2016 Recap

One of my fears about moving to Utah last year was losing the opportunity to travel as frequently as I did on the East Coast. But I've learned something important about myself: I'm an adventure-seeker and beauty-finder. And Utah is an amazing place to live for someone like me! I look back at my first full year living back in Utah, and I am filled with joy at what I've experienced. Here's a recap!

January: This amazing Provo City Center Temple becomes an important part of my life + A quick trip home to Kansas City to attend my best friend's wedding

February: Sundance Film Festival always shines a little light on winter + Flowers for Valentine's Day

March: Fulfilled a dream to take a framing class + Always love attending a session of General Conference at the Conference Center

April: Fell in love with this tree and memorialized it in my heart before it had to be cut down + Loving all things Provo music scene

Camping and hiking with friends at Arches National Park + Finally experiencing the sublime Utah slot canyons and Goblin Valley State Park

May: Camping with the girls + Hiking in at dawn to the Diamond Fork Hot Springs and having the area all to ourselves for a few hours

Enjoying beauty near and far with the Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival + Tipi sleeping and hiking 8 miles in Bryce Canyon National Park

June: Celebrating Camille's birthday + Painting the town pink

Truly believing the Manti Temple is the most beautiful Temple in Utah + finding those secret poppy fields in Alpine (also a good place to see fields of poppies? Manti Temple grounds)

Keeping the Strawberry Days Rodeo tradition alive + Family day at Sundance

July: Dream come true to visit the Getty and go on a girls' trip to Newport Beach + Absolutely fell in love with Balboa Island

Sheryl's inspiring wedding + First visit to the Logan Temple

Introducing: Bella Swan + 2nd Annual friends' trip to Bear Lake


August: 1st trip of 3 to Cedar City to see Rosie act in the Utah Shakespeare Festival + A day in Zion National Park (I DO NOT recommend going here on an August Saturday)

Goodrich family reunion on the Wasatch back + Driving on the Ranger back over to the front of Timp AT SUNSET

September: Indian Summer at Manti Temple + Took my friends to experience Spring City during the Plein Air Festival

Couldn't resist sneaking in a birthday trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina with my beach buddies + Took myself on a lighthouse field trip

Turned 33 during my 24-hour visit in DC + Fulfilling my dream to hike the Narrows in Zion National Park


October: Cider slush a la mode at the Red Barn with friends + Morning walks in Provo Canyon

November: Will never get over the beauty of a campus on the foothills of the Rocky Mountains + Another wonderful Thanksgiving with all four Leak siblings

December: Finding joy at Christmas despite dear friend, Camille's, near fatal accident (watching the miracles and blessings roll in) + The Carol Concert at the Cathedral Madeleine made for the most magical Christmas Eve.

Celebrating Christmas at home this year + Yet another fabulous New Year's Eve party with friends

Can't be thankful enough for the incredible blessings I receive from a loving Heavenly Father who celebrates me being an adventure-seeker and beauty-finder.

Some 2017 adventures I have in mind: Camp at the Sun Tunnels, Hike Angels' Landing, Visit Canyonlands and Capital Reef National Parks, Take a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico, Visit Bremen in Connecticut again, and whatever else comes my way!

Recaps of 2015 2014 2013