The Month of September!!

I have been off track which means I have taken a break from all areas in my life. So I'm posting a whole month in one. Hopefully I'll pickup with my regular weekly posts now that I'm re-entering the realm of working, responsible adults.

After I went for a little run Preston and Tricia shared in some delicious sherbet treats with me. These are quite the great little things. Costco sells these in a package and the sherbet is in the real shells of the flavor. They are SO delicious!!

On a very happy and some what sad note BYU Football has begun. I love football and I love to go to the games. I was very excited for this season opener. I was very encouraged that BYU won. However, the rest of the month hasn't been as great! I love my BYU football team but REALLY??? Three losses in a row is about killing me. Anyway I'll just think positively for the future. Plus, I get to hang out with great friends while I enjoy the game! Thanks - Kara and Kendall for enjoying the game with me. And Maurianne we miss you and I'm looking forward to seeing you at the next game!

Kendall and I caught these awesome t-shirts! Too bad they were both too small for us. He gave his to his sister-in-law and I sent mine to little Emme who is loving it - or so I hear:)

The Sunday after I went off track I headed to St. George to hang out with Liz and her girls and help them unpack. Something goes off in my brain when I'm off track and I become really lazy so I probably wasn't as much help to Liz as I should have been. I enjoyed staying up laughing with Liz and I was reminded of how lucky I am to have a sister who is such a great friend to me. Can't wait until fall break when I get to visit again!

What a lucky Aunt am I that I get to read stories to these sweet things before bed. I love them to pieces!!!!

After a couple of days in the sun of Southern Utah I headed back to Salt Lake so I could catch a flight to L.A. on Thursday afternoon. Little did President and Sister Ludlow know that they'd never get rid of me when they first met me over 8 years ago. I love to go and visit them. They are always so sweet and I love to just be around them. Sister Ludlow and I went and had our nails done. This was a first for me and I loved it. I've had pedicures before but never just a manicure. - I had fake nails put on once for my senior prom and I hated that but just having my own nails painted was wonderful! It is something that I'll be doing more often in the future! What is it about getting your nails done that boosts your confidence and makes you feel more pretty? I'm not sure but I decided that when I'm having a bad week I'm going to get my nails done to make me feel better. It's good therapy.

The Ludlow's had a wonderful celebration for their 50th wedding anniversary. It was a lot of fun to get to enjoy it with them. Elder Thayne was the only other missionary who was able to make it to the party and I was glad to have someone to sit and chat with for the evening.

The Ludlows have a lemon tree that yields yummy lemons all year round. I volunteered to make dessert on Monday night and whipped up this lemon meringue pie. It is one of my favorite pies to eat and it's fun to make because it looks a lot more fancy than it really is.

It tasted delicious and Sister Ludlow asked for my recipe which is a huge compliment since she's the one I always want recipes from.

On Tuesday Sister Ludlow and I had to ride with President to go and pick up a truck for their company and then drop it off at another location so a tank could be put on the back of it. President kept saying you're going to love these guys! They're the biggest rednecks! We'll get a picture of you with them. I just kept laughing thinking he wasn't really serious. Oh but he was. I only met this guy - can't even remember his name - the other guy was at the DMV so I missed meeting him. Sister Ludlow suggested I show this picture to my students and let them write a story about it. So that's just what I'm going to do we should get some really creative stuff that is sure to entertain. :)

On Tuesday night I flew into Phoenix and Jonathan and Lilly came and picked me up from the airport. I love this picture and love that she put these safety goggles on in the bath tub! What a cutie! She was so excited I'd come for a visit and I was so excited to be there for one. I love that my nieces sneak into my room in the morning and gently wake me up. One morning I kept telling her to come back in 5 minutes until she got frustrated and said, "Aunt Olivia! I need you to get up now!" And you can't resist that and I pulled myself together and got up.

My friend Mellisa now lives in the Phoenix area so we met one afternoon for a session at the temple and lunch. She was one of my mission companions and it is always nice to catch up with her.

