Still on the Road . . .

Yesterday I spent most of the day in a Cemetery in Benkelman, Nebraska finding my ancestors. It was an awesome day, and I got a LOT done. I spent the night in McCook, NE, and this morning I spent the first few hours in a cemetery there.



Today after driving across Nebraska, which looked much like this I made my way for Essex, IA.



Just after crossing into Iowa, I saw this silo, and had to stop because I thought it would be an awesome picture with the moon in the backround.



Some place, just a different setting on my camera, so the colors are more enriched for a dusk shot. Have I ever said that I absolutely LOVE my camera? Here are some sunset shots about an hour later:







It was sooo beautiful! It for a moment in time I changed how I felt about Iowa. I thought, this can't be too bad a place if the sunsets are this great . . .

On The Road Again!

Travel log: 10:00 AM departure from parental units home on my way Eastward. I started my trip with 121,537 miles on my odometer, and a full car. I wish I'd taken a picture, as somehow I always get everything to fit in like legos. All but my rollerblades . . . they were moved a few times during the trip . . .



When I was a kid, I would go on business trips with my Father, as he was a traveling salesman. On our way between Denver and SLC, we would always stop at Little America, Wyoming to get gasoline, and ice cream cones. It was one of my favorite things when we were on the road, so for old times sake, I stopped and got myself an ice cream cone. While I was enjoying my cone, I was wandering around the gift shop, and happened upon the coolest chess set I have ever seen. If I wasn't crossing the country at the moment, I may have bought it, because it was sooo cute! Cowboys and Indians! I love it!



Wyoming apparently harvests windpower. I thought this was an awesome picture because it was about the last thing I was expecting to see on the high plains of Wyoming.



Here I am driving toward my eastern Colorado destination of Wray. It was a beautiful and lonely road.

Happy Birthday Media Boy!

Ladies, this is the man to whom you could ask any music/movie/entertainment-related question, and he'd know! Oh, the handsome devil! Happy 23rd! It was super-fun to see you last weekend and the farewell gala. Happy Birthday Andy!

Brilliance Strikes Again!

I absolutely love this painting of Amanda's. Seeing as I am moving out of my house today, on my quest Eastward, I had to scan it before I left so I could experience its splendor again. And I also wanted to take the liberty of sharing it with all of you out there. I've said it once, and I'll say it again, Amanda's a Genius!

All Y'all Ready to Party?!!

As this was the last weekend I will officially be an "Iowa Idol" my roommates decided to throw a little party for a few friends . . . which turned out to be the biggest bash yet we've seen at the house! I had buddies there from middle school, high school, college, New York, Ogden, and even a few that I met that night! I must say, it was hot rockin awesome!



The roomies went all out, not only did I get to be Diva for a day with my very own crown, but they decorated upstairs and Celeste put up another fantastic banner.



Not only was the inside of the house full of fun and excitement, but about an hour into the festivities, they surprised me with a pinata outside like we had for the St. Patrick's day party. But this was no ordinary pinata, but a one eyed cow pinata. Sometimes I wonder where they get their inspiration.



Beauty ain't it?



After I had my unsuccessful try to bust the darned thing open, Sean decided he'd have a go at it, while Kristina and Amanda worked on rigging it up a bit tighter.



Jeremy ws the next to try and beat the living daylights out of the cow . . . Sean mostly tawnted Jeremy with the stick while he was blindfolded though.



After many brave souls tried to crack the cow open, we finally burst through the hardcore paper mache confetti covering, and it was everyone for themselves!



The favored prize was the candy necklaces. Here is Celeste and Chris showing theirs off!



Natalie and Kristina were very proud to display their winnings!



Ian was more than eager to do what we all love to do with candy necklaces, shoot them at people!



Celeste got the most memorable prize though, the beloved eye!



Jeremy became one of the happiest guests at the end of the night though, because of my hot lips of course . . . heh . . . nah, just kidding. But those were some hot lips! They were a kazoo!



Shellyce and I had a great time . . . but it was time to move the party back inside. 40 people in the driveway at 11:00 at night can only lead to the cops getting called . . . so back inside we went!



John thought it was a good time to go inside as well . . . he and the boys had some evil little plan ready to come forth. Sean, John, and Jeremy all sprawled out on the LoveSac, and ambushed people to come "crowd surf" with them.



Scott was an innocent bystander though, thankfully enough. He had driven all day from Lake Powell so that he could attend the farewell occasion. He never fails to impress me.



Since graduating from Weber, Scott has been working on few things other than work, play, travel, and growing out his duck tail. It's official Scott. That's the best looking duck tail online! Ow Ow!



Well, it was a fantastic party . . . at least Jeremy and I thought so. Hopefully we'll be able to duplicate the success again when I visit!

Your Free time?

