My Best Friend's Wedding - Whirlwind weekend in Seattle

So about seven months or so ago, my best buddy Jen starting dating this guy named Mark. They both kinda liked each other so soon I got a phone call from Jen telling me she is engaged. So of course I was NOT going to miss her wedding. I took a Friday off work and traveled up to Seattle again.

My adventure didn't start out well. I had a late night flight out of Vegas on Thursday but during work that day we heard the rolling thunder of a Vegas monsoon....that always means flight delays galore. And yep, even before I had left work my flight was already delayed an hour. My mom and brother drove me to the airport but it was slow moving because there was a seven call accident taking up three lanes of traffic. People really have a hard time driving here when the roads are wet.

I did make it to the airport and found my gate crowded with three other flights. I found a spot on the floor and listened to the impromptu folk band. Four people with a banjo, a fiddle, and a couple guitars, sat on the floor next to me and started playing and singing some folk songs. It kept the tension at the gate down. I texted Jen and told her not to wait up for me. My flight was now leaving at 10pm.... After a gate change and some long boring hours at the airport, I finally boarded a plane. After a stop in San Jose, we landed at SeaTac at 3:30am.  

This was my first time renting a car by myself, so being half awake it was quite the ordeal. I was offered the option of renting a pickup truck, a mini van or a Prius. I took the Prius...never driven an electric car before...so it was a bit of an experience, turning it on and trying to drive it half awake. Some how I made in one piece to Jen's. My kitty Styder met me at the door and even laid down with me on the couch for a bit. That was a nice homecoming.

My ride...and my nephew Ryan

Jen woke me up early, but I was excited to see her so I got up. I was running on just 4 hours of sleep but ready to go. We took Jen's two other house guest to the car rental place, so they could get a car. Then Jen and I headed over to her chapel to start decorating for her reception.

 

The rest of the day was a little more relaxed. I got a nap in and she and Mark had some last minute song selecting time. We had dinner over at Jen's parent's home. And them Jen's old college buddies came over and we helped her figure out her hair style for the next day.

 

After making yummy cupcakes and sharing old stories. We called it an early night and headed to bed. In the morning the girls worked on Jen's hair and I made sure everything we need got into the car. I was in charge of getting Jen up to the Seattle Temple on time.

Traffic was great and I got Jen there in plenty of time. The ceremony was sweet and they both looked great. Then it was time for pictures:

Happy Couple

Jen's family had set up a lunch-an in a neighboring chapel. And it was made in such a way that if someone needed to leave they could just grab some food and run. Picnic box style, very cute.

Then it was time to drive back down for the reception:

 

 

Cutting the cake:

 

Then time for the dancing:

Bustling up the dress...so complicated

 

And as it was coming to a close...I made sure they got some of the food they were paying for.

And then it was over and it was time for them to run out to the car....which was lovingly decorated by these two mischief makers:

The car:

The loot:

And there they go:

My best friend is now married and Mark is pretty cool so I can't complain. I hope they live happily ever after. :)

Visiting the Past...road trip!

A few weeks back I went on a road trip with my parents up to Utah. We visited my Aunt Judy and Uncle Dave. They wanted to go check on my mom's mother's grave. She died giving birth to my mom and her twin and she is buried in a small town outside of St. George, UT. It took us a little while to find her grave because the cemetery is a little over grown and not really taken care of. But we found her. Here are a few photos of the place:

Geniel Wood Jenson (Jan. 30, 1930-April 29, 1955)

 The red rock mountains that surround the town are just breathtaking.

I was there too...not the best selfie but oh well:

After cleaning up the grave and getting strange looks from the locals, we headed off to the west of St. George where there is a town called Pine Valley. In this town is the oldest LDS chapel still in use today. Built in 1868. We got to take a tour of it. Very neat.

 

Original glass sacrament cups

I love old building and so this tour was awesome. When we got back to St. George we had dinner at the Pizza Factory. Then after that we head home to Vegas. It was a great little day trip into the past. I'll have to do more trips like that.

