A few weeks ago, Stephen and I had the chance to go shooting with our friends Johnny and Danielle. It was something we'd been talking about doing for a looong time, so we were glad we finally got the chance! Johnny had some SWEET guns that he was so kind as to let us use. I know next to nothing about guns, but I feel like it should include that names of the guns we shot: SKS, 22 Rifle, 9mm hand gun, and a 50 caliber Desert Eagle. (I linked them to pictures so I'll remember in the future what all those names mean haha.) My favorite gun was the rifle because it was light, didn't have kickback, and I actually had decent aim with it! We kind of lucked out because the place we went (at some random state park in Spanish Fork) just so happened to have over 50 unbroken clay pigeons laying around on the ground. As Stephen put it, "Either the people who were here before us were incredibly rich, or incredibly lazy." We placed the clay pigeons delicately in the bushes and used them as targets! It was really fun and we hope to be able to do it again! (I've already caught Stephen looking up handgun prices online...) 

PS Isn't Stephen just the cutest Bert?!?! 

hehe. I'll give you a hint...

Last Wednesday Stephen and I went to the Fiesta Days Rodeo in Spanish Fork. Neither Stephen nor I had ever been to a rodeo before, so we were glad Bailee and Brady were there to explain what was going on! The evening included: Bucking Broncos, Barrel Racing, Cattle Roping, Equestrian Vaulting, Mutton Busting, American Flags, many pairs of cowboy boots, Brand-name dropping (advertising), Bull Riding, and great company. :)

^^This little guy was the "Mutton Bustin'" Champ! Mutton Busting was my favorite event in which little kids (like the adorable one above) hold on for dear life while a sheep runs full speed into the arena. It was both hiliarious and adorable.^^

Alyssa is one of my best friends of all time. We met when we were roommates in Jerusalem, but it wasn't until the following year that we really became BFFS. We lived next door to each other and had sleepovers multiple times a week. (Sometimes on purpose, sometimes because I got locked out of my apartment...unfortunately I didn't learn from this mistake the first time so this happened more than I'm willing to admit...)

Alyssa is one of the most selfless people I know. She is one of those friends that really makes me want to be a better person when I'm around her. For the last 16 months she has been selflessly serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in The Philippines, and reading her emails each week make me SO happy because I can tell that SHE is so happy. In March of last year I was able to surprise her by driving out to California for her farewell address and popping out of a cardboard box on her front porch. It was one of the top 10 best moments of my life. (It was on that trip that these beach pictures were taken.)

Alyssa finally gets back from her mission next month, and I'm SO EXCITED to be able to pick up where we left off with our constant texting (with wayyy too many emojis) and hours spent talking and laughing. Even though I have to admit I haven't been the most faithful pen pal this past year and a half -I'm so grateful to have this girl as my best friend.

Last week my friend Bailee asked me to take some pictures of her and her husband just for fun. I was happy to oblige. I had a DSLR camera reserved through work, but due to a last minute mix up - the camera was checked out to someone else! I was really bummed until my supervisor offered to let me borrow his reaalllly fancy camera with an awesome lens. Then I was stoked! THAT THING WAS A BEAST. 

I am by no means a professional photographer, but I have really enjoyed learning about photography the last few years and it is something that I want to continue learning about. And who knows - if professional photographers are still around in 20 years...I wouldn't mind being one of them :)