EFY, Here I come ready or NOT!!

With NOT being the operative word!!
Packed- half a check
Tired-check
Excited-check
Nervous-check
Stressed-check
Prepared- NON check!!

New York, New York!!

So the title might be a little deceiving, but with the costume my sister is wearing, I thought it appropriate!! We went to her final show of Rythmical Madness (the dance troupe at her high schoo) and I LOVED IT!! Okay, so I just loved her, but same diff. I didn't know my sister had soul, but after her hip hop routines she was supposed to be black!!! That probably explains why she got a mini solo in the African dance they did!! She rocked it!! She was the most energetic one out there and is a true performer (if you couldn't tell from the pics). I love my lil' sis and think she's a STAR!!

Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear DADDY. Happy Birthday to you!!

So my dad's favorite color is blue, so this post gets written in blue writing!! My dad turned 58 this year!!! Weird huh?! I can't believe it!! Okay, it actually isn't that weird and I can believe it!!! I think I am starting to get old though too because 58 doesn't sound that old any more. Now 60!! That still sounds ancient!!
Anyway, my dad was lucky as we decided to celebrate his birthday twice so, it kind of was a week long thing. He wanted to go to the drive-ins for his birthday, so away we went. We didn't think everyone that was living here could make it, but we all did. We ended up watching Iron Man (my second time. LOVE IT!!) and 10,000 B.C. (which I really enjoyed)!! I think my dad had fun with all his kids and watching totally guy movies.
Then, that Saturday, we met up at Shaun and Cara and John's apartment complex and had a bar-b-que and swim party!! The whole family got together and just ate and played together. My dad even got in the pool and threw us kids off his shoulders like he used to do when we were little (his knee must be getting better). After swimming we went to Cara's house and had cake and ice cream (which cake I couldn't have because I made a New Year's resolution to not eat cake this year and I've actually done pretty good) and then Mom, Dad, Cara, and Brendon played Canasta while the rest of us either went home to sleep, slept at Cara's house, or went to go see Chronicles of Narnia!! I think my dad had a great birthday because most of his kids were there. And that's what he loves BEST!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

So I'm posting in yellow since that is my mom's favorite color, but that means you probably won't be able to read this!! Oh well!!
I'm not as good as my sister on actually posting the day things happen or the actual day of holidays, but I eventually post (maybe a month late) which is better than nothing. And to make my sister feel bad (since she is so much better than me at everything) the entire family was with her that day except her and 2 of my brothers. So take that Alicia.
It was actually a very nice day with most of the family attending my parent's ward. Then, the other children who didn't come to church with us, came over in the evening to have dinner and watch mom open presents. Then mom wanted to watch old family movies and we got really caught up in them and watched them till 11 pm. I don't know what it is about old movies, but I love to see the silly things you do as a child and to see a person grow up (especially if it is you or your family members). It brings back soo many great memories and smiles!! My mom and I are really the only ones in our family that like to do this, so we'll definitely have to have a date to do it!!
I love my mother more than words can express. She is the woman who gave me life and then taught me how to live it!!! She has been my best friend and confidant my entire life. When things take a turn for the worst, my mother's loving arms are the only thing that can comfort!! She has more patience than anyone I know (she has too since she has 9 kids)!!! She loves each of her children individually and knows what makes each one of them tick!! Although she's worked many times throughout her life, it has never taken her away from home and she has never let it!! I think she works harder at home than at her jobs though!! She has an endless supply of energy and enthusiasm!! She is organized to a T and fits more into a day than most people fit into a lifetime!! She makes everyone around her feel at ease and welcomed. She doesn't judge and cares deeply for others. She is the epitome of what I want to be when I become a mother!! I LOVE YOU MOM!!!

Let's go fly a kite!!!

Or at least try!! We had a kite flying activity on the 10th of May for my young single adult ward. We were supposed to build a kite and then try to fly it and have a contest doing it. Well, we only had 1bout 15 people show up, there was NO wind, and only 3 people actually tried to make kites and fly them. My bishop brought his own kite though and flew that for a little while. It was a success though because people just had fun playing football, soccer, and catch. It was a beautiful sunny day outside and there was a lot of bonding going on. Overall, I think those that came had a great time. Too bad for those who didn't right?!

GOOOO TEAM!!!

(Our team in blue, Aaron going for the rebound)

(team huddle. If anyone is curious, the tall guy in the back with no shirt under his jersey was my make-out buddy)

( the other team going up for the shot and us trying to block)

So our men in our ward have 2 basketball teams. Usually I can't go to the games because they are on Thursdays during Institute or other days when I'm busy doing other things. But I have been able to go to the last 4 games. (Brendon showing off trying to dunk off my back!!)

They have even let my little brother Brendon play, so I've been taking him to the games with me. The 2 games we had last week we won and one from this week we won. Last night one of our teams got trounced 80 something to 60 something. We had plenty of players we just couldn't score!! This time Brendon played on the other team as it was our family ward team. The family ward team only had 5 players and one of them fouled out in the last 3 minutes so they played with four players and still won!! Kind of sad for our boys!! I was really supportive of our team (while yet cheering on my brother) until our team started to be poor sports about loosing and yelling at the refs and the other team and complaining. So I abandoned ship and started rooting all out for the family ward team!! Oops, but come on boys!! It's only church basketball!! I think our teams problem is that they are all good players, they all just seem to have the same strengths and weaknesses and everyone wants to be the superstar so they don't play as a team. Plus, we didn't really have a coach last night, so they had to call in subs and things on their own.(say cheese. Me cheering on the team)

(ashley, megan, and lelani (in the back) cheering on the team)(Jessica Pierce and Brent doing their share)I still have a blast cheering, being loud, doing cheerleading cheers, pounding the floor and screaming when the other team was shooting free throws, and doing spirit fingers when our team was shooting free throws!! We have about 5-10 girls who are the cheering section!! It makes for some fun times and a good break from the busy life of a single!!!

You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

The Challenge

My sister tagged me (whatever that means) so I'm taking the challenge. It isn't that hard, but should be kind of fun. You might learn something new about me!!

Four Movies I could Watch over and over:
1. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
2.Remember the Titans
3.Anything with Vin Diesel in it
4.The Mummy movies


Four Jobs I've Had:
1. Substitute teacher (Elk Grove Unified School District. LOVE IT!!)
2. English Teacher in Japan (island of Shikoku, city of Kanonji)
3. Waitress (Los Hermanos Mexican Restaurant in Lindon Utah)
4. Lifeguard/swim instructor (Montgomery Village MD and Elk Grove CA for 7 years)


Four Places I've Lived:
1. Rosario Argentina (my mission)
2. Kanonji Japan (taught English there)
3. Elk Grove California (where my parents currently reside)
4. Nauvoo Illinois (semester abroad for Brigham Young University)


Four of My Favorite dishes/foods:
1. Tuna Shells (ask my family)
2. Spaghetti
3. Bread
4. Ben and Jerry's chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream


Four T.V. Shows I Love:
1. Friends
2. Survivor
3. LOST
4. Anything on TLC


Four sites I visit daily:
1. Hotmail
2. Yahoo
3. Gmail
4. Blogspot


Four Places I have Vacationed:
1. Calavera's Big Trees in CA
2. Week long trip to Vegas and Disneyland
3. Burbank CA (my bro used to live there. He even took us on a tour of the WB lot)
4. Kansas City Missouri (my mom's friends live there. It's always great times!!)


Four Places I'd rather be right now:
1.Maryland
2. Europe
3.Africa
4. Thailand


Four Bloggers I'm Tagging:
1. Tay
2. Fauna
3. Kristen
4. Amber-Rose