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We hiked up Ensign Peak a few weeks ago. Took some pictures like this...

It was fun to get away from the Red Box and do something fun that SLC has to offer. Now if I can just make it to the Farmers Market before the seasons over.

I've been working like crazy and Orrin, not so much. He's been on Furlo for the past 2 weeks! The Federal Gov "laid off" all their employees and he hasn't been working. Really stressful but he's back to work this upcoming Monday. On the bright side of his break from work, it's given him more time to study for finals! We're both glad thats over.

My work was crazy this week. We had a fire drill on Tuesday, then had to do the real thing on Thursday. Only the second time, it was a lot more unorganized and unplanned. There was a suspicious bag left on the front stairs for the court house. The closed down State street for the block in front of the court for a good 20 minutes before anyone inside the court knew what was going on. Then, they didn't sound any alarms just sent bailiffs down the hall telling people they had to leave, now, through the west entrance. WHAT?! So we grab our bags and head out. Started sprinkling, then raining then the loudest thunder ever. Lots of fun. After about 40 minutes of that they told us we weren't going to get back in before 5 so to go home. We couldn't get to our cars so we were all calling for rides and hoping on trax. Very random and fun. Oh, I never did hear the conclusion of the "suspicious bag." It's contents must not have been too interesting.

This is what I have been working on the past little while....

Doing lots of lashes and recently did a mini photo shoot so I could have some pictures to work with. I plan on doing 2 other shoots with very different eyes and styles so I'll have a lot to show. It's been fun to do them, style the model and practice some more photography.

Phils been doing good. He's can pull doors open if they aren't shut tight and he's learning how to "Get 'em!" (bark really loud) and roll over. So smart. He still poops on the grass though. The grass has never been so green... or brown.

married in june

This happy girl is Shari. She is one of my best friends and she got married this week!

Shari married Nate in the Draper Temple. It was a lovely ceremony.

They are SO happy to be together.

I am so lucky because she asked me to be a bridesmaid!! It was so fun. I got to wear a pretty dress and hang out with these fun girls all day.

(me, Nichelle (we are also good friends from Cosmo school), Shari, Staci (Sharis sis) and Andi (Sharis BFF)

This whole day was SO beautiful. From her pretty dress, (and my pretty dress), the reception center, the cake all the way to the yummy deserts from Kneaders Bakery!

Thanks for letting me share in your special day Shari and Nate! I'm so happy for you two.

Reunited and it feels so good

I got to see a lot of people this weekend that I hadn't seen in a very long time. The two I was most excited about seeing were Cam and Easton! I nannied these boys for 2 years. It's crazy to think I met them when there were 4 and 5. Now they are 10 and 12!

They were super cute and easy kids to watch after. They are still just as sweet, but a lot smarter and funnier. Some of the things that came out of their mouths just cracked us up.

I got to see them because my good friend Trish got married. She nannied them for a bit after I moved and got married so they are really close with her too.

It was fun to get together as friends at the wedding and catch up with each other. Sometimes you'd think that when you don't see someone for a long time its going to be awkward to see them again. Not with these girls. It's so nice to just sit down and laugh with them.

Isn't Trish a stunning bride!? I'm so happy she married Kurt.. they will make such cute babies.

She asked me to be a bridesmaid... kind of. She asked me to dress in the wedding colors "for pictures." When I got there I was handed a bouquet and told I was going to walk down the isle. WHAT?! It turned out just fine. Besides, I had a really good view from up standing up front.

come everyone

I have a new job!! I'm still working at the court.. this is just my part time job in the evenings and weekends. I'll be doing Lash Extensions, waxing, glitter toes, bling strands and feather extensions.... things like that at this location.. and still doing hair on the side at home. So come see me at Blissfuleigh Iced and Blissful Eye Bar! 2100 So 28 East, Salt Lake City, Utah.

We are holding a Grand Opening the last 2 weeks of June. JUNE 20th - JULY 2nd! There are going to be lots of drawings and prizes and the best thing is that we will be offering FULL LASH SETS FOR $40! That is over $60 off. Those two weeks only. July 5th prices go back to normal.
So girls.. lets get to it. Call me, text me or whatever and lets get you glamorous! If you've wanted to try it but it was too expensive now is your time. I'm only cutting the price.. the quality and amount of lashes stays the same. Plus the offer of 2 referrals and get a free fill is still the same.. If you refer 2 friends who get lashes at any time, you get a free fill.. thats another $35+ off! Win, win!

