Jena

Christmas at the Sulser House

2011-12-30T12:14:00.000-08:00

Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE Christmas. I thank my mom for that one. This year was the best Christmas yet. We had our sweet baby Kenlee with us. She is one spoiled little girl (thanks to Al, Shirl, and myself!) We just can't get enough of her! She was so fun! My mom bought her the cutest little outfit to wear on Christmas Eve, she looked like Santa's little helper! We had our traditional Christmas Eve party with the Sulser clan, and then Christmas day was filled with family, family, and more family. We went to church with my mom's whole side of the family! It was a fabulous meeting, filled with music directed by my aunt Cathy. Then came Grandma Nancy's famous breakfast (it beats Thanksgiving dinner), gift exchange with cousins, then off to play games at Grandma Ruth's. We ended our night with playing cards at Rob and Susan's. It was a great day! I am so blessed to have so many family members close by.

Christmas was followed by a much needed break from school, my days consisted of sleeping in, lounging around, staying in sweats all day, movies, shopping trips, and spending time with friends and family!

One Day...Two Weddings

2011-10-18T18:15:00.000-07:00

October 15, 2011. The day my best friend Michelle got married, and Ryan and Nicole. It was a crazy day running from Timpanogos Temple to Salt Lake, back to Heber for a dinner, and reception hopping that night. All though it was so great to be apart of both of these weddings. Wishing them both a great life filled with happiness! It couldn't have been a more perfect day.

Fall Ride

2011-10-02T09:31:00.000-07:00

Fall is my favorite time of year. Everything in the valley is bright and colorful! I also love the fall weather, it is not too hot and not too cold. Lynsee and I decided we needed a fall horse ride. So yesterday we went out to Willow Creek and had a great ride. We ran into some cows, and our horses acted like they had never seen them before. So we had a small cattle drive of our own. The leaves are incredible. Bright yellow, red and orange. It was the perfect day for a ride! I hope to get a few more in before the snow falls.

Another Dirty Wedding

2011-10-02T09:25:00.000-07:00

On Thursday September 29, 2011 my friend Madi got married. She has been my friend since we were in second grade, and she was new to JR Smith. I knew right away that I wanted to be her friend. We have been friends ever since. We have a lot of great memories. From EFY to hot tub parties at her house, or a shopping trip, or a quick Diet Coke break we have done it all. I LOVE this girl. I couldn't have pictured a more perfect wedding for her. Everything was perfect! I am so excited for her and Vic to start their new life together. Congrats girl!

Birthday Babies

2011-10-02T09:19:00.001-07:00

New pony for the birthday girl!

As you can see our world revolves around these little ones!

Kenlee is a little unsure of all the people watching her- always so serious!

Miss Kenlee and Mr. Kylan turned one on August 27. So our family did what we do best- and that is party. My mom put together an incredible party for the babies. They each got their own birthday cake, and all the other kids got a huge cupcake. It was so much fun to watch the babies dig into their cakes. Ky loved his, Kenlee not so much! I love these babies- they are so stinkin cute and always on the go! It feels like yesterday Kenlee was born, can't believe it has already been a year!

Sunday Drive & Mirror Lake

2011-10-02T09:07:00.001-07:00

Mirror Lake: Chris has a connection to a cabin up on Mirror Lake so we decided to use it! We went up and stayed the weekend. It was so cold. On Saturday Morning we woke up to snow! I wasn't prepared for snow. We also couldn't get the gas fireplace to work for the first night so we used the gas stove! It was awesome. But we stayed warm! Then the next morning Chris finally got it to work. Jordan and Denver came up on Saturday afternoon. We played games, had a fire, and walked around the lake. It was a nice relaxing weekend!

Since there was so much snow this year- we weren't able to get into the West Fork until the middle of July I never made it. This summer was just too crazy. So the beginning of August Chris and I went for a Sunday drive. Everything was still so green! Then we came home over Wolf Creek Pass. It was a fun drive! At least I made it to the West Fork once this year.

These are my favorite trees in the West Fork.

Josh R, Sara Jean, and Jena Mae

Midway Elementary- "Ride for the Brand"

2011-10-02T08:45:00.000-07:00

Well I have started another year at Midway Elementary. This year I am teaching first grade. Last year I taught second grade and loved every minute of it. I know there is only a one year age difference, but it is a so different. I can now say I love first grade! I have 22 adorable students. They are so creative, and love learning. I am excited for what this year has in store. I am also working with the greatest ladies! They are so good to me, and just take care of me.

Being in Midway our school has no other choice than to be apart of the "Swiss Days Celebration" We have a PTA booth where we sell cotton candy and tickets to play on the bouncy houses. This year we added in a snow cone booth. So for two sticky hours I made snow cones for all the visitors, and locals of Midway. We also were in the Parade- we used to have professional banners to hang on the wagon, but somehow they were misplaced. So....Mr. Thorn asked me to make some posters. I had convinced Chris that we were going to have the best night- little did he know we were making posters. He was a trooper and came and helped! :) Here are the posters that we created! It only took us til 1 AM!

Fair Days

2011-10-02T08:38:00.000-07:00

Jason Coombs, Dodge Rodeo Man of the year!

Lana and I being the ribbon girls!

Truck Derby!

I LOVE fair days! I always have and always will. This year we started off fair days by going to the white trash bash of Heber, also known as the Demolition Derby. It was a lot of fun, and we saw lots of people dressed in their best white trash attire. I spent most of the weekend at the livestock show helping my dad with the show and sale. I love being able to help out. On Saturday Lana and I had to fill in for the "queens" and pass out ribbons. It was fun! Then we ended the fair days festivities by going to the rodeo- both nights! Loved every minute of it! Until next year...

Singles Ward Bear Lake trip

2011-10-02T08:28:00.000-07:00

Just waiting for some dinner- made by Nils

There was some serious "Nertz" playing. Landon and I were the champs!

Ryan Walton, Trevor Mahoney, and I getting creative on the tub. I was a little scared, hence the face!

The crew on the boat! It was a great day in the sun!

Jason and I went for a ride on the tube!

The last weekend in July our singles ward went to Dingle, Idaho to stay at the Coombs' family ranch. It was a blast! We left on Thursday morning and stayed until Saturday morning. It was a non-stop weekend. A small group of us went to Pickleville Playhouse and saw the play "Juantio Bandito" it was hysterical. Friday was a lake day, with an incredible dutch oven dinner afterwards. Then Saturday we cleaned up and headed for home! It was fun to be around people from the ward that I wouldn't normally spend time with. I got to know a lot of really great people. Thanks to the Coombs' family for letting us stay at your cabin! It is always a great time!

24th of July Camping

2011-10-02T08:15:00.000-07:00

Well it was another great year with the Barker family camping! This year was filled with activities. Every family organized a huge activity. Needless to say their was never a dull moment. We played "Minute to win it" (thanks Shay) Bunco, Food Tasting Test, (I ate a sardine, and wanted to vomit- thanks to Steve for that one), we played bunco, five crowns, nertz, ticket to ride, sat around the campfire nightly, crawdad hunting, and a late night crawdad fry, played on the zipline (created by hugh), and did I mention that we ate, and ate, and ate some more? It was a great camp. Something I look forward to all year. Can't wait until next year.

Josh & Laura July 15, 2011

2011-10-02T08:01:00.000-07:00

On July 15, 2011 Josh and Laura were married in the Draper Temple for eternity. It was a beautiful day. After their sealing, we went to a reception center in Draper, "Millennial Falls" for a luncheon. It was incredible. Outside their were these huge waterfalls, with incredible landscaping. We enjoyed the lunch with our family and close friends. After the luncheon we came home for a quick nap and then headed up to Evanston for reception one. Highlight of reception 1: they served cold stone ice cream. Let's say we all had more than one serving!

Since Laura is from Evanston they decided to have two receptions. So my mom and I cranked out decorations, treats, and all the other fun accessories that go along with the wedding traditions. We made 65 tissue paper balls. Thanks to our great friends, Soresons, and Denise who were so great to help us out!

It was a great day! Good luck Josh and Laura on your new adventure together!

Welcome to Maui...Paradise Served Daily

2011-07-19T07:47:00.001-07:00

I don't even know where to start...This was a trip I will never forget. Maui is the most beautiful, relaxing, and enjoyable place I have ever been! Everyone always asks what my favorite thing about Maui was and to be honest I don't have a favorite, I loved everything we did! So here is a list of the my favorite things:

Playing in the ocean

Sunsets...they are incredible

Road to Hana...I won't ever do it again, but so worth it!

snorkeling

boogie boarding...even though I got slammed a few times

relaxing by the pool

shopping in Lahaina

Laying by the pool

Spending time with family

An amazing Luau right on the shore

Hawaiian Shaved ice

Buying the tourist souvenirs

I can't wait to go back to paradise!

