Catch up!

Dear heavens! It has been too long and I'm not even sure where to begin! 

Can I just start by saying how much I love the weather right now? It is finally beginning to warm up and the snow is finally GONE. All I want to do is be outside. I (attempt) do my homework outside, eat my lunch outside, and play frisbee and run all the time in the gorgeous weather. In fact, last week I got to visit my aunt and played with my adorable cousins outside the whole evening. 

They are the cutest! 

Okay let me share some of the highlights of the past few weeks. 

So my friends and I celebrated National Pi Day (3/14) in the best way--we got Sammy's Pie Shakes. Can you say divine? It was such a fun night!! 

These kids. 

It was one of my wonderful, beautiful, and very best friend's birthday two weeks ago. We had a fabulous birthday dinner for her and then went back to her apartment for a little party! It was so fun! 

Happy Birthday Angie! <3 

Sarah and I participated in the Run for Your Life challenge here on campus. From the second week of January to last week we had to run a total of 150 miles. It was killer. I ran anywhere from 3-5 miles a day. But, we finished! And...

WE GOT FREE INTRAMURAL CHAMPION SHIRTS.

Try not to be too jealous. These are just the most coveted shirts on campus. It's fine. 

I have had about a million and one tests to take, papers to write, and things to do. But I am still alive and doing well. I'm still working to get my life in order for next year--signing up for classes, applying for jobs and housing, all that good stuff. But it's coming together and I can honestly say I am so stoked for a new year. :)  

Hakuna matata! 

Mallory 

PS: Please, enjoy these terrifying pictures of me and Sarah.

Sleep is overrated anyway...

I had really good intentions to get to bed early tonight. But those intentions didn't exactly manifest themselves as actions, hence this blog post.

I know it's been a while. So where to begin? 

How about with a trip to ihop for free pancakes on National Pancake Day with Angie and Paige? Yeah, that seems like a good place to start. It was super fun having the much-needed catch up time, and hello, FREE PANCAKES. Can't go wrong. Win-win situation. 

On Valentine's Day, I went out with Cole and some of his friends. We went out to dinner and went salsa dancing, followed by some adventures on the streets of Provo. It was such a party! 

Salsa Chocolate anyone? :) 

Since Monday was a holiday, I gladly welcomed the three day weekend. I got to go running with Chris and watch him open his mission call,

(Haha this picture cracks me up.)

went to Trafalga with Justin,

(such a fun night!) 

and PARTYED AND DOMINATED AT THE BYU WINTER OLYMPICS!!!! 

Allow me to explain. Some guys organized a real live Winter Olympics and it was awesome! We divided into 8 teams of 8 and each represented a country. We were team Netherlands (props to me and Cole for making those super sweet bandanas). We competed in sledding relays down snow-covered hills, "dog sledding", human curling (which was brilliant), a running race in the snow, a snowball fight, a biathlon (shooting nerf guns and running), and soccer. We actually tied for first with the Soviet Union, but it was still epic. 

GOLD MEDALISTS! 

 Dog sledding! (Yes, I'm on the sled...)

DOG SLEDDING CHAMPS! 

All the teams 

First place at human curling? What?! 

Biathlon buddies! (It was way harder than it sounds).

The champs! Soviets and Netherlands

Well I have a feeling that 7 AM is going to come much faster than I'd like. So that's about it from here. But remember that life is beautiful, God is so good, and hakuna matata! 

Mallory

Facial disgracial

Hello from freezing cold, snowy Utah!
It's hard to believe it's already February. I guess time flies when you're having fun (and studying too...don't worry y'all.)

So 2 weeks ago on Friday night, Sarah and some of our friends went to a nerd dance. Yes, we acted as awkward as we possibly could. And yes, it was the best thing ever.

Some of the best looking nerds in Provo :) 

Love her! <3 

The following Monday, we had the wonderful opportunity to go to the beautiful Provo temple. What a fantastic experience it was! I know that it is the house of the Lord and felt His presence there. 

