Rock Climbing with Dad!

So, if you didn't already know from my last Father's Day post, I have the coolest Dad!  He took me rock climbing this weekend in West Virginia and it was a blast!  Probably one of the most terrifying things I've done, but definitely something I want to do again!

This was at the very beginning of our climb.  I was always testing my equipment to remind myself that I was securely attached to that via ferrata.  

This was my "holy crap Dad I'm going to kill you for taking me on this trip look."  We were going smooth until we turned around a corner and there was NOTHING!  I didn't realize just how high we were until that moment.  My palms still get sweaty thinking about it... 

This was the bridge! It was definitely scary, but not unbearable.  You can't tell but the pieces of wood are actually about a foot apart and only a couple inches wide. 

Our tour guide Tony was awesome!! 

After hours of climbing, the view was totally worth it. West Virginia is beautiful! 

Before making the trip home we found a swimming hole.  It was so refreshing and so pretty!

I'm so glad I got to go on another adventure before I leave for the Philippines!! It was such a neat day to be able to really conquer my fears and do things I wasn't sure I could do.  The whole time I kept thinking about my mission.  Even though it's going to be terrifying and I'll be doing things I never knew I could do, it will be such a sweet and rewarding experience.  Just as I was really relying on my equipment, I'll have Jesus Christ to back me up the every step of the way (:

Life is good when I'm rock climbing with Dad!

Happy Fathers Day, Daddy-O!

Here is a great and easy idea for any father's day/mother's day gift!! Pull out a recipe card and make a recipe for the perfect Dad!  Mine was specific to my rockin Dad- hard working, silly, intelligent, athletic, pazazz, and LOVE!  

I then found tons of fun little gifts that fit the recipe at world market! Each ingredient had a matching gift. The silly straw was his favorite (: 

Man do I love my Dad!! When I was younger I used to think that I was exactly like my mom, but as I have gotten older I have realized that I am actually a ton like my dad, and I am so glad!!  He is such a great example to me.  He loves literally everyone around him.  Like the other day we were out playing tennis, and he stopped playing with me and Nathan to help out the people next to us and give them some tips.  Even though he had never met them, he acted like he'd known them for years!  He has worked so hard his whole life to provide so much for me.  I cannot tell you how thankful I am for the extra work he has always put in so that I could have the opportunities that I do.  I really do feel like I am the luckiest girl around! I love you Dad (:

Life is good on Father's Day!

Beautiful North Carolina!

We had a fantastic finish to our trip in North Carolina!  Haley and Sharon Lockwood came to stay with us and we had so much fun!!

 So tennis really is in our blood! Grandpa Lockwood played tennis and so do all of his grandchildren! Go Team Lockwood!!

We went to a fort just south of where we stayed called Fort Macom. 

Ahh, North Carolina is SO BEAUTIFUL!  We went for a little hike through a trail.  I loved it. 

And of course, we did lots of swimming!

I have decided that I want to live either in California or one of the Carolina's when I grow up.  North Carolina was so beautiful and we had so much fun as a family.  It's weird to think that I might not have too many more vacations with my family.  I for sure won't have any for the next 18 months!  I'm so blessed to have such great brothers and parents.  We're always having so much fun together and I don't know what I'd do without them!!

Life is good in North Carolina!

The Lockwoods hit the beach!

The Lockwoods have officially hit Atlantic Beach, North Carolina! We are having tons of fun filled with swimming, junk food, sand, sunburns, and lots of laughing. 

We went deep sea fishing! I must admit, I didn't actually catch this fish.  Lol, I just asked the people if I could have a picture with it.  But I did catch like 10 mid sized fish! And Dad caught a shark! Woo!

My tan lines after the day of fishing in modest clothes were oh so lovely. 

Me and T.J. rockin the goggles night swimming!!

I really wanted to get family pictures as the sun was setting.  It was SO WINDY! And my brothers are not exactly a fan of pictures… But I think we ended up with some really good ones! Me Nathan and TJ are all approximately the same height.  Sometimes I seriously think we look like triplets.  

I just feel so blessed to have such an amazing family!  They really do double as my best friends.  We are always laughing and no matter what you're wanting to do that day, someone is always down for an adventure.