Hope you blog followers take advantage of this great deal and support me. I have booth rent to pay.

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Orrin was an amazing researcher and found us a smokin deal to Mexico! We drove to Vegas to fly out that morning. We got there a little too early. We were the ONLY ones in that terminal for at least 45 minutes. Sooo tired.

Once we got to Mexico it was FABULOUS. We had a shuttle take us out to our Hotel. Our rooms were literally a 2 minute walk from room to water! The view was spectacular and I couldn't believe the blues we were seeing in the ocean.

Day 1 was spent at the beach and walking around down town Play Del Carmen. We ate a Rompope (yummy rum flavored ice pop) and I bought I sliver-ish bracelet.

Day 2 we went on our first excursion with Edventure Tours. Highly recommend them. Our Guide Gill (pronounced Hill) was great and so fun. Highly recommend him too. We went to Tulum (we didn't have a guide here and if you go, we suggest you have one) and it was stunning. I could have lived right in that spot the rest of my life.

Our next stop was some zip lines and canooing across a little lake. This is an area where the Myan people live and work. They are tiny little people but so nice. Orrin liked talking with them more than the Mexicans because they were so nice.

We went snorkeling at Dos Ojos (Two Eyes) a water cave. We were able to see and swim among all the rock formations and it was awesome.

Our next stop was Akumal. I'd love to vacation there next time rather than Play Del Carmen, it was beautiful! We got to swim out in the ocean and see the sea turtles and a Yellow Ray.

Our last stop was Yalku. It is a natural aquarium where the fresh water meets the salt water. There were a lot of really neat fish there. If the water gets mixed up too much it creates a weird oil and makes it hard to see. This whole trip was SO FUN.

Day 3 was spent at the beach again! We walked about a mile down the shore to look at crabs and pick up shells. Later that day we took a little walk down the road to a shopping center. Way overpriced. I couldn't believe it was $30 for a thing of sun block! if you wanted a higher SPF you'd pay $5 more! So lame.. but if you needed it you had to pay and they knew that.

Day 4 we went on another excursion. This one was an LDS tour of Chichen-Itza and Coba. Our guide was Helaman and he picked us up in his little van. About 30 minutes into the drive he started his presentation. He had pictures to reference and even a microphone hooked up to the speakers so we could hear him in the back. It was important that he gave us all this history and information on the way there so that we could understand what we were looking at and not have to take as much time while we were there.

It was amazing how many similarities there are to the LDS church and all that they had built and symbolized at these neat temples. Some of the things were the walls surrounding the temples. There was a Telestial and Celestial wall. Everyone lived within the Telestial and only the priest and the temples were among the Celestial. They had lots of ways they did sacrifices and there was even a baptismal font. Really neat.

So that is our very brief recap of the fun time we had in MEXICO!!

updated events

Since school has been over it's been SO nice. However, I haven't had as much down time as I thought I would. I've spent quite a few evenings at the gym with Orrin and his boys. We are so hardcore. I have been doing quite a bit with my photography the past couple months. I shot my friends engagements and then a wedding down in St George and I shot another wedding this past Saturday in SLC. Lots of picture taking and lots of editing! Speaking of.. stay tuned for a neat project I've been working on!


Orrin had a one week break in between Spring and Summer Semester. We spent that time in MEXICO! It was SO nice. Orrins Parents and his sister and her husband went down too. It was so much fun to have them there. It was perfect. We got to go snorkeling in caves and the ocean, we went to Chichen-Itza, Coba and Tulum. We spent two full days on the beach soaking up the fabulous Mexico rays. (See Mexico Post to Follow)

Memorial Weekend I ditched Orrin and went down to Saint George all by myself. It was such a fun trip. I spent Friday night at my sisters place in Cedar. We had a girls night where I did glitter toes and waxing on all her friends. I didn't go to bed until 3 am. That hasn't happened in YEARS. The next morning we went out to the air port where one of her room mates works and I took room mate pictures! They are all such fun girls.

