Mom & Dad's Visit!

This weekend Mom and Dad came to visit! It was a very quick trip...but a wonderful trip indeed!

They came over Saturday afternoon and got a quick tour of our house. After visiting for about an hour Dad and Brandon went on a gun store spree and Mom and I went to Costco and did enough grocery shopping to last us the rest of the year! After grocery shopping, Mom and I did a little coat shopping for Dani and Am...unfortunately we had no luck finding them coats...I did, however, find two that I liked :)

After a few hours of shopping we met back up with the boys and headed out to Salt Lake for dinner at The Cheesecake Factory! Luckily there was a bit of a wait so Mom and I walked around the mall while the boys admired the tools in Sears. Dinner was amazing and of course we left the restaurant stuffed to the brim.

On Sunday Mom and Dad came to our ward for church. We stayed for sacrament then we went home and started cooking up a delicious dinner. Brandon entertained Dad (or vice versa) while Mom and I cooked a delicious dinner...pork chops, mashed sweet potatoes, steamed vegis, rice, and rolls.

I haven't eaten that much in a loooong time! After dinner we had apple pie (compliments of Dad) and ice cream (compliments of Brandon). While we were having dinner we watched Kung Fu Panda, it was Mom and Dads first time seeing the movie...the room was full of laughs!

After the movie we just sat and talked and enjoyed the rest of the evening...which came to a close waaaaay too fast. Late Sunday night came and it was time for Mom & Dad to go. I hoped that if I hugged Dad long enough then they would just decide to stay...unfortunately they both have work and kids and a life at home in California :(

They are now on the road back home and I am sitting in my lame Philosophy class pretending to take notes....if you are reading this Mom or Dad...feel free to turn the car around and come back for another day or two...or twenty :D

Lu'au & Living Legends

This has been a very cultural week for Brandon and me.

This month was Celebration of Culture at BYU. Celebration of Culture is a series of cultural programs put on by the Multicultural Student Services office (where I work) at BYU. On Tuesday night we had the opportunity to see Lu'au, A bunch of my friends and co-workers were in the show so we got VIP tickets and chose our seats front and center! Here are some picture from the show.

-Hawaii-

-Aotearoa: New Zealand-

-Tahiti-

We were also able to attend Living Legends last night. Living Legends is another cultural production put on by BYU. It is a much bigger program than Lu'au and includes Native American, Latin, & Polynesian traditional dances and story telling. Unfortunately we didn't get to take any pictures of the show. Some of the highlights were....of course the Polynesian dancing, Tahitian is my favorite and the Native American hoop dance! If you've never seen if then you have to attend a Pow Wow or google it. It is the coolest thing ever, that was Brandon's favorite part.

I got these off of the Living Legends website :)

One Minute Manicure...

I love this stuff!

Mom got this One Minute Manicure for me for Christmas one year and I use it all the time. You just take a little scoop of it (a little goes a long way) and rub it all over your hands, feet, or wherever. The salt exfoliates and the oil smooths and by the time you're done rubbing all the salt off, your skin is soooo silky smooth.

It has been so amazing here in Utah since the weather is so dry and nasty, it helps my skin feel like new! It's been especially great since I've been married because now Brandon will elect to give me a mani/pedi anytime instead of me going out and spending money at a salon.

Pampered in the comfort of my own home :)

Thanks mom!

The Wizard & I

My amazing little sister Amber performed at her 6th grade talent show at Wiley Canyon Elementary this year.

This is a video of her wonderful performance.

Isn't she so talented? Such a big voice for such a little girl!!

Called to Serve...

One of my best friends has been called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She received her call in the mail yesterday so a bunch of us gathered at her house with friends and family to see where she was going...

Tucson, Arizona Mission, Spanish speaking !!!

She reports to the MTC on June 3, 2009!

Me & Melis: Sophomore Year 2008

Melis and I have been roommates and besties since our Freshman year at BYU. We have had many fun adventures together and have had the opportunity to watch each other grow in all aspects of our lives. I am so excited to see Melis serve a mission and watch her grow ever more!We are so sooo proud of your decision to serve a mission Melis and are excited to see your progression and watch you touch the lives of others.

Ash, Me, Christina, & Melis: Freshman Year 2007

Ash, Melis, Me: Brick Oven 2008

Tiger Lily & Wendy: Halloween 2008

Whitney, Melis, & Me: Ultimate Game 2009

Happy Birthday C.j.!

Today is Bro bro's birthday!

Sweet 17 and never been kissed ;D

We have come so far lil bro...

well, maybe not that far!

Mr. Stud

You've ALWAYS had a way with the ladies.

...and crabs?

He is SO grown up! I can't get over how tall he is...he towers over me...actually he towers over everyone. He is a total people person...is loved by kids and adults alike! He's so handy and amazing at fixing cars, especially his M 7-15!

We are so proud of you and of how well you're doing in school, church, and your license! Keep being a great example to your sisters, friends, and family!

Happy Birthday Mr. Leprechaun. Love you lots and can't wait until you come visit us!

Happy St. Patti's Day to all!

Happy Birthday Dad!

To the best dad ever created!

Today is Dad's birthday!!!

The big 40

A Few of My Favorite Things:

I love all of our family vacations, shooting, supercross races, beach days, late night adventures, trips to Weber's, concerts, sitting in Burger King for over three hours just talking, sneaking into the hotel pools, daddy-daughter dates (aka shopping & Hollyweird), the pie fight we had for father's day, you trying to "broaden my horizons" with classical music, taking your boots off for a nickel, iHOP, you rolling me into a burrito when I was little, building block castles, playing "name that song", and all of the other fun times we've had! Most of all, thank you for all your hard work, your wonderful example, and all that you've sacrificed for me and our family. I love you!

Happiest Birthday Dad! I love you and I miss you so soooo much!

And Mom :-*

Happy Birthday Danika!

Today is Dani's birthday!

the BIG 13

Uh oh...mom and dad have another teenager in the house!

My cute lil sis is growing up so fast! Every time I go home she seems inches taller, ten times smarter, tremendously witty, and more and more beautiful! She never ceases to impress me with how talented, giving, and intelligent she is. This year she made the honor role, donated her report card money to her history teacher who lost his home in a fire, is half way done with her young women's personal progress, is on the basketball and volleyball team, always busy shakin it in hula class and performances and is a soon-to-be high schooler!

We are so proud of your example and of all your many accomplishments. Keep up the great work and have the most ravishing birthday sweets! We miss you and love you!