Utah - California - Arizona

The last week of the semester and the week leading up to my trip to California were probably some of the most insane days of my life. I literally averaged like 2 hours of sleep a night. Finals are crazy enough, but the week after than I immediately started my International Business class. Instead of doing it throughout the study abroad, we knocked out an entire semesters worth of class in one week. Class was from 9-3 basically every day, and on top of that...I worked 3-11pm Monday - Thursday as well. That already is me being gone from 9am-11pm every day that week. On top of that, I had to pack for California, Arizona, Europe, AND pack up the rest of my stuff to move into a new apartment by friday at 7am. I honestly don't know how I did it. Actually I do, its called going to bed at 4am and waking up at 6am. Once I was on the road to California with Travis and Aria, all was well and I finally felt like I had a break and time to breathe for 2 minutes. Im pretty sure I slept most of the way except when I was driving.

We left Provo on a Friday at around 3 to get to Arias house in Vegas at around 8 or so. I don't actually remember. We stayed at her place overnight and woke up the next morning to be on the road to the San Diego temple at 4am. 

We got to the temple at around 9am and then went across the street into an office building to change and get ready for the day. We got to watch Sam and Randy walk out first and then shortly after was Emily and Nate. I loved being able to see both friends come out of the temple after being married and sealed! Such a fun experience. We had a couple hours to kill so we went over to a beach house that some friends were staying in, went to the beach for literally 30 minutes.

After the beach, we went back to the house and got dressed again to make it to the dinner and receptions of both weddings. Let me tell you, Emily's wedding was THE most extravagent and beautiful wedding I have ever been to. I would expect nothing less from her and her mother. I with I took more photos of the location and decor and what not, but just trust that it was beautiful.

 I gotta say...I've got some good looking friends. I love these people so much, and it was especially fun to be all together celebrating in California. Not only are they good looking, but they are some of the most genuine people I have ever met. Im honestly so lucky to be friends with them and share so many fun memories over the last couple years.

After the weddings, Travis, Aria, and I stayed at a Marriott in Anaheim Hills. We did 2 days at Disneyland because Aria got us in for free one day and a discount the other day! I hadn't been in 4 years, so it was definitely a good time. This is my obligatory "I love churros" photo.

Following Disneyland and California adventure, we got up and headed out. I flew to Arizona and Travis and Aria drove back to Provo.

I wasn't able to spend as much time in Phoenix as I would have liked but it was enough time to do all the essentials: spend time with my family, cuddle with my dogs, go to Last Chance, eat a machaca burrito at Carolina's, go shooting with dad, and visit friends. No AZ trip is complete without those things. Honestly.

 Friday morning I woke up early and headed out to the airport to fly to Amsterdam! One of the hardest parts about leaving home is saying bye to my pooch Ghandi, knowing that it could potentially be the last time I see him. He has been the best dog anyone could ask for. He's getting old and has a hard time getting up, so its especially hard to say bye. The day he dies will probably be one of the hardest yet, but Im hoping that wont be any time soon. My dream would be that he sticks around until my future husband can meet him (which sounds silly but that would honestly make me so happy). I love my pooch! Don't know what my childhood would have been like without him!