Pioneer Day

So I may be in NY but my mind is in Utah today. Today is one of my favorite Utah holidays the 24th of July!! For those of you who are not natives of Utah this is the day when the Pioneers came into the Salt Lake valley and settled the state of Utah. It was always a day full of fun with the family. We usually went to a parade in the morning and then it was off to a picnic at the park. As I got older the tradition changed a little and we would spend the day and Carol and Len's. A full day of good food, swimming and chillin with family. Then of course once night came you could find firework displays in almost all the cities along the Wasatch front. We actually used to drive from one location to another trying to see as many as possible.
Believe it or not, I receive a lot of grief for being from Utah. Either I talk funny or I think everything is better if it came from the West coast. But what can I say? Everything is better when it comes from the West and to all of you people who are convinced that I speak incorrectly I think you should take a good long look at your selves. One thing you will never catch a person from Utah saying is "yous Guys". Does it really get any worse than that?
I have grown to appreciate and even love New York. There are things I never thought I would take part in that I now look forward to all year. I guess people from Utah will never understand until they experience it for themselves. Oh well, I guess I'm lucky, I get to enjoy the best of both worlds. Life is pretty good if I do say so myself.

Memories

Here is a fun little game, I stole the idea from Ashley. By the way Ashley I love your blog. Anyway here's what you have to do. Leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time, or a long time, anything you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. I can't wait to read the responses. I love taking walks down memory lane! Nothing like a good memory to remind me of just how many amazing people play an improtant part in my life! Thanks to all of you!

My Amazing Brother

As is the tradition in my family each of my siblings goes on the church history tour as a graduation trip. I have been blessed to have met up with most of them when they get out this way. Both Emily and Heidi cam out here while I was serving my mission and I was able to see both of them. Craig, Julie and Chad have all come out here since I have lived here. It's always such a nice time for me. I get to be with my siblings and I have really enjoyed that one on one time with them. I find it amazing that this day in age with all the problems in the world amongst kids their age, that these guys are so good.

You would never guess that these were kids who just graduated from high school. There was no drinking, no smoking, no drugs. Just clean fun. These are the kinds of young adults that make me think that the world really isn't as bad as it seems at times. I love that each of them came on this trip because they have a testimony of Jesus Christ and wanted to get even closer to the spirit. Most of these young men will be leaving to serve missions soon. Isn't it great that at 19 years old they are choosing to give up all they have here at home, to leave their families for 2 years. They are giving all of this up to go to some remote part of the world to serve others and to share their testimonies of Jesus Christ. In a world that is trying to take God out of every part of our lives, they are giving up everything to make sure that doesn't happen. I am so amazed at these fine young men. As I sat and talked to Chad I was amazed as he told me how awesome this trip had been. He told me that he had felt the spirit of the lord so strong and that he is getting so excited about serving a mission. I am so proud of him and the choices he has made in his life. He has chosen to put God first and all other things second. That is quite an amazing thing for an 18 year old. I am so proud of you Chad!!! I love you!

Transforming my House into a Home

For the last three weeks This is how my kitchen has looked. About 1 month ago we decided to pull up all my flooring in the kitchen and in the family room and redo it all. We pulled up all the nasty linoleum in the kitchen and laid new linoleum tiles which turned out really nice. We were able to do it all in one weekend. That was great. So since that went so well, Robbie decided that we should go ahead and tackle the family room as well. One night he came over and said "let's pull up the carpet then you can get started". And so it all began.


















It wasn't too bad the first week. We had to get the flooring which took a few days. Then we got this part of the floor all laid about one week into the project.

Then it got so hot that there was no way we were working in this house which only has fans to cool it down. So about 4 days later we got to the next phase of the room.


Isn't he so cute. It is so nice to have someone so willing to help me and be there for me through all this fun.

Since I had no kitchen this was how we ate for about 2 weeks.

Finally about 1 week ago we finished. It looks so wonderful. It's amazing how good it looks. At points it seemed like we were never going to finish, but the end result has been so worth it!!! Don't you just love it?

Events that May or Maynot have Happened!

So I have heard tell that many events have happened with my family since my departure in May. However since I have yet to see any evidences of these things I am unsure at this time whether they are fact or fiction. According to these tales, Chad graduated from high school, Heidi got married and a week later Craig got married. I have no physical evidences of any of these events, I can only go off of what I have been told. Hmmm is it true or just a tall tale for my family to tell??? I hope someday to see actual pictures of these so called events that took place. It seems that unless you live close you don't get to take part in these events. I guess since everyone else in my family lives in Utah and were able to attend these alleged events no pictures were necessary. Therefore I have no pictures to post at this time of any of the events in question. If and when I finally do receive some "pictures" I will be happy to share them with all of you! Then and only then will I actually believe that such events took place. I am very hopeful that this may persuade the guilty parties to actually send me proof of all the proceedings that have taken place in my absence. I guess we shall see!