decided to take the five mile trial, i continued on with more energy than i expected i'd have to defeat the 13 miles. it wasn't until about the 7 or 8th mile that i realized my socks must have holes in them from my toe-nails and that my toe-nails must be chipped and broken while my shoes were being splotched with blood. i couldn't fall behind now though- i had kept up this far, i had to continue running with the unicyclers. my mentality kept me from realizing the pain my feet and legs {and hips, and knees and everything else} were in- and not until about the 10th mile did i let up. i could not keep up any longer- i fell behind and finally began to feel the real pain my feet were experiencing.

i was lucky enough to have the company of one of the unicyclers though. he told me there was no way he'd leave me alone. as we continued in the direction of the end of the now treacherous hike- i realized what an idiot i had been in thinking my body, my feet, and my shoes could make the 13 mile hike in such a bad condition. {bad condition meaning, i'm no where near being in shape, and i haven't been in awhile either}. i apologize to dallin for having to deal with my grumpyness and whining those last few miles. i'm just lucky it wasn't until the last and final mile that the limping began. i was certain i'd broken my ankle. infact, i was certain my hips, knees, thighs, calves, but mostly every bone in my feet were completely demolished. i wondered where the nearest hospital was. finally though- the end was under my feet. i entered a hot shower, put on some dry clothes and attended the dinner with all the other 200 or so unicyclers and company. i only made it to the beginning of the raffle where i resigned to the car and slept for the next two hours. somehow i made it into my sleeping bag and the next morning i only had to bear through sitting in the car while the group picture was taken and off to provo we went. i may or may not be able to walk yet- but, i have to say that muni fest was everything i'd hoped for and more. i'm pretty proud of myself for running my first unofficial half marathon. ha! i was absolutely amazed with the effort i could see from the intense planning by uncle rolfe. it was fun to have all the cousins, aunts, uncles, and even mor-mor {his, of course} there. it was perfect weather, the food was good, and the company was even better. i loved being able to watch dallin work his talents and ride down the trail on his unicycle. thanks for such an awesome weekend in moab marchant/thompson family! just don't plan on seeing me walk {without a limp, that is} too far for the next week or so! here are the pictures i was able to capture before my camera took a fall from my pocket during the fourth mile.

dallin and andrew.
ready with their helmets.
the drive up.

carrie and i.
hoping we're ready too.

all the boys. ready to go.
{andrew, christian, dallin, karl}

and the girls.
{me, rickie, carrie, callie}


and off he goes!
{this is dallin}


about the second mile.


karl telling me to get shots from below.
{christian, karl, dallin-- and taylor}


here is dallin. i love this shot.

christian and karl.
taking a break.
{i learned break to them meant 30 seconds}

and then while running to keep up- my camera fell and the rest will be documented on karl's camera- which i will most likely not be able to get ahold of. so you can just imagine what we all began to look like as the miles went on. i would have taken a picture of my feet- but my camera did not survive the hike. the trip was really fun though! i loved it. thanks again!

#222 reason i love him

last friday, dallin showed up at my apartment to eat some lunch with me.
i just had to share how much i loved the attire he showed up in. we both had a good laugh.
brown jacket- navy shorts- black shirt- and brown skater shoes.
as he unzipped his jacket i wondered what shirt he had on with the cool design, but
he quickly corrected me and informed me it was paint.
i love that he doesn't care. he makes me smile all the time.

about a year ago today,

i stood on the balding lawn at the top of some stairs located on cumberland road in holladay, utah. it was a little chilly and most likely too late to be standing there. i had received a phone call earlier that day from a boy who lived in provo. he informed me that he would be in salt lake for the weekend and was inquiring to know if i'd be available to "hang out". although i was hesitant to agree to this, and had enjoyed the last few months of hoards of new friends- and didn't plan on changing the everyday scene of meeting new people and realizing everyone knew everyone, i said yes.

