The Scottish Festival & Sitting Lady Like

On June 13 Citrine (the Celtic women's group I sing with) performed at the Utah Scottish Festival at Thanksgiving Point. For those that have never been to a Scottish Festival it is great fun...there are men in kilts everywhere. Hahaha...not just kilts, but you have women dressed up as wenches, some people in armor (more like chainmail), etc. There are food booths, games (Scottish games), bagpipe competition and other performers. All around these performers are the different clans booth. If you find that you belong to one clan you can go to their booth and they will tell you about that clan and that lineage you belong to. It is quite facinating actually.

Well, next to our booth that we had, which was next to the stage, was Clan Grant. It was your typical clan booth, but there were somethings that I would like to have told the man running the tent. The first was, if you are going to be sitting in a skirt/kilt learn to put your legs together. Even though he had something on underneath I still saw a whole lot more than I ever wanted to! The worst part is that this view was right above the head of Anne-Marie. It was like a train wreck...I could not look away!

Again, it was a cold, wet day (like every day this June) and we got rained out of our last set (really poured out). It was pouring so hard that it was getting the equipment wet and was leaking through our tent. Such a fun day to spend with Citrine!

At least I think he is a religious man! :)

All We Need Is Love...

On Thursday, June 11 two of my greatest friends were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. Even though it rained, actually poured, the whole time we were at the temple it was still a wonderful day. Congrats Spencer and Heather, I love you guys!!

Probably not the best shoes to wear to the temple. I also love that everyone has black umbrellas and mine is pink (what other color woudl it be?)

Jackie and Damien were in the corner huddled under the umbrella waiting for the bride and groom to come out and I thought this would be a great picture op! All Jackie needed to do was pop her foot and it would be your classic 'making-out-in-the-rain' picture!

The guys (Jeremy, Chris and Damien)! They are so much fun. Gotta love them. I especially love how Damien doesn't have an umbrella. Maybe next time, but then again I think that he likes to have a reason to snuggle up under there!

After the temple Jackie and I rode trax to The Gateway and ate lunch. While we were waiting for the trax I noticed this lovely cement thing across the street. I don't know what was more eye catching the bright flaming bright yellow hair on the girl or the stirrup pants on the guy. Either way Jackie and I had a good giggle over it!

At the wedding dinner that night the colors were orange (Spencer's favorite color) so each table had a centerpiece of goldfish. They were in actual fish bowls up to champagne flutes. Really beautiful.
The happy couple reading the card from Matthew, Jackie and myself. It was an Indian blessing and the cover looked like it would come off a Harlequin book. It was great!

Arizona or Bust!

Back in April I decided that I needed to get away from life (see Birthday posting about being depressed to turn 27). I found out that my gram was going to AZ to see my aunt, uncle and cousins, and to see Jessie graduate from ASU. After getting the ticket reservation for my gram from my aunt I made a call down south and asked if it would be too much to come down as well as the flight was pretty cheap. When I talked to Jess and told her I would come down you would have thought that was the best day ever for her. So after a month of waiting to go I finally flew down with gram.

Traveling with gram is an adventure. First, she has had knee replacements so when we go through the airport security screening she gets stopped due to the metal knees. They don't care that she carries around a card that says she has fake knees. They still have to bring in the burly women to do the pat down and the magical wand test. While waiting for our flight I saw a friend of mine who used to be in my ward who was flying to Phoenix to catch a flight to Chicago for school interviews. It was nice to talk to him (he is married now). The flight was horrible (especially the landing). When my aunt picked us up she drove us around the airport to show us the precautions the state was taking for President Obama to come into town and speak at the graduation. Buses were lined up all around the perimeter and you couldn't see any of the landing strips. We were going to go to the graduation speach with Obama, but ended up not as it was held in the stadium, in metal seats, in 100+ degree weather where you had to be there 2 hours early and no water bottles were allowed in (dang that Swine Flu). After hearing about that grand torture we ended up just going shopping and then to dinner (where I flirted it up with the hot waiter).

Gram and I ended up staying in a Best Western while we were there. I don't know if I can travel with people who wake up at 5:30am and turn on all the lights just to go and get in the shower. It is one thing to turn on a light to get your items and then turn it off when you get in the shower. I was a little grumpy that day.

Jessie and Jason took me to this really fun zoo and aquarium where they have animals that are not found in your typical zoo. It was really fun. We went early enough in the morning so we didn't have to worry about the heat. It was way fun. On Friday was Jess' graduation from her individual school (education). That was short and sweet. Loved it...I am sure everyone wishes they were all that short. Afterwards we tried to go to one of my favorite places down there (Better Than Sex Cafe), but it was closed for remodeling. Guess I will have to go back in Fall. That night there was a graduation party for Jess as well, so we spent the rest of the day getting things ready for that. Jason and I got to travel a lot that day running errands. On Saturday we went to breakfast and shopping before Gram and I had to catch our plane home. It was such a great trip. I had so much fun, and I love being able to see the Vunders! I love you guys!! (Jason, can't wait to see you in a week).

This monkey was so cute. He was just hanging out watching the patrons go by.

These are the same type of monkeys (from Congo). You know you have a true friend when they are willing to pick the lice and bugs off you!

