Texas Houston East mission

I opened my mission call a few weeks back and to my suprise I had been called to T.H.E. mission of the chuch. Of course, T.H.E. stands for Texas Houston East mission but man I really was shocked when my grandpa said those words. I have mixed emotions about going down there because I know alot of people down there and they are really kinda arrogant. But I guess that will be my job to bring them down and see how the Lord can make thier lives better. I leave on January 13th, and I am really busy getting things collected and done before I leave.
Also, one of my best friends came home recently returned from his mission from Salta Argentina and having him home has really helped me with the spanish that I will be speaking. Oh I forgot, I will be speaking spanish which I'm really excited for because I know that I will just learn so much more know. Back to Travis or Big Papi as I like to call him, he is just so happy now and I just feed off of his enthusiam for everything.

Mountain View Trail Half Marathon

The Fray/Jack's Mannequin Concert

I was stoked when I saw that the Fray was going to be coming to Utah, but I wasn't sure if I was going to go. I decided that I should go and see them, I am really happy that I did because it was the best concert that I have been to. We may have gotten lost trying to get to the USANA Amphitheater but it was all just so much fun. A small band started the concert and they were pretty good but I was even more exctied for the last two bands. The lead singer of the Jack's Mannequin was so good at the piano and it was just amazing to see him play the piano and sing like he did. The Fray were just amazing, I can't really describe how good they were. I'll admit that I didn't want to sit down because I may have fallen asleep but I just love their music. The highlight of the night had to be when I thought the concert was done, then they came back out and did a cover of "Heartless" by Kanye West. It was sweet to see a short little bald white guy singing a song like that. I hope that they come to town again, so that I can have fun listening to one of my favorite bands.

The Fray

Jack's Mannequin

Malan's Peak

I have been talking about hiking to Malan's Peak for the longest time but I finally got to doing it this weekend on a date! It was so much fun, even though it was a lot harder than I had expected. We came back down through Waterfall Canyon which is always a beautiful site but its alot more fun when your with a pretty lady. We had a little picnic which was fun because I actually made the cookies, which turned out to be half-decent. I took, Heather, she is such a fun and cute girl with alot of energy. We had so much fun taking pictures and finding little caves to play in and try not to get hurt. I hit my knee on a rock after jumping off a bigger rock but I am ok now but it was pretty scary when I fell. I almost hit Heather with my Nalgene bottle after I did a little rock climbing but luckily it missed her or I would be in deep trouble haha. Overall, it was an amazing date and just so much fun to get out and do some pretty sweet hiking.

July 4th and Summer!

Just thought I would update on what has been going on during the summer. Life has been pretty good, just working and running mostly. Since the Grand Canyon trip, I have yet to do much with my life but I am planning on climbing up to Malan Peak in a week or two. I am finally registered with classes in Weber State and I'm getting really excited. The new scenery should be alot of fun, I'm ready to party it up with some new people. Also, my friends will be coming home from their missions so that is something that is good. People think that I came back home because of them but they really didn't factor into my decision.
Running has been alright, actually I took second in the 1st annual Morgan Valley 5k. I thought that I had a chance to win it but I falter near the end but it was a good experience. I know that I can train more and am hoping to run another 5k this summer and try to lower my summer 5k pr but I guess we will see.

Grand Canyon

Sorry that it took me so long to put up another blog but I haven't had wi-fi and I didn't want to put up a blog without pictures. Me and a group of friends decided that we wanted to go to the Grand Canyon and it was one of the best trips I have ever been on. Even though I did hike 25 miles, last 7 or so up hill. It is juts great to know that I can tell people that I hiked the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim which is alot tougher that I expected. The trip was so much fun because we had to tie are cooler on the back of a Lumina which still makes me laugh when I think about it haha. But it was also alot colder than I expected it being but on. The hike was beautiful and I was really mad that my batteries died only a few miles in but it is something that I will always remember. I don't remember a whole lot once I got done but I do remember waking up on a bus, having a guy tell me it was my time to get off which kinda freaked me out. But after it all, it was one of the best road trips that I have been on.

Mike, I, and Curt

The Cooler aka "Big Red"

Pictures from Christmas Break

Lauren and I

Running in the winter...

New Year's Eve

Shadow and I at Temple Square

Making my Snow fort

2009 and all my expectations

With the new year brings new challenges and experiences that will change our live in one way or another. Every one has there resolutions which could be from getting in shape to not eating a certain food. This year I'm just going to try and live my life and not really give into a whole lot of peer pressure while making my own choices. I really am thinking about what is going to happen in the fall when I have to decide if i'm coming home or am I going to stay in New Mexico and finish my running career. But back to all the fun stuff, my New Years Eve was really fun because I got to spend with a good friend, Jenny Unck. We went to Studio 600 and I also met a girl named Lauren, who really is just the sweetest and cutest girl ever. But it was so packed and sometime Jenny and I woulnd't see each other for a little bit but it was fun to break out of my shell and dance with different people. That night was one of the highlights of coming home for Christmas break, but it was also really furn to be home with the family and just enjoy their company. I really am excited for 2009, cause not only are most of my friends going to be coming home but I really feel like my life is going to change in alot of different ways! I'll try and keep my blog updated(its one of my resolutions) but we'll see how that turns out!