Amazing

Amazing is the best word I can think of to describe my week...

1.  Amazing that after 1 year and 5 months of working in my current job I finally heard a "Thank You" to the all the contractors as a whole.  It was recognized that we are actually part of the team.  I did receive a thank you all the time from my old CO, whom I miss, but that was a first for hearing it said about all of us contractors.

2.  Amazing that I came home from work on Wednesday and did not leave my apartment again until Thursday morning.  Wow! That never happens! With the temple closed for remodeling until October I now have some free time on Wednesday's- Nice!

3.  Amazing that of the 2 good touches I had out of like 50 during my indoor soccer game on Thursday, one of those good touches ended up in the net! It was a pretty sad game, we lost like 8-1.  Yes, I got lucky by being at the right place at the right time and scored our only goal! I'm excited to be playing again... the last time I played indoor was November 2008!

4.  Amazing that I feel I can run again.  I ran for 40 minutes (that is all I had time for) on Saturday which is the longest I have gone running since June 25th.  My knee is still not 100%, but I can deal with minor pain. Yeah!

5.  Amazing and beautiful world we live in.  I love the mountains! I went hiking with some friends on Saturday to Maxwell Falls.  Beautiful day with great company.  Good times! 

 Marlies holding up Jason, Kimberly, Carrie, and I

 Lunchtime

6.  Amazing Race Season 2: A Mile High.  Typically sequels are not as good as the first, but this year's race was just as amazing! There were 3 teams this year and while my team didn't come in first place I definitely think we had the best outfits!

Deanna, Audra, me, Candice-  Go Team!

The first clue was written on the back of a puzzle.  I'm sure we looked mighty silly sitting in the middle of a main sidewalk at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.  At least people couldn't miss us in those bright shirts!

The second clue led us to the Cookie Lady on 16th street mall.  At this stop we had to each down at least 2 cookies and a thing of milk.  I think there were 10 cookies total that had to be consumed.  Yep, I think I got 2 cookies and a bite and that is about all I could do!

The third clue brought us to the giant bench and giant water hydrant along 16th street mall.  Here one person from the team had to do the challenge which was to sharpen 2 pencils until all that was left was the eraser.

Candice's creative way to sharpen when her arms got tired.

We were in the lead until the next clue where we got thrown off track.  We went to the wrong King Soopers.  Oops! After finding our clue under the bottom shelf of the air filters we were off to East High School football stadium.  Here we had to go around the stadium throwing a football where each member of the team had to pass it to each other member of the team at least three times.  We were doing this while sprinting around the stadium. 

From there we went to Cherry Creek area and found our clue in an information sign.  We had to decipher a morse code message to know where we were heading next.  The message took us across the street (we drove around the block before we realized it was seriously right across the street.  Too funny!) to a FedEx drop box where we pulled out the blow up finger and were directed to go back to the starting line. We arrived second, about 10 minutes after the winning team.   

We ran a lot, we laughed a lot, we only went down a one-way street the wrong way twice (not on purpose one of those times), and most of all we had a great time!

All Participants

The Winning Team's Award Ceremony.  Nice job Cat, Gabi, Bri and Bo!

A great BIG THANK YOU to Diana for yet another AMAZING Race!

Course Marshalls Wes and Diana

Live Life To The Fullest

I know, I know... I'm sure you are shocked that I finally updated my blog.  It takes a lot of time to go through hundreds of pictures and to upload 51 of them :^).   I love this quote from Sister Julie Beck, "To walk with the Lord, we have to know what is essential, what is necessary, and what is nice-to-do.  There is a lot to do, but I find that it is amazing how much I get to do on my nice-to-do list.  The Lord blesses us with those mercies, but only if the other priorities are in order."

I am definitely blessed with how many nice-to-do things I get to participate in.  Indeed you may say I live life to the fullest! Enjoy the update through all the pictures.

Update 1 of 7: 4th of July

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays.  I love this country, I love the beautiful summer days, and I love having fun.  The 4th fell on a Sunday this year so we went to Civic Center Park to enjoy a free concert in the park put on by the Colorado Symphony and then watched the firework show. 

I had Monday off, so I spent about 90% of it outside.  I loved it! Started the day with a bike ride in Cherry Creek State Park, then went kayaking, then went to a friends house for a BBQ, and finished the day with a little croquet.  Good times!

