been a while

i was rolling there for a while with my posts .... but then life kicks in and i forget. i ran across this video via a friends and wanted to share ... i have tons to blog about and hope to get to it soon, but until then ... ENJOY

houston

falling a little behind on the posts but here is a quick glance into my recent trip to houston.

i was able to travel to the great state of texas for a the sweet adelines international competition. the chorus that both my mom and sister sing with mt. jubilee chorus (mjc) had place first in their region and were therefore representing their region at the competition. it was a week full of inside jokes, laughter, and some great singing.

we flew in a few days early so that we could roam around the city before all of the rehearsals and contests began. the first day we went downtown and walked around the mall. it was a great day to just hang out and relax.

the second day involved a trip to the houston temple. it was a great experience and the temple was beautiful. it is always a good day when you turn off your phone for a few hours and concentrate on service.

From Sept-Oct-2011

wednesday was the start of the contest with the quartet semi-finals. bounce was one of the competing quartets. they did a fantastic and we were all pulling for them to make the top ten. it was a long day with lots of music and in the end bounce came in 16th.

thursday was the start of the chorus contest and mjc was 14th on stage. here is a picture from thursday night.

From Sept-Oct-2011

i honestly wish that they could be nearly the tail end every time because once they sing i HATE sitting through all the rest of the contestants. my stomach is tied in knots and i start to fell a little sick. every time they get on stage during a contest i get so tense!! this contest was no different as they were out 14th of 33. once mjc came off stage we did take some time to go back to the hotel so the ladies could get out of their costumes and grab some lunch. as we got in the elevator to go up to the room i made an off the cuff remark about getting in the spirit and putting on some fake lashes if mjc made it to the second day. guess what!!! they did ... they were announced as contestant 7 in the top ten.

as promised i decided to either go big or go home .....

From Sept-Oct-2011

friday was jammed packed with the quartet finals but more than that the anticipation was growing for the chorus finals. mjc was preparing like crazy with the 'missing U' package. it was hysterical and jill was playing to the crowd like nothing that i have ever seen see pic below). i can't even explain how funny it was ... you just had to be there.

From Sept-Oct-2011

in the end mjc came in 7th. it was a fantastic week and i was thankful to be a part of it.

From Sept-Oct-2011

a week in highland

every now and again i get to hang out with a few of my favorite people. this stay was no different ... it was a blast. it seems like we had a new adventure each night. if you have never had a chance to spend time with mc and kc (an most of you probably haven't) you are missing out. these two constantly crack me up. everything from arguments over homework, picking out birthday presents, and playing a little golf in the park ... it never stops.

one of the first nights we showed a little love to ace and chelsea and cleaned out their cage. i was completely disgusting and i swear that i will NEVER own birds. but i bit the bullet and we got it done. here is proof that the birds are still alive ...

From Sept-Oct-2011

our next adventure was carving pumpkins. we picked out three pumpkins and as it turns out kc didn't want to carve one. we bought a book with a bunch of carvings and they were a little harder for miss mc. no worries, because she got a kick out of pulling out the pumpkin guts. we only made it through one on the first go around but it turned out great.

here is mc proudly displaying her pumpkin

From Sept-Oct-2011

There were no candles in the house when we finished so we improvised and put a birthday candle in it .... it lasted just long enough to get a few pictures.

From Sept-Oct-2011

mc also likes to pick out her clothes her clothes each night before she goes to sleep. no only does she pick them out but while i was there she wanted to lay them all 'as if someone' were wearing them.

so adorable

From Sept-Oct-2011

my favorite memory of the whole week was sitting in bed friday night(well after bedtime) wih mc on one side and kc on the other watching america's funniest home videos. it really isn't all that funny to watch it on your own ... but watch it with two kids that are crazy tired and laugh at everything. sooooo funny.

sisters(x2) and soccer

a bit more on the great state of oregon .... seriously, i have decided i need to move there. we had a full saturday as we ran from place to place. we attended two soccer games, went to the resorts town of sisters, attended a baptism, had family dinner, and then hung out with the family ....

as soon as we got to the first soccer game i was wishing that i had packed my 'big' camera. oh well, live and learn, instead i pulled this picture of google ... just so that i would have something to share with you all.

From Sept-Oct-2011

in between soccer games we drove out out to the resort town sisters for the farmers market. i could have spent some major money there but ended up only buying one thing. maybe the coolest thing at the market was a stand where a gentleman has turne coins from countries all over the world into necklaces. i have a good friend serving a mission in estonia and just about bought a necklaces for her .... i didn't buy it and i am regretting it now. again, i didn't have the fore-site to take a picture so here is a another one thanks to google.

From Sept-Oct-2011

lastly, i got to hang out with r&h and company. lovin it!!

From Sept-Oct-2011

great to be 8

the main reason for my visit to oregon was to attend my niece's baptism. it is always fun to visit my brother and sister-in-law but this trip was extra special. maybe it was due to the fact that conference was fresh on my mind ... whatever the reason, I am so glad that i made the trip. emt is amazing and i was so proud of her and her choice to be baptised. examples come in every shape and size ...

(of course my eyes are closed in this picture .... i will have to replace it at some point ... but for now, here it is)

From Sept-Oct-2011

pumpkin patch + games

we decided to go out to a somewhat local pumpkin patch yesterday. we drove to a town near bend and found a pumpkin patch that also had a kids play zone and a petting zoo. it was fun to see the different reactions of the kids. after some time with animals and some time on the sack slide it was time to pick out pumpkins. each child walked around and tried to find the 'perfect pumpkin'. I likes this one ... i thought that it had character.

From Sept-Oct-2011

instead of seeing the animals or really even paying attention to anything and me, being me, i just walked around and took pictures with my phone app!! i tell everyone about this app (hipstamatic) and how cool it is .... here is proof. check out this picture that i took.

From Sept-Oct-2011

LOVE IT!!

not only did we have a great time hanging out but then we added to go back to the house and play hearts. my dad cleaned house. for any of you who have ever played hearts with him you know that he can count cards like no ones business. proud to say that only shot the moon once .... be at the end of the dame i think his number was still under 20. i will tell you one thing for certain. i hate to lose ...

From Sept-Oct-2011

sneaky

i woke to the sound of kids voices and two sneaky boys slowly sneaking up to the couch where I happened to be sleeping. of course, as soon as I sat up they would run back to their room. after finally waking up completely and chasing them around upstairs they all had to go to school and i was ready to get some work done. however, before they left i asked them to take a picture with me....instead M said...'just take a picture of me'... so I did