lessons from the district.

Lately I've been feeling a little nostalgic of my D.C. summer.

I blogged all about it when I was there, but I still felt like mentioning it today. This could be because it's my favorite week of the year (i.e. the 4th of July is on Thursday), so I'm feeling super patriotic, or it could just be because I loved it so much and am missing it desperately. 

I will always look back on those three months with so much gratitude and fondness. I went into that experience truly terrified. I was sure I was going to fall flat on my face, be somewhat of a loner, and count down the days until I returned home. 

Never in my wildest dreams would I have guessed that it would be one of the best decisions I ever made. I did not fall, I met some incredible lifelong friends, and I chose to stay twice as long as I had originally planned.

That summer really taught me some valuable lessons. I won't go into all the details, but when I think of D.C. I am reminded that taking risks and doing the things you are most afraid of will usually bring about the greatest joy and the most wonderful surprises. 

Missing you my dear district.

xoxo

(kacey.ism 304)

A beautiful bride-to-be.

Love and Marriage is in the air!
My cute sister Carli got engaged to her true love this week!
Daniel (the fiancé) and Carli love to ride their bikes, so he decided to take her on a ride to the Cotton Bottom and propose at the end of the road. Lucky for all their family and friends, we got to be there!
It was one of the sweetest moments I've ever witnessed.
Everyone who knows Carli loves her. She's beyond beautiful inside and out.
As her sister I always hoped she would find someone who loved everything about her and truly appreciated how incredible she is.
I feel like Daniel is that person. He absolutely adores my sister. They just have it. They have that thing we are all searching for. It is perfect.

Congrats you two! I love you!

(kacey.ism 303)

sunshine with the girls.

Last weekend Chlo, Maria, and I cruised down to St. George for a quick girls trip.

Some sunshine, pool time, diet coke, sugar cookies, and relaxing was just what we needed. 

I think every girl would agree that girls trips are an important part of life. They are fun and easy and full of giggling and happiness. 

I'm so grateful to have these girls in my life to take girls trips with. I can't wait for the next one!

(kacey.ism 302)

bear lake retreat.

I am trying this new thing where I say yes to things I would have once said no to. 

Example: 

This past weekend Sadie invited me to Bear Lake with some of her friends. 

I didn't know any of them very well and my gut instinct was to say no, but I said yes because I do that now.  

Based on the pictures, I bet you can guess that I had a really great time. And you are right. 

I loved my 36 hours in Bear Lake. 

We watched the sunset, celebrated Flag Day, rode a bicycle built for two, laughed a lot, sang songs, waterskied, boated, rode a tractor, play croquet, ate shakes, caught some rays, and had a delightful time. 

I am starting to like this "saying yes to things" attitude. 

(kacey.ism 301)

A day for my dad.

Yesterday was Father's Day and I loved celebrating my dad.

Every girl will agree with me when I say there is nothing as special as the relationship between a dad and his daughter. 

I love my dad to the moon and back. 

He is the kindest, loving, sweetest, most supportive and giving man I know. He is such a good person and he has the best heart. 

I am so proud to claim him as mine and I can't believe how lucky I am to be his daughter. 

He has always made my dreams come true. 

(kacey.ism 300)

Utah, you are delicious in the summertime.

I have to admit, being in town for more than a day does have its perks. 

(Not having a job for 12 more days adds to the perkiness as well) 

Some of these lovely perks include:

• Running into some of my favorites at weddings that I can actually attend
• Bees Games!
• Pool parties (and celebrating National Donut Day)
• Playing lots of tennis 
• Fireworks after the Bees Games (one of my all time favorite summertime activities)
• Sunbathing with SadieBabe and Chlo

I love Utah Summers. There is something so enchanting about a warm summer night in Utah. And nothing beats an early morning bike ride, running errands with my mom, or playing with my dogs in our backyard.

Give me tan skin, bright colors, sunny skies, and homemade ice cream all year round. I'll even tolerate my persistent allergies if I have to! 

(kacey.ism 299)

goosebumps.

This is amazing. 

Quick Summary: Mumford & Sons were part of a documentary called Big Easy Express.

In the documentary Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes, and Old Crow take an antique train across America to share their music.

In this clip Mumford has stopped at a high school in Austin because they heard the band was learning their song, "The Cave". 

Just enjoy. 

Maybe it's the artist in me, but I found this to be so moving. 

Passion has the power to move mountains and more importantly, move people. It definitely moved me. 

(kacey.ism 298)

NYC part 2

Our last day in NYC was just spectacular.

A stroll through Central Park, a visit to the MET, a delicious Sprinkles cupcake,

and a lovely boat ride in the park. 

Without our own personal photographer to follow us around (sigh) we were forced to take turns documenting the entire adventure.

I've posted just a few shots of the afternoon. 

Between the four of us we probably took around 200 pictures...not sorry about it. 

I just love those three girls. 

And I loved our weekend in the Big Apple. Truly perfect.

I'm already counting down until their visit to Utah...

(kacey.ism 297) 

NYC part 1

Last weekend Ann and I flew to NYC to visit our favorite people in the world...

Cath and Abs. They are our NYC duo that we miss dearly. 

I can't explain how magical it was to be with these three for four straight days. 

There will never be a time my in life when they won't be part of it. 

 They are truly irreplaceable. 

Oh how I wish NYC was closer to SLC....

Let me tell you, we took NYC by storm. 

We were frizzy and sticky and sweaty (it was 90 degrees and 60% humidity) and my feet were sore within the first hour, not to mention the fact that my knee decided to become swollen and painful,

but I still loved every single second.

A run down of our days...

Day 1: Times Square, the Flat Iron building, Shake Shack (yum), lots of walking, and Serendipity

Day 2: The Staten Island Fairy, Lady Liberty, Lincoln Center, Canal Street, Rockafeller, 

Banana Pudding from Magnolia's (my favorite), Matilda on Broadway*, and Carmine's with the NYC crew.

*Ann's name was drawn at the Matilda lottery so we got to go see it! A true NYC miracle.

Day 3: Shopping shopping shopping, dinner in the West Village, and lots of walking. 

More to come....

(kacey.ism 296)