There was a Holt Reunion that afternoon in Cedar, we ate our food and left. Holt reunions are fun when its Thanksgiving.. this one was just a bunch of old people... snooze. My mom really enjoyed it though! haha
I got to spend that whole day with my adorable nephews. We went swimming, watched Pinochio and ate lots of Popcorn.
Monday we did the traditional events. We drove up to Enterprise and weeded the Holt Cemetery. So much June grass.. my poor hands ached. It was fun to spend time with cousins though. We were hoping to go swimming at Veyo and eat some pronno pups but the dang weather was too chilly. It was a busy but fun weekend!



My biggest news in life is that I finally am going to do a little something with my cosmetology knowledge! I've had a nice break but Orrins threatened me that if I don't do anything with my license then..he'll be mad.

So I interviewed for a booth renting position at Blissfuleigh Iced. It's a lash extension salon on 2100 So in SLC. I'll share a room with another girl but have my own space and hopefully get some clientele! It's right next to the Skin Science School so we're hoping to get a lot of those students and clients over to our place. I sign contracts and everything on the 13th and can start anytime after that. I'll be able to offer glitter toes, waxing, bling strands and things like that. Theres not a sink or anything so I can't really do hair there but I'll still do that on the side at home.

the time has come

I have completed my 2000 hours! I actually completed more than 2000 hours.
Last night I went into the lady who is over our hours for school and asked if I was on track to finish by the end of this week. She punched in my time into her computer and said, "You re done." I am DONE! I can't believe it. 2 years and 3 months. 2000 hours. 6 1/2 semesters of school. I'm finished. whew.

Now, it's time to help get my teacher on track (shes a real gem) and schedule my exits. We have to take a mock state board to graduate from the program. Once I pass that, I go to the state and take the exams. I have a written and a practical. Nervous for both but hear I shouldn't be. I asked my teacher if she would write me a reference letter for jobs. She said "You wont need one. All you have to do is tell them you went to SLCC and they will know you were trained well." we will see I guess.

I can't believe it's time for me to get a resume and cover letters together. However, I'm not about to quit my job at the court. Its full time, secure and has benefits. So, I need to find a salon within 20 minutes of Down Town SLC that is open late so I can work part time in the evenings. Anyone have any ideas for me!?

Can't wait to have a little break before I start up working.

Now that school is over, I'm going to enjoy:

Working at 8 rather than 7:30 every day
Going to the Gym
Playing with my puppy
Cuddling with my hubby
Keeping my house in order
Having some ME time
Getting to bed before 11:00

Just to name a few.

most of all, I do NOT have to go to school today!

i'm back....

I've been asked by a few of you for an update for entertainment or just to keep tabs on the happenings of the Lemons. Sorry to tell you this won't be very exciting! I guess I left off after October. So I'll pick up in November:

Thanksgiving in STG this year. Here we are. 100+ members of the Holt clan. This year was a lot of fun.

As we were driving back to SLC Sunday we didn't get very far. The roads were closed even before Cedar and we heard they were much worse the further north we got. We decided to turn around and spend another night in STG. I was a worry bug because that Monday I was supposed to start my new job and the SLC Court. (I transferred from West Jordan to SLC). Luckily, Mr Hulet was able to look up State Employees and got me my bosses phone number and I was able to call and explain. Didn't start out on a good foot but I'm a great worker so I'm sure she's been able to look past that day!

December we finally got a break from school. It was such a needed break after that long semester. I think it was Orrins hardest semester. Christmas was spent in Ferron with the Lemons.

After a full day of laying around the house, we decided to get up and do a little Christmas Zumba. Laurel, Orrins sister, is a certified instructor and taught all the girls a little Zumba fun at the church Christmas night. It was the start of a fun tradition.

Christmas was great with little kids around.. but especially fun with Laurel.

She got so excited over all her new toys.

New Years was in St George:

If you are a frequent traveler of the State of Utah you will know how out of control Utah Country traffic and roads are. We usually HATE driving through Utah county and now we hate it even more. The week before on our way to Ferron for Christmas we were in construction for an hour while they fixed pot holes. Turns out, they didn't quite fix the problem. We hit one, blew a tire and ended up needing to get new tires. Oh what fun.

