baby it's cold outside!

Just when I was starting to get used to the idea of my car trade...
it had to go and snow!

I traded my Highlander to my Grandpa Jack for his Camry:So far, I'm not regretting my decision...
My old car was a 2002 and had 101k miles on it.
This one is a 2003 and has only 40k miles on it.
But...it sure doesn't give me the invincible feeling that I used to have in the snow!!

fam pics 2009

all because two people fell in love

the original four:

oldest and youngest:
look what they started:

it's over!

Ugh...it's finally over. We finished up our season this past weekend with a win over Montana State on Senior Night. This year has been my most challenging year yet...With that said, I'm happy for it to be over. I'm looking forward to an emotional break but I'm still sad that we didn't make the tournament this year. I will also really Really REALLY miss our Senior class. I have felt closer to them than any other group of girls that have come through our program. They are tremendous women with so many talents and qualities that I admire in each of them. They have definitely left a lasting impression on me and my life and I am pretty sure WSU VB won't be the same without them. I know I won't...

just one more reason

Isn't this gorgeous?

another reason I love fall

What is it about country boys?
Disclaimer: I'm not in love. So don't start jumping to conclusions.
I'm just saying...they are the best. This picture is a good example of why.
And no, I'm not telling you his name.

fall is flyin

Fall is going so fast this year.
I hate it.

This is one of my favorite seasons but I never seem to get a chance to enjoy it.
Every minute I have is spent in a gym. Or hotel. Or airplane.

I want to be here:
Or here:
Or here:
Or here:
Or especially here:

I was actually very lucky last week to make it home in time for one final mowing.

And dog poop shoveling.
I'm going to kill my neighbors.

I have resorted to dumping their dog droppings into their flower bed so that it doesn't have to sit in my garbage can and smell up my garage all week.

Hawaii Trip

We just got back from a tournament in Hawaii. The competition was rough (#6 Hawaii and #10 Stanford) but the hospitality was amazing. Thanks Alvin and Stanley for all the keychains, calendars, macadamia chocolates, fruit, and guava juice we could handle. They were so gracious and so were all the fans who were there cheering for us!

When we first got in, we took the girls to the Polynesian Cultural Center and attended a luau and their new show "Ha Breath of Life". It was awesome. Everyone was super tired from the trip but loved their experience there.

SK and I got up and went for a quick run on Wednesday morning and after practice, we hit up Hanauma Bay for some snorkeling and fun in the sun. Our "group permit" only allowed us to stay there for 2 hours but it was still a good time. We got hit on by a USMC lifeguard, got our pictures taken--not so candidly--by a bunch of old foreign men, and used our $1.59 mats to their full capacity. Wednesday night we hit up Duke's (a restaruant on the beach) for dinner and then had some free time to do some shopping at the International Market and the Quicksilver and
Roxy store.

Thursday we went to Pearl Harbor after Steph and I took our crew of Briana, Elli, and Shanae for a run. That was my 2nd trip to the USS Arizona Memorial and was just as memorable as the first. It's so emotional and spiritual there. It's sad to think of all the people who lost their lives on that day and was especially neat that we got to go the day before the 8th anniversary of 9.11. Jenna had me crying before we even sat down to watch the film because of her brother that just joined the Navy. And whenever I think about the Navy I think about my Grandpa Dee. I miss him...

Thursday night, we played the Rainbow Wahini in front of 5080 fans. There were the cutest old ladies who sat in the corner that had made each of us a ribbon lei. We lost in 3 and didn't play as well as we could, but right now, we are struggling to find some consistency (from all ends).

Friday morning we went running again and didn't have time for any sightseeing because we played the early match against Stanford. So after practice, we ate at L&L and then took off for the gym. We lost to Stanford in 3 as well, but played much better. We hit up Denny's after the match and then back to the hotel for curfew. Too bad that didn't last. The fire alarm went off at 4am! We had to escape down the stairwell and it was jam packed--which also made me think of 9.11. When we got to the 1st floor, I saw my parents and my mom and I were both relieved to see each other. Turns out, as usual, that it was a false alarm so we went back up to the room and tried to sleep for another hour and a half.

