"C'mon Picasso had babies well into his seventies!"

Thanks to Anna Campbell for making this video of Morgan and I. 

I sure do miss this little nigglet.

"Hey there pizza face, whats up!"

Welp kids this is Morgan reporting from the land of trees, Gatlinburg Tennessee. School is out and the inseparable cousins have been separated for the summer. I was recently thinking about all of the amazing things we managed to do this school year; camped out for the BYU game in sub zero temperatures, appeared on the BBC thanks to Chad Hogan, stood in line for 2 hours for free Cafe Rio, sledded down old main hill, were brides maids for the wonderful Janey Feller, rode in a limo, shot shotguns, oh and lets not forget that we BOTH PASSED ANATOMY! This lead me to realize two things one, we don't blog enough and two, we are pretty much a big deal.

Well I just wanted to go ahead and give a little run down on what I'm doing over here in the Smoky Mountains. This summer I am working for C.L.I.M.B Works Canopy a zip line tour nestled right up to the nation forest. I have been here a whooping three days and I am already head over heels in love with the place. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, needs to see this part of the country in there lifetime, preferable from a zip line. I have learned so much in these three days, about trees, mountains, harnesses, Polaris's, trees, zip lines, repealing, knots, chiggers, and more trees. I already know more about the Smoky Mountains then I do the Rockies, get this, if you took all of the salamanders and all of the bears in the Smoky's and weighed them the salamanders would out weigh the bears, say what, its true!

Next week I'll make sure to bring my camera along on some tours and get shots to post because I will never be able to put into words how green it is here.

 For now this picture of the creek near my apartment will have to do. 

And I would also like to throw in a side note that on the 2nd of May Em asked me, "Is today Cinco De Mayo? Did I miss it? Oh wait no its on the 4th!" Silly Emily.

mmmerica!

It's true. We did it. We went to California by ourselves. Best spring break ever.

Day One-Travel

Emily and myself attended a 9am farewell. I was so antsy the entire time, I literally pushed Emily out the chapel doors, no time for chit chat we had places to go. We then picked up the one and only Alyssa Marie Benson and we were on our way. With our handy GPS to guide us we set out on one heck of an adventure.

The drive was fairly uneventful until we passed through St. George. That's when we ran into these geeks.

I couldn't resist once I saw their car, I started waving at them like a manic from the backseat. Gimmie a break, it was a long drive and I was bored. Boy oh boy did they instantly love us. Who knows how long they drove by our side, oh wait I do, too dang long! Despite our attempts to shake them they kept right with us, all the while this bozo was sticking his head out the sunroof.

Alright, and maybe I stuck my head out our sunroof a couple times too, remember this is a 11 hour drive, I was bored. Sometime before the California boarder we lost them, shortly after the California boarder we got stuck in stand still traffic for 2 hours. This might sound terrible, but nay, two hour traffic simply equals a two hour dance party. Just like that we threw the car in park opened the doors and cranked the speakers. Thus began the theme of our trip, "Dancing through California." Our dance moves attracted a car full of boys parked next to us. Turns out they were jujitsu competitors on their way home to LA from a tournament in Vegas. We chatted with them for a bit and had them show us their best moves. Just as we ran out of things to say to them and it started getting awkward traffic started moving. Perfect. After that is was smooth sailing all the way to Orange County. OC is where we had our fist encounter with a toll road. Seriously? Those things suck, a lot. None of us had ever seen a toll road before, and it was late, and it was dark, and we didn't have cash, so we flew through the Fastpass lane. Like magic, real hard core Harry Potter magic, the GPS took us right to our wonderful, fantastic, funny, kind, gracious cousin Jenny's house. Now lets just take a second and talk about how this whole trip could not have happened with out Jenny. She was kind enough to let the three of us stay at her house for the entirety of our trip. We could not be more grateful! Not only did she provide us room and board but she let us in on a bunch of fantastic places to go that lead to some great adventures. Jenny and her family are THEE greatest!

