I Love Spring!

About a week ago, I was feeling a little guilty about not being super excited to travel. Mostly, I think I was focused on all the things I needed to get accomplished before going abroad. That, and playing four-square, ping-pong, hopscotch, and the like with my ward.
Kristy and I also successfully surprised Javich for his birthday. I loved his incredulous expression as he entered my kitchen to see a bunch of people crouched in the dark. Little Kal’el was pretty scared by the surprise, but Lioness cheered him up quickly. He was a particularly popular character throughout the party, too. He suspected that it was something planned and carried out that very day (probably since he was totally unaware), but I assured him that I’d been planning it for years. I was impressed at his inventive manner of extinguishing the trick re-lighting candles by simply flipping them over and shoving the flame into the cake. It was fun to see many of his friends from my ward come together to celebrate with us. Plus, I got numbers for his mission friends with the excuse that I needed to find a date (which was true). I felt like a pretty tricky sis.

We also had the final dinner group social, which was so fun that we did another one two days later. We went to Beth’s house for a barbeque the first night, and Thursday went back to have another bonfire and foil dinners. I think it’s great that we’ve had 4 bonfires in the past week as the weather has improved.

Friday we finally had the necessary sibling date. Now, when I mention that, other people worry that Javich and I are planning to go out, but you all know that entails finding dates. Both of us had some difficulty deciding whom we should ask out, as well as finding people who would still be around (since the semester ended). Javich took my lovely roommate, Katie, and our ward friend Jason conceded to accompany me. We went up Stewart Falls, once we found the trail. First, we wandered around Sundance for a while, and eventually found the trail (we had already seen the stone marking the trailhead), which was hidden behind a large mound of snow. The trail itself was mostly clear, until we got toward the top. The falls were beautiful as always, and we didn’t even fall off the cliff after climbing up closer (I was worried at times…). En route, we saw wild turkeys and interesting clawed prints in the snow (go cougs?). Javich should post pictures, so bug him if you want more evidence.

Now, I’m ecstatic to go to Ecuador in only TWO DAYS!!! I still need to finish packing up and clear out of my now lonely apartment (I’m the only one left :(). I’ll be sure to keep you posted as we’re in Ecuador!