Here Comes the Bride...

There are a few things that keep me from losing all perspective. For the past year, one of the biggest has been my single girlfriends. It may be because I certainly envy the freedom that they still possess...but mostly it is because they are so fun, such wonderful amazing women! Well, as they say, another one bites the dust.

Carrie and I hosted a bridal shower for Jen on Friday night. Nothing too fancy, just dinner and a party at the Marriott...I just want you to know that I made the pink (and white for the bride) boas. Yeah, that's how much I love this girl. We looked so hot and everyone in that restaurant totally wanted to be a part of our party. I am so lucky to have such loyal, warm and loving women in my life. I love you Jen, Carrie, Stacie, Loralee, Melanie, Suz, Trish, (Barb in spirit), Ashley, Kim, and Laura. Thank you for a great night!

A group photo in the Marriott lobby...

Carrie leading a group discussion during the book review portion of the night. She felt that #180 may be slightly uncomfortable. From the look on her face, however, you can tell that #87 ("The Hoover") was just completely unrealistic....ha.ha.ha. I love you Carrie! I edited these so that you wouldn't be "judged" unfairly. ha.ha.ha.

Maybe Jen can wear this maid outfit while she is trying out her new housekeeping skills??

This was my favorite picture of this night.

Jen, I am so happy for you. I'm glad that you finally found the right person. Oh, and you'll have to post the other pictures on your own blog so that I won't be "judged".ha.ha.ha. XOXOXOXO

Spoiler Alert!

I know that there are a few of you out there who haven't finished the book. Too bad.
And here it is...a non-professional critical review of Breaking Dawn: Again, I am a fan of the series--probably even more now that I am a mom. Most of that is due to the fact that on any given day I would trade all of this to run away with a totally hot vampire and have some real adventure in my life. Adventure that doesn't involve wiping anyone's butt for at least six or seven months. For those of you who haven't started on the series (Sara Jane)--just do it. What's the worst that can happen? Your watch gets flushed down the toilet while you are trying to read about a vampire's love child?? Face facts, its going to happen anyway. Honestly, I think that you would have fun reading them.

Hum, where to begin...I have to say that I REALLY wanted to give this book the ultimate recommendation, but I just couldn't because I felt like there should have been a few chapters dedicated to Edward's point of view. Jacob, Jacob, Jacob,...come on already, we all know that Edward is the real hero of the story, let's see it from his perspective! I do have to give Meyer credit for putting in the alternate perspective. It makes for good literary connections and it gives you a break from Bella's martydom. I loved the wedding. I liked the honeymoon. I was a bit disappointed in the old lusty seduction category. The other books were better written when it came to this part. I didn't need any graphic sex, but to flip the page and have it be the next day...aauuggh. (now, I read your review Brooke and I think that you have been in Young Women's too long--ha.ha, those of us who just sit in the foyer need a little more spice than that!) Okay, what else...oh, I was totally excited about the pregnancy until Edward slipped into a literary coma. His thoughts, feelings, um, gone?? I was also a bit disappointed that Jacob didn't imprint on Leah. What the heck was that whole story line about if she wasn't ever even mentioned in the book after the baby was born?? Meyer wasted a ton of time talking about all of that when she should have spent a little more time on the ending. I didn't mind the name Renesmee until they shortened it to Nessie. barf bag, please. I loved the cottage that Esme gave them. I loved the descriptions of what changed for her when she became a vampire --that was my favorite part of the book. I also had kind of figured that she would be able to overcome her "man-eating" tendencies so I was fine with that, but I thought that Meyer cop'd out when she pulled in the whole "tell Charlie" bit. It should have just been a family secret. Bella should have had something to sacrifice. The ending of this book was the hardest part for me because it felt like a high school term paper. Like the student had dug a big hole and then realized that he was almost at the limit of the number of pages so he wrapped it all up with a big "all-righty" at the end.
Overall, I liked it. The hardest part was that I didn't tear into it for a second time. I was able to read it over a couple of nights instead of pulling an all-nighter...I couldn't say that about the other three. AND...I thought of at least a half-dozen other ways the book could have gone to make it more satisfying. Nonetheless, I give it 4 out of five stars and a high recommendation.