Then last Friday night, I got to go with some friends to the Kid History Episode 10 premiere. It was hysterical and I am pretty much obsessed with them. It's fine though. 

WHAT THE HECK WHY DO I LOVE THEM SO MUCH? 

This week, honestly, sucked. There is no way to put it lightly. It was stressful and required me to make some pretty big decisions for the future. On top of that, I had several tests, and I was so fortunate as to get terribly sick. There were times I fell to my knees and prayed that Heavenly Father would give me the strength to go on. I had done all that I could and was down and defeated. However, I survived the week, and really had a productive and successful time with all my tasks. I know that my ability and strength to endure was through the grace, mercy, and love of my Heavenly Father. Without Him, I would have had a really rough time. I know He lives and loves us. Okay, sorry for the sob story. I'm done. Promise. 

I spent this evening bedridden; I decided to make the most of my illness and catch up on my favorite show of all time--Once Upon a Time (if you haven't watched it...shame on you. Season 1 is on Netflix. Check it out).  I am looking forward to a relaxing and rest-filled weekend. 

God is so good! Keep that in mind. 

Hakuna matata, 

Mallory

Happy Friday!

I know, it's been a while! But things got so crazy at the first of the semester that blogging just fell by the wayside! So bear with me as I finish up Christmas break and start in on the new semester. 

After Christmas, my cousins from Indiana came and visited us! It was so great to see them! While together, we went bowling, ice skating, and to the USS Texas (a battleship that fought in both world wars). It was a fun weekend. 

I also got to visit some of my favorite people in the world, Linda and Sister C! It was so fun to catch up and tell stories. Plus, they had me try hummus for the first time and for the record, I did not like it at all.

<3 

Just before we left for Provo, Paige and I went to Ooh La La, our favorite place! We got to catch up and it was super fun! 

Well I am back in Provo. The ground is constantly covered in snow. It's cold and wet and I'm sick of it. But spring will come soon enough! School is well under way! I am taking 15 credits this semester: English 313, Stat 121, Bio 100, Book of Mormon part 2, and ASL 101! They are all super fun; I love my professors and even though some may be a bit of a challenge, I'm truly looking forward to the semester. 

Over the past two weeks...

1. I was reunited with my roommate!! <3 

We took the picture on the left in January of 2012 at Priest-Laurel Conference. Little did we know, that a few months later we would be rooming together at BYU. The picture on the right was taken at church this January, 2013--almost a year later. We were twinning then, and now. :) 

2. I got to spend time with my sister and brother-in-law! I love them! 

Matching! 

3. I got to hang out with some of my good friends! I missed them all so much...it was nice to see everyone again! 

Party at the planetarium! 

Angie and I at a decade dance! <3 

Ang, Ty and I at the Phantom of the Opera! It was AMAZING!!! What a wonderful evening! :) 

I'm so blessed to be here at BYU with such awesome people! I seriously love it. I'm so glad we don't have school on Monday--three day weekend!

Stay warm, stay alive, and hakuna matata! 

Mallory 

Peace out 2012; it's been real.

Hey y'all! Well it's New Year's Eve and it's hard to believe that 2012 has come and gone. I brought in 2012 with my wonderful family and I am blessed to herald in 2013 with them as well. As cliche as it sounds, I really do think that this time of year serves as a time of reflection of the past and resolutions for the future. So, I'd like to share with you my top 10 highlights of the year 2012. 

1. Sadie Hawkins Dance, in my khaki pants, there's nothing better. Oh oh oh. 

Alec and I

Part of our group

2. Choir Trip
In April, my choir went to Austin and San Antonio. I got to spend time with some of my absolute best friends and enjoy being together as a choir before we graduated. We had the opportunity to sing in the Capitol in Austin, go to Sea World, and a ranch! It was a ton of fun. 

