Congrats to Nat-Nat!

May has been a fun month but a month that has made me feel rather old. My little sister is 5 years younger than me and so after my own high school graduation I felt like it would be ages before it would be her turn, but low and behold "ages" has come. In ways it has flown right by and in other ways it has felt like more than 5 years, but either way I feel a little old. She's seriously going to be joining me at school next year. We're planning on taking a few classes together which seems so strange to me, because the last time we went to the same school, she was in Kindergarten and here she is, all grown up and graduated! I've been joking that she'll probably graduate college before me and it really is pretty possible. She's much smarter than me and got lots of college credits while she was in high school. I'm so proud of her for graduating and can't wait to see what the future holds for her. Today as I sat and watched her graduate I had to fight back emotions (another sign of my old age, as a youngster I had no emotions). I didn't feel the slightest bit emotional at my own graduation and certainly didn't think I'd want to get all emotional today, but knowing what it has taken Nattie to get to today brought up this overwhelming sense of pride. She has endured more in the last 2+ years than any high school student should ever have to. Her sophomore year went very well for her, but come junior year her health took a dive and she's really never recovered from it. She has struggled with quite a few different health issues for years (also something no young person should ever have to have) but last year they just simply got out of control and she had to miss a lot of school which meant for a lot of make up work for her...and by make up work, I mean entire terms of work. This year was slightly better but still a challenge and her health still made it really difficult for her to be at school and drag herself out of bed everyday, but after lots of sacrifices, tears, and hard work, she made it and I couldn't be more proud of her! Way to go Nat-Nat!

Seminary Graduation (last week)

Graduation Lunch at Riverside

A Few Pre-Graduation Pictures

Post Grad Pictures

The Sister Adventure

Friday Natalie and I decided we wanted to spend Saturday doing something super fun.

I came up with a great idea, since the weather HAS been so nice, it would be fun to go shopping up at Gateway. Yeah, HAS is the key word. Saturday was yucky, but we decided to go up anyway.

We didn't get quite the adventure we wanted, but we still had fun.

Even if our hair got ruined the second we bought our TRAX tickets.

Rain, Snow, and Hail didn't stop our fun.

TRAX was fun, because it was fun to relax and talk and not have to drive. Plus, we got some great entertainment from two cute little girls who were all dressed up in their princess dresses on their way to Disney on Ice.

We ate lunch at California Pizza Kitchen, which was kind of a disappointment.

I usually love the place, but we decided to try some pizza's we've never had before.

One of which, was really gross. And the second one, being just ok.

We couldn't pass up photo opp's at Forever XXI

It was pretty much an awesome day!

Good Luck Pionette's!

Today is my lil' sisters very 1st drill competition! I'm so excited and nervous for her. She's been competing at dance competitions since she was in Kindergarten, but drill just isn't the same! I love how intense it is and can't wait for her to experience it. The nerves are way worse though too, but I know she is ready to face 'em. I hope she does well and hope the whole team does well! I had the privelege of judging them this week so they had an idea of where they stood. They did really awesome so I hope they have a great season! I'm sad I can't be in Delta today for their first invitational, but will look forward to being at the UVU invitational next week! Good Luck Pionette's! and Good luck Nattie!

I'm Thankful for...

My Sister

With Thanksgiving around the corner I have been thinking about many things I'm thankful for in my life and due to recent changes I can't help but recognize how grateful I am to have a sister. If you know us very well at all, you know that we can fight a pretty nasty fight with each other, and that in the past, we've done this on a regular basis...as in DAILY! It used to be quite the chore to get us to stop fighting. Most the time we wouldn't quit til one of us was in tears, and lets face it, that was NEVER me. Being the older, less sensitive one, I seem to always have the upper hand and much better war tactics. However, in the last 3 months, my sister and I have not fought even ONCE! Impressive, I know. I can't help but thank our new living situation for this one. We no longer live in the same house and life is great! We get along Soooo much better and when we are together we can enjoy each others company rather than nag at each other. Last week Natalie was my life saver when I had no one to go to a dance concert with me and I was so glad that she was able to go. It was not only fun to go to be in her company but also to see something we both love. My brother's have been fairly supportive when it has come to all my dancing, but they can't touch the support and the understanding Nattie has in this area. She and my mom were ALWAYS at my performances and competitions in high school and before that she too was competiting at all the same places as was I. She is now on drill team and it has been so fun coming and watching her dance so far and can't wait to watch her at all her competitions this year (sad though, I can't be at the first one next week.) I'm happy seeing her succeed especially in something I personally love so much.  Here are the top 10 things I love about Natalie.

1. She's no doubt a peace maker.

2. She is always bailing me out of trouble, tis true.

3. She's very giving, not just to me, but to everyone.

4. She's SUPER smiley & FULL of personality.

5. She doesn't like meat very much, which leaves more for me :)

6. She agrees that I have a big butt...this is a constant debate at our house. Random I know.

7. She can pull off headbands of all kinds, and I cannot. Lucky girl!

8. She is an awesome listener.

9. She idolizes me...but then again who doesn't? (totally kidding, i'm not THAT arrogant.)

10. She's willing to admit it. :)

Love you Nattie!

THRILLER

So Thanks to the Wonderful World of Facebook I had a rather surprising thing happen last week. My drill team coach from high school contacted me and other girls who have graduated since she has been coach wanting us to come back and dance with this years team at the last football game! I loved drill, and even though I don't really miss 6am practices or all the drama involved, I wouldn't trade those 3 years for anything, and I also couldn't pass up this opportunity. Especially since Natalie is now on the team and we've never EVER danced together. We're 5 years difference in age, so this was fun news!
I'll admit, I wasn't very good. My mom videotaped and I'm rather scared to watch it.
Me and the rest of the drill alumni learned the dance on Saturday, but spent a good portion of that time just making fun of ourselves and reminiscing so needless to say, most of us didn't learn it very well but we had fun which was the important part.
Just thought I'd post some pictures!

3 of my favorite girls
Rachel, Jaynee, and Kara.

Me and the Sis just gettin our freak on!

Girls Night.

THIS ONE'S FOR THE GIRLS

So I was up VERY late on Friday night...and got several early morning phone calls (coughdavecough) and texts on Saturday morning. Not a great way to start the day...I went shopping and to lunch with my mom and sister for wedding clothes. I FINALLY found a skirt...well still need to exchange it at the store for a better size, but hey...at least I got one. haha. By the time I got home I was beyond exhausted and did not really feel like going out. Its pretty rare for me to be home on the weekends and in all honesty, VERY STRANGE feeling. I had a great night though, Natalie and I spent the night chatting on my very comfy bed and we also watched Bride Wars. Such a fun movie. We did leave the house shortly though, to go get Roxberry Smoothies, because no girls night is complete without smoothies. We had fun...and I even am gonna go to bed at a somewhat reasonable hour! What a day...and completely boyless :)

Shower Time.

...Page's Shower...


We had our Family Bridal Shower for Page on Saturday on it was a lot of fun. Great food, great hosts, great guest, and great gifts!


Page is all done up in her bows



Sisters: Kayla, Natalie, Page, and Me


Chelsey and Me


Kevin came and joined us at the end...so he could kiss the bows out of Page's hair.
He was pretty excited to take 'em out...now just 3 more weeks til their big day.


I need a black skirt still for the wedding...anyone seen any cute ones lately???