Monday, December 31, 2012

Christmas in the Sand!

This Christmas the fam went to Hawaii. You read that correctly. HAWAII! It was a week of relaxing, laughs, water, adventure, family, and the perfect amount of sun! We spent most of the time swimming in the ocean. The second day was spend kayaking through some river and hiking to a secret waterfall! It was beautiful.....and a really good arm workout! Our tour guide, TC, was awesome with his dog, small fry. On Sunday we did something amazing as well! WE ZIP LINED OVER/THROUGH THE FORESTS! Pure awesomeness! It was 6 hours of flying over the trees, then we headed to some hidden pond that was once meant for royalty! How cool is that? I thought it was pretty cool. :)

I love getting to spend time with my family. Being stuck on an island together was the perfect was to get everyone together!

All the other pictures were taken on Trent or Marks camera...but this is what we got on Sarah's phone! (Sorry they are fuzzy)

Some airport fun!


It's fuzzy but it's still my favorite.

Dinner after a long day of kayaking!


Snow cones with ice cream in the middle!

 
We started out the trip with the idea to do one yoga pose on the beach per day....We ran out poses really fast. The rest on pintrest were too advanced.

Cute mermaid Sarah.

 

Sunday, December 23, 2012

VIETNAM!


Dear Friends,

I am writing to tell you about an amazing opportunity I have for the next year. I have recently become a part of a local program called Youthlinc, which gives me a chance to serve people here in Salt Lake throughout the year and people in Vietnam for two weeks this coming summer. After completing eighty hours of local service, I will earn a partial sponsorship to help cover my expenses. However, I still need to raise $2,370 to cover the remaining costs of the rest of my service trip. I’ve committed to go, and have been saving my own money for the last several years, but I would really appreciate your support. If everyone receiving this letter helps donate just a small amount of money to my trip, I will reach my goal! If I exceed my goal the extra money will go towards more of Youthlinc’s humanitarian work.

Local volunteer work has always been a priority of mine, and going on a humanitarian trip abroad has always been my dream. I feel that Youthlinc is a great organization which will help me fulfill my goals and dreams. The program’s mission is to create lifelong humanitarians through providing leadership and volunteering opportunities. On my Youthlinc Vietnam Team, I will have the chance to help a village in Song Cau, Vietnam, Which is still recovering from the effects of the war decades ago. I will get to help plan and carry out projects to construct homes, repair the school, teach vocational skills, help start small businesses, provide medical assistance and education, teach about sanitation and health, and provide school lessons for the local children. One of my favorite parts about this program is that I will be part of a team that meets frequently to actually plan the projects we will do while in Vietnam. I feel like these leadership opportunities help me become more capable of making a positive difference. To learn more about what our team plans to do in Vietnam, go to www.youthlinc.org.

Youthlinc also emphasizes the importance of serving locally, and requires that I complete eighty hours of local service before I am able to go abroad to Vietnam. I plan on volunteering at the Good Shepard Hospice center and the road home, and with a special needs church group. I also will be spending a week of my summer volunteering at a Summer Camp for children that have been affected by cancer.

Please support me with what you are able. I promise your investment will go a long way in Vietnam, here in Salt Lake, and in my goal of becoming a lifelong humanitarian.

Thank you for your support!

If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me:

Carly Barton



 

To donate:
1) Go to www.youthlinc.org
2) Click on the DONATE page
3) Then select MAKE A DONATION TO A PARTICIPANT
4) Enter my name and the registration number #753
5) Once the payment is processed, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to you which can be used for tax deduction purposes.
 