At the petting zoo these animals were acting like they hadn't ever eaten. They even started nibbling on my shirt. Don't I look so Snow White or Sleeping Beautish. I wanted to start singing as I was surrounded by deer!

At the aquarium I got to feed the sting rays. This guy could smell the shrimp in my hand and keep jumping out of the water for it. Talk about an odd sensation. I would love to feed them again though.

Madi loves penguins so I had Jess and Jason pose with me so I could get those for Madi.

They had this really fun train ride where they actually stop the train in the middle of the ride for you to look around. Good thing there wasn't anything too dangerous, or maybe they were used to people taking the train into their territory.

Don't we all look so happy?

Jess and the women. It was a blas to hang out with them.

So modelesque...don't cha think? That is my new dress I bought down there. I love it!! So not like the majority of the clothes I own.

Even though I didn't get to eat there, I still at least got my picture with the sign!

My Birthday

So I know this post is late, but better late than never, right? On my birthday I went to the zoo with my beautiful nieces, my sister and grandmother. I don't think I could have spent a birthday in a better way. No work was the biggest bonus to me, but to spend the day with those that I love was even better. After walking around the zoo my parents, gram, Chris, the girls and Derick all went to dinner with me to Iggy's (one of my favorite places). It was such a great birthday.

I will admit that I had a hard time turning 27 this year. I think the older I get the more I focus on where my life is going and if I am happy. I am happy with my life, and I know things haven't turned out the way that I wanted, but I am not always in charge. I hope that this year will be just as spectacular as 26 was.

It wouldn't be the zoo if you didn't take your picture with the Lion drinking fountain (which wasn't working). I guess they keep it for picture ops.

Again, so many photo ops at the zoo!!

This picture doesn't show it, but Brynnie loved the carousel. At first she was a little hesitant, but once it got going she was grins the whole ride.
Again, what is the zoo without the "Do you measure up?" picture. Yes...I do measure up.
What a great day at the zoo. I love my family. We had such an amazing day. Madi and Em were more excited for my day and our trip to the zoo than anyone else. I couldn't have spent it any better.

What's in a Purse?

You have heard the saying, "What's in a name?," but have you ever wondered really, what is in a woman's purse? Every woman knows what is in their own purse, but do you ever wonder what is in another woman's purse? Or men, do you just wonder what is in those bags that are so heavy and are giving women a hump back look from carrying all their crap? Well my friends, it is about to be revealed exactly the kind of crap I carry in my purse.

I love my purse. It is the thing that goes from Point A to Point B and is always there. I am not the kind of girl to carry a small purse around. I like the big purse, but not too big. Moderation is the key for me. I at least need to be able to carry a book...not a textbook size book, just a book...and a bottle of water. If I can't fit that and the other essentials then it is not worth carrying. Go ahead and see what I keep in my purse, and I dare you to look in yours and see if you can have more junk than I have!

This is before everything was taken out of the bag...pretty full, and heavy, if you ask me! Just call me Quasimodo as that is what I am going to be!

The things that are in my purse...

1. My phone (always with me, but hardly ever charged!)
2. iPod (can't leave home without it!)
3. 3 Nail Polishes (Two of them change color in the sun)
4. Nail Buffer, nail file and clippers
5. Gum (a must have for all purses)
6. My work badge (yes, it says Costco, and no I don't work there. It is to remind me I need to renew it)
7. CD-ROM Sports Illustrated Basketball Game (love the Wendy's Kid's Meals)
8. My daily 'To-Do List'
9. 2 Hair Clips (same color even)
10. 2 Sets of Keys (I would be in trouble if I locked both sets in the car)
11. Sunglasses (compliments of Coastal Contacts...and Janessa)
12. Midol (or as I like to call it "Cure-All")
13. Kool-Aid singles Packets (You never know when you might be lost in the woods and need to purify and flavor your water)
14. Ear phones
15. iPod charger
16. Hair barrette and elastic
17. Lotion
18. Juicy Couture Perfume
19. Eye Drops
20. Liquid Eyeliner (for when I need to add drama to the eyes for all the Raves I go to)
21. Cargo lip gloss (I love, love, love the Cargo, and any make-up product)
22. Bare Essentials Mineral Make-Up Buxom Lips (I love the pouty look)
23. Key Chain with Camera memory card(s)
24. Binoculars (perfect for spying on other people)
25. Camera (see above...first you need the binoc's and then the camera for blackmail)
26. 2-Year Monthly Planner (gotta know which guy I will be with each day...)
27. Pen
28. Receipt from my doctor's appointment that day
29. Wallet
30. and finally (drum roll please)...a book (the number one thing that my purses need to hold...you never know when you will be stuck somewhere, let's say...ummm...fun?, and without a book)

Hmmmm...water bottle not in the bag when we did this! Oh well, always know that my purse has a water bottle in it as well, and lately it has been a liter bottle! As well you can see that there are no incriminating things in my bag that would make me blush. So if you ever need to scrounge around in my bag, go for it, you might find something amazing!

It's been a long time...

Sorry it has been so long since I last posted a blog! I hope to update what has happened in my life in the last two months since I posted last!! More to come! :)