a random late-night post.

I'm going to marry a cowboy.
and my children will be in 4H. and my daughters will show their cows, and enter their chickens, and rabbits, and horses, and so on. and my family will go to rodeos. honestly people, I just want to own a pair of legit cowboy boots {not the "cute" kind I have} and tuck my shirt into my jeans and wear a sparkly belt.

I know it {most definitely probably} won't happen. but a girl can dream, right?

I went to the county fair today with the youth program I work with and it was wonderful. Almost as wonderful as the valley last weekend. All the people walking around in their boots and cowboy hats. I'm not even joking {my parents think I'm insane} but I think I would adore living with a bunch of animals! I got used to waking up super early before seminary to do an hour or two of homework, anyway. It'd be great, I'm telling you. Now I just need to work on liking country music and get over my fear of horses.

I know this all sounds crazy, especially because I simply loved HUGE cities {well, I still do} but dang, there is something about all the small town stuff that is just wonderful.

today I got to pet sheep, and hold chickens, and watch a Beef and Dairy Show. Gosh. I think I have gone insane.

here...

have a picture of a cute rabbit I saw.

In other news, tonight I went to the drive-in with all the seniors from orchestra! {here's that post} It was so fun getting together after not seeing each other for 2 months! We're all headed our different ways, but spending the last 10 years of our lives in orchestra... I'd say we're decent friends and I'm gonna miss all of our laughs. like, a lot.

Well... seeing as it's quite late. I think I may possibly go to bed. I hope you are all having a wonderful week and hopefully enjoying your own county fairs that may be going on!

Sincerely,
Erica Michelle

girls night out// 1940s ice cream bar.

Last night Kelsey and I got all dressed up to go to the new Main Street Ice Cream Bar! It was wonderful. Everything was old-school... down to the candy and seating!

Then we went to Target {yes, we are probably addicted} then went to take pictures of the sunset! However, the sunset was quite disappointing and we didn't take any decent pictures.

Here, have a picture of my beautiful best friend anyways.

What a great night!

Sincerely,
Erica Michelle

99% of my friends left me for Trek.

Well... this week our stake youth went on Trek!

Real fast: for those of you who are like "what the heck is this trek thing you speak of" let me explain. Basically, youth ages 14-18 in my church, plus the adult leaders, dress up like the pioneers {bonnets and all} and walk a portion of the Mormon trail in memory of our ancestors! It is an AMAZING experience pulling a handcart, walking in your skirt, in the heat. It really makes you appreciate what it took for the early pioneers to get to the Salt Lake Valley!

I had the opportunity to go 4 years ago... oh, how I wish I had pictures to show you! My trek experience was really weird. The day of the Women's Pull it was near 100 degrees, but just the next day it got to the mid 20's and hailed//rained//snowed. It was honestly one of the coldest experiences walking in the freezing cold rain through puddles pulling all of our stuff in a handcart up Rocky Ridge. {yes, I had a rain poncho... but the bottom of my skirt was drenched.} Even though it was a phenomenal experience, by the fourth day I was ready to go home!

Anyways, every four years my Stake goes on Trek. This is the year! I decided not to go because I couldn't take that much work off, and yes I'm regretting that now. Yesterday, I saw them off though {at 4:45 in the morning}

boys go on trek too.....

What a great experience! I'm so very excited for them and can't wait till they get back to hear all about it!

The only downfall is that 99% of my friends are now out of town {last night I hung out with Kelsey though! At least there's one person!}

Sincerely,
Erica Michelle

pioneer days.

Every year my family goes does to "The Valley" {basically mini utah} to celebrate the 24th of July. It's probably my favorite week of the year, minus Christmas! This year was full of parades, family, the demolition derby, and of course... food! Basically, my family reunions revolve around where the next HUUGGGEE meal is going to be!

This year, Danielle and her family, my parents, and I stayed in our cabin. Ahh... it's so dang beautiful there!

View from the back porch of the cabin! 

painting of the cabin hanging up... in the cabin.

Parades!

This is Amanda... one of my closest cousins!

The floats at the parades are AMAZING! And Evan and Caitlin loved the candy!