That was my formal letter to anyone who wants to donate...now here is me just rambling.
I honestly cannot wait to go spend two weeks helping the people of Vietnam! I'M GOING TO VIETNAM...AHHHHHHHH!!!!! This is one of the coolest opportunities I could have ever imagined! Plus I get to go with pretty much the greatest friend, Alyssa! We are both so fortunate to be able to go! It not only means having a two week long humanitarian trip with my best friend, it has given us other ways to be able to make time for each other! Since we have to do 80 hours of service we are going to help motivate and support each other in that, plus we have about a billion meeting with youthlinc! I cannot wait to spend so much time with that awesome chick.
Making time for this new project is a little overwhelming but it's a sacrifice I am more than willing to make! We leave on July 12 (201 days. But who's counting?). Guys, I just cannot stop thinking about this amazing adventure! Donations would be greatly appreciated! Let the adventures begin!

Saturday, December 8, 2012

WA

The third high school dance of the year has come and gone. It was another girl's choice dance. I decided to ask good old Austin! He's a really cool guy that I didn't know super well until that night. The whole planning process was a little stressful but we figured it all out! For dinner we just did some night Cafe Rio catering! YUMMY! After filling up on enchaladas and taking a massive amount of pictures we danced the night away! WA was by far the best dancing dance....if that makes sense. It was great other than the fact that my feet were covered in blisters! My parents and coaches were not impressed.
After the dance we went to Kimi's house and ate soooooo much pizza! Finally it was 12 which means it was off to classic skating! This part was everyone's favorite! We rented out the classic skating place so we got the bounce house, arcade, and skating track all to ourselves!!!!!!! It was awesome! Thanks to all who made it happen! 
This is right after dinner! Yes, our group is huge!
My awesome date!

The skating gang!




Admit it. The guy in the red looks like Mario!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

DISNEYLAND! -a much needed girls trip

We finally got out of here! I love Utah and all but it was time to head a out for a little bit! While the boys left for good old Uruguay some of us girls left for California! Every second was so much fun. Never before have I crashed on my pillow every night without fail! Somehow everyday was just exhausting all four of us just crashed as soon as we got back to the hotel...we clearly know how to party.
This trip was much needed! Going to California allowed me to slow my life down a little and just relax! There has just been too much going on here for me to handle! It felt like I was being stretched just far enough to snap me in half. With work, an extreme overload of friends going through hard struggles, school, planning the next dance, and just living life I was pooped. Sometimes it's best to just leave everything behind and breathe for a little. That's what this trip did for me! I'm so blessed to have been able to go! Thanks mom and dad! Thanks Heather, Sarah, and Mary for making this a fantastic trip! I cannot think of one moment where I wasn't smiling.

We must have gone on Tower of Terror at least 6 times!

I am inspired to see this movie! I'm getting it as soon as it comes out on DVD

A little goat petting

One buff dude.
 
This trip made me realize a lot about myself and my family.
1. I am very blessed to have a good relationship with all my sisters
2. My parents are beyond giving.
3. I'm a sucker for I miss you texts!
4. Disneyland is awesome (I already knew this one)
5. Everyone needs a vacation once in a while.
 

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Clairebcha

I did it again. I successfully converted another friend to the Brazilian Butt Lift world. This DVD has changed lives! Claire is addicted. She was making fun of me for loving the workout video so I simply challenged her to the workout. After much sweat, screaming, and laughter I got her sore! :) After one blow there is no going back Claire is addicted! We love it! Just can't get enough.
It's kinda blurry but you get the point! We are sweaty and loving it!
 
Now let me rant about this girl! She is seriously one of my absolute favorite girls! I cannot go a day without sending her 10 snap chats! If I was stuck on an island everything would be great if this girl was there with me! Not only does she constantly make me laugh she also is the perfect little listener! I'm so lucky so be so close to this cute girl! Thanks for always being there clairebcha! I love you to pieces girl!
 

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Snow woman!

I am a huge believer when it comes to snow! Everything is magical when it's snowing! The first magic was the fact that my room got cleaned, the second was the fact that it allowed Mary and I to build the cutest snow-woman ever built, and third I went to a movie with some friend with the intention to leave early for work- Nope, the movie ended just on time! IT'S MAGIC I'M TELLING YOU! After I was done with my room cleaning session (Like 2 hours) Mary forced me into snow clothes. At first I was skeptical but it was so fun! LOOK HOW CUTE!






