Happy Birthday Miss Emily!

15 years old.

When did you grow up?

I was wearing flats and she was weawring awfully high heels.

Random but cute pictures.

Love you Miss Em.

I hope you have an amazing day full of celebrations {after you take your finals of course}!

Dear Schpoopy,

Thank you soooo much.

I was lucky enough to have my dad fly out and help me with my move which included...

4 trips to Ikea

Lots and lots of furniture being put together

A trip to Lehi to visit friends

A trip to Logan

A basektball game

Family togetherness

Thank you Schpoopy. I can't wait to see you in a few weeks!

Maryland Friends!

It is always soo good to catch up with friends!

Thanks for the amazing Peruvian lunch.

It was delicious.

Guess who is moving??

Guess who is moving this weekend?!

No- I didn't steal the cart- there are a few at my apartment to make it easier to move in! {So somebody else stole it- or maybe it was donated!}

Junk in the Trunk

Or major lack there of...

When I was 7 years old this fringe skirt covered a large portion of my small tooshy. It was cracking me up when I found it. It was part of my tap recital costume that I got to wear with black fishnet tights- it was sexy.

I may have had a little too much fun finding all of these things!

One more blast from the past

These were my friends in 8th grade. I am still best friends with the one in aqua, and still keep in good touch with the one in the LS white top! Thank goodness for facebook. Did I really just say that?!

We had some good times... color nights were the best.

Check out my bangs. They were hot.

Just wanted to say...

I

LOVE

You

Mom!!

{For a ton of reasons- but I think you know what I am referring to! I am seriously still laughing from last night.}

Ikea Baby.

I swear I have not been to IKEA since I lived in Texas.

This was a preliminary IKEA visit- taking a lot of pictures, taking notes {thank you Miss Emily}, sitting on chairs, couches, laying on beds, picturing myself opening the dresser, etc.

Thank you family for going and hanging in there with me!

My Room

I seriously had (have?!) an awesome room growing up. All I really wanted was to have a lot of space to put up pictures, quotes, posters, all things teenage girl, etc. It's fun to look at this wall because its basically frozen in time from High School! I have 3 panels- 1 big and 2 small.

{I had already started to clear off the 2 small ones before I took pictures!}

My amazing mother was the creative mind behind this fun wall!

I spy with my little eye:

Pictures from Prom

My BFF

My parents ad to me in the yearbook {aww}

Where I went to college

My family

Photo assignments

Homecoming memorabilia

Girls Camp memorabilia

I Will Remember You

With a title like that you are probably expecting something really deep- sorry to disappoint it is a few pieces from my younger years! I wanted to go through my room when I was home- and I found some sweet things from my childhood that I want to document! {Remember in Toy Story 2 when they get rid of the toys and the toys are so sad to be forgotten about/given away? I can't help but think* my things are sad too...}

This is from my Aunt Cristins wedding reception that my G'pa made- and Cristin gave it to me. I remember being honored that I received one. It sat on my desk in California on display.


I have never kicked a soccer ball in a soccer game. Yes, I did play on a soccer team- but was really not a fan of running, sweating, or knowing that there was a chance of the ball hitting me. Needless to say there was only one season of soccer in my childhood. Every player {if you could even call me that} was a recipient of a trophy.

I have always loved to read- my parents made sure that we always had something to read! I'm sure at times my parents wondered about my choices in reading {Sweet Valley High, Sweet Valley University, etc.}! These books make me smile.

Rhyming Dictionary: I "earned" this book by purchising it with "Green bucks" in 4th grade from my teacher Ms. Green. I seriously saved all year for it- I was not going to settle for a plastic ring. Nope. Not me. I needed the Rhyming Dictionary- maybe I aspired to be a poet? or most likely a rapper. {I do not think I even knew what rap was.}

Cheerleading Book: I wanted to be a cheerleader from a very young age. I saw this Cheerleading Kit at the Scholastic Book fair- it came with this book, gold/purple pom-pons, and a cassette tape with the cheers. It was A-W-E-S-O-M-E. I begged my mom for it and she said "no". I got it for Christmas that year from Santa Clause- I was SO excited. I read it, practiced, cheered. I even took notes in it.

Sweet Valley High: Francine Pascal is a genius. She hooked you in Elementary School with Sweet Valley Twins, then by the time you were in Middle School you were reading Sweet Valley High and Sweet Valley University. I was really mature for my age, but then stopped reading Sweet Valley University and stuck with Sweet Valley High. You may be interested to know that Sweet Valley High: Senior Year series is just barely coming to a close. {I stopped reading them in 8th grade- not because I wanted to but because our Library stopped carrying the new ones.