Day Two- Santa Monica

You better believe we slept in. Once we woke up, we gawked at the green grass, lime tree, orange tree, AND avocado tree in Jenny's backyard. Honestly? What kind of alternate universe were we in where you could grow your own avocados? Once the shock wore off we turned our faith over to the GPS again and ended up at the Santa Monica Pier.

The beach, the ocean, the sun, the crazies, we were in heaven. We laid out on the beach for a bit, splashed in the water, and chased a few seagulls. As we walked through the parking lot heading to the pier we spotted the unbelievable.

How? Honestly, what were the chances? Math and Science would probably say one in a bazillion, probably. Okay, but Santa Monica is a big place so we for sure were not going to run into them. Ya right. As we were walking around on the pier checking out the spot were the one and only Phil Dunphy took his first class at trapeze school Alyssa suddenly, and rapidly, starts whispering, "That's them, that's them, that's them." Act cool they WILL NOT recognize us. Instantly we hear hushed voices behind us saying, "Is that them? Is that those girls? I swear that is them!" We high tailed it out of there. No way were we going to deal with that, no way. We wondered around the pier for a bit more and then winded up at muscle beach. I had spring fever and a sudden shot of confidence that lead me to believe I could climb the rope, swing from the rings, and master the parallel bars. I was terribly wrong. But the three of us sure had a good time messing around on the gymnastics equipment. On the way outa town we left the geeks a little note asking them to stop following us.

Later that night we took a stroll around Jenny's neighborhood. Lots of cars honked at us, Emily got the honks, and we took some cool pictures.

Day Three- Ellen / Sunset Beach
We wanted to be on the Ellen show so bad. We somehow got it in our heads that even though we didn't have tickets if we just showed up we could talk our way onto the show. Well we didn't talk our way onto the show but we did talk our way into the parking garage. Yes yes I know you are all amazed that we talked our way into free parking, we were pretty jazzed about it too. We waited outside the Ellen Show in the "Standby Ticket" line even though we had no such tickets. After about on hour some official looking Ellen person told us we had no chance of getting in. Crushed and heartbroken we drove to Sunset beach. I think what really turned this day around was when we saw there was a Jack in the Box at Sunset beach. If there is one thing that Emily loves it is tacos. You may not know but you can get two tacos at Jack in the Box for 99 cents. Emily went nuts. Alyssa and myself listened to some ridiculous Emily math as she tried to explain to us how much it would cost her to eat two tacos for every meal for a week. It reminded me a little of this video. But not that extreme, but still really funny. We had the beach to ourselves, it was glorious. We played in the water, danced, and worked on Emily's sunburn all day.

Day Four- Disneyland
I mean really do I even need to say any more? It was magic.

We woke up bright and early to get our moneys worth and I'll tell you what 16 hours later we sure had our moneys worth. When we got to Disneyland we meet up with Alyssa's friend Zac Flores and he became our personal tour guide. Turns out if you are a local and have a season pass you know your way around Disney like nobody's business! We named the ride we wanted to get on next and Zac directed us like we were a flock of Asian tourists. It was a beautiful day and the lines were surprisingly short, in fact we walked right on to Splash Mountain. Pure bliss.

Around two o'clock we hit a little speed bump. We were waiting in line for Goofy's Flight School and suddenly Emily and Alyssa turned into 6 year olds with heat stroke. I feared we weren't going to make it through the rest of the day. We headed to our car for our picnic lunch where I forced Emily to drink an entire bottle of water in hopes of saving our day of Disney. Within 10 minutes both Alyssa and Emily were sound asleep with no signs of waking up anytime soon. I got very scared. We had only been at Disneyland for half a day and these two were obviously done. I was petrified to wake them up in fear that they would only be more grumpy then they were when they fell asleep. So I did they only thing I could think to do, I turned off the AC and let the car quickly work its way up to a billion degrees. This is when we had a true Disneyland miracle. Although slightly groggy at first the heat woke both of them up and within minutes they had come full circle and were ready for the rest of the day. It was truly like they had been reborn. The second half of the day was great, we rode every ride and watched Emily chase Pluto down Main Street, what more could we ask for? Later in the day we had to decided whether we wanted to go to the parade or wait in line for Screamin California. Alyssa and myself both quickly said that we would much rather go on Screamin California, however when we said this you could visible see the effect it had on Emily. Alyssa and I exchanged a glance, worried that we were crushing Emily's inner child we were on the verge of changing our minds when Emily turned her head and looked up at the roller coaster in complete and utter fear. Emily could have cared less about the parade she was just using it as a way to get out of going on Screamin California. Well I will tell you what we saw right through her. We got her on that roller coaster and what do you know she loved it, typical. To end our night off right we watched the amazing firework show, rode Tower of Terror one last time, and watched Fantasmic. Disney really knows how to put on a show, incredible.

