Oh. My. Heck.

Ok. So I'm a little wary sharing my newest discovery with you because I wish that I was as witty as this person and am jealous of her hilarity. I don't know if that is a word. I have recently been clued into THE funniest thing I have seen in a long time. Like, laugh out loud at work funny. I'm going to put a link on my blog, but for those who can't wait for that, check out
http://seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com
I dare you to tell me it's not spit-out-your-water and tell-all-your-friends funny.
This post was my first introduction to Tamn. (Read her profile first).

Sisters. . . . Sisters. . . .yada yada yada yada Sisters. . .

Now do you have that song in your head? Sorry. Last night I was laying in bed at 9:18 (I'm so lame this semester) (but it's not like I'd be doing anything exciting) and I thought of this random story about me and Laura and how mean I have been to her. One time she was chewing this ENORMOUS wad of gum and it made me sick. And when I asked her to spit some of it out, she refused and it made me mad. I had anger management problems back then. YES, just back then. So, in my anger, and after her numerous refusals, I pulled the trash from under the sink, grabbed her and forced her head down over the garbage, holding her there and forcing her to half it. After that, she had to half what was left until it was mostly gone. She was so mad by the time we were done. I'm such a drill sergeant. The next story I will share is not one I'm proud of. One bright sunny day we were messing around and I tackled her on the front hill, at the bottom. I held her down and was trying to do that trick that boys are so good at where they spit and then suck it back in. . . Well, I'm a girl and can't do that. So my spit slowly went down and landed on her forehead. To make it worse and more torturous, I continued to hold her down while it rolled across her head. She was screaming and swore at me. I was even disgusted, but for some reason, still found it funny. I knew I was in trouble, though. I got ready to take off up the stairs and made it up before her, only because she had to get up and wipe off the spit. I opened the door and then she got to me. . . she kicked me in the crotch and said, "I hope you can't have kids." I took it without getting mad, I think, because I knew that I had just gone over the top. I still feel bad about that. Still funny, though. But I couldn't get too mad when Tracie drooled in my hair a couple months ago.
I hope I'm nicer now. I would love to hear any stories you may have. . .

Why I Don't Sing in the Ward Choir

So our ward choir is very, um, special. There are about five people that show up for practice, and maybe fifteen that come and sing when they do a number in church. Today, I had to take Tracie up (she's the pianist. . .lucky girl) early and got suckered into singing with them. When we got up to sing after stirring talks on boy scouting, (they weren't really that bad) I was ready to jam. We got through the first two verses of "The Spirit of God" and I looked over at Tracie (I was right next to the piano) and we shared a look. And that was it. We both started laughing and it went downhill from there. I could not sing. She was able to keep playing like a pro, but her shoulders were dancing. I was crying. I never cry when I laugh. It was a mess. I had to just stare at my book and giggle. Every once in a while I would glance up and see people laughing at me, and that would set me off again. I think I contributed to the last two lines in the final chorus, but it wasn't pretty. Good old mom, she carried the alto line all by herself after I was debilitated.
After sacrament meeting, we had to hear all the comments and we wished there was a better reason that we could offer for the laughing fit, but there wasn't. We just started laughing. It was awesome.

What's More American Than. . . .

So Jack Johnson made an appearance here in the SLC. Tracie went with her friend Carlee and I thought about joining them but decided I'd rather go shopping. When I went to pick her up, craziness ensued with mistaken directions, crazy driving, and some retard spitting a logey on my windshield, probably because he was drunk and stupid. Or just stupid. Luckily, I didn't see him do it or I would have probably caused some trouble. I'm so scary. Anyway, on the way home, I was irritated at the lack of communication that we had experienced and was sounding like my dad in lecture mode. I don't know how we got on the topic, but when I dropped Carlee off at her house, I made some comment about her being an upstanding citizen since she is the upcoming junior class president at Cyprus High (go pirates! snicker snicker) and her having a huge flag pole in her front yard.
Anyway, so Tracie and I decided we needed some late night nourishment and headed over to the excessive display of fast food that is 3500 south and 5600 west, and there was construction at the intersection. We finally maneuvered our way to McDonalds (there was some creative driving on my part) and were placing our order. The girl who took it was having a hard time understanding me, as when I asked if the 10 piece chicken nuggets was the smallest order they had. "Yes" she replied. then I found it on the menu. "Ok, I'll have the six piece chicken nugget" "Ok". So Tracie and I had a good laugh about the non-communitative issues with fast food places around these parts lately. It was an innocent enough convo, because neither of us have any hard feelings on the subject, except when they get my order wrong and I've already driven away.
I think the main point I want to make on this post happened a couple of days later when I watched this great movie I rented from the Blockbuster. I saw a preview for it in the theater a while back and made a mental note that I wanted to see it. It's a Mexican film called "Under the Moon" or "La Misma Luna". The story is about a nine year-old boy who crosses the border to try and find his mom in LA after his grandmother and guardian passes away. It's beautifully told and the boy actor was phenomenal. It is a story about immigration without the politics. The only negative lines in the story are heard on a mexican radio station in LA about immigration policies. There is one part where "La Migra" or immigration raids a group working in Texas and it negatively portrays the border control, who I don't think even participates in work raids.
Anyway, since my mission, I have a tender spot in my heart for the hispanic people. I think that regardless of your immigration opinions, this is a beautifully told story about the love between a mother and a son and the push for a better life.
Hermana Wilde, te gustaria especialmente este pelicula. Te quiero amigita!

I Really Really Really Love Bear Lake.

