Pics from our Lake Powell Trip!

No lie..this was taken at about 6:00 p.m. It was THAT COLD!

One of the warmest parts of the trip.
Usually we had our hoodies on in the boat!

Rachel, Gabby, Larry and Olivia enjoying ice cream at the snack bar!













The girls enjoying Disco night...what you don't see is Mary dancing under the disco ball!

Little Sophie was our entertainment most the time, such a cutie! She would sing songs from Hairspray and Scooby Do, then when she was feeling exhausted she would grab her mom by the hand and say "Mom I need a nap"! Then she really would take a nap! So funny!

And why is it that I love Lake Powell so much?

**A warning to all...this is a long post!** A weekend I thought would be so fun and relaxing turned out to be quite the experience! We had left in time on Saturday to ensure that we could make it to our camp before dark. We dropped the boat into the lake around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and set off to find our friends and their houseboat.

About 10 minutes into our ride, Billy realized something was wrong. Then the alarm sounded that indicated that the boat was overheating, so we found the nearest piece of sand and beached the boat. Billy opened the engine compartment and it was steaming and smoking like you wouldn't believe! After a hike to the highest hill to get phone service, Billy examined the engine to see what the damage was. Turns out we had melted out two important pieces and now rather than having the water go through the hoses and cool the engine and back out of the boat, the hoses were just filling the boat with water! We decided that it would be best to get the boat back to the dock and out of the water instead of trying to make it to camp (which was still 45 minutes away) So, by this time it was dark and all we had a was a crappy spotlight to send us back. We went in short bursts until the engine was to hot then we would turn it off and wait. We were going fine until the bilge pump went out on us...I mean seriously, we couldn't catch a break! (For those that don't know what the bilge pump is...its the pump that pumps the water out of the engine compartment so your boat doesn't sink) So for the last bit we had to stand in the back and point the hoses out of the boat so the water wouldn't go into the compartment...any ways, it took us nearly 5 hours to get back to the dock and by that time we were all soaking wet and freezing. We got to the hotel in Ticaboo around 2:00 a.m. and ended up staying at the hotel the first night.

The next day Billy stayed with the boat at Offshore Marina and waited for the rest of his family to arrive with the tools to fix it, and me, Sam, Hannah and her friend Sunny, caught a ride with the people we were staying with on the houseboat. After tanning for awhile the sun went behind the mountain and it got too cold so we all went in the house boat and sat until about 7:30 when Larry took us out to the channel so we could get service to see if the rest of our fam was going to make it. Sure enough they showed up about and hour later. So our trip really began on Sunday night!

I have never been to Lake Powell when it has been cold...so this was a new experience for me. We had to wear our hoodies and blankets while we were traveling on the boat! It was ridiculous! And as soon as the sun went down behind the mountain (which was about 4:30) you had to put on your hoodies if you wanted to stay outside! But after the first two days it did get a little warmer, but never warm enough that I would get in the water! I did manage to get somewhat of a tan! Larry and Mary (the people who own the houseboat) were so accommodating and made the best meals! We had enchiladas, Lasagna and Ham! That's not camping food! So all and all, after the annoyance on Saturday, we had a really good, but cold trip! I was able to finish my book and enjoy some sun!

Pics to follow in another post!

Congrats Grad & a play date!

Today my niece Saige graduated from her first year of preschool at
the Wilde About Learning Preschool!Saige & Mrs. Jenni

(My camera is being fussy so the pics are all blurry, sorry!)

This last weekend Sadie came and stayed at our house for a couple days. I think Toby loved having a friend for a couple days. I could never get a good picture of them because they were constantly running around playing! (You'll notice that they look like ghosts in the picture because they wouldn't stop moving.)
Well, we are off to Lake Powell for a couple days...WAHOO! So I'll be back to checking out everyones blogs on Wednesday! Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

A few thoughts about a Friend...

Today, we here at my office said goodbye to a great friend and co-worker, DeLoy M. Sallenback.

Five years ago, when I was still working down at the Daley Freez, trying to get my foot in the door somewhere in the legal profession, I saw an ad for a part-time receptionist at the law firm of Sallenback & Facemyer.

After an interview with their current paralegal, Georgia, I then had a second interview with one of the attorney's, DeLoy Sallenback. The minute I walked in the door I was intimidated by his professional stature! However, the first thing he did was compliment about how he was impressed with the way that I was dressed...in his words "very professional and appropriate for an interview".

Although I didn't have much experience in an office setting (does TA'ing in the office count?) DeLoy saw something in me that he thought was perfect for their open position. I've been told by the other attorney in the office that he wanted to hire someone else, but DeLoy fought to hire me.

DeLoy had an old-fashioned way of practicing law. When I first started he didn't even have a computer in his office, and he made me learn how to use a typewriter and a dictaphone!

I recall a time when I was having a hard day...sometimes when I get really nervous about things I have an allergic reaction of sorts and my eyes swell up to the size of tennis balls...anyways, this had happened one day half way through the work day. I remember DeLoy coming into my office while I waited for my ride to pick me up, and he talked me through the nervousness and stress that I was feeling. He was so comforting and understanding, even though he barely knew me.

DeLoy set such a great example to me about how I want to be as a person. He had such a strong work ethic, and could be as tough as nails. However, he was one of the kindest, gentlest men I knew. He did everything 100%. His love for his wife, family and the Lord was unsurpassable.

I am so thankful for the opportunity he gave me to begin in this field. I am also grateful for all of the things he taught me. I will forever miss the stories and experiences he shared with me everytime he would come in. The world lost a very wonderful man this week; however, I'm sure he is still working hard in the new mission he has been sent to fulfill.

