My Mom = My Angel

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mom's out there, but especially to mine!!! I love you Mom!!! I really do have the best mom in the world; I have no clue what I would do without her. She helps me with everything and is always there the moment I need her. I would not be the person I am or as far in my life as I am without my mom. She is my very best friend and I wouldn't trade that for the world! I think that is what makes the relationship that I have with my mom so strong and unique compared to most others. Through my entire life my mom has been my best friend...even during the teenage years ;) Mom has been the one person through my lifetime that has ALWAYS been there and I know that she will continue to be that person for me. One of the best things that happened to me was thanks to high school being high school. I didn't always have the best of luck with friends being consistent and there when I needed them, but Mom was there for sure. After learning once again who my true friends were (or the lack of them) and thanks to the awesome schedule that I had for my senior year I went home most of the time for lunch. I loved it, just me and Mom time! We made awesome memories that we can both laugh about and cherish forever. Looking back on it, I'm grateful for the jerks that left my life because I was given the opportunity to make the bond with my best friend even stronger!

I love knowing that I can always turn to her for help, advice, and a listening ear. I love knowing that Mom is always just a phone call away while I'm up at college. I know there were multiple times when I called her because I needed to vent, someone just to listen, someone who understands it all, someone I can let all of the emotions and frustrations out to, Mom is that someone! She is the best!!! I could call and go on and on venting about everything and she listens, without interrupting, until I get everything out, then she knows EXACTLY what to say and can make all the worries and frustrations melt away. If you ever need anyone that knows how to truly listen and be a friend then my mom is the perfect person! She is, for lack of better words, amazing!!!

Happy Mother’s Day Mom!!! I hope that it has been a wonderful one, you deserve it! Thank you for all you have done and given me. I LOVE YOU!!!

Ironman St. George

First off I just want to say that I am horrible at this blog keeping thing, especially since my last post was almost 6 months ago :S Sorry! But now that school is out maybe I'll do better, no guarantees though haha.

Okay so please someone remember to slap me if I ever decide to actually do an Ironman (in my mind it sounds like a good goal and kinda fun, even after seeing it). These athletes are ridiculously AMAZING!!!!!!! What they put their body's and minds through blows my mind! I sincerely congratulate anyone who participates in one of them, even more so the finishers. I loved watching, cheering, supporting, helping, and being a part of the inaugural Ford Ironman St. George this past Saturday. It was a blast!!! A.J. and I had the opportunity to be a part of the T2 team, which is the transition from bike to run. We were the sunscreen station. Yeah yeah everyone else felt so bad for us because we got stuck with one of the "sucky" and "worst" jobs, but I absolutely, 100% LOVED it! It was such a remarkable experience. Reasons why T2 sunscreen was the best: 1) We were the first to see the athletes coming out of the change tent, which means that we were the first to cheer them on for the marathon ;) 2) We were actually able to interact and have a conversation with the athletes. This was probably the best part! It blew me away how thankful, happy, and apprecitive every single athlete was. Each one, even if they didn't stop, said thank you. Now keep in mind that they have already swam 2.4 miles and biked 112 miles on what is said to be the toughest course for any Ironman, now they have to go run an entire marathon (26.2 miles). If I were them, talking and thinking would be the last thing on my mind, but most would stop and even joke around with us as we were sunscreening them. The comments helped me always have a smile on my face. We heard a little bit of everything: "Whoa it's like a NASCAR pitstop here," "Maybe I'll just stay here, this is the best massage ever," "Do you wanna do another layer? I need to stall!" Haha there were a few guys that figured out the real reason some of the girls were there "You know you like this" or "You got the good deal cuz I'm a really hot guy" We were all enterained and laughing with the athletes. Their positive attitudes were in just as good of shape as their body's are....AMAZING!!!! A.J. and I have both been helping with the STG Marathon for several years and were constantly comparing the Ironman to it. I'll just say now that there really isn't a fair comparison. While I love helping with the marathon, the Ironman blew it away!!! I think our opportunity to interact with the athletes was a huge part of that. During the marathon they are so worn out and many frustrated that you might get a thank you as they run buy, but every athlete here was in a great mood and was sincere in their thanking. It made us, as volunteers, feel needed and appreciated. It was so nice! I still can't figure out how they still had so much energy. They had already accomplished so much but still had to run over 26 miles, but they didn't even seem tired. It was unbelievable!!! 3) It once again proved to me how much I love nursing!!! And that nursing is the right thing for me. I loved being able to help them and cheer them on! 4) I got a free shirt, free food...twice, and can now get a free massage :) Yay! Monday night there was a volunteer banquet where we got free food again, watched videos, and won prizes. I won a free 1 hour massage to Massage Envy. I can't wait, I'm so excited!!! 5) I can say that I am a part of Ironman history! I am a part of the inagural race of Ford's Ironman St. George. I witnessed course history in the making, I was able to watch the first male and female finishers, I saw the course records being set. I not just watched all of it, I was a piece of it!