Lilly and I accompanied Jonathan on a trip to Harbor Freight and Tools. We walked around the store for about 20 minutes and then did what any sensible person would do - walk across the parking lot and bought two Dunkin Donuts. Lilly happily ate half of her donut- it should be mentioned she ate the top half leaving no frosting or sprinkles. It made me smile.

Jonathan and I enjoyed too many late nights playing Super Mario Brother's on the Wii. I am more of a hinderance than anything but it makes me so happy that my big brother will let me play with him even if it takes him twice as long with my help. I'm kinda like the little kid that wants to help you work but really slows you down. We had some really fun laughter which may have had more to do with the lateness of the hour than anything else.

Annie and Jonathan introduced me to the card version of Monopoly. I really don't like Monopoly but this wasn't bad at all. I think it has a lot to do with the fact a game can be played in 20 minutes instead of 4 hours.

For Lilly's birthday I bought her this cute tuperware cake taker and dishes. So of course we had to make a mini cake. She did a great job frosting it and then eating the cake too.

And don't forget that I got to play with this little angel. What a sweetie! She's growing so fast!! Little baby Ivy won't be a baby for very long - too bad children grow up so quickly!

When I got back to Utah my dear friend Debbie met me at the mall for some fun. I wanted to buy some lotion in the body shop. They have this lotion that I LOVE and that is saying something because I really don't like lotion that much. We bought some suckers in Sees and let the kids enjoy them while we shopped. These were just too cute to not share.

Oh and I must say isn't my little name sake just a doll?? Little Olivia is so much fun!

And my favorite! Coen with sucker everywhere. Deb is so great she just let them enjoy them and then worried about wiping them up. This little guy was one happy camper!!

I don't know if you've heard but Harry Potter comes out in a couple of months! It is exciting! I can hardly wait. To celebrate I'm making Griffindor scarves for Raegan and I. We are going to have a Harry Potter week with our students. I get so excited every time we talk about it. There will be more about this when it happens I am sure!! Oh and notice I'm knitting these scarves - how cool is that? I can now knit!!

Kara and I had a wonderful weekend together! We went to her nephew's first birthday party where we enjoyed yummy cake and other treats. Then I slept over at her house so we could stay up late laughing and talking and watching North and South. So much fun.

Saturday was a busy day! We got up and went for a run. Went to the temple. Cheered on BYU at the game and for the record enjoyed ourselves even though they did not win. Watched the General Relief Society Broadcast. Ate pizza at the Brick Oven complete with big mugs of their famous root beer. And ended the evening watching a little more of North and South - it's four hours long you know so you can only watch an hour at a time. I decided to stay an extra night and headed home the next morning.

And here we are today - with my roommates and our friend Brian at ward prayer. It's been a lovely day.

I didn't accomplish near enough while I was on break but then I never do so what do I really expect. I'm ready to see my kids tomorrow and I expect that October is going to be just as much fun as September.

Race Day

The first of January Marianna, Kera, Liz, and I were sitting around discussing our New Year's Resolutions. Liz and I said our resolution was to enjoy everyday in 2010. To help us do this we resolved to take a picture a day and create a photo journal. We convince Marianna and Kera to join us only by promising that we would do something they wanted to do in return. Marianna named running the Mesa Falls 1/2 Marathon in August. In January August seems forever away so I agreed even though it was reluctantly. I didn't have to worry about training until May right?? Well, May came quickly and I started to run a little bit. I'd run a little under a half mile and feel like I was going to die. Each week I'd try to do a bit more and the past two weeks I've run more than I have my whole life combined. I've discovered that running a 1/2 marathon is really more of a mental thing than anything else. On Saturday morning mentally I had no doubt I'd finish. So, I popped in my ear phones turned on Harry Potter and took off with the masses to run my first 1/2 marathon. The time passed really quickly - I think that has a lot to do with the fact I was getting to the climax of book seven. In case you're wondering it took from breaking into Gringott's to the inhabitants of Hogwarts getting ready for Voldermort's first attack for me to finish. Then I crossed the finish line and I felt so happy. Not happy it was just over - that's why I originally thought I'd be happy. My joy came instead in knowing I'd accomplished a big goal, that I have a healthy body that allows me to be active, and that there are many more adventures in my life yet to come. It was fun; not the same fun as riding a roller coaster but still fun. Liz and I are already looking forward to our next race... whose going to join us???

