I love to see the temple--especially in VEGAS!!

Friday, September 26, 2008

I had a goal on this trip--I was going to go to the Las Vegas Temple! So...I did! My old roommate Jaimie Lyn lives down in Vegas with her hubby, so we decided to go. We attended the 8 o'clock session--and let me tell ya, in that city of sin--it is a great refuge from the world. It is one of the most beautiful temples I have ever gone to! I loved the Celestial room and just being in a holy place.


Thanks Jay for taking me! I love ya and I can't wait to see you again!

Me, Jay, and Ruth Ann

Jet Blue

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Well, our flight made it...and it was fun...

Somethings I learned about Jet Blue...
1. They have an entertaining crew...
2. Their airplanes make a weird noise I've never heard an airplane make before (then again--I was sitting in the front row...so maybe that may have affected it).
3. Lots of legroom...it was great!
4. I liked my own HD TV...it was fun and they got good channels--I could watch Friends, or I watched the Discovery Channel for a little, and then I also watched some of A Walk to Remember on TBS. My favorite channel was the little channel that shows you where you are flying...I'm nerdy like that though--especially when I get to sit by the window!
5. You get a WHOLE can of soda instead of just the cup that has part of a can shared by everyone else...
6. I got to eat organic cookies...
7. They gave all the women on the plane a free tube of Maybeline mascara...


Now that I am in Vegas--it's time for bed. Not much fun happening this trip--conference meetings...I may have a few fun posts once all is said and done...we'll see.

It will be an interesting weekend...I am here with a bunch of teachers from my school...it will be interesting to see how it goes...

I gotta get to bed but read my homework for the conference first...

But, here's a pic of the view from my room...nothing better than the Las Vegas Strip...



I don't think I could live here...there's this weird tapping noise coming from the air conditioner in the middle of my room...I think someone wants out...

A Prophet Sat Below Me...

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Anyone who knows me knows I love music! I love it a lot! I love all genres (for the most part) and I love to go and listen to it...

So, tonight my roommate Angie had tickets to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Utah Symphony's O.C. Tanner concert at the conference center. We were in the same building as the prophet and many other important members of the church. When President Monson walked in, everyone stood up and the room went silent. How great it is to have these men to lead us.

It's hard to tell, but that is President Monson standing below us...

The concert was patriotic and they had two guest singers--my favorite of the two was Brian Stokes Mitchell. I have put his music on my blog so you can get a taste--he sang Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific. I love that musical! But, I fell in love with his voice as well. I want some man to sing this song about me someday!

But, it was a great concert in all. They even did the Armed Forces Salute (I have seen this done three times this year and each time gives me the chills)! We were able to see Elder Eyring stand for the Air Force and President Monson stood for the Navy.

I love going to cultural expereinces. Poor Jon came with us, but I think he enjoyed it as well. Angie, Sarah, and I decided that we would start an old movie club though--when I get back from Vegas, we are planning to watch South Pacific for the first one if anyone wants to join us! Let me know!

I love temple square! It is just such a peaceful place...

The Moon

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

The moon has been full--it's working it's way out! But, I love the moon!!! Anyone who knows me knows this!!!

My friend Bryant and I decided to go and watch it. I had heard that if you go up to Sundance on a full moon night during the summer, you can ride the ski lifts up and watch the moon come up.

Bryant and I waited in line at the ski lodge to get our ticket. This was my first time inside of one of these buildings! Also, it was only my second time on a ski lift...

Warning: It is a romantic activity though--it is definitely something you should do with someone you love! There were a lot of people that were in love or so it looked on the lifts--and then some people that were just enjoying a nice ride. My favorite to see were the families that brought little kids (yes, even though it was late and the school teacher in me says they should have been in bed). Teaching children to love the night time sky is a great idea! I think Bryant and I may have disturbed the romantic couples around us because we kept laughing at them!

Afterwords, we drove back through the Alpine Loop--and it was dark--but you could see the beauty of fall happening in the trees as the lights shone on them. We also listened to Christmas music! It was fantastic! I love Christmas music (even if it is only September...). Christmas music is one of my favorite kinds and I think we don't get to listen to it enough...

So--another should do in Utah--ride the ski lift to watch the full moon! I give it two thumbs up! The ski lift costs $8 per person and you get a 45 minute ride. For more info, check out:
http://www.sundanceresort.com/explore/sum_lift_rides.html

I'm glad Bryant went with me so I wasn't the loser all alone on the ski lift! Thanks Bryant!