I didn't let our rough journey stop me from having fun while I was there. On the way down I was taking to Orrin about my old dancing days. So when I got home I dug into our old costume boxes and what did I find....

It's a beaut isn't it?

We spent New Years with our friends the Hulets. They sure know how to Party.

I spent lots of time with my lovely nephews playing their new Wii and playing their new dance game. I couldn't get Avrils "Girlfriend" song out of my head for the rest of the trip.

Sunday we dressed up and went to Church like good Mormons do. However we weren't so good because we skipped out before the closing prayer.

I decided it was a perfect opportunity for some Larson Girl Pictures.

It was prime time for a couple picture, you can see how well that one turned out.

I took a lash Extension course back in November. Practiced a lot then certified! Woot. I'm now a Lash Extension Specialist. So if you're ever in the need you know who to call.

The last weekend of January I ditched Orrin and went to Long Beach for a big Cosmetology Convention. It was So much fun and So warm there. We were able to wear Spring time clothes most of the time we were there.

I got my hair cut by a "Celebrity Stylist" He was funny and gave us a lot of free goodies.

These are a few of my school friends who went out. It was a fun little getaway.

In other news:

I am 125 hours away from finishing school. I will be FINISHED before the end of March. It is going to be so fabulous. I am super nervous to go out and get a job because I just don't feel ready.. but 2000 hours is a lot so I better get ready in my last 100. It's time to start applying at Salons!

Orrin made the Deans list at school. He's such a smarty pants and loving school. Its super hard but he and his buddy Hector study together about every day and are staying ahead of the class with homework and labs. Even with work and school he still manages to find time for the gym.

Phil is an escape artist. He has learned that he can pull the gate open and get out to freedom. It's a good thing there are honest, animal loving people out there. Orrin said the last time he went to find Phil he found him in the middle of an arrest. 4 cops had their cars pulled into each other and were arresting some guy and there was Phil, jumping up and down in the middle of the commotion hoping to get some attention.

We scheduled a vacation! We're going to MEXICO in MAY! Orrin did a lot of research and found us a smokin' deal. Seriously smokin'. $1,150 for BOTH of us to an all inclusive resort, flights and transportation to and from airport while in Mexico included. I have my packing list already complete: Sun glasses, sun block, swim suit and sun hat. Done and done. I guess I might want to throw in a tooth brush. SO excited. We have worked so hard and are so tired its the perfect time for a little break.

There you have it. Wish me luck on State Boards.. maybe there will be a celebratory post after March!

Since I've been gone.

First off, I think I forgot to show you this little beauty! Orrin got it for me for our 3 year anniversary! Super sweet huh? Sweet until you hear the contingencies of what I had to do to get it! haha. I had to shampoo his car, sew buttons on this pillow and attend the Olympia expo. ... I may have had to patch some pants in there too. But it's SO pretty and I love it.

Orrins little brother got married in October. We went down and I photographed the wedding. It was a perfect day for lots of family pictures!! here is the happy couple below.

Here is the Lemon Family I thin this is one of the better of the pictures..

But we did get one nice one with everyone looking (with the exception of Baby Dax)! It's amazing someone wasn't blinking.

Here is all the Lemon girls (minus the newest member)

And all the lemon boys...and a Thomas, but really, he took on Laurels last name so he's a Lemon too.

And the Original Lemons doing what they do best! I love that Weston is laughing in this picture because it fits his personality better than being a grump.

Perfect pic for Christmas Cards???

This is the first Halloween since we've been married that we dressed up! We were shopping for shirts for Orrin at Ross and cam across that v-neck gem.. That is what sparked the idea..

I made the berets and scarfs. and I think they turned out perfect! We went to support our stakes Trunk or Treat (Yes, we do it for our Stake because of the size of wards we have in our neighborhood). When we were passing out candy some little kid says to Orrin " Wow, look at those muscles. Do you have a six pack!? Can we see it!" Orrin felt a little awkward showing the kids his muscles in the church so he let them feel his bicep instead. haha! Totally made his night thats for sure!!

Wouldn't be a post unless we updated about our Philbert Richard Gere Lemon!

