Lake Cascade, Idaho

To celebrate Grandma and Grandpa G.'s 50th wedding anniversary, they treated the whole Grassli fam to a wonderful week at Lake Cascade in Idaho! (Shouldn't it have been the other way around - us treating them?! They are far too generous!) 

We all had such a WONDERFUL time basking in the sun, riding on the Chugg's boat, wake-boarding/tubing/bare-footing/surfing, relaxing, laughing, eating lots of yummy food, and spending quality time together! 

This lake was the perfect setting for a vacation - we had a house large enough to fit everyone, a private beach to lay on, and the water was glass all day. The time of the trip was perfect - a couple days after Michael and I finished summer term finals; we were definitely in need of some down time! I was taken back every day by the great beauty all around us. Heavenly Father must really love us! 

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! to everyone who made it such a memorable week. 

the boys had fun hitting golf balls onto the sand below and even got to go golfing at a real course one of the days. 

our ride for the week - THANK YOU Chuggs!!

the whole gang! Grandpa told us that when he was a little boy he made a goal to have a happy family - he definitely accomplished that! 

the Woodheads/Bradburns

nertz with the cousins

 

it's obvious who is more talented 

boys will be boys...Michael riding a bike off the dock. 

Grandma G. planned some "minute to win it" games - lots of fun and tons of laughs 

Michael and Mitch doing the usual 

Jack with Uncle Michael

hunting for the mini fish

the ladies on the tube





yes we did!! :)

  

   

Ernst & Young Intern Conference

This past winter, I was lucky enough to do an internship in Ernst & Young's tax group in the Salt Lake City office. Most students do an accounting internship during the summer, but because Salt Lake is such a small group, they only hire interns for the winter tax busy season (January to April). I loved the people I worked with and had a great experience. At the end of the internship, I received an offer to join the firm full-time after I graduate - we are so grateful that I already have a job lined up more than a year before I graduate, especially in this economy.

Every summer, E&Y holds a conference in Orlando, Florida for all the interns. Even though I wasn't currently an intern at the time of the conference, I was invited to attend. So I packed my bags, kissed the hubby goodbye, and off to Florida I went!

It was nice to get away from school for a few days, but it was sad to leave Michael behind. We decided it would be worth it for me to go because E&Y put me back on the payroll for the week. :)

Let me tell you...Florida in August is HOT HOT HOT and sooo HUMID!! Literally, I would get all ready in the morning and by the time I made it to the conference center (about a five minute walk) I would feel like I needed to shower again - I would be sweaty and my hair would be hopelessly flat. 

The hotel was set up with different buildings of rooms that surrounded a "lake". It was different that anything I have been to before, but so beautiful!

Over 2,000 people were in attendance, so there was lots of excitement all the time. It was amazing that they were able to accomidate that many people with hotel rooms, meals, etc. The week consisted of large general sessions (all 2,000 attendees in one room!), lots of yummy meals, break-out classes in smaller groups, a "team challenge", and a night at the Disney World parks! 

One night they let the interns loose in the parks - I am so grateful that BYU has such a presence in the accounting world because it makes events like this so much better! I automatically have friends that share my  same culture and values. My good friend Anne has been such a blessing through my accounting experience. We both were interns at Caselle in Provo after our junior year, and then we both were interns for E&Y together in Salt Lake. We have gone to all the trainings, etc. together, and she has been so fun to have around!

Most people were so shocked when they realized I was married and that we don't drink at BYU. It was the most popular topic with my peers during meals. I had kinda forgotten that BYU is different in that way! I really enjoyed the opportunity to share the gospel and talk about how important the family and the Word of Wisdom is to me. It was really funny to hear what some people's assumptions were about BYU students.

My group for the team challenge was the "Beam Team" - it was basically a day of EFY without the spiritual aspect.

A few of the BYU interns from offices across the country.

Movie at the Capital

The Utah State Capital building shows outdoor movies a few times each summer. Michael and I did this last year and we thought we would try it again to watch Despicable Me. We invited our friends, Steve and Hailey Wright, got some treats from the dollar store, and made the trek to Salt Lake.

The capital always looks so pretty all lit up and it felt so nice to be outside for a change - such a difference from our normal days in the office or at school!

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Shirley!

My best friend and college roommate is now married! I am so happy for her and so glad that she found Matt. They are perfect for eachother!

I was able to go to the temple sealing at the Mount Timpanogous Temple that morning; sadly, Michael had class so he had to miss it. It was a beautiful sealing and I am so happy that I got to witness it!

The luncheon and reception were beautiful! I was so happy that Michael could join me later for the reception. Everything is always better when he is there.

Taryn and Matt were both glowing and so happy. Taryn's dress was absolutely gorgeous and I loved all the pictures scattered everywhere. I am so greatful for the wonderful friend that Taryn has been to me and I wish the Shirleys all the happiness in the world! Love you both so much!!

Me and my handsome hubby!

Lake Powell - 2011

Michael and I snuck away from our summer term classes to go to Lake Powell with the Woodhead side of the family for a quick weekend. It was my first time there and I loved it! Michael was in heaven, considering it is his favorite place on earth. We had so much fun bonding with family and spending time in the water! Hopefully we will get to go again next year!

Lehi Rodeo

My younger brother, Andrew, came to Utah for EFY and stayed with us for a weekend. It was so fun to have a visitor and to have a little piece of my family here.

One night we went to the Lehi Rodeo and it was so much fun! None of us had ever been to one before and I think we were pleasantly surprised! It made me want to go buy some boots and poof my hair like the rodeo queens.

U2 Concert - Check!

One of the items on Michael's bucket list has been to be in the audience for a U2 concert and now he can cross that one off!

This concert was a long time coming...Michael bought the tickets when we had barely started dating because he heard that the group was coming to Utah and knew this would be his chance to go, even if it meant he had to spend some time in Rice Eccles Stadium. A couple months later, Bono hurt his back and so the concert was postponed for a later date - more than a year later. About a month after our wedding we were finally able to go to the long awaited concert and it was a blast! There was so much energy in the stadium and Bono was out of control. I don't think he stopped moving for one second!

Michael bought the tickets hoping I would be his date to the concert - who would have known I would actually go as his wife?! :)