CECRET LAKE

I heard about a sweet hike to Cecret Lake in Alta, UT, from my friend Heidi and I had to go.

 There are 120 varieties of wildflowers in this area that can be seen blooming for only about 2 months out of the year.

 My goal: to see some flowers.

Mission: accomplished.

 If you continue on the trail for a short 3/4 mile, you get to Cecret Lake.

It is small, but well worth the short walk.

 While we were there, we saw a moose, swimming salamanders, and little furry animals like the guy pictured below.

 It is a must hike in summer months if you are in Utah.

This is the moment on the car ride home when you realize you are singing along to a Taylor Swift song and aren't embarrassed by the fact. Ugh that last album of hers...

INSTAGRAM

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Feel free to follow me at deannalw47.

WALLS

But you got a heart so big

It could crush this town

And I can't hold out forever

Even walls fall down

-Tom Petty ~ Walls (Circus)

I am obsessed with cool walls lately.

There are lots around Provo

especially on Center Street.

 I might have even recently driven an hour to Ogden

 just to take a photo or two by this wall.

And some things are over

Some things go on

And part of me you carry

Part of me is gone.

#SHAREACOKE

I've been driving through the canyons a lot lately and seeing trees with initials cared in them.

You might think this is romantic, but I would be wondering why the person I was on a date with had a knife. 

It might be safer to share a coke.

Don't be fooled...I hardly ever find things with my name on them. This one was special ordered.

ANT MAN Movie

Marvel's new film Ant Man is being released in theaters tomorrow - July 17.

What does the best auntie in the world do? She takes her niece and nephews to a special screening of the film so they can see it before all of their friends.

We all LOVED the movie. It was super funny. Be prepared to laugh a lot. Marvel/Disney did a great job with this new character. Just a tip: there are two special scenes after the movie. One is in the middle of the credits and the other is at the very end. You'll want to stay for both.

To help get you excited for to see this show, I have attached some printable Ant Man movie activity sheets.

EARPHONES

I have been killing it at the gym lately. (That's how I'm supposed to say it, right?!) Ahem. Anyway, I recently spent a couple days with a friend who needed some company due to an injury. We watched a bit of Netflix. Well, maybe I watched and he slept. Either way, I discovered an awesome show called The Killing. I showed up to the gym the other night without earphones and told my friend Neil at the counter that I had to go home to get them and come back. He replied with, "Deanna, you know you can workout with earphones..." and he even offered to let me use a pair out of the gym lost and found. Ew! BUT I CAN'T. I had to go home to get my FSL Xylem earphones so I could watch that show. It's my best motivation yet. I also couldn't use cheap headphones and miss sounds. Seriously, these premium quality wooden earphones aren't just super pretty, they have the best sound. The wooden chamber of the FSL Xylem is designed to specifically reflect bass frequencies and absorb high frequencies. I'm not a scientist, so I'll just tell you that I can hear perfectly in both ears and the buds are made to fit and stay in my ears even while I move around.

The earphones are compatible to work with all audio devices that have a 3.5mm socket - that means just about anything portable like your smartphone, tablet, iPod, etc. They come in a handy, carrying case and are sold with a 3 year warranty and support for the lifetime of the product. I love it when a company stands by their products. Anyway, back to the sweat and the next episode. 

Exercise on!

#FSLXylem

I LOVE SUMMER

I love summer. When else can you have a week full of

disc golf in the park

(first timer)

shark week

(or something like unto it)

road trips to the Uintas to take photographs

(but really just enjoying the food at the best of state 2015 restaurants in town. UGH. My head says Victoria's Secret model, but my heart says scones, burgers, and pizza.)

 fun at nearby lakes

outdoor concerts

and gorgeous sunsets. Keep the fun coming!

JULY 4

I have missed a handful of 4th of July celebrations over the last 8 years so you can imagine how excited I was to be in America for this year's festivities. 

 Day-Z was super excited too.

The city of Provo celebrates with amazing events for days leading up to the fourth.

 They launch hot air balloons in the morning,

had WWII Candy Bomber hero do his final candy drop for the children over Scera Park,

parades, rooftop concerts, contests, carnivals, and the finale event 

 the Stadium of Fire.

 This event was full of cool dancers,

 diet coke and mentos explosion shows,

 a concert by Journey, 

 and, of course, 

 lots of amazing fireworks.

There ain't no doubt I love this land!

Happy birthday, America.

CANDY BOMBER

Have I mentioned that I am SO exited to be in the USA for the 4th of July?! Provo has been killing it with the festivities this year. I truly believe I am in the best city, in the best state, in the best country in the world this year to celebrate.

This year they are showcasing the best story of chocolate, bubble gum, and hope you will ever encounter. It is the story of Gail Halvorsen, a WWII hero known as the candy bomber.

 He will be doing his last candy drop in Orem over the Scera Park on July 3. It will be an event to remember and I am so excited to be a part of it.

If you don't know who he is, google his story. Be prepared for your heart to melt with happiness and love in knowing that there are good people in the world. You can also check his story out in the Meet the Mormons movie.