i informed the boy that i already had plans to attend a waffle party, but he was invited to tag along if he would like. as i pulled up to his yellow house, a mini-van parked in front of my car was just about to pull away. i watched the woman place her child in the back and slide the door closed. as she walked around the side of her van she saw me. i desperately wished i had super powers to make my whole car, including myself invisible. as the boy approached my car, opened the door, and awkwardly sat down- the woman stopped, turned, re-opened the side door, removed her child and walked towards the open passenger door. she greeted me, "hello emily. it's so nice to meet you- andrew would like to say hi." and then, the cutest little voice said, "hi emmawee, i'm andwoo." and--i was scared. not because the little boy knew my name and i had no idea who he was, and not because the woman was really nice to a complete stranger(me), but only because i knew what this meant. this meant the boy had already told his family about me- i was already so unsure of even being in the same car as him, and now i knew it meant breaking his heart.

as we approached the party i warned the boy that, "i know most people here and i like to talk a lot, so i'm sorry if it feels like i'm ignoring you- i'm not, i just like to walk around." - but i was ignoring him. infact, i ignored him the entire night until it was time to exit the party and drive back to the yellow house. as i walked him to the stairs that led down to his "basement apartment", he stopped and turned. it was so dark i could see nothing but his quivering lower lip. i wondered if he was crying and immediately started rehearsing lines of an apology for ignoring him the whole night. instead, the boy said this, "i really think we should start going on dates. i just want to take you on some dates. would you be okay with that? can i just take you on some dates? i really think we should."

wow. what did he just say to me? i couldn't believe what i had just heard. i mostly couldn't believe it because i knew he was right. i was so completely hesitant and unsure of even being in his presence, but when those words escaped his lips i knew he was right- we did need to go on dates.

i responded more calmly than it had sounded in my head. i agreed to allow the boy to take me on some dates. and even though there would be more convincing to come- this is basically where it began and the "rest is history". i will never forget that powerful evening. i will never forget returning home that night, kneeling down to discuss my day with my Father in heaven, and knowing even moreso that i needed to go on some dates with the thankfully persistent boy, and.. i will never forgive myself for ignoring the boy i love that night at the waffle party.


i am so glad i had that conversation with that boy, on the lawn, at the top of the stairs- about a year ago.

one year older and wiser too!

This beautiful girl- is Mckensie Naomi Wilkinson! Why did I just post a nice, big picture of her you ask? Simply because it's her birthday- and she means SO much to me, I had to document on my blog! Mckensie, you are the most wonderful friend a girl could ask for. There have been many, many times in my life where you have been there for me, often times the only one there for me, and I want to tell you how much I love you! Here are 21 memories, qualities and things I love about you,

1. your enthusiasm! all through elementary, junior high(pretend like we were as good of friends in junior high as we were in elementary and highschool), and high school- you were the energy in our group of friends. whenever we'd go out on the weekends, you always brought so much fun into everything we did. you made everything exciting and fun. your humor never seemed to cease. i will never forget the time we were driving onto kempner road in my blue mini-van and you belted out singing in an almost too manly voice. the car had been silent for the last 5 minutes, and you were sure to get us laughing again with your quirkiness.

2. your devotion. every single moment in my life that was even the teeniest bit difficult, holds a memory of you. you were there- EVERY single time. i honestly cannot recall any time in my life that you did not come through for me. it took me years to realize this about you- and since then i've continued to notice your devotion and friendship to me, and you have not let me down. one of the hardest times in my life was moving to farmington- i felt so alone and it seemed as if my friends had all forgotten me. you were the one friend (bringing camille along) that drove all the way to farmington time and time again. you will never know how much that truly meant to me.

3. your testimony. in highschool i was always amazed to see you show up with wet hair and a skirt. i was amazed because i knew that meant you had waken up before the sun to go to the temple and do work for the dead. when you started inviting me i felt like the luckiest person. now that i have a testimony of my own, and i know that a large chunk of it came from those weekly temple trips, i owe you thanks for being a great example.

4. your memory. you always remember important dates- even the important dates in my life that have little or no meaning to you. except, they do have meaning to you somehow- and it's because you have such a tender heart.