  

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

MORP!

Last Saturday was the Halloween Dance! I can honestly say it was the best dance so far!....it was somehow the cheapest too. 
Since our group was so huge (46 people) we took about four cars (I drove the 15 passenger van!) and took pictures at wheeler farm! Our costumes was zoo themed. Mostly everyone was animals but Kaleb and I were good old zoo keepers along with a few others while some of the boys in the group switched it up and went as red neck animal control. 
After pictures we went to dinner then off to the dance floor! I loved just going crazy and having a good time! During every single slow dance Kaleb said something so awkwardly funny that made me pretty much just laugh for the rest of the song. Once the dance was over I had to take Sarah home because she was literally green! Then the whole group partied at an arcade which sounds lame, but it was a good time. The night ended after a good old scary movie! 
It was a fantastic night! I loved just being surrounded by friends all night long! Everyone in the group got along for the most part and I think everyone had a good time! Now who do I ask to WA.....?
(pictures will be up as soon as I can go on facebook and get them..so on Nov. 19) 

Friday, November 2, 2012

Just another day in english class...

Today I feel like it is extremely necessary to share what we do in third period. No, we didn't read shakespear. No, we didn't do book reports. No, we didn't have spelling or vocabulary tests. We just bonded. :) Mr. Meyer's is seriosly one of the most interesting people I've ever met. He is constantly telling us cool stories about life in the navy and dropping out of school when he was in nineth grade because his parents left him alone and stranded. He has told us about so many cool experiences of stupid things him and his buddies did when he lived in California. Get this guy talking and the stories will never end! Today we walked into class to find him just playing around on his guitar really quick before class started. It was too easy to make this guitar session last the whole period!



Pretty soon two guys ran and got some bongo drums and it was all good from there.
 

Monday, October 22, 2012

Self-control.

Here's the deal. On Friday October 19, 2012 at 8:00 ish I realized something. I waste at least twenty minutes of my day on Facebook. EVERYDAY! That means at least 140 minutes a week which means 560 minutes (about 9 hours) a month, AT THE LEAST. Holy crap. Then I thought about something else. Lately Facebook only shows me things that I don't want to see; like a party that I wasn't invited to or a cute moment that some of my old best friends had that I wish so badly I could have been a part of. Facebook really isn't doing anything good for me. Then why do I keep looking at it?!?!

In my attempt to save time and feelings, I have committed to one month without facebook. Yes, shocking I know. It's crazy how it's just habit to get on the computer to write an essay and automatically start typing in www.facebook.com. Why do I do that?!?! Well, for the next month I will use all the self control I have to ignore the emails that tell me someone wants to be my friend on Facebook, the funny stories that people tell me about something that someone posted, and the begging to put a certain picture up. NOPE, I WILL BE STRONG! Goodbye Facebook. Hopefully when I get back I will be less eager to run to you and you will actually have something good to show me......If I accomplish this..wait...WHEN I accomplish this maybe I will use this newly found self-control to keep my room clean or to avoid the pumpkin pie in the fridge. :)

Friday, October 19, 2012

Country Dancing

Let me explain something to you. The world of country dancing is an amazing thing. If you've never been country dancing you obviously have never known true happiness...k that might be dramatic, but it really is a nice time! The first time I was invited my sister had to talk me into going. I went and fell in love instantly. Now I just invite whoever and we go dance the night away! The first time is a little rough since you have no clue what the guys next move will be but you get the hang of it!