Feel free to post your comments on the book. I would love to hear others book reviews!!

So Sleepy...

I did it. I read the series before Friday night...and then I read Breaking Dawn on Saturday. I'm going to wait a couple of days to post an official review (can't talk about it without spoiling it for others). I will say that I gave it 4 stars (out of 5). I liked it. I liked them all... I have to say that I am liking it even more the second time, yeah, I'm half way through it again. I had to read it again so that I would do it slower and not worry so much about what I didn't know about the ending. It's just as good.

I only wish that someone like (director) Peter Jackson would do the movies. He did such an amazing job with Lord of the Rings...I wouldn't have thought it possible to make those movies so believable. I'm nervous that the movie is going to really suck. I'm excited for the movie, but not so impressed with the trailers that I've seen. At any rate, I've had my vampire fix...I suppose that it will be back to nonfiction by Wednesday.

Goodbye Reality...

I spent the past three days pouring through two books that will give me something to think about for the rest of my life. I must, however, let you all know that I am changing literary direction for the next 10 days. Yes, folks, it has arrived. The time when I leave the real world for vampires and teen lust. I will be ignoring my children, leaving the house a mess, and walking around like a zombie (no sleeping)...as I tear through the Twilight Series (again, yes, again), in preparation for the book release of Breaking Dawn on August 2nd. On August 3rd, I probably won't be at church. Well, probably is a loose term. You can count me out until I have read the last word of Bella and Edward's struggle for true love.

It's sick. I know it. I don't even care.

Just as a preliminary prediction, Jacob is going to find true love somewhere else and it will have a very happy ending for him too. AND, here's hoping that the teen lust factor gets bumped up a notch (yeah, Carrie--that's what I mean). ha.ha.ha.

Don't worry family. I should return around the middle of next month--if I don't have to read the new book twice (although, here's to hoping that it is so good that I do!!)

The Last Lecture

The Last Lecture,

written by Randy Pausch.
My Highest Recommendation.
I laid awake in bed for an hour after finishing this book. This book will ask you to take a hard look at your own life and the legacy you wish to leave. Remove all eye makeup before starting...

To Randy Pausch, what an incredible gift you have given to your children and so many people--even strangers like me. As an educator, I was so touched by the genuine "knowledge" you offered to your students. In our office we call that a Master Teacher. You, sir, would get that award from me should we ever meet. It was a humbling experience for me to learn something from you. The separation you have from your wife and children will seem but a moment, and I know that you will have all the rest of eternity to teach each other what you have learned in this life.

Favorite Quote (and truth):

"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

To see an update on Randy, check out this website.

Tank Tops and Tube Tops

Since it was the kids first time at Lagoon we started them out on what appeared to be a benign little ride called "Bulgy the Whale". Wrong. That ride took off like a rocket! The look of confusion on Jack's face was priceless and I thought Lachlan was going to bend the side of the ride she was gripping it so tight. They loosened up after four or five times around and we got them to actually make eye contact a couple of times as they whizzed past us. A good start to a fun day!

On the bumper cars, Lachlan didn't turn the wheel enough to go forward or backward and ended up spinning in circles the entire time. She still got in a few good licks to the kids that couldn't steer around her.

This boat ride was more Jack's style and I think he actually started to enjoy the ride. Notice the blue plush puppy he is gripping. A crusty worker (maybe) in a golf cart handed it to him as we were walking in the parking lot. It was quite a comfort to him. The more nervous he got on a ride the tighter he would grip his puppy. (p.s. he is sleeping with his puppy tucked under his chin every night. They bonded during their adventure)
The bee. Maybe next year Lachlan will figure out how to make it go up and down.Lachlan, excited to be on the roller coaster.

