Palm Springs

Brace yourself for a super long post about my Memorial Weekend in Palm Springs. What can I say I take a lot of pictures and it was a fun trip. I want to make sure that none of you miss out on the details of the weekend events. We made some good memories!

For Memorial Weekend I went to Palm Springs with the Girls. I seriously love this group of friends! We have so much fun together. Elissa was so nice to let all of us go stay at her family's place where her Grandma used to live. We were all excited for some sun and a whole lot of relaxing! We thought we might find us all a sugar daddy as well, but no luck. It was a great kickoff to the summer. We flew into Long Beach on Friday May 22nd rented some cars and drove to Palm Springs.

9 girls means a lot of luggage and we only had 2 cars so we were having a tricky time trying to get all of it in the trunk. I think we rearranged things at least a dozen times. Kimi decided just to climb in to get things to fit better.

Once in Palm Springs we had lunch at a great little Italian restaurant.

After lunch and some grocery shopping to stock up on some good treats and a few other things to eat we headed back to the condo. I put my swimsuit on and thought I would head out to the pool with the crew but I also had to finish a statistics assignment that was due on Saturday. I realized quickly that I couldn't see the screen on my laptop pool side so I ended up staying inside to work on it. This was the biggest downer of the trip for me. It was brutal doing homework and having to ignore the pool and fun until it was finished. I did take a little nap in between but I seriously worked on it the rest of the afternoon, evening, and early into Saturday morning. I felt like the biggest loser doing homework and missing out on the fun conversations in the other room. I was determined to finish it so it wouldn't ruin any more of my trip and so I could enjoy the day Saturday. I finally wrapped up my assignment at 4 AM! It was torture and it was only the second assignment in the class so I was still really struggling figuring out some of the basics of statistics. Luckily I did end up doing really well on the assignment but it obviously took me a LONG time.

When I was looking for blankets in the closet I found this awesome thing. I guess it is a sleeping bag, kind of cute and creepy. So Jessie saran wrapped it on herself and decided to scare the girls in the other room while they were sleeping. It didn't even phase them apparently. She came in and gave me a good laugh while I was working on my assignment.

This is where we spent a lot of time on our trip. We started early on Saturday relaxing at the pool. It was fantastic!

After a long day lounging at the pool we went shopping and to dinner. I love how Kimi tries things on at the store. Who needs dressing rooms anyway? We both bought cute sundresses at this store.

Our shopping trip was obviously a success. We all left with about 3 bags each. I'd like to say we are doing our part to help boost the economy.

Dinner at the Daily Grill was exciting. We sat out on the patio and witnessed a drunk couple getting out of a cab and getting into an argument. He seemed like a huge jerk and she was pretty wasted. They were oblivious to all of the diners at the restaurant that were staring at them. They gave us all a good show. I guess that is one reason not to get drunk:) We also learned not to put Kelli in charge of figuring out the bill. I think she was trying to get more money out of all of us:) Love ya Kell Bell!

On Sunday we hit up the swap meet. We found some awesome stuff but made very few purchases. I was really tempted to buy this hair piece.

It was incredibly hot so we enjoyed a little frozen lemonade. Notice Kelli's awesome silver sequinned fanny pack, compliments of Elissa's grandma.

Some day we might have to start a red hat society, at least we know where we can pick up some great hats.

Elissa's looking Hot.

Kimi found true love with the parking lot shuttle driver. Isn't he a Hotty! There wasn't a lot of single guys our age around to choose from.

After the swap meet we went back to the condo to get ready for church. We found the singles branch and went to Sacrament. Wow did we make an appearance. I am pretty sure we doubled there numbers that day. We were hoping to find some quality guys to invite over for a BBQ the next day but unfortunately there were hardly any guys there and most of them were quite young, pre-mission and fresh off the mission age. Everyone was so nice to us and several people came over to greet us. The best part was that we were invited to be part of the program with a special musical number. We sang Love One Another with the Relief Society. The bishop thought it was so beautiful that he asked us to sing it again. I think there were 4 girls from the ward and 9 of us.

