Pics from Thanksgiving weekend.
Wrestle-mania!
A presentation at Santa's Workshop
Ellie and Candy
This is how Morris always looks ;)
Me and Maritza
Kiera and Felicity
So Matt and I went down to St. George on Thursday - the day of Thanksgiving. We first took Bhuvan to Grandma Biggs's, where we was going to be bird-sat for the weekend. Grandma agreed to watch him as long as we stayed and talked to her for at least 15 minutes lol. Daddy thought it would be fun to get him out of his carrier while we were in the car.
Getting ready to go!
Look Ma - no wings!After we dropped Bhuvan off, we stopped at Wal-Mart to get crackers and cheese balls for dinner (as per our assignment - I think cheese balls are so weird). Took FOREVER to find the stupid cheese balls. Then, they only had sharp cheddar and port... hmmm two cheddars I suppose. Then we embarked on the 3 hour drive to St. George!
I fell asleep for at least half the trip. Car rides are so boring... It rained for the last bit of the drive - and that evening in St. George. We got to Shane & Monica's just in time for dinner - and even then, we waited for a while. Dinner was good. Then we stayed for hours.... that was kind of boring. When Greg & Makayla finally decided they were leaving - we were able to follow them to their house (where we were staying). Chase gave up his room for us to stay in. Morris & Susan were also staying there, and Mom & Dad came over, and stayed at Greg's parent's house (next door). We played a little rockband on the wii. It's been a long while - I sucked! So we let the girls take over :) I hung out upstairs for most the night. We watched Legally Blonde and played in the Cookie Lee jewelry. Susan and I have similar tastes. :) Myron & Maritza were also over visiting, though they didn't sleep there. We had fun.
Friday morning, I went Black Friday shopping with Greg and Morris. We left late - 6am. It was fun to get to know them better. Morris is such a tease! Oh to have siblings... :) (remember, I am an only child!) We went to Wal-Mart. Greg was absolutely brilliant - we checked out at photo - no lines!Then they dropped me off at Target while they went to Lowe's. Then we also stopped at Robert's for a Christmas/Anniversary present for Makayla. Perchance I shouldn't put that? Sorry if I'm ruining any surprises! Anyway, we got back around 8am. Matt was still asleep, and I went back to sleep for an hour or so.
I really enjoyed Friday because it was pretty laid back. Everyone had a barbeque lunch with their dad, so Dad, Gloria, and us hung out. We first visited some friends of Gloria's. They manage some apartments next to the temple. This was the view from the car window:
Next, we went to Bajio's for lunch - I was craving a burrito. Here's a picture of Gloria and Dad. I had Dad take one of us, but there's a window behind us, and the flash didn't go off, so it's pretty dark.
Next, we went to Santa's Workshop - which is a huge boutique of random stuff. I got a headband - one of those ribbon ones with the ties on the ends. We also got a cute pic of the Manti temple, and gifts for both our parents.
Us at Santa's Workshop
That afternoon, we met up with most everyone again and headed over to some guy's house (I don't recall his name) to hear a presentation on the business that Greg & Makayla and Dad & Gloria are in - eXfuze. It was pretty sweet. Check out the site - let us know if you're interested - in either the product, the business, or both! (I'll have to blog on it further - cuz this is already ridiculously long.) We got a picture here too, because his dog, Zeus, is freaking HUGE! I needed pictures for proof and comparison! I seriously could ride him like a pony...
After the meeting, we quickly ate some leftovers and headed over to the church for Chase's Eagle court of honor. Way to go, Chase! We're so proud of you!
Earlier that night, the temple Christmas lights were lit - so we swung over to see those.
The Nativity
The temple (and some Christmas lights)
Us in front of the temple - in our PJs
Finally, Saturday morning we took family pictures. When they were all done with us, we headed home. I looked dang good, so when we were about to Payson (yes, there was more sleeping), I took a pic of us :) We picked up Bhuvan and headed home.
This year, Matt and I went down to St. George for Thanksgiving to be with my step-family. Two of my step-siblings are in the area, and 3 are in the Phoenix area, and all of them were able to come up. I'm really glad we went. It gave us an opportunity to get to know most of them a little better, and to feel more like a part of the family. We had a pretty full weekend, and I didn't get ANY homework done. I didn't even pull my computer out to check my email the whole time. I'll detail the events later with pictures and everything, but I just wanted to let everyone know how grateful I am for my newfound family. I am so glad I got to know everyone better. I love you guys!
K, I don't normally do these, but how could I resist with #6?
1. The last band I saw live was I don't really recall.
2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is spending time with family.(if you don't celebrate thanksgiving, insert your favorite holiday)
3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is barely started.