Kristina and I have always found interesting and cheap ways to entertain ourselves. Whether it is doing flips on the LoveSac, having a waterfight, or our new found favorite, putting grapes up our noses. Life with us is NEVER boring!



You see, Kristina bought these awesome red grapes. As we were preparing the house for a party tonight, we took a little break and had an afternoon snack. We were amazed with how big the grapes really were, and well, Kristina then proceeded to stick one up her nose. She does have rather large nostrils afterall. I then wanted to get in on the action as well, so here it goes:



Oh baby, oh baby. I think that is the worst picture of me on here yet . . . but it is all to display the fun and excitement that we come up with. The best part about these pictures however, is the fact that moments after they were taken, we burst out laughing, and shot the grapes out of our noses in a projectile like way! I've said it before, and I'lll say it again, life with us is NEVER boring!

Got Foil?

Before I go off and explore new advenutres in the East, I decided it was time to feel a bit more fashionable, and put some spunk on my scalp. Last time I moved across the country I chopped off my long locks, so this time I decided I'd fulfill my need for sassiness with color.



It was a first for me. Not with hair dye, I've done plenty of that . . . but with foil. It had to be documented. "With all this foil on my head, I'm gettin' HBO"



Ok ok, perhaps it's not the most flattering picture, BUT who could pass up putting a picture of yourself underneath a hair dryer on the internet? Not me! And thankfully enough my red and blonde highlights turned out splendidly! Just enough to add some flare, yet subduded enough that I don't feel like a skunk!

Johnny and Matt!!

Today was a PERFECT day for a wedding, well the weather was at least. Here is the Logan Temple, where Johnny and Matt were sealed for Time and All Eternity! I did not attend the actual ceremony, but I was surely outside waiting for them to come outside!



And there they are! I hadn't seen Johnny's dress on her until this moment, but I love it on her! So simple, and classic! And the green ribbon makes it HERS! And Matt looked great in his tux!



Look at how happy they are! I bet they were thinking, "where are my sunglasses?" though! It was nice and bright!



Johnny's Dad Modesto, flew in from the Philippines two days before the wedding so he could attend the celebration!



Modesto, Johnny, and Matt.



Here is a great girly shot of Jessie, I, Johnny, Celeste, and Kristina.



And the blushing bride herself, my inspiration and left hand gal, Johnny!!

THE Crew

We may not get together as often as wel like these days, but my friends and I try and get in a few good hang out sessions a year. This time it was a pure spur of the moment. Basically I called around to see who was in town, and drove to a few houses because I didn't have old phone numbers, but the result was fansastic!



Campfire is an essential part of us getting together. During our high school years we had many. Usually they were illegal, but they were frequent. That and campouts . . . late night park visits . . . meeting and running from the cops . . .



Ben and I go back quite a way! We worked together at Bell View Elementary as sanitation engineers when we were 14! I love a good talk with Ben as always brings wisdom and great stories! He's definately one of the best story tellers I know!



Jessie and Sean. Ahhh, young love!



Seth knows how to treat the camera! Doesn't he have a remarkable resemblance to Popeye?



And here is the whole crew in attendance . . . Jeremy trying to jump in the fire, and on the next row is me, Melanie, Natalie, Jessie, Kali, Teri, (my adorable little sis to I basically forced to come with us). Next row, Seth, Levi, Mike, Seannie, Ben, and Andy in the back back.

Boys will be Boys!

After we got back to "headquarters" Andy and Sean decided to be boys.



I don't know why, but boys must wrestle.



I mean I must admit, I've done some wrestling in my day, but for another purpose altogether . . .



And Sean IS married afterall . . . At least it was entertaining to watch!

It's Officially Official Then, Right?

My little sister Susie and her husband Bryant are now officially Mr. and Mrs. to the world! Tonight we had a reception for all friends and family. Don't they look sweet?



Now after a month of married life, this is the last time the HAS to wear the dress.



I'm glad I got a picture of her in the dress this time though, last time she was out of that thing immeadiately! I wonder who helped . . . nudge nudge . . . wink wink . . .



And then there is my adorable neice Isabelle. Oh, and my oldest brother Patrick. She was being so cute! I wish I would figure out how to put video on here, so that you could see the clips of her giggling!



My buddy Trevor was having such a great time, he could hardly contain his enthusiasum!

Extreme Makeover HOME EDITION

Today I got a call from my friend Marrian, and she told me that there was a quite a sight in Bountiful this week. Apparently there is a show that helps out people by rebuilding them a home more functional for their lifestyle. It's all done by volenteers, and donated material. So, Marrian and I decided we should go take a look.



This is a picture of the house two days in. I wish I could have gotten a better shot, but it was raining, and there was a tornado warning that night for the area we lived! It was crazy!



Here is Jakob, Marrian's bouncing baby boy! Isn't he cute!