Leonardo DiCaprio- the biography: I actually borrowed this in 5th grade from a fellow classmate but then I thought I ripped one of the pages so I bought her a new one and kept the one I ripped. {Win win.} This is the most hilarious thing- I loved Leo but had never seen any movies with him in it. Yes, Titanic did come out that year but had I seen it? No. Had every single girl in my grade seen in multiple times? Yes. Did this arguement work with my parents? No. Did my crying work with my parents? No. I FINALLY saw Titanic in 8th grade- when it was shown on TV. I purchased my own 2 disc copy of it in college. Whenever I'm in need of a good cry I watch it. However, I still love Leo. Just the other day I saw a movie preview with him in it and my heart went pitter pat. I also love him in Growing Pains.

Little House Trivia Book: I LOVED reading the Little House books. I wanted to be a Pioneer- then I went on Pioneer Trek. Let me just say I am glad my ancestors did it for me. My moms friend Kristy stayed in my room when she came to visit- and on my nightstand I had one of the Little House books. She read it and then read the entire series! We now share that common bond! She bought me this trivia book once and whenever I hear about the Little House series I think about Kristy!

Senior Suprilitive: Fast forward to Senior Year of High School- I won "Best to Bring Home to Your Parents". I was a goody two shoes {still am}- I was a parents dream come true! Haha. The guy who won this was my HS boyfriends friend. Maybe I was dating the wrong person?! The yellow bunny decor next to it was given to me with the award- it was my "halo".

Stuffed Animal: If you really know me- you know that I do not like stuffed animals. However this duck was part of an inside joke with the HS boyfriend. It came with a Tiffanys necklace around its neck. Its such a nice stuffed animal I hate to give it up- but I am passing it onto someone else who will love it. However, I am keeping the necklace.

It was a lot of fun going through my room- my mom and I had some good laughs. It's hard to believe I will soon be moving into my own place, and beginning new memories there!

*I know that these things do not have feelings but... :)

2009

2009 Highlights

2009 was absolutely amazing- I can't wait to see what 2010 has to bring!

My word for 2009 was "STRETCH" and I feel that it fit very well!

Cute, huh?!

Last week I got together with Miss Tiffany to make cookies, hang-out, and catch up!

It was so fun- thanks for everything Tiff!

I could not resist taking this picture that is in their driveway.

My Lucky Dad

A few years ago I found this advertisement for an investment firm that had 3 sisters and the following text:

"Three car payments.

Three college tuitions.
Three weddings.

I think I'm having chest pains

How are we going to pay for all this?

Invest?

Invest in what?

The market is more unpredictable than our daughters."

I put it on a picture 4 years ago for my dad and he loved it! A few months ago my dad mentioned that he wanted an updated picture- so that is what I gave him for Christmas!

Alpha Phi Christmas Party

This year some Alpha Phi Alumni hosted a Christmas Sweater Party! They made the cutest sweater invites and everything! I made the delicious mint cookies for my dessert!

Jacie and me!

Alumni and actives!

My gift from the gift exchange-- how cute is this?!
It will look great in my new place!

I realized how much I love Alpha Phi- I am so glad that there are so many Alpha Phi girls in the Salt Lake area!

Christmas Morning!

My family agrees- this was one of the best Christmas' ever! All the gifts we gave each other were gifts people really wanted or really thought through!

Me opening my awesome gift from Miss Em.

She has wanted this for a very long time- thanks Aunt Karen!

Emily and the sheepy sheep!

Mom opening the Sheepy sheep.

Schpoopy opening my gift to him!

Merry Christmas

It's good to be home...

I flew home Christmas Eve Night! Just in time for our traditional pajamas and Christmas story!

December Randomness

These are some pictures off my phone... I have been crazy busy but I want to catch up!

Surprise visit from Derwood Maryland Friends in SLC.
Delicious chocolate mint cookies for the funnest Alpha Phi Christmas Party!
Lots of cold weather clothes.
{I have lived in UT for going on 4 years now, and each winter I act like I'm surprised with how cold it is!}

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Cara loves chippymunks

Sisters at Thanksgiving!

Kareoke!

Sushi!

These are just a few of the fun memories...

Love and miss you all.

Being Free, Being Wild and Bulletpoof

19 and crazy.

{song by Bomshel.}

Happy happy Birthday Cara!!!

