How I've Spent My Summer Vacation

Here's what we've been up to thus far...

This is Jessica. She's gonna hate me for putting this on here, but we spent so much time trying to get this picture taken (cause she kept slipping out of the tube) that I can't not post it!

TJ and I have recently rekindled our love for Space Pinball on our computer (especially since our TV is currently being repaired). This picture shows that my score is way better than TJ's. He has since beat my score and I haven't been able to overtake him...yet.

Went to dinner with some old friends from high school, some of whom I haven't seen in ages! Dinner was lively and loud, but it was so much fun to catch up with everybody. Literally laughed all night long cause they are so fun.
Celebrated Father's Day a week late, since daddy was out of town. He was so excited to open his present. And then he was excited to open it again, since none of the cameras were cooperating. He may have opened this present about 5 times before any pictures were actually taken!

Saw this movie...laughed out loud many many times...even though I have recently discovered that I cannot stand Anne Hathaway (saw her on Leno, she was ANNOYING!...and oh, so not funny in real life. She kept telling these lame stories, then laughing while looking at the audience and never figured out that they were not laughing WITH her.)

A Belated Post

Meet Sarah. Sarah is seriously one of my favorite people in the world. Why? Well, let me tell you...

1. She likes me despite the fact that I totally forgot her bday this year (it happened to fall on June 16, aka the most important day of TJ's life, and I totally spaced it!)

2. She made life more fun when she lived here (like the countless karaoke nights, playing pool, or making waffles and watching Disney movies!)

3. She was always willing to do silly things, which may have ended up making her look dumb but at least she had fun doing it! (like that one time we rode those electric scooters around my parents neighborhood!)

4. She came all the way from Washington to be in my wedding! (and this is the only picture I have of Sarah on my computer, because during the time that Sarah lived here, I didn't own a digital camera...I was still rocking the disposables. So I have a plethora of pictures of Sarah, but you can't see any of them!)

5. She always told me exactly what she thought of any guy I dated (and she usually hated all of them...like Aaron. And Tyler. And Taylor...he was dumb.)

So Sarah, on this, the 5th day after the 23rd anniversary of your birth, I wish you a happy birthday! May all your wildest dreams come true!

Hello Mrs. Grier!

This week I received an offer to teach at Fulton Elementary in Chandler! I haven't signed the contract yet, but school starts at the end of July so everything should be finalized before too long. I will be teaching either second or fourth grade (depending on how their enrollment numbers change). It is kind of scary/nerve wracking not knowing which grade it will be, since I really can't make any plans. But it is way exciting knowing that I will have my own classroom! Yeah for me!

Thank You Father!

My daddy is one of my favorite people ever! Having raised five daughters, my dad is more of the "strong, silent" type and is often forced to hide in his bedroom or office when we start talking about girl stuff. But in order to counteract all our girlish tendencies, my daddy made sure to take us out to do all sorts of "boy" stuff...camping, quadding, to the lake, whatever! My daddy is a fabulous welder, having done it his whole life, and was actually named "Master of the Southwest" in metal fabrication by Phoenix Homes and Garden. In the article that was written about him, then named him the "master magician" and described him as a "tall, powerful man." Despite his powerful exterior, my daddy is truly a big ol' teddy bear. One of my favorite sights is seeing my daddy cry because it just shows how big of a softy he is! Daddy always encouraged me through school and always was there to help me when I needed him. Daddy would always talk big when it came to boys, his favorite line being "I ain't afraid of going BACK to jail" to scare the boys away...but he always just wanted me to be happy. And of course, my daddy would always do things that would help to make me a better person. Each time I would be getting beaten by him, he would refuse to stop until I said "Thank you, Father" because he knew that I needed to learn that lesson (totally kidding...kind of...all of the beatings were out of love!). Thank you, daddy, for being such a strong example to me, for always being able to exercise the priesthood in our home, for sharing your testimony for me, and for putting up with all us girls. I love you daddy!

June 16=the most important day of our lives

Why? Because that is the day the determines whether TJ will go to law school or be a waiter. After several months of eating, breathing, and sleeping LSAT, it is finally time for TJ to take the LSAT!! TJ has literally been spending between 10-13 hours a day studying for the LSAT, and each Saturday he has been able to take a practice test. It has been exciting to see his scores continually improve each week, but now it is time for the real deal. So unless I have done something to greatly offend you (and even if I have!) please remember TJ on Monday and remember him in your prayers that day.

Wonderland

I found these adorable photos and just love them. The artist, Yeondoo Jung, is a Korean artist who has turned a collection of children's drawings into fun photos. You can see some of her other work here. Which one is your favorite?

So Pretty!

Check out my new bling! Because my husband loves me and knows I need a new watch, he had no objection to me buying this beauty. It has just the right amount of bling on it, and I've already gotten several compliments on it. You know you are jealous!!

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

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!

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.