It was a blast and I can't wait to do it again next year!!! I just want to take the time to again to congratulate all of those who competed, even more so to the finishers. You are all my heroes!!!! What you put your mind and body through is amazing. You have accomplished the most grueling course on earth and are an achiever. You have great reason to be proud. Congratulations!!!!

Punt, Pass, & Kick/San Francisco Trip

BrieAnn after winning first place in the regional P,P,K

I have decided that my little sister may just be the luckiest person I know! Thanks to her, a dream of mine, that I've had for a long time, has come true. We had the opportunity to attend a San Francisco 49ers game at Candlestick Park! Though they lost (and shouldn't have really) it was a blast!!! I've been a 49er fan almost as long as a BYU fan...since I was born. Huge fan of Steve Young!! 08! Love it!
In the middle of September BrieAnn competed in I guess what you could call a tradition for our family, Punt, Pass, & Kick. She won the local one, and competed at regions, which includes surrounding areas of St. George, Cedar City, Richfield, and even parts of NV (Mesquite). She won that one too, which was exciting because she received a very nice medal. Those scores are then sent to some special someone who has the job of finding the top four of the Western Conference, those top four then travel to compete at the "Team Championship Level." For us that meant a long trip to San Francisco. For some reason my little sister loves me enough that she wanted me to come along. As a winner she received a free ticket to the game for her and one other person. It used to be two, but as of this year they cut it back...dumb reasons. This caused some problems because now I wasn't going to be able to go because Dad had to drive, this upset the small one and things eventually worked out so that me, Mom, and Dad could all go with her. It was a great trip! We had fun, mostly consisting of watching endless Scooby Doo movies, and laughing at me while trying to comprehend my math homework. As our family vacation over the summer we drove to SF, so the journey was not new for us, but all the while still long. This also made the trip quick, and in some ways less stressful. We had already seen the Golden Gate Bridge, visited China Town, walked through Gharadelli Square, ridden the trolley's, walked Lombard Street, and all the other touristy sites.Once arriving in SF and finding our hotel, we went to the park to practice before going to bed. Our hotel was right on the bay, which was beautiful!!

Sunrise on the Bay!

Sunday morning we headed back to Daly City Park for the competition. It was interesting, but BrieAnn held her own and did really good. I told her that the number one rule of the day was to have fun (not aim high), which she did. She made a new friend and they were cute competing against each other. I'm super proud of her! She ended up with 4th place and got an official NFL ball trophy thing. SUPER CRAZY PROTECTIVE!!!! Haha she wouldn't let anyone touch it, if she did let you, you were allowed to use two fingertips to hold the ends, anything else resulting in a lecture. I will admit it's pretty awesome, yeah, kinda jealous. I told her she could keep it downstairs in my room at home...she wouldn't go for it. Figures!

Morning of the Competition
"That was the best I've ever done! I just (throwing motion), far!"
Kick
Award time :D I love her smile and how happy/excited she was
8-9 year old girls winners (New friend, McKenna, is the one in the black and white jacket)
My little winner! Yes, of course she is in a BYU jersey!!

After the competition and wandering around a cool flea market on the other side of the park, we headed to Candlestick Park....home of the 49ers!! We played and ate at the AWESOME tailgate party. It was definitely a party! BrieAnn won a T-shirt and some other prizes by hitting targets and such by throwing and kicking the ball. Lucky lil girl for sure! Then we entered the stadium and found our AMAZING seats. They were just a few rows up off the field, very cool. Her face lit up when I told her that we never even get that close to the field at BYU games. She was the halftime entertainment, where each kid demonstrated their pass. She appeared on the Jumbo-tron and had fun. Very cute! After the game, we started the long drive back to the good ol' STG. Didn't get back til about 6:30 Monday morning, but it was worth the trip for sure. I am so lucky to have such an amazing little sister, and that I was able to share such a memorable experience with her. We are all so proud of her!!

