California, Baby

Sometimes you just need a weekend away with your best friends. For the longest time Leah and I hated each other. And that might just be an understatement. And unfortunately, our mutual best friend was often put in the middle. Not anymore! The three of us finally got to spend some quality time together, as friends. Best friends, really. And then I moseyed on down to Orange County to spend some much needed time with my Margo and Stephanie. Why do all the people I love the most live in freaking California!?! 

Huntington Does It Better--4th of July

The week after I got home from Africa was rough to say the least. I felt very removed from my group of friends and was feeling very sensitive about my recent breakup and then the plans I had made with two of my best friends got cancelled while I was gone, without me knowing, and I got in a big fight with a friend and then I got in another big fight with my family and the world was definitely against me and all I wanted was to be back in Africa where I didn't have to deal with anything except for what adventure each day was going to take us on. 

But I decided to take control of my life  (after a few breakdowns) and pick up the pieces and if things weren't going my way--I was going to make them go my way. I decided to go to California on my own. My best friend Margo was excited to have me stay, but then I was randomly texting one of my long time friends whom I just adore and she and her best friend decided to join me last minute and so we booked a hotel and cruised on down to Huntington. 

Surprisingly I had never been to Huntington for the 4th of July. I know, I know. Shocking. But Megan raved about how great it was, and she was totally right. Everyone goes all out and flags are everywhere and you just can't help but be happy. We met up with Margo and Bekah bright and early and walked the few blocks over to the parade. We were handed flags and that's when we knew the day was out to a great start.

Bekah, Margo, Scott, Me

There were so many people in town and so many friends to see. At the top of that list was my dear Sammy and her Provo crew by default. I adore her. 

Joselyn, Sam, Me, Megan, Regan

Later that evening we headed to a huge house party at my friend Alex's house. It was jam packed with people and was so fun seeing some of my old friends. We mingled there for a while before heading back down to the beach to watch the fireworks off the pier. The perfect ending to our day.  

Sam and I again

The next day was Saturday and we just wanted to chill. We slept in, grabbed some breakfast at the Pancake House and headed to the beach to chill for the day. Of course we had a photoshoot in the alley of downtown HB, obviously. 

I ended the weekend dancing into the wee hours of the morning at the coolest Bootie Mashup Dance Party in a warehouse in LA. We put on our best 4th of July gear---I borrowed Meg's pants--and danced our butts off. I had a slight obsession with Bootie Mashups for about a week after that night. We stayed until they closed the doors at 2am and then we went to Roscoe's of course. I may or may not have fallen asleep on the table. No Shame. 

Good thing Megan and Regan got a better night's sleep than I and we able to drive while I snoozed in the back seat all the way home. 

Until next time CA. 

Girls Trip: Disneyland

These cute girls and I FINALLY were able to pull off a much-talked about, much-anticipated, much-needed GIRLS TRIP to our favorite place ever, Disneyland!! We all (well mostly all) went in 2011 and it was THE BEST trip, we were itching to make more memories together and have more fun!!

We piled into Brynn's car Friday afternoon and off we went! We sang, we laughed, we cried, and we sent more snap chats than we probably should have...all the way to LA to see our other favorite friend who moved far far away, Lindsey. We went to dinner and then walked down to the beach with some of her friends. We were having a great time, running from waves, until one wave decided to go all crazy and fly halfway up the beach taking ALL of our belongings with it. Purses, shoes, socks, everything was soaked...including Brynn's phone that decided to not completely die, but to just have the flashlight go on and never turn off. I'm talking even after the phone died, that flashlight was still going strong. Props Apple? Deep ingot he night we made our way down to Newport to Allison's sister's beach house to catch some zzz's before DisneyDay!

The next morning we couldn't contain our excitement any longer! We were back in the happiest place in the world--together--in our matching shirts!! Haha. We just had to. We started off in California Adventures and it was hardly crowded and we just made our way from ride to ride smiles all around (for all the million of pictures we were bound to take, duh)! By the early afternoon we made our way over to Disneyland and let me tell you..it was the most crowded I had ever seen Disneyland. Honestly, it was unreal. I don't know what the heck was going on, but somehow it all worked out. We Fast passed and lucked out everywhere we went. I don't feel like we waited more than 45 min to an hour for a ride. Lines moved fast and of course we were constantly entertained, just being there together! 