My Team--The Heroes!

Saturday, September 13, 2008
So I was the team captain for an ultimate frisbee team this weekend! We played in a Young Single Adult Regional tournament this weekend. It was crazy--because I got back from camping at 2:30 am and had to be out to frisbee by 7:30 am. I was exhausted--but it was great.

We had 9 players on our team--a combo from the Riverview Ward and my new South Mountain Ward. My team consisted of me, James Brown (he was kind of Co-Captain), Merrill VanLeuwen (he also was kind of Co-Captain), Kristina Walker, Linda Bennett, Stacey Christensen, Anthony Gale, Roque Olmos, and Justin Larson. We named our team the Heroes.

We played on fields that were horrible--and we survived even through injuries. We were an endurance team that was there to play...and we did!

Out of the 19 teams, we came in 2nd. We only lost 2 games. But--4 hours made us all very tired.

Thanks to my team though--you were all amazing and I'm glad that we got to play together! Maybe there will be a next year! If any of you like to play frisbee--we are playing on Thursday nights now! Call me for more details!!!

Kiss From A Rose

So--we were out playing by the water having a great time throwing things in and singing--when we realized we didn't remember how that song starts--so I put that song on my blog so now we know! That's that...

Crazy--but the words were different than I thought!

The Super Activity

September 11--September 12, 2008

This weekend was the Riverview 7th Ward's super activity. We went camping up in those beautiful mountains east of Park City again--and it was great! But COLD!!!

5 of us went up Thursday afternoon to start getting things ready: Diana, Bryant, Brandon, Celeste, and myself. On the way, we had to stop and place signs for the rest of the ward. Diana, Brandon, and I had the fun job of this--and I got to hug a tree!


We got up there and started setting up camp. We unloaded the trailers and started setting up the food area. Bryant and Brandon hung up the tarp over the food area (good thing because it rained a little Thursday night). Bryant looked like a superhero with a cape with the tarp hanging over his shoulder. By the time we finished we were hungry--and all we had a lot of food, but we were supposed to eat hot dogs...so we decided on an alternative plan because we were hungry.

We went back down to the canyon to eat at a 50's style diner that just opened a few months ago--we made it right before they closed (meaning the service wasn't the best because they wanted to go home.). I had a burger with bacon--I've been craving bacon lately...crazy...it's good.


When we had finished setting up, we realized we had a big problem--we couldn't figure out how to turn on the water for the campgrounds! Bryant, Brandon, and I wandered around trying to figure it out, but I couldn't remember from last time where Bro. McSweeny had turned it on at.

Because of that dillema--we had to manually flush! Bryant and Brandon were good guys while we were there and helped bring the water from the faucets we were able to get working...they were clever with their way of getting the water up! I am so grateful for guys who know how to be gentlemen! Thanks Brandon and Bryant!


Bryant also did a good job keeping us warm--when we woke up Friday morning, there was a fire already going--and he was chopping the wood to keep it going...

Then, we went on a mini hike--up to the water! It was fun. Here's pics from the hike...and a video!

Hiking to the river...I was collecting leaves on the hike...

The rock throwing contest--Goal: to make the biggest splash.
The contestants: Bryant, Jason, and Brandon

Watch the video to see who wins!

The seven daring campers--we were the seven who faced the cold night and went on our hike the next morning...Bryant, Celeste, Brandon, Michelle, Jason, Amy, and Diana.

We also had a stick throwing contest--we threw our sticks in the river to see whose would go farthest.

I won that game a few times!

After that--it was time to go back and we spent time getting dinner ready. Then it was time for the dinner and the spiritual hike. I had such a great time with my old ward--I made some new friends up there (even if I'm not on facebook!). I learned a lot from their hike as well about finding heroes in our lives.

I miss my Riverview Ward! They are so tight knit! And I miss the awesome Bishopric. Bishop and Sister Ernest made an entrance when they got there!

I had to come back early and I felt bad--becuase I wanted to stay and have fun! But, I'll tell you why in another post!

The Best Trecos on Earth!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Linda, Bryant and I went to the Utah State Fair! We went to the rodeo and it was great--the bull riders stayed on better than the last rodeo we went to! I have now been to two rodeos, and I can say I like them...maybe I can be a country girl!

When the rodeo was done, we wandered the fair grounds and looked at the booths. Bryant bought a hat for his dad and we bought cinnamon almonds and a funnel cake. I just love fair food!

Pictures from wandering...

Bryant's hat he bought his dad.

