Do You Believe?

Welcome to McMinnville's 10th Annual UFO Festival Parade!

Taken from the festival website:

The festival began as a way to honor the famous 1950 Trent sighting in which two local citizens witnessed and photographed a UFO, said to be some of the most credible images of UFOs to date.

It was a very entertaining parade! There were a lot of costumes...some more outlandish than others, but very clever!

Of course, there was some Star Wars

And even a little MIB!

We had a great time!

Thanks, Rudolphs, for coming with us!

Yoga

I tried Yoga that wasn't from a TV show or from P90 for the first time on Tuesday...

And I'm in love.

I was actually the only one who came to the class that day, and I'm so glad I did!

Not only because I helped out Jenny, who was teaching and feeling like it was pointless to come that day, but because I got her all to myself!

I realize that sounds selfish, but it was really nice.

You should try it if you haven't!

I Miss...

I'm having one of those reminiscing days where I'm thinking about all the people and things I miss...so I thought I'd blog about it.

I miss...

...my family....

...especially my cute mom.

Even if it's only been a little over a week since I saw her.

Twin Falls

I love the Perrine Bridge. It's my place of solitude. I like to walk the canyon rim and just sit under the bridge while all the cars go overhead.

Shoshone Falls is the prettiest falls I've ever seen. I miss picnics down there.

Old friends


BYUI friends

Collegiate Singers




Getting to hang out with my cute sister all the time.


Vocal Union

Heck, I just miss PERFORMING!...well, mostly singing-related performing.

Watching Seth play, and dancing along.
...which brings up dancing...



I miss these girls...A LOT.

I have no pictures of my artwork at the moment, but I miss taking the time to work on my art...

And most everyone is going to roll their eyes at this one

I miss being this skinny.

That's pretty much it.

Little Tid Bit on Twilight

I have finished the Twilight Series

Thanks Brianne

And here is my opinion, for those who are interested.

I will keep it brief

Did I like it? Yes.

Am I obsessed? No.

About the characters: I honestly liked Jacob better than Edward. He was more realistic as a normal everyday guy (as normal as guys in fantasy books can be) and not as over-protective. I'm not really a fan of over-protective people, so I had a hard time liking Edward. I understand Edward is supposed to be unreal and not your everyday guy, but he was a little too unreal...I could almost say he was a little "pansy"-like. I thought vampires were supposed to be manly and sexy and, he really didn't do it for me. I guess I like the normal guys...like Seth! heehee

I liked Bella in the first book, but thought she was a little...over-clumsy...and then as each books went on, I liked her even less. She was very rude to Jake...over and over. I have to admit, Jake was kind of asking for punishment, though. I don't understand the drive everyone had for Bella in the first place. I thought clumsy was annoying...or was she supposed to be "a damsel in distress" all the time. Either way, I wasn't fond of her.

I think I liked the rest of the characters just fine. The Cullen family was great, Bella's friends were good (even if they kept flocking to Bella when she was a jerk), and the Children of the Moon were fine, too. Funnier...more entertaining and relate-able.

All in all, I DID like the books. I think it should have ended with the end of the Volturi, so there was more action and not so much of the "other action" in the last book, but oh well. They are newlyweds right?

I thought Stephenie dragged the books, a little, and could have written all that was written in one or two books...but then she wouldn't have made as much money, so more power to you, girl. But, there was too much lovey-dovey stuff for me.

Now, The Host? That's a whole other story.

I love that book.

Might even go far enough to say that if she continued THAT one, I'd be obsessed.

PS: only my opinion, please don't get upset with me if it's different than yours.

Loves all!

Mother's Day Bliss

Second official Mother's Day.

And, I'm married to the best guy in the world!

I woke up (the second time) to pancakes, eggs, and orange juice...

In BED!

*I honestly think I've never had breakfast in bed before!*

Seth has had Porter almost the whole day since I've started my calling as Primary Pianist...

which isn't going so well since I haven't played for years. Good thing there's Stake Conference next week so I can practice!

...and he's not even tired of him! They're playing on the couch right now!

Porter's trying to whistle. It's so cute.

I love being a mom.

Especially when I'm married to such a great Dad!

25 Things About My Moms

**Written by my sister on Facebook. It was too good and spot on not to re-post on my blog**

Since Mom won't do one of these (cuz she says she can't think of 25 things about herself- I think I can) I'm gonna do one for her! :) Especially for Mommy's Day.

