Easter

This was the first holiday I actually didn't have to work in a WHOLE YEAR.  Well... I got off at 7 am, but at least I had the rest of the day off.  I spent it with Stephen and his family.  We had a nice brunch with ham and an egg hunt with his nephew and niece.  I like the way his family does it... eggs filled with candy, money, and gift cards to In-N-Out.  Now we're talking!  Sacrament meeting was especially nice and I am always grateful to celebrate the risen Christ and the opportunity I have to become better EACH AND EVERY day.  Because of Him, I can live my life more fully through fresh beginnings and new starts.  This life is just the beginning and there is so much to look forward to.  Grateful this Easter season because of Him.

Beach Weekend, or rather Coast

Funny that the beach in Oregon is referred to as the coast, too cold to call it a beach.  But, what better way to spend Memorial Day Weekend than w/ 10 friends at a beach house on the Oregon coast?  Well, it might have been better had the sun showed its beautiful rays a little more than it did.  High 50 degree weather didn't keep us from the beach, though, and at least it didn't rain.  3 fantastic days were spent playing beach volleyball, jumping in the ocean (can't say swimming at this point, too cold for that), building fires, lounging about, chatting, playing games, laughing our heads off, getting our groove on, and eating beyond our heart's content.  There was SO much food!  Enough to feed us all for a week.  And I just couldn't stop.  Can't wait to get back into a workout routine.  Such a a great, perfect, relaxing weekend w/ the best of friends.  These ladies are my faves!

Happy Memorial Day

There are many people to remember on this day, including the thousands of people who have served our country and kept it free and safe. I will forever be indebted to them and for them I am extremely grateful. Today, however, I would like to remember and honor all of my grandparents who have since passed on to a greater and better place. I am so grateful for them and the influence they have been to me and without them and their guiding influence, both directly and indirectly, I would not be the person I am today.

My Grandma Anderson was an amazing and optimistic person. I don't think I ever heard her say anything negative ever. She always wanted the best for us and would call us out if we were being ornery. I will always remember summer vacations to Grandma's house and the good times we had together.

I was never able to meet my Grandpa Anderson as he passed away before I was born, but I can imagine the kind of person he was from my own father, my grandmother, and aunt and uncle. They wouldn't be who they are without him. He served honorably in WWII and was part of the Rainbow Division to liberate the Dachau concentration camp in Germany. I know he is still serving honorably.

My Grandma Gerlitz was such a sweet and strong-willed person. She was quick witted and when she said something funny would crack her smile. She came down to AZ a few times to stay for the winters and I loved having her so close by. She was an extremely healthy person always taking her vitamins and herbs. I want to follow in her footsteps - I already take a handful of vitamins every day! I'm well on my way. She was always interested to know about us kids and help in any way possible.

I don't remember my Grandpa Gerlitz very well, as he passed away when I was younger, but I do remember visiting him a time or two in Sacramento. Can you see where I get my sense of adventure? He was also a teacher so I can thank him for my good presentational skills.

I've been extremely blessed with wonderful grandparents whom I love dearly and consequently wonderful parents. Thank you for being who you are! I hope to be half of what they have been to me to my own posterity.

Happy V-Day

Verbomania? Definition: a craze for words. Like vigorous, veracious, versatile, versus, vernal, vibrant, vivacious. Those are some good v words, and there's more where that came from. However, the only word with v in it you need to know for today is this one.

Yep, this is me in NYC two summers ago. I imagine this was a pretty popular spot today on the day of all days. I forgot to sport my pink and red today to celebrate, but even the guys who changed my car made up for it - flower on the dash. What more could a girl want from her trusty mechanics?

I also celebrated by eating Easter candy, on Valentine's Day. OH MY GOSH. Yes, I know. I jumped the gun, however those Robin's Eggs were totally worth it. And I just got back from the coolest dance EVER. We rocked out inside (aren't those last 2 words an oxymoron?) the magnificent ice castles of Midway. Cold, you might say? Nah, not when you're rockin' as hard as I was rockin'. Good end to a fantastic day.

Did I mention that I LOVE Arizona as well? Happy Birthday to you! Almost a century old - February 14, 1912. You see, Arizona = Love. What can you not love about this? Snow-capped Mt. Graham in background with the beautiful desert and cactus flowers. Now, this is what I call a desert. Utahns, please come down and visit. You will fall in love.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011

Had an amazing year in 2010 and am looking forward to even better adventures and experiences in 2011. We played a little Guitar Hero to celebrate before going to a rockin' party - sorry, no pictures. It was my kind of party, though, as people were going around daring each other to do things the whole night. Let's just say I had my fill :) You can do anything on New Year's, right? Right!

Happy Columbus Day!!

Well, I guess that actually depends on which perspective you take....some think he was a hero and great explorer, but others think he was a conquistador and exploited the Native Americans. I showed these VIDEOS to my Spanish classes today to give them more of a background on the famous Christopher Columbus. They provide some great information. Do you know the Americas where discovered on accident?!

Did you also know that the actual day of Columbus' landing on land is October 12th? We Americans celebrate it every 2nd Monday in October, which happens to be today...the 13th.