It's finally summer!

It's been over a year since my last post. Oops. Life lately has been crazy, stressful, busy, and amazing.

Last May, on my dad's birthday, I met Rick Mele. We clicked right away. We have been together since then. He is from Ohio, but he has lived in Utah for about 5 years. He's the greatest and I love him. He makes me laugh all the time and he spoils me rotten. Dating him has been the funnest adventure. My family adores him almost as much as I do... which is a lot. He makes me happy.

I have finished a few more semesters at UVU, and I'm currently just taking one online class and working. I got a job at The Cardio Group in Highland. I really am enjoying it. I work in the accounting department. I feel blessed that I found this job. I was working at Deseret Book for about 5 months. It was fun but I needed something that paid more to fit my spending tendencies ;)

My family is doing great. My dad recently took up golfing again. He got some new clubs and has been hitting the golf course whenever he finds the time. My mom is working at Deseret Book in the Distribution Center and really likes it. We got to work together for a few months and I loved it. Daniel has been training to be a manager at Cafe Rio which is awesome. He's leaving for Mexico this Sunday for a two week vacation. I'm just a little bit jealous. Emma is as tall as me and she's my best friend. We hang out all the time and she is hilarious.

We got a new addition to our family and I'm obsessed. My older sister, Aubrey, had her baby boy, Graham, last October. He's the most darling and sweet boy.

                        

And I know everyone is wondering how Sammy is doing. He's still our baby and he's probably the most spoiled dog. That's okay, though. 

                             

I'll try and keep this blog updated more. 

XOXO

Whoa, it's April?

I'm probably one of the worst bloggers ever. But then again, I think there's about 3 people who read this blog, so I don't feel too bad for not posting too often...

Life's been great lately. This is my last week of the semester at Utah Valley University. I've been taking Biology, Geology, Philosophy, and Student Success. I have really enjoyed my classes, and can't believe the semester is practically over. I've put a lot of miles on my car driving to and from campus from American Fork, and I'm late almost every day to my first class of the day. One of my favorite things about school is walking by the bookstore and seeing the popcorn and cotton candy machine set up. I run over and get some every time!

 

Here's a few pictures from December that I never posted. We made homemade Turtles at my grandma's house, it's a family tradition. I also celebrated my 22nd birthday and got to spend it with my family and friend, Melissa. My dad made pumpkin cake that tasted amazing. We played lots of games, and I did extremely well in a game of bananagrams... Also, Daniel received his Eagle award, I'm so proud of him! We had the "eagle's nest" (what is that called?) at our house instead of at the church. It was nice.

 

 

At UVU, they hosted a week with Jason Alexander (he plays George in Seinfeld) and Daniel and I were able to go and meet him. He was so nice and friendly. We got a picture with him, and I have to admit, I was freaking out a little bit. I absolutely love him in Seinfeld.

For the next week I will be studying and getting everything done for school, then I will be forced to look for a job. Why does life have to have so many expenses? Is it too much to ask to just lay on a lawn chair all summer reading Harry Potter and eating watermelon?? I definitely don't think so.


Aubrey, Russ, Daniel, and I went to Las Vegas in February for the weekend. It was fun to be with the siblings. I had never been there before. I loved it! We stayed in Circus Circus (won't be doing that ever again) and walked the strip multiple times. Daniel and I went to the Cirque Du Soleil show and it was incredible. We hung around in the fancy hotels, and pretended like we were high-rollers and that we were staying there. We ate lots of yummy food and had a blast.

 

 

One more thing, here's a picture of Sammy. I wedged him into an old sweatshirt of Daniel's that he wore when he was about 3 years old.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The holidays have been such a blast, I'm truly sad to see it all come to an end. I got to spend a lot of time with my family which was great. We had our annual Allenbach family party, made caramel turtles, went caroling, made sweet treats, opened presents, sang Christmas songs, and visited extended family. I loved going to church on Christmas and celebrating Jesus Christ's birth through singing hymns and learning more of him.

I got some fun gifts from my parents. Lots of school supplies, new calendar, decorative pillows for my bed, treats, and other fun things. Emma got some fun things, but the Wii beats them all. She plays it as much as she can. You can't imagine my joy once I found out I could link my Netflix account through that blessed game system... it's brilliant. Daniel got some stuff for college, new clothes, and some sweet new headphones. It was a great Christmas. 

I am starting school on Monday, and I'm getting really excited! It will be a great step in the right direction for me and I can't wait to get started.

Here are just a few pictures from the holidays... I will post more later once I can find them. 

Yummy white chocolate popcorn with milk chocolate and candy canes sprinkled on top that my dad made.

Sammy all ready for Christmas!

I WANT.

I die when I see coats like this.

December!

It's my birthday in one week. I guess you could say I'm excited. December is my absolute favorite month of the whole year, and not just because it's my birthday month. My mom and I pulled out the Christmas boxes from the garage and decorated the house while listening to FM 100.3 (you gotta listen to Christmas music while putting up decorations, even if most of the songs are extremely nerdy and repetitive). The tree is up, our stockings are hung, and the lights are on the house outside. I love the cozy feeling of the tree plugged in and being snuggled up in a blanket. 

