Sunday, November 4, 2012

Run Away

Sometimes it is fun to run away for a weekend .... so I did! I went to Utah this past weekend and spent three days with my sister and her family. It was great! We hung out Friday and that afternoon headed up to Logan for Tayler's soccer game.  It was a great game and fun to watch.  Tayler had an awesome goal, too! Go Tay!


It was pretty cold in Logan, so luckily the field was situated where we just pulled up and watched the game from the comfort of the car!  Don't you worry, even Momadillo was bundled up and enjoying the game with us! 

After the game we headed to Bluebird Cafe.  Such memories of that place! I remember it being much better, but to a poor college student that is pretty good eaten!!



Saturday morning Tayler had tryouts from 9-Noon, so that gave us time to meet up with my college roommate, Jeana, walk campus, and get some Aggie icecream! After all, a trip to Logan would not be complete without delicious icecream!!


I even had a pretty darn cute guy kiss me on the A!

It was nice to visit with Jeana! Hopefully it will not be 2-1/2 years until we do it again!



Sean is awesome.  Even though it was his anniversary he insisted that Jess and I enjoy a night out.  Thanks Sean! We went to Gateway and surprisingly enough we did not do any shopping.  Instead we went to dinner and spent the evening chatting away.  It was great! Momadillo even made it along for the ride!



It was fun to attend Jessica's primary class on Sunday.  I was also called up front and had the welcome song sung to me during Sharing Time.  Good times! Sunday afternoon was a lovely day, so we went on a walk.


Drama Queen!



It was nice to hang with family this weekend.  Such cute kids and always fun to be with my sister.  I loved running away, it was great! I may have to do it again soon!

Sunday, October 14, 2012

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!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Mom is a Missionary!!!

It is so fun to have a missionary in the family again! Mom turned her papers in sometime in June and learned that the brethren take the month of July off, so that delayed getting her call a bit.  August 8th came along and this is what she found...


Called to serve in the Texas Houston South Mission as a Family History Records Preservation and Family History Specialist.

She had to report to the MTC on Labor Day, September 3rd.  Just over 3 weeks to get things done... let the preparations begin! Sorting, shopping, cleaning, de-junking, fixing, packing etc, etc, etc.  It was nice that all us kids were able to come home and lend a helping hand.

Shed in need of repair.


Look at that teamwork!


Good work guys!


It wasn't all work, all the kids had a great time playing!





Saturday evening was a farewell party for Mom.  The weather didn't really cooperate, but plenty of people made it out to give their well wishes!


Balagna's came from Logan- such great family friends!


Jayson playing in the rain!


It was great to see Questy! 


There was packing to be done, but not without a little entertainment from Jess and Ryan!

PD Warrior Sign


Sunday was the perfect day to take a few family photos!

What a good looking bunch!

Mom with all her kids!

Brent and Ashley

Dunroe Family

Ryan & Marcela & kids

Jared & Katie & kids


We were sad that Steve and the kids were unable to join us.

 Sisters

Brothers... what goofballs!
Brother Pow-wow?

What?!


Take that! Ah, boys will be boys!

Arms length apart, I don't want him touching me!

Ready for the picture now!

Forget that, I love you guys!

A little too much love perhaps!

Alright, we'll cooperate and finally give you a good picture! 


While everyone was taking family photos Jackson wanted nothing to do with that! Off he wandered to the pond... oops! Good thing there were so many adults around to watch him!



Cute Jayson!


Scrunch time with Aunt Katie!


Sunday evening at 8:00pm was the designated time for the setting apart.  Everyone, kids and all, went.  We were quite the crowd that converged on the Stake President.  After visiting for a few minutes he got straight to business and gave the most beautiful blessing I think I have ever heard.  The spirit was very strong and we've no doubt that those we could not see were also in that room!

Officially Sister Linton


Monday morning came quick! Everyone had to be packed up and we were out of the house by 8am.  We met up with Jess at the Provo temple and had some time to snap a few pictures.




Time had come to kick her to the curb.  We no longer get to go into the MTC, we pull up and are greeted by about 10 elders and 2 sisters who are there to help carry luggage and direct her where to go.  She was ready and excited to go!


First picture in the MTC! 

It was a wonderful weekend! It doesn't happen very often that all of us siblings get together.  After we dropped Mom off at the MTC we went to Dad's grave which was the first time since his funeral (9-1/2 years ago) that all 6 kids have been there together.


We have a great time when we are together - us siblings and also the spouses and kids.  Such cute nieces and nephews I have! I wish big family get togethers happened more often, but why don't we do it again in 18 months?

Best of luck Momisita! We know many people, including your own family, will be blessed through your willingness to serve.  You will be a great missionary! Love you tons!