4. Thoughts of homework and stress fill my head.
5. I wish I could wear tanktops again.
6. Bagpipes ROCK! Especially when I'm playing ;) j/k!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to nothing, tomorrow my plans include Rebecca's birthday party, football game, and laundry, and Sunday, I want to catch up on some homework.
I know - this should have gone away by Nov. 5. Surprise! Not so much!
***Be forewarned - this is a very highly opinionated post*** I know some won't agree - that's okay, but this really bugged me, so I'm sharing. I don't really want to start a fight or anything.
I've really enjoyed staying out of politics this season (didn't re-register to vote after getting married....) I didn't feel I knew enough about the issues (or what they even were) to vote. I am pleased Obama won - that's whom I would have probably voted for had I done so.
I have also been VERY annoyed by how intense Prop 8 was. From my point of view - I don't live in California, so I couldn't vote on it if I'd wanted to (or been registered). Why does the whole nation have to get so incensed over it? I was also annoyed one Sunday in sacrament meeting when I'd found out there had been "over the pulpit" calls to like 20 people in each of four stakes to make calls to people in California about Prop 8. I'm sorry, I thought the LDS church stayed out of politics, at least in that manner. I thought it would be another - this is the church doctrine, but you have agency - bit (you know, like when we had a similar issue on the ballot here in Utah four years ago...) (They were released before they actually called people, thank goodness.)
However, I'm finding myself even MORE annoyed by Prop 8 since its passing. I think I shall now disclose that - had I been registered AND lived in California, I would have supported Prop 8 (ie, against legalizing gay marriage). I'm sure that sentence just pissed people off - sorry Shawn, Dan, whoever else. Understand this is a personal decision that did not come lightly. Of course I'm glad it passed. Yes, I have gay friends. No, I don't hate them or wish they were miserable all their lives. However, I do not believe it is morally right ( You already knew that, Shawn, you can't get mad at me over it.)
In fact, Shawn, our plans have attributed to strengthening my decision. For the rest of you - Shawn's going to move to Cali with me and Matt and rent a room from us - yay! I have played out this scenario. I hope to have kids by this point, or at some point during this arrangement. There are also other aspects *cough* drinking *cough* that I don't approve of in Shawn's lifestyle - that have nothing to do with orientation. So I have thought to myself how to best teach my children that these things are wrong - and how hard that will be when we have Shawn living with us (hence the wine rack in your room, behind closed doors ;) ). I have also imagined trying to explain to my little Gavin (no name stealing since I'm throwing it out there) that Uncle Shawn is going to hell, but we still love him. (No, Shawn, I don't think I'd tell my kids that - I'm not to pass judgement, but I hope you get the basic idea.) I'm sure any of you can imagine one thing you really don't want to pass onto your children, and how hard that would be if you were surrounded by it.
Now imagine that this thing was legal, approved of, and possibly even pushed in society (like where your kids go to school). That doesn't help your case. So I hope you can all understand that I have a personal conviction to not allowing it.
Now, back to being more annoyed by the Prop 8 issue AFTER the election. You see, today on Facebook, I see a feed that two of my darling gay friends are attending Gays on Strike. "What is that?" I wonder, so I click on it and start reading. Interesting concept. Keep reading - another event within this one - to happen today - a peaceful protest outside the Manhattan LDS temple. That made me angry. Personally, I felt discrimintated against as a Mormon. We weren't the only church to support it, you know. People protesting isn't going to change church doctrine. AND - there are plenty of mormons who are against Prop 8, as well as plenty of homosexual Mormons. Another obnoxious thing that struck me about this protest is that it's in Manhattan - on the OPPOSITE side of the country from Prop 8 territory. I don't know why the Mormons had to be singled out. Shouldn't you be protesting the voters? It was a pretty narrow margin, anyway. If you are Mormon and either a gay marriage supporter or a homosexual - perhaps you should consider finding a new religion that is more conducive to your beliefs, because the doctrine is NOT going to change.
Also, I'm bugged because it feels like gay marriage supporters are pissing and moaning trying to get it repealed, when it won fair and square. Problem? Put it on the ballot next year. It comes across to me that the "gay marriage movement" (not necessarily any particular individuals within it) is whining like a little child until Mommy (aka the government) gets so sick and tired of it that Mommy finally lets baby (the gay marriage movement) have a sucker, or the toy on the shelf, whatever. It feels totally and utterly wrong to me to go about it that way. If you have such a huge issue over the government and the political process - find a different state or a new country that is more friendly toward gay marriage. After all, you can have a homosexual marriage in Massachusetts.
This looked like fun :) (Do you like how I just pick ones I like, and not the ones I actually get tagged on?)
