Yeah, Thanksgiving was good.

I got to eat a ton of good food,
spend time with this great family,

and chop down a Christmas tree in the Tahoe snow-covered forest.

Thanks Greenmen for a good time as always!

"Gobble gobble wee setcha wee setcha wanna wanna"

Did anyone else ever think that those were the opening lyrics to that Ramones song, "Pinhead?"  Turns out i was WAY off.  These are the real lyrics: 

"Gabba gabba we accept you, we accept you one of us!"  

Anyways, sorry for that random aside.  This semester I have a psychiatric clinical at the Utah State Mental Hospital.  It is EXTREMELY interesting and I'm glad to have had the experience.  But even more glad that it's almost over!  As part of the treatment, patients are encouraged to do group therapy sessions which can include arts and crafts (see above).  I thought i'd share my latest creations with you all in the spirit of Thanksgiving!  I've gotta hit the road right now for the Greenman's house in Tahoe!!! 

Happy B-day to this Pretty Lady

Sorry EJ, I know this pic is a little outdated, but I still love it of you.  I promise that not every other post will be a birthday tribute to one of my friends, but it just so happens that four of my besties (and the mom) celebrate in the month of November.  Rob, don't worry I remembered you, I just started my blog 2 days after your day, so here is a picture of EmmaJane and Robin after they had their first babes.

...a little more recent one.  And let's not forget this cute girl (because I already forgot her birthday on Nov 12th!).

 Love you Dai!

*** Heidizzle, this is a disclaimer to you: I realize that your birthday is only 12 days off from November, but I'm sorry, you didn't make the cut this time.  Better luck next year.  

What's wrong with this picture???

I LOVE the Wasatch Mountains. And I like In-n-out, but these are two things i never thought would come together. On Thursday, two Utah In-n-out franchises opened: the one above in Orem, and another in Draper. Two more will open in the next couple of weeks: American Fork and West Jordan. As you can imagine, these burger places have turned the whole area into complete pandemonium. Mormon moms and BYU students abound have lined up for hours just to get inside and order a burger. I took this picture 3 days before the store actually opened, and it was already swarming with people anticipating the grand opening. People spent the night in their cars in the drive through line! Crazy. I sincerely like In-n-out but i think it's a tad overrated and definitely overhyped. I don't want to go anywhere near these stores right now. Maybe in a few months I'll try to stop in and eat there, but certainly not any time soon! I'll leave you with this quote from my dear brother Andrew: "There are lots of women in Utah that have been waiting their whole lives for a day this epic- New Moon and In N Out open!!"

Hey Mr. Postman look and see, is there a letter in your bag for me?

Happy Birthday Elsa

"Older, but hotter."  Couldn't have put it better myself.  As a bday gift to Elise, I am posting a mock cupcakery review.  In case you didn't know, she is the author of the (2nd?) most successful cupcake blog in the world!  (or something like that...)  Check it out: www.cupcakeactivist.com

When I was home a few weeks ago, my dad had a bright idea to stop and try his very first gourmet cupcake.  Honestly, it was all his idea.  Luckily, there is a SusieCakes in Manhattan Beach, so we popped in.  I knew it would be good b/c Elsa holds SusieCakes in high regards.

To be honest, Dad thought the cupcake was overrated, overpriced, and overly rich- but what practical man wouldn't?  Happy Birthday Elise, thanks for being a big part of my blogging inspiration!

b minor

My singles ward has been asking for volunteers to do family home evening for an assisted living home in our area.  On a sudden (and uncharacteristic) whim of charity and service that could only happen during a relief society lesson, i signed us up to do it.  Obviously my judgment was clouded by churchiness that day because i delegated myself as the pianist!  A couple nights ago, my roommates and cruised over to the Bel-Aire center (sounds swanky, doesn't it?) to entertain some old folks for a bit.  I was sooo embarrassed by my lack of piano playing skills.  I could only play a handful of hymns and the ones i thought i knew i ended up butchering so badly.  

This is NOT one of those confessions that mothers long to hear their children make.  You know the ones i speak of.  They go something like this: "oh i WISH i would have kept playing the _______ (fill in the blank) like you wanted me to.  I really should have listened to you..."  My mom might die of satisfaction if she heard those words out of my mouth.  The reason I'm frustrated about my lack of current piano proficiency is not because I wish I had practiced more or kept playing into my later high school years, but rather my frustration stems from the fact that I haven't had an opportunity to play in the last few years.  I will admit that i was fed up with having piano forced on me from age 6-15, and that after i was granted amnesty from the ivories, i had some teenage and maybe even early adulthood angst towards the instrument.  However, now that i am a mature young woman, i recognize the importance of continued involvement in music.  In the last 5-6 years, if i had a piano readily available, I would have found time to utilize it at least once or twice a week.  In fact, last year my roommate Camille had a way professional keyboard, and i played it quite frequently.  I've even been known to stay late after church to brush up on songs. 

I don't want this post to turn into a strongly opinionated statement; I'm not yet a mother.  I honestly don't have an official stand on whether or not my future children will be forced into a musical venture they don't see profit in, because I realize I may have to eat my words someday.  However, I would like to encourage them to seek various musical arts and give them opportunities to explore their talents.  My sister and her husband have done a fantastic job of this in their home, as evidenced by these photos I took last Thanksgiving: 

This last photo more accurately depicts my own sentiments on the subject:

maybe a little overzealous...

Yes, i know, 2 posts in one day, perhaps a tad overboard, but i figure if I am going to do this, i'm going all out.  Plus, I need to prove to my readership that their time spent here will be valuable!!  Some of my photos may be out of chronological order but i couldn't resist showing the world these gems after i found them in my collection.  I've had skiing very seriously on the brain lately.  I went to Jackson Hole, WY last weekend, so after being in a ski town and the first real "valley snow storm" just a few days ago, it's hard to escape the hype.  These shots are from a spring skiing day last year with the mom @ Alta.  

 Have a great day!

maiden voyage

Well, well, well...  this is something I've been putting off for a while, but I've finally decided to start a blog.  For a long time I figured you had to have cute kids or a business or something to blog about, but then I figured, "Hey, i've got a pretty interesting life!"  Plus, I do own a macbook now, and will soon be moving to a bigger city, so it kind of goes with the hip territory.  Next thing you know, I'll be wearing skinny jeans, listening to bands like Sigur Ros, riding a road bike, and attending left-wing political events.  Ok, so I actually already do all of those things, but only in moderation!  

Hopefully between my exciting happenings and extreme wit I can keep you all more updated (and entertained!) on my life.