My Best Friend

This Girl:

is my best friend!

She are and I are 16ish months apart, but really we might as well have been twins. We don't look much alike, and our personalities are definitely different, but she understands me in a way that nobody else on this earth does. She is not afraid to tell me I'm wrong or to hold me to a higher standard, because she always wants what's best for me. She listens to me when I complain about ridiculous things, and sometimes does ridiculous things with me. Together we've gone to Brazil, tackled long road trips, hiked red rock mountains, had Anastasia themed sleepovers, laughed, cried, and grown. I could not ask for a better sister or a better friend. She will always be my role model because she is a woman who courageously stands for what is right, she is smart beyond belief, and she has the biggest heart. Having her in my life has helped me grow into the person I am now, and she has given me vision for the person I hope to shape myself into in the future.

Now she is married to the man of her dreams. She has a new last name, a new place to call home, and a new person that she spends all her time with. However some things never change.

Annalee will always be my little sister, the girl I look up to (literally and figuratively), she will always be my best friend.

It's a Wedding Charlie Brown

Actually, Charlie Brown had nothing to do with this wedding; and considering the way his life generally works out he probably wouldn't have been invited either. But enough about Charlie...

A couple weeks ago my lovely little sister married a silly boy named Blake, who I love dearly. I know by this point you've stopped reading and scrolled down to the pictures. They had a wonderful photographer, Kim, you should look at her site.

Now that the oohing and awing is over I can say that the wedding was a dream. Lots of wonderful food, music, and the most wonderful people to share your time with. I had to give the toast, which was the scariest part for me. Luckily, those are the type of things that people forget about the moment they're over. Phew. I even caught the bouquet, second one this summer actually. Though don't be expecting any announcements from me in the near future...well at least not any that involve matrimony.

Anyway, now the happy couple is wed. Since that time they have spent a week long honeymoon in Mexico, came home and hung out with the families for a week, decided that they are done with BYU-I, and are currently on a road trip to Idaho and back to fetch all their belongings they had left behind. Upon their return they will be taking a semester off to work and save money, then will move to Gainesville, FL to get back into the schooling shindig. Just in case you wanted to know what they are up to.

As for me? Since the wedding ended and I have officially dropped the "maid of honor" title I have done very little. I'm just trying to enjoy my time off before going back to school where I have two jobs, am president of an honor society, and a full time student. One more semester won't kill me, right?

Something that I have done though, is visit the Georgia Aquarium. Basically it's one of the coolest places on earth, and I even got in for a discounted price. THAT my friends is what I call happiness. If you have the time, you should go.

In a state of SUNSHINE

Monday through Thursday of last week are pretty insignificant to me. I woke up, I did homework, I ate, I spent time with people I love. They were days, they were good days, but they were in the way of something much more exciting. . . a mid-semester trip home!

Friday afternoon I boarded a plane, read a wonderful book the whole flight, and 6 hours later was picked up by one of my most favorite people in the whole world, Brandon. We talked, listened to good music, got food, and then met up with Drew and Blake. I love all of these boys. They make me laugh so hard. They make me think. They make me realize my potential. I really would be completely lost without each of them and am so grateful for having them in my life.

Then, the main event!

My mom is my hero. I absolutely love her and am so incredibly proud of her. She has worked over a year preparing for this half marathon. Her sister flew out to run it with her and I am so impressed by both of them. They are wonderful women, and will always be examples to me. Annalee is also an awesome lady, and she ran too.

Rochelle and I were given the honored roles of cheerleaders. We yelled "caw-caw" as loud as we could and dutifully followed our runners around the disney parks to cheer them on. We even got cool shirts. I couldn't have asked for a better cheering buddy. I learn so much from her every time we talk. I hope I can emulate her. Really my mom and aunts are some of the best women to walk this earth.

The finish was kind of emotional. Annalee and Char did terrific! We are all so happy and proud of both of them. Mom, after all her hard work, got a stress fracture. She was picked up after pushing through a little over seven miles. I am still so proud of her, and I love her stubborn nature and that she wasn't giving up with out a long hard battle. She's going to keep training, and next year I'm running it with her. She'll do it, I know she will. She is strong, beautiful, and determined. Nothing stands in-between her and her dreams. I admire her for all that she does, and that I've learned from her, and all that she inspires me and others to be.

The rest of the weekend was spent enjoying the beautiful sun, napping, long wonderful chats with family and friends. AND I got to go do wedding shindigs with Annalee, I have pictures. . .but I'm not sure that I'm allowed to post them. Let's just say that the girl was made to wear a wedding dress. She looks like a princess in every single one. I am so excited for her and for this new step that she's taking in her life. She is smart, beautiful, and so full of life and Blake is lucky to have her. We love Blake too, and are so happy to have him as part of the family. So without further adieu, I present the first Santos Family picture that includes the Russ addition.