Saw Dust Festival

aren't hands amazing? My family and I went to the saw dust festival before I came back up to BYU for fall semester. The first thing we did when we walked in was spin a wheel. I have taken a ceramics class and love it so much! Not saying that I'm any good...but i find it so interesting. I love the gifts that hands our in our lives. I love my parents...that they use their hands to create, help, serve and love. If you take a moment to look at your hands..think..what can they accomplish?

Our Zoo Adventure

Before I left, RJ came and took me to the LA Zoo. AMAZING. (I even wore my adventure braids)  I freaked out at the giraffes. Definitely my favorite animal now. BUT there was also a little petting zoo we quite enjoyed too. The goats really liked me. So much so a little girl came up to me and said "um squze me..da goat is eating you." sure enough, baby goat behind me was munching on my sweater.

Basically adventures are ALWAYS worth taking.

That's how i see it,
Laurel Evans

Un Beso

 My sister Alyssa is home for a few weeks before she leaves to the Philippines on her mission. Since I am out of school, I get the blessing of being home with  her and my mom. The three of us get to spend every minute together, and I couldn't imagine a better way to spend my time. Although we are constantly running around trying to get things together for the upcoming events, there is always time spared for a little laughter, and a few kisses.

My mom loves the kisses she gets from her daughters

I love the kisses I get from my mom

Alyssa pretends she doesn't love kisses from both of us, but she can't hold it in ;)

I am so grateful for this time I have to spend with these two amazing women before time will spread us around the world, as Alyssa serves her mission in the Philippines and I go to BYU. A thought for you? Embrace the moments you find yourself in the company of your family, and always give them kisses :*

HAPPY BELATED VALENTINES DAY! XOXOXOXOXO

That's how i see it,

Laurel E 

A Big Bear Fest

For winter youth conference our ward went up to big bear. Jared and I had to go up late because we saw a Brian Regan concert in LA the day everyone left-a word to the wise and the hysterics: don't die till you see him. AMAZING! But we woke up early the next day--exhausted--and jared Alex and i drove up the mnt. Yes it was a beautiful sun rise making the mountains all different colors across the horizon, and yes we got nice and sick winding up the road. But upon arrival we were warmly greeted and hugged..they apparently missed us all;) or so we like to think. But it was sure fun being up there with everyone. Although the snow was not as thick as we had anticipated, the 55 degree weather worked out just fine. Sledding was a funny sight with the snow, sun, and short sleeves. But when we were not sledding, we dressed warm and were just a dandy temperature. I loved taking pictures in the snow, lighting always seemed to be perfect. Alex and Alisa(the two girls with me) just make the weekend a ball. I love them a lot. It's times like these I am so grateful for my friends. They're all good people.

Bless-ed am I

 I have never been so excited in my life..maybe i have, but i seriously can not recall a time that could reach this. September 11, 2012 my best friend in the whole freaking universe moved to Spain. We did literally everything together and I couldn't imagine life without her. To say the least its been a journey. But I have learned a lot about myself, and the things I want. I really do a lot for myself now. Which may sound selfish-ish but sometimes its necessary to take care of yourself before you can conquer the world. I miss Tessa Lynn everyday. But we are so blessed. we have truly learned that we LOVE technology. Before she left we had all these great ideas of how we would keep in touch, the main source being letters--which we still write. BUT as Napoleon Dynamite's brother sings.."I love technology, but not as much as you you see." Tessa and I basically every time we talk, which is like min  3 times a week if not 7. who am i kidding, its 7, sometimes 10..but we realize how cool it is that we can SEE each other from across the world. Mind blown. Skype is AMAZING! but sometimes inconvenient with our 9 hour time difference. So blessing number 2000 she has an American land line in Spain, so we can call each other WHENEVER!! normally their about 10 min conversations sometimes simply to say goodnight. Ok i have to say it. ARE WE NOT THE CUTEST BEST FRIENDS EVER!?! we think so. haha

OK. But this is why I am excited. 

I AM GOING TO SPAIN!!

me!!!! I GET TO SEE HER IN PERSON FOR TWO WEEKS!!!

I'm going to cry just thinking that it is actually happening. We had planned on it because my dad had sky miles that made a free trip, but then when flights were never going to work out for less than $600 we gave up. not easily mind you, we were quite devastated. But my mom told me to come home for lunch one day to "talk about going to Spain. Dont get too excited." Nervous that it wouldnt work out again, the process of getting the tickets, well lets just say i have really short nails now. But it was truly ment to be. We got my round trip for $89. Then the next day couldnt have bought ANY. I am so excited to finally be with my best friend again. It is amazing to call and PLAN a trip together. We are getting ideas for everything we are going to do, even trying to go backpacking-if we can convince the parental units in EsPAInia. fingers crossed. I seriously want to cry each time i think about it--which is a lot because I have a count down app on my phone. I M GOING TO SPAIN!! How bless-ed are we? 7 times 70 plus 100000000. that much bless-ed. 

 possible train ride/backpack/hostel destination. taking a sleeper train from Barcelona to Beziers.


I AM SO BLESS-ED!

Thats how i see it,
Laurel E

Back from Savasana (Part 3)

My three sister and their husbands came home for christmas, and I loved every minute of it. We loved christmas ate a TON and went then spent some time in Asilomar, for our family reunion. These pictures basically explain themselves...haha who am i kidding, none of them do. Have fun making up your own stories to fill in what you think happens in my life ;) Here's what happened during the rest of my Savasana (confused? See parts 1 and 2.)

 lil mini me

 I love my cuzes

 presh right?

 ok this one deserves some explanation. we were playing on the beach and found the part of sea weed that holds everything together, no basically a long peice of sea rope. we spun it around and played that game you play in kindergarden. all 40 some odd of us! I love my family.

 17 mile drive through Pebble beach

i love the world.

Thats how i see it,

Laurel Evans

PAR Prepared

So i'm on yearbook at my school, and i went to a golf game..match? on thursday. The first time i went to one of these, i drove all the way out there with my brother (who just joined yearbook and is learning how to become a photographer) and learned that he didn't have a memory card. My extra ones didn't fit in he billion and two year old camera. So he was just gonna tag along. We found the team on the put-put course, when the coach came up to us. Basically, it was a super strict place and we could only take pictures of them practicing and their first...hit? drive? play? hahah as you can see im very well versed in golf. So that was a disappointment. BUT! the worst was when i pulled out MY camera turned it on and clicked the shutter-release button.......and nothing happened. MY BATTERY WAS DEAD. tip to all new (newer than i-if it be possible)....BE PREPARED! maybe i should have become a boyscout so i wouldnt have to learn that lesson the hard way.... Anyways. I went to another on thursday, and it was a JV game and they were super chill, and i got to follow them around (ducking and covering..not my head but my camera..every time i heard "PAR!") i got some fun shots in the end. Check em out :)

Going Golfing?

 I like how many clubs EACH golfer has...they truly know the meaning of being prepared.

Text Top Golfer

Like knowing which lens to use, and how to focus, and all the million and two things i need to learn about my camera, a good golfer knows, and is prepared to choose from their many clubs.

There She Blows!

 So when you're in the pits...get out ;)

Just Chillin

that way you dont have to hide your face. (ok i just loved this. HOW FUNNY IS THAT!)

That's how i see it,
     Laurel E.

Fall Garden

when we were up in utah this summer, Alyssa had to water Aarons garden so the whole family went. it amazed me what you can plant. for you truly can only reap what you sew. And harvest only comes after much labor.