Summer Recap

Don't you just love Colorado Summers? I sure do!

Sad that summer is coming to an end.  We've already had a our first snow fall, but luckily there are a few more days of nice weather before it is here to stay.  I've neglected my blog lately, so this is is kind of a catch up post.  So, here we go!

D.C. trip for work July 22-26, 2012

Arlington Cemetery

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Maplewood Service Campout August 10-11, 2012
Even though I was technically out of Maplewood YSA Ward, this was the last activity I helped organize, so I wanted to support it!  It turned out great! We combined camping with a service project of helping to construct a trail.  Who knew that was such hard work?? I had to speak in church on the 12th, too, so that was my final hurrah for Maplewood.

Fires were not allowed, but we still had s'mores!

Great turnout

This is the position I was in for a good 4 hours- my back was a bit sore!

Heather- working hard

Fernando showing us up!

I was just pretending to be strong!

Renee striking a pose!

Utah trip prior to the Mom's Big Mission Weekend Trip, Aug 17-19, 2012
I went to Utah to attend a Single Adult Conference and to help Mom get some things in order for her mission.  We cleaned out cupboards, bought her a smart phone, got paperwork taken care of, met up with Jess and went shopping, and then went out for dinner and overall and had a great time!

Saturday morning we went to a Single Adult conference.  The class by Sister Emily Utt on the history of temples was fantastic! Sister Oaks was the Keynote speaker, and she was awesome! I loved her stories and one in particular that has stayed with me... she told us that fairly soon after marrying Elder Oaks she was visiting with him one evening and said, something is different like something is missing.  It just doesn't feel the same.  Elder Oaks reply was, "Of course, the angels who had charge over you are no longer there.  It is now my responsibility to watch over you." Sister Oaks said somewhat jokingly, "Well, I liked them!"  It made me realize that I have that same blessing and I am never alone!

Mom looking cute and ready to go to the Conference

Caught Mom playing on her new phone- too funny!

Packed Weekend, August 24-26, 2012
I love weekends like this one... Nonstop busy with (mostly) fun things! It began on Friday... during our lunch break I went to the driving range with co-workers. It was fun! Then at 4:20pm I received a phone call from a friend asking if I could pick her up from the ER.  Leaving work and on my way! Turned out they were going to keep her overnight, so I instead went to her house and gathered the stuff she requested and took it to her.  I went straight from there to the pool party that I was invited to.  Leaving the pool party at 9pm gave me about 20 minutes at home before heading out the door to meet up with Heather and Fernando to see the movie Paranorman (pretty dumb!) in celebration of Fernando's birthday.  We visited after the movie for a time and finally called it a day and heading home around 1:00am and in bed by 1:30am.

Saturday morning came around way too fast, since I had to get up by 6:00am to gather my stuff for wakebarding and leaving my house by 6:40am.  The service auction last November I had purchased a day out on the lake with Bishop Graves and his wife, and was finally cashing in on it.  I was a bit nervous about the weather, but it ended up being okay and the water was super warm! I was pleased that even though I haven't been wakeboarding in 4 years, I was still able to get up on the first try- yay! It was super fun and I definitely felt the effects for about 4 days after that.  I was sore!

Deanna and Heather 

This was a great b-day present for Renee!

Carrie, Deanna, Me enjoying being on the boat!

I got home from boating with enough time to jump in the shower and head out for our 3:00pm tee time! Bishop bought a medal and gave it to me for my performance wakeboarding that morning.  Well, on the 9th hole golfing Deanna made this incredibly long putt to get a birdie, so I passed along the medal to her- definitely deserving, it was awesome!

 Fernando, Deanna, Me

Golfing finished up and I went straight to the Stake Fair which had already started.  I knew Jared, Katie and the boys were going to be there, so I wanted to go visit with them.  It was nice to see them and see a lot of other people I know in our stake. Good times.

I walked from the Stake Fair to Renee's house for her birthday party pizza bash.  I got there a little late, but there was still plenty of party left! It was fun! My body finally told me I had had enough so turned in around 11pm.

Happy b-day Renee!

Sunday, was church like normal.  That evening I invited a few friends over for some pretzel making fun.  It was great! So, overall, it was a fantastic weekend.  Non-stop, but fun.  Good thing I got to go back to work to finally have a chance to sit down! :^)


Playing with Nephews, September 8, 2012
Saturday morning was spent in the temple subbing for a friend. It makes for a super early morning since I have to be at the temple by 6:40am! It is a great way to start the day though! That evening I got to tend Cayden and Jake which was fun.  We played on the playground, walked to McDonalds for dinner, played the wii, watched a movie and had a wonderful evening.

I wore them out! 

Dirty Girl 5K Mud Run, September 22, 2012
Yes, I enjoy getting dirty from head to toe and even pay for the privilege! This obstacle race, being all girl, was not near as intense as the rugged maniac race Deanna and I did last October.  It was still fun though!

Still clean before the race started

Do you like the mud dripping down the face?

Trying to look tough!

Carpenter Peak Hike at Roxborough State Park, September 29, 2012

Jared, Katie, Beth, and I went for a little (6 mile) hike today.  It was a beautiful day and a beautiful area.  It was a great day!

This is so you know what to do in case you encounter wildlife!

Made it to the top!

Packed Sunday, September 30, 2012

Though I don't have any pictures, September 30th is blog worthy.  It was a great day! I first went to my 9am church.  Then I went to Jared and Katie's sacrament meeting since it was the primary program.  Jake sat on my lap the entire meeting- slept most of it.  I've never been so warm at church! It was great! Cayden did a great job and I was very impressed with the overall program.  That evening I went to the Temple Worker Fireside where the temple presidency spoke. It was a wonderful meeting! It was a lot of church, but overall a great day!

Hookie From Work, October 3, 2012

I've never played hookie from work before, but I did this day and now I'm a fan. I highly recommend it! It was great! I went in to work at 5:50am to get a few hours in before taking off around 9:30am.  I made up the rest of the time throughout the 1-1/2 weeks remaining of that pay period so I didn't have to use any leave.  It was my friend Heather's birthday this day and she was supposed to be in Utah, but since she ended  up leaving the next day instead, that gave us the day to celebrate by shopping! It was great fun! 

Heather and Gwen Birthday Party, October 7, 2012

When two of your good friends turn 30 you can't just let that go by without doing something.  So, we threw a party! Both were out of town which made it perfect for decorating the night before the shindig.  

The stairs made it a bit scary to put the pictures up, but Erika and Deanna risked their lives and succeeded (with the help of the broom to sweep the pictures on!)

Happy Birthday Gwen and Heather!

My summer has been spent playing a lot of tennis, playing volleyball every Tuesday night, subbing in the temple, and trying to be outside as much as possible on beautiful Colorado days.  I stay busy that is for sure, but I love it! I have a lot of wonderful people in my life who I simply enjoy being in their company!