Like I said... the food we have at these reunion-type-of-things is... excessive. absolutely delicious though! There's always soooo much. And the traditions! Lunch at my Aunt Nancy's after the thursday parade, hamburgers from the church hamburger stand on Friday//picnic in the park. The carnival rides that make me want to be sick. Then dinner at the cabin. Thennn... the pioneer days youth dance!

Then the Demolition Derby! This year's derby was the best yet!

can we just talk about the fact that there IS A PERSON INSDIE of that car? I freaked out... but he was totally ok. no worries.

Goodness... I realized I slacked at taking pictures of everyone! Sorry {next year for sure}. 

And now the list of 

things I learned.

-you can tell the people who just married into our family by seeing what pop they order. As my aunt says, Diet Coke runs in our veins. {it's not just me... my mom's entire family only drinks diet coke}

-there's something about cowboys

-I adore little towns. they're so personal. 

-I love my family. so so so so much.

-city 'folk' call it soda, people from the valley call it pop. don't get it mixed up.

-If I'm around an accent for too long {like the "valley" accent} I come home talking weird.

-fry bread is the best... I forget every single year, then I get some at the carnival, and I remember how much I love it.

-Horses are still scary.

Well... there you have it. One of the best pioneer days! Well worth taking a few days off of work to hang out with some amazing people. 

Sincerely,

Erica Michelle

quilts//cops//dennys//midnight adventures//liebster.

Oh goodness, so much to blog about!

First of all, Sam and I have a friend that works at Panchero's... that meant that after a long night of games and jumping on a tramp {and most of the kids jumping into the pool with regular clothes on} Sidney called us and offered us the left over rice. We went and picked it up {in a sack... yes, a sack of rice} and we then sat around a table eating rice for an hour or so. It truly was great rice.

Sunday, my mom, me, and one of the lady's from our ward went to a quilt show! {this is my inner weirdo coming out}. It was beyond amazing! Some of those quilts are spectacular!

The lady on the left spent 10 hours a day for 8 months working on this quilt! AMAZING. 

Newest bucket list item: make a quilt. even if it's super basic. 

Then there was a missionary farewell! My friend Aimee is heading to the Siberia (as in, freezing cold Russia) mission! I didn't grab any pictures, but I'm so excited for her!

Then came the adventures of Monday. It included Denny's at midnight, then Katie decided she wanted to walk back to her car at Walmart. I pulled over and she wouldn't let me drive her so I told her I'd meet her at her car {don't worry, Nate was there too... I wasn't going to let her walk alone!}

Well, as I was pulling out, a cop came, flipped around, and stopped Katie and Nate and asked them who I was, as well as who Hayden {creeper van guy} was and why they were walking this late at night and where they were going and stuff. They explained that they were seriously just going to their cars, and had insisted on walking. 

I laughed for a good 10 minutes straight while katie told me the story!!

Well, Maria over at "Sewn by Maria" nominated me for the Liebster award, but since I already did one long post about it {right here} I'm not going to do another one. However, I will answer her questions because I love answering questions!

1. Why do you blog?

I blog to remember. I love saving memories in a way that lets me include photos, and videos, and links. I love it! And that's probably the biggest reason why I couldn't imagine trying to blog for an income. Blogging is so much more personal then that! I like the freedom of my blog.

2. Dogs or Cats?

Neither. or both. I loved my miniature poodle {we had to put her down last year} and I adore a few of the dogs I dog sit. That being said, I can not stand big dogs, or yappy dogs, or dogs that shed. I just want a maltese dog. or a kitten. that never grows up.

3. What is your favorite color?

It seriously changes EVERY SINGLE DAY. however, I am in love with aqua blue, yellow, and gray at the moment.

4. What is the strangest food you've ever eaten?

Um... I've eaten a few insects. That's about as crazy as I've gotten.

5. What is your favorite movie?

SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM! and it depends on my mood... but probably North and South, Oceans 11, Brave, and of course Harry Potter {the books are still better though}

6. What's your favorite music genre?

Anything but country or heavy metal {or hardcore rap}

7. What do you want to be when you grow up?

I wish I could be an event planner. If I could be anything, that's what I'd do. That being said, I'm going to be a teacher and hopefully I get to influence teenagers lives!