Jack, not excited for the roller coaster

Lachlan ran to the front of the line for another ride.

The log ride was relaxing until that little drop at the end that caught the kids by surprise! The second time around Jack was "all done, mama!" as soon as we started up the hill.

Lachlan really got into the spirit of this ride with her arms up the entire time.

We all loved the view from the ferris wheel.

If I had to guess, Lachlan's favorite ride at Lagoon was the Tilt-O-Whirl. The faster it would spin the more she would laugh. As you can see from this picture, Jack was "all done" before it even started. Lachlan got upset when the ride was over and we told her we needed to move on.

Toward the end of the day, anytime we would get in line, Jack would immediately tell us he was "all done". Even this train ride was a little nerve racking - poor kid.

The last ride of the day was the carousel.
On the way out of the park, we stopped at the water fountain. Jack really enjoyed this part of Lagoon.

The end of a busy day. I think Jack's nerves were shot. The kids fell asleep in their car seats about 2 minutes after we left.

First Fish!

Last week the Murray side of the family went camping at Tony Grove Lake in Logan canyon. We didn't stay overnight with them but we did go up and spend an evening. The highlight for Lachlan was fishing with Grandpa.



When we got to the lake, papa was already fishing on the other side of the lake with a bunch of the other grandkids. By the time Lachlan and Jack walked around the lake pointing out all of the "wa wa" and "bugs" most of the others were starting to clear out to get ready for dinner. Papa made sure L had a chance to hold the fishing pole and reel in the line a few times. She thought that was pretty cool even though she kept winding the reel the wrong way until the handle fell off. But she really wanted to "catch a feesh".

L didn't quite understand why saying over and over that she wanted to catch a fish wasn't bringing in the big one and Jack was even less excited about learning the art of kicking back and waiting for the fish to bite. We only spent 10 or 15 minutes with grandpa putting bait on the hook and casting in a few times and after taking some pictures decided that it wasn't going to be our day. But as we were just about to leave, L's cousin got a bite on her pole and let L reel in her first fish! She was so excited!



Jack was not impressed with fishing but did find a good rock back at camp to climb and jump off.

Baby Shower

Friends and Family:
Lest you have forgotten, the babies shower for Erica will be held at my home on Friday from 11-2PM. I will wipe down the bathrooms with a Clorox wipe, vacuum the carpet and put the cats in the garage. Small children are welcome as I have no one to watch mine and they will be present...the more the merrier.

Food catered by Costa Vida (saw your blog Val and thought that I would mention that you can kill two birds with one stone at this gathering). There will also be chips and salsa and plenty of seating (especially if you like folding chairs and or the living room carpet).

Free Parking.
Sweatpants welcome.

While Rose Was Away...

The kids decided that we needed to go on a hike with the scouts so we headed up Logan canyon. At Tony Grove lake, we hiked up the side hill to Polygamist cave. Here are L and J in their backpacks getting tanked up on Gatorade and candy at the trail head:


The trail was still covered with snow and it had been a few years since I last visited the cave so it took a little longer than I expected to find it. Luckily the scouts were very persistent and we eventually found the cave. Here are L and J tanking up on treats to celebrate finding the cave:


Here we are enjoying the scenery in front of the cave. I didn't get any pictures inside the cave because I didn't have a real camera with a flash but L really loved the big "hole" and wanted stay inside and continue exploring. I thought it was actually a little cold so we came out before everyone else and sat in the sun enjoying the scenery. It was really nice weather and a lot of fun.

Here is a picture of us heading back down the trail from the cave. You can see the snow off in the distance that was still covering the actual trail. We made it down safely and had a lot of fun.

L talked about the "big hole" we visited for a couple of days. We'll have to go back and visit it again. The cave is quite large with a few back caverns to explore and the flowers should be about ready to bloom in the next couple of weeks. Let me know if you are interested in going with us and we'll plan a day to go up and do the short but steep hike.