I was going to post some of the pictures but I keep getting an error so the slideshow will have to do.

It's Sunday and it's raining

I love a good raining day especially when I can put on comfy clothes and just enjoy the fact that the weather is dreary outside and I don't have to go out in it unless I choose to. We have been getting quite a bit of rain lately. Wednesday there was a spectacular storm and it was wonderful. I got lucky because I had computers so my class didn't get wet. (My class has to walk outside to get into the school.) Usually here in Utah if it rains you can count on it raining hard for 10 minutes max. Tuesday it rained like I was in Pennsylvania. It rained in sheets - and it rained hard for a good two hours. I loved it and the only thing that would have made it better would have been if I was home reading a book. I feel the same way when it is blizzarding. I'm not ready for that so I am loving the rain.

Here are a few pictures from the last few days enjoy! And if a storm comes your way I hope you're somewhere safe and warm where you can enjoy it while it lasts- They never last long do they? And the sun that comes after is always so bright and pleasant makes the storm worth it some how.

Tricia and I went to a demolition derby with a bunch of friends. We are both working on a list of 30 things to do in corresponding to turning thirty. I have a few things left to add to mine and then I'll post it so look for it in the future. This activity was on Tricia's list and we had a great time cheering for cars as they hit each other. I think the whole idea is a little odd - we had a good time.

Jonathan and Annie were in Utah to visit her family so I got to play with Lilly. I made a cake and made a little one just for her. She was excited to get to frost it with me.

I tried to get a better one but she didn't want to keep her eyes open. She said the flash was hurting her eyes. She looks like she is crying here but she isn't she was laughing and being really funny every time I clicked the picture. She's such a sweet heart and I love her to pieces!

Monday for home evening we had the classic picture scavenger hunt. I know what you're thinking I wish I could have as much excitement in my life as Olivia does. It's true I'm pretty exciting.

On Tuesday I had my hair cut. I love it this length. I'm always a little frustrated that I can't get it as straight as Emily my hairdresser gets it but I enjoy it this way for the day that it lasts.

Kara and I enjoyed an evening of dinner, catching up, and a session at the temple. I enjoyed it so much and am so grateful for good friends who help make life so wonderful!!

Saturday my ward had an activity at a local pool. I was excited there was a slide. It reminded me I need to plan a trip to a big fun water park next summer! Anyone want to join me???

Have a fantastic week!!! Stay tuned next week to find out if I survive my first half marathon... wish me luck!!!

I'll always be an Idaho Girl at Heart...

Saturday I took a quick trip to Idaho and I have decided something - No matter how long I live in the "Big City" (and I realize the Salt Lake valley isn't really that big of a city) I will always be small town at heart. I love a lot of things about Utah - there are still mountains and a hike is only a few miles up the canyon. I love that I live minutes from the airport, any store I could possibly need to visit and of course BYU football.

But...

I will always love the Teton mountains, endless potato fields, and cool summer nights after the dew has started to settle. While I was home we ate new potatoes freshly dug that morning. I may be a little weird but one of my ultimate comfort foods are potatoes. During the first 6 weeks of my mission when I was extremely homesick and wondering what in the world I gotten myself into a miracle occurred. Every dinner appointment we went to we were fed potatoes - mashed potatoes, twice baked, potatoes in a casserole, and numerous other ways all at different houses and all from people who hadn't learned the new sister missionary was from Idaho. It was a tender mercy from my Father in Heaven. I knew from that point on He was watching out for me, He loved me and would send me comfort in the smallest ways. Since then potatoes in any form have held a piece of home to me and they make me happy when I eat them.