1. DID YOU DATE SOMEONE FROM YOUR SCHOOL?
more than once :) Married one too
2.WHAT KIND OF CAR DID YOU DRIVE?
first my blue leprosy car (I don't remember what it was) after I killed it :(, I got my gold buick, which lasted until... during my first year of college I think
3. DID YOU PASS YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE TEST YOUR FIRST TRY?
It wasn't THAT hard
4. WHERE YOU A PARTY ANIMAL?
nope
5. WERE YOU CONSIDERED A FLIRT?
I sure hope so - cuz I sure did it a lot. It would be sad if no one noticed... but might explain the lack of dates...
6. WERE YOU IN BAND, ORCHESTRA, OR CHOIR?
OOO! All three! yay! k, not quite, I quit orchestra after 8th grade (dumb Mr. Barnes)
7. WERE YOU A NERD/GEEK?
k, I know there's a difference between the two, but I need one of you to explain what it is again...
8. WERE YOU ON ANY VARSITY TEAMs?
ha ha - no.
9. DID YOU EVER GET SUSPENDED/EXPELLED?
not an idiot (no)
10. CAN YOU STILL SING THE FIGHT SONG?
umm no. Though I still insert "and the blue!" .... if the D isn't around....
11. WHO WERE YOUR FAVORITE TEACHERS?
Mrs. Bridges (bless her heart!), the D, I liked Hill too, and Mrs. Walter, and....
12. WHERE DID YOU SIT FOR LUNCH?
either in the courtyard or on the bench by the green room
13. WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOL'S FULL NAME?
Payson High School
14. WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOL'S MASCOT AND COLORS?
Mighty Lions! woot! Green and Silver (and the Blue!)
15. DID YOU GO TO HOMECOMING AND WITH WHO?
surprisingly yes... David Botkin, I think? (It was a last minute thing, quite literally)
16. IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND DO IT AGAIN WOULD YOU?
I would do senior year over. That was fun! Not junior year though... oh laws.
17. WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT GRADUATION?
Played bagpipes - then sang in choir - cried during Sister D's fav song. It was really good bye! I also remember that it sucked I had to actually stay for ALL of graduation that year... and Monique gave a talk, and we took pictures outside after-the-fact - and then we left for Costa Mesa like the next day! woo hoo!
18. WHERE DID YOU GO SENIOR SKIP DAY?
Lagoon day? not Lagoon....
19. WERE YOU IN ANY CLUBS?
Pipe Band is a club, right? and Winter Guard!
20. HAVE YOU GAINED SOME WEIGHT SINCE THEN?
.... :( yes....
21. WHO WAS YOUR PROM DATE?
Shawn! tee hee - good times
22. ARE YOU PLANNING ON GOING TO YOUR 10 YEAR REUNION?
I sure hope so! Can I tell you that I'm bitter my class decided not to do a 5 year reunion? Because I am.
23. DID YOU HAVE A JOB IN HIGH SCHOOL?
Western Wats baby - SF office, dialer :p
This Halloween season wasn't one of the better ones. Sad news. I think part of it had to do with the weather. October was ridiculously warm! (not complaining!) Typically we get together for dinner and do a haunted house, since Heather's birthday is Halloween. Alas, she and Tom decided they were too poor this year. (Understandable. Haunted houses are outlandishly priced!)
One highlight - UVU's library held a costume contest. For all intensive purposes, it's not over.... They'd take your picture.. and eventually they'll post it on their facebook page for their fans to vote on. Shawn and I were both vampiresses. (Let's face it, I was the hotter one. ;) ) We were going to get together after he got off work to watch a scary movie, but he didn't feel well.
My ward had a trunk or treat. (I hate the idea, btw.) However, I didn't go. I thought about it, but Matt worked until 6pm and then had to take a test. So I stayed home. We had 3 trick-or-treaters.
So, my actual Halloween day - class (where I got an AMAZING reaction ;), then I went to work.. only to find out we weren't working (door was locked, and no one was there). So I went up to Matt's work to visit. They were quite impressed with my costume as well :) After a little while, I decided to go home for a couple hours, where I recurled some of my hair, had lunch, and touched up my makeup. Then I went back to Orem for the contest :) On my way home, I went to Grandma and Grandpa Erdmann's house to pay the rent. I thought they wouldn't approve of my costume (I did stay mostly covered in my cloak though). Grandma was so taken with it that when Grandpa came home, she made him get the camera lol. So I visited with them for a while. Then on my way home from there, I decided to stop at Grandma Wilson's house. Koreen gave me a candy bar :) She and I also talked about buying a house. Apparently, she's been saving, looking, and learning about buying a house for awhile now. Later, Caleen and the kids came up. It was nice cuz I haven't seen or talked to Caleen in ages! Then I finally made it home, where I played Fable 2 and handed out candy to the three trick-or-treaters.
That was a really long paragraph. Now for the exciting part: PICTURES! Wahoo!
