advice.

vegas baby!

i went on a much needed "escape from the frozen tundra of the provo bubble" adventure to las vegas last weekend with chad's family and had a fabulous time [although i really do understand now why its called "sin city" ew!!] it was so nice to break away from wendy's and the cannon center and finally eat normal food, explore vegas, and spend time with the fam! chad, derek, and i left school thursday afternoon to road trip it down there.

the bellagio light show on our way into town!



derek checked into the hotel and chad and i went and got his mom from the airport, then stopped at walgreens to stock up on snacks, and by "stock up" i mean we literally filled a whole shopping cart full of food for the weekend (and ran out of cereal a day later). we went back to the hotel and talked for a while, which is always so funny when karen and the boys get together, especially after 11 PM! friday we walked around downtown, did a little "special shopping" at the coke store, ate lunch, and walked some more!

friday night we went to the criss angel magic show.  if you're ever considering attending this show ... unconsider.  so unimpressive!! you could see the ropes he was attached to, his assistants were obviously moving things around, opening boxes, and unattaching ropes while he was talking, pretty much we just sat there on the verge of a seizure from the horrid lights they flashed to distract us and knew how almost every trick was done.  and honestly from the gross music he played and his attitude, i had a sneak preview of what it may feel like if i don't make it to the celestial ... motivation enough for me!

the strip at night!

when we got back to the hotel, we ordered pizza and i taught everyone to play speed skip-bo which led to many heated games, and ....... we made use of karen's coca-cola store purchases! probably one of the funnier nights i've had!

although this may be misleading ... its dr. pepper and diet coke

[you might need to scroll all the way down to the bottom and pause the music if you want to hear]

saturday morning, chad's dad flew in from texas and we spent most of the day walking around the rest of the strip we didn't get to friday.  the bellagio really is insane ... it's crazy how much they can fit into one building and how over the top it all is! caesar's palace was equally amazing, with a full size mall inside of it and just SO big.   after walking around we went back to the hotel and layed out by the pool ... on top of the hotel (in february!!!!), and listened to the BYU basketball game which we won!

i think its safe to say this man had a rough night ... sadly you can't see his black eye

saturday night, chad's parents went and saw the donny and marie show while chad, derek, and i went to the lion king broadway.  we tipped a very kind usher a couple bucks to move us down a whole section to the handicap seats which made a HUGE difference and it was seriously one the most amazing shows i've ever seen! the costumes and singing and stage were just incredible, please go if you haven't!!

courtesy of google images ... but really? check out those animals!!

sunday morning we went to church ... in quite an interesting ward (lets just say the "youth" speaker who was really the bishop's wife not once looked up while reading her very basic talk and there were many what we would call "old fashioned" members, but also very happy and welcoming.) afterwards we ate lunch at the bellagio buffet, and then drove home! it was so nice just to get away from provo for the weekend and be in warm, sunny weather and be carefree for a couple days!! thank you so much to chad's wonderful parents for the weekend and it was so fun to see you! i am starting to think i should do weekend adventures more often! can't wait for my roadtrip to california with my mom and chad in april! :)

happy birthday dad!

dad's birthday was monday, valentines day ;) but i've been so busy this week i haven't really had free time to just blog it up ... so here is your birthday post dave!!

10 things i love about you:

your blue eyes that you so kindly passed on to us

your hard work ethic

the way you don't judge people

your focus on what is important in life

your frugality ... which has helped me be careful my whole life

your dumb cheating in speed skip-bo

your quick wit and goofiness, i've missed it since i've been gone!

your knowledge, both academically and worldly

the constant example you have set for me and the qualities i see in you that i want in my husband

your ability to love and forgive

i could go on and on (seminary lessons, your sporadic dancing in the kitchen, playing volleyball with me and giving me tips when i look up at you in the stands, your "soft" jeans that need to go and the 4 tshirts you wear on every vacation, blackberry addiction, phone chats, your love for peanut m&ms, your hate for presents, the way you fall asleep on the couch every night, your "don't tell mom" moments, lunch and wipeout in your office during work, double negatives, HOTCAKES, etc.) but i guess since i only do 10 for everyone else i would be cheating them!!!

happy birthday dad! i love you and miss you!!

happy birthday little sissy

can't believe little anna katherine is 15!

[yes anna I know this is a week late]

10 reasons why I love you:

you're beautiful

you're smart (obviously anyone who's ever been to an ISB awards ceremony knows this)

you're able to learn just about anything you want to with very little effort

you're so so talented at learning languages, can't wait to see what you pick next!

you're taking after me in volleyball, you'll probably actually beat me out, and you also just ball it up in basketball

you're a good friend

you're a good person and have a desire to choose the right and set an example

you're funny (when you actually talk)

you have a cute little french boyfriend and  you're too shy to just admit it ;)

you're my little sister

happy birthday annie!!

hope you have the best 15th year



catch up!

Okay, I realize I have been a HORRIBLE blogger lately, but really since I've been back at school I've just haven't had a lot of free time.  But here's a quick catch up of what has been going on!

Sadly (and maybe with a few small tears) I had to leave this place and my favorite people

to come back to this place

and these people

and dye my hair

and do this

and these

(and a few others)

AND THIS

which really deserves its own post that may come by the end of the week...!

I guess looking at this it really doesn't seem like that much, but in between ALL of the mindless and occasionally interesting reading I have to do for all of my classes, playing with friends, sleeping, eating, and pondering my future I have been so unbelievably busy.  At times I love this place, other times I feel like I'd rather just drop out and go to hair school (JOKE) or go on service trips all around the world and help people or just move home to my family and not do anything at all for a while.  But all in all I realize how blessed I am to be having these experiences, even if it means I'm a little cranky, tired, stressed, and homesick.  I appreciate everyone who puts up with that by the way :)  I hope everyone has had a little less hectic January than I have, but hopefully just as fun!

teeth.

upon request from my dear friend melissa ... i post pictures of the wisdom teeth aftermath for all of my faithful blog stalkers to see. i kind of regret this now, they're actually pretty embarassing but i'm sure in a few years i'll look back and just laugh.  kind of makes me wonder what all the random people in israel that are currently reading my blog will think about me when they see this, but nevertheless ... enjoy!

just doesn't do it justice ...



my ice pack headscarf

my goodybag of drugs :)

bizzing.

as always during christmas break, we find some fun and crazy activity to do to keep us entertained (besides the unofficial but nevertheless annual ritual of watching some dumb TV series together late into the night.) this year it was bizzing with our good friends the rowes.

bizzing - verb - sitting on or in assorted household items (trashbag, plastic bin, foam "sled") that will slide on snow while being yanked (aka thrown) around through powdered streets because of attachment by rope to a car with good traction (in this case a 4-wheel drive sequoia)

i personally feel it was one of our most enjoyable activities yet and made up for our lack of vacation this year due to the december 2010 passey surgeries (mine's tomorrow ............) don't get me wrong, the peaceful holiday season has been lovely, despite matthew's ever annoying sonic screwdriver and it has been great to take a break from school and be home with the fam for a while! anyway here is documentation of our new family favorite activity!