Mountain Biking: first time ever!

Getting geared up

Slowly making our way uphill

That's me heading up the back- I need to work out...

Downhill is so much more fun!

Yah-yuh! Check out that knee.

The Aftermath: What's a biking trip without some good battle wounds to show off?

Hardcore troupe

Tumbling Gym & Paintball!

This weekend I got to go on a group date to a tumbling gym and go paintballing. Friday night I went to the tumbling gym. It was super fun! There was a foam pit that you could jump into so I tried a few spinning "dives." There was also a rope above it that I tried to climb, but failed miserably at. My date on the other hand was very good at it and actually reached the ceiling. We also got frozen hot chocolate from DQ, which I highly recommend. So good!
Saturday I went paintballing for the first time! We rented paintball equiptment from a place nearby and then headed to a course in American Fork. My friend Mike and I had gone out the day before to buy some camo from an army surplus store so we were all decked out. It was pretty sweet. I've got a couple nice bruises from the day. And Grant even got a few good shots at me- including one in the back of the head. Awwwww... now that's what you call brotherly love ;)

the troupe- can you see us? we blend in so well with our camo it's like we've got floating heads!

gun salute

hard core paintballer- check out tht camo!

small and simple things...

Tonight was Ultimate Frisbee night and as usual it was a blast!! Our team didn't win, but boy did we have spirit! Plus I got to hang out with my ward friends and what could be better than that?! We started playing at 9 and ended at about 11pm like we always do. Unfortunately, when we all went to get our stuff one girl couldn't find her keys (2 keys- car and apt- very important stuff). We had a group of about 8 people all scouting the grass in the dark w/ our glow sticks and still could've find it. The memory flashed in my head of a story Lonnie (my sister) had told me about Zane (my nephew- 5yrs) offering a prayer when an object had been lost during a trip to the park with his dad and the young men. They had already scowled the area and not had any luck. But after a simple prayer it was found. I had a very strong thought/ feeling that we should say a prayer. At first I didn't want to suggest it because I was afraid/ embarrassed, but I felt so strong about it I finally suggested it and we were able to say a prayer asking to find her keys. And seriously, about 10 seconds after saying the prayer one of the guys found them. This experience was such a strong testimony to me of just how much our Heavenly Father cares for us and how he is always looking out for us. Even in the smallest and simplest of things. We just have to listen for his voice and exercise our faith. I can't even begin to explain the amazing feeling I received and was blessed with. I am so thankful for the spirit and the guidance it gives us.

11th ward awesomeness!!

(from top to bottom, left to right: becky, julie, chelsea, rachel, shane, jessica, kirk, mike, brad, jeremy, guy, rob, craig, guy, guy)

So this weekend was crazy fun! Instead of buckling down friday and studying for my food science test I ended up going to our wards intermural soccer game, then to our stake's barn dance in Payton, and then ended the night by playing an intense game of kissing rugby. The soccer game was a blast- as u can tell by all the pix. The barn dance was probably the best dance I've ever been to. Everyone actually danced and basically my whole ward was there. I got to drive up with my friends Craig, Rob, and Shane. (Craig & Rob are the two guys wearing the jamaican hats in the picture above- "just two wild and crazy guys!") we got lost on the way up, but eventually found the place. Kissing rugby was so much fun too. Half the ward showed up for it too. The guys were especially excited about it. It got so intense I lost an earring. And one guy learned his lesson and has since decided to wear a belt for next time. Saturday I V.T.ed, went running, got in some studying, and went to bed early because i was so tired from the day before! (above: every soccer game our ward does a human pyramid- Craig and Rob in the jamaican hats are the ones who started it all. they're basically the cheerleaders of the ward.)

The ward got together to crowd surf all our star soccer players. Jim has a broken ankle so he decided to make use of his crutches.

We also got in some tunnel action for those who preferred not to crowd surf

our star team: they might not have won the game, but they've sure won our hearts! (back row:guy, kevin, brian, nate, jeremy-my home teach, brad, hunter, scot- my roomies bf; next row: craig, girl, jes, jordan, ananda, suzanne, rob; bottom: lauren)

four fantastic girls from my ward that i rode home from the barn dance with (maurie, rachel, brittney, katie)