He's been pretty naughty lately. Since I started my new job at the Court I haven'b been able to come home for lunch. We bought one of those sliding glass door inserts with the doggie door in it. Best thing EVER! We started letting him have free reign of the house while we were gone. With exception of the bathroom and you can see why below! He LOVES that trash can. One morning Orrin let him out and when I woke up i found trash EVERYWHERE. this is his "I know I did it but I couldn't help myself, please dont be mad at me!" look. Notice his ears are back.. he does that every time he does something wrong.

Orrin in the dog house. Literally. He wanted to see if he could fit and Phil was NOT having it. Phil was biting at his ears and barking at him to get out!

In other news.. Since I didn't have to work today I decided to be domestic! I made chicken noodle soup and made bread that actually raised, baked and looked like good bread in the end!!! I have 3 loafs that are super big but its better that they are big than flat little nothings I usually get!

We are SOOOO ready for this semester to be over. it has been so dang hard, stressful and exhausting. Only 1 month left. we can do it, we can do it...

So my job at the court has only been a temp job.. I was super nervous that I would get a permanent job but i got one last week! I'm excited but I have to switch court houses. It's okay though because the one I'll be working at is closer to home. I'll have a different job but I think it will be better for a little while. At least I have the stability and security!! 3 days after I got the new job, I was told they extended all the temp jobs until june! I was kind of upset to hear that because I would have loved to stay where I am, but it still would have only been a temporary job. But by that time I would be done with school and I would have had longer time to look for a permanent job rather than taking the first offer that came along. But I'm lucky and we're super happy to have the health insurance for the first time in 3 years!!

it's been so long.

It's been FOREVER since I have made a post. So here it is.. catch up!

If I didn't mention it.. I got a new job! I was more happy than sad to leave my old one.. but here is a picture of me and most of the Firm on my last day.



Orrins little brother is super tall and super skinny. He's been working out so the boys decided to have a leg muscle competition.

We went to the Zoo with Orrins sister and her husband. it was fun to see the animals but there really weren't as many as we were hoping. It was fun to go though.

Zuri the baby elephant was my favorite. I'm surprised how small she still is even though she's a year old. She was being so cute playing in the mud and with her rubber ball. The bottoms of her feet were weird.. they were orange and looked real soft and spongy.

September 22nd was our 3 year anniversary! We got a Groupon to Christopher's Seafood and Stake House. It's downtown on 3rd south. It was fun to go somewhere fancy and not have to pay full price! We sat next to a couple who was celebrating their 23rd anniversary. That was kind of fun.

Phil is fun. I bought him a shirt when we were down in STG. He loves it! He doesn't care one bit when we put it on him. I think he feels like a person when he wears it so that is why he likes it so much.
Super Phil! He got his blanket caught on his collar and couldn't get it off.

We went down to Olympia again this year. Orrin was having so much fun meeting all the body builders. I bet he took this picture of this guys legs because he want's his to look like that. Gross, I know.


After Olympia I got to spend some time with my family. We went up to the Mountain to see the new cabin my parents are building. It's so nice! Growing up we used to stay in a 1 room shack! It had bunk beds 3 high.. and another bunk over the queen bed. There were just enough beds, with the cot for our whole family. No bathroom.. just an out house.. So not fun when it was cold out.
So now... were going to have running water and 3 bathrooms with showers! Ahhh the luxuries.




It was fun to ride around on the new 4 wheelers and check out the scenery. Phil was running along but he wore out real quick and jumped up for a ride. It's funny when he gets running really fast and we forget about the cattle guards! His poor little feet get caught and he totally biffs it. he's a champ though and picks himself up and keeps running.


So thats about it.. I like my new job.. I get paid more and I get insurance so I can't complain about that. We're both still super busy with work and school. Orrins spends about 4-5 hours a day on homework. He's a champ. Our weekends are priceless.. We get to sleep and spend time together.
I'm taking a lash extension class at the end of the month. I'm excited about that and hope I can find a good clientele.. maybe with that I can cut back to Part time work and do that on the side. so if anyone is interested give me a call in November!!
I have been doing a little more photography. Took my brother in laws engagement photos and some pictures of my sister last weekend. Go check it out here