Part One: Sunsets, Hana, and Coconut Candy

Last month we went to Maui! It was a vacation that had been planned many months ago, and when it finally arrived it was incredibly needed. 

This is the first picture I took in Maui...on my cell phone...no filter. That's how beautiful this place is. I decided right then and there that I must find a way to move to Maui and never leave.

Maui is pretty much amazing. The beaches are perfect, the snorkeling is to die for, and there is so much to do. It was fun and relaxing all at the same time. Where do I begin? Here are a few of the highlights of the trip.

Our hotel was right on the beach and we spent many hours reading, napping, and just listening to the waves. I could sit and read on the beach forever!

I tried to watch the sunset every night. It was just gorgeous! Good job, Maui sunsets!

In Maui, the Hana Highway is a must see. It’s a crazy, beautiful drive with incredible views around every corner. It’s full of rain forest paths, waterfalls, and beautiful vegetation.

It’s also the place that I found my new love…coconut candy! If you are ever on the road to Hana, you must stop at Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread stand. You MUST try her homemade coconut candy and banana bread. I don’t even love coconut that much, but now I am cuckoo for coconut candy. My birthday is coming up soon, so in place of presents I’m requesting only coconut candy. More pictures and stories to come!

Skyfall

 Anyone who knows me is well aware that I have a slight crush on Daniel Craig…and by slight crush I mean total obsession. Ever since I saw Casino Royale he has been my official Hollywood hunk! He is so charming, so handsome, and so smooth as 007. You can imagine my excitement this weekend as his latest installment of James Bond hit the theaters. I may or may not have been the first person in line to see the show on Saturday night. Don’t judge—I needed to get a clear view of Bond in action. The group of guys behind me in line were kind of upset that a girl beat them to the front. I say, you snooze, you lose! The movie was double-O-mazing!! Danny did not disappoint. Even if it been a movie about Skymall (see below) instead of Skyfall, I still would have loved it! I think my career ambitions have slightly changed this weekend…my new goal is to become a Bond Girl. Fingers crossed!

Hurricane

I kind of have a secret hatred for news reporters. I think they are fake, and I can’t stand their cheesy smiles and robotic speech. I don’t like them during regular news reports, but my hatred for them triples during hurricanes. Why must they stand out in the storm and get blown away by 89 mile per hour winds and rogue waves? I don’t need to see you swallow sand and have your hat fly off to know that it’s windy and a hurricane is coming. I hate they way they yell over the wind and try to tell us how dangerous the conditions are. If it’s so dangerous, then perhaps you should listen to the evacuation warnings and get the heck out of dodge. We don’t need to see Al Roker holding on to a light pole for dear life, and we don’t need to see Anderson Cooper standing in three feet of water. Next time, just be a good example to the residents and stay out of the storm. Perhaps I’ll start a petition. No more news reporting from hurricanes. Who’s with me?

This is Halloween

Life has been crazy lately, so I didn't have time to come up with a Halloween costume this year.  But luckily, we still had time to carve this fabulous pumpkin. She says, "Witch way to the beach?" Happy Halloween!

Fall is in the Air

It’s officially fall! And that means that the holidays are right around the corner. And that also means that it’s time for me to go bananas with crafting. Someday I will make holiday crafts for all the world, but in the meantime I will continue on my quest to make a decoration for every surface in my house. Here are a few autumn crafts I’ve made so far this season. 

This is a really easy and fun craft to make. I followed a tutorial I found here. You just wrap a styrofoam or straw wreath with your favorite color yarn, and make these darling felt flowers. Easy as pie. I’m pretty sure I’ll need to make one for Christmas too! I’m already thinking about the green and red flowers I’ll make!

I saw these witch ornaments at Michael’s and I knew I just had to make something with them. I glued a piece of scrapbook paper to a small board and then attached scrapbook sticker letters. I then painted these cute little knobs black and glued them on with hot glue. Voila! A not-so-scary Halloween decoration! I’m in love with it!

Happy Fall to you all!

Camping: Paige Style

A friend of mine sent this to me today and asked how one of my quotes got on the Internet. Apparently she knows me very well! I told her that I’m pretty sure these exact words have crossed my lips before. I loved it so much I had to share. This pretty much sums up my sentiments exactly. Who wants to go "camping" with me?

Sedona, You Rock!

A few weeks ago my brother and his family came to visit—all the way from South Carolina. We hadn’t seen them for almost two years, so it was time to celebrate! Our parents and siblings met in Sedona, AZ—land of red rocks, hikes, amazing views, and vortexes. The result was a fabulous family reunion. We went hiking every day, spent plenty of time at the pool, ate lots of good food, and had a great time catching up. I also spent a good deal of time doing my best to secure the position of “favorite auntie.” I love my nieces and nephews to pieces, and I was so grateful to spend this time with them. The only sad part is that our sister, Leah, and her family were unable to join us. Sad face. We miss you Leah, Ben, and kids! Here are a few highlights from the trip.

This is in Red Rock State Park--right in a vortex. I was hoping the vortex would heal my migraines. However, the "spiraling spiritual energy" was no match for my stubborn migraines. But hey, it was worth a shot. 

Great view of Cathedral Rock

The cute kiddos!

Me and Lucy. We are pretty much best friends! 

The siblings (minus the favorite daughter, Leah!)

The Hancock Bunch

Gorgeous red rocks and view in Fay Canyon

These photos are from my favorite hike--West Fork. An amazing place to hike! A must do in Sedona! 

Thanks for the great time, my dear family! And thank you Sedona!

Like a Heat Wave

Just the other day I thought to myself, “This summer hasn’t been that bad. We haven’t even hit 115 degrees yet.” Literally the day after I had that thought, this happened….

It’s like a heat wave, people! We’ve had record breaking heat for the past five days. We haven’t had 115 the whole summer and now we’ve had it for days! I’m beginning to think the high pressure systems can read my mind and that they are trying to punish me. Every summer I think I should move back to Salt Lake or somewhere north. But then the perfect weather of winter arrives and I forget. Oh fall and winter, please get here soon and help me forget!