Steph took Bri and Elli running at six thirty and Al, Nancy, and I hit the surf. We rented boards for $15 and chose to forgo the lessons and just try to make do on our own. I paddled out and tried to practice getting up while I waited for some waves to come in. I got wise though in a hurry and started hanging out with these two guys who had an instructor. Every time he would tell them to paddle, I would and I ended up getting up really easy. What a blast! It was so addicting. But I had a serious rash on my upper abs from rubbing against the board and my shoulders felt like they were frozen! No wonder surfers have nice bodies. It is hard work!

After breakfast, we went back to the gym for our final practice and then to Denny's for pregame. Our match against UTSA was disappointing. We had some critical errors that ended up costing us the match in four games. But I think that the girls learned from this experience and will be better prepared for conference. Right after the game, I met up with my parents so that my dad could give Emily a blessing. She hadn't been feeling well and wasn't able to play in the match. What a blessing it was to have my parents on this trip! It was so much fun to see them in that environment and they definitely deserved the vacation after all the work they've put in when it comes to my sisters, my brother, and I. I hope they had a blast. I know I did...

Except for the long flight home that night!

august rush

August always comes and goes in a flash. It's always the month that I dread the most because it means that my summer is officially over and so is my life--for about three months. Volleyball double days start and that means no more trips to the lake, family vacations, pool time, or anything else for that matter. But this year, August flew by for some reason. Double days came and went and seemed shorter than they ever have before!

This month was also filled with challenges. The ex factor seems to always be a factor when we get back in the same vicinity. I've got to learn to be strong and I guess that will take time as usual. If history says anything, being around each other just opens up doors that shouldn't be re-opened. And that's not fair to any new people in our lives. The good news for me is that I'm not the one in a new "committed" relationship. I'm just dating other people and enjoying it.

I was happy to finish a few projects around my house. I put up some tile back splash in my bathrooms and also framed my mirrors. It looks so good and thank heavens for my HGTV personal team of Brock and Tyra who teach me how to do all of these things! I'll post some pictures of the finished look later on. I was also super excited to buy a trimmer and a blower for my yard work. Funny how I never imagined that would be something I'd be happy about spending my money on...Guess I'm growing up after all.

boating and baseball

Those of you who know me know that I have made it my personal mission in life to die of skin cancer. I must be Vitamin D deficient because I can never get enough sun. So when JC asked me if I wanted to take a trip on the Moomba this summer, I could not refuse. And when Mark McFarland invited me to go boating this weekend, I could not say no.

So we spent all day long at Pineview yesterday on the water and I learned how to surf behind the boat. That is a blast and I can see how much fun it would be with a boat that spits out a big enough wake that you wouldn't have to use a rope. The boys took their turns jumping off the biggest rope swing I have ever seen. And despite their coaxing, I chose to remain in the boat and not try my hand at paralyzing myself by going off of that thing. Cuz I may die of skin cancer, but I am not stupid enough to die by breaking my neck because of some dumb swing!

When we finally got off the lake at 7pm that night, we got changed and headed to a Raptor's game. I love the Raptor's games. They are so relaxing and nothing beats a hot summer day on the water like a cool summer evening at a baseball game. Especially one with a backdrop like the one at Lindquist Field. Although it was a pretty exciting game because of our errors, we ended up with the W at the end. And Mark ended up with 2 Ramirez bobble heads that value near $50 each on Ebay. Lucky him.

san diego

Melissa's wedding was on Thursday, so I bought a plane ticket to fly to San Diego on Wednesday and Bonnie picked me up at the airport. We drove up the coast from the airport to La Jolla where the wedding was going to be held and stopped and looked at some shops while we waited for Melissa to check into our room so that we could get a parking pass. The hotel was located right on the beach, so it was hard to find a spot to park on the street, but it guaranteed us some spectacular views.

Once we got checked in, I took a quick nap while the wedding party was at the rehearsal and then we all got ready to go to dinner. We ate at a little Mexican restaurant right up the street from the hotel. It was fun to mingle with Ed's family and get to meet his relatives. They are all so much fun.