I do. A lot. We have been going to Bear Lake for a week out of the summer all of my life. My mom always went with her family and their ward, but now it's just my mom's family that goes. There is one day every year that my mom would spend hours on the phone in the morning trying to get through to reserve the camp site at Rendesvouz Beach on the south end of the lake. It would be a stress filled morning until she got through and then there was joy and jubilation that filled the house. Until a few years ago when they got more stupid and she would have to call two times because she had to schedule only a few days at a time. This year we thought we would have to move campsites mid-week (because the people who do the scheduling are in dire need of assistance in organization) but luckily the week before my mom called to schedule for next year and the bright young man helping her changed our reservation to the same place all week. Why couldn't they do that in the first place? Who knows.
Anyway, I have been dying for a vacation, so this came at the perfect time. Tracie and I drove up on Tuesday (after watching my dad attack the camper cutting off up to two inches off each side of the underpart so it would fit in his nice new truck) (let's not talk about the camper. It's a piece.) and were the first ones there. Mom's sister Evelyn and her husband Bert and their two grandkids joined us later and one of the funniest things I had ever heard commenced. Tyra (10), Eliana (5), Tracie and I were sitting in the pavilion. Elaina had been "unloading" the van, bringing all sorts of random things over. ("These are Grandma's red sandals that she wears when she gets out of bed and it's still blue time outside." "What's blue time, Elaina?" "You know, when the sun isn't out yet and it's all blue outside." "Oh, right. Of course.") So we're basking in all of Bear Lake's glory when we hear this "Oh shit! I forgot my skittles!" and Elaina ran off to the van. Tracie and I were dying and Tyra says, "I forgot to tell you. She swears a lot." It was so funny, because it was said with all the distress of having forgotten her swimming suit at home. Good times.
Mom and Dad showed up later, and then Alan, April and the kids came up that night. All of mom's sisters were there with some of their kids and then her brother and his wife came up on Thursday.
Alan had borrowed some wave runners from a friend (who just lends those out?!) and we took them out for the first time on wednesday. Oh wowee. Those are some good times! The water was absolutely gorgeous until we were about done that day, when it started to get cooler and choppy, but riding the waves on those guys are so fun! I didn't throw myself off, which was surprising to us all, and we didn't have any problems. It was a great addition to the vacay.
I left on Thursday night with Dad and Lucy (love her but she's so annoying when we are camping) because the boys were going hunting and I had a wedding the next day.
Overall, it was the perfect vacation. Lots of sun with minimal sunburn (I was faithful with the sunscreen), not too hot but the water wasn't too cold, good food, great company and almost unlimited access to my babies. Oh yeah. I did throw up outside in the middle of the night on the first day because I'd had a headache and ended up peeing my pants (rock on, thanks for the awesome bladder, mom) but don't worry, I didn't let it ruin my trip. It's all about the stories, right?
Until next year, Bear Lake!

Kim and Ted's Excellent Adventure

I feel kind of silly posting this because it was so long ago, but on August 7, 2008, Erik Simon Paul married Kamilyn Andrew in the Logan temple.

It was all very exciting. Tracie, Victoria and I all drove up with Erik that morning because we decided it would be more time efficient to take their "couple" pictures before the actual ceremony, leaving us more time to meander over to Maddox in Perry, outside of Brigham city. The pictures went really well, and I'm glad I was able to do it! They are so funny, and they were so excited and happy that the pictures really turned out great. I love taking pictures at the Logan temple because they have such a different feel to them. The building itself is so gorgeous and the stone is beautiful. It was a hot day, but there was a chance for rain, so we were glad that it held off until later!
The ceremony was beautiful, and I'm so excited for my cute little (big) brother. He really has lucked out, because Kami is fantastic. She has been raised by a great family and has such a fun personality. We have a lot of fun with her and I'm glad she's my new (and last) sister. Erik is pretty great also, definitely one of the funniest kids I know. He always makes me laugh and has such a sensative soul. He and Kami have really compatible personalities and are going to do so well together!
After the ceremony and the family pictures (funnily enough, one of the hardest ones I've done. . .who knows why?) we all went to The Lodge at Maddox and enjoyed a very low-key luncheon for close friends and family. I'm so glad they decided not to have a reception, because the day was perfect! That won't stop me from having one, though. The food was delicious and the company was great, but I think one of the best parts was that Kami and Erik had told our dads that they had to fight over who was conducting. They compromised and both decided to do it together. It was funny because they did it like a variety show:
Kim: "Hey, Ted, I guess we better get this party started. . ."
Ted: "Hey, Kim, that sounds like a fine idea. . ."
and so on. Funny guys. They are great dads and they both looked so sharp. The moms, mine (Jeanette) and Kaylene, were happy to sit back and relax, enjoying the day with the rest of us.
Erik and Kami stayed away from most traditional things like the bouquet and garter toss, but did cut a cake. They were very nice to each other and the day ended blissfully. Good word usage, huh.

In the end, it's nice that all of the hullabaloo is over, but I am going to be honest with you. The saddest part about it is that we won't have any obvious excuse to hang out with Kami's family anymore. Laura and I have become blogging friends with Rachel and Heidi, and let me just tell you that if you think they are funny in writing, spend some actual time with them. We have good times. So, Rach and Heidi, it's been real. I'm glad that we are attached through Kami for eternity (getting creepy, right?). So, don't forget to keep in touch when you come down for games or imax movies, and we'll hang out. Holla!


(l to r) top: Laura, me, Kami, Tracie, April. Bottom: Heidi, Rachel

Get a new post up, already!

Ok, ok. So, things have been pretty crazy lately, so in the near future you should see a few new posts. Here is a little teaser for you:

*Kim and Ted's Excellent Adventure. . . highlights of Erik and Kami's wedding
*Bear Lake, Baby!. . . . I think because "bear" is spanish for "this is such a fun place to be."
*What's more American than. . . . you'll have to wait and see!