At the tailgate party
At the stadium
Down by the field
Show time! Getting ready to throw
Shorty of the pack (BrieAnn is the last one in line)
Halftime Comp
Great seats, watching the game, loving life
Cutie sporting the tailgate wear. Wish there were a little more of those touchdowns for the 49ers :(
Classic sis pic
My awesome little sis! Lovin' the uniform ;)

BrieAnn's performance on the Jumbo-tron during halftime

Halloween 2009....Most Eventful Day Ever

So it's been almost an entire month since what I'm going to post happened, but oh well, what can I say, I'm busy! The main reason I'm starting this blog back up is because I have had many family members and friends ask me to keep them updated, some of which do not have a facebook page (shocker, I know. There are still people out there that don't have one....Dad) I figured this would be one of the easier ways to do that so here we go.

Halloween is usually a crazy day to begin with, but especially so for our family. It's Mom's birthday! So in addition to her growing "younger," our day was packed with an Eagle Scout Court of Honor, a baptism, traditional dinner, and trick-or-treating. Carson was finally able to officially receive his Eagle badge for scouts. He actually truly received it June 24, 5 days before his 13th birthday, but decided to wait on the court of honor for various reasons. His whole goal was to beat A.J. age wise, which he did. Both little brothers accomplished the rank of Eagle before their 13th birthday's, huge accomplishment!! The ceremony was very nice. Short, sweet, and to the point. Bob Wood, from the Mormon Battalion, was one of the speakers, which was a neat experience I think for everyone. Taught a lot about the battalion and what they had to go through to remain safe and do their jobs.

Carson and Lt. Bob Wood of the Mormon Battalion
Carson repeating his Scout Oath and Eagle Charge.
Family at the Court of Honor
Eagle brothers A.J. and Carson

After the Court of Honor we went directly to BrieAnn's baptism. She, like Carson and his Eagle, put this big event off. She could have been baptized the end of September since she's been 8 since the 9th of Sept. The reasoning behind both of them waiting was to give Mom the best presents we could ever give her. Each one of us had something special to do. BrieAnn-being baptized, Carson-Eagle Scout, A.J.-baptizing his mini (BrieAnn may be my shadow, but she is a copy of her older brother), Me-receiving my Patriarchal blessing Sunday, Mom-birthday :), and Dad-confirming BrieAnn. Also like the Court of Honor, the baptism went quickly. BrieAnn sang a baptism song, and was the first of four girls to get baptized. A.J. did an amazing job. We're all super proud of him! BrieAnn looked even more of an angel than normal in her white dress. She despised her bow because it pulled her hair, and ended up hating me since Mom made me be the one that put it in her hair, but she was beautiful!

BrieAnn in her dress before the baptism.

A.J. and his mini, BrieAnn
A.J., BrieAnn, Mom, and Dad

Me 'n' my Sis

After the baptism we went home to change into costumes, and eat Dad's famous homemade Oreo ice cream. Yum! BrieAnn was in charge of choosing my costume since I was taking her around trick-or-treating. It was between the usual softball player, a football player, and nurse. At first the decision was the football player. We were downstairs and I was getting everything out that she demanded and threw it on my bed, it didn't stay there for long. I turned around and the punk had my costume on, which needless to say was ginormous on her. Part of that included "butt pads," also known as my softball sliders. So I played along, we found some of A.J.'s old baseball cleats and had her all decked out to show Mom. The next picture may somewhat explain why Mom almost died laughing. She still can't look at the picture without turning some shade of purple.

BrieAnn in my Halloween costume. Football player with "butt pads" included. Under all of that you could also find my softball socks that went up to her waist.

After all that fun I ended up as a nurse, Carson was a spy, A.J. handed out candy and scared all the little kids, and BrieAnn was a witch. Before trick-or-treating we always have homemade chili and cake at Grandma's house for Mom's birthday. As usual, Grandma never disappoints, it was delicious!! We all stocked up on candy for out sugar highs until about 9 and then all crashed in our beds :) It was an unexplainable, wonderful day, and a fantastic weekend. One that none of us will likely ever forget!! Thanks to all those that shared such a special day with us!

Busy day!