  Day Five- Laguna

For our last day on the sunny west coast we headed out to Laguna Beach.

It was a little chilly out so besides a flock of surfers we were the only ones at the beach. We spent a few hours mesmerized by the surfers, I'll tell ya what that is some amazing stuff . It didn't take long before these surfers started asking us questions about what we were doing and where we were from. They seemed to particularity like Alyssa.

We even had a few offer to show us around the city, maybe we should have let them, it would have made for one heck of a good story. After a full day at the beach Emily's legs were perfectly fired so we took off to dinner. We decided to try out Ruby's Diner because everyone told us we HAD to go there. We punched the address into the magic GPS and off we went.
"Turn left on Perry Avenue. Then board ferry."
Silence fell over the car followed by wait, what did that just say? So many people had recommend Ruby's to us yet not one had mentioned that we would need to take an auto ferry to get there, you would think that might be something you would tell three girls from Utah. Well the GPS hadn't failed us yet so we drove the car right on to that ferry and sure enough it took us across the sea to Ruby's.

The burgers were amazing, so delicious!

We could not get over the fact that we had taken a ferry to get there. Easily one of the best adventures of the week.
Day Six: Homeward Bound
We packed our bags early and said a tearful goodbye to sunny California. It was smooth sailing all the way to the Nevada border. That's were we stopped to ride Desperado at Buffalo Bills. Alyssa and I did all we could to get Em on it but she had rode it once before and there was no chance of getting her back on. Back in '96 Desperado was the worlds tallest, steepest, and fastest roller coaster, it was a rush, and a fantastic way to top off our trip.

And that folks is a wrap, 2269 miles later the journey was over.

Need to give a quick shout out to Jewelz and Nat, their incredible blog is where we discovered the song Speaks by Matt Pond. A shout out to Kendall Hawkins as well for introducing us to the song Can't Hold Us by Macklemore. I kid you not when I say we listened to these two songs nearly a hundred times on the trip, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Spring break 2012 will always be one of the greatest trips of my life.
Emily herself has put together a little video of our trip, it's a real keeper, enjoy

"Three words, treat yo self."

Awhile ago I blogged about how we like to treat ourselves. What we haven't blogged about however is how this semester we have taken the phrase "Treat yo self" to heart. Tuesday nights have become mini holidays at our apartment and have been named Treat Yo Self Tuesday. What this means is every Tuesday we clear our schedule ignore our homework and go out to eat and watch a movie. It's been an instant success. 

Half priced Tacos at Cafe Rio

 Buy one #1 get one free at Chick-Fil-A

 $5 all you can eat Pizza at Pizza Pie Cafe
They have Mac and "CHEESE" pizza

 

Free pancakes at IHOP on National Pancake Day

 

 

 Treat Yo Self Tuesday gets me through the week.
Look forward to a blog about the ultimate Treat Yo Self day, Tuesday March 13, DISNEYLAND!

"It's about time Benny, my clothes are goin' outa style."

Well Emily is sicky mcsick which means things are pretty quiet around here so I guess its time for a 'lil blog. I have once again been collecting texts, I've got a few more then last time but I think they are worth your time.

Remember the last text blog when Emily admitted to eating a pound of stocking candy in under 5 minutes?

"Here comes Salami Sam!"

My friend Mallory sent me this video in an email. It brought tears to my eyes because I was laughing so hard. Simply when he flashes the yellow card.

Happy Friday!

"And I was RUNNIN!"