After church I decided to head out to the pool to do some reading and relaxing all by myself. When I came back inside this is what I found on the sliding door. Sorry it might not be the most appropriate thing to post but it was too funny not to. These girls were quite creative with some magazines and a bra. Such details.

I think they're just jealous:)

For dinner on Sunday night we went to Don Diegos. Haylie and I had to get a picture with Don.

While at the swap meet Kelli, Alli, and I picked up these sweet "Wuff" t-shirts. I have always made fun of shirts, blankets, and stuff that have things like this on it (really anything with wildlife, kitties, puppies, native american stuff, etc.). Kelli and Alli also share these feelings and think they are creepy. They have become quite obsessed with "Wuff" stuff lately. There was a booth at the swap meet that was classic with all of the kinds of shirts I described above. We hit the jackpot. It was hard to choose which shirt to get. I chose mine because it had all of the classic wildlife: a bald eagle, bear, deer, and of course a wolf. Alli's was great with the dreamweaver and Kelli's with all of the wolf faces. They don't get much better than this. Alli and Kelli had the guy selling the shirts so confused about how to pronounce wolf, he obviously doesn't know the correct way of saying "wuff".

We had to show our appreciation for our find by howling to the moon!

Here is a photo shoot of the crew:

Myself sometimes referred to as "Mo Money"

Elissa

Missy aka "Masty"

Kimi or Kimbi or Cob

Alli

Jessie

Jenny

Haylie

Kelli dubbed my little brother

Each night we would go for a walk around the condo's/golf course. Seriously we had to do something a little active after all the lounging and treat devouring. It really became more like a parade each night. Palm Springs was pretty dead but we didn't mind because we are our own entertainment.

I was so excited to take the cruiser bike for a spin one night during the walk/parade.

I was nice and let Kimbi have a turn.

We even held a speed walking competiton. I was the referee because I was on the bike.

Here are the champions.

The Losers

My favorite thing was the Golf Cart. Golf Carts are pretty much the main mode of transportation in Palm Springs. I had no idea that they made custom golf carts, apparently that's the thing around there. Elissa's grandma's golf cart matched her car. Isn't it AWESOME! I don't think I've ever driven a golf cart so it was fun to take it out for a Sunday Drive. The Golf Cart also became a part of the nightly walks so we could play music and have a little spotlight for all of the dancing/marching in the parade.

Kelli taught everyone the USU fight song actions since she cheered at USU. I was bummed that I was on the bike, I've always wanted to know them:)! I guess she'll have to give me my own personal lesson one day. Hey what is a parade if you don't have some marching group.

Of course we practiced our Toyota Jumps.

and our heel click jumps.

Elissa, Jenny, Kelli and I were pretty stoked to show off our cheerleading stunting skills. I'm glad I've still got the skills. I should since I've coached cheerleaders the last three years but I never stunt with them so it was fun to try it out with Kelli. We got her up first time. She wouldn't let us try a lib or a basket toss. What a chicken, doesn't she trust us? It's not like we were on pavement or anything that could seriously hurt her if we dropped her.

One night we played a pretty random game. Some of these girls come up with some strange ideas sometimes. I was pretty skeptical at first and was making fun of it but it was pretty funny in the end. We were each supposed to bring pictures of boys we've dated or kissed and then we tried to match up which one of us dated/kissed which guy. Hey you can't go on a girls trip without having a little boy talk right. A couple girls sure get around a lot, I won't mention any names:)

Here are a couple pictures from the pool. I was forbidden to post some of the pictures. Too bad because I had some awesome pictures. Sorry about swimsuit pictures of myself.

We each bought a raft at the local store. Thanks to whoever got us a sweet deal. I think the price was marked wrong but we made sure that we got the best deal.

