New beginnings

Howdy! 

I know it has been a long time since I posted, I've just been super busy!! 

My last few days home were bittersweet. 

On Saturday we went to the temple grounds because some of my family wanted to see the Houston temple. It is such a beautiful place and I know that it truly is the house of the Lord. 

Katie, Seth and I 

Breathtaking! 

Saturday evening was Katie and Scott's open house. It was a beautiful night with great decorations, great food, and great company. I'll have to put up pictures later, I don't have access to them now! 

Lovely ladies and the bride!

I got to see this fabulous girl again, Angie!

Sunday was church. My friend Carlos is leaving on his mission so it was his farewell. They had a group of his close friends sing "Called to Serve" in Sacrament and I was privileged to do so! 

Monday my family and I went to Galveston and spent the day on the beach! We boogie-boarded, made sand castles, and got WAY too sunburned! But it was a lot of fun!

Excuse the squinty eyes and lack of make-up... but this was my sandcastle!

Tuesday I flew back to the great state of Utah with Katie and Scott.

We had matching snacks! So yummy!

Wednesday I moved into my new dorm and was reunited with my fabulous roommate, Sarah. We went to a social for our dorms that evening and had a lot of fun meeting new people. 

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were just crazy running errands and participating in New Student Orientation. There were activities in the evenings that we went to which were a lot of fun! 

Today was our first day of our new ward! I really like them and I cannot wait to get to know everyone! I taught a Sunday School lesson too! 

Tomorrow my fall classes begin! Although I'm a little nervous, I'm excited to get started again! 

Words of advice before school starts?

"My young brothers and sisters, don’t take counsel of your fears. Don’t say to yourselves, “I’m not wise enough, or I can’t apply myself sufficiently well to study this difficult subject or in this difficult field, so I shall choose the easier way.” I plead with you to tax your talent, and our Heavenly Father will make you equal to those decisions."

-Thomas S. Monson

If you are starting school, good luck! More posts to come.

Hakuna matata,

Mallory

It's always a good time

Greetings one and all! Let me fill you in on this week! 

On Wednesday I went out to lunch with my sister Allison and our good friend Ashley! After lunch we went shopping and got some ice cream! 

Me and Ashley

That night, I took my siblings out for ice cream! We went when my friend Alex was working. He scooped our ice cream for us and it was quite delicious! 

Thursday I went to lunch with my friend Emily and visited another good friend Jennifer since it was her birthday! That afternoon, my sister, her husband, my grandparents, and my aunt and uncle arrived for my sister's wedding reception here! It was so nice to play games and visit with everyone again! 

This morning we went to Brazos Bend State Park. We went on a really cool nature walk where we can see real alligators all around us! There are no fences, no cages; they are just out in their natural environment. It's super cool to see them hiding in the water and in the brush. 

There's an alligator creeping in the water! 

Up close and personal!

Besides the alligators, there are tons of birds, bugs (ew), and flowers.

Gorgeous colors

This was my favorite picture I took! It reminds me of Tangled flowers! <3 

Siblings! <3 

Alli and I

Tonight we are going out to dinner and tomorrow will be the reception for Katie and Scott! It's been so nice having everyone together again!! 

Hakuna matata!

Mallory

Feelin' crafty

As much as I love BYU, it sure is nice to be home! I am loving spending time with my family and friends and relaxing for a change!

I really missed my little sister, Allison! 

This weekend was Stake Conference so I had the opportunity to attend the adult session with my parents on Saturday night and the Sunday session with my family as well. I heard so many great talks and really felt the Spirit present at the meetings.

Yesterday I went on an Oh La La date with one of my very good friends Paige! It was so nice to catch up and fill her in on college life (she's headed up to BYU in the fall as well).

Today I wanted to try to make something I'd found on Pinterest. After raiding the craft store, I decided on this lovely earring holder made from a picture frame and some lace. 

I think it turned out pretty good! I documented the whole project if you want to give it a try! :)

What you'll need: 

1. A photo frame (the size is totally up to you, depends on how many earrings you want to store. I went with a 5x7)

2. Paint and a brush 

3. Lace ribbon (I have seen it done with doilies as well)

4. Even though it's not pictured, a hot glue gun

Start by painting the picture frame.

After it dries, flip it over to work on the back. Start by cutting strips of the lace ribbon to lay across the picture frame. Position them on the frame so you can get an idea of how it will look. 

Once you've got them set, you'll begin by hot gluing the ribbons on. Glue one end to the back of the picture frame. Once it cools, pull the ribbon very tightly to the other side. Keeping it taut, glue the other side as well. 

Continue to do that to each of the ribbons until they are all in place.

Allow all the glue to cool, and there you have it! 

It's that simple! And I think it's pretty cute!! 

Hakuna matata! 

Mallory 

Homeward bound

Hello one and all!

Today I flew home and I am so happy to be back! I have a 2 week break and then will start school up again in the fall. 

Please excuse me as I take a moment to be incredibly cliché. 

This past summer has been such an amazing experience. I have met so many wonderful people who have truly changed my life. I could not have survived the term without their love, support, and friendship. I have learned so much and absolutely loved my classes and professors. I am so grateful for the many blessings that Heavenly Father sent me and I know that He is watching over me. I cannot wait to see what other great things Heavenly Father and BYU has in store for me! 

Lovely Hinckley girls! 

This one's for Melissa! :) 

Best roommate ever!  

Conner! 

What would I do without these fabulous girls? <3 

Hakuna matata! 

Mallory 

FREEDOM!!

I am FREE!

 I finished all my finals. 

I finished my first term of college. I now have 26 fabulous college credits behind me. :)

I was pretty excited, and so was Sarah. 

If we look brain dead, it's because we were. Finals are exhausting. 

Tonight we treated ourselves to Brick Oven and ice cream. Now our room looks like a tornado as we scramble to pack everything up. 

Sorry this is so short...more to come later. 

Hakuna matata! 

Mallory