Everybody Else

Last weekend Mir and I were taken to a little concert in SL. This isn't typically the music I listen to, BUT I was pleasantly surprised and fell in love with these catchy tunes. We enjoyed it so much that we purchased a couple cds. So this is what's been playing in my ipod these days... 

Craig and Ariana

    

Last week I was asked to participate in the Mr. 64th Ward Pageant. I was not a contestant, obviously since I'm female. And yes, I'm glad I am no longer in this ward. For some reason it's easier to make a complete fool of yourself in front of strangers or in front of people you don't see too often unless you are family or a close friend BUT I have to be pretty comfortable with you for such moments. Continuing on...

The competition was much like a Miss USA pageant. Serious business. Categories included... formal wear, personal interview, talent, and of course swimsuit (a personal favorite).  Craig and I (Ariana) did a couple of cheers from the chess tournament skit as seen on SNL. Just in case you were wondering... I was the Spartan in Craig's tepee! It's me, It's me!  A little out of my comfort zone, but SO MUCH FUN! Thanks for thinking of me Craig! 

Traditions

        I thought I'd share my new favorite tradition.  A few years ago Marti and Brandon (cousin & her hubs) started a little tradition called, "Cousin Dinners".  Since so many of the cousins were now in Utah (going to the Y) they started inviting them over on the first Sunday of every month. Apparently they didn't miss 1 the whole first year.  After missions, babies and 2 marriages... Cousin Dinner is back and in full swing (this is my first year (so exciting!)).

        So we gather at the Johnsen Residence in beautiful Draper on the first Sunday of every month.  Cousin dinner is so great that I drive down from Logan to attend.  You kind of have to be an insider to know the ends and outs but to give you a little idea of what goes on we have crazy good food, games, musical numbers, gossip and the kind of laughter that brings tears and ab pains for the whole rest of the week!  

  (We are missing 2 of the regulars in the pics.) 

Our family doesn't really do the whole "silly face" photos.  We tried.

Gracie and Brynleigh are the two beauties in my lap.

I am so lucky to have such great family in my life.  I'm grateful for the rich traditions that enhance and strengthen my family.  I look forward to the day I have my own family to carry on traditions of my childhood, add traditions and create new traditions with my dear*.

*not yet determined

up and coming rap stars

So my girlfriend Jill and her hubby Jon made a little announcement. I think you should all hear it...  

Jon and Jill's Rap

Congratulations Facers!

Mission Reunion

Some fun pictures I thought I'd post.

Awkward...

Yes! and I totally LOVE it.

Elders and Sisters can hug after the mission... weird!

p.s I look really tall next to them...

they would be so cute...

Ahhh-mazing people!

what she said...

A few days ago my sister, Elly shared her thoughts about the election of our new President.  I couldn't agree more and couldn't say it any better so I've posted it below.  I think more now than ever before we need to support and pray for this man and for the nation in which we have been so blessed to live!  I too am hopeful!  And give thanks for the Lord's hand in this special place we call the USofA!

I Am Hopeful!

History has been made this week. I feel proud to have voted in such a monumental election.  Politics isn't normally of great interest to me, but this year was different. It had to be.  With all of our struggles as a nation, at home and abroad, I am glad that so many Americans stepped up to the plate and exercised their right to vote. 

  This has been an eventful week in our nation's history.  Our, new President, Barack Obama has been elected. As he steps into the presidency, he carries a heavy weight on his shoulders.  The world is looking to him to solve a myriad of problems plaguing our nation and the world at large. 

I am hopeful that he will improve our situation. And I am grateful for John McCain's speech following the results of the election.  He graciously urged us to support our newly elected President.  I am hopeful that the change we see will be for the better of the American people.  I am hopeful that the future will be bright, especially for our little ones. 

I can't help but think of President Gordon B. Hinckley's words,

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. i say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us,...if we put our trust in Him, if we pray to Him, if we live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers."  He always spoke of Hope, accentuating the positive and being grateful even through this "old time rail journey" life.

love the locals

Last night I saw Ryan Shupe & the Rubberbands in concert. So good. Bluegrass is the name of their game. These guys are very entertaining and amazingly talented. They play a variety of different instruments, infact so many that the stage was brimming. Some of you might know of them and some of you might be like me and not recognize the name or even the faces but I think you may have heard this.  Great job guys... I will definitely come see you again!

i love almost everything orange.

My little sister, Janie expressed her true feelings about my blog!  Apparently it's picture-less and my posts are too long.  She looks at my blog but doesn't read my posts hmmm... I asked her if she read.  I even offered to teach her... (insert smile here) so...

 this post is dedicated to you love muffin!   

me and the roomies.

my boo.

it was late...

did you just lick my ear?! (in disgust(some of you will get this!))

If you look closely there are bobby pins holding up parts of my pumpkin.  I've always been taught to be industrious! 

bonding.