A fun game of jumping onto our rafts stacked up

I was sad to fly home on Monday evening a day before the others but I couldn't miss another day of work. Once again being responsible gets in the way of my fun. Oh well I did pick up a really great tan to start the summer off right.

I can't wait to go back and look forward to many more trips with these gals!!! Thanks again Elissa!

Fancy Nancy Birthday Celebrations!

Fancy Nancy Birthday Party. Sydnee, Ella, and Taya all have birthdays in May. Finally this year my sisters decided to combine their birthday parties. On Saturday May 16th we gathered at Jessica's for the party. It was a cute theme based on the Fancy Nancy children's books. My mom took the 3 girls to a local beauty school where they had a full make-over getting their hair and make-up done as well as a manicure and pedicure. I am sure they had so much fun getting the full pampered treatment. When they arrived to the party my mom introduced each one as Miss Fancy Sydnee, Miss Fancy Taya, and Miss Fancy Ella and they each came out and modeled for us. They loved all the attention.

They each had so much glitter and hairspray in their hair and definitely were sporting grown up hair styles.

Taya's hair was especially wild. But she doesn't have a ton of hair so I think they just ratted it a lot and added the trendy bump. She thought she looked amazing which is all that matters. She's always a great model for pictures.

Then they all got dressed up in fancy clothes and jewelry and each one received a darling tutu for their birthday. Chloe had already gotten her tutu on her birthday so she got into the action and of course they couldn't leave Taegan out so she also got a tutu. They were sooo cute! I wish I could wear one and look just as darling.

Miss Fancy Taya turned 5 on May 20th

Miss Fancy Ella turned 5 on May 10th

Miss Fancy Sydnee turned 6 on May 28th

Cute little Miss Fancy Taegan

Tyce and Mike showing off their cool trick.

My sisters do a great job of throwing their kids fun themed birthday parties. It is alway quite a production.

Hogle Zoo

At the end of the school year we always take our daycare and preschool students on a field trip to Hogle Zoo. This year we went on Tuesday May 19th. It made me a little sad to realize that Taya and Ella would not be a part of the annual trip next year as they are both off to Kindergarten. It's been a lot of fun having them both at the daycare at Highland and especially fun having them be a part of the preschool this year since I work more closely with the preschool.

Bee's Game

On May 15th I went to the Bee's game with some of my friends. I'm not a huge baseball fan but I love going to Bee's games.

You just can't go to a baseball game and not get a hot dog. I decided to go for the Chicago Dog, it was massive and delicious. I love this photo of Jessie and I, and hey who is trying to steal my pickle? Probably Kelli.

After the Bee's game we went to Leatherby's for Ice Cream. Kelli and I each ordered something to share since we couldn't decide. Apparently we should have ordered just one since we didn't even come close to finishing either one. It was yummy of course. Kelli, who is affectionately dubbed as my little brother, and I were on one that night. Sometimes we think we are so hilarious, which we usually are if I say so myself. We were with a lot of new people that we hadn't hung out with before. On the drive home I was thinking to myself other people must think we are so weird, but hey at least we have lots of fun!

Race for the Cure

The last two years the cheerleaders I work with have been asked to help with the Race for the Cure as "Cureleaders" (cute name, eh). I love when they get the opportunity to do something in the community that is service oriented. Some other things they have been involved with is the American Heart Association Walk and the MS Walk.

The Race for the cure is such a great cause for them to be involved with. I hope that they all have become a little more educated about breast cancer as they helped with the race. The week before the race they hold a survivors luncheon at Little America and our squad along with another school performed the cheers/chants and showed off a couple cool stunts for the survivors. I always get emotional as I watch all of the survivors and am amazed at the struggles they have gone through as they fight breast cancer. Several of them are at the luncheon with scarves covering their bald heads which is a sure sign of the battle they are facing. I don't think these cheerleaders will ever forget the experience as well as the chants that they shouted during the race to support and educate the survivors, runners, and crowd.

Of course since we were at Little America we decided to have lunch together at the coffee shop after they finished cheering for the survivors.

