my parents

I'm going through the five thousand pictures we have from three cameras and two iPhones of this summer's road trip.

More on that craziness to come.

But I found all these pictures of my parents that are just too adorable not to share.

22 years of marriage, and they're still just as in love as the day they were married.

#livinghappilyeverafter 

Ok so this is actually before our summer road trip. But it was only like 3 days before. So here it is.

I mean, just look at how adorable they are. They haven't aged one bit either.

Definitely not afraid to be dorks when their kids ask them to be.

The Lewis and Clark pose everyone.

Candid moment at the Grand Canyon.

Awwwww

I mean, seriously. Just look at how adorable they are. 

This had to be the greatest moment of the trip. Hands down.

We visited the University of Utah campus [enemy territory] for a few brief moments.

Just so Dad could re-enact his proposal to mom at the exact spot it took place for us kids to see.

Except there was a tree. And snow. So I'm told.

#familyhistorystop

But really, that's just adorable. 

And that is why my parents should win the most adorable people ever award.

The end.

eternity

Surprise! I'm still here!
Only for 21 more days.
#wheredidthetimego

I'm in the process of copying pictures over and uploading them to blogger so you can all see the adventures of this year's summer vacation road trip. While that magic is happening, I thought I'd share with you all one of the most incredible days of my life.

On August 15th, I went through the temple for the first time.
Several of my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins were able to be there with me.
I was so incredibly blessed to be able to go to the Provo Temple, where I have already spent so many hours with dear friends and family members.

Words cannot adequately describe the peace and joy I felt being in the temple with my family.

my eyes might be closed in this one. oh well.

Uncle Brad, me, and Steven!!

Uncle Jeff, Aunt Carly, Grandma Hyde, me, Steven, Grandpa Hyde, mom, and dad

note: there's a waaay better picture except it's on my laptop and Rachel has that. so you're stuck with this one. sorry.

Having been able to go to the temple a few more times since that beautiful day, my love for the temple has grown every single time.

Moses 1:39 says:
"For behold, this is my work and my glory; to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

Heavenly Father's work is the work of eternity.
Missionary work is the work of eternity.
One of the members of the temple presidency spoke to the youth when I went to help out with baptisms a few weeks ago. He said something that really stuck out to me:
"You may be here for just a few short hours out of your busy lives. But the work you are doing changes someone's eternity."

That is the whole reason that I want to serve a mission.
This isn't about me.
Sure, I'm excited to have a mission call, to be missing out on finals for a year and a half, and to be getting a whole new wardrobe. #eldershaveiteasy

But that's not why I'm serving.
I am serving because I love my Savior.
Because I love my brothers and sisters.
Because I want all of them to experience the same joy and love that I felt on that day.
Because I pray that I can be an instrument in my Heavenly Father's hands in bringing them back to Him.
Because I hope that each of us can be with our families for eternity.
I love my family dearly, and I cannot imagine eternity without them.
I feel so incredibly blessed and honored to have been entrusted with this responsibility and privilege of inviting my brothers and sisters to come unto Christ, to strive to return to our Heavenly Father, and to one day live with Him again.

Going to the temple helped put that into the eternal perspective.
I thought I couldn't be more excited to serve a mission.
I was wrong.
Every single day, that desire and excitement grows.
21 more days.
It can't come soon enough.

I also found this really cute picture of when I opened my mission call that I never knew existed. 

It is my hope and prayer that each person I know [or will soon know] will be able to come to the temple often and feel of the joy, peace, and love of our Heavenly Father.

back at home: photo dump

I've been back home for almost a month now.
It's been absolutely crazy. But so much fun spending time with the family!
Enjoy the photo dump of events at home.

Nathan's 13th Birthday

My baby brother is a teenager. 

Where does the time go?

guys that is my foot next to my brother's feet. I am surrounded by giants.
or I'm a dwarf. either works.

happy birthday little brother!

Rachel's High School Graduation

Top of her class and they pronounced her name right.

Congratulations on finishing high school Rachel!

Enjoy reality, graduates.

