Childhood Friends

Thanks to an award I received from Pampered Chef we extended our California trip to include going to Disneyland.  The last two times we have gone we always had a baby with us, so we were excited to be in the park without a stroller and diaper bag for once!

But before we made it to Anaheim we stopped and visited friends along the way.  I've known Kelly since my family moved in across the street from her family when we were both 5 years old in La Canada.

We played together continually as little girls.  She had the best Barbie Collection of anyone I knew.  We have managed to keep in touch over the years, but thanks to Facebook we are better in touch than we have been since we were teenagers.  It was great to get out of the car and spend the afternoon on her back porch in Corona.  Her house is at the top of the mountain and it was beautiful.

It was fun watching our girls interact.  John was a little awnery because he just wanted to get to Disneyland.  We were glad her husband, Ed, made it home before we had to leave.

And my mom enjoyed visiting as well and hearing about Kelly's Mom and what she was up to.  It makes me wish we all lived closer together and could see each other more often.

At Last . . . Twilight!!!!

Twilight, the movie, finally was released.  I considered for a moment about going to a midnight release during the early hours of Friday morning, but knew I would be miserable the next day if I attempted that.  So instead a group of us got tickets for the Friday night showing at the Gateway in Salt Lake.  Gotta love reserved seating!  I won't attempt to try and critic it too much.  My Dental Hygienist who is now also my friend, Summer,  who introduced me to the books gave a great review, you can view it here.

There was a group of 12 of us who all met up.  Tonya was nice enough to organize and purchase all our tickets ahead of time.  We went to dinner at a great Italian place, Biaggis first.  Then headed over to the Theater. 

About half of our group were all connected because of Pampered Chef.  Here we are all waiting to go into the theater.  We are obviously all Twilight lovers.  But the "mature" women dressed in immodest prom dresses were a little more die hard than us (sorry, no pics of the true crazys)

The movie doesn't begin to cover everything from the book, but I think they did a great job.  It was great driving home with the girls and discussing the differences.  I was really glad we had a 45 minute drive together afterwards.

Saturday I was telling Mark how much I wanted to go see it again and he suggested I get tickets.  He didn't need to tell me twice.  So we hit a Saturday Matinee.  It was even better for me the second time around.  I could just enjoy the movie and not wonder what was and was not in the movie.  And I can't wait for the DVD to come out so I can see it over and over again. 

I'm very excited to hear they have confirmed they are moving forward on the second book in the series.  We have another movie to be excited about.  Especially all those Jacob lovers out there!

Who Done It????

Saturday night one of the great gals I visit teach invited Mark and I to their "Host A Murder" party.  The theme was Roman.  I even went to the fabric store and made my own costume (don't fall over laughing Melissa!)  I bought the fabric off the clearance rack so I ended up being a little shiny pink.  And it reminded me why I don't sew.  Luckily Mark's toga required no sewing, just a few safety pins to keep everything in place.

Bob has blogged about it in detail.  So go check out his Roman Ruins post.  I haven't laughed that much in one evening in a long time.  We had such a great time.  And so fun to visit with everyone.  We just wish Edna had been able to make it.  We hope you are feeling better.

This IS the Place

Saturday was a fun filled day for our family.  After spending the morning doing my Team Meeting (had to do business) we then headed up to Salt Lake.  Jessica had been so disappointed at the end of the last school year when their field trip to This Is The Place Heritage Park got cancelled because there were not enough drivers.  So we thought it would be a good summer activity.  With one week left before school starts we figured we better get started.

We stopped at the official monuments before entering the park.  I was afraid we were in for a long afternoon when John was already pouting before we really got started.  But things did improve. 

Question of the day was is this really the same monument that was erected in 1947, or have they added to it since then.  It is so large and tall that I didn't think it could have been the original one.  But from what we've read and asked it really was what was put there in 1947 to commemorate 100 years since Bringham Young entered the valley and stopped his carriage at this spot and said "this is the RIGHT place".  Somewhere in the years the word 'right' was dropped.  And Mark had more faith in our ancestors that they could erected such a huge monument in 1947.  They've added lots of little monuments off to the side since 1947, but the big tall one is the original.

After entering the Heritage Park, we started out on Main Street where the kids got to card wool.  Then Ashley and John both enjoyed an old fashioned shave.

All the kids got to try their hand at applying ink and making an old fashioned newspaper.  Then the whole family learned the Virginia Reel.  John took this very seriously and always wanted to be the head couple.  I think it was the favorite part of most of ours day.

John's favorite part was riding the minature train.  Though he also loved the big train that takes you around the park and kept asking over and over and over again about when we could get on the train.

As we were leaving the park we ran into Rosemary from our old ward along with her daughter from Idaho, Nancy, and Nancy's daughter.  I love Rosemary and miss her dearly and should really call more often.  We worked together in the Ward ever since Rosemary moved in.  And for the last 2 1/2 years in the ward she was my right hand man as my Secretary and then my Compassionate Service Leader.  I would have never survived without her.  We think way too much alike and she always makes me laugh.  And I think Nancy and I would be best friends if we lived closer.  We always had a good time visiting when she is down and we both love her mom!