The race took place on Saturday May 9th. We had to arrive so early to help get things set up. It's kind of a challenge to get 26 teenagers (as well as myself) motivated to be somewhere at 6 am on a Saturday morning. But once they arrived they really got into the spirit of things and I know they all had a fun and rewarding day.

Don't they look so excited to be there so early, good thing they had some food for the volunteers.

Here they are cheering on the runners/walkers.

Some of the chants they shouted:

"Raise your voices for healthy choices, I am the Cure"

"Best Detection is Early Protection, I am the Cure"

"Every person, everywhere, I am the Cure"

and my all time favorite

"With Mammograms and Breast Exams, I am the Cure"

These chants were made up by the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the "Cureleaders" to shout at the races across the country.

Several groups come up with t-shirts with really cool sayings. Humor is always a great way to deal with difficult things and breast's are an easy target. This was a good one, in case you can't read it, it says "squeeze a lemon save a life". One of my friends family wore tutu's and shirts that said Tutu's for Tata's. I especially love seeing the men wear these things.

My cousin Elizabeth ran in the race in honor of her mom, my Aunt Mona, who has been fighting Breast Cancer. Elizabeth lives in Idaho and my Aunt Mona lives in Washington so I rarely see them, maybe once a year. I knew she was doing the race but we really didn't think we would see each other because there are thousands of people there. I was so excited that she noticed me as she ran by and they came and found me after they were done. It made the whole experience even more special! The race is always the Saturday before Mothers Day, which I think is quite appropriate since so many women are affected by Breast Cancer. Next year I want to actually participate in the race. I think it would be awesome to do it with my mom and sisters.

Audrey was having tons of fun with the cool super hero cape they were giving out at the promo booths. She even created a stunt with it. She's such a fun girl.

Ok so I really got into the super hero cape and all the fun promo stuff at the booths as well (occasionally I might be a tiny bit guilty of acting like a teenager when I'm around them for awhile). It was a fun day.

It was so rewarding for me to see my cheerleaders really getting into the race. As they led the breast cancer survivors in during the survivor parade and cheered them on as the survivors made there way to the Gateway steps I loved that as I looked around several of my cheerleaders had tears in their eyes as did I. It really was a touching experience.

No more pencils, no more books, no more students dirty looks!

Schools officially out for summer, Hooray!!! Maybe I finally will have some time to catch up on my blogging, amongst many other things. The last couple months have been busy and exciting and I have a lot to blog about.  Graduation was today, it seems like we are the last school district in the state to get out of school. The end of the school year is always a little bittersweet for me.  I look forward to summer and can't wait to get rid of some students but it seems that each year there are always several seniors who I become attached to and it's sad to see them graduate, but exciting at the same time. 

I have tried not to blog about students because it's probably not very professional but I might have to break my rule for a couple posts.  This year in particular there are 4 senior girls who have been on the cheer squad all three years that I have coached and I really have grown to love these girls.  I look forward to hearing about all of the great things they do in their life and I really will miss the almost daily interaction that I have had with them the past 3 years.  There definitely were times when I wanted to kill each one of them but overall I really have grown to love them and will look back on these years with many great memories.  Best of luck to them and all of the class of 2009!

Sarah, Alexa, Me, Ally, and Audrey

Here are all of the senior cheerleaders on senior night after the last home basketball game. 

I love Mothers!

May has been busy as usual and so I'm behind on my blog posting but I didn't want to forget to pay tribute to my mom. Stay tuned for more May happenings, luckily summer is right around the corner.  2 more weeks till school's out and I can't wait!

My mom is one of my best friends along with my sisters.  I am so lucky to have so many amazing women in my life who are always there for me and are such great examples to me.  My mom is one of the most kind and considerate persons I know.  She is always willing to drop anything if I need her, which sometimes I take full advantage of.  There have been a few times when I have been sick and she has taken time off work to come and take care of me even though I am a capable adult, sometimes you just need your mommy.  Not to mention many late night conversations as she lets me vent about all of the happenings in my life, I mean really who cares about all of the drama of my job and social life, well at least my mom does.  She has such a fun and bubbly personality and is a great friend to all.  

It was so nice to be able to spend mother's day with my mom, both of my grandma's and my sister Mandy.  My Grandma's are also amazing women, whom I have always looked up to, I am so grateful that they are both still around and that I get to spend time with them every once in a while. 

My mom knew that I would be coming to Logan in the afternoon for dinner but I decided to surprise her and made it in time to go to church with her, which started at 9:00 am which meant I left Salt Lake around 7:30.  Those of you who know me well know that I rarely wake up on a Sunday before 10. (Hey my church is at 1:00 so I take full advantage of a nice sleep in day.)  The look on both of my parents face as I walked into Sacrament was great, it made the early morning drive to Logan worth it. I was surprised that my parents were actually at church on time:) I stopped by the house first and they had already left. It was also nice to be able to enjoy sunday school and relief society with my Grandma Reese, who was spending the weekend at my mom's.  

We enjoyed a nice brunch at the Logan Country Club and it was such a beautiful day.  I hope that all of you amazing mothers out there had a nice relaxing day.

Happy Birthday Jessica

Happy birthday to my oldest and wisest sister Jessica.  She is one of my best friends! She also takes good care of me, I claim that she is my mom in Salt Lake. She always gives great advice and is a great listener as she will let me ramble on for hours to her sometimes.  Mike was out of town on business today so I decided she needed some quality girl time with me.  So Kara watched her kids and I took her to get a pedicure and manicure.  We then met the rest of our family for dinner in Bountiful at the Mandarin, which is very tasty.  It has become a family favorite recently.  It also makes it easier to meet up with the family coming down from Logan.  

Jessica's family will be moving to Colorado Springs the end of July as Mike was offered a great job that they couldn't pass up.  I seriously don't know what I'm going to do without them around. It is because of Jessica that I moved to Salt Lake in the first place.  She convinced me to come live with them and do my student teaching many years ago. Luckily it worked out and I was offered a job at the same school a year later.  I told her she can't move because who will watch her kids.  Unfortunately it wasn't a selling point.  Although I am excited for them and know it will be great for their family, I can't help but be very sad.  She is the first one to move more than an hour 1/2 drive away from the rest of the family, I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later but that doesn't make it easier, we are all very close, probably too close if you ask some of my brother-in-laws.   I know that many of you can relate to living far away from family.  Luckily Colorado Springs is only about an 8 hour drive away (I looked it up right after I found out) so it might be possible to make some weekend visits every once in a while.  

(The pictures above are from Taegan's blessing and Griffin's baptism that took place the end of January)

Wicked

On April 30th I was able to see Wicked again and loved it.  I have seen it in New York and London and now right here in Salt Lake City.  It was every bit as good as the big cities.  I was so excited to be able to see it with my family, unfortunately my Mom and Kara ended up not going.  My Grandpa Reed passed away so my mom went to the viewing to be with my Grandma and Kara gave up her ticket since she saw it in Chicago recently. It was really fun to have Raegan and Terry join us though, they had tickets for Friday but sold them and took my Mom and Kara's so they could go to the funeral on Friday.  We went to dinner at Market Street Grill before the show which was delicious.  I don't really like fish but I ordered the halibut anyway and loved it.  It was also fun to have my Aunt Vicky come with us.  I don't get to see her enough, even though we both live in Salt Lake.  I used to see her a lot more when her kids were at Highland and I was there teacher.

Ramsey barely snuck in the picture and we are missing Ashley and Vicky in the photo. When I asked my dad if he liked the show he made a negative comment and then said he could have had 30 acres of hay (or some crop) planted. Typical of a farmer this busy time of year.  I guess he does have to take advantage of any nice spring day when it hasn't been raining.  Oh well, I know my mom would have loved it.  He just might have to see it again with her.