Sunday Afternoons

We believe in Sunday naps.

Though they sometimes occur in strange places...

We also believe in playing games. Constantly.

Preferably in big, comfy sweatshirts [or t-shirts] from BYU.

the most intense game of Jenga ever.

Finally: We believe in Sunday pictures. 

Because we look good. So why not?

Me and my not-so-little little brother. Isn't he the cutest?

Family Camping Trip

Minus Rachel. She's hanging out in Utah helping with my aunt and uncle's kids.

Campsite: Chain-O-Lakes

Elevation: minuscule

It's not the Utah canyon, but we still had a blast.

this happens when you give the girls matches

so. many. games. of. Nerts.

Let's all just appreciate that this happened:
Dad scaring away the terrifying raccoon by banging tongs against a propane tank.
Parent Trap anyone?

pretty sure this is what happiness looks like.

the joys of camping: dishwashing after breakfast

This is Wilmot Mountain.

The local ski mountain.

That is NOT a mountain. That is a sledding hill. 

They even have a chairlift.

My heart aches a little. 

LZ people: you need to get out to Utah at some point in your life to understand that this is NOT a mountain.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir Concert

Family outing to Ravinia to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir live!

Probably the most incredible concert I have ever been to in my life.

And I've been to a lot.

Megan and I spend lots of time together at home. She loves it.

Janine from the Y-Serve office at BYU sings in the choir, and I ran into her!

pardon the people covering up the choir.

Father's Day

Shout out to the greatest dad around!

Not sure where I'd be today without his devotionals on common sense, lessons on home repairs, cooking skills [fudgies], learning to not take life too seriously, and the fact that Colgate is the best.

Isn't she adorable? Come and get her boys.

hey, we really do love each other.

Dad ate part of his cake before we sang to him. Silly Daddy.

Happy Father's Day, Dad!!

my adorable parents.

Along with all of these exciting events, I've been working, chauffeuring, studying, preparing for a mission, frequenting the singles ward and institute, and cleaning.

Gotta love the home life.
Thanks for the fun LZ. Be back real soon.

family photos and decorations

[day twenty-three]

my parents

My mom and dad are just about the best parents I could have asked for. They have supported me unconditionally through all my challenges. They push me to be my best self. They have taught me the importance of being an example to my younger [but bigger] siblings. They continue to teach me about the gospel and how to strengthen my own testimony.
Mom and Dad are also pretty great at expressing their creativity in gifts. They have a fantastic sense of humor, particularly past nine o'clock at night. They are my greatest examples of how to stay smiling and laughing even through the darkest times.
And they are the most adorable couple on the planet.

I love them to death.

So it's the day after Thanksgiving. aka the official start of the Christmas season.
aka Black Friday, but we don't participate in those shopping activities.

We spent most of our day putting up Christmas decorations. Namely, our snow village set, the fake Christmas tree in the family room [complete with lights and ornaments], and finishing the outside lights.

And then we took family photos. Enjoy a few of the bloopers.

PS: Christmas music is officially legal! Which means Christmas music 24-7 in our apartment.

Did I mention I LOVE Christmas?

didn't I tell you - most adorable couple right there.

shots of summer

heading back to Illinois... the flat lands

back in Chicago and it feels so good.
also my little brother is (almost) taller than me. I am not ok with that.

sisters :)

on the lovely Lake Michigan. not quite the ocean, but still plenty of fun.

me and my daddy

with my mom :)

wishes for our dear cousin, Sammy, on her birthday!

brought along to band camp for the second year in a row.
at least I got some ice cream out of it.

trip to Oregon. aka my happy place.
{post on those adventures coming later}

seeing my lovely grandparents while in Oregon.

our camping trip. in our backyard. we like to go hardcore. 

...and then we all squished into the big tent. leaving an empty little tent.
it was totally worth it. 

trip to Culver's to celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of the school year!

I updated the "Rules of Summer" list. Pretty productive if you ask me.

here's to summer 2012.

may the upcoming months be just as memorable.