Cattle Drive

2011-07-19T07:35:00.000-07:00

Well I can now say I have been on a cattle drive and I LOVED it! I went with the Coombs family. The first day we gathered cows right across the road from their ranch, in Dingle, Idaho. Then the next day we went up Slud Creek. It was beautiful up there. When we weren't on our horses we enjoyed having some down time, playing games, relaxing, shooting rock chucks, and solving the worlds problem. (As Jason would say)

....back at the ranch....

2011-06-10T16:25:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Dingle (Note the mosquitoes! Ha ha so funny!)
We played lots of scum....and I was the KING!

The "crew" minus Denise

My Friend Jason...Don't judge my looks- it was FREEZING!!

Better than any Disneyland ride?!?

Welcome to Dingle, Idaho! My friend Jason and his family have a ranch up in Dingle, they are so great and let me tag along with them. This past month I have made 3 trips with them to do a little work, play A LOT, relax, and spend some quality time with good friends! It is a great place to get away from everything! I never thought I would say this, but I LOVE it. I love how quiet and remote it is. It is about ten minutes from where my sister lives in Montpelier so I get to see her and my baby Kenlee when I go up as well. So much fun. I am going up in a week for a cattle drive. Should be fun, I will post pictures!

Surprise!!!

2011-05-17T16:18:00.001-07:00

Well let me start this post by saying I have the sneakiest mom and friends....now let me tell you why.........

So I graduated a few weeks ago and I was feeling kind of down because it was on a Friday and my siblings couldn't make it because of work, and not all of my grandparents were going to be there. So I was bummed. When it came down to it was a wonderful day with my parents, grandma Nancy, and my wonderful aunt Cathy. After graduation we all went to dinner to my favorite place, PF Changs. After lunch we all went our separate ways. I went and did a little shopping and then headed for home to take a nap! My friend Denise had been staying with us because the owners of her house were in town. So I came home and chatted with her for a bit and I told her I wanted to go bowling. So I texted all of our friends and planned a bowling gathering! So then I took my nap, but Denise came in and woke me up and said she needed to run over to her house and grab some things quick and then we would come back to my house and get ready....in my mind I was thinking, why the heck would we go all the way to your house and then come back??? It didn't make sense, but I was too tired to care! So I rolled out of bed in my sweats mind you, and threw on my ugg boots and went over to her house. We took our sweet time and then headed back to my house. When I walked through the back door all of my friends and my cute parents were all there for a surprise party! I was so surprised! It was so fun! We never made it bowling but it was a wonderful night...thanks mom for being so great. :)

Graduation

2011-05-02T15:08:00.000-07:00

My friend Teresa! I love her
My fabulous parents

My good friend Kyle

My biggest fan! Thanks for believing in my Larry.

I made it- I am now a college graduate! WOO HOO...Even though there were days, weeks, months, and possibly semesters I wasn't sure if I was going to make it. The last four years flew by. I am so happy I ended up at UVU. I couldn't have had a better experience in the education program anywhere else! Although I couldn't have done it without my amazing parents putting up with me when I was a stress case from all of the work (which lets face it...it was all the time) My amazing friends for always listening to me gripe about professors, homework, and all the fun that goes along with being a college student. And last but not least all of my wonderful teachers, and amazing cohort gals! I will never forget the countless hours spent together! Ready for the next chapter of my life...maybe a Masters Degree....we shall see! :)

Baby Chicks

2011-05-02T14:57:00.000-07:00

Sleepy baby chicks....

Brookie and Mae Mae playing with the chicks!

I never thought the day would come when I would have chickens! My mom has always had this fear of birds, and so because of her fear I never really cared for them either. My dad is the USU county extension agent, and so he helped me get an incubator and some eggs to hatch. I got eight eggs and 6 out of the 8 eggs hatched. I fell in love with the baby chicks. It was so fun to watch the eggs hatch! I loved it as much as my students (if not a little bit more) :) Here are the oh so clever names my students came up with:

*Fluffers

*Bob-A-Doo

*Peep

*Jimmy

*Mr. Fluffy Pants

*Chickee

They were the hit of the school. We had all sorts of visitors coming to see these cute baby chicks. It is a miracle the chicks survived all of holding, and a few droppings by the kids! I have convinced my parents to let me keep the chicks here! They are getting so big- and unfortunately they are losing their "cuteness" It should be a fun adventure....

The not so "Spring" Break

2011-05-02T14:48:00.000-07:00

Spring Break was a couple of weeks ago, however the weather wasn't so "Springy". I loved every minute that I had off! I was so ready for a break. I was supposed to head down south to Mesquite to stay with my family, but I was loving being in Heber and having some down time so much that I ended up staying home. Here are some of the fun things that I did:

*went to the movies (True Grit & Source Code)

*Played some serious skee-ball at Provo Beach Resort

*went to Texas Roadhouse with friends

* Played a TON of racquetball

*went on my first horse ride of the year- Dutch Hollow

*had our first and second bon fire of the summer!

* had a bbq with friends

*enjoyed sleeping in everyday

*shopping....a lot!

*wedding planning and crafting with Lana

It was a much needed break! Although I was happy to go back and see my second graders, I am so lucky to have an amazing job!

One long, but excellent movie...and a few other things

2011-04-11T15:48:00.000-07:00

I can now say I have watched Lonesome Dove, start to finish....it only took us a month to finish it too! :) We started watching it a couple weeks after the super bowl. It was so much fun, watching it with the crew! Watching a movie with a lot of people isn't the easiest thing to do however, we were rewinding, and pausing A LOT!! It really is a great movie, I am not sure why I haven't watched the whole thing before, (maybe the fact that it is six hours) I will be watching it again that is for sure. Now we have a list of old westerns that we all want to watch. Good times. (thank you Denise for taking all the pictures! :))

Denise and I are suckers for Kohls 30% off sales. How can you pass that up? We made a quick trip one day after school, and we found LOTS of great deals! We also love to play games, being the competitive person I am it is always interesting. For FHE one week we played spoons. Jenn and I made it to the end! It was an interesting game.

Some things I look forward to....

2011-03-27T17:10:00.000-07:00

I have been feeling really cooped up the last couple of weeks with all of this crappy weather. So my vote is, we skip spring and head straight for summer! I posted some pictures of the things I am looking forward to this summer. They all have something in common....all OUTDOORS. I am ready for some nice weather, and some down time. Here are some of the things I CAN'T wait for.....

I can't wait to head to the mountains in MY trailer, that's right I have a trailer. Since my parents got a new one, the old one is now mine! Only problem, no truck to pull it with! :)

Going to spend a lot of time with my dad fishing, I learned how to fish at the end of last summer, and have been dying to go back! If anyone knows all about fishing, it would be my dad.

Cruising the mountains or streets in my families ranger. Love this little truck.

Have a few fires with the crew! Love <3

Last but not least...spend lots of hours on back of a horse. Something I also started up again last summer. (thank you Lynsee!) Can't wait for our many adventures this summer.

A few other things I look forward too:

NO SCHOOL

Freedom

Seven Peaks, maybe even daily....

Some bean bags with family and friends

Hot Dogs, cooked over a fire

4-wheeling

swimming at the lake

Fireworks

Sunday BBQ's at Grandma Nancy's

AAHHHH....summer get here quick!

Life Lately...

2011-03-26T15:54:00.000-07:00

Festival of colors...fun times
Can't see....Can't Breathe

Welcome Spring

My favorite little man, Jaxon. Having some fun on the tubing hill.

Miss Utah, Christina Lowe. She came and visited my little kiddos!

Dinner with friends!

Super Dale 5k...did I mention it was FREEZING!

Wow! I haven't blogged in a really long time! Probably due to the fact that I haven't had much to say. I feel like I do the same thing everyday five days a week, then repeat. However, I love what I am doing. I wouldn't want to be doing anything else. I love my second graders. They are always making me laugh and keeping me on my toes. They teach me more than I teach them I think. They are so awesome! I can't believe we are starting fourth term...that means the end is near! Yikes. As for next year...I have no idea where I will be. Being an intern I have to re-apply for a job. I am hoping that I will stay at Midway, but I will be happy with a job regardless. Right now I am just playing the waiting game, and trying to live in the moment and not let worry over take me. (However that is incredibly hard for me!)

I am ready for spring....that feels like a stretch, since it snowed yesterday! Crazy Utah weather. I need to be outside getting some rays, they make me happy! Life is good. Here are some pictures from the past month...or two. :) Life is good.

