Sister By Chance....Friends By Choice!

So its time for another blog victim...I mean, another loving blog "dedication". This time I want to wish my big sister Julie a Happy Birthday!! I love the idea of writing a little something nice about someone I love and look up to. So here goes....

My sister Julie is awesome!

But what kind of sister would I be if I didn't post some pics of her growing up?

All kidding aside, I think my sister is one of the best people I know. I think having a sister like her was one of the best things that could have happened to me. She's someone who will let me cry on her shoulder, laugh with, confide in, and have complain sessions. There are so many things that I love about her. I wanted to write a really creative paragraph that makes people laugh and cry, but I'm not the creative one. I make lists, so here is my list of

"25 Reasons Why I Love My Sister (in no particular order):

1. She loves me! (haha)

2. She's very forgiving

3. She's a great cook

4. She's very smart - more than she thinks

5. She's very creative

6. She shares her kids with me

7. She's always there for me and doesn't judge

8. She respects me and I respect her

9. She listens to me

10. She has a wicked sense of humor

11. She's addicted to Diet Coke

12. She makes awesome salsa

13. She does my hair for me and makