A SLC Weekend

Just over a week ago, one of the most important people in my life passed away. My Grandpa left this life to join my Grandma in eternity and I know that they are so extremely happy to be reunited again. I didn't want to post about it anywhere, like I had before with my Grandma. It was just too hard now that I don't have either of them. It was a beautiful funeral, lots of great memories were shared, it was wonderful to get together with family we hadn't seen in a long time and catch up and reminisce. This is all I really want to say at this time, but I really appreciate the love and support from everyone.

My sister, her fiance, and Ellie and I flew out Wednesday morning and Matt followed up on Thursday. Ellie did great on our last trip on the flights, and I was worried now that she's older that it would be harder for her and I. She was such a dream though! It was so great on all four flights round trip! Big thanks to my sister and future bro-in-law for keeping her entertained!

When we got in, we relaxed and visited with family. I could have stayed up all night long talking and laughing! Before we picked up Matt, we headed to a restaurant my BIL found on the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives website called the Blue Plate Diner. It was such a neat place; lots of vintage decor, knickknacks, a jukebox, and an old school milk shake counter.

Of course, I didn't eat anything that Guy Fieri suggested (no thank you to Corned Beef Hash), but this giant waffle covered in bananas and home style potatoes was delicious. The bananas were perfectly ripe and my mouth is watering looking at this pic. Matt was totally sad to miss out.

After we picked him up, we headed to the City Creek Center (also known as the prettiest mall ever) to walk around and show the guys. I love this mall and check out it every time I'm in town. Ellie was so excited about her Tinkerbell doll, it was so cute!

After our little shopping trip, we crossed the street to one of my absolute favorite places- Temple Square. It's so beautiful in the spring time and I couldn't resist getting a few family pics. I wish we had brought our good DSLR camera, because the whole square and Temple are gorgeous. My lame IPhone pics don't do it justice!

Friday was the funeral and we spent the day with family before we had to fly out Saturday morning (at the crack of dawn). I really wish we could have stayed longer. I know I haven't lived there in some time now, but it still feels like home to me. The time we spent went by so fast, I hardly have any pictures. None with cousins, my dad, or anyone! I hate not having the pics, but I'm glad I spent the time together with them present and not on my phone too (which is why I have some rather boring pics). 

Hope you had a good weekend and an even better start to your week. Thanks for reading!

Utah, my Motherland

Just over a week ago, I got to go back to my hometown to visit my family and friends and had such a great time. Even though I haven't lived in Utah for sometime now (as of May 31st it will be 13 years since the move) it still feels like home when I visit. I love the culture, the gorgeous scenery everywhere you go, the people, the food, and most of all my loved ones. Here's some pictures of my trip, including some Instagram shots (my username is kristen_lawler).

I took Grandpa to get some custard (it's just like ice cream, but better) to a little place he and Grandma used to take my sister and I all the time. This place has chocolate and vanilla everyday and a third flavor of the day. It was always such a thrill to see what the flavor of the day would be when we were young. 

I also visited my Grandma who has now moved into a home. She has Alzheimer and it's so heartbreaking. I thought I would cry the entire time, but only did a few times. I was proud of myself. My grandparents are two of the most important people in my life and had a huge hand in raising me and helping me to become the person I am today. I miss them so much, I've thought about moving back to Utah a hundred times just to be closer to them. 

While I was there, I also visited the City Creek Center and it's seriously the prettiest mall I've ever seen! The architecture, the colors, the area, everything was so pretty! I could have spent the whole day there. The mall spans three blocks. I even visited it twice! 

They have some great shops and I picked up a few things, but nothing crazy. I also met a few of my childhood friends and we had such a blast catching up and shopping. It was so good to see them, these two girls I've known since preschool. It's so cool that we've kept in touch for so long.

I also got to see one of my besties new home that she and her family built. It was stunning! I loved all of it and immediately called my father-in-law to hatch a plan to get my husband and mother-in-law on board for moving out there.

 

I also came across some old family photos, isn't my sister the cutest with her wild hair?

 

Grandpa and my dad at dinner 
PS my Dad is still adamant that Wolf should have been my name and that I should consider naming my future children that. 
Oh you missed that awesome post? Read allllll about it here.

   

I love all of the Jazz coverage and reading the newspaper each day, even though the season is long over for us.

   

The swing my grandparents have on their back porch. All 14 of us grandchildren have swung in that swing and I remember telling my grandpa to push me "higher! higher!" in it. 

 

Oh, and I saw this girl wearing the cutest outfit at the airport. I couldn't stop staring, her hair was amazing too! I'm totally going to copy this whole outfit. Excuse the creeper pic, she was on the phone and I didn't get a chance to ask her for a proper pic. LOL. 

I also spent time with my aunt, uncle, and cousins. I wanted to take pictures, but I totally forgot! I had the best time hanging out with them. It made me miss everyone even more! Every time I visit, I always want to move back. I seriously contemplate it too, I look at job postings, places to live, do a mental pros/cons list. I think I'll eventually end back there, but only the Lord knows! I can't wait to go back again though and I think I'll visit again in the summer time. The weather was perfect and it was nice to have a lighter suitcase. I usually visit in the winter because I miss the snow, but I think it's a valid excuse now to visit at least twice a year. 