Lazy Saturdays

2011-01-29T09:40:00.000-08:00

When I was younger on Saturdays I always wanted to go shopping, or play with friends, or be on the go! My mom hated the fact that I was like this, because she always wanted a day at home since she was gone all week. Now that I am teaching, I understand the want to be home! I never thought that would ever happen! Here is how my Saturday was spent last weekend. Sleeping with baby Kenlee and Tuff! It was wonderful....did I mention Pajamas all day? Ah, it was good.

A very happy birthday...

2011-01-29T09:32:00.000-08:00

I am a little behind on the blog. I apologize. For my birthday my parents and I ran away from the cold and headed down to Sunny Mesquite. Our house trailer is down at my grandparents place, so we had a place to stay. We left right after school on Friday and stayed until Monday. It was so nice to do nothing! (which we did!) We played lots of games with my grandma and grandpa, and spent some time in the casinos! Did I win any money you might ask? No I did not. My parents did though! Especially my mom. She has all the luck! It was a great weekend to get away. I can't wait to do it again! I am feeling ready for spring, or summer! :)

Say "I am"....Wonderful!

2011-01-08T23:35:00.000-08:00

I am not one for New Year's Resolutions. I feel that people always set unrealistic goals, that will never be met. We set ourselves up for failure. So in years past I have not made resolutions. This year I have one goal. That goal is to not be so hard on myself. I am my worst enemy. I will admit I have some OCD issues (who doesn't), and I want everything to be PERFECT. We all know perfect doesn't exist....So I am going to try and relax and see the good in others and more importantly in myself.

Last year my best friend introduced me to a song titled "Wonderful" by Gary Go. This song has a lot of power. (as most songs do!) I love this song so much I play it in my second grade classroom. My students cannot get enough of this song either. It makes me so happy when they all start singing! Here are the Lyrics to the song:

The person that you were has died
You’ve lost the sparkle in your eyes
You fell for life - into its traps
Now you wanna bridge the gaps
Now you wanna bridge the gaps
Now you want that person back

And all your ammunition’s gone
Run out of fuel to carry on
You don’t know what you wanna do
Cause what you want does not want you
If what you want does not want you
And you’ve got no pull to pull you through

Say “I am”
Say “I am”
Say “I am wonderful"

Say “I am”
Say “I am”
Say “I am wonderful"

If what you’ve lost cannot be found
And the weight of the world weighs you down
No longer with the will to fly
You stop to let it pass you by
Don’t stop to let it pass you by
You’ve gotta look yourself in the eye

Say “I am”
Say “I am”
Say “I am wonderful”
Oh you are

Say “I am”
Say “I am”
Say “I am wonderful”

Cause we are all miracles
wrapped up in chemicals
We are incredible
Don’t take it for granted, no
We are all miracles
Oh we are

Say “I am”
Say “I am”
Say “I am wonderful”
Oh you are

Don’t take it for granted, no
We are all miracles
wrapped up, yeah we’re wrapped up
Oh we are wonderful

My goal is to realize I am wonderful, and not be so hard on myself! May the new year bring you happiness and health! Cheers!

Tis the Season...

2011-01-08T23:21:00.001-08:00

My favorite girls on Christmas Morning at Grandma's! I think we have a picture taken just like this every year. I love them both...

My mom's BEAUTIFUL tree...She may have had buyer's remorse, but it was worth it!

Kenlee's first Christmas...all though not the greatest picture of us!

Ice Candles for the cemetery, I struggled this year because it wasn't cold enough to freeze them before Christmas....however they always turn out in the end. :)

It doesn't even feel like Christmas has happened. Which is so weird because I did everything that we usually do as a family every year. Perhaps it feels like it didn't happen, because I am just going through the motions. All though it all went by so fast I did enjoy the time spent with family and friends. I am truly blessed with all that I have.

I also enjoyed some time off of work. I spent a lot of time at home in my jammies, and sweat outfits! It was so great. On Wednesday after Christmas it snowed ALL DAY, it was so nice to not be able to go any where for the day. A break is exactly what I needed most!

Christmas Festivities!

2010-12-24T14:42:00.001-08:00

Hadly and Tyler's gingerbread houses!

The Dirty Dozen-minus half of them...slackers. We may have been few in numbers, but we were large in spirit! Love these girls, can't imagine life without them!

Here is my gingerbread house, it may not look good to you but I am pretty proud of it! I spent a lot of time on it. I usually don't have the patience but this year I did...I think the patience came from 23-7 year olds that I teach! :)

Wow. I can't believe it is Christmas Eve! This week has been filled with all of the usual festivities with friends and family. This year I was spoiled by my students. It took two garbage bags to pack it all out of my classroom. They are too good to me. I am always getting sweet notes, and presents from them. I love them.

Hey Baby Let's Go to VEGAS!!!

2010-12-12T08:31:00.001-08:00

This year I told myself that I was going to the NFR no matter what! For the past couple years, I haven't been able to go because of school, but this year it was going to happen and it did! I flew down to Vegas on Friday night after school and stayed til Monday. It was so much fun to get away for a few days and not have to worry about anyone but myself! Our days went like this....

Sleep in

Shop

Eat

Shop

Shop some more

Go to the rodeo

Eat

Play

Play some more

It was wonderful! My mom and I found lots of cute trendy "cowgirl" clothes that I love! We were also able to meet up with some friends and family for dinner after the rodeo. So glad I was able to go! Can't wait til next year...Thanks mom and dad!

Bed

Giving Thanks

2010-11-24T09:40:00.000-08:00

So Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and I have the day off today and I have to admit I am somewhat bored! I never thought I would say that, but my life is go, go, go and I forget what it's like to have downtime! Yesterday with my class we make the cutest little thankful turkeys. (I wish I could post a picture but it isn't legal!) They each had to write four things that they were thankful for, and let me tell you they were so sweet! Some of them were thankful for the worldly things like their wii, or xbox. But every single one of them were thankful for the food they had, or the house they live in. I love my students! They make me excited to go to "work" each day. They reminded me that I need to be thankful for the small things in life too...so here is my list of things I am thankful for-one for each day in November:

1. My Family
2. A warm house
3. Food in the cupboards
4. A job, with a steady income
5. Friends-old and new, young and old
6. Cafe Rio :)
7. Warm clothes to wear during the winter "blizzards"
8. A reliable car
9. A sense of humor
10. Diet Coke
11. Music
12. Great Movies
13. My Health
14. Skype-so I can see my cute niece, and brother and sister
15. Facebook- lame I know! But it keeps me informed!
16. Summer- playing in the sun all day
17. The Gospel
18. those who serve me
19. Jesus Christ
20. My intern coach- Steph
21. My 23 students
22. A place to call home
23. SLEEP
24. A wood burning stove
25. TV and DVR
26. Weekends
27. Snowy days-when I can stay inside all day long
28. Sweats- I love them
29. Cabin Rummy with the Family
30. Being able to travel

Well there is my list...It could go on forever...I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving. Take the time to be thankful for all you have!

We can't help ourselves...

2010-11-14T19:23:00.000-08:00

I can't hold in my Christmas excitement any longer! Yesterday my mom, my cousin Lana and I went to the wood connection and picked up a bunch of cute Christmas sayings, and so today was a day all about crafts! We watched lots of Christmas movies too! Gotta love this time of year... I know I sure do!

November = Time to Be THANKFUL

2010-11-11T20:19:00.000-08:00

I am aware I am behind in my blogging but I just wanted to quickly blog about a few things that I am thankful for...

1. I am thankful for my job...I never thought that I could love 23 students as much as I do! They are so cute, crazy at times, but I wouldn't trade any of them. They make it worth it. It is weird how so quickly I became attached. I don't look forward to the end of the year. I am also thankful for a great work environment! I love my job!

2. I am thankful for the weekends....I now understand the value of an empty Saturday and Sunday! I would lose my sanity if I did not have my weekends. I need at least one day I can wear my sweats all day! :)

3. I am thankful for friends, who know when I need an out. It is easy to just come home and not go out, but luckily I have friends who drag me out! :)

4. Last I am thankful for my family. Not only my immediate family but also my extended family. I really am so lucky to have a large amount of family so close! I realized how lucky I am as we all piled into my grandmas for homemade chili and scones on Halloween, a tradition that has been alive as long as I have. I don't ever want that too change!

It really is easy to get caught up in all of the negative things taking place, and I forget to look at all the little things I have in my life that I really am thankful for. That is all for now. I am sure there is more to come! :)

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T19:48:00.000-07:00

To the surprise of many, I am not a Halloween fan. I have never really been into dressing up and going out. I find myself dressing up for other occasions, but not Halloween. This year our neighbor made my mom this super cute spider headband to wear to school, and I decided that we all needed one. So I ran to park city and got some stuff for Sara and I to have headbands too. For Halloween we went to my grandmas for her amazing homemade chili! It is always fun to see all the cute kids in their costumes, and of course eat delicious food!