 Angie, Ashley, Jennifer, Lauren and I partying in Sea World 

Lauren, Jennifer, Angie and I in Austin 

3. Senior Prom!
May 19 was our Senior Prom. One of my very best friends, Tyler, asked me. He did it in the most creative way! He sent me on a week-long scavenger hunt where I had to search for pages of a fairy tale he wrote me about us going to prom using clues containing lyrics from our absolute favorite artist, Owl City. He was the best date and we had a total blast!! The dance was fantastic, and even though we were exhausted during Project Prom until 6 AM, we had such a great time! 

 Me and Ty (and his lovely hot pink shirt. He's a good sport!) :) 

Our lovely group! <3

4. Graduation
On June 2, I graduated from Seven Lakes High School! That was an exciting day and I felt quite accomplished! 

My wonderful family <3 

5. Katie and Scott's wedding 

My beautiful, fabulous older sister and best friend Katie got married on June 12 in the Salt Lake City temple. She married Scott, the best brother-in-law we could have asked for. The wedding was wonderful, Katie was gorgeous, and it was such a great day. 

The beautiful, happy couple 

Sisters <3 

Family <3 

6. Summer Term at BYU, baby!

On June 18, only 16 days after I graduated, I started the summer term at the school of my dreams--Brigham Young University in Provo. I was so grateful that I applied to the summer term because it was the absolute best experience I have ever had. It was a lot of work, very demanding, and a huge learning experience. But it was perfect in its own way and I wouldn't change one single thing. I had the best roommate, the best friends, some of my favorite classes, and the best times. Here were just a few of my favorites:

Emily, Sarah and I at the Stadium of Fire--we got to see Scotty McCreery and the Beach Boys.

 Bowling with the gang! 

 No big deal, I just met Veronica Roth, the author of the best books in the world. It's fine though. 

The best friends a girl could ask for! <3 

 We love Chipman! 

 My fabulous roomie and favorite twin, Sarah. 

7. Family reunion
We had a family reunion in July and were able to get the whole gang together at a dude ranch. It was great to see everyone all at once and we had such a great time. 

 Playing our favorite game, crazy croquet, with Grandpa 

 Rafting down the Provo River 

 Horseback riding 

 ATVing

Hiking up to Angel's Landing 

8. Fall Semester at BYU
August 27 marked the beginning of the fall semester at BYU. This semester was incredible! Like the summer, if not more so, it was a huge learning experience. I learned so much about myself and truly grew intellectually, spiritually, and socially. There were lessons to be learned, friends to be made, and good times to be had. There were difficult classes and tests, and challenges I had to overcome. But I saw the hand of our loving Heavenly Father so much over the course of the semester. I know that He guided me and continues to do so. What a wonderful few months I had, and I absolutely cannot wait to go back for the winter. :) To share just a few highlights: 

BYU football!! 

 General Relief Society Meeting with my sister

 Matching striped sweaters with Sarah and Kinsey 

 Halloween with my fabulous Stover girls

 Besties on Halloween 

 SNOW <3 

Salt Lake City with Chandler, Sarah, and Preston 

 Christmas time

First Presidency Christmas Devotional

9. Parachute and Boys Like Girls Concert <3 <3 <3
Well, my obsession with Parachute and Boys Like Girls skyrocketed when Angie, Tyler, Lauren, Jacquelyn and I went to see them in concert. What amazing performances they gave! They had incredible energy and are so so SO talented. We even did some red-light dancing, our favorite. :) Seriously, one of the best nights of my entire life. We got to meet some of the band members of Parachute and even got their autographs (and let me tell you, those boys are SO CUTE.)

 Before the show 

Waiting in line to meet Parachute... worth every minute <3 

Ang, Ty and I with Will Anderson, the lead singer of Parachute. <3 

10. And last, but not least, spending the holiday break with my wonderful family. Even though Katie and Scott spent the holidays with Scott's family, it's been nice to be with the rest of my family. The best gift was being with them for the holidays. I love them and am so blessed to have them in my life. <3 

 Siblings! 

Baby sister <3 

Well, there you have it! 2012 was a fabulous year, but I am very excited for 2013. Here's to the new year, new friends, new memories, new experiences, and new beginnings. <3

Have a blessed New Year. Hakuna matata,

Mallory