Mardi Gras @ Kelly's

Monday we all went up to Kelly's for a party. We had Jambalaya, bread, meat pies, king cake, and all sorts of good stuff. We made masks and had a parade. It was pretty awesome. If you want more pics go to Libby's Blog.

Josh

Jake dressed up

Right before Sammers grabbed Kelly's still wet(glue) mask

Manda making her mask

Jared with a pre-made mask

Kelly helping all the kids with their masks

(pre)Mardi Gras

So to get in the mood for

MaRdI GrAs

I thought I would decorate my place. You wouldn't think it would be that hard to find stuff, but I guess Mardi Gras isn't a big deal in Utah, my home-teachers didn't even know what it was.


This is the King Cake I made from SCRATCH.- I'm thinking Culinary Arts school after I graduate.


Dining room


On top of the entertainment center

Centerpiece for the table

Once I explained what the holiday Mardi Gras is for they asked, so are you Catholic? haha. I think if you are going to celebrate the funness of Mardi Gras then you should celebrate Lent and give something up for 40 days. Last year I gave up Mt. Dew and every time I grab one I never understand why I liked it in the first place and so I end up never drinking it. So in a way I am healthier because of Lent. I haven't decided what I am going to give up this year, I still have 11 hours- any suggestions? Included are some pics. Tonight is the real party at Kelly's.

In & Out

In & Out is coming to Utah and Salt Lake County! (Draper and American Fork) Even though I hate huge crowds and stupid people(they seem to go hand in hand), I am excited for In & Out! I know these two stores will ALWAYS be busy, but its worth the wait. I wonder what kind of profit they would make if they put one in Provo!? Yikes.
linka, linkb to news stories.

2009 St. George Parade of Homes

This past weekend Cindy and I went to PoH. We left at 6am Sat morning and thought about turning around several times due to the horrible snow storm, but we didn't. We were able to see all but 7 of the 26 homes. It was sunny and warm (high 50s). We were in long sleeve t-shirts. It was WONDERFUL. I did kinda miss it there, who wouldn't miss warm winters? But being there made me realize how fortunate I am and has given me the motivation to make 09 my year. Why am I sitting around waiting? I realized how much I missed those feelings. Here is a link to the pics I took.

St. George Parade of Homes

Super Bowl XLIII

The best part of the Super Bowl are the commercials. Companies pay way to much money for 30 seconds of advertising, but in turn hope to make a memorable commercial and boost sales. This year was nothing less. In between 100yr touchdown plays, to last 30 seconds of the game touchdowns were countless funny and not so funny commercials. There were many applicants but only so much time available. Featured below is one of the commercials that didn't make the cut because it was 'too political.'

What is the world coming to? I know I say I don't like politics, and I don't unless there's something happening that I don't agree with, then I voice my opinion. I love how this positive commercial didn't make the cut but commercials from GoDaddy.com were all over the place. There are practically naked women all over the place, the might not be nude, but very little is left to the imagination. I guess sex does sell. And it being the Super Bowl and ad about Pro-Life really wasn't going to influence the male demographic watching, like a half naked woman would.
But, enough about that lets move on to greener pastures. I really enjoyed Jennifer Hudson's rendition of the National Anthem. She stayed close to the original song and didn't screw it up by adding her own ending. There's something about hearing that song, seeing football players cover their heart with their hand and the fly by of the fighter jets that just sends chills up my spine.

Const. Mgmt. Major

Have I mentioned how much I love my major? I can't see myself doing anything else and being at least half as happy. I don't know if I want to create my own business and have to deal with all the legal stuff (my contractors license class is FREAKING me out), or if I want to be a Project Manager(kinda what I was doing at Classic) and not have all the added stress as an owner. I don't know all I do know is I really enjoy going to class, maybe its because I am one of the only girls and get a little special treatment. By treatment I mean a little more respect, kindness, and well I get more attention. I have not ever been one for attention, but it I have a question, I can easily raise my hand and the teacher runs over and gently explains it. If I make a comment I know it has to sound educated because all eyes are on me( I kinda stick out). I love this, it makes me realize that I have to know my stuff forwards and backwards. I also enjoy the friendships with the guys. Most are married and I kinda enjoy that. There's not the 'don't say anything dumb' or 'always look your best' thoughts going through my mind. I can actually talk to these guys. Some think I am in there to find a guy.
NOTE: never get serious w/ a construction guy- they can EASILY get SERIOUSLY hurt (more than most careers).
But back to the guys that are my friends. I am a little shy, to say the least, and these guys know I am the odd man out, so they are really sweet and come talk to me. Last night I was talking to Gerrick Andrews, a former missionary that served in my home ward, just catching up and another one of my friends came up and interrupted(not like we were in a formal conversation, so it was ok) and started chatting. There was another guy who is also in some of my other classes who came and sat next to me during class. I really enjoy the camaraderie with these guys. There are other guys that i have been in classes with in the past 3 years that I haven't seen since I first started but the recognize me in the halls and stop to chat, or we are in a class again and ask me to be in their group projects. I guess I just love feeling included. I also get the dating question a lot. Some professors will flat out ask and others ask around or beat around the bush, same with some of the married guys, and they all wonder why I'm not dating. Its funny to see this interest them so much. When you think of construction guys, you don't really think of them as being softies. All in all I am thankful for the way my life has been thrown unexpected trials so that I would have the opportunity to find something I truly love doing with my life.

Draper Temple

This past weekend I went with Kelly and her family to the Draper Temple open house. At the end of the tour you went into the Sealing Room and a couple explained what the Sealing Room was. After they finished we were welcomed to stand up and gaze into the mirrors(there are 2 mirrors across from each other. When you look into these mirrors you go on for ever, this is to symbolize eternity. As Kelly, her husband and their four boys stood as a family looking into the mirrors, Kelly and Jared explained how they are a family and just like the image in the mirror their family will last for eternity. I chose not to look into the mirror, well mainly because I didn't want to see just me alone for eternity! I know I have a family and we are sealed. I had made it to the end and hadn't cried and I wasn't about to start. I know I live in a fairy tale state of mind, and its my own fault, but when I entered the Sealing room and the Celestial Room, I knew this is where my 'happily ever after' would begin. At the temple and over the past few weeks in my ward the focus has been on temples and how they are the House of the Lord.