We can't wait to have you home.

One Week From Today...

We will be beginning McJanes Palooza 2009.

{I think we will all have made it to Winter Suites!}

Can't even begin to describe my excitement!

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes...

When I got an email telling me that Disney Princesses on Ice was coming... I texted my Aunt Elisa to ask if I could take Miss Miriam! We met after work on Friday at California Pizza Kitchen and then Miriam and I headed over to Energy Solutions!

Waiting for it to begin....
Prince Charming was really attractive.

I realized the following things:

• I have not watched a Disney princess movie in a very long time
• I still know the words to every Disney love ballad
• I have never seen Sleeping Beauty
• Disney Princesses are classic- the same stories I love my daughters will love!

My New Theme Song

I heard this song the other morning on my way to work... and fell in love.

Lunch With The Aunts...

Uncles and Cousins!

My Aunt Cristin was in town for a few days for the coolest thing ever {I am keeping my fingers crossed they do it next year, because I want to go}! She invited us all to lunch- and I felt so special because I am not a sibling but I was still invited! I guess I have graduated into being an adult!

It was great seeing everyone! {It made me miss my mom so much!}
I love her.

I Want My Stomach to Flop.

You know that feeling when you are on a roller coaster and its about to drop and your stomach feels like it is in your throat, and your heart is beating like crazy and you think its going to burst out of your chest? Or when you talk to someone you like and get this smile on your face that won't go away?! All of these feelings mixed together are what I refer to as a "stomach flop". It's a good kind of flop- you know, like the good kind of butterflies, the good kind of nervous. Not everyone is capable of making my stomach flop {I guess I am kind of picky-but the good kind of picky}.

All I want is my stomach to flop- just so I know it is still capable of flopping. I really do not think it's too much to ask for.

Is it?

Some Things Never Change...

and I'm okay with that.

Ever since I can remember my G'ma Cheryl has sent us Halmark cards with $1 every single holiday! Prior to graduating college I also got cordinating stickers! I am happy to report that I still receive a sweet holiday card!

G'ma- if you read my blog... I love you! I have many fond memories of you that involve you sending me awesome mail {book of the month, weekly cross-word puzzles, quotes in college, and many, many more}!

Be A Flu Fighter

I am.

I get that H1N1 is bad. I get it.

I agree- extra precautions should be taken.

But, I also think that people need to ALWAYS practice good hygene and cleanliness.

Last staff meeting we talked about being as germ free as possible. We also got Antibacterial Wipes to wipe down our desks, computers, and phones. We are also no longer allowed to use each others computers/phones/etc. We were reminded to wash our hands often, wipe down the door handles, etc, etc. I honestly felt like I was in 1st grade again.

I have to go now- its time for my hourly wiping of my desk.

Too Soon?

I think not.

Let the countdown begin. {Mine began mentally in September- maybe even August.}

Happy List

For the Week of 10/18

• Sent postcards

• Talked to my bff Elaine

• Surprise visit from Kady

• Ricki turned 18

• Stayed busy at work

• Sore from the gym {the good kind of sore}

• Breakfast/lunch with Tiff

Surprise Visit!

On Thursday afternoon I got a phone call from Kady- I don't always pick up my cell phone at work... {since I'm at work} but this time I did {and am soo glad I did} because she said, "what are you doing for lunch, because I am in Salt Lake." I was so surprised! She was on the waiting list for a field trip, and was able to come up! It was great to see her-we laughed, talked, and crammed months worth of not living together in one hour.

At lunch.

Nice boots.

In less than an hour we met both Santa Clause {he told us he was SC and then asked us for $$} and also a comedian {well, more like he thought he was hilrious}. It was awesome!

Gardeners Village

Thanks Kate for going to Gardeners Village with me!

Stone Soup and Fro Yo

I was able to go see Miss Miriam in her dance performance in Stone Soup. She was a great little bean snapper! Thank you Darin and Elisa for inviting me! We ate Frozen Yogurt after- it was delicious! You chose the kind of frozen yogurt, filled up your own cup, put whatever toppings and the amount of toppings on that YOU wanted! {It does not take much to impress me!} It was great.

See You Again Soon...

Where on earth did October go?! Seriously.

At the beginning of October I was able to meet up with Kady, Shar, and Matt {Shars then boyfriend- now fiance}! We met at Chipotle in Bountiful. I have not eaten there in forever- I am glad that they are making their way to Utah!

It was great to catch up- I am glad that we were able to get together!