I love this time of year, it brings out the best in some people. I love hearing people say, "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" to one another. I love the spirit that Christmas brings. What I don't like is going to Walmart and walking into a madhouse of mothers dragging their five crying and whining children with them as they fill their shopping carts with a bunch of junk (toys, big stuffed animals, giant chocolate Santas that actually taste terrible, etc.) that they really don't need. It's almost laughable to watch.

These past few years I have really realized that Christmas isn't about spending a bunch of money on presents that we don't really need. It's about helping others and giving our time to serve those who are less fortunate or that need help. On Monday, I spent the day with my Grandma. I helped her make applesauce, and we decorated her house for Christmas. It felt so good to help her.

I'm crossing my fingers that it snows for my birthday. I'm also hoping someone buys me an ipad. Ha! Just kidding.

So much time, so little to do.

For about a month now, I haven't been working or going to school. Now if I were a responsible go-getter, I'd have accomplished a lot with all my free time. But, no. Instead, I've read the Harry Potter series for the 20th time, discovered my love for Netflix, fallen in love with Seinfeld, and decided, after playing with neighbors new beagle puppies, that it's extremely important that I buy myself a puppy as well.

There have been a few outings and fun activities, and I will post about those later. Life is good, though. I'm back on track to go to school in January, and I couldn't be more excited. (Definitely not excited about the classes, but excited about working towards graduating and finally being a teacher!!) So cheers to that.

Dear Summer, I'm going to miss you.

I can't deny it any longer... the wonderful, hot, and beautiful days of Summer are finally coming to an end. It's been such an adventure. Here are a few highlights on going on family road trips, seeing extended family, and spending time with some of my greatest friends. I will miss Summer terribly, but I am really really excited to start wearing sweaters and scarves.

My Grandpa Frayne passed away in June. This experience has had a huge impact on me, and I'm still trying to come to terms with it. He was such a huge part of my life, and it's been hard for me to get used to the idea that he is gone. I'm so grateful that this separation from him is only temporary. That has given me peace. The funeral brought my entire extended family together, and it was such a treat to see cousins, my cousin's spouses, second cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends of my Grandpa's. We drove up to Franklin, Idaho for the burial service, and right as it ended, it started to pour down rain and hail. We all ran to our cars, and as we pulled out of the cemetary, there was a full rainbow. While we were in Franklin, we drove by where my Grandpa grew up in a small and quaint white house. It was special to see that.

I took loads of pictures of Sammy. Here's a few gems of my little baby puppy. He's grown on all of us and the whole family is obsessed with him. He's just so cute.

We spent the 4th of July up in Heber with my family, my grandma, two of my uncles and some cousins. We took a drive up in the mountains, and had a picnic by a fire. We weren't prepared to find snow and the lake frozen over, and Aub and I had to be carried across patches of snow. After that we rode my uncle's horses which was so fun! The night was spent back at home watching the neighborhood fireworks. Tyler and Melissa dropped by to enjoy them with us. It was a great day.

I spent a lot of time with my 17 year old brother, Daniel. We watched Harry Potter movies, he made me lots of rootbeer shakes, we jumped from our roof onto the tramp, we went out to eat, and drove around all over the place. He's my best friend.

I learned how to make hair flowers out of fabric by burning the edges, which was super cool. We had a girls night with some cousins and made a bunch. Russ volunteered to take down our ancient swing set, and I had to get a picture by it before it was gone because I have some great memories of it.

I went to Gabe and Ellen's wedding, and Sam and Erin's wedding. Both were wonderful. I ate so many fruit tarts I made myself sick. And I just love this picture of Daniel and Emma dancing. It melts my heart, they're just so adorable.

I went to see HP7 Part 2 with my friend, Kaylyn. I went three times this summer, I guess you could say I loved it. Also one of my best friends, Lindsey, got married. Her bridal shower was super fun, and she was such a beautiful bride.

Whenever I want to make a pie, I go straight to my grandma's house. We made this delicious blackberry pie. I love spending time with her. Every minute I am with her, I learn something from her and I appreciate her more and more.

Melissa and Tyler moved just around the corner, and I spent a lot of time with Melissa. We decorated her classroom, went out to eat, and played at each other's houses. They are such great friends. My mom and I babysat a friend's baby, Nina. She's a dolly and we both fell in love with her.

My family spent a week in Island Park, Idaho. My mom's childhood best friend has a cabin right on the lake. We had the best time boating, tubing, eating, watching movies, playing games, and riding motorcycles.

On our way home from Idaho, we stopped by my grandpa's grave. They added his death date. It was special to come visit him there.

I got a new headboard and bedspread. My room looks so much better now, and I finally hung a few pictures that I bought in France. Also, my cousin went into the MTC. He had his farewell in Heber. He did such an amazing job on his talk, and I know he will be an outstanding missionary. He's a stud.

I really enjoyed the amazing sunsets this summer and the beautiful sky. I also enjoyed all of the bright flowers around town. Everything is so alive and healthy. I also wanted to put a picture of me with my Nana. She's a beautiful woman and I adore her. I love that she lives so close. She's so special to me.

Alright then. I'm ready for Fall!