Oregon & a July 4th Holiday!

 I'm a little behind. 

I know.

Hey, remember when I went to Oregon for a week, though? 

I needed to bond with some very important people.

 Please forgive me. 

I gave you Part 1 of my vacation last post. If you missed it, well, go back and read it. Duh.

My 4th of July week was definitely one for the books. 

There was a lot of laughter. A lot.

(And there may or may not have been a lot of crying too. Let's just move on from that)

With my mom, Nick and Lexie. (Newsies cowboy moves anybody?) 

Also, with Brizzy, my niece, in particular. 

Me: "Hey, Briz, who is the best looking person in this room?"

Brizzy: "I am."

Well done, Brizban. Well done. 

Me: "I go back to Utah tomorrow, briz."

Brizzy: "Aww, are you gonna miss me?"

That girl has so much personality it is insane. She must be an Ainge. I have realized that three year olds are seriously like sponges. Every time I would say something, Briz would often repeat whatever came out of my mouth. Yikes. She's growing up so fast and it breaks my heart to not be around! I absolutely love being an aunt. I miss the fact that I don't get to see all my nieces and nephews more often: Palmer, Portia, Teya, Brizban, and Dane. Love you guys. 

Sometimes life hits hard when you are around those whom you care most about.

On my drive to and from Washington, I thought of Holland, my niece who passed away in October,  a ton while at home too. I swear her and Meme were talking to me. Miss them everyday. 

 I spent a good portion of my time in Washington with Chandler for the 4th of July. 

It was so much fun! We watched Seattle's fireworks at a golf course hill overlooking. We lit off fireworks with a bunch of drunk guys, after. Good times, let me tell you. Haha. 

I don't think I slept for two days while there. #worthit.

AND I WENT SHOOTING.

Guys, I am officially obsessed. It was my first time shooting ever. I felt like an idiot, but it was so much fun! K, I want a gun. 

For when I to defend myself from all these creeps in Provo, right? 

Yea, I don't wanna talk about it. Haha. 

Shooting clay pigeons. 

Ha so awkward...

Um, yea, okay...

Instagram: sisiainge

Then, my last few days at home, I went to my cabin at Crescent Lake.

There is something so nostalgic and therapeutic about that.

I have so many fond memories there. 

It is, literally, one of my favorite places in the world. No joke.

And this fair skinned girl got burnt. HOLLA. 

I left my phone up at the cabin and just tried to soak in the moments and think and enjoy myself. 

It was so hot. The water was frigid, but I had to jump in to cool down multiple times.
I'm ballsy. NBD. 

I may or may not have read an entire book while there, too. Book nerd alert. 

And look at that view? Are you kidding? Unreal.

I went on a beautiful hike with the parents, went to my cousin's bridal shower, a wedding reception, my home ward, the Nike Employee Store, etc. All in all, it was a wonderful week (despite the drama). I am grateful for those in my life who are patient with me.

Heaven knows I need it. 

Lizzy and I eating her delicious cupcakes 

My mom and I :)

On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad do you want me after seeing this picture?
JW.

I am so grateful for the wonderful people in my life, all the hilarious memories I have made this week, and the incredible freedoms this country gives me. 

I have learned so much about myself and how to deal with problems the past few days. More on this later. 

(Ha gotcha intrigued, eh?)

4th of July=second favorite holiday.

Woot Woot!
It is so nice to get away from the everyday life and just have a real vacation.
I start teaching 4th grade in a little more than a month and I'm freaking out.
It's hard to come back to full time school, teacher conferences, classroom decorating, and other school,
But sometimes it's nice to get back into a routine.
No? Is that just me?
Hope you all had a fabulous 4th of July!
xoxo.