Since I've been home...

I've been to a lot of wedding activities with this handsome guy. 

Those are only pictures from half of them. Keep in mind that this was within a period of like 2 weeks. It's wedding season in Utah. 

This is Jordan Brock Smith. We lived together our freshman year. She was a stunning bride and I am so happy for her! 

Blakers and I also spent an evening at Strawberry Days and the Rodeo. I'm not sure what's got into me, but after seeing just a few minutes of the rodeo, I was telling Blake that I wanted to go to another one. We haven't gone yet, but I hope to go to another one before the summer is up. It is so exciting and everyone is just loving their life with their cowboy hats and boots. It's great. You should really try it out. 

Jonathan and I went on a sibling date to The Stadium of Fire. Best fireworks I've ever seen. I love love love the 4th of July. My most favorite holiday, hands down. I get teary eyed when I hear patriotic songs. And then I think of my dad because he just loves this country and is so patriotic and how a long time ago he was a pilot in the navy. It really makes me appreciate this country. It really is spectacular. I plan on going to The Stadium of Fire every year from now on. 

Blake and I spent a lot of time outside his apartment on July 3rd because everyone was camping out for the parade. We must be old or something because by 12:30 AM we had gone home to sleep while everyone else had stayed up till 4 or 5 in the morning. Anyway, we woke up early enough to catch the entire parade and it was really fun. Being from Pasadena, you'd think I'd be a veteran parade attendee, but also being Howard and Amy's daughter, you can understand why I can't remember a time that I've sat on the Rose Parade route. 

After the parade we got to spend just a little while with the Tay Team. Too little, but it was better than nothing. We just sat and talked in Blake's apartment and let the kids eat his treats. Thanks, Blake. Ie Mei made Mylee and Ailee's dresses. Aren't they adorable? I told Ie Mei that I wanted one too. Next year, please!

Poor Blake had to work on Independence day, but while he was away I got ready to have some fun at the Day Residence. Blake's parents just moved to a lovely house in Provo and invited Jonathan and me over for dinner and fireworks. It was so relaxing and enjoyable. We played ping-pong, BANG, and Dance Central and enjoyed one another's company. I'm not one to brag, but I do bring my A-game when it comes to Dance Central, so watch out! 

Jared and Mindy with sparklers/ the rest of us enjoying the homemade firework show.

Some bigger fireworks were just made legal in Utah and EVERYONE made a big deal out of it. I've never seen such big fireworks in residential areas. It was awesome. 

So other than weddings and 4th of July activities, I've just been schooling and working. Summer in Provo is wonderful. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer as much as I am!

Just some extras:

Blake is goofy sometimes. I really love that. 

Note to self: When attending Blake's intramural games in the evening, drench yourself with insect repellent to avoid 12 mosquito bites all over your body that you scratch so much that you get scabs. Ew. 

We love half-off sushi at Demae on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  This is where Blake and I went on our second date. We sat in this same booth. 

The Happiest Place on Earth

When grandchildren come to visit, my mom likes to take them to Disneyland. This time was no different. On Friday we hopped in a couple of cars and made our way to Anaheim to enjoy the sites and attractions of "The Happiest Place on Earth". Here are some insights that I gained. 

Reasons why I LOVE Disneyland:

My dad dresses up as Indiana Jones for the day. Ok, that's a joke, but he does like to wear safari hats when he's out walking in the sun for a long time. The real reason behind this picture is because I get to see these cute kids smile all day. 

Dole whips. They are delicious. They're sold at the entrance of Adventureland next to the Tiki Room. 

Fireworks. I would have to say that Disneyland has the best fireworks EVER. I did see fireworks in the nation's capital for the 4th of July that were pretty amazing, but I'm going to say that Disneyland wins by just a little bit. There is something about all the Disney songs that they use for the show that somehow make me feel like I can do anything as long as I can dream it. Phrases like: When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are and If you keep believing, the dream that you wish will come true are so magical. 

Things that I HATE about Disneyland:

Ticket prices are outrageous. $76 for adults and $68 for children. You do the math.

Women who don't know how to dress properly. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I shouldn't be able to see under a woman's dress when she bends down, right? Right, didn't think so. 

Awkward couples. And I'm not talking about awkward people who find love with each other. I'm talking about couples that look too young to drive--kids who had to have their parents drop them off for a date at Disneyland; couples that like PDA a little too much. Ie Mei claimed that when we walked in she saw a couple lathering sunscreen on each other--he was putting it on her neck/chest area. Last time I checked, I was able to reach that area all by myself. 

Traffic on the way home. Only in Los Angeles is there traffic at 10:30 at night. RIDICULOUS. 

This last thing about Disneyland is a toss up. 

Tattoos. They're not super pleasant to look at, but it does remind me that I dislike them a lot. Or it makes for good text jokes to my friends. I sent this picture to my friend and sister-in-law that read: This is the tattoo I'm going to get when I become a hair stylist.