8. If you got to name your own planet, what would you name it?

Umm... I've never thought about that...

9. Who is your hero?

My mom of course! She is such a great example (:

10. What is your favorite holiday and why?

Ahhh... crap. ever single holiday! Actually probably Thanksgiving or Christmas because those are the times when there's lots of delicious food, and I get to see my family!

11. What is your favorite family tradition?

I have so many of them! I love playing board games or ping pong with my siblings, or... ummm celebration {pioneer day} is always great!

Anyways, I'm heading to celebration//family reunion// cabin tomorrow! I'm so very excited to see my family!

Sincerely,

Erica Michelle

front row.

As most of you know, I simply adore quotes. Like, a lot a lot. I love quotes.

A while back, I came across this one.

and it's my new favorite because it's so true. I realized that this summer is flying by, and I only have 46 days until college. Tonight I spent the whole evening watching a chick flick {it's a new favorite- "The Magic of Ordinary Days"} and sewing with Ashlee. Goodness, I forgot how amazing it felt to sew something.

It was the first time I've sewed in nearly a month.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT. 

ONE WHOLE MONTH WITHOUT EVEN TOUCHING MY SEWING MACHINE.

not to mention that I haven't even picked up a book all summer. and I've gone running 3 times. And I've played tennis once. and I haven't organized my room at all. And I haven't done any DIY projects. I haven't really done anything that I love to do, at least, not as much as I had hoped to do this summer.

And so this is my promise to myself, that I'm going to sit in the front row of my life and enjoy what I have left of summer... so expect a tutorial for a braided headband I made tonight, and a post all about a new book I read, and just finally me doing stuff I've planned on doing this summer! 

Sincerely,

Erica Michelle

100th post//dog-sitting//water baseball.

This is officially my 100th post! It's been 13 months since my first blog post {on this blog that is} and 100 posts later, I still adore blogging! It's a great way to record the events in my life, and share some of my awesome experiences with others!

Well... the last few days I got to dogsit Annie.

Dear future husband: if you won't let me own a female maltese puppy, we're not getting married.

Isn't she adorable?!

Anywho, last night was so much fun! We had our summer activity for mutual which included water baseball, pizza, and root beer floats {how much bette could it get?}

Water baseball included a tub of water you had to stand in for 1st base, a kiddie pool you had to sit in for a 2 base, a big block of ice to stand on for 3rd, and a slip-n-slide that you had to reach the end on for a home run! Seriously the best game ever! We played with a waffle ball and plastic bat.

After mutual some of us went to the drive-in to watch Man of Steel {yes, i've seen it three times} and Iron Man 3... fantastic I tell you even though I didn't get home till after 2 a.m.

my main man, Superman!

And that's all!

Sincerely,

Erica Michelle

water fights//drive-in//boating//work.

well, hello there! I have finally gotten around to uploading my iphone pictures to my laptop... so here's my last few days.

My friends and I planned the most epic water fight EVER! I didn't get many pictures because it was just too much dang fun! Let just say that it consisted of about 1000 water balloons, water guns, other water stuff, and ended with a slip-n-slide. It was possibly the best day ever.

We went to the drive-in last week to see Now You See Me and After Earth... yepp... my town has a drive in! I love it (:

Here, have a crappy picture of the screen!

Also... I adore my job. Look at these cute kids!

I did all my college *dorm room* shopping! Hello under-the-bed organizers, hangers, hampers, ice cube trays, towels, and of course... my new bedspread! (which we had to order online from target because it was out of stock)

Sunday was spent eating homeade Blueberry-Lemon pound cake and homeade ice cream (my mommy rocks) and watching the Men's Wimbledon Final! (I was quite disappointed with the outcome.)

Last nigh was spent boating (of course). Just my parents and I! AAANNNDDD... drum roll please... I can finally jump- like actually get air! (from only one way, but I'm not going to say that out loud). So that was quite exciting!

And, I believe that's it! Sorry I've slacked on the blogging aspect of things, this summer is flying by!

Sincerely,
Erica Michelle

Liebster award.

