Soooo...I've kind of failed so far at this whole blogging thing. One more chance? Here it goes..

Well, I'm back up at BYU and it's great. It's funny to be back up here because I can still remember the excitement of last year. I didn't know what to expect and I was just super excited for everything. Going to my first class, new ward, new dorm, new roommates. It's interesting to come back and kind of have a handle on it. It's also crazy to think how much has changed since just one year ago. I really feel like I've changed a lot, for the better. I'm so happy that I made the decision to go to this school and to be where I'm at right now. I feel like I grew a lot more this past year than I ever have before and I can't wait to stretch myself even more this year. I learned so much about myself and others. Overall, it was just an amazing time all around!

So I live in a cute little condo on 9th east with one of my roommates that I met randomly in the dorms last year, Erin Riggs, one of my very best friends since 6th grade, Alexis Flake, and a new and amazing friend Lauren Filichia. I like living off campus so far but I miss the opportunity to meet so many new people all the time like I did in the dorms. Our ward seems like a lot of really great people. Most of them are Juniors or Seniors so I'm excited to learn from their experiences that they share.

One of my favorite things about being up here is that my two brothers Spencer and Stephen (Larry as the rest of the world, besides me and my sisters, calls him) are up here too. Last year Stephen and Spencer lived together South of campus a ways away so I didn't see them that much since I don't have a car. But this year, Stephen lives like a block away and Spencer isn't much further. I love being able to walk over to Stephen's house and hangout with him or go grab something. I love hanging out with their friends, they're hilarious. It's so nice to have them here because I know I always have someone just a few minutes away if I ever really need anything. They are such good brothers and do so much for me and I look up to them a lot. They have a lot of the qualities that I want in a future husband (don't worry I'm not looking to get married anytime soon!) and I'm just so grateful to have them! Here's us at the first football game:

My parents also came down for the game and I was able to get some tickets for them from some friends so they came along too and that was lots of fun. I love my parents so much. I wouldn't be who I am without them. They are amazing and after 9 kids have the parenting thing down pretty good. haha. But seriously. While I was home over the Summer I spent a lot of time with them and after being away and learning to appreciate them a little more I really enjoyed that time. They are so fun, funny, hardworking, honest, righteous and good. I just love them so much. While they were up here they bought lots of groceries for us..YESSS! That's always super nice. Also, I found out that I have like 9 cousins up here plus my two brothers. CRAZY! There are so many of us Mechams out here. I love my cousins! They are a blast to be with! We all got together for Abby's birthday and that was simply hilarious. Here are some pics of me and my parents and then with the cousins.

Die-hard cougs fans.

Anyway...we volunteered to make cookies for our wards cookie night tonight and some guys from our ward are coming over to help us make it so gotta go...

love,

Anneliese