My trip to California

It's super late, but I got to go see my sister in LA for Christmas. It was awesome! I flew into Long Beach in December and, especially coming from the negatives weather in Idaho, it felt fantastic. I don't think I've ever been in a more populated area in my life. The lights NEVER stopped unless we were going over the ocean.

 And seeing Penelope's cute little face wasn't bad either. lol

Anyways, we visited tons of places and I had the BEST time and an awesome Christmas!
We spent my first weekend in San Diego with my brother in laws family who are super awesome and San Diego is gorgeous.

This may just turn into a collage of Penny, she's definitely the cutest thing I saw anyways.

We hit up Santa Monica, all the boulevards, In-n-out burger which of course is a must, and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Oh, and the Getty which was AMAZING! They had a Florence through the Renaissance exhibit and I got to see Botticelli paintings and Giotto and tons of other paintings I'm studying in my Humanities class this semester, and I got to see them for real. Any ways, I'll share the pics now.

 On our way to San Diego. I made my sister stop so I could take pics. It was gorgeous and PERFECT outside. <3 p="">

 Penelope at Target!

 More on the way to San Diego

 This bird followed us for the longest time and once we tried to snap a pics with him, he decided we weren't that cool...

 Penny right before we went inside the Safari park!

 A Fennec Fox

 My adorably pregnant sister and Penny!

 This looks over the whole conservation for the Safari Park

 Me

 La Brea Tar Pits

 Downtown LA

 LA Temple

 There WAS a hobo in the middle of this well-tailored lawn...I cut him out of the pic though. Haha

I baby sat Penelope once. She threw herself into her car seat and threw a tantrum because she couldn't find her parents. This is 10 seconds before said tantrum ensued...

To teach and preach and serve...

So, on Tues our bishop came by our apartment. He said he wanted to tell me on Sunday, but the status on my mission papers was assignment made. So, on Thursday morning, after only like, 3 hours of sleep because I was so excited, I woke up ran to my mail box and there was NOTHING!! I felt dejected all day.

I woke up this morning and had to keep from hyperventilating when I opened the mail box.

Excuse the fact that I look awful. I'd been up for a whole 5 minutes.

Anyways! I called my family and we all had an awesome google hangout! As I was openeing my envelope my Aussie roommate shouts out! You're going to California...and guess what?!

She's obviously a really good guesser... :)

Then my roommate Becca and I made a trip over to Deseret Book to get a tiny Preach my Gospel and we got some awesome CTR rings! :D

While we were there, the lady checking us out asked where I was going on my mission. Turns out she's from Santa Rosa! She had goosebumps and was so excited for me!


Today was fabulous! I'm so excited to finally know where the Lord will have me spend the next 1 months of my life. I'm so excited to preach the gospel and am still in awe of the fact that he trusts me enough with this important work! I can't wait to leave and get started! I love the gospel and can't wait to share it with others!