As if 4 hours in the hot sun was not enough for the day we then headed over to our friends house in Kearns for Miami Dinner.  We always have it at their house in August because it is Kearns days and their house backs up to where they light off the city fireworks.  So after good food and visiting we got our own private fireworks show.  Or at least that is how it feels when you are lounging in the backyard with just 3 families and the fireworks are literally going off over your head.

It was a long day, but we sure had a lot of fun.  This was our good bye day to summer.  Now we have to get serious about getting ready for school!

Breaking Dawn!!!!

As you can tell from Mark's FIRST EVER Post on my blog, I've been a little busy this weekend.  But I'm back now and recovering.  The much anticipated release of Braking Dawn has come and gone and I've finished the book.  My Dental Hygienist and friend, Summer, introduced me to the Twilight books last August, just after the 3rd book was released.  We were in the middle of moving and remodeling, so I was going to gradually read the books.  Well, once you start Twilight you can't put it down.  So within a matter of weeks I read through the first 3 books.  I just love the way Stephenie Meyer writes.  And the love story between Bella and Edward with a little bit of Jared is just incredible.  Her books are the only books I've every reread and enjoyed just as much as the first time. 

I've never done a midnight release of a book.  Not even for any of the Harry Potter books.  But because Christy and I were already going to be out late because of seeing Pride & Prejudice we figured we might as well get our hands on Breaking Dawn as soon as we could.  Being the bargainer I am I had to check out all the stores and figure out where we could get it the cheapest and easiest.  It paid off and we SCORED!  Borders had it for 40% off, but we didn't get our name on the list in time so we were going to have to wait behind everyone that had wrist bands.  Then I noticed in a Smith's Food and Drugstore ad that it was the featured book of the week and it would be 40% off.  So after the play we headed over to Smith's and there was no line at 11:15pm.  We asked around and they said we needed to wait by the customer service desk and they would bring them out at midnight.  Our friend, Jenn Z, joined us.  People quickly started joining us in line.  The ladies around us had been to both Borders and Barnes & Noble and said the places were packed.  One had a wrist band and her number was in the 600s.  She had stopped at Smith's to get something else and had overheard us asking and could not believe it.  By the time midnight rolled around there were about 40 people in line.  My receipt shows my purchase was at 12:02am and we were out of the store by 12:03 and we only paid $14.66 with tax!  I love it!  And we had a great time waiting with all the gals around us in line. When we drove by Walmart at 12:30 am the line was still out the door, across the length of the store and had started to go down the side of the building.  And they were all waiting outside! 

The next 24 hours of my life was spent reading the wonderful book.  I got a few hours of sleep in there, but why waste time.  Mark took the kids to see his parents and spent the day in Santaquin, thank you, thank you, thank you!  I was excited to go to church to discuss it with the one person I knew had finished it already.  Where were you Cara????    I loved the book and can't wait for Midnight Sun to come out.  In the meantime we'll count down to the movie release of Twilight on December 12!!!!

Pride & Prejudice: A Musical

Friday night my friend, Christy, invited me to go with her to see Pride & Prejudice: A Musical at the Scera Shell.  Christy introduced me to Pride and Prejudice this year, I know, I've been behind times in my reading.  We watched the movie, the Keira Knightley version, earlier this year.  I then had to read the book.  So I was excited when her husband didn't want to go with her to see the musical.  It was opening night at the outdoor theater.  I'd forgotten how fun it is to see plays and shows at the Shell under the stars.

And it was extra great because my cousin's wife, Jenny, was playing Mrs. Hurst.  And her three cute kids were also in the cast.  And Jenny's brother and his two kids were in the cast. And my second cousin, Michelle's, two kids were in the cast. 

They did a great job for opening night.  There were a few technical problems, but I really enjoyed the production.  It is playing through Aug 16, so go see it and enjoy.

Miami Dinner

Saturday night was our turn to host Miami Dinner. For those who think we flew to Miami for the night let me give you the history behind these fun dinners. In January of 2002 Mark and I went to Miami thanks to a trip I earned with my Pampered Chef business. There was only one other couple going on this trip that we knew, Allyson & Jeremy. We had several wonderful days in Miami, but unfortunately Allyson & Jeremy were at another hotel so we didn't get to do much with them. The last night we were in Miami Pampered Chef had a big dinner for all the achievers and their guests. Allyson & Jeremy had found another couple from Utah, Jeanne & Kurt, that joined us at our table along with another couple. We had so much fun laughing and talking we were some of the last to leave the dinner that night. We discovered the other Utah couple lived just a few blocks from us. (She was under a different Director so we had never had any meetings together) So we decided to get together when we got home to continue the fun. At the time there were 6 kids between the 3 couples.