Remembering the Music of my Past

So I thought that Jennica's TTA was a cool idea, so when I came across something today that put me into to "Remember When..." mode, I decided to create my own post about some memories I thought of today...

So to begin, there is only one thing I can say about this....NKOTB RULZ! That's right! New Kids on the Block came together today after way to many years apart, and did a concert on the Today Show! I don't know about anyone else, but I was utterly OBSESSED with them! Memories of me and Ashley D. (now H.) making up dances to "Tonight" in her back yard...fun times! I'm pretty sure between the two of us we had all of their tapes, including their Christmas album. I don't know how many of you grew a rat tail like Donny's, but I know of a few people I went to school with :) Since I don't know how to post videos I'm just going to put the link of the concert on here for any one that wants to have a good chuckle :)

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24664786#24665186

Thinking about this it reminded me about how music has such a huge role in my memories of the past. Seriously, I have to say...they don't make music like they use to! I remember my fifth grade birthday party, me and all of my friends listening to Salt-n-Pepa's "Shoop" over and over and over again. Singing the entire song word for word, jumping on the couch dancing! (And just so you all know, to this day I still remember all the words)

Then another memory of Dari and I...the managers of Metallic Polish. Our drive thru record company/music store we ran out of Dari's house...(Dari, can you remember that?) Good Times.

Memories of Candice and I jamming to anything and everything in the "Gran dix"...The time that your dad found my ICP cd in your car and you ratted me out as the owner...I don't think the bishop liked me for while after that :)

Anyways, I changed my playlist to songs that took me back to some great memories. I hope you all enjoy, and maybe drift off into memory lane like I did!

Happy Mother's Day!

All that I am, and all that I hope to be, I owe to my Mother!

I just wanted to post to tell everyone what a wonderful mother I have! I am so grateful that I am her daughter, and that I have been able to learn so many things from her in my life! She is such an example of kindness and generosity! I am amazed by her everyday! She brings light to everyone around her! I am so thankful to have the relationship I do with my mother. I love that we can spend hours shopping, gossiping, and doing other fun girly things! I am thankful for all that she has helped me accomplish in my life! I have been able to do so many things because of her confidence in my abilities! She has provided my with so many opportunities! It is my hope that I can teach my children to have the same strength and sincerity that my mother taught me! So to a wonderful mother ...I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day! I love you!

I have also had the wonderful opportunity of welcoming a new mother into my life. I have been blessed with the most incredible mother-in-law! She is such a strong woman! I am so thankful to her for raising my hubby to be such a great guy! She has taught me so many things that have helped me strive through life as a married woman! Through her, I am learning about the kind of wife, and mother I want to be! I am so grateful that she has accepted me into her family with open arms and an open heart! Although Billy won't blog, I am sure he would agree when I say We Love you Mom!

Tagged!

Dari tagged me to tell 6 random things about myself...so here it goes:

1. I hate it when my toes touch each other. My toes have to be separated nearly ALL the time. My husband knows that all he has to do to torture me is grab my toes and squeeze. I'll usually give in to anything if he does that!2. I have a certain way that I like laundry folded. My hubby bless his heart will think he is doing something nice by folding the laundry... he may not know this, but I usually re-fold all the towels at least.
3. I think that being an aunt is one of the coolest things in the entire world! I love my nieces and nephews, and I love being able to take them to do fun things! I love talking to them on the phone, even when they are little and barely even know how to talk! I love that they get so excited to see me when I come to one of their ball games.
4. I have watched the entire series of the TV show Gilmore Girls 3 times all the way through, and I've started watching it again for the fourth time. I don't know why, but I just love it!5. I never throw away my old purses. I have a bag downstairs filled with purses. Some that I've had since I was 13. You never know when you will want to use one of them again! (I rarely go back to one, but it has been known to happen!) BTW--this is the new one I want, but I have to wait for it to go on sale!6. I love getting my hair chopped off! It may sound so silly, but to me it is so liberating! Sometimes I think that I might just grow my hair out a little longer than usual just so I can get that feeling of a weight being lifted off my shoulders when I chop it off! I think this feeling comes from the fact that when I have long hair there are some times when I feel like it is attacking my neck (which is another random fact about me, I hate things to touch my neck...no turtle necks here!) so when I chop it off and it no longer "attacks" me, I feel SOOO much better!So now I tag Calie, Courtney, Tami and anyone else who reads this and wants to do it!

Sunny St George!

My mom and I spent the weekend down in St. George for our annual spring retail therapy trip! Every May we head down there to replenish our summer wardrobes at all of the awesome spring sales. We were on our way down and I asked, "so what is the plan" and we laughed when we realized the only definite plans we had made were that we were going to go shopping, get a Concrete (frozen custard shake for those who may not know), then eat at Paula's and the Claim Jumper. I also wanted to try out the new In-n-Out Burger, but we ran out of meals so we'll have to get that next time. So shopping and food...what else does a girl need!

We ended up getting some good deals. JC Penny's put out a coupon for $10 off a $10 purchase and gathered as many as we could find. I ended up getting two pairs of capris for $10 each, a shirt and some sweat pants for $5 each. I have to say that my mom and I are ultimate shoppers. She got an entire outfit (levis and a shirt) for $11. Anyways, since we didn't take any pictures while we were down there I thought I would share my new summer wardrobe! I was so excited with all my finds, good deals and cute clothes!
Oh, and did I mention...IT WAS SO WARM! I loved the sunshine! While my mom went to visit a friend, I spent some time reading by the pool catching some rays. It made me crave Lake Powell! I am so excited for our summer trips.