5. your style. hands down you are, will, and always have been the most stylish of any of us girlfriends. we all tried to look like you and be like you- but never quite figured out how to do as well as you. i always admire your taste and class.



6. your ideas. i never have to worry about being bored with you. even if we ended up sitting in your room all night you were sure to supply us with exciting kissing books, wedding magazines (keep in mind we must have been 16 at the time) and anything else you can imagine.

7. your spontaneous-ness. going along with your good ideas- not only did you create good ideas, but you were spontaneous enough to navigate them. i have one too many memories of drive by's, going through the wendy's drive through to ask for straws and napkins, picking up cones and lining them across the street, and anything else imaginable!

8. your creativity. although i didn't completely realize this common hobby of ours until recently, i am still amazed at the works of art that come from your hands. everything you put your hands on comes out with some sort of fashion on it.

9. your rebel side. i can't remember for sure, but i THINK it was you that was always coming up with ways to torture teachers, young women's leaders, peers, etc.. etc. it was never anything mean or offensive, but being a teaser myself, i always enjoyed laughing with you after our teasing extravaganzas.



10. your compassion. you can always tell when something is up. i don't even have to tell you. even when i'm no where near you it seems like you know. i never have to worry about dealing with life on my own- because i know that if i mention one word to you, you will go far and beyond what i ever expected or needed.

11. your spirit. your fun spirit, but also your gospel Spirit. you radiate. your countenance glows. it would be impossible to look at you and not realize you're a daughter of God. you have a testimony and you're not scared to share it.

12. your friendship. you include everyone around you in all you do. you have such a special ability to involve everyone. i remember in highschool, you were always bringing someone around to eat lunch with us. it didn't matter if you never learned their name, if they had one leg, or if no one else liked them- you did, and that's all that matters.

13. your hugs. i vividly remember standing in the courtyard at skyline highschool. it was a rainy day and i was bawling. you stood there and hugged me. i don't even know what you said to me, you might not have said anything- and it wouldn't have mattered, because your hug left such an impact i never had to question if you cared.

14. your laugh. laughing in the car, laughing in class, laughing in gamma, laughing on your bed, on the couch, laying on the floor- anywhere. most my memories of us include laughing hysterically. you always have a good story, and even if you don't, you make one up.

15. your imagination. remember the time you, kelby, and i made a fort on the clothesline in your yard? the thing i remember most about it is the wild and crazy stories you told us. i remember you telling me thrilling stories as we sat on the salt-box at upland terrace elementary during recess and talked of our wish to shave our legs. the stories did not stop after elementary- your lengthy notes passed in the hallways in highschool always had a good story- and from there you have filled my facebook and text message inbox with fabulous stories. would you write a book already?



16. your ability to know. you always know what to do. you always know who's a good friend. you always know if it's right or if it's wrong, and you always know to do the honest thing even if it's hard.

17. your support. showing up on my doorstep to offer words of advice. driving me down town and helping me finish an interior design project. working on the gamma directory. offering to lend your car for use to travel to provo. always asking how i'm doing. you support me in ways i don't even want to support myself! :)

18. your nicknames. you have millions of nicknames for me, and for everyone else around you. if you know their name or not- they've got a nickname. i love when you create nicknames, it makes everyone feel like your best friend.


19. your quirks. eating lime-salt may or may not have been the most normal thing to do. but the memory of you hiding in your desk in 6th grade is forever etched in my brain. wearing complete spandex outfits can only be pulled off by you- and all the other mountain bikers out there. you make life interesting, for yourself, and for the rest of us- and i LOVE it.

20. your maturity. if you've been through it or not- you always seem to have the adult view on things. (although your adult now, you haven't always been, but your advice has been worthy of it) whenever i need advice, i know i can go to you because you always have something good to say. you're not scared to tell how it is- and that is an important thing to have in a friend.

21. YOU! i can't even mention you without mentioning your husband, it seems like. you amaze me everyday- and along with that, i am amazed at the way you picked an equally amazing spouse. you two are so strong together and you i don't doubt that everywhere you go you will touch so many people around you. you have a sort of power together, and it makes me want to be better everyday.