Exciting July

This month started off slow. My Independence Day was spent really quietly at home with my grandma. The rest of my family that lives here had left for Seattle two days earlier. So I really didn't do anything. But I did enjoy getting fun pictures of my nephews and niece. Here are a couple:

Then the following week I took a plane ride up to Seattle to spend the weekend with my older brother's family. My oldest nephew had turned eight years old and was getting baptized into the church. I wasn't gonna miss that. It was an awesome weekend. I arrived mid-day on Thursday and was picked up by my Dad, my sister-in-law Debbie and my little niece. This was what met me when I got into the car:

So cute. When we got back to the house, I helped Debbie clean up the back yard. Dad made sure the trampoline was all cleaned off.

He had been camping out in the back yard with my two oldest nephews for the whole week. One big fun camp out. Later that evening we took a trip to Costco to pick up some last minute food. My niece was finally up and happy to see me. She looks so much like I used to at her age. She's my mini-me for sure.

The funny girl likes me when there isn't anyone else around, but get my Mom in the room and I'm the scary aunt she won't come near...only Grandma will do. Hope she grows out of that. She is sure a cutie-pie.

On Friday, my Dad and older brother Tony, went fly fishing. They had all the gear and everything. Here is Dad all dressed up ready to go:

While they were gone. The rest of us hung out, I read to the little guys and showed them some movie trailers on my phone:

When Tony and Dad got home. The two littlest had fun playing with their daddy:

Then we all piled into to a couple cars and took a day trip up to Sequim, WA. We took a ferry across the sound and had lunch on the beach looking at clam shells. We also stopped at a lavender farm. It was very pretty to see all the purple flowers in bloom. As we walked through them we heard the loud hum of honey bees. My brother Doug got nervous because he had had a bad experiance with bees when he was little, so I walked back with him to the gift shop and we spent the rest of the time looking for four leaf clovers. He found two of them and one five leaf clover....I'm not sure how he does it. Here are few pictures of the trip:

On the Ferry leaving Seattle,WA

In coming ferry

Lunchtime at the beach in Sequim, WA

Lavender Farm, Ryan smelling the flowers

 

Looking for four leaf clovers

 On the way back we stopped in Tacoma, WA and had dinner at Panda Express. Then we all went home and relaxed for the big day.

On Saturday, Max got baptized. Tony got to baptize him and it was pretty cool to get to be there for it.

All the kiddos dressed up ready to go.

The happy duo.

Awesome family photo. Max and Tony both wearing new suits.

Tony and Debbie put together a nice luncheon afterwards at their home. My cousins Ben and Beth both came out for the day with their families. It was fun seeing them again. We chatted and got caught up with everyone's lives. That evening Beth and I tried to take all the older kids to the movies to see "Minions" but when we got to the theater the movie was sold out. The kids were so sad, so we went and got them ice cream. I think we were forgiven:

 

On Sunday we went to church and then everyone started leaving. Mom had to catch a flight back home. Beth and her family had to get back to Yakima, WA and I was going to spend the rest of my time with my friend Jen in Tacoma, WA. So I said good-bye to everyone and headed down to Jen's place. She's getting married next month so we got to spend some last girly time together. I got to meet her Fiance and play with my kitty.

 

We went shopping on Monday for some jewelry to go with her wedding dress. It was fun to be able to help her with at least one element of her wedding. We watched one of my favorite shows and then she drove me up to the airport. It was such a great trip. I can't wait to see everyone again next month when I come up for Jen's wedding. 

Times are changing....

I just saw on Facebook that we lost another great man today. President Boyd K Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles passed away this afternoon. He was first in line to be the next prophet. Growing up he was one of my favorite apostles. I loved his gravelly voice and his no nonsense way of teaching the Law of Chastity. I will miss his talks during General Conference. A few weeks back we lost Elder L Tom Perry, who was second in line to be the next prophet. I heard his speak in the MTC on my mission....to loose two great men so close together is so sad.