I think Morgan says it best, "me and Emily are queens of the linger longer. First to the food, first out the door." Yesterday after church was a linger longer or as they call it in Amy's ward, "a cookie and a lookie," so disturbing. The ward meets in the gymnasium and you're suppose to eat and mingle with everyone. We are pro's at the eating, mingling not so much. The last time we went to one of these things all they had was granola bars, orange slices, and capri suns... "What are we at soccer practice?!" - Anna Campbell. We enter the gym and see that they have boxes of cereals, milk, chocolate milk, orange juice, monkey bread, and a bowl full of Valentine's candy for us. Morgan and I stake out the closest table to the food. Our method the closer you are to the food, equals first in line as soon as they say Amen. Before they say the prayer on the food our roommate informs us that she needs to be home soon to go to dinner at her boyfriend's parents. She asked if we could dine and dash, our response, "No problem!" Of course we are first in line, we had been eyeing the trix cereal beforehand but then once to the table I noticed there was reese's cups cereal, "Morgan there's reese's cereal!" "Grab it!" We ate that cereal in record time and at one point I found Morgan stuffing my dress pockets with candy. On our way out the door I turn to Morgan and tell her that I could really use a glass of orange juice and if she thinks it's at all possible for me to make it back in the crowd surrounding the food. She turned to me and said, "It's risky." I had very little time but I came out with flying colors and my glass of orange juice raised in the air. Anna saw me with it and said, "Hey I want one! How did you get that?" I told her you got to be sneaky. As I'm drinking my orange juice Morgan asks me if she can have some. If there is anything I have learned with Morgan and drinks and food when asking if she can have "some" it means practically the whole thing. My new method leave the last gulp or bite for her. I tested it out and gave her the last bit my orange juice. Her response when seeing it, "Oh new method? I assume the rest is for me?" "Yes Morgan... Yes it is." She took it beautifully.

"I'm the next Nicki Minaj!"

Listen hear if you are not well aware of Sophia Grace and Rosie by now you must live under a rock. Watch Ellen for the love! Seriously though if you don't know who they are hit up YouTube and watch all the clips of them on Ellen. We are in LOVE with these two girls! WE can not can not can not get enough of them! Today they were on Ellen performing for like the fifth time and out of no where Sophia launches into an incredible original rap about her and Rosie.
Watch and be amazed.

Oh and by the way they are cousins, go figure.
I want to meet them even more then I want to meet Ellen.

First we're going to take an hour meditation break. Then we're going to climb that 1000-foot rock face over there with our bare hands and feet.

Morgan and I are applying to work as zip line guides this summer in Tennessee. We are praying that we get the job! Being in the mountains everyday, working with amazing people, and just simply Morgan and I together in Tennessee. What more could you ask for? Watch the video, if we get the job, you will definitely want to come visit us!

CLIMB Works Canopy :: Gatlinburg from C.L.I.M.B. Works Canopy on Vimeo.

"Team Perkis"

The two of us have some great conversations via text.

I've collected a few that I think the rest of you will appreciate. Enjoy.

This occurred after Emily's inhaler arrived in the mail.

Some of you may know Emily's Facebook was hacked by cyber bully's who claimed that Em was stranded in the UK and needed 1,500 big ones. The very next day they hacked her E-mail too. Oh and on the off chance you didn't know already, Em's password for everything has been catsrule for the past 13 years.  Also, currently Emily's nails are glow in the dark green.

 

I think my instincts were spot on for this one, sadly we didn't go.

What this one is missing is a time stamp. 1:30 am

"Madame!"

Tuesday, like most other days, was a day where Morgan gave me the blank stare and constant shaking of the head. It all started when we met in the library to do homework, resulting in nothing getting done. Morgan, our friend Logan, and I are sitting in a booth working when Morgan says, "You know what I want to make so bad tonight?!" My response, "Love?" (with a point of the thumb to Logan). Her head shot straight to the table. Morgan then informs me of a dinner the relief society is putting on that night at 7:00. Free food... say no more. We enter the church doors and our sense of smell guided us to the activity (at this time I told Morgan that Anna, Karli, and I once found a cookie factory by smelling out the car door window). The inappropriate laughing throughout the dinner all started when the relief society president asked our roommate Alyssa if she knew how to, "tickle the ivories," while doing piano playing motions with her fingers. The laughing continued with Morgan and I piling food onto our plates with Anna in complete shock, "Save some for the others!"