Kenlee's Blessing

2010-10-17T19:09:00.001-07:00

Today my sweet neice, Kenlee was blessed by her dad, Tyler. It was a great day. Something really cool about it was that Kenlee wore the same dress that both Sara and I wore the day we got blessed. She looked so adorable, and perfect. It was a great day with family, and friends!

Fall 4 wheeling

2010-10-17T18:59:00.000-07:00

Well I have been wanting to return to our favorite 4 wheeling spot up cascade for the past month to see the fall leaves! So on Saturday Lynsee, Denise, Kellie, and I went for a ride! It was so much fun, and the colors were incredible! It was perfect weather, and we found huge puddles to play in! I don't know why we don't go more often it is close and we always have fun!

Jordan's Big Day

2010-10-17T18:53:00.000-07:00

October 14. 2010. What a beautiful day to get married. The sky was clear blue, the sun was shining, and my best friend looked AMAZING! Jordan and Denver couldn't have had a better day! Jordan has been one of my best friends forever, and I am so happy that she ended up marrying Denver! I love the both of them so much. Weddings are always hard on me, it's not because I will never see my friends again but things definitely change! I know that Jordan and Denver will always be apart of my life, and I thank them for their friendship and wish them the best of luck as they start out a new adventure together!

Harvest Moon

2010-10-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

After Jami's wedding I went on a little adventure with the Sorenson crew! We went up to Sundance and went on the midnight ski lift. It was so AWESOME!! We left Heber around ten, and raced to get to sundance, to wait in line for 1 1/2 hours! at midnight we finally got on the lift. It was so cool, the moon was so bright that it lit everything up. It was so calm and peaceful! I would do it again! Thanks to the Sorenson's for the fun!

Somebody Loved..

2010-10-03T12:24:00.000-07:00

Last week Jami got married! She got married in the St. George temple on Thursday, had a reception down south on Thursday as well. Then on Friday had a second reception at her house in Midway. It was beautiful. She worked so hard for everything to be just right, and that is was! I don't have any pictures with bride but I know that her photographer got some so I will have to make sure and get some to post! I am so happy for her, and wish her the best of luck! Love you "Jami Bonner the little french girl!"

Fall happenings

2010-10-03T12:17:00.000-07:00

Fall is here again! This is my favorite time of year, but it always seems to go by so quickly. That seems to be the case again this year. All though I am trying to find time to enjoy all of the beauty that nature has to offer! A couple of weeks ago my mom, Lynsee, and myself went on a ride up co-op. It was a awesome! While we were riding we ran into a bull elk calling for a cow. It was so cool! Lynsee Jokes that I was being too loud and scared it off. Either way it was awesome! The next day Denise, Kellie, Lynsee, and I went on an adventure to cut some leaves for an art project I was doing at school! The leaves were gorgeous, my students made incredible art with them as well!

The newest addition to our family....

2010-09-12T10:21:00.000-07:00

Kenlee in her rocking chair that used to be Tyler's when he was a little tyke!

She is an excellent sleeper! :)

First "real" bath!

Kenlee Ty Kunz is here! Born on August 27. 2010 weighing 6 pounds and 10 ounces. I was teaching when she was born, but as soon as the bell rang at the end of the day I was out of Heber and off to Logan. She is a tiny thing! But boy is this little girl spoiled already! We all love her so much, and can't get enough of her! Here are some cute new pictures of the little peanut! :)

The adventure has begun!

2010-09-12T10:08:00.000-07:00

My new adventure has started...My adventure in second grade that is! The beginning couldn't have gone any better! I love my school, my class, and my co-workers are so great! I couldn't have been successful without my parents, and friends, and especially my intern coach Steph! Here are some pics of my classroom before the year started! I still wish it looked this clean! Maybe it will look this clean at the end of the year! :)

Bear Lake With the Ladies!

2010-08-28T08:56:00.000-07:00

Well for our last summer Hoorah! We packed up and headed to Lava Hot Springs and Bear Lake for the weekend! It was so much fun! I didn't want to come home. We spent a lot of time doing absolutely nothing! Ah...it was perfect! We went to the mineral pools at Lava, which was way cool. I can't wait to go back. Then we headed to bear lake, there we spent lots of time just playing in the sun! One of the nights we went to "Pickleville Playhouse" it was hysterical. I highly recommend it. Here are a few quotes from the trip...

"Did I say it? I didn't want too!"

"Denise are you angry?"

"Why aren't you barfing right now?"

"That idea just crawled into my ear and murdered my brain cells."

"I am gymnastical"

Also we can't forget our favorite game of five crown...It was a great girls trip! Can't wait to do it again! :)

Camping with the Barker Clan

2010-07-31T15:59:00.001-07:00

The camping continued for a third week! It was a blast. It is always a party with our good friends, the Barkers. We have camped together forever, and always will. It doesn't matter where we go, we always have a good time playing games, eating, more games, and more eating. This year Steve took us to catch some crawdads. It was so much fun! Then he cooked them all up for us to eat! (I opted out!) Another hit at this years camp was the teeter totter that hugh built! I think I played on it the most! :) It was a great camp! Can't wait til next year!

Blogger Award!

2010-07-22T14:50:00.001-07:00

Blogger Award

So Mindy tagged me in the blogger award almost a month ago! Yup I am awesome, but here it is! Thanks Mind, you are the best!

Amazing Blogger award

Terms of this award: must list 10 things about yourself, thank the person who gave you this award, and pass it on to 10 wonderful bloggers.

1. I am a nervous Nellie, I worry about anything and everything. I wish I wasn't this way, but sometimes it is a good thing!

2. I hate clutter! It makes me crazy, I can't focus when there is clutter around.

3. I just learned how to fly fish this summer, and I am loving it! (Ok so I have only been one time, but I am dying to go again!)

4. I am teaching second grade at Midway Elementary starting August 26! I am so excited and nervous, and very very anxious! It is going to be an adventure for sure, but I can' t wait to get started.

5. I love camping with my family and friends. It is something my family has always done since I was a baby. I don't know a summer without camping. I hope I never know either! :)

6. I am going to be an aunt in September! I can't wait, she is going to be the cutest little girl ever! Spoiled too! Our family is so excited and can't wait for her to get here!

7. One of my favorite treats to eat is movie theatre popcorn and hot tamales!

8. I have the most incredible family! I can't imagine life not being surrounded by family! I am so grateful for my parents especially, I couldn't have accomplished half of what I have in my life without them. Same goes to Sara, Tyler, and Josh!

9. I am a movie junky. The end.

10. I love seven peaks. I would go everyday if I had the time. I think I love the sun, more than seven peaks!

Now I tag...Lana, Sara, Leslie, Jordan, Jami, Kelsey, Michelle, Wendy and anyone who wants to do this! :)

West Fork Camping & Fishing!

2010-07-11T08:59:00.000-07:00

Lynsee with her baby fish!

I pulled that worm out of the fish! So crazy!

Here are the fishermen hard at work! I don't know that I would be able to fly fish. I lack patience.

Here are the classy bunk beds!

My favorite thing about July is West Fork camping and fishing with the family! It is something that my family has always done since, well, forever really. Whenever I go out there I have so many memories from my childhood of being with my family and friends! This year Lynsee decided to join, which I am so glad she did! We got to camp on Friday, set up, had dinner, and played some cabin rummy! Another family tradition! We then squished into our bunk beds! :) The next morning we went fishing with my brother and dad. That was an adventure for sure! We weren't fishing so we just played on the shore. It was my job to hold the fish after my dad caught them. (just like when I was a little kid!) We also skipped rocks for literally half an hour! So entertaining. After fishing we headed back to camp for some more game playing! It was a great weekend. Can't wait to do it again...good thing I am going again on Friday! :)

Lake Powell or Lake Pal?

2010-07-11T08:52:00.000-07:00

It was another great year at Lake Powell with the Rasband family! Too bad we had to cut it short due to school! We had a good time though! It was so nice to just get away and spend some time relaxing, and doing absolutely NOTHING! I couldn't have asked for a better week. Thanks to all those who made it a blast!

The Summer Fun Continues...

2010-07-11T08:42:00.000-07:00

Holy Crap June is over...My calendar in my bedroom still says May, apparently I can't keep up. Summer is flying by, I can't believe it is July already! My days are packed with school (not so fun!) Seven Peaks, playing with my friends, riding horses with my friends and mom, (I know don't let that surprise you!) trying to prepare my classroom, (where to start?) and running a hundred miles an hour. I can't complain though. I have had a great summer! I don't want it to end but I am anxiously awaiting the fall as I start teaching second grade at Midway Elementary! It will be a great year! Until then I will continue playing non stop and hope to get some work in! :)

Diet Coke, Good Tunes, Good Friends...must be a sunday drive!

