Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Memorial Day Madness!

Since Monday was Memorial Day, the family decided it was the perfect excuse to head up to the lake. We loaded up the jet skis (and by "we" I mean dad!), packed up some food, and drove up to Roosevelt Lake. Even though the weather was kinda chilly and windy, and the water was crazy choppy, we were able to have a fabulously fun day!
Lindsey and Mike
Daddy and me...try to ignore my awesomeness

Mom and Amy soaking up some rays

Richard and Lindsey Owen (friends of Mike and Lindsey) came with us and loved it!
TJ and his little bro Jake coming back from Jake's first ever ride
Daddy showing Mike how it is done!

Jake had so much fun on the jet skis...he even was brave enough to ride with Mike!

TJ and Jake amused themselves between rides by trying to smash rocks...

Amy loved the jet skis, even though it wasn't moving anywhere!

Brotherly love!

Lindsey, Lindsey, and mom playing cards

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Class of 2008!

At my high school graduation, there was a giant dust storm that turned our hats into weapons as they flew off our heads, blew the flags and diplomas all around, and made for a most memorable night. Well, not to be outdone my sister Summer graduated Thursday night from Gilbert High School...in the pouring rain! When it started raining that afternoon, we knew that graduation was doomed! With 800 students graduating, the football field is the only place big enough to hold all the grads and all their family and friends. Different contingency plans were tossed around, like having the graduates in the auditorium and making the families watch the whole thing on a tv in the gym. Obviously, there were many parents who were unhappy with this option...so regardless of the fact that it was pouring rain and freezing cold, graduation took place as planned. By the time the graduates actually walked onto the field, we were already soaked. After listening to 5 (!) salutatorians, the school song, and the valedictorian (who was booed when she said "just give me 4 minutes"!), and watching countless beach balls and tiny mice being released by grads and caught by the teachers on the field, they finally called the names. And I think it was the quickest I have ever heard names read! Even though it was wet and cold, it was a night that Summer will always remember! Gecko Grill made a perfect graduation feast!
Yes, that is a trash bag on my mother's head.

Jessica and I...soaked.
The happy graduate!

Summer and friends are so happy to be graduated!

Congratulations Summy!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Hi TJ!

This is TJ.

TJ just finished his second semester at ASU (and now only has 2 more semesters to go!).
TJ worked extremely hard this semester in all of his classes.
TJ spent crazy amounts of time at the library or in our office reading hundreds of pages of text.
TJ also started an LSAT class in March and had to double the amount of time he spent studying.
TJ stayed up late each night and woke up early each morning.
TJ has, once again, gotten straight A's and has managed to keep his GPA above 4.0
TJ will receive the Maroon & Gold scholarship again next year because of his awesomeness.
TJ might even get more scholarships because of his super smarts.
TJ is pretty much a super student and I am super proud of him.
TJ is also very cute.

The View From Saturday

As an elementary education major, I have read (and continue to read) many youth books. In fact, just last week I read a book called "The View From Saturday" that the sixth graders at my school are currently reading. I found this book to be extremely intriguing. It is not the next great American novel, but I found it to be an interesting read. (Fact: it was this book in which the boy continually says "fact" when he is talking)

In the book, there are four sixth grade students. Each of them have their own story, but they are all connected in one way or another. Eventually they become friends and they call themselves the "Souls." They meet together each Saturday at four (for that is when tea time is) and they have conversations. Not about movies or celebrities, but about life. One question that is posed during tea on day jumped out at me and I have been thinking about for the past few days, trying to determine my own answer. The question was this: If you could relive one day of your life over again, without changing any details, what day would it be and why?

Naturally, the first answer that popped into my head was January 6, 2007...the day I married TJ. Everything was such a blur that day, but my feelings of that day are extremely clear. I would love to go back and be able to remember any details that I have forgotten, or any that I might have missed. But that answer just seems so obvious, so cliche. So I have been trying to think of another day that would be worth revisiting. What day would you choose and why? Leave your thoughts.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the mothers, soon-to-be mothers, and future mothers out there I wish you all a happy mother's day. Even if you don't have any kids yet, make your husband treat you like a queen today!