The Lights

Bryant trying his luck with the games--we only used $1 for fun.

A goat...he was having a moment...

Linda with her cowboy hat she bought.

When we were wandering, we found this booth that has the best trecos on earth. Does anyone know what a treco is?


Rodeo #2! It was fabulous!

Grandparents' Day

Did you know that this Sunday is Grandparents' Day? We are celebrating it at school...since I have had grandparents on my mind, I thought I would write about mine...

I had the best Grandpa ever--I always said I wanted to marry someone just like him someday (I realize my grandpa had 80+ years to turn into that...), but he was just great. He always called my grandma sweetheart and he always was so good to her. My grandma was in a wheelchair the later half of her life, and he spent all his time taking care of her and my Uncle Scott who had down's. He was also a genius. He worked for McDonald Douglas a portion of his life and then he worked for Utah State University helping to design their satellites and space things. He worked for them all the way until he died.

My Grandma was a gem...she was one of my favorite people and I miss her so much. My grandma used to be my pen pal. She always believed in me and wanted the best for me. I always loved asking her for advice in our letters. She also loved to play games and have fun. She had 12 children and I think that affected her health a lot to where she couldn't walk anymore. Her children probably didn't love her as well as they should have. But, she was an example of endurance to me and of doing your calling no matter what it is....

I didn't really get the chance to know my mom's mom. She passed away before my mom came here to get married. But, I'm sure I know her--in fact--I have felt that she has helped me out in situations before. And my mom's dad, Grandpa Sid, was fun. I learned a lot from watching him--he was a hard worker. He also loved my mom and our family a lot. He lived with us for a few years when I was younger. He died from liver failure from his alcoholism. But, I knew he loved us.

And I have several adopted grandmas-- but one of my favorites is Verda. I love her--she is still alive and going--and she is almost 90. I love to hear her stories and talk with her when I go home. This past weekend I had the chance to go and see her--she is still sharp, but her memory is having a harder time. She used to live next door to my family and we used to always go and play games with her and eat her delicious apple pies and fondant. She was a great cook.

Melissa, Verda, and Me

How blessed we are to have the chance to learn from our elders! I just hope someday, I can influence someone the way they have influenced me...

The Snow and Fine Dining --Chipotle

Monday, September 1, 2008

After our nature drive--Jaime and I decided to grab her boyfriend Joe and go and grab some lunch. We ran to Chipotle--one of our favorite places to go! I love Chipotle because they are organic and the meat is great. The salad feels healthier there than Cafe Rio. I love Chipotle!


After Chipotle, Jaime and I dropped Joe back off to work and we went on another drive up Butterfield Canyon. It was so cold--we saw snow! But, it was beautiful! I love drives...but now it's time to get to work...I have so much to do!!!!


Time for me to be NBPTS oriented--I'll tell ya'll more about that later...:(

The Cricket Eating Expereince...

Monday, September 1, 2008

There's a first for everything, right? Or maybe there shouldn't be! Jaime, Merrill, and I were going to hike to the caves this morning...but it was sleeting and our time frame didn't work with the time frame they had. So we wandered around the cave store area and the rangers were letting everyone try some dried crickets. If you ate one...the prize was a stick candy...yum!

Merrill was brave and ate his first...


Jaime and I ate one as well--but we forgot to take pics of it...I can tell ya what it tasted like though--it tasted like you were eating a peanut shell that was dry roasted cuz it had a salty taste to it. It wasn't bad--but I wouldn't eat them like popcorn (cuz I hate popcorn! and it would just be gross...)
Since we were in the national park (we used Allison's pass to get in free), we decided to go for a drive and see stuff. We drove up to Cascade Springs (I went there with Linda in an earlier blog). We wandered and took some pics and got rained on. Plus...Merrill jumped in a big puddle and splashed us while we were skipping! Boys--I tell ya...I missed out not having brothers!

Jaime and I keeping dry...somewhatly....

A group photo at Cascade Springs.

I found this cool shot at the springs...I think it's neat with the seasons changing! When I grow up--I want to have pics I have taken in my house on display--that will be the artwork in my house!

It was so cold outside that my mood ring turned black! And it was snowing on the mountains! Winter is around the corner (I just hope we get fall first!!!).


On the way out, we stopped to take some pictures--there was a family posing, so we decided to take a family picture as well...sort of...

I think Jaime and I bring out the bad side of Merrill...we got him to play gansta on us...it was kinda funny--we were shocked that he could do it!

More pics from the day: