Fun Times

I found the funniest blog through my sister Kelsey. It actually made the news on KSL recently. It is called "Seriously, So Blessed." Go to seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com or just click on the link under my blog list. If you think, 'Wow, this is WEIRD!" then just read the past posts to get a feel for the entire blog and it will answer your questions. One of my favorite posts has to do with Shawn Johnson and The American Tale movie. You will laugh while sitting alone. Also, make sure you have the sound turned on your computer to hear the blog's soundtrack. Have fun!

Well, I am leaving tomorrow for a weekend in Lake Powell! You will get pictures in the future!!

A New Year

At the end of the summer it was hard to come back to Utah and start work again. My summer in Wisconsin was perfect. It was filled with family, seeing old homeward friends, fireworks, travelling, mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, shopping, free time, the South, Door County, talks with individual members of my family, throwing the football in the backyard with Peter, a successful garage sale and not to mention, the great lemonade stand, and much more. I think I'm the biggest homebody of all my siblings. I love being home with the FAM! It is refreshing and rejuvenating. I just have such a supportive, loving family that made coming back difficult.

Upon the drive back out to Utah, I kept thinking, "I'll just turn around, and spend a couple more days home, no problem..." But I kept driving because I'm sure my mother would want me to. I mean she loves me, but I'm sure wishes I would go out and find a man this year! Needless to say, I was eager to come back to Utah and reestablish my life here. I met a really nice LDS family in North Platte, NB in the breakfast lounge of the LaQuinta Inn. They were so kind and offered to caravan together! It made me feel better knowing that someone was with me, at least in a way.

I now work at Geneva Elementary in Orem. It is WONDERFUL. That says it all. I love the staff, the kids I've met, the parents. The only funny thing is that I've worked so hard to earn my master's degree, however upon finishing have 1) gone back to an elementary school and 2) work in a trailer with a broken air conditioner. Oh, and it is in the upper 90s every day! I do NOT like the heat. But I am so happy and excited for this year. Everything seems to be surprisingly going more smoothly than usual. My friends and family are so good to me. I live "a good life." :)

Fun in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Here is my disclaimer. Lots of these pictures are NOT in order. Just use your imagination. So above is The Oceanic, a restaurant on the beach We ate outside here and it was lovely. After dinner it got a bit cloudy, which makes the picture not as pleasing, but at least you get a feel of what it was like.
First night in Wilmington. Again it was a bit cloudy, but I am totally riding the wave! It took me looots of practice to do this with a boogy board. Thanks Joe and Carrie for sharing:)
The waves right off the beach in Wilmington. We got to play in these all day on a day of our trip. I wish I had a picture of the many palm trees in that city, along with more of the tourist attractions and people. This area is very different from what we're used to, which made it such a neat experience.

Parasailing in Wilmington!

The day we went parasailing turned out to be pretty nice. It was windy in the morning and early afternoon...leaving a possibility of unfavorable conditions for parasailing. But it turned out to be great. The sun was bright, sky clear, the wind slow, and water calm. Here is a ridge we all saw along the boat ride that was just gorgeous.
Joe wasn't ready for this....deep inside of me I'd love to be a professional photographer...you know...get those perfect in the moment pictures:) I thought it was at least a decent photo of father and son.
Here we are on the boat. Carrie thanks for giving me a smile. I know it was really tough for you that day (pregnancy can be a joy, but can sure make one sick!) Not to mention the rocking of the boat:)
Ahhhh, cute face. I asked him to take his sunglasses off so I could see more of his face. He gave a pretty good face.
There Joe is parasailing. He actually went one to two hundred feet high in the sky and further behind the boat. However, here is a picture right before he was dipped in the water! (The boat driver would "dip" people into the water up to their knees or waist upon request). Overall a very fun, but tiring day.

Wilmington, North Carolina

We spent some time walking along the coast. I loved seeing all of the palm trees in Wilmington. I loved seeing the water, the waves, and the shops. As we were walking along, Sawyer got the attention of a friendly dog. This dog apparently was lost for a week or two in Wilmington and when found was near starvation and NOT friendly any longer to almost everyone. But Sawyer seemed to have the magic touch with him.
I saw this vase inside a small shop. I had to take a picture of it. I love the citrus fruit idea with brightly colored flowers idea. Maybe I'll use it when I get married one day!
This restaurant is called The Oceanic. As you can see, our table was on a dock on the beach. It was a special night to experience that. There were MANY choices for all kinds of seafood and fish. What a night! This is my mom and I. She's probably my best friend and we sure had a great trip together.
Sawyer enjoying the water.

I LOVE this boy.

SURVEY

My sister Kelsey tagged me to take this survey. Here it goes!

10 years ago: I was 15 years old. This was a summer when I was mowing lawns and baby-sitting in my neighborhood to pay for EFY, which was in DeKalb, IL . 

5 years ago: I was working as a hostess at Fratello's in Oshkosh, WI. I was actually engaged that summer!!! Wow, that was a roller-coaster. 

5 months ago: Let me see... March 2008. I was having lots of IEPs at Grovecrest Elementary and looking forward to the end of the school year. Oh I was doing LOTS of work preparing for my thesis defense. 

5 things on my to do list: 

1. Sign a fall/winter contract.

2. Purchase butter/margarine. 

3. Find out list of tenants on second floor of complex

4. Gather and unpack boxes in storage. 

5. Exercise!

5 snacks:

1. Dreyer's creamy coconut all fruit popsicles

2. Peaches

3. Chocolate

4. A slice or two of medium to sharp cheddar cheese

5. Goldfish crackers

5 Billionaire Things:

1. Vacation homes on every continent..bring my family each place yearly.

2. Pay for all my siblings homes and schooling.

3. Own a theme park

4. Give lots to charity

5. Grow lots of flowers and give them away

5 places I have lived:

1. Santa Clara, California

2. Oshkosh, Wisconsin

3. Provo, UT

I can't list any more!

5 Things You May Not Know About Me:

1. I have recently begun a new phase in my life...dejunking everything!

2. In eighth grade I was German and Industrial Technology student of the year.

3. I have only applied to one undergraduate school and one graduate school.

4. I want to name my first son Quincy.

5. When I was little, one of my kidneys was 1/4 the size of the other. I guess it caused some problems.