Happy 21st Birthday my dear friend. I am sorry this is 2 hours and 18 minutes late. Don't think I forgot your birthday is the 26th! (I won't go into detail on my crazy hectic day!) I hope you have (had) the most wonderful birthday you could ask for. You deserve the absolute best. Thank you for all your love and support. I am so grateful for your influence, friendship, and example! I love you sister!!

delicious pink fruit

i don't normally like grapefruit. except for the fact that it brings back many childhood memories of my mother cutting it up and feeding it to us {with not enough sugar}. the other day when i went grocery shopping to get pepperonies for our pizza- i decided to check out the produce section. i spotted the grapefruits, and decided that since they're healthy {and i'm not} i would give them another shot in my life. good thing i did because i was in absolute heaven while eating it. it was so delicious i asked dallin to try some multiple times, and after too much asking he gave in. it was quite a disappointment when he almost hurled and told me, "no- NO, i STILL do not like them!!". anyway- to end my little saga- grapefruit has made an entrance back into my meals.


{and yes, you might notice it is nearly 4am. i did do a good job of going to bed early the last couple of nights- and even tonight i fell asleep near 11pm, but after driving home and dallin telling me he was bummed he didn't have a chance to do laundry, i figured he does so much for me all the time- i will do this for him. the last load is almost done drying- and then off to bed i go, just to wake up in 4 hours for church!}

the above the lip under the nose space

this is my apology for my entourage of downer blogs.

- i am officially nocturnal- so esther, if you have your baby in the middle of the night and you get bored, feel free to call me, i am sure i'll be awake.

- i always wait for a break in school, but when it comes i miss my routine life. so weird, i know.

- thank you boy in blue pictured above for taking care of me, accepting me, and mostly- for not being scared off by my crazy girl up and down hormones, moods, etc.

- tomorrow i'm waking up early and going to bed early. believe me??

- today was a great day! here are some good things that happened.

1. a woman at work who happens to be 4 feet tall, speaks in a high squeaky voice, and drinks cranberry juice like it's going out of style told me i am her angel. she loves me- and offered to give me endless amounts of back massages as long as i would stop helping everyone else and sit and chat with her. tempting- very tempting. i now know where i'll spend my half hour breaks.

2. dallin and i ate pizza for dinner. (thanks char for the recipe) i love eating dinner with dallin. he also brought me no reason flowers. beautiful pink daisy's- he knows me so well it amazes me! then he said this, "i tried to study as much as i could while you were at work, so i now i can spend the rest of the night with you." .... you have no idea how much i love those words!

3. we played card games with my roommate and her new smashing hunk tyler. it was so much fun. i love card games almost as much as i love skittles- and guess what? i was eating skittles WHILE playing card games WITH dallin. pure bliss.

4. while cuddling with dallin tonight he started rubbing my face in the "above the lip, under the nose space". he told me that's the actual name for it. then he told me i should rub it on his arm or a blanket- "that's what alyse does with her blanket", he said. i didn't do it at the time, but i tried it when he wasn't looking- and he was right, it was really nice. :)

5. i bought plenty of fresh produce at the store tonight- so i'm set for the week with yummy food!

5. tomorrow is the final day of working every day this week. i get a break clear until next tuesday- AND we're going skiing saturday. i cannot wait.

i must sleep now, because tonight is my last night of being a night owl. (until next time i get stuck in this rut).

i'm a poet and didn't even know it

today was sunny.

i woke up to my best friend,
7-UP in hand,
always there when i need him,

i worked a long and trecherous,
but amazingly smooth 8- hour shift,

as i drove home,
i admired the clear skies,
and bright stars,

as i returned to my three bedroom,
slightly dirty, and mostly sick apartment,
i had a peeled orange and tart lemon yogurt,

then i enjoyed the company of roommates,
my best friend,
some cuddling, lots of chatting,


and i am sad.

why? urg.. why am i sad?!

i am sad today.
i'm not sure why.
some days are hard.
today is one of them.
i'm headed to bed in hopes
of a better tomorrow.