Saturday I wanted to bring some of that taste of home with me to enjoy the rest of the week. So Jed and I went out to the field to dig some potatoes. That's another thing about Idaho in the fall that I love - there's always a potato field close with rows and rows of potatoes. While Jed was digging, I mostly watched, he mentioned that a neighboring farmer had a field of peas so I convinced Jed to call him and see if he minded that we pick a bag. - I knew the answer would be yes but it's good to have permission when you're tromping around in someone's field. With fresh peas and new potatoes I was all set up to make one of my favorites! New peas and potatoes.

Today as I ate leftovers of this delicious dish for lunch I thought fall can now begin. Growing up new peas and potatoes at Grandma's house signaled the end of summer and the beginning of fall. I think it is a dish I'll be making every August. Really there isn't anything that can make me feel more at home!

Michelle this ones for you!!

So, on my mission I began this fetish with taking pictures of myself eating. Actually it stems from sending a picture in my president letter each week. For some reason I thought it was funny to take a picture of me eating something. As a result, I probably have two hundred pictures of myself eating. Which is why Michelle this is for you because yes me with food in my face is "so me". I should probably stop taking them but I do love them so I probably won't. Just now I have decided that my picture of the day next year should be themed "What I ate in 2011". I'll have to think about that for a bit. I'm sure I'll post more on that later for now, back to this post. The picture of the day of me eating yet another delicious treat. One of my lovely students gave me a dozen mini bundt cakes from the amazing store Nothing Bundt Cakes. I am a huge fan - and don't worry I didn't eat them all by myself although I was tempted to I shared.

I'm a little behind...

My picture of the day is still going well but I haven't blogged in a while because I've been busy. Busy finishing up the school year - which means report cards, cleaning my classroom, and making a class DVD to give to my students- and busy playing with my nieces and having a great vacation from life in Idaho. It is now time to come back to life and my routine so here is the first of a couple of catch up posts.

I have the best job ever - I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this fact before and I'm sure I've mentioned that the reason it's the best is due to the fact that I not only teach amazing kids but work with fun people. My picture of the day is of Brian - the school custodian- myself and Raegan rocking out on Rock Band. Of course this is after all the students where gone and we were no longer on contract time. They are both pretty good - I on the other hand not so much but they are nice enough to let me play with them. - Actually, I think they just needed a third player.

A cup cake from The Sweet Toothfairy! I had to introduce Kara to this yummy place!

Smores!! We had fresh strawberries and grasshopper cookies so we added them to the original fixings and they were very tasty. Unfortunately, I ate one too many and am now done with smores until next camping season!

The Ludlows were in town so I met them for dinner in Provo at The Pizza Factory. It is always delightful to see and visit with them. I'm pretty lucky that they are a part of my life.

A Dear Friend

Last Monday a good friend and colleague of mine passed away. I will miss him. I don't think there were many conversations that I had with Terry that we didn't share laughter. He made work just a little bit more fun. We enjoyed giving each other a hard time some of those are found here and here. It'll be an adjustment for me not to see him in his office or at the lunch table. You see it's Monday tomorrow and it never failed that on Monday when I sat down to eat lunch Terri would start our conversation with, "How was your weekend? Do anything fun?" I'd tell him what I did and then ask him about his. I am grateful that I work with wonderful people. I'm grateful I had the chance to know Terry and to work with him. The fact that he made a difference in the lives of all those who he interacted with was evident at his memorial service as the church was filled to capacity with family, friends, colleagues, past students, and current students. The world is a better place because of him and all of us who knew him will miss him.

Really nothing to complain about....

I just want to post this week that I've got a pretty fabulous life. It is filled with the best friends and family that anyone could ever ask for. And as an added bonus I have the perfect job for me. Life is good. I had a fun week this week nothing out of the ordinary but maybe that's what I liked about it I went back to my routine of work after a two week break. Here's my favorite list for the week...