2010-06-11T18:14:00.001-07:00

Well now that it is summer, the sunday drives begin! It is still too wet to go very far, but we make it work! Here are some pictures from this last Sunday! There was water everywhere! It was fantastic!

Memorial Day!

2010-06-11T17:58:00.001-07:00

Well what better to do on memorial day than have a weenie roast?! My crazy friends and I headed up to whiskey springs, and enjoyed the evening! After that we relocated and blew up some sobe bottles! Too much fun! It was a great way to kick off summer!

Movie Nights!

2010-06-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I love movies so Denise, Lynsee and I have been going to a movie once a week! I love it, it really is so nice to just not have to worry about anything and just chill at a movie! We went to shrek in 3D. Lynsee and Denise's first time! I loved it, such a great movie!

Oh where oh where has all my time gone???

2010-05-14T21:08:00.000-07:00

Well another month has come and gone, and what have I done? Good question...time is flying by. It needs to slow down a bit, but here is a recap of my month!

Went on a field trip with BrookLin's fourth grade class, to this is the place heritage park! I am breaking into the teaching world! :) Did I mention it was snowing? Freezing!!
Finished another semester! 4.0!
Started a new semester...that is the bummer part!
Planned a surprise retirement party for my dad....he was not happy about it!
Did some bowling with the single's ward! :)
Had a few bon-fires! Welcome Summer..
Got wisdom teeth out, good thing I never have to do that again! :)

I am sure the list could go on and on. I am super busy with school, but it isn't too bad because it's summer and my teachers seem to be pretty lax about assignments. So i can't complain! Yet...

Latest Purchase!

2010-04-15T16:16:00.000-07:00

I have been playing around with the idea of getting a new car for a while now, but I haven't brought myself to buying one, until Monday. Monday morning before I left for school, I asked my parents if we could go down to Salt Lake and LOOK at some cars. They agreed, so we headed down on Monday afternoon. I test drove two cars, I really liked both of them, but wasn't completely sold on them. So we went inside to work out the numbers and for me to make my decision. When we walked into the showroom I saw the perfect 2010 Honda Civic! I loved it, so I got. It is a great car, it still doesn't feel like it is mine yet. But I am glad I bought it, it is a fun change!

DE-JUNKING anyone???

2010-04-06T21:46:00.001-07:00

Well on Friday Tazia came over to my house and I was complaining on how cluttered my room was. F.Y.I don't ever say that in front of her because she will make you go through EVERYTHING!! ha ha it was so good though. I ended up donating six bags of clothes to the D.I. along with other random things that were cluttering my room. My room is now spotless and junk free! Hey it only took three days to go through it all....I am glad I had Tazia to get me started...now moving on to the rest of the house! :) Just kidding...I can't do it anymore!

Easter Weekend

2010-04-06T21:31:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I stayed with the Sorenson kids on Friday night. I don't know if any of you know this or not, but I get bored easily so we made sure to stay busy for the 24 hours I was with them. On Friday night we tried to go bowling, but the bowling alley was packed! So the kids settled for dinner at the Dairy Keen. Then we went home and watched "Where The Wild Things Are" and went to bed. The next morning was the big egg hunt at the event center, so we went. I don't know that I will ever go again....there were so many kids there! Crazy! After that my fabulous mom had the kids over to dye Easter eggs. They loved it. They each dyed a dozen eggs. It was one big mess. But we had fun! Mitchie loved it too! I had a good weekend I sure do love these kids...

Happy Birthday Sara...

2010-03-30T18:44:00.000-07:00

Well it was Sara's birthday on Sunday, and they were in St. George so we met up in Provo at Red Lobster for a birthday celebration! It was a lot of fun! Except for the fact that I HATE seafood. So I had steak. Which was fabulous! Our waiter was hilarious and kept telling my sister it was her 21st birthday. He kept us entertained. Happy Birthday Sara! Love you!

Sir Patrick!

2010-03-24T16:31:00.001-07:00

Well since I am in field and it was St. Patrick's Day we decided to go all out. While our students were at lunch recess, a leprechaun came to visit. He turned the classroom upside down. When the students came in from lunch recess the literally screamed! It was so fun to watch them search for the pot of gold. Later that day they wrote about the fiasco (they had just learned that word) it was hilarious. During recess Miss B. and I played some jump rope. Holy crap, I forgot how hard that was. We had fun, and so did the students. I love third grade, and I am loving field! I can't wait to have my own classroom!

Congratulations, Today Is Your Day!!!

2010-03-24T15:59:00.000-07:00

My dad received an honorable distinguished service award two weekends ago from the Utah State FFA Association. My family decided that we should surprise my dad. So we did just that. It was awesome, my dad was so surprised! Such a well deserved award. My dad has influenced many, not just in Heber or the State of Utah, but across the nation. He is such an example, I love him and I am so grateful for his amazing example! Love ya dad!

I'm Late I'm Late for a very important date!!!

2010-03-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

Well every midnight movie I go to, I say I am never going to another...but guess what, I always go again! I mean who doesn't like staying up til three in the morning? Well Teresa, Brandee, Brianna and I all went to Alice in Wonderland! It was a lot of fun, the best part was that we didn't even have to wait in line! We walked right into the theatre. Next midnight movie...Eclipse!

Going Green...

2010-02-28T17:42:00.000-08:00

So on Friday night Jami mentioned she wanted to go to a jazz game! I love going to the games so I was all for it. We got on smithtix and there really weren't a lot of seats left, so we got on the wonderful classifieds of KSL! :) Found some tickets and headed to the game. We all got a "old-school green shirt" and some trucker hats! So much fun. I love these girls, and it was a great night. Wish we did it more often.

Valentine's Day

2010-02-15T08:53:00.001-08:00

Well it was a great valentine's weekend. The family came home, so we did what we do best and we ate and ate and ate. We also went to state wrestles, and of course made time for some shopping. It was an awesome weekend, and as always went by way too fast. Yesterday we decided to catch an afternoon showing of "Valentine's Day" I love this movie! It was really good. You should all see it! (if you like chick flicks :) ) Hope you all had a great holiday!

21st Birthday!!

2010-01-31T13:17:00.000-08:00

Since my birthday falls around Martin Luther King Day, we usually spend my birthday somewhere other than home! So this year we decided to head south and spend the weekend in Mesquite and spend sometime with my grandparents! Shad, Wendy, and the kids were down there too so it was a party for sure! We went out on the desert in the rangers, and that was really fun. We played lots of games, and then spent a fair amount of time in the casino! It was a great weekend. Thanks to my parents for taking me down, and for all those who made it a great weekend. Can't wait to go again!

Some things never change....

2010-01-08T14:26:00.000-08:00

So last weekend the Sorenson's came over and we pulled the sleds behind the snowmobiles! We had such a great time. I felt like I was a kid again (maybe I never grew up!). I think I may have enjoyed it more than the little kids. It was Shad's goal to get me off the sled and he did just that....a few times actually! Such a great day, can't wait to do it again!

Look fine in 2009

2010-01-02T10:00:00.000-08:00

Well to the surprise of most I am not a New Years Fan. However I still like to party! So i found a few parties to hit up. Lynsee. Kelsey, Andy and I went ice skating it was so much fun! We then went to Andy's for some games food and we played the wii til midnight! At midnight I headed to my second party at Michelle Cole's grandparents house (it's their second home in cobblestone!) It was lots of fun to see old friends. There we ate crepes, and had a bon fire! Lots of fun. It was a great way to kick off a new year. Since I am not huge into new years resolutions I like to look back and reflect on what happened last year!

Completed my associates degree
Started the Elementary Education program at UVU
Went to Lake Powell for my first time (thank you jordan!)
Built a float for UVU.....thank you mom and dad for all your help!
Spent another summer working for the city!
Road tripped to St. George to see Lady A!
Went camping out to the west fork a few times.
Had some great time four wheeling with the troops.....lynsee josh kelsey hayley and klint
My best friend Heather got married, I was lucky enough to be a bridesmaid.
I went to Washington D.C. with UVU what a great trip!
Wasatch High moved to a brand new school, and celebrated 100 years!
I was introduced to Benton Paul at a small concert in Provo!
Went to a few summer rodeos. Always fun.
Had some great times with the Dirty Dozen, too many to name!
Had lots of family time.
Hiked to Stewart Falls....amazing!
Had some great days at seven peaks with Lana Hadly and Cathy!
Spent a few days at the lake with Tazi

Well this isn't a great list! But they are things that stuck out in my mind. It was a great year. Looking forward to another great year.

