September 24-25 Logan with the Girls

Friday and Saturday I got to spend time with some of my favorite people in Logan at Erin's family's cabin. It was BEAUTIFUL weather, and we had so much fun! It was so nice to get away and just relax. We left Salt Lake about 1:30 and met up in Brigham City (somehow Lead Foot Kristy only beat us by a few minutes. I figured she and Heather would have to wait for a long time.) at Maddox for lunch. Then it was on to Logan.

As soon as we got to the cabin we set up the mattress swing. What could be more fun than a queen size mattress swing? Nothing!

This really did keep us entertained for quite a long time. That is, until all our food got a little unsettled...
Amber, Kristy, Heather, and me. Erin was our photographer and swing pusher.

When we got done with the swing we decided (despite the upset tummies) that we definitely needed some ice cream. Ice cream fixes everything. We drove down to Utah State University, found the creamery, thoroughly enjoyed yummy ice cream, and then decided we needed a walk. As we wandered around campus we came across a group of boys who had set up their own tight rope. Heather was drawn to them, and the rest of us followed. Of course Heather had to try...

... and then she needed Amber's help. We spent probably 30 minutes with these random boys. We learned some valuable information, for example: Freshmen are the only students who live in the dorms. Anyone older than that who has ANY self-respect does not live in the dorms. Therefore, only one of these guys lived in the dorms. Don't insult them by asking, they get a little defensive.

After our tight-rope walking experience we enjoyed a lovely evening of shopping and watching movies. Saturday we slept in, made a delicious breakfast, watched another movie, played on the swing some more, and then headed home. It was a fabulous weekend! Thanks Erin!

Another Amazing Visitor

Have I ever told you how much I love my ward? Well, in case I haven't mentioned it before.... I REALLY L-O-V-E love my ward! We have an incredible bishopric, I have the most amazing friends there, and we are provided awesome opportunities just because we are part of the Holladay 29th Ward. We have had several visits in the last few months from general authorities. Sunday September 19th was another treat. Elder Shayne Bowen of the First Quorum of the Seventy and Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came to our Sacrament Meeting. Elder Perry has always been one of my favorites, so I was positively tickled to be in his presence. The spirit any General Authority brings is beyond words. They are truly fantastic leaders. I thought I would share some of my notes.

Elder Bowen spoke first. He spent much of his time telling us how much Heavenly Father loves us. He told us that the fact Elder Perry was in our Sacrament Meeting that day was proof that Heavenly Father loves us. Elder Perry could have been anywhere that afternoon and Heavenly Father sent him to our ward.
-Make sure when you go to the temple you go to worship and you go with questions searching for inspiration. Do the same with Sacrament Meeting.
-We have the privilege to weekly participate in the Sacrament- which Jesus Christ implemented.
-D&C 43:8- one of the purposes of Sacrament Meeting- the Holy Ghost will edify and sanctify us. Once the Holy Ghost communicates with us write it down, and then something needs to change="bind yourself to act in all holiness before me."
-We can't let ourselves move back from the light. Don't stop doing the "little things."
-God's laws do not change. Right is right and wrong is wrong.
-We need to square with the teachings of the Gospel.
-We can't do things alone!

Elder Perry finished our meeting. After every subject he addressed he bore a powerful testimony of that aspect of the Gospel. His booming voice intensified his testimony. I was so touched by the Spirit and sat in that room wishing my family and friends could all be with me to hear an apostle of the Lord bear such a wonderful strong testimony of my Savior.

-In the church we can do anything we want. All we have to do is set our mind to it and move forward with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

-The Savior Jesus Christ is the head of this church.

-Through the Savior all mankind can enjoy eternal life, so no one need fear death.

-Our purpose is to invite others to come into the Gospel.

-The church is not man-made or man-directed. Christ is the head!

-The words we receive from the prophet are the words of the Lord.

-We need to prepare ourselves to be servants of the Lord.

I AM SO BLESSED!!!

The Adventure That Was The Machine Gun Fire

This is what Kandus and I came home to after church on Sunday. We didn't notice any smoke when we left at 12:30 Sunday afternoon, but driving home this plume of smoke was hard to ignore. I convinced myself it was a ways south of my house until I reached the road leading to my home and then I began to get a little nervou. This smoke was literally just west of my home on the other side of the mountain. Kandus and I both jumped online and turned on the news to find out what was going on. That's when we heard that some evacuations had begun and this was a serious fire. I left to go to Sandy and said to Kandus (totally joking), "Call me if we get evacuated." While I was in Sandy I watched the smoke and eventually was able to see the flames as they reached the top of the mountain. My Aunt Kathy and cousin, Emily, live about 10 minutes southwest of me. They were getting texts and pictures from their husbands that totally started to make me nervous. As soon as Kathy was informed that they were about to be evacuated I panicked. I called Kandus, told her to start packing just in case, and raced home. I got home just after 8. Kandus and I ran around the house for the next 2 hours gathering our belongings and listening to the news reporters inform us that the evacuation zones were moving closer to our house (it's amazing how much I can pack in 2 hours! I'm still only half way unpacked. I was very thorough!). At 10 p.m. Kandus' mom called and informed us that the evacuation zone had reached the Smiths grocery store, which is about a 1/2 mile west of our house. With that news we voluntarliy evacuated! The news reporters were saying that there were reverse 911 calls going out, but since we don't have a landline we wouldn't get those. We would have been awake all night watching our neighbors and waiting for a knock at the door. It would have been more stress that we weren't willing to subject ourselves to, so we both headed to our parents'. I was up until 3 a.m. watching news updates and praying that my house and my family's houses wouldn't burn down. I took a sick day Monday because I wasn't at home and the lack of sleep would have made me difficult to work with. It was interesting to see how quickly I was able to determine what was most important to me. I went for the irreplaceable things first. Those included all of my Tyler things and my Nauvoo box and scrapbooks and of course my cats. Then I went to pictures, keepsakes that haven't been scrapbooked yet, temple clothes, scriptures, journals, and necessary clothing items. As soon as I realized I had a little more time I started filling my biggest suitcase with clothes. I have SO much stuff! I ran through the house taking pictures of every room, for insurance purposes...