Fast forward six years and there are now 12 children between the 3 couples. But we still get together about every other month to visit, eat and have fun. We take turns hosting and we all bring food for whatever theme we pick that month. Saturday was Allyson's Birthday but it was the only day we could all get together so she requested we do Chinese. Allyson brought Baked Potstickers. I made Ginger Chicken, Ham Fried Rice and Terriyaki Meatballs. And Jeanne was in charge of dessert. She brought poke cakes which are SOOOO good. She made a chocolate cake and when it cooled she poked holes all over the cake. Then poured a can of Sweetened Condensed Milk over the cake. Then poured carmel sauce over the cake. Covered it with Cool Whip and topped it with chopped Heath Bar. It is heaven. She also made a white poke cake with red & blue jello. But I'm all for the chocolate!

Okay, I digressed, sorry I was wishing for more cake. We have so much fun getting together with these friends. It is loud and crazy with all the kids, but we always find time to visit as adults. Thanks for another great Miami Dinner! And Happy Birthday Allyson!

Director Retreat

I just crawled back in the house after a FUN overnighter and had to share. Every Spring and Fall we have a Pampered Chef Directors Retreat. My Director, Shauna S and all her downline Directors meet at Shauna's cabin in Fruitland, UT for an overnighter. This time we had nine of us up there. There is something inspiring about getting together with all these fun gals and visiting, networking, chatting, eating, hot tubing and squeezing in a little training here and there.

Cynthia, Cass, Christy and I got to carpool up together from Utah County. We introduced Cass and Cynthia to Christy and I's favorite bakery. It is the Backerei and Eise at the Zermatt Resort & Spa in Midway. They make French Pastries right before your eyes. They are the most delicious, melt in your mouth, beautiful, amazing pastries I have ever had. The last time Christy dragged me to this place we fell in love with the Macadamia Nut Carmel Chocolate Tart. I was so sad when it was not under the glass this time. But I got the last chocolate cupcake (frosting is to die for) and the Chocolate Mousse Cup. We all got something different and then sat in the car and tasted them all. They are so rich and amazing. I still have a little Mousse left to enjoy.

Here we are at the cabin toting our cute boxes the pastries come in. I should have taken pictures of the desserts before we bit into them, oh well, next time.
Once at the cabin we had a blast. We spent Friday night making Vision Boards to hang in our offices. Enjoyed our fake homemade versions of Cafe Rio Salads. Some got in the hot tub and some painted their nails. Then sometime after midnight Talladega Nights was put in the DVD player. I would pass on this show next time, but lots of laughter was heard.

Saturday morning was spent sleeping in since bedtime was sometime after 2 am. We had Cream Cheese French Toast for breakfast. Highly recommend this recipe I found while blurking. And then Shauna tried to enlighten us with some training. I think her goal is to get us to coach our consultants to have better businesses.

The hour and a half trip back down the mountain goes so fast. Though we did have to stop at the Dairy Keen in Heber City for a bathroom break and some good french fries. Can you tell we are all foodies! All and all it was a fabulous 24 hours spent with wonderful women. Thanks gals!

Remember Good Friends

I was caught off guard this afternoon. It is interesting how one small thing can make you stop in your tracks and change the whole day. Today was just a normal ordinary day. I was doing a little blurking and trying to regroup after two really busy weeks.

I finally got the newspaper off the porch and opened it up while eating lunch. Most days the newspaper doesn't even get opened it goes right into recycle since I really only care about the Sunday coupon issues. But I was surprised when on the front page of the "Our Town" section was a cute picture of one of our favorite babysitters, Taylor. She is on the Little Miss Lindon court and they were spotlighted for making quilts and taking them to the cancer center in American Fork. What is so special is Taylor's sweet, sweet mom passed away this past year because of breast cancer and so the Miss Lindon pageant picked this project to honor and remember Taylor's mom. Here is the link to the article. http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/260827/17/

It has caused me to stop and reflect more today than usual. I don't know anyone that has not been affected by someone they know who had cancer. And in the past two years I've had three good friends all pass away from breast cancer. An amazing story of strength and love is my friend Kari's. She lived her life to the fullest. If you haven't read it here is the link. http://karimasonfund.org/pdf/wasatch_woman.pdf

It has reminded me of my favorite song from my favorite musical. For Good from "Wicked"
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend:
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you:
Because I knew you:
I have been changed for good

So here is to the courageous women who have passed on. I love you and miss you Dorothy, Kari & Maggie!

Friends

I recently received a forward in my e-mail with this poem. I don't forward these along, but I really liked this message. I've been blessed with so many friends from so many different aspects of my life. I am grateful for every friend.

GIRLS IN MY CIRCLE
When I was little,
I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
and then I started to become a woman.
And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,
God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you’re going through things with your man.
Another friend is needed when you’re going through things with your mom.
Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities.
Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.
One friend will say, ‘Let’s cry together,’
Another, ‘Let’s walk away together.’

One friend will meet your spiritual need,
another your shoe fetish,
another your love for movies,
another will be with you in your season of confusion,
another will be your clarifier,
another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life,
on whatever the occasion,
on whatever the day,
or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,
or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself …
those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman,
but for many, it’s wrapped up in several..
one from 7th grade,
one from high school,
several from the college years,
a couple from old jobs,
on some days your mother,
on some days your neighbor,
on others, your sisters,
and on some days, your daughters.