Best of 2009

So. I have been wanting to write about my year last year since I saw that Erin did this daily post in December. I wanted to start it January 1st, but since we haven't had internet and with the daily drama that always comes up, I'm just now starting it. I really like it though and I think it is a great way to start 2010 to think about 2009 and how you can make the upcoming year that much better.

(I'm playing catch up now).

Day One.

Best Trip of 2009.

Nauvoo, IL.

I took a lot of trips this year and I had fun on all of them, but this year...I went to Nauvoo. My second home. The best trip someone could go on unless you just happen to go to Hawaii every year. I could go to Nauvoo all the time. I love it there. That spirit you feel when you cross the Mississippi and you're on the road following the river until you make the last curve in the road and see the temple. There isn't a much better site than the Nauvoo temple. I got to feel that sweet special spirit only Nauvoo has to offer. And plus, I got to go back to the temple. I haven't been there since I first went through March 23, 2007. IT WAS AMAZING! And I got to go with Ammon. We NEVER can go to the temple together. We never get to go here in Kentucky, so the chance that we got to have with going to the Nauvoo temple was such a blessing. I loved being there with Ammon and I am so glad that Matthew got to go. That was the best trip. The only thing I wanted was to stay longer.

Second Place: Austin, TX

Honorable Mention: Kirtland, OH

Day Two.

Best Restaurant Moment of 2009.

Rudy's BBQ in Austin, TX.

So. This was a tough one. Not because we went to so many restaurants (we really didn't actually), but because it is hard trying to decide between a few really great ones. I'd probably have to say Rudy's BBQ in Austin. I don't know if it was because we were so starving or if it really was amazing, but we loved that place. That pulled pork and the literal loaf of bread they slap on your tray...yum. Ammon's talked about it numerous times since.

Second Place: The Salt Lick in Austin, TX

Honorable Mention: Texas Road House in Okolona, KY

Day Three.

Best Article of 2009.

That's easy. Mine. It is not because I think I am an amazing writer, but because I got to do it again! I missed reporting and "being a journalist." I only had one last year and I had such a blast doing it. Plus, I have gone to the class ever since.

Second Place: Safety for the Soul by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, October 2009

Honorable Mention: Yankees Win World Series, November 4th, SI.com

Day Four.

Best Book of 2009.

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks.

I love Nicholas Sparks. He is an amazing, but predictable, writer. I can know what every book is going to be like. But for some odd reason, I still read any book he writes within one day and I still LOVE reading them. He usually only writes one a year and my favorite one this year, even though I read two, was the one Ammon just got me for Christmas.

Second Place: Achieving Your Life Mission by Randal Wright

Honorable Mention: What the Scriptures Teach Us About Raising a Child by S. Michael Wilcox

Honorable Mention: The Book of Mormon, only because that's always on the list and I learn something else new everyday.

Day Five.

Best Night Out in 2009.

Danny Gans. February 2009.

Since I can literally count mine and Ammon's date nights (with just the two of us) on one hand for all of 2009, I would have to say that the night we went to see Danny Gans at the Encore was the best one. That guy was so amazing. I never knew what we were missing. And, my mom took Matthew that day. I never realized how amazing it is to have a babysitter all the time! I love going out with Ammon, even when we went to Taco Bell for dinner before we left for the show. We were kind of dressed up. Eating in a booth in Taco Bell. It didn't matter though. It was the two of us and I remember thinking how fun it was then. If I would've only known how much I should have treasured moments like that when I was having them. But you know the best part? The whole night only cost us five bucks for dinner.

Second Place: In July when Ammon came to Vegas to pick us up and we went to a movie.

Honorable Mention: Ka at the Mirage with Ammon (also for free)

(Can you tell how much I love going out with just Ammon?!)

Honorable Mention: the Saturday of October General Conference. I got to spend it with my mom and dad, Matthew and Joanna plus all the regulars from every conference for as long as I can remember.

Honorable Mention: When I went to Utah to go to the temple with Joanna in March. I went back to her house and slept over. Just her and me. No Ammon. No Matthew. No Shayler. It was like old times and it was SO fun!

Honorable Mention: The Thursday of Ed Week when it was my mom, Sloan, me and ALL the kids loaded into the van. We went to dinner and shopped and I had so much fun being with just them, even though we went to the BYU Bookstore!

Day Six.

Best Workshop or Conference of 2009.

October 2009 General Conference without a doubt.

I love Conference. I loved Saturday afternoon because we got to go in the tabernacle and watch it. With Matthew and my parents. So fun and a great experience to take Matt!

Second Place: April General Conference 2009

Honorable Mention: Women's' Broadcast, 2009

(can you tell I attend so many conferences and workshops?!)