Have you ever moved out of state? Do you ever go back and visit your hometown?

**Don't forget to enter my $50 Kiki La'Rue Giveaway!** 

Calling All Utahns!

I will be in town May 8-12 to visit friends and family and would love to meet up with any readers/bloggers in the Salt Lake City area. Let me know if you'd like to get together!

Go Jazz!

Earlier this month, my friend RR was able to hook me up with box suites for my hometown team againt the LA Clippers. 12 of my friends and family went and we had a great time! Thanks again RR for the sweet tickets! Here are some pics, unfortunately we didn't get one group pic;
Mommy and I

Sissy and I

BF and I

I'm Back!

Helllllllo! I'm back and ready to go! I had a great trip! Here's some pictures from the trip:


I went to Tucanos, an all-you-can-eat Brazilian BBQ with these lovely ladies:


and ate this:


If you ever get the chance to eat there, you definitely should, it was delicious! My favorites were the mango cod and garlic sirloin. The servers just come around with huge spears of different meats and you can pick and choose as you like.

I saw Avatar and The Blind Side, both were really great movies! Here's my Dad, his GF, me, and my BF


My friend's Hubby also took us shooting. It was my first time and it was so scary! I really didn't think it would be scary to shoot a gun, but I was really nervous.


We also crammed into this room for the Super Bowl- Yay Saints! Here's the BF, Gpa, Gma, and my Dad

Here's things I miss about back home:

Milk- I know CA is supposed to have great dairy, but I still miss UT milk, it's just different

Having fry sauce available everywhere- in UT it's fry sauce, not "special sauce" like it is at In-N-Out.

Driving past this everyday- I used to live down the street from the Jordan River Temple and it's truly breathtaking

The cost of living- It was the same price for two people to go to the movie in UT as it is for one person to go in CA!!! My BF and I were shocked! Plus, just about everything is less expensive in general out there.

Sconecutter- A real scone is deep fried bread slathered in honey butter (which is also available everywhere), honey, and cinnamon.

Finally, the mountains

I'm so Proud to be from Utah

Seriously, I really am. Didn't you read my past post? In Utah, over in Lehi at Thanksgiving Point, they have the state's largest corn field. Every year a theme is picked and a maze is cut out in the field to represent theme, last year was David Archuleta, another year was 9-11. It's a lot of fun to go and I went nearly every year when I lived there.
This year's theme is New Moon!! They have cut both Team Jacob (my fave) and Team Edward into the corn. The maze opens September 24 and runs thru Halloween. If you happen to be in town those days, I definitely suggest stopping by. Maybe I can go home for a weekend soon and check it out myself. Oh how I would love to get lost there. You can read all about there article here.

10 years of California

As of today, I have lived in California for 10 years!!

How do I remember this date? Well, at the time is was the worst day of my whole life.

I had lived in Utah since Day 1 and had the same friends since pre-school and kindergarten. I was going to start high school that fall and was going to start dating, and driving, and all the fun stuff my friends and I had dreamed about since we were young. Then, one day after school, Mom told me my flight left in 2 hours and to pack my bags. I was devastated! Hello Mom, I'm on the cusp of being a teenager!!

I love California now though! I've made wonderful friends (I still keep in touch with a few of my friends from Utah), have a wonderful Boyfriend, and have grown really close to my Mother's side of the family.

Here is a list of Pros for each state:
UTAH
1. Friends and Family
2. The Jazz
3. Grandma Sycamore Bread
4. Sconecutter
5. The Salt Lake Temple (it's absolutely breathtaking)
6. Snow
7. My Grandma's homemade cooking
8. Pioneer Day
9. Plays in St George
10. The Slang (ie: "sluffing" for ditching school)
11. The Mountains

CALI
1. Friends and Family
2. The Beach
3. Being able to buy liquor at the grocery store and beer being more than 3.2% alcohol
4. The open-mindness of the people
5. The diversity
6. In N Out
7. Mexican food
8. Most things are within an hour's drive
9. Shopping
10. The sports teams (even though I will NEVER be a Laker fan)

*lists are in no particular order :)

Fun Fast Facts

1. I'm originally from Utah.
Yes, it's all true. I love and miss it though!
2. I'm a retired man-eater.
I dated just about everyone, or at least kissed them. Then, I met someone who made me want to hang up my slutty shoes. You'll have to read my posts for the juicy gossip, both past and present.
3. I'm a sorority girl.
So much so that I even won my sorority's award for being Most Stereotypical. It was a proud day.
4. I love to eat.
Mexican especially, but I do not shy away from red meat, fresh fruit, anything deep-fried (which is one of the main reasons I enjoy the state fair as much as I do), or anything chewy and sugary.
5. My favorite color is yellow,

It just makes me happy.