This is a good life! 

Deanna broke her mallet, so she was forced to play a little "shorthanded"

Update 2 of 7: Happy 30th!

Yep, it was the big 3-0 this year.  We went to a Laredo Branch reunion since the Branch Presidency was just released.  I guess after 7 years it was about time they got a break from us singles! After that we went to Chili's to enjoy some birthday yummy- but oh so bad for you - dessert!



Happy Birthday Jared! Man we're old!

Update 3 of 7: Utah when Jenny and kiddos (minus Emmy) were there 

It is always fun to get together with my sisters and was a bonus that I got to see most of Jenny's kids. I'm sad I missed you Emmy!  I headed to Utah for a quick weekend since Jenny was in town.  We played outside a lot and had a great time! (Note: These pictures are in no particular order since some pictures were mine and others were Jenny or Jessica's.)

I feel special that I got to celebrate my birthday with cute Jayson!

Couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a Mother and Daughters picture! 

 I lost this battle!

 Photo War!

I am one lucky daughter, sister, and aunt, because I'm thinking I have the best Mom, Siblings, and nieces/nephews in the world!

Update 4 of 7: Washington DC

This was a very, very quick work trip.  I flew in Tuesday, attended an all day meeting on Wednesday, and flew back Thursday morning.  Business travel is never really enjoyable, but I was excited for this trip since my friend, who I knew in Kuwait, drove 3 hours to come see me! We got to spend Tuesday walking the Mall, touring the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, watched an IMAX film, "Born to be Wild", and had dinner at a delicious Italian restaurant.  We chatted until about 10pm when she really needed to get on the road again!  It was great to see you Mara!

This one is for you Alyssa!

This is the Hope Diamond... that thing is massive!

Update 5 of 7: Mom in Denver and Relay for Life

The timing of my DC trip was such that Mom was waiting for me at the airport when I landed.  It was great to hang with Mom for a few days.  Unfortunately I still had to work, but we did get to spend a lot of time together which was great.  I was not so good at taking pictures while she was in town, so I missed the amazing Eliza Fireside she gave, sorry.  We did a lot while she was here: relay, shopping, hanging with Annie, fireside, toured a model home, hung with Jared and Katie, watched the Bachlorette, etc, etc, etc.  Thanks for visiting Momisita! It is always nice to have you around!   

The initial lap at Relay 4 Life

Mom, Katie, and the boys enjoying a beautiful Colorado sunset while walking at Relay

The theme for Relay this year was the 50's, hence the hula hoops and the cut outs. 



The crew that made it all night long!

I was so impressed that Mom made it through the night.  She even walked 10 miles! We went home and got a two hour nap.  Kind of fun to say out of 48 hours you've been up for 46 of them!

Thanks for coming to Denver Mom! I hope you will come back despite what you had to go home to.  I still can't believe the house got broken into and the fire that could have been much, much worse. 

 Update 6 of 7: Birthday Bash and Farewell Party at Cherry Creek State Park

It was my 30th birthday, so I had to do something big! I threw a party at Cherry Creek State Park where I rented kayaks, canoes, and a paddle board.  We also had snacks galore, ordered pizza, made s'mores, and had Kayce entertain us by playing her guitar.  This party doubled as a going away party for Kayce since she was heading to BYU the next weekend.  With 40 people there I would say that was a success!

 Update 7 of 7: Catch all

Occasionally a group of us get together and do brunch.  It is always an enjoyable time to hang out with such great gals!



Yesterday I attended a big YSA event at the Arvada Apex Center.  There was rock climbing, basketball, volleyball, and ice skating followed by an outdoor dance.  This was my type of activity! I got to ice skate so that made me happy! I even stayed longer then 20 minutes at the dance which is pretty unheard of.  It was a fun night. 

I got to speak in church today.  I invited a good friend of mine, a previous coworker, to come.  That was her first time in a Mormon church! I'm glad she came. 

So, there you have it.  I am no longer running (since my knee is still struggling to let me run past 30 minutes), but I haven't had a problem filling my time with other things.  I do a lot, I pack my days pretty full, being sure to get all the "essentials" in of course!  Outside of work, my time is mostly spent socializing.  I am so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people... both family and friends.  I love being with you and I gain such strength from you.  Love you!