Race for the Cure

Last weekend I went with my mom, sister, brother, and sis-in-law up to SL for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. I have to say, like I did last year, this is a very cool event and very touching to see so many people come together to fight something that has affected so many people. With my mom with us this year, we stuck around to see the things that they did for the survivor's of breast cancer, including the survivor's march and having them all come together for a photo. It is an awesome experience and made me again grateful that my mom made it through that rough time and that she's still with us today. I would definitely recommend it for anyone in the future.

I'm a bad girl...

Okay, yes, I put that as the title simply to get your attention. :) Now let me give a disclaimer. It's not that I'm a girl that has done a bad thing. It's that I'm somewhat bad at being a girl. Let me explain.

There's a guy that moved into my ward in January. He kind of caught my attention and I have since been somewhat, shall we say, intrigued? Not quite sure how I feel, but paying attention. Sunday - we were texting a little bit and then he called and asked if I wanted to go to ward prayer together. Sure. So he came over, we went, then he came back and stayed and chatted for like an hour or so. He was leaving and said something about thanks for listening and I said something about how I enjoyed talking. Then he says, "Maybe when I'm not so stressed... do you like sushi?" My response? Well, um, not really, but I've only had it once and maybe it was a bad experience. But I think he got the hint that no, I don't like fish. I'm texting my sister after that and she says, you should have said "but I like ice cream" or something to that effect. Of course I should have. But did I say anything like that? Nope. He kind of went oh, okay. I'll see you later.

So, although I'm not really the type of person that enjoys putting much personal information out there, I guess I'm hoping that someone can explain to me why I'm so stinking lame. Or maybe I just feel like amusing everyone tonight. So laugh if you want. Cry if you must. Maybe you'll do both. And I'll keep sitting here wondering what on earth I was thinking.

A little vacation!

Last week my roommate and I went on a nice leisurely vacation to the Oregon Coast. It turned out being quite decent weather and was, of course, very beautiful. We went around and saw a few things, but were not rushed to do anything and were just able to enjoy getting away. It was so nice and so needed. And what can I say, I didn't want to come back. :) Here are a few of the fun things we were able to do, so you can enjoy as well.

We were able to go to the temple in Portland, which was awesome.

The Classic Chinese Garden in downtown Portland

The staircase in the Pittock Mansion in the west hills of Portland. Super cool!

The outside of the Pittock Mansion

Tillamook Head Lighthouse

Flavel House in Astoria

Cannon Beach - Haystack Rock

A beautiful sunset while eating dinner at Mo's at Cannon Beach

No listening pleasure

I'm sorry to say that apparently the Michael videos are too big, so my blog will not upload them. Blast it all.

WHAT A SHOW!!!!!

One thing I've wanted to do for a long long time and one of the things that is on my list of things I need to do in my lifetime - Go see my favorite music artist in concert. And who is that you may ask? Well, okay. Those of you who know me well don't ask. You know. And yes, last night I got to go and have a fantastic night listening to a voice that could melt butter. That's right! Michael was singing to me. (And like 10,000 others, but whatever). I have to say. I was very very impressed with the show. Not only does he have the best voice in the world, but he is quite the entertainer. Very engaging with the audience and a lot of fun. The sound was awesome. The lighting and effects were very cool too. All in all, a definite A+++. So, for future reference, if you ever get the chance to go see him in concert, I would jump at the chance. Here are just a few pics and some videos for you to enjoy a small amount of what I did. The sound isn't super super great, but really not too bad for a camera.

Okay, okay. Videos will have to come later. They won't upload tonight.

Other Happenings

I'm super slow, but here are a few pictures of some other things that have been going on in the last couple of months.

February -

Jace, my nephew got baptized. Here's a cute picture of him and his dad (my brother Kevin).

March -

Lillie's blessing


And I got some new bedroom furniture. Well, a bed frame and a dresser. They actually just came today. I'm pretty excited about them.

It's Madness!!!!

And it's beautiful! :) I love March, if only for the exceptional basketball that overtakes my life for a few weekends. Today was the first day of March Madness. What a crazy day! I can't believe how close so many of the games were. I did pick a few of those upsets, but I'm still blown away by a couple of them. Here's to more greatness and a lot of tv watching to come!

In Search Of....

Well, many things. :) But in particular at this moment, I'm looking for some good books to read. People always tell me good ones, but I usually forget. So I'm going to start writing them down. I have heard the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series is really good, so I'm planning on reading that one. I've also heard great things about the Hunger Games. So I'm putting it on my list. So now here I am, ready and open for your wise suggestions on what I can do with my time so that I don't just watch tv when I come home from work totally brain dead and burnt out. :) So advise away!

A New Addition

Lillie Ruth Cropper joined our family here today at 1:29pm. Janell was very grateful that the labor wasn't nearly as long as with Steven and she even did it without an epidural. Woohoo! Way to go. She's 7 lb 4 oz and 19 in long. I forget sometimes how small newborns are. But she is super cute and has lots of dark hair to boot. So here are a couple of pictures from today.

Steven meeting his baby sister.
The Happy Little Family!

Catching up with the Holidays

Needless to say, December was a wee bit super busy. So, here's some catch up on the last month or so...

Making us some gingerbread houses

For some funny reason, Steven LOVES to listen to my ipod. And particularly, to "Hut, two, three, four." (It's the elephant parade song from Jungle Book). The boy knows how to chill. :)

Went down to Cedar for Hayley's dance recital. She's pretty darn good and stinking cute!

Had the Annual Holiday Hurrah! (This is the food. I didn't get other pictures)

Went to Mesa for Stephanie and Justin's wedding

Me, Stephanie, and Hilary - the old roomies :)

And, for the first time in I don't know how many years - we had a white Christmas in Richfield!

Whew! Did you make it through? I barely did. :) I didn't get any pictures of Christmas, but it was a lot of fun and great to spend it with the family. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as well!