Don't judge me on how messy my room is.

Look at all these clothes I had to leave behind. It was heartbreaking!

I even chose to leave all of my yarn and knitting supplies. I was focused and being very practical about what I packed. I was grateful I got to go home Monday. I am grateful for those who fought the fire and protected my family and my home. It was a scary evening, and I am grateful Heavenly Father protected Kandus, Darcy, Lizzy, and I. This week has given me a new appreciation for all the things I have been blessed with. Take a moment to look around you and say a prayer of gratitude.

Boyz II Men--- AGAIN! Love it!

I got to spend yet another evening at a state fair. Tonight was a special treat because I was attending the Boyz II Men concert! However, you can't enter fairgrounds without sampling some food. I think it's a law.....

I went to the concert with a group of my awesome friends. They all stopped at various venders to get dinner. Heather got this massive sandwich! She finally gave up and went back to ask for a knife and fork. She came back with a plastic fork and a real steak knife! Super funny!

After food was consumed Heather insisted we visit the pigs. She had a nice conversation with this big girl.


Then it was time for Boyz II Men!!! Welcome back Nathan!

Wanya

And, my favorite, Shawn!

Check out these seats! D'Nell's cousin, Shannon, got up this morning and stood in line to get tickets for us. She was in line early enough that she landed 11th row seats! Shannon will be my hero for some time to come!

Oh! I just LOVE him!

Yes, this will be the new background on my computer at work!

Can you believe they would want to sit down during this incredible concert???

Amber and Heather

You gotta love our microphones! We always have them with us. ;)

Fantastic evening! Next year.... backstage passes! It's already been decided!

Eastern Idaho State Fair (And So Much More) Year 2

For the second year in a row I spent Labor Day weekend in Idaho! I love this trip! We stayed with Michele's parents, Ma and Pa Hudson, and had a blast. They are so kind to let 4 girls invade their home for the weekend. Not only did they put up with our goofy antics, but (as you will see in a moment) Ma participated in a lot of our troublemaking ways.

Most people would believe that 4 girls getting ready at the same time would be a challenge, but we made it work. Michele wanted someone to do her hair (she requested a braid) but this is what she got. We called her Fiona!

After we got ready we were off to the fair for our day of eating! I always say, "I'll try anything once." So, when we ran across deep fried Oreos I couldn't say no (although I did hesitate!). Here's our first batch.

I wanted a picture of everyone's first bite. This is what I got from Tami.

Kandus

Tami, me, and Kandus

Michele

The sad thing is, they were super good! I was hoping it would be gross so I would never want to eat one again. I was greatly disappointed. We splurged again later that night. Oh dear...

We all entered the fair with something we really wanted to eat. Michele's was cotton candy.

Kandus, me, Mama Hudson

Saturday night we made our way to the bull riding competition! LOVED IT! There were a few scary moment and 2 cowboys hurt pretty badly. The bulls this year were mean!

We spotted this cowboy across the arena and Kandus wanted to know how old he was. Any guesses? I'm guessing maybe 15...

I love hearing the Star Spangled Banner!

And here's a cowboy yumminess for the evening!

Let the craziness begin. I don't know how these boys' mothers watch this!

Ever wondered where Tami gets her goofiness??? From her dad.

I informed my dear friends that I've never been toilet papering. They were shocked! So, they decided it was time to change that. We made a trip to Walmart, dressed in black and created our plan. I cannot say who we attacked, because right now those individuals are blaming the "decorations" on someone else. Who would suspect a bunch of "adults?"

We are cute criminals, if I do say so myself!

Kandus and Tami in the car ready to go!

It was really quite chilly, so I had to borrow a jacket from Mama Hudson. I figured the colors were dark enough. I didn't get pictures of the finished product because it was too dark, and by the time we got there this afternoon the kids had already cleaned it up.

We took Mama Hudson with us. She was our lookout. This house has several HUGE trees in front and we really nailed those! There was one point when the front porch light tunred on and we all ran for our lives. Tami and I ran straight back to the car. After we realized no one was coming out we concluded that it was a motion detector light. We could hear the dogs inside barking, but no one ever came out. The front room blinds were wide open and we could see the TV flickering inside, and yet we still didn't get caught. The victim said, "I just can't figure it out. Our bedroom window was open, the dogs were right there, how did they get us?" It certainly was a thrill!!

What a fun trip! Thanks to the Hudsons for their hospitality!