Nothing like being in your PJ's ALL day!

2010-01-01T23:16:00.000-08:00

I must say that this year may have been one of the best Christmas's ever! Started off on Christmas Eve going to the cemetery with the family and putting ice candles on the graves. (I must say they turned out rather well this year!) I then came home to a great Sulser family party. We get together every year on Christmas Eve, and is always something that I look forward too. Before bed we all opened our Christmas pj's and I put them right on and didn't get out of them until the day after Christmas! It was so great! Christmas day, we woke up opened presents and headed to Grandma and Grandpa Cummings for the traditional breakfast and gift exchange. It was a day filled with family, playing games, and eating delicious food. I have the best family ever!

A party a day is sure to keep me pleasant and plump!

2009-12-29T10:48:00.000-08:00

Well the week before Christmas I had a party every day! It was so much fun. Starting with UVU's kids night on Monday, a trip to temple square on Tuesday, Cohort Party on Wednesday, Party with my momma on Thursday (OK we just were shopping) and my friend party on Friday! It was so much fun. Here are some pictures that highlight each party! At our cohort party we drew names so we did our gift exchange, ate some food, and then played games. We played a game called guess the professor. It was so funny. At my friend party we each had to bring a basket that had a them. For example everything pink, or lazy day, or baby it's cold outside. It was a really fun thing. I ended up with Jami's "as seen on TV" basket, it included a snuggie, (which I wanted so badly) bumpits, and smooth away! It was a great party! On Sunday night before we watched our Christmas movie (we have been watching a Christmas movie every Sunday since the beginning of November) we decided to have a white elephant exchange. So much fun. I got a golden piggy bank! :)

One more down!

2009-12-17T21:14:00.001-08:00

The crew at the Ed psych fair. Gotta love that extra credit!

So much work to be done! We sent this picture to our fifth grade class, to let them know we would rather be with them than taking finals!

The good news is THE SEMESTER IS OVER, the bad news is: I have to go back in three weeks! Just kidding, I really am loving school. My classes are great and I love the girls and ladies in the cohort! We have a good time no matter what we do! This is me when I completed my Junior Teacher Work Sample....a.k.a. a really large assignment. The other picture is of my awesome field partner Teresa Segura....a.k.a. Mrs. Seguro! There is also a group picture, not everyone is in it though! :( Looking forward to a little break however!

Christmas Time is Here again!

2009-12-17T12:43:00.000-08:00

There is nothing better than the holidays! A month that you can party all month long, yup I just love it! This week has been filled with Christmas parties. Starting with Kid's night with Santa on Monday, trip to Temple Square on Tuesday, Cohort party on Wednesday, Christmas shopping with mom on Thursday, and party with the Dirty Dozen on Friday! I can't believe Christmas is in a week. I feel like it was just Christmas. This year has gone by so fast. Looking forward to the Holiday!

Gobble til ya wobble....

2009-11-26T10:20:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is one day of the year that you can EAT all day long, and feel ok about it! I have always loved Thanksgiving. To me it isn't all about the food, but it is the time that I get to spend with my family. From this day til the end of the year we will find ourselves playing games on a nightly basis, watching movies, and of course eating yummy food. I have a lot to be thankful for. Including my amazing family and friends. My list can go on and on. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I forgot to mention one of my favorite events that is associated with Thanksgiving, BLACK FRIDAY, what a crazy day. I look forward to this shopping event all year!

Visiting our Nation's Capital!

2009-11-25T22:56:00.000-08:00

I know it has taken me forever to get post pictures from my trip, but I am finally getting around to it! I was lucky enough to visit Washington D.C. for a third time. I traveled with UVU Student Government. I was a little nervous at first, but ended up having such a great time. I got to meet a lot of great people, and see some great sites. This trip to D.C. was very different than my previous two. This time I was able to see and visit wherever I wanted to. One thing that was a must see was Arlington Cemetery, what an amazing place. It was so beautiful with the fall colors. I also wanted to visit some of the Smithsonian exhibits. I also saw some new attractions like the electronic super highway at one of the art museums. We also spent some time at the capitol meeting with senators and representatives. It was way cool to do this. (I kinda felt important). My time in D.C. went by so quickly. I really love the city life, but it was nice to come home.

Happy Halloween!!

2009-10-31T11:04:00.000-07:00

All I can say is I have the BEST cohort! We really do have such a great time! We decided to dress up this week for the college's dress up day! (When I say we decided I really mean I made them dress up to support student government) They are so great! I am going to miss them all when we are in field! Teresa won the best costume (bird lady) contest! With Lindsey, or should I say Stacey in second! It was a fun day! Thanks for dressing up gals!

Hilarious Hypnotist!

2009-10-21T17:48:00.000-07:00

On November 12, at 7:30 PM UVU Wasatch Campus is hosting a hypnotist show featuring Shawn Paulsen! It is going to be FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! It is only $3 or $2 if you wear green! Please come. It isn't just for students, it is a community event. Tell everyone! See you there!

Had a Great Trip...see you next FALL!!

2009-09-28T15:15:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a great weekend I had, I got lots of time in the great outdoors! I love the fall, I could have fall year round. (well maybe) So on Saturday Hayley, Lynsee, Kelsey, Clint, Josh, and I loaded up the 4-wheelers, grabbed some snacks and headed up snake creek for a GREAT ride. The leaves were beautiful. I am so lucky to live in such a stunning valley! We had so much fun, and then we all met up at josh's and had tinfoil dinners, which contained all homegrown vegtables....thanks josh! Then on Sunday I went hiking with Michelle, and the kids! We hiked up to Stewart Falls. It was also stunning. The colors were awesome! It was a great hike too. Perfect for a Sunday Afternoon. Hope you like the pictures! I just couldn't choose what ones to use so you get them all! Enjoy the fall weather it might not last long! :(

Na Na Na Na BATMAN!!!

2009-09-28T11:55:00.000-07:00

It is true I was bat woman for a day! For UVUSA's fall retreat the theme was super heroes. We decided to go with batman, no particular reason why. We had a blast and we won the prize for being the most unified team! We are awesome! I love the W.C.

Alive???? Barely!!!!

2009-09-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

Well I have been very very very busy, and school is cutting into my blogging time! :) I now have FOUR blogs...how will I ever keep up? I am not quite sure but it will be fun, to use blogger for some of my classes. School really is going great, I have great teachers, and a fun group that i get to spend all of my time with! I need to get back into the routine of things! Hope everything is going good for all of you! :) I will hopefully get some fun stuff up here soon....

Busy Busy Busy

2009-08-12T17:51:00.000-07:00

Holy crap summer is almost over! I start school in two weeks from today I don't know if I am ready for it yet...I guess I will have to be! So this Month has been crazy busy packed with lots of fun. Here are a few things I have been up to...

Went camping with the family! (A few times)
Put 300 miles on my scooter...just can't get enough of it!
Made a quick road trip to St. George to see Lady A!
Had lots of fun at the fair. ( But not as much fun as I did when I was younger)
Went to the Kimball Arts Arts Festival...thank you holly! :)
Went on a student government retreat!
Been in three parades...one more to go
Went boating a few times

Here is what is left to do before school starts! :)

Float the Provo River
Float the canal...is that still legal?
Make it to seven peaks one last time
Have a girls weekend
Do some school shopping

Camping and all if its many suprises! :)

2009-07-19T14:12:00.000-07:00

What can I say great minds think a like!

I so didn't want to go camping! My family was up there and they wanted me to come straight up when I got home from Lake Powell. Boy am I glad I did! I got the best news ever! I was so excited I couldn't stop yelling! It was too funny. We are so excited for the baby and can't wait til it gets here. Can it be February yet? :)

My first trip to POWELL!!!!

2009-07-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

Rainbow Bridge....one of the seven wonders ya know!
Lake Powell baths are my favorite! And we make excellent shampoo girls!

It was so hot we were in the water constanly!

Cooking Dinner and enjoying the A.C.

I couldn't have asked for a better summer vacation! I also can't believe that I have lived for twenty years, and never experienced lake powell! CRAZY! We spent a week on the lake! We did all sorts of fun stuff, and never had a dull moment! Thanks to Jordan, and her family for taking me! I will never forget it!

I DID IT....with a little help!

2009-07-19T13:37:00.000-07:00

Thats right I built this float! It was a lot of work but it was so much fun! I couldn't have done it with out my parents, we spent a lot of hours in the shop working on this! It turned out great! Everyone at our first parade loved it! Only 3 more to go! Go UVU! Thanks to everyone who helped me out!