This lady was in front of me in the line for Space Mountain. The guy standing next to her who didn't look a day about 18 said the following: The next tattoo I get is going to be on my chest, next to my rosary. I'm going to have the devil and Jesus arm wrestling. 

Yeah...weird. 

But all jokes aside, Disneyland with my family is always fun and we had a wonderful time. 

Virginia is for Lovers: Day Six

The fourth of July is one of my most favorite holidays. I don't remember the last time it fell on a Sunday, but it did yesterday. I feel like most wards sing patriotic songs the Sunday before or after the fourth, but yesterday we sang patriotic songs and it was the real day--what a treat! I can't say that I'm extremely patriotic year round, but when the fourth rolls around, it's hard not to be.

I love this country and I love the freedoms we have. I am so grateful for all the sacrifices the founding fathers made for this country and the sacrifices that soldiers make for this country every day. And in the words of Lee Greenwood, "I'm proud to be an American." We sang America the Beautiful for the closing hymn and everyone stood up and I couldn't help but get a little teary-eyed. America is beautiful.

So, if anyone looks on my facebook, there is a little box under my picture that gives a pronunciation guide of my name because it's not uncommon for people to say it wrong and after the 3rd or 4th time of correcting someone I pretty much give up. Another thing that should be noted is that there are quite a few people in my family that have similar names. I'll just write down the ones that kind of sound alike:
Ie Mei
Ie Li
Ie Ling
Mei Li
Mylee
Ailee

Well, yesterday I attended my sister's ward and they read in all the names of her family. I couldn't help but chuckle when they said "I" Li Zackrison because it's not only a mispronunciation of Ie Li's name but also the name of my niece. Then we went to Relief Society and there was a conversation like this:

Nice lady 1: Are there any visitors?
Me: We're Ie Li Zackrison's sisters.
Nice lady 1: Well, we're glad to have you.
Nice lady 2: Oh, you have to listen to their names!
Me: I'm Ie Ling.
Ie Mei: I'm Ie Mei.
Nice lady 3: Oh that's beautiful! There's Ie Li, Elaine, and Ie Mei. (I'm not sure why everyone hears Elaine when I say my name)
Nice lady 1: Oh that's right Eli (Like the boy's name, Eli) was telling me that all the girls have Oriental names and the boys have American names...and it looks like she's doing the same!

It cracks me up at least. I don't ever really get upset when people say my name wrong, it makes for good stories.

After church Jonathan and I piled into the Tay Team vehicle and went on a tour of their old stomping grounds in Oakton. I was partially asleep while we were driving, but we pulled up to their old ward building and I sleepily said, "Holler if you see Sister Livingston (The mother of my dear friend, Gregory.)" There were obviously slim chances of that, but then Brad said, "There she is!" So we pulled up and she looked surprised to see the Taylors after a four year absence. She didn't realize I was in the car and said, "Greg's really had fun getting to know your sister!" to which Ie Mei replied, "Oh she's right here." And that was when I was introduced to the famous Sister Livingston who I had only heard about. This was the woman who sent grand packages to Greg during the year and after our brief meeting, it has been confirmed that she is indeed lovely.

On our way home we stopped at Bull Run which was pretty cool. We snapped a couple good shots.





We then hurried home so that Jonathan and I could grab a quick bite to eat and head to downtown for the fireworks display. Steve made us some delicious brats and then Barrett picked us up and we were off!

I don't think I'll ever be in D.C. for the fourth of July again, so I'm glad I was able to go to downtown. There is nothing as beautiful as watching the fireworks on the 4th of July, in the nation's capital, under the Washington Monument. I'm so glad I got to go and be around so many monuments dedicated to our nation's leaders and heroes on that special day.



We ended up walking about 1 hr and 45 min. to get back to our car that was parked at the Pentagon and then we were on our way home. It was a wonderful day. God Bless America.

Virginia is for Lovers: Day Five

Saturday was a fun-filled day. The Taylor clan arrived and a few of us walked to the library to read some books. We returned for lunch and realized that it can get a little crazy with 7 children running around the house, so we decided that the park would be a great place to release some energy.



Unfortunately it was extremely hot and sunny, so we didn't stay too long.

Mei Li and Mylee talked Ie Mei and I into painting their nails.



Our friend, Barret Johnson, let us in on a little secret. A little town called Lovettsville shoots fireworks off on the 3rd of July for some reason or another. We decided to make a family outing out of it (Barrett joined us too) and it turned out to be a great time. There weren't too many people there and the kids just ran around on the field and the playground until it was time for the fireworks to start.

Most of the kids had fun, but Mylee thought it was too loud and all Stephen could do was cover his ears and say, "This is scary. I don't like it!" It was kinda sad, but cute and funny at the same time. I didn't think it was too loud or too scary. It was just right.



We all piled into our cars and Mylee was talking to be while I was buckling her in and she said, talking about Barrett, "Is that your boyfriend?" Which was funny because Lance had said earlier, "So Ie Ling, is that your B-O-Y-F-R-I-E-N-D??" To which I had to reply no. But I did complement him on his spelling.