Alright, time for a side note from Morgan. Let me start by saying I am incredibly confused as to why I am contributing to this post. Emily, however, INSISTS that I talk about the sweater she was wearing this day. So basicly, Emily refuses to post this blog until I add a paragraph about her ridiculous attire. Confused? So am I. Well here is the run down, Emily was in a forest green sweater approximately 15 sizes to big for her adorned with a logo in the upper left corner that said something like "Camp Hope '92" This obviously rose a few question. Emily's explanation was simple enough, "Well this morning, before I drove back to Logan, I went down to a closet full of clothes my dad doesn't wear anymore and put this on." Lemme get this right, today you made the conscious decision to wear clothes that your dad won't even wear anymore, for the entire day, including school, work, and now a relief society dinner? To top if off she kept expressing how terrified she was that her dad was going to find out she was wearing it. So obviously she wants me to blog about it on the WORLD WIDE WEB. Sometimes Emily makes no sense to me, back to her story...

It didn't help that the girls sitting across from us were watching our every move. At one point they said, "You girls are hysterical!" During the dinner I turned to Anna and told her an embarrassing story that had happened to me that day. At the end of the story I said, "I swallowed my heart and it came out my butt!" Out of the corner of my eye I saw one of the girls across put her hand over her mouth and whisper to her sister, "she just said I swallowed my heart and it came out my butt!"

For those of you who know me I have what we like to call a "honk" laugh. To our surprise there is a girl in our ward with the EXACT same laugh. It was the shock of a lifetime to be the person on the other side and hear that. What must people think of it in public places? Anyways, that night we discovered that her name is also Emily... surprise surprise. When I heard her laugh it made me honk laugh and Anna said it sounded like a pig at the slaughter house. That comment shot both of us over the moon. What made it even worse is we then turned and looked at Morgan who had some how managed to get rice in her eyebrows. Only to discover it was just particle's from the hanging decorations above her head. Those balls of yarn had been swinging across her face the entire dinner.

"I don't know brainiac, its your backyard too!"

Today, while we were at the library, Emily started reading me short sentences, such as; She quickly ran down the stairs. And then would ask me, okay what was the pronoun in that sentence? She? Okay great, S. What about the adverb? Quickly? You sure? Alright, Q. Long story short when I figured out that Emily had no idea what a pronoun, adverb, adjective or noun was I had to excuse myself from the library I was laughing so hard. Two real life direct quotes, "Noun: person, place, thing, or idea. How the heck am I suppose to know what that is? That could be ANYTHING!" "Okay Morgan stop showing off how smart you are."

Some days college can be really hard. 

 We also had quite the adventure today. Logan told us there was free pizza in the Eccles Center, you better believe we weren't going to miss out on that. Well we show up and it is some convention for summer sales. The place was a total tool shed, we were the only girls there and everyone was pimped out in their AMP, Pinnacle, and Vivint gear. I would bet serious money that at least 75% of the people in attendance drive white trucks. Whatever, we'll do anything for free food so we grabbed our pizza, pulled up a chair, and enjoyed the show. 

 Highlights included: Logan's face when he hear that the average rep makes 40 grand their first summer. Luckily I was snapping a shot right when he heard this bit of information. 

Also, the European WNBA player that quit playing ball to do summer sales, "It was a great decision." Seriously? This is what the American dream has become? Summer sales?

 Let us not forget about the fact that the speaker called Emily and myself out for laughing when I pointed out to Em that his fly was down. Yikes. 

If I learned anything from this convention it was that "The Man" is for sure the two most annoying words anyone could ever repeat over and over, and over.

And a quick side note, on the walk home we simultaneously slipped on the ice, hard. If we wouldn't have been wearing backpacks we would both be unconscious on 800 North right now.