Feelin some LOVE at the Bees Game...

2009-06-26T09:10:00.001-07:00

A week ago the singles ward took us to a Bees game! I was so excited to go because last year Jordan and I drove seperately and then they didn't let us in because we were to late! So this year we drove down with the ward to make sure we got in! It was a blast! I love baseball...and I want to go back very soon!

My Best Friends Wedding....

2009-06-18T23:41:00.001-07:00

Once again..all of us fighting for the bouquet...to bad the twelve year old got it!

Just a fun picture with my pretty flowers!

The Girls! Love them!

My very best friend and I!

The happy couple! Couldn't ask for a better guy for my BFF!

Weddings, Weddings, Weddings...Crazy that I had two of them within the same week! So exciting! I was a bridesmaid at Heather's wedding which was so much fun! I am so happy for her and Tyson. They had such a wonderful Day! So glad I got to be apart of it!

The first to go...

2009-06-18T22:48:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it has taken me so long to blog about all the exciting events in my life! The first being one of my best friends wedding! Jess got married in May (I know I am a slacker!) She was the first one out of our group of girls to get married! She had a beautiful reception, and it was lots of fun! I caught the bouquet..but that doesn't mean much because I am definitely not the next one to be married..heather took care of that one for me!

What a Week!

2009-05-10T15:03:00.000-07:00

This week has been so busy, but so great! I went down to St. George for a student council retreat. It was a ton of fun! I met lots of fun people and I am really looking forward to the upcoming school year. On saturday we had a bridal shower for my best friend Heather! It was so much fun! She is so funny, we seriously laughed all day! Then we went and played at the tumbling gym! It is our favorite thing to do! Really no matter what we are doing we have the best time! As you can see I have had a lot going on, but now I don't really have a lot going on...what am I going to do with all my spare time. Sleep perhaps? :) Thats all for now!

My Life Lately...

2009-05-04T09:25:00.001-07:00

Life has been a little crazy the past few weeks! I finished another semester of school, and it feels great! For our student sucess class we had a birthday party for shad and I suprised him with the game of "This is your life" I brought lots of different things that represented him, and this picture is him sporting his FFA jacket....it doesn't fit as well as it once did! I also went to Lana's graduation. It was awesome! Not a lot of new and exciting events in my life just can't wait for summer...IF it will ever come!

Jenaology

2009-04-23T07:50:00.000-07:00

Let others know a little more about yourself, re-post this as your namefollowed by "ology".

***********FOODOLOGY***************
What is your salad dressing of choice?*CafeRio Ranch, or home made ranch
What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?*Outback Steakhouse
What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?*Pizza
What are your pizza toppings of choice?*Canadian bacon and lots of cheese!
What do you like to put on your toast?*butter or peanut butter, depends on the day

***********TECHNOLOGY***************
How many televisions are in your house?*Four
What color is your cell phone?*Black

***************BIOLOGY******************
Are you right-handed or left-handed?*right
Have you ever had anything removed from your body?* My Gallbladder
What was the last heavy item you lifted?* My dads motorbike (I love that thing)
Have you ever been knocked unconscious?* Yes one time in cheer...gotta love stunting.

************BULLCRAPOLOGY**************
If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?* Yeah it would be nice so I could plan accordingly, but then I would worry about it if I really did know.

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?* I wouldn't change it, just add another N so people would stop calling me Gina!

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?* NO!

************DUMBOLOGY******************
How many pairs of flip flops do you own?* I have too many to count!
Last time you had a run-in with the cops?* A couple months ago...speeding.
Last person you talked to?* Heather
Last person you hugged?*Heather

**************FAVORITOLOGY****************
Season?*Summer! I love the SUN
Holiday?*Christmas
Day of the week?*Friday!
Month?*June

***********CURRENTOLOGY*****************
Missing someone?*My sister, and her hubby!
Mood?*Tired! My mom is just so loud in the mornings!
What are you listening to?*Jon and Kate plus 8...I love that show!
Watching?*John and Kate..
Worrying about?*Finals...so stressful

***************RANDOMOLOGY*****************
First place you went this morning?*The bathroom?? I haven't left yet!
What's the last movie you saw?*Seven Pounds
Do you smile often?*Yes
Sleeping Alone Tonight?*Yes.

***************OTHER-OLOGY*****************
Do you always answer your phone?*Most of the time unless my phone doesn't ring..which happens all the time.
Its four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?*One of my friends from high school who just needs to talk!
If you could change your eye color what would it be?*I don't know more blue...
What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic?*Fresh Lime!
Do you own a digital camera?*yes.
Do you have a pet fish?*No, I always did when I was little though
Favorite Christmas song(s)* Song for a Winters Night/And the Angels Cried
What's on your wish list for your birthday?*No idea, I usually don't have one for my b-day because it is right after Christmas...
Can you do push ups?*Yes
Can you do a chin up?*maybe a half of one
Does the future make you more nervous or excited?*Both..can't wait to finish school, but nervous for the next step!
Do you have any saved texts?*No
Ever been in a car wreck?*Yes
Do you have an accent?*NO
What is the last song to make you cry?*I don't know it has happened in a while!
Plans tonight?*Babysitting the Sorenson kids!
Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?*Yeah but it probably really wasn't rock bottom!
Name 3 things you bought yesterday.*Headbands, basketball shorts, and baby clothes!Have you ever been given roses?*Yes!
Current worry?*Is the economy going to turn around, and can a really do a triatholon?
Current hate right now?* Not having enough time or money!
Met someone who changed your life?* Yes lots.
How will you bring in the New Year?*I am sure I will end up at some crazy party...I hate new years.
What song represents you?* Currently~The best days of your life! Kellie Pickler
Name three people who might complete this?*? Michelle, Kelsey, and Jordan
Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?*No--
Do you have any tattoos/piercings?*Piercings. Ears.
Will you be in a relationship 4 months from now?*I don't know probably not!
Would you be a pirate?*Nope
What songs do you sing in the shower?*Whatever is playing on my ipod or on the radio.
Ever had someone sing to you?*Yes.
When did you last cry?* On thursday, when I was in the hospital! Not fun...
Are you afraid of being alone?*Yes, I am a bit of a scardy cat!
Do you like to cuddle?*Yes. Always.
Have you held hands with anyone today?*Nope.
Who was the last person you took a picture of?* Jaxon.
What kind of music did you listen to in elementary school?* Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Nsync. I loved them!
Do you believe in staying close with your ex?*No!!!
Are most of the friends in your life new or old?*Mostly old..I have the best friends from high school. All though I have made new friends and I love them too.
Do you like pulpy orange juice?*Um...not so much
What is something your friends make fun of you for? One time I saw this really cute bag, and i said "this bag screams Jena" I will never live it down. I hate it!
I tag Mindy, Katie, Wendy, Chelle, Kels, Jordan..who ever wants to do this!

A night with the Dirty Dozen :)

2009-04-20T21:26:00.000-07:00

Well I have the best friends in the whole world! We were nick-named the Dirty Dozen, and it has stuck ever since! So all of my friends came into town a couple weekends ago, and my parents were out of town so we decided to have a PARTY! Just what we do best! We had some amazing DEW burgers, campfire, and lots of CHIT-CHATTING! It was so much fun and just what I needed! P.S. Not really sure why it cut of the edges of the pics but I will work on fixing that :)

St. George Weekend!

2009-04-20T21:15:00.000-07:00

Well since it was Linzee's birthday, we decided to celebrate and head down to not so sunny St. George! It wasn't as warm as I would have like it to be, but we did get one day of SUNSHINE! I didn't care much though because it was a much needed getaway! We watched Marley and Me at least five times thanks to Jami :) Drove around for at least an hour looking for someone to do gel toes! And did lots of shopping, and of course EATING!

2009-03-31T12:49:00.000-07:00

So this last Saturday I had quite the adventure! I went to the "FESTIVAL OF COLORS" it was at Kirshna Temple in Spanish Fork. I had never even heard of this temple before so I had no idea what to expect. As we were driving there were cars everywhere. So we had to park five miles away and walk up to the temple. We got there right at the final countdown, so when they counted down everyone threw colored chalk in the air. It was so thick you could barely even breathe! It was everywhere! There were so many people that we all got seperated. So I spent the last hour and a half searching for Jami and Bryton! Finally I met up with Bryton, and then we found jami! So i think I will go again but now I will know what to expect and how to get the most out of it! All in all it was pretty fun! Here are a few pics to help show what it was like!

Hey Baby Lets Go To Vegas!