Do me a favor. Picture a big room. This room has a big wooden dance floor, two big screens, and a water bar. Now put music videos onto the big screens. Then add 200 or so people all around the room. Next turn off the regular lights and replace them with random colorful lights traveling around the room. Here's the fun part. Add in the best country songs out there and at least 150/200 people dancing. The girls are being spun, lifted, dipped, EVERYTHING! The guys are just somehow leading knowing exactly what to do and making it look way too easy! Yes, country dancing is a good time. I am clearly a nerd...try it out and you will be to.
Here's the girls! Usually I would never go without Kimi but she had a last minute thing pop up. We missed you Kimi!
 

Friday, October 12, 2012

Siblings



I honestly think I was blessed to have the greatest siblings in the world! I have three brothers and four sisters. If I was stuck on an island and could only have one person to keep me company I would pick any of these seven amazing people. They truely are my best friends.

First there are the brothers. Trent, Ryan, and Michael. Today's the day Michael got home from serving in Uruguay on a 2 year LDS mission. He is a completely different person from the boy we said goodbye to just twenty-four months ago. Hopefully the jokester will come back out and he will be normal in a few weeks. Until then I think we are all going to have fun watching him figure out reality. Then there is Ryan. OH BOY! Ryan has really become one of my best friends. Going to breakfast with Ryan on a Saturday morning is one of my favorite things to do. We love Beyonce and just hanging out. He is seriously hilarious! When I laugh really hard, I cry and that boy can get me to cry at least four times a day without even trying. Next there is Trent. This guy is so good at making my sister happy. He is just my brother-in-law but I cannot tell you how many times I've called him just because I got lost trying to go somewhere and I didn't know who else to call. He had definitally fit nicely into our family.

It's hard to take them seriously!
 
Next we have the awesome sisters! There's Heather, Megan, Sarah, and little Mary. All of these girls seriously know how to make my day! They are freakin cool. Sarah loves sending me awful pictures of herself and it just makes my day every time that she does. Mary is the only sister left at home so we for sure have countless good times like movie night in her room and all that good stuff. Megan is the girly girl that keeps up with all the style going around and keeps me in check. Heather is the smarty pants that cracks the pun kind of jokes...Mary and I struggle with understanding them sometimes. I can't tell you how many time's I have been able to turn to one of my sisters for advice on what to do about drama or something. They always have known what to say to help me figure everything out!

Here is a picture of just the siblings! Love them all!
I love my siblings with all my heart! Anyone would be lucky to know any of them. I truely have the craziest family in the world. Throughout my busy days they slow me down for a second to make sure I get a good laugh or to sing me some random song. Thanks guys! You're always there for me and know how to keep me in check! They really have taught me everything I know about being a good person. Love you guys!


Here is the whole gang! :)

Monday, October 8, 2012

Confession Time

I have a huge confession.
Not know what lies ahead for me freaks me out!
 I have no clue where I will be in a year.That is so scary. After I graduate it's my turn to decide where to go and what to do....CRAZY! I just want someone to tell me where to go, what to study, who to live with, what to look out for, etc. I seriously don't have any of this figured out yet. So far my mind keeps falling back to USU, then I second guess myself and say UVU, then I think about the U or maybe BYU Hawaii, maybe just SLCC for my generals.
After my generals what do I do?
 Is a mission the next step?
Am I even supposed to go on a mission?
 AHHHH Will someone please show me the road map!
Where am I going and whose coming with me?
It's going to be interesting to see what ends up happening because this is the part of the story that could completely change the plot. I'm freaked out.
Lately I've been thinking that I want to do something with cancer research.....didn't see that one coming did you? NEITHER DID I! The past couple of years I've been getting more in touch with the world of cancer. Slowly the idea of having a career in cancer research has been pouring into my mind. WHO KNOWS! I for sure don't.
All I know is:
1. Traveling is a for sure must
2. I'm going to college next year whether I like it or not so I best figure this out soon!
3. The girls I live with cannot be boy crazy or I will go insane
4. High School is quickly coming to an end.
5. Everything will work out the way it's supposed to work out
6. A lot of praying is going to be going on in my tiny little room this next year
7. Elder Michael Barton is returning home in just 3 days!
8. Pretty much everything in high school is temporary so don't stress. Just enjoy the ride.
9. Everything is better when smiling
10. I've always got my awesome family to back me up
11. Facebook and blogs are so good at distracting me from doing my homework.....I'm still on problem 1 oops!