After dinner, Bonnie and I ran a few to Walmart to find some fish and sand for Melissa's centerpieces. No luck with the sand, but we managed to buy some fish. I don't know how they made it safely to the hotel with Bonnie's crazy driving (you know I love you, but it's true)...they lost most of the water in their containers going around one corner! We were exhausted when we got back so we immediately went to bed.

Thursday morning we woke up and headed back to find a Home Depot for sand and a Target for serving bowls and spoons. (While we were running these errands, I got a text from Will. He went and did what I thought he was going to do. But like I said, I completely understand and I have no bad feelings towards him. It just makes me think a lot about what I'd do in his shoes...) We also stopped back at the airport to pick up Misty--one of our old roommates who flew in to surprise Melissa. Once we all got back, we put the centerpieces together and helped set up the reception area. I seriously put my dress on at 2:52 and the ceremony started at 3pm. Crazy.

The wedding was beautiful and so was she. She and Ed are perfect for each other--and although I had my initial doubts, he has earned my approval. It's good to see her so happy. The reception was a blast too and afterward, we all went out to the pool to hang out. It was so much fun to be around my roommates from 9 years ago. I can't believe how quickly time goes...The trip was so much fun, but way too short--I flew back to Ogden this morning.

they say it's your birthday

Na na na na na na....
Here's wishing my littlest sis a Happy 28th! Hope you have a great one Kelsey!

pioneer days rodeo

I scored some sweet tickets to this year's Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo. Right above the bucking chutes. Included with these tickets were VIP passes to a cabin right there at the rodeo grounds where Ruby River was catering dinner. So I invited some of my bestest friends--Shad, Linz, Dan, Kayli, and Orie--to accompany me to this fine American western tradition.

While we were eating dinner, everyone convinced me to go sit on this stack of hay bales with a saddle on it and Shad got some photographer to come and take pictures of me. I actually had to sign a "model release form" so they could use these pictures if they wanted to. For what? I have no idea...

Billy Etbauer

This is why I love cowboys.

Isn't this spectacular?

melina's and meltdowns

I got invited to go to Melina's with the Hancock clan tonight to celebrate Jill's birthday. She was joking with me earlier today about how she never feels like a princess on her birthday because she's usually the one planning the parties, so I stopped at Zurcher's to buy her a crown and a pink feather boa. Turns out that Mitch's kids liked it more than she did. Go figure. I think we all ate our fair share of feathers though!

After dinner we went bowling in Brigham City. Wow. That brought back a flood of memories from when my aunt used to live there. Suddenly I was remembering things that happened when I was a little girl--like picking up Michelle from gymnastics and leaving Kari & Brad's house in my pajamas after a family Christmas party. Bowling was a blast though--especially because I somehow convinced Karlie to give me a massage while I waited for my turn.

Also tonight was what I will call a minor meltdown with Will--although it wasn't really a meltdown at all. But it was the only time in the last two months that we've been even remotely upset with each other. We tried to talk about what's going on. He is frustrated with me because he thinks I don't understand what he's feeling right now. And I'm frustrated with him because I know EXACTLY what he's feeling right now. But I guess that's how it goes and there's nothing I can do about it. It's always so much easier to see things when you're on the outside looking in than when you are the one who feels conflicted. The funny thing is, I really do understand and I actually don't blame him at all.

what a weekend

Kelsey brought her kids down here Saturday and so we decided to pack everyone up and head to the drive-in. We brought snacks, sleeping bags, pillows, and set up shop for Ice Age 3. The kids had a blast and although the movie wasn't the best ever, I think that the five adults had just as much fun as the kids.




The Weber State Fireworks were yesterday and as usual, it was a good time. Shad & I met up in the morning and set out a bunch of blankets for everyone. Linz and I took off around 7pm to make sure that no one moved them and so we could hold down the fort until everyone else arrived. Mark and Lisa McFarland got there first, so we sat and talked with them for awhile until eventually everyone showed. Tyra and Kelsey bailed at the last minute because the kids were throwing a fit and they were worried about getting rained on. But it only sprinkled on us and the fireworks were awesome as usual.