2009-03-04T21:48:00.000-08:00

I finally have made time to get pictures up of our FUN trip to Vegas. I went down with my cousins Hadly and Lana, and Aunt Cathy! I love going on trips with them. We always have so much fun. We had so much fun just relaxing, and not really doing a whole lot! We spent lots of time at the cheer competition (that was the whole reason in going!) Some of the fun things we did were: Play Sing Star in the mall, Lana and I had lots of people stop and watch as we jammed out to Britney Spears! We got an awesome Make Over at Sephora! Ate at In and Out (my fav. place!) Lost some $$$$.....(that wasn't so much fun!) We stayed at the Treasure Island, the rooms were so nice we didn't want to leave! But when we did leave we drove until 3:30 A.M. it was crazy I don't know how we did it! Thanks for taking me I had so much fun!!!

2009-02-25T09:40:00.000-08:00

Here are the Rules:
1)Post rules on your blog
2)Answer the six "8" items

8 Favorite TV Shows:
1. Biggest Loser
2. So You Think You Can Dance
3. The Hills
4. The O.C (even though its over, I still watch it!)
5. John and Kate Plus 8
6. American Idol
7. Saved By The Bell
8. CMT (usually in the morning while I am getting ready!)

8 Things I did Yesterday:
1. Woke up at 6, and got the kids ready for school.
2. Went to school, and got a 100% on my oceanography paper :)
3. Went to Fresh for lunch!
4. Played Karaoke
5. Made dinner
6. Watched the biggest loser
7. Did Homework
8. Went to bed EARLY!

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:
1. Friday!!
2. Summer!
3. Spring Break
4. Going swimmin tomorrow
5. Graduating from college! (two more years!)
6. Being an aunt! (one day...this is for you bean!)
7. Having a whole day of sleep.
8. Lunch? :)

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Cafe Rio
2. Olive Garden
3. Outback
4. Texas Road House
5. Jimmy Johns
6. Chili's
7. Tucanos
8. Los Hermanos

8 Things on My Wish List:
1. $$$
2. A new Car
3. More Time
4. A niece or nephew :) (ha ha sara, you started it on your top 8)
5. To have a 4.0 GPA
6. To have tan skin year long
7. To get a full tuition Scholarship
8. Not pay for books...

8 People I Tag:
1. Katie
2. Wendy
3. Lana
4. Rachel
5. anyone
6. anyone
7. um, ya apparently I'm not that popular!
8. AND ANYONE WHO WANTS TO WHO READ THIS

"Where A Kid Can Be A Kid!"

2009-02-15T12:43:00.000-08:00

We went to " Suck-E-Seese" for Braylons 4th birthday! It was my first time going, and it was lots of fun! We played games for hours (or so it seems) Hadly and Aut got a thousand tickets each! They were addicted to the games! Braylon was so excited for his birthday! Thanks for inviting me it was lots of fun!

Friday Night Tubing!

2009-02-14T12:17:00.000-08:00

Last Friday the college booked Soldier Hollow Tubing Hill for a private party. We had a great turn out. At first the tubing hill was really slow because of all of the rain, but by the end of the night it got faster and it was lots of fun. Here are just a few pics from that night.

Celebrating 2 Decades!

2009-01-24T15:51:00.000-08:00

Early birthday celebration at our favorite PF Changs!

We made the cute waiter take our picture....he loved us!

My favortie "funfetti" birthday cake! Oakley and I loved licking the frosting off the candles! :) (more oak than me though!)

Me and adorable little oakley!

Family dinner at Chili's!

The BEST desseret ever! Chocolate Molten Cake

Me and my sista you can tell by the look in her eyes how much she loves it when I make her take pictures with me!!!

My Birthday was very close to MLK day so we had a four day celebration! It was so fun! thanks to sara for letting us come up and play! We had a blast....like we always do. Whenever we get together we think of a million things we are going to do and then we always get about half of them done before we are out of time! Oh well! Thanks to jordan and cass, for having an early Birthday with me, we had planned for more to be there but it just doesn't work out when we are all over the state! All in all I had an amazing birthday! But I am sure next year will be even better! HA HA 21 baby!

Looking Back on 2008!

2009-01-11T21:19:00.000-08:00

I always feel like when a new year starts I get so caught up in making ridiculous new years resolutions, and forget to look back a recognize all of the great things that happened in the last year so I though I would do that! Here are some of the fun/crazy/exciting/stressful events of 2008!

Transferred to UVU from USU and loving it!
Worked at an Elementary school, learned a lot about myself!
Passed the PRAXIS Test....barely :)
Learned how to sew...Thanks Mindy
Received my American FFA Degree, thanks to my Dad!!
Went to Disneyland for the first time since I was four or five
Bought way to many movies! Its an addiction.
Ate at the Steak n' Shake in INDY!
Went 80's dancing....once is good enough for me.
Cut a perfect Christmas tree. (Well at least I think so..)
Spent lots of quality time with the fam! (bros, sis, cousins, aunts, uncles, the whole crew!)
Made a huge slip-n-slide at the school, and played on it for hours :)
Put a few to many miles on my car!
Voted for my first time!
Worked lots.
Wrecked my pedal bike...thanks to linz for rescuing me!
Went to at least three concerts....I love them!
Completed two semesters of school!
Learned how to drive a dirt bike...it took lots of practice!
Went to Bear Lake for the first time.
Was in too many parades!
Had some awesome GNO's!

I can't believe the year is over. It was such a great year, of course this isn't everything I did but the ones that stick out the most. I hope this new year is as good as the last! Hope you all have an amazing new year too!

2009-01-01T18:48:00.000-08:00

Well my new years eve started of pretty low key. I just wanted to stay home and play with the fam, but my friends convinced me to go to a Redneck/White Trash Party it was actually really fun even though I was not as dressed up as everyone else! Here are just a few pictures! ENJOY!

FuN fIlLeD WeEk!

2009-01-01T17:02:00.000-08:00

Ever since Christmas my family has been inseperable. It seems that every night we all up at my house eating anything and everything, and playing the wii or singstar! It is a blast we all fight over who gets to play first! It has been so much fun, we also went bowling. Then on Sunday it was Dexter's farewell, there were so many people there. He will be such a great missionary! We will all miss him a ton though!

2008-12-29T09:49:00.000-08:00

Christmas was so great this year. Tyler and Sara were able to be here so we had lots of fun. We got a wii for christmas, and my grandma even loved it. Sara and Lee had fun playin with B's play dough. :) All in all it was a fabulous Christmas I can't believe it is over so soon!

Ice Candles

2008-12-29T09:32:00.000-08:00

This year I TRIED to make ice candles. Only a few worked out, but I know what to do differently for next year.

This is my amazing family, minus a few.

Uncle Deans grave nicely decorated on christmas eve.

We have always gone to the cememetery on Christmas Eve this year was great! Even if we did freeze...

Friends+Party= Christmas Fun!!!

2008-12-23T12:15:00.000-08:00

We played the present game! We stole what we wanted! It is all about how you play the game!

Just hanging out!

Just being silly! We all think Heather is getting married so we made a joke of it! :)

Just all of us! (don't know why the picture turned sideways.....oops)

2008-12-13T11:17:00.000-08:00

Jordan and I sporting our jazz attire...

Jordan invited me to go to the jazz game with her and her parents. It was so much fun, we made it on the big screen three different times! it was great! Thanks for inviting me I had a blast!

Santas Little Helpers!!

2008-12-13T10:57:00.000-08:00

Mr. Clause, the little ones and I!

Linz and I! Don't we look great? Katies kids informed us that we looked like "weirdys". Ha Ha thats ok though we can take it!

Last Monday night was kids night up at the college. We decided that we should dress up as elves for this event! It was lots of fun and we got to sit on santa's lap! :)

The Perfect Christmas Tree!

2008-12-05T12:36:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday my dad decided he wanted to go cut our Christmas trees, so I decided I wanted to go too! We loaded up the four wheeler and we were on our way. It was so cold, but is was so pretty everything was covered with snow, it made me want the snow :) We got stuck a few times and I was of no help so I just took the pictures. We finally found some trees, cut them down and headed home for some hot chocolate! It was lots of fun to spend some time with my dad.

Thanksgiving & Black Friday!!!

2008-11-28T17:45:00.000-08:00

So we are crazy and decided to head to Orem at midnight to start our "Black Friday Shopping" We packed lots of Diet Coke, some blankets and pillows and we attempted sleeping in Lana's car but it didn't go so well. We ended up getting in line at 3 a.m. freezing our butts off for some good deals! We got lots of stuff and it was way fun. We can't wait until next year!

Thanksgiving was DELICIOUS! After, we kicked off our tradtional card game "Cabin Rummy" After a little family fued, all had fun....well I don't know if "all" had fun, but I sure did!