1. She was born in St. Anthony Idaho November 6, 1953
2. She teaches violin and piano and is a wonderful teacher!!! Her students love her so much cuz she loves them!
3. She makes the best cookies and bread in the world. And gives them away all the time. To EVERYONE! her bank tellers, doctors, friends, random people ...
4. She serves her community all the time with her musical abilities! Plays for symphony, dilettantes, JuMP Co., youth orchestra . . . and on.
5. She is an excellent accompanist! She follows so well- even those church singers who are . . . like everywhere with their singing.
6. She cries during beautiful music. So you know something is really good and really pretty when she cries. Now I do it too.
7. Oreos are her favorite cookies.
8. Mint chocolate chip ice cream is her favorite ice cream. Mmmmm!
9. Mom can draw THE CUTEST characters! She makes her own stockings, draws the yearly christmas card, draws for Positive Action and is super super crafty and creative! It's Awesome!
10. She loves doggies. <3
11. She went to BYU where she met Dad...And gave the ring back seven times >.> <,< (shifty eyes)
12. She is a mommy to 7 kids- one for each time she gave the ring back . . . all ranging from age 30 to 12.
13. Mom is the best person to talk to. She gives a listening ear and is very understanding. She also has fabulous advice. I used to not think so as much, but then I grew up and realized she's right, a lot.
14. She likes going on walks. I love to do that with her. :)
15. She's a hard-worker: a nurse, a comforter, a healer, a counselor, a cook, a cleaner, a musician, a teacher . . . I can go on . . . :)
16. She likes old movies and CSI and other such fun brain teasing shows.
17. She is THE BEST person to watch funny movies with! Her laugh is very contagious, and she makes funny movies even funnier!
18. She writes poetry. No kidding. And its GOOD! (I think you should do it again Mom.)
19. When i think of Mom, I think of Disney movies. Walt Disney I think is one of her fav peoples.
20. She loves Snoopy!
21. She hates driving. A few of her daughters do too.
22. Technology evades her. But its really cute!
23. She took some french in high school? College?
24. She took some ballet when she was younger (if I remember right) which is way cool!
25. She has liked to wear her hair short for a long long time. :)

So cute, Vanna!

Now, Seth and I will do one for his mom :)

1. She was born in Selina, Kansas in 1955
2. She loves any and all love stories
3. She has 9 beautiful children (her oldest boy's the best looking)
4. Crafts, especially scrapbooking, is something she LOVES
5. She and Dad met at BYU...where it was love at first sight...for Dad
6. They were married May 1, 1978
7. She claims she's a blonde...and she was...as a child ;)
8. Number 2 of 5 children
9. She likes to wear her hair longer
10. She loves talking over the phone to her kids
11. She wishes all her kids could come live with them in Casper...good thing we are, right? That's one more down...7 to go.
12. She has 7.5 grand kids
13. SHE LOVES KIDS....why else would she have nine?
14. She doesn't like sarcasm much
15. She doesn't have a middle name
16. She's tender-hearted
17. She is NOT a nag ;)
18. Chocolate is her not-so-secret love. It's up there with how much she loves her kids.
19. She hates getting her eyes checked.
20. She's an excellent cook
21. She knows all her kids favorite meals and makes them for them when they come home.
22. I like her laugh ^_^
23. She knows a LOT of nursery rhymes, and likes to sing them over the phone to her grandkids :D
24. She may have been born in Kansas, but she grew up in Spokane, Washington
25. Mom is easy to talk to, and has great advice.

Happy Mother's Day!

Camping Trip

Seth, Porter, and I went on our first camping trip ever (and Porter's first ever) this last week with a bunch of other Optometry couples.

**We actually went the day after I got back from Idaho, I know, crazy.**

We stayed at a place called Nehalem Bay in a building called a YURT



A "Year-round Universal Recreational Tent"
It had electricity, a bunk bed, a futon, a lamp, a mirror, a table with four chairs, and a heater. Pretty nice!
Seth called it a glorified tent

There was running water, indoor plumbing, and showers nearby.
**those of you who know me well know I wouldn't have gone otherwise haha**

The campground was really nice.



Porter was always wanting to go off on his own.

We took a walk to the beach before we headed home

It was gorgeous in the morning haze.

Porter had a hard time walking on the sand.

Correction...we all did.

Porter loved running really close to the water.



It was a super fun summer activity!

I'm so glad we got to go! Even if it was only for one night :)

A Post for Seth

Seth has earned his Optometry "O"

...in O.D.

We're so glad you're out of the books for the next three months!! Now we can play!

New Words

Porter's vocabulary has expanded!

He now says: "ease" (Please), "gie" (doggie), "moa" (more, I think), "ish" (this), "mmm" when I ask him if he wants food, "num num" (food)...

and that's all I can think of at the moment. Some have been put in other postings or in his "quotes" on the left hand side, but I don't know if people look, so here it is. ^_^

He has also started saying animal sounds!

See for yourself!

**videos done while still in twin...couldn't upload with Mom's internet**

Coming Home Was Harder Than I Thought

Porter and I made the trip back to Oregon in two days. I decided to make a stop in Boise so I could cut down some driving time, and so I could see my sisters again.