Happy Halloween!

numba 1

The votes have been cast the decision has been made Mr. blue eyes has stolen hearts. Congratulations! and congratulations to all our contestants for being such great sports.  I personally voted for you, All American. Maybe next year.

funky fresh.

Elly tagged me.

The Rules:

Link the person who tagged you.
Mention rules on your blog.
Tell about 6 quirks of yours.
Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same.
Leave a comment to let them know.

1. Ever since I can remember at night when I'm in bed I rub my feet together.  Apparently my Great-Grandmother used to do this.   

2.  I cut six pack holders because of a video I saw in grade school. 

3.  I am afraid of wrinkles.  I've used anti-aging cremes probably before some girls even knew what a wrinkle was.  I remember buying a small tube of eye creme at Prescriptives and the lady at the counter was shocked. She said most girls my age didn't think long term they just want color (I was probably in the 7th or 8th grade).  So while girls were into color, buying lip gloss, shadow and blush, I wanted anti-aging products.  

4.  I think Fiji water tastes better.  It might be the packaging but I seriously think it tastes different.  I buy my water.  I only drink water from the tap if someone gives it to me. When I buy bottled water it has to be spring otherwise I am suspicious that it's tap water bottled.  They really do sell tap water bottled . . . outrageous!

5. I love taking baths.  The kind with bubbles, candles, low lights and even music.  As it gets colder my baths become more frequent.  Like a couple times a week.

6. I have issues with some materials.  Cotton balls seriously make me gag.  My brothers used to chase me around the house with them.  Luckily I've gotten better.  I'm starting to be okay with fabrics that used to make me cringe.  BUT no cotton balls.

It's funny how some of our quirks that we think are uniquely ares aren't.  For instance, I bet a lot of you don't buy the item closest to you or you use a paper towel to grab the handle on the door when exiting a public restroom.      

So I guess it's my turn to tag 6 people.  I'm tagging Lisa, Monique, Jody, Mallory, Kenzi, and Jill.

i'm officially freezing!

It's official!  Saturday October 11, 2008 we received snow for the first time this season.  

I've observed that most welcome this winter weather.  It reminds us of Christmas, hot chocolate, warm apple cider, sweaters and boots, toasty fires, hot tub runs, hitting the slopes, festive music, parades (yes, I said parades), snow angels and on and on.  

While I love all of these things I have to say I am not thrilled about snowfall in October . . . can't it just hold off a little longer?!  For those of you who were here in Utah last Winter you can relate when  I say it never ended.  One of the longest winters of my life!  

For me snow means bad driving conditions, difficulty trying get my feet out from underneath  the covers in the morning, a runny noise, static in my hair, cold fingers and toes and water soaked jeans.

If only snow could be put up and down like these sheets and blankets. Oh well, it's a nice thought. 

Help me get in the right spirit ... I would love to know what you love about winter and or tips on staying warm.  Us Texas girls freeze especially easily!  

i'm obsessed.

Years ago my parents gave me a sonicare toothbrush.  I used it on and off but I was never fully converted.  After the bristles stopped looking like bristles I went back to a normal toothbrush.  For some reason I decided I wanted to go electric again.  So I go to buy new heads for my brush and see that sonicare has come out with a plethora of new models.  Of course I was curious about these newbies, so I proceed to inspect.  Seriously it's a toothbrush and I probably stood in the aisle for 15 minutes comparing and contrasting.  At this point I'm thinking, "do I even know where my sonicare is if I buy new heads?" which I had no clue.  

So the picture above is my new toothbrush of a month or so.  I L-O-V-E it.  Yes, it's only a toothbrush but it makes me extremely happy.  I can't go back.  I was out of town last weekend and a couple nights I had to use one of those regular toothbrushes . . . terrible!  My teeth don't feel clean and my gums don't get stimulated.  For those of you using regular toothbrushes I suggest you try one of these babies.  They aren't cheap but I think it's a worthwhile investment. This probably sounds like a sonicare ad but it's not.  I'm now a converted woman!

I support Prop 8!

Proposition 8 is something to be familiar with. In 2000 61% of voters supported, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California”.  4 supreme court judges overturned this decision made by the people. Now it is up to us to restore the definition of marriage and make this a constitutional amendment.

Every child deserves and needs a mother and a father!
 

"Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord".    

                                                     -Corinthians 11:11

Everything I need to know about dating I learned from a Disney Movie.

Snow White

In life there is likely to be an abundance of dwarfs and a shortage of tall princes.

Beauty and the Beast

Beauty is more than skin deep; allow time to get deep.

Cinderella

It's good to be fashionably late and to leave the prince wanting more.

Sleeping Beauty

The situation will likely be better when you give yourself time to sleep it off.

Peter Pan

Wendy may have fun with Peter Pan, but eventually she will decide it is time to grow up.  If only Peter would grow up too.

 Someone showed me this post on another blog.  I thought it was really cute so I 'm borrowing it.  I would love to know all the lessons you have learned.  Please post a comment.