One thing I do have to say is that we totally scored in the food department. I always get excited about the food and Disneyland and am usually pretty disappointed. But not this time. Everything we ate was freaking delicious! Corn dogs, churros, frozen lemonades, the best restaurant ever on Main Street (I can't remember its name but holy crap was it good. I am still dreaming about the baked potato soup.) Etc. I felt like we were always eating and I always wanted more of whatever it was! Haha. #fatties

By the end of the night we were exhausted, but you couldn't tell. We were going strong all the way til closing time. We saved Splash Mountain for last and Becca brought us all ponchos and then Brooke surprised us all with shower caps that she forced us to wear! We were definitely a site to be seen and wore them basically all the way out of the park! 

After Disneyland we headed down to Del Mar to Brynn's family beach condo. We were excited to spend Sunday relaxing on the beach doing nothing but having fun. It was the perfect end to a great weekend. We came home kicking and screaming.

This trip came at a perfect time. I needed a good escape from home having some dang good fun. I will admit that as great as the trip was, we had some tiffs come up between us more than would have been ideal. But such is life when you have a bunch of girls that are as close as we are. And luckily it all got worked out. Our trip was still super fun and I'm glad have some good solid girlfriends in my life and Disneyland with your best friends is always a good idea!!! :)

Huntington Beach & Palm Readings

There are few things I love more than a chill weekend at the beach with some of my favorite people. The reason for our visit was simply to hang out with some of the people I love most, (Margo, Lindsey, Stephanie, Matix, Bekah, Ross) especially before my cute little Ross moves his butt back to the east coast. Still not happy about this. The beach was windy, but still fun. Then we decided to head over to Balboa Island (where Ross lives) and spoil the heck out of Matix. #beach #burgers #popcorn #candy #arcadegames #trampolines #ferries #balboabars #palmreadings The day could not have been any better. We ended the night with dinner with Robin. I miss that girl like a lot. 

Let's talk about these palm readings. We were walking down the boardwalk when we saw a sign: Palm Readings $5. Why not? I've always been curious. I went first.

Ashley: 3 kids. (ok) Not getting married for a few years. (freaking a) Financial success. (heckya) I will have a surgery in my life. (poo) Will live with a guy before marriage. (? devin ?) There's a guy that I love but I don't like. (?) I like to make people happy. (uhhhh)  Im a nurturer. (not) I love animals and old people. (definitely not) A guy may come back to me (im curious!) and she saw 2 guys in my life that are very important to me. (also curious)

Yeah...I'm not sure about all that. I wasn't convinced, but I was intrigued. 

Matix was also intrigued and asked to go next. 

Matix: You are very athletic. You are very academic. When school gets hard, be patient and focus on the teacher and learning. There are 2 kids bugging you at school, tune them out. (true) You play a lot of video games. (true) May be a lwyer because you like to argue. (true) Three kids. Focus on golf, it will make you a lot of money and is not dangerous. (random) I see a blonde girl being prominent in your life. (haha) What's your biggest fear? Dying. Don't worry about that. you are going to live a long life. (pheww) Ask me one question: Will I be a good dad? Yes a VERY good dad. (so sweet)

Everyone else's was pretty head on. It was really fun. Im glad we did it. Matix still talks about that blonde girl and how he needs to play golf. Haha. Cute kid.

Breakfast with Lindsey & Leah

My Main Girl

Margo, Bekah, Matix, Me, Ross

Spoiling the Babes

 

My Wobin

Margo taught Matix to blow bubbles

Working Class Citizen

Baby C.

I was happy to come home to the boy. We missed each other. :) I was sad I missed his acoustic performance at open mic night. It's okay because he gave me my own private show the weekend before, and I made him record it and send me the video. He's cute and did a great job. Minus the fact that he sang a breakup song and dedicated it to me. He claims it was funny, but I didn't laugh.

Matt had the choice to take off work either last weekend or this weekend (he works weekends, poo) but he chose last weekend because he thought it was more important to hang out with my family, rather than my friends. He's too sweet.

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