2011 Favorite Things Bday Party

In 2011, I was surprised by my favorite things for my birthday. I am a big fan of Oprah and love her favorite things show. Tanisha's kitchen was transformed into a backdrop for my favorite things and I got to have dinner with most of my favorite people. Donelle took pictures of all my bday presents and you can see I was spoiled, again! Orange crush, lip gloss, movie tickets, bahama bucks gift cards (that is the present Mel is SO excited about, it is her favorite!), $$ for a pedicure, tickets to the beauty and beast play (so I could take Mel) and ticket to Keith Urban concert (it was a bummer the concert ended up getting cancelled later). After dinner and presents, we had some cheesecake and then piled into the car to to go to Scottsdale to see Jane Eyre that I was so excited to see! We ended up missing the movie but I got to see it later and loved it. Thank you for a wonderful birthday. It was fun to celebrate and laugh and be with such great friends!

2007...more 80's karaoke party pics

Don't kill me! But I HAD to post these! I think the group shot has only ever seen light of day but since I found some individual shots, I had to put them in for old time sake. I love Chrissy really singing her song (i wish I could remember what you were singing) and all the great hair and outfits. I think Leslie takes the night for the best entire outfit and hair!

Scout Bat Cave hike 2006

In 2006, I got called to be the Wolf leader...I thought it was a joke at first because I had NO idea about anything with scouts or boys. I grew up with 5 sisters and my brother wasn't in scouts till I moved out of the house and I have a daughter...but it wasn't a joke and I gave it a go. I ended up loving it! Kristine Zimmerman was an amazing mentor; she was the Bear leader and we did our activities together.  She made the whole experience fun and had the BEST ideas. I didn't think boys liked crafts ( i don't know why...again, no idea about boys) but I found out they did and were so creative. They were also willing to try new things.

This was our hike to the bat caves and it was pretty cool. The boys thought it was awesome to hike and then to be in a cave with real bats. These scouts are almost grown up now but this was another great learning time and experience and I had to post the few pictures I have. This ended up being one of my favorite callings ever.

Happy Birthday to Me...in 2007

For my 29th birthday present, my friends gave me paint and a work day. I had been wanting to paint things since I had moved in to this house but, until this day, it hadn't happened. All the friends came over and tore down wallpaper and then painted the living room and kitchen. It took all day and I love all of you for coming and working so hard. This is one of my favorite memories; we got to hang out for the day, laugh and work together and I had a beautiful new facelift for my home. I have learned a lot about work, service and friendship from my amazing friends. I know we got to come to the Summerfield Ward neighborhood so we could be blessed with such amazing friends. I will never forget all the kind things Melody and I received from you all...from this to help with Melody, coming home and finding a surprise one fall- that you all had planted my winter grass for me and shoveled the stinky manure and pulled out the bougainvillea plant that was driving me crazy, or all the invites to parties and get-togethers. We truly loved living here and it wasn't the house, it was the people that lived in the houses by ours...you made us welcome and part of your families and we will love you guys forever. <3

Early College Years...more old pictures!

I have been going through old pictures and I came across these gems...just the way I remember the early college years. Going to the lake, hanging out with Donelle and Randy and the gang (Becky, Jusin, Michael, Allison, Jason, and Leslie), going to  Mt. Graham and helping make the biscuits for Labor Day dinner...or maybe 4th of July dinner... and working at Mt. Graham Family Practice. I loved doing all of these things and getting to know some of the greatest people I have ever met. (I am not sure what is up with the ski outfit I have on...I probably used whatever winter garb I could find to run out the door last minute and I have no pride when I am cold,lol)....but regardless of the wretchedness of the clothing, had to post this ski trip as it was the most memorable since we broke down on the side of the rode coming back from New Mexico, late at night and it was just 4 girls. Funny Now, Scary then. 

Mabb's Ranch

This is a flash back to the past...August 2006 and our fun weekend at Mabb's Ranch. I was thinking about what a fun trip this was and wanted to look at the pictures and I couldn't find them on any blogs. Then, I realized that this happened BEFORE we all started a blog. So, just so it is on record, because Melody and I had SO much fun, here are a few of the pictures I managed to round up from my old box of pictures and from Donelle. I can't believe how TINY the kids are. I remember the awesome treasure hunt Shelley planned and how much fun it was to ride around on the 4 wheelers and just hang out and visit. I think it is time for a reunion at Mabb's ranch...if only everyone could not be busy on the same weekend...we will see :)