My mother is probably one of the greatest mother's out there. She's a little bit like a Wonder Woman (for her amazing super powers), Martha Stewart (cause she's the craftiest person EVER), Rachel Ray (cause she never needs to spend more than 30 minutes in the kitchen) and Stacey London (because she isn't afraid to tell us What Not To Wear!) So to honor my mother today, I present to you the Many Faces Of My Mom:

After 25 years of marriage, my mom is still in love with my dad...and she shows it. Mom taught me all about love and dating. She wasn't afraid to tell me if she thought my boyfriend of the moment was a loser. She always checked our lips after we came home from a date to see if they were puffy!

My mom is one of the funniest people I know! She is the first one to make a goofy face (and if you have seen this blog then you know that we love to make goofy faces). Growing up with 5 sisters, someone was almost always in a bad mood. Mom would be one of the first ones to start making jokes (usually resulting in the mad one getting madder, but the other 4 of us thought it was hilarious!)

Mom always supported me as I was going to school. Without the financial support I received from mom and dad, it probably would have taken me a little longer to get though school. I know that when I graduated, my mom was proud of me. Even now that school is over, mom continues to support me in my job hunt and every other aspect of life!

My mom is crazy amazing and totally planned my whole wedding on her own. From the invitations, food, cake, decorations, even the bridesmaid dresses, my mom did it all. My mom took me to my dress fittings, made all of my bridesmaid dresses, and tried to make all my wedding dreams come true (ignoring the fact that I was not helpful)

So on this, the Day of Mother's, I want to let my mother know that I love her, I think she is amazing, and that she is my hero! As Abraham Lincoln once said, "Everything I know, I learned from my mother!"

Saturday, May 10, 2008

See Summer Smile

Tonight is my little sister's senior prom. Since it is her last ever high school dance, I thought I would capture all the memories!
Summer is so happy to go to prom!

But when her date was a little late (okay, an hour! but everyone else in the group was getting picked up first, so we forgive him!), she was sad!

Just a little bling-bling to complete the look

Mom literally taping Summer's dress onto her...the sleeves kept moving, so we added double sided tape!

Always so lady-like! Mom made sure to tell Summer to NOT sit like this.

Okay, so my mom ALWAYS has to pin the flower on the guy because my sister's and I NEVER were able to figure it out!

I wish I had gotten a better picture of Summer's corsage. Instead of having that elastic wristband, it was seriously like a pearl bracelet. So pretty!
Summer told me that her date (who's name I have now forgotten!) was going to be in a brown suit...and I had my reservations. But the brown looked really good with her peach dress.After we took some pictures inside, Summer's date (who I will go ahead and mention is a football player...way to go Summer!) asked if we wanted pictures out by the limo. So we were all "OOOHH!" and head outside to this! How awesome to head to prom in your very own party RV!

The driver was even all dressed up and was speaking with a fake British accent. So funny! (and his wife was sitting in the front seat in a tank top, sipping her Thirst Buster!)

And since Jessica is always complaining that there are never any pictures of her on my blog, I am posting this fabulous picture of her. I can't help it if she makes such funny goofy faces!

Sunday, May 4, 2008

I need date ideas!

Fact: TJ's last final is on Tuesday, meaning the semester is over and we only have one more year left!

Fact: The past few weeks I have not had a husband because he spends all day at school studying and has his LSAT class at night. By the time he comes home, I must sleep in order to wake up the next morning.

Fact: We have decided to implement the Friday Night Dates, so TJ and I can finally get some US time!

Fact: I am in charge of planning the date this Friday and need some fun date ideas (that are preferably free!) so please leave your ideas in the comments!

Fact: I recently read a book in which the kid continually said "Fact:" and I loved it.