A couple nights ago I was just getting off of work, talking to my manager, and I decided to check my email. That's when I read that Hannah {from Words as Palindromes} had nominated me for the Liebster award! I was soo excited! This is my first blogging award and I'm flattered that someone reads my blog and enjoys it!(: Thanks so much Hannah!

Before I read Hannah's post about the Liebster award, I had never really known what it was {although I've read a couple blogs that have gotten it}

So, what is a Liebster?
The meaning: 

Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.
You get why I was flattered?!?

Blogging is about building a community and it's a great way to connect with other bloggeres and help spread the word about newer blog//bloggers.

Rules:


1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog and link back to the blogger who presented this award to you.
2. Answer the 11 questions from the nominator, list 11 random facts about yourself, and create 11 questions for your nominees.
3. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 11 other blogs of 200 followers or less who you feel deserve to be noticed and leave a comment on their blog to let them know they have been chosen. 
4. Copy/paste the blog award on your blog.

Random Facts:

1. I HATE texting. People don't understand this. I truly hate it. Yes, I do text once in a while, but mostly just for the "hey, meet at 6" kinda texts. I hate it. I hate, hate, hate texting.
2. I don't really wear make up. I basically always wear mascara, but that's it. I wore foundation once, and I couldn't stand it. If I'm really dressing up, I'll throw on some eyeliner or eye shadow but that's a rare occasion.
3. You may think that this sounds dramatic, or extending the truth... but I truly have the best friends in the entire world. I would be a totally different person without them. And it seriously breaks my heart that I have to leave them to go to college. We weren't your average group of teenage girls; we didn't really fight but if we did, we would work it out without the gossip or the drama {and usually with a long, handwritten letter... not even kidding.} I've made so many wonderful memories with these beautiful ladies... I will never forget them! I love these girls so much!

5. I have 42 first cousins. And when my family gets together {especially my mom's side} I can't help but to compare it to the movie "My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding". My family is crazy and all we do is eat, laugh, play nertz, and have a great time... and I love it!(:

6. I own my own sewing machine. That's not too weird, right? I begged for it for Christmas about 3 or 4 years ago. Well... I also have that sewing machine set up in my room. And when I'm frustrated with life, I put my headphones in, blast 2cellos or Lindsey Stirling, and sew, even if it's just doing stitching patterns on a scrap piece of fabric.

7. I used to do be in 4H. I was in Clothing Construction {aka sewing} and Cake Decorating. I did both for three years... and I took first in sewing and second in cake decorating every year. I was like 10. #braggingrights {I'm not gonna tell you that there were only about 4 people competing total...}

8. New York City was my favorite family vacation. Granted, I just love all cities, but NYC was beyond amazing.

9. I have the most wonderful family! I'm the youngest, and now I'm the only kid at home {actually it's been that way for 2 years}. It's always super fun when my other siblings get to come to town {plus the awesome in-laws and niece and nephew}. My family is crazy. I love it (:

10. I adore history. My favorite class this year was AP US History {even though that class was the end to my social life and sleeping time} I love learning about people from a long time ago, and about how somethings developed. I just love i!

11. I listen to music 99% of my life. I am basically always listening to music. Always.

Questions:

1. Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging because I was awful at journal keeping! Simple as that. Blogging is way better than journal keeping anyways (;  I came across Keena's blog after googling EFY shirts and it helped me want to create a blog of my own!

2. You are invited to dinner with your favorite celebrity. Who is it?

Oh dang, that's a hard one! I have so many favorite celebrities! Um... I think it would probably be Andrew Garfield {Spiderman}

3. How do you take your coffee? And if you don't drink straight coffee, what is your drink of choice?

I actually don't ever drink coffee! But I rarely go a day without chocolate milk or hot chocolate(:

4. What is your favorite childhood memory?

Hmm... I guess I really liked riding bikes down the big hill in our neighborhood, or playing at our "hide-out" in the back of our cabin, or hanging out with my cousins. Too many memories to choose just one!

5. What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?

DON'T TAKE A BREAK FROM VIOLIN! don't do it, Erica. Don't do it! AP Chemistry is not worth it, and American Writers will actually be a good class to learn about writing.
And also, teenage boys are useless anyways.