I rocked out on rock band with some of my coworkers.

Went to the dollar theater and treated myself to a movie. I decided I should go and see a movie by myself more often - it was very enjoyable.

Watched a little world cup soccer.

Went to a play with Kara and stopped by the Sweet Tooth Fairy on our way - Yum!!

Like I said it's been a good week!

Vacation...

New York is a pretty big city... I have no desire to live there. I will however visit again because I loved going to a show on Broadway and it was fun to be a part of the hustle and bustle of the city for a few days.

Here we are on top of the Rockefeller Building. We decided to see this attraction at night and it was cool to see the city lights.

Is it ridiculous that one of my favorite things was the M&M store in Time Square? I think Time Square is a very fun place to visit at 11 p.m. The city is alive and doesn't show any signs of slowing down. It is rightfully called the City that never sleeps.

On Sunday afternoon we enjoyed a nice stroll through Central Park. Jake was very nice to act as tour guide both Saturday and Sunday.

I can't remember the story behind this castle but it is now used to check the weather. I love the old buildings of the East and love that there is a castle in Central Park.

A view of the skyline from inside the park.

Monday we headed up to Boston to enjoy a hands on history lesson.

This is Paul Revere's grave. In this cemetery there were a bunch of people buried that took part in the Revolutionary War.

Here's Paul Revere's house. It is amazing that the house that a famous historical figure lived in hundreds of years ago is still standing.

Eating a canoli for the first time. It was ok but not my favorite dessert.

The old South Church. We learned that each pew had these high walls to keep heat in around a family because they went to church for six hours on Sunday. Three hours in the morning and three in the afternoon with an hour for lunch at noon.

This is Bunker Hill... The Red Coats won this battle.

This is the U.S.S. Constitution. A ship whose sides are all made of all iron. And its nickname is Old Ironside. It wasn't part of the Revolutionary War but is permanently docked in Boston so we thought we'd take a look at it. I also think it may be the oldest surviving battle ship - not positive on that though.

After we were done walking all over Boston we ate dinner at a Mexican restaurant. I had Tricia take this picture because while we ate we watched game three of the NBA series. It was being played about 5 blocks from our hotel.

Our second day in Boston was spent seeing Lexington and Concord. Here I am on the bridge where the first battle of the Revolutionary War was fought. In the back ground is the oldest war monument in America. That is the side of the river where the Red Coats fought and the Colonists fought on the opposite bank. There is another monument of a Minute man on the other bank.

The East reminds me of my mission and I enjoyed all the green!

This is Louis May Alcott's home where she wrote Little Women. It was interesting to learn more about her family and the time period. Little Women is based on her own family but there are several differences.

Tricia and I didn't have a car, which didn't bother us one bit because we rode subways and buses and for the most part got to everywhere that we wanted to be. We took a Trolley tour to see Concord and met this very nice lady named Sally who offered to drive us around in her car. I enjoy seeing different parts of the world because it instills in my this great truth that there are good people everywhere. No matter where I go if you look hard enough you'll find a friendly face.

This picture makes me laugh. The maid left my tooth brush and toothpaste like this but what was really funny was one I hadn't left it right there on the counter- it was on the other side close to the wall and two I don't roll my tube like that. Whoever that maid is she's working way harder than she needs to!

The guy working at the front desk suggested that we try out Mike's Pastry. I think this would be considered an Italian bakery at it's finest. (This is where we bought our Conolis the day before.) This time we tried a Lobster tail...

It's a flaky crust that isn't sweet filled with whipped cream, some type of cheese, and I'm sure a couple of other things. It was enjoyable but again not something I'll be making a special trip to Boston for.

The end of our journey. We took a picture like this a week earlier about a half hour later right as we were boarding our plane. We thought it appropriate to end our trip the same way. What a fun vacation to see so many things!