Ain't No Party like a Scranton Party!

Last weekend my co-worker and I headed to Scranton, PA for another co-worker's wedding. Meet the Bride:

She looked absolutely beautiful! The entire day was just perfect. After the wedding ceremony held at the church, we went the Woodlands Inn and Resort for a cocktail hour, and reception. This picture doesn't give it justice, but the atmosphere was stunning.

After Kate & I awwed the wedding group with our dance moves, we decided to get our priorities in line. Find the PA Paper & Supply Company. This familiar Paper Company is what we view every Thursday night, and recognize as, "Dunder Mifflin."

I felt so close to JAM (JIM & PAM). It was as if they were right there with me strolling the streets of Scranton, PA. I am definitely ready for the season to begin!

Yeah Jeff!

Finding Hope

This touching video was posted on lds.org:

Wedding Bliss + San Fran Fun!

Earlier this summer we held a bridal shower for our little Sarah!

Then we attended an Engagement Party...

Next, we headed to Oakland for the big day! She looked absolutely beautiful!

It was a VERY warm day in Oakland

I love this girl!!

The Wedding Party...Meliss and Chels did such a great job fulfilling their bridesmaid duties :)

After the wedding festivities, we ventured into San Fran. Chels at the wheel, Michele as navigator.

We rode a cable car through the city...

Went on a audio tour at Alcatraz, which was so cool. The island itself is gorgeous, with such great views.

We'll pretend this was Al Capone's Cell block. Do you think I pass as a prisoner?

Drove down Lombard street twice!

Paid the toll to cross the Golden Gate Bridge. Totally worth it!

We stayed with my aunt and uncle in Walnut Creek, CA! It was so fun to visit with them. They were so great to let us crash at their place. My cousin Denae and her family came over on Sunday to visit. I just love being around my family! We also toured around fisherman's wharf, ghirardelli square, ate at In n Out Burger, and had some fabulous Italian food in North Beach. We even ventured to Berkley to attend a ward there on Sunday. I am pretty happy to be in DC :)

Next weekend will be wedding #2 for my friend, Emily in Scranton, PA!

Emergency Grocery List

It was Friday night, pouring rain, and I needed to go to the store desperately to buy the following items:

1. cupcake liners

2. Frosting

3. chocolate chips

4. cream cheese

5. TAMPONS

I chuckled to myself as I reviewed the items in my bag. I love being a girl :)

Love is a Battlefield

Please tell me you know who this great woman is?? That's right, it is the one and only Pat Benatar!!! This last month I went with a group of friends to Wolf Trap to listen to Patricia and Blondie! As a young girl, I would take out my mom's pat cd's and dance around to, Don't Roll those Bloodshot Eyes at Me! It doesn't get much better than, Heartbreaker, We Belong, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, and Love is a Battlefield!

Please note the mom pants on our fellow pat fans! So great.

We Love You Pat!

I survived my first trek!!

WARNING!!! Do I even dare post pictures of this experience? Let me give you a little background before you think I am completely crazy. An important part of my church's (Mormon) history, is the westward journey of Latter-day Saints. In the state of Utah, there is an actual holiday dedicated to celebrating the early Mormon pioneers entry to the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. Just as we honor and learn from past leaders of this great nation, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrate and express gratitude to our ancestors who trekked many miles, and endured unthinkable hardships in their journey westward. The sole purpose of this westward movement was for the Saints to find a land where they could settle in peace, and worship how they wanted. A modern day Apostle, Dallin H. Oaks states, "It is not enough to study or reenact the accomplishments of our pioneers. We need to identify the great, eternal principles they applied to achieve all they achieved for our benefit and then apply those principles to the challenges of our day. In that way we honor their pioneering efforts, and we also reaffirm our heritage and strengthen its capacity to bless our own posterity and “those millions of our Heavenly Father’s children who have yet to hear and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ." We are all pioneers in doing so."

So there you have it. Crazy? Maybe a little (I am referring to the dressing up part, and trekking in the DC heat and humidity)! However, such a neat opportunity, and one I would definitely do again. I was a "ma" for a family of 7 youth. I absolutely loved getting to know each and every one of them. I love their energy and excitement for life! Aside from pushing a handcart for miles, we participated in a hoedown, played in the lake, cooked tin-foil dinners, and challenged other families to beat us to the end. My family was a little competitive with the other groups...does that surprise you?? A little healthy competition never hurts anyone :) I am sure that is one of the characteristics we learn from the early pioneers. Meet my pioneer trek family:

Allison and I pre-trek. We actually look somewhat decent at this point.

Sleeping under the stars with other "ma's" on the trek. It was so beautiful there!

We are looking pretty rough at this point.

There you have it. I survived my first trek experience. I am grateful for modern conveniences provided to us today. I am grateful for the hot shower I took as soon as I walked in my door. I am grateful for deodorant, and make-up. I am grateful for access to antibiotics in the event I get Lyme disease. Yes I found a tick on my upper leg when I got home (I am feeling A-Ok). I am grateful for an experience that renewed my faith, strengthened my testimony, and inspired me to share more with others the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"She's Gone Country"

Saturday morning, I joined a few friends to go horseback riding an hour or so out of the city. I hadn't been horseback riding in years! Horses are a powerful animal. I was a little timid at first, but found myself pretty attached to "freddy" by the end of the day. Charlee's friends were so nice to let us come and ride their horses. They also fed us, and sent us home with fresh vegetables from their garden. I think I need to spend more time in the country!

Me & Freddy

Charles & Patch

Here we are cleaning out the stables. That was some serious dense horse droppings!

The End.