6.What is the best gift you have ever given to someone?

I honestly don't know.

7. What sport is your hidden dream to participate in the Sochi Winter Olympics 2014 or Rio Summer Olympics 2016?

I really don't think I have one mainly because I am not the most athletic person in the world {or even remotely close}... but I would love to go watch the Ice Skating!

8. What is your pet peeve?

Unfortunately, I have a ton of them! But I think my biggest pet peeve is people who feel the need to spend hours getting ready every single day. If I can get ready in 10 minutes, including breakfast, before seminary every day during senior year after doing homework till late the night before, you do not need to get ready to go buy shampoo at walmart.

9. What is your guilty pleasure?

Chocolate and watching North and South or Pride and Prejudice? I feel like that's always a good answer.

10. A friend is over to visit at your place. What Spotify playlist or iTunes song are you listening to?

Depends on the day! I love tons of different kinds of music, though. Most likely it's Two Door Cinema Club or Parachute. But I really do listen to a ton of different types!

11. What is your dream job?

Anything that puts me in the position to influence people. Not like "I want power!" but more like just being in a place that I can help someone. That's part of the reason I want to be a high school teacher. I think that teenagers are at the most vital part of their life, and I want to be a part of that. My high school teachers really helped me realize who I want to become, and my goal is to be just like that in someone else's life.

Nominations:

Samantha at These Moments

Baylee at {Baylee.Jae} the blog.

Keena at Just a Dash of Keena

Julie at Different if Beautiful

Olivia at All Those Little Things

Kiana at Kiana Bates

Sara at Happiness Is...

Jenna at A Beautiful Heart

I don't have 11 nominations, sorry! But anyways, I love these girl's blogs... every single one of them! I love getting to read about what's going on in their lives, and I think anyone else would as well!

Here are your questions:

1. What is your goal for your blog?

2. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

3. Imagine you've won the lottery. What're you going to do with the money?

4. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

5. What is your favorite post on your blog?

6. What is your favorite memory?

7. Favorite item of clothing?

8. What's on top of your bucket list?

9. What is your favorite quote?

10. What kind of music do you listen to?

11. How do you like to spend your free time?



Thank you so much once again Hannah for nominating me!

Hope you all had a wonderful fourth of July!

Sincerely,
Erica Michelle

gallon challenge//boating.

today was quite the day. I guess you could say that when you live in small town Colorado you find some weird ways to entertain yourselves. Today this entertainment came in the form of the gallon challenge, visiting popular kayaking sites, and driving around in Hayden's van.

In case you don't know... the gallon challenge is just that- you have one hour to drink a gallon of milk. Sounds not too bad? hah. Your body can't handle that much milk and you end up throwing it back up. So basically your goal is to drink a gallon of milk and hold it down for 60 minutes. There was a big group of us that went to Hayden's house, but only 4 actually tried the Challenge. {Sam blogged about it too.}

Katie gave up about 2 glasses in, but Hallie, Erik, and Hayden stayed strong. Hallie come in 3rd, getting through just over half her gallon before... well you know. Erik got through about 2/3. But Hayden... he got through almost the whole gallon! There was probably about an inch left of milk in his carton, but he refused to finish it! Haha, so yes, I spent an hour of my day watching teenagers literally drink milk until they threw up- and it was hilarious.

We then took a ride in Hayden's van {remember when we painted it?} over to the m-wave. then through the adobes {I honestly thought that I might die} then through town. We found multiple dips in roads that we could go over at full speed. It was possibly one of the best afternoons... I spent it laughing hysterically. Umm... also, we even got air one time. WE FLEW. dang right.

My family then headed up to the lake for family home evening! Unfortunately we learned that the lake was too low to get our boat in the water, but we cooked hot dogs and roasted marshmallows and it was great fun anyways (:

trying to get the boat in the water #neverhappened

oh, goodness. what a great first day of July!

Sincerely,

Erica Michelle

photography: day 3.

umm... so I skipped day 1&2 because, honestly, I don't want to take a self portrait and because "what I wore" is unnecessary. Remember this post? Well, I'm finally getting around to doing it!

Clouds.

Colorado clouds are the best!

Sincerely,
Erica Michelle