Day10

She has been my best friend since I was 10. We met in the Rollingwood Rockets swim team. I can always count on her for advice or a real opinion about anything really. She could always count on me to clean her room so that her mom would let me stay over. She would always accuse me of flirting with guys she liked {I promise I really wasn't, I'm just outgoing!} We thought we were so cool driving around, shades on (even when it was overcast) driving, er rather speeding around town singing, "I don't want no scrub." Oh, those were the days! We used to play M.A.S.H. for hours, stuff basketballs under our shirts pretending that we were having children, and talk in English accents fantasizing about how our lives would turn out. We wanted to grow up so fast and we did! We sure don't have butlers, but I think we did pretty well for ourselves. Glad she was my friend for all those years and even gladder that she was there to save me when I earned the nickname"splash."

Friends

For no good reason, can I just say that I am glad that these two are some of my best friends.
Love them!

Just Breath

Group B for Brilliant.
From left to right Mafalda (my carpool buddy), Carla, Jessica, Dawn, Me (the three in the tree), Jennifer, Mark and Angie.

We had woken up at 4:00 am for two days in a row and had just finished our last day of clinical for the first semester yesterday and couldn't be happier! I enjoy working with all of the ladies...and Mark.

I am sad though because next semester I don't have ANY of them in my group-sniffle. So I will have to make 9 new friends with the classmates below and find a new carpool buddy...:(

Class of 2010

On afternoon after clinical.

Our instructor Joni is like the paparazzi always wanting to take pictures and I appreciate that she did because she made us a slide show, put to music of the entire semester, it was very thoughtful and neat to see our confidence grow. She is also a tough instructor but because of her expectations I know that I will be a better nurse and am more prepared for next semester than those from other groups.

Sneaking pictures near the Omni Cell

Hard at work

The Lab

Dawn and I practicing for our injection competency exam, she is in her 50's can you believe it!! I hope I look half that good at that age.

Preparing to insert my first catheter of Mr. or Mrs. dummy

The lady in the middle wearing black with her eyes closed in Adette. She helped us prepare for our skills tests and she helped instill confidence and give us pointers-Thanks!

Looking back at the last four months I can finally breath because it has come to an end-almost. We have two more days of class. At times, I was overwhelmed and honestly thought I would not be able to endure. My confidence faltered and I almost gave up. I am a perfectionist and I had to learn that I am not going to be "perfect" at everything the first time and that I might not get "perfect" grades but that I am learning for a reason.

I am happy that I stuck with it and to say that overall it wasn't that bad and I am grateful to my classmates for being built in cheerleaders. Now that I know what to expect, because I am a planner and don't handle well with the unexpected. With this knowledge, I know that next semester is going to be tough-much worse than the last four months but I know that I can do it.

Mafalda has been an unexpected friend but being in a car with someone for more than 10 hours a week, you get to know them very well. I am happy to say that she is my friend.

Exploratorium

Today I took Carson to the museum of science, art and human perception in San Francisco also known as the Exploratorium. The reason for our visit was to see Carrie a good friend of mine from Utah who had just gotten married and was honeymooning in Cali. It was good to see her but what made my day was spending time with Carson at the exploratorium.

You looking at ME?

Music Man

For those of you who have never been to the Exploratorium everything inside is hands on. I have fond memories from going there when I was a kid and teenager and it was fun to go back and see things through Carson's eyes. There was so much for him to see, hear, touch, and explore. To anyone with kids, I would recommend taking the drive and checking it out sometime, the first Wednesday (like today) of every month is free so you don't have to feel bad for not staying all day.

This chair is three time the size of a standard chair.

Carson loved feeling all of the textures.

Fun with Friends

My friend Chelsie teaches at a Christian School and this year she was in charge of their musical. This was a huge undertaking for her but she did such a great job! The play was like a safari and focused on how Heavenly Father's hand is in all creations. So naturally, she dressed the part.

Her Dad flew from Washington just to see her play and I helped him surprise her, it was the first secret I have ever kept from her I was proud of myself for not spilling the beans!

We love getting together with friends because it is so fun to reminisce about the good old days. Our good friends Tyson and Kendra were visiting from Florida so we had to get together for sushi, because it's tradition. Other exciting news is that Andrew's brother Ian (to the left of him) just graduated from college. We are so proud of him. Now he just needs to find a wife, any takers?

Dinner Group

We have a great group of friends that we get together with one a month for what we call our Circles Dinner Group. It was our turn to host this month so we decided to rock out after dinner. Here are some candid shots from our evening and I just noticed that there are also some random collages from Christmas and of me when we got our new camera...just to mix things up. I really have no idea how that happened, oh well.

Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban Concert!

Wednesday morning I got a call from my friend Leslie asking if I would like to go to see Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban that night because her husband who was planning on going with her (and had given her the tickets as a b-day present) was sick, bummer. So after finding a sub for Bunco that night (thanks Liz) and clearing babysitting with Andrew, I was so excited and looked forward to that evening all day!

Carrie Underwood performed first and it was nice to see her in concert after watching her on American Idol. Initially, I was mostly interested in see Carrie, and I must say that Keith is an awesome performer!

He threw THE BEST show! Not only is he a great singer he is a talented musician, throughout the show he would do guitar solos that make Andrew playing Guitar Hero on Hard look like a piece of cake. He was incredible. At one point he was looking out into the aidence and a fan had a sign that read: "Gas to Arco Arena: $50, Concert Tickets: $200, and kiss from Keith: priceless." Well, he said, "I'm married, but would you settle for a hug?" and then he brought this girl onto the stage with him.