Sunday, September 30, 2012

The Big A** Show

Yesterday I got to go to a huge concert with some of my pals! It was pretty much 8 hours of non-stop music! I really got sick of being around people who were drinking, smoking, and swearing but when I didn't pay attention to them it was so fun! It was impossible to keep the whole group together the whole time thanks to the huge crowds. For the Imagine Dragons part I just so happened to lose everyone in the group except for Sarah and Nicole. Which is alright with me! Imagine Dragons is my favorite band!
 
I took pictures of the high lights.
 
I told you it was crowded!

The best part of the concert was when Zach pretended to propose to Alexis. Everyone around us noticed he was getting down on one knee and just freaked out! The whole place was congratulating them and applauding! Alexis played along and started to tear up! SO FUNNY! Somehow people didn't seem to mind that they are barely 17!
 
After the concert we passed way too many opportunities for pictures that could not be passed up. This ended up being one of the best parts of the night.
 

 
We are children!
This one is my favorite and I have no clue why...

 
As we put the camera on a timer this guy walked past and decided to strike a pose! (making Alyssa's pose perfect)
 
The best part about this picture is some random cute boys took it for us. Other than that this picture isn't even cool....
 
My all time favorite part of the night was right there! Eatin' smoothies on the kitchen floor. The bigger the spoon+ the bigger the bites+ the bigger the smoothie mustaches+ the better the pictures+ the louder the giggles+ one extra secret ingredient ;) = one hilarious memory
Today we went to a farewell so of course the camera came with!
 

Somehow the missionary leaving didn't make it into any of the pictures. But these are pretty much the girls that I spend the most time with.
 

 

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Homecoming! Part 2

What a weekend!! Friday was the Brighton vs Alta game which is pretty much a huge deal. We lost....but that's okay because it was crazy!
Saturday is when the real fun happened though! Since our homecoming was a week before everyone else, Alyssa and I decided to crash a couple homecomings.
 
Before we went out and partied we had to get this girl ready for her real date! Hillcrest Homecoming.

 
Then a photo shoot afterwards.
 
 
I know. We are losers. But it's fun.
 
 
That poor guy probably felt so awkward when we found out her mom wasn't here, instead her 2 best friends were!



 
Our first stop was a quick one. Olympus High School doesn't know how to throw a party. First of all we waited in the car for 20 minutes until people actually showed up...(an hour after the dance started)
Then while walking to the dance we got a quick glimpse of what was going on. Let me tell ya. There was nothing going on! Everyone was just huddled in awkward groups standing there looking like they had never heard music before. LAME! I wasn't about to pay $10 for that. Plus I decided it was a bad idea to risk seeing people I knew. So we went to the front and took pictures. My car was on the grass allowing my headlights to shine on us. Yes. We were judged. No. We didn't really care.
 
 
While driving to the next location we say lanterns in the pond at a huge park. So we thought we would go wedding crashing since we were all dressed up!....It wasn't a wedding

 
Some old Vietnamese couple handed us lanterns and told us to make a wish by putting them into the pond. I wasn't about to put mine in there! We kept them and are freakishly protective of them.


 
This really did get us so excited! I'm pretty sure that party makes us at least 1/4 Vietnamese or something!
 
 
East was our final stop! The first hour was full of crappy music and us getting trapped in the middle of a mosh pit. By the second hour we were having a good time! They finally started playing good music and we were finally not caring that we were the only ones not dirty dancing!

 
These boys called us over the stairs and asked us what our names are. I said I would tell them if I could get a picture. 2 seconds later this was taken. 5 seconds later I was running away so I didn't have to say my name.

 
Thanks for the fun night Alyssa! I had the best time ever!