The next day we continued our traveling...

I couldn't believe how many things went wrong that day.

First: I made a stop at a Shell gas station to fill up so I could have a full tank starting out, but the pump I went to didn't work, and I couldn't just leave Porter in the car and go in the station, so I just drove.

Second: I got lunch at McDonalds...still in Boise...and the lady who took my order gave me two drinks when I had only wanted one. I had to pay for it too. Lame.

I didn't stop for gas at the Chevron in Boise because Porter was sleeping and I wanted to get going...besides, I like having gas pumped for me in Oregon.

Third: I couldn't stop in Ontario for gas because there were like a million trucks blocking my way back into the right lane, and none of them seemed to have the desire to be courteous. SO I was about at empty after passing Ontario.

I decided to make a stop at the next exit that I could see so that I could get gas.

Fourth: The exit I chose was a bad choice.

I saw a town in the mountains right after passing Ontario...it was off a Weiser exit. I figured I could get to it, and to a gas station before my dial was at "E"

(I'm going to stop counting now...)

I passed the town...

and started freaking out.

I'm going to run out of gas in the middle of nowhere!

is all I could think.

I started crying and asking myself why in the world did I ever think I could travel so far without Seth?!

In the meantime, my GPS kept chirping "recalculating" and "when possible, make a U-turn"

This wasn't helping

I eventually called Seth, while manic, and he tried to calm me down...

unsuccessfully.

I spotted a house and pulled into their drive to ask for directions to a gas station, and got off the phone with Seth so I could talk to the lady who opened the door.

Porter woke up...so much for thinking he would be a sleeping baby for most of the trip.

The lady told me I needed to go to Weiser for gas.

Weiser was back in Idaho.

I went... I got gas... I had to pump it myself!

Luckily the pump worked this time. Had it not, I think I would've gone crazier.

All of this added another hour to my already lengthy trip.

When I started driving again, I started crying again. This time I was angry with myself for not stopping at the Chevron I saw by McDonalds.

I found my way back to the freeway easily.

Guess what was right by the freeway at the next exit...not even 20 miles from the Weiser exit.

You're right...

A gas station.

Of course.

I'm just glad the rest of the trip went smoothly and I was able to get gas before I was on empty at all. Porter was an angel child until about the last two hours. I'm glad he is so easy to travel with, but I'm even more glad to be home with Seth.

I'm so happy Seth is done with finals! Congrats on finishing your first year of Optometry School!

For the One we Left Behind

...mostly

 

**I hope this gives you a good study break, Seth!

Love you!**

Mom's place isn't babyproof

example:

Gammie gave Porter a drum...

He loves it!

It even makes a good seat!

and a good thing to squish your face with

Videos to be posted when I return to {FG}

'Gie

This is Gammie's weird dog, Senji...

Porter loves Gammie's doggie...or "'gie"

He will not stay away from him

Much to Senji's dismay

Today the dog got a little "revenge" from Porter's beating him up...

Senji had his paws on the chair I was sitting on

Porter came to him to give him a hug

Senji moved

Porter smashed his face on the chair

Ouch.

Forever Friends

My longest, most dear friend, Suzanne came to visit me on her way down to Provo from Whitefish, Montana today!! I was SO excited to see her and I feel so loved that she'd come to Twin just to see me!

Well...me and Porter...haha

The last time we saw each other was at Jamba Juice in Provo when I was still engaged!

Then she went on a mission to the Baltics where she spoke Russian...

and there was no way I could've visited...

NOW SHE'S BACK!!!

*can you tell I'm excited??*

We definitely wont wait so long to see each other, Zan! Six months, max, ya hear?

MUAH!

Um, Yes!

An old friend of mine, Kellie, and I got together a few days after I came to Twin.

Had to rest, you know, that's a dang long drive!

Anyway, she and I had lunch at Chilies 

**Grilled Chicken Sandwich+me=HEAVEN**

then we picked up a few things from Michaels and made these...

Super cute and super easy...heck yes!

Thanks Kel! Not only for a new craft idea, but for being so awesome!

Love ya!

Surprise!

Porter and I made a surprise visit to Twin Falls while Seth began his last finals week of his first year of Optometry school!

I told everyone but my Mom and those who lived with her (Mikki) that I was coming, and Mom was beginning to wonder why her kids weren't talking to her the day before I showed up.

Because they all would've let you know!

Funny thing is, when I showed up at the doorstep, Mom was gone!

She had another surprise visit from her cousin Jane who had come into town the same day, and they went to go see Shoshone Falls while the water was going down full swing

**which, those of you from Twin know, doesn't happen often

Mom had a day full of surprises!

Happy Mother's Day...early...Mom!