Towards the end of the show, he and Carrie performed together. He also went and sang in the crowd, then gave away a signed guitar to a random fan. I obviously don't know him, but he seemed like a nice, mellow guy. For now, I am a huge fan and I would definitely be interested in seeing him again in concert.

Close up's provided by a great zoom!

My Homies

Last weekend we went out to dinner. We were worried about how Carson would do because he hadn't taken a nap. However, being his usual social self he immediately gets the attention of the large party next to us. The guys near our end of the table where so nice to "talk with him" and after awhile he wanted nothing to do with mom and dad so we let him so sit with his new "friends."

We moved the high chair and he soaked up his new gang for about 30 sec and then turns around with the biggest grin, I wish I would have had the camera out for his initial expression. You could tell that he thought he was so cool and big!When Carson's posse was about to leave they asked if they could take a picture of him. I was hesitant at first and although they look questionable they were nice guys but I hope these aren't the type of friends that Carson will normally be drawn to hang out with.

Monterey

Scott and Liz were nice enough to let us tag along with them last weekend to Monterey. It was sooo nice to get away. I had the best time. We got there late Thursday night but first thing Friday morning Scott announced that we were going to First Awakenings and then hit the grocery store. I was confused because the name reminded me of a church but I am happy to report that it was a legit place to eat. Their pancakes are 18" round and amazing! I really want to go back next time we're in Monterey.

The house that we stayed in was about two blocks from the ocean so rain and all we decided to go for a walk. I love the ocean!

While we were there we got a chance to see Brian and Hilary Wiest (CHP man now but used to be in Roseville 9th ward with us) and have have "date night" with them. We went to dinner at a place called Hula's which had some tasty burgers and some unforgettable sweet potatoe fries. After dinner we played games and somehow got on the subject of flexibility so I did the splits and it must have been getting late because the girls started stretching...it felt like a slumber party in high school.

Hilary had gotten us free tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium so on Saturday we went to check out the animals and exhibits.

Carson loved his first trip to the aquarium. I think his favorite exhibit was the otters because while watching them swim and play he would laugh. Carson ditched his stroller and was very hands on. He wanted to be up close and personal, can you blame him?!

We were looking at the sharks when all of a sudden this ugly fish (pictured below) comes out of nowhere and everyone gasps. It was huge!

Scott and Liz thanks for inviting us, we had the greatest time. Hopefully we weren't too much too soon!

Co-ed shower

Our friends, Brad and Reiko Lamb are expecting a baby girl in May.

They live in L.A. and decided to come up for a co-ed baby shower. This was a first for me but I thought that it was fun having the guys there.

Besides the delicious treats (I had one of each...and I wonder why I am slowly gaining weight) and the adorable little girly outfits, the "cool" people (Ben, Andrew and I) provided entertainment by kareoking.

Ben keeping it real.

My rock star. I know that is is hard to envision me kareoking and the only reason that I don't have a picture to prove it is because I can't sing and take pictures at the same time. However, I am sure that the others there got plenty of footage to keep them entertained for awhile.

Rose Bowl, Resolutions and a Recipe

We started out the New Year with another victory for the Trojans!

On New Years Eve Eve our friends made up some goals for us, here are a few of their suggestions for us:

1. Have twins--what?!
2. Enter a Dance Dance Revolution Competition (keep in mind that we don't have and aren't good at DDR)
3. Learn "It's a Hard Knock Life" dance from Annie and perform in ward talent show...we'll be sure to get right on that.
4. Become ultimate Nascar fans and get a car to park on your lawn like our neighbor (they moved, thank goodness)

Thanks to the Ashby's , Perryman's and Mortimer's thoughtful suggestions it got me thinking. I haven't made resolutions for about four years so I decided 2008 was a good year make some goals and share them so that I'll actually take the initiative to follow through.

My "real" goals include:

Spiritual
* Read the Book of Mormon in 4 months with our wards Relief Society
Personal
* Start an R.N. program and make good grades
Financial
* Deposit money into our IRA's
* Start a missionary/college account for Carson and future children
Physical
* Exercise 3 days a week for at least 30 minutes (housework doesn't count!)

Today, after the game we had these amazing mouthwatering ribs. They were so good that I thought I would share with you the recipe so that you can try them for yourselves.

3-4 lbs Pork Spare Ribs (makes 2-3 servings but we cooked more and the sauce amount was enough)
1 C. Maple Syrup-the real stuff
1/3 C. Soy Sauce
3Tbs. Sweet Cooking Wine (Kikkoman Aj Mirin, found at Raley's)
1Tbs. Garlic Powder
2tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Sugar
Bring ribs and water to a boil and cover in a large dutch oven, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
Place ribs in a slightly greased 13x9 pan.
Stir together syrup and other 5 ingredients and our over ribs
Bake @ 325 for 1 hour
When done baking, pour sauce out of 13x9 into a saucepan and thicken with corn starch. Then pour sauce over ribs and enjoy!

'Tis the season

About an hour before our party every year I always start to worry that no one will show up and then I worry that when they do come that they will have an awful time...

But I am happy to report that our annual white elephant gift exchange was another success!

When I busted out the camera and Scott ducked out of the way because he knew that I would be blogging. So instead of him in a group shot he has a glamor shot all his own.

Just the Girls

Hillary, Lindsey, Catherine, Me, Leslie, Valerie, Liz, and Susan

Another favorite was a green exercise band that is supposed to help one look trim and make exercising more effective because it apparently would make you sweat more.

My personal favorite was a small plastic reminder that can be placed in the fridge or pantry and will oink at you when you try to get food. It was called the Diet Piggy.

This year the most popular gift was a Nerf gun accompanied by a jock strap and modeled (several times) by Brandon.

To those of you who weren't able to make it, we'll see you next year!