During this time of uncertainty, where the tides of the world are turning their focus on changing the family organization and challenge the religious beliefs of Christians....I'm not sure what is going to happen next. I try not to judge anyone...and I hope no one will judge me. But I am comforted in knowing Heavenly Father is leading our Prophet Thomas S Monson and the twelve apostles of the church. I know the two new apostles that will be chosen in October will be men called by God to lead us. We will see what the next months will bring....

Uh...where did June go???

I just realized it is now July....I can't believe how fast June flew by. Not much exciting happened....I haven't even been painting at all. So sad.

We had Father's Day a few weeks back. The missionaries joined us for dinner and it was fun talking with them. Dad got himself some food storage bins as a gift. And Doug and I gave him a card. No pictures, I've been slacking on that level.

My little brother Mike flew into town last week to scope out the area. He and his family are planning on moving to Vegas after he graduates from Chiropractic school. He just texted today that he's got a contract to open an office here in January. It's pretty exciting. It was such a short visit. We didn't have much time to really hang out with him. But Dad, Doug and him took a trip up the mountain for a father, son camp out with the ward.

I think they had fun. Mom and I had a girls night while they were gone. So we all had a good weekend.

July will be a busy month. I head up to Seattle next week to see my little nephew Max get baptized. I'm so excited. Can't wait. So I'll get pictures for my next blog, for sure.

The Month of May

This month has been pretty eventful. I've been so distracted I haven't even blogged...so here I am playing catch up. I'll start with my crazy / scary end of April.

About the last weekend in April I found myself passed out on the bathroom floor. I can't remember how it happened but it was very scary. I suffer from migraines but this was a new thing. So I got a doctor's appointment to see if I was okay. I have the best doctor ever. She is pretty awesome. She ran some blood tests on me and checked for diabetes. And even had me get an MRI. Luckily I work for a Radiology company and it was fun to finally see the patient's side of it. Since they knew I worked up in accounting, I got the royal treatment and was in and out in less than an hour. I hate MRI's. I'm a tiny bit claustrophobic...but the tech was super nice and let me listen to Alternative rock the whole time. And I kept my eyes shut and my mind focused on the music. But after all the tests and MRI I'm ecstatic to report: I AM FINE! All my tests came back normal. It was just a weird fluke....and I hope it never happens again.

The month of May is a busy birthday month in my family. Both my sister-in-laws, my brother and two of nephews all have birthdays. So I was busy getting cards and trying to remember to wish everyone a happy birthday. Here are some photos of my brother's birthday:

Facetiming with the little ones.

It was a small party, he had class that evening so we just got pizza and a cheese cake. Then the next Saturday we went and saw Avengers.

My poor parents haven't had a good few months without car troubles. So my dad finally called in quits for the big goldie and went and traded it in for a nice plum colored Lexus:

He calls it his retirement car. But I noticed how similar it was to my little Toyota Corrolla. Who knew Lexus was made by Toyota....crazy. It is still a lot fancier than my car though.

At work we hired a new accountant so to make room for her and not have her sharing the same desk as me. I finally got my own cubicle. It was pretty exciting. I did have to spend one Friday without a desk while they installed it but it is nice to finally have my own private space at work.

Mother's Day was just another nice quiet Sunday. Mom was actually home this year so that was fun. Later that night I had a clumsy moment. I tripped on my heals and fell onto the floor. I was carrying a glass bowl that hit the floor first and shattered. My knee landed in the shards. At first it didn't seem too bad until I looked at it a few days later and saw the huge scab....fun times...I need to stop falling.

 

Just this last week we actually had an earthquake in Vegas. It happened during work so everyone got really nervous. It shook my building and caused some slight damage to the freeway downtown. But considering all the earthquakes happening in the rest of the world. I think we were very fortunate. This showed up on facebook a little while later:

The weather is getting hotter, and before it got too uncomfortable, mom and dad did some landscaping. They're trying to break up the rocks....we have a lot of rocks.

It think it looks a lot better. Dad also invested in heat screens for their window to cut down on their AC bills. Ahhhh...summer time in Vegas here we come....ready or not.