Life is good at the beach!

Happy Birthday T.J.!

My baby brother is 13!! Isn't that absolutely nuts?? He's almost taller than I am too. I seriously just want to shrink him up back into the little boy he used to be.  Even though he's my younger brother, I look up to him so much.  He has always been such an example to me of hard work, kindness, thoughtfulness and diligence. 

I remember when he was probably 5 years old I went outside and saw him sprinting down the street and into our yard where he fell, completely out of breath, into our lawn.  When I asked him what he was doing he quickly replied, "exercising!".  He then continued to get back up and sprint down our street a little ways before turning around and coming back to his place on the lawn.  He also reads his scriptures every single night and is always trying to choose the right.  But the best part about him is that even though he's the most righteous 13 year old you'll come across, he's always cracking jokes.  He quotes lines from movies in tense situations, and is always making me smile and laugh.  

I wove my wittle chee chay!  I'm so proud of him and all the he has already become.  Happy Birthday, bro!

Life is good for T.J.!

Happy Mother's Day!

I know it's a few days past Mother's day, but I just had to share this DIY picture that is an awesome gift for Moms Dads and Grandparents!  All it takes is the cutting of a white poster board, a tripod (or latter in my case (;), and a camera! I just took the pictures to wal-mart, made one of their posters, put it in a frame, and ta da!

I know that everyone says that they have the greatest mom in the world, but Laura Lockwood is actually the real one. She is my role model, my rock, my shoulder to cry on, my fashion advisor, my spiritual guide, and my very best friend.  Since going off to college and spending time away from my amazing mother, I've realized how much I want to emulate her.  She is so tender and kind to those around her.  She is hard working and motivated.  She's the greatest Mom ever and I hope I can be as great as her when I grow up!! 

Life is good on Mother's Day.

I love to see the temple.

I had the wonderful opportunity to go through the temple for the first time this Saturday!! I went to St. Louis where my Aunt J lives. My grandparents were also able to come from Texas.  It was such a neat experience.  I felt such peace and a presence of the spirit.  I know what it means to really escape from the world inside!  I am so thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.  It brings me blessings and happiness every single day!

Life is good at the temple!

Back in the 330!

As sad as I am to admit it, I am home in Wadsworth! I'm trying to make the best out of it and have a good time before I leave for the Philippines!

These are my girlfriends at home!! They are always jumpin on my trampoline or coming over to see if I want to play (:  They make my days so much brighter! I love Samantha, Mazie, Kenzie, and Hannah!

My first weekend home I took Trev on a date! We went and played put put golf with Nathan and his date and ate ice cream after. 

NATHAN IS A BRONZE MEDAL CHAMPION! I am SO HAPPY that I got home in time to watch this awesome doubles team play. 

And, to help with my oh so lonely nights, these guys are always down to party on google chat!  We have a constant group Facebook message going so I don't have to miss them too much.  We even still have crazy dance parties and make pinky promises over our online chat sessions, so the 2,000 miles or so doesn't seem quite as far.  I still feel so blessed to have made such an amazing group of friends freshman year.  2 years ain't got nothin on this crew!

It's been kind of a hard transition coming from Provo back home to Wadsworth, but I'm making the best of it!  Only 74 days until I report to the MTC in Manila! I'm starting to try to do more and more to prepare.  I go to St. Louis this weekend to go to the temple! I am so anxious and excited.  Brooke is also getting baptized so it's a big weekend ahead!

Life is good when you're at home!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

This old man turns a whoppin 50 years old toady!  Happy birthday to the greatest Dad out there!  I have so many wonderful memories with him. From teaching me (and the entire neighborhood) how to ride a bike, to watching Recess, to taking me out to play tennis, to all of the stake dances growing up, to our trip to Belize together, and all the little memories in between.  My dad has taught me what it means to truly care about people, and how to make light of any situation.  If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be the person that I am today.  I know that me and my dad have had a lot to learn from each other.  There's been many times when we have had our differences, but now he's become one of my favorite people in the whole world.  He's one of my very best friends.  I admire his example in my life, and am so thankful for everything that I have learned and gained by being his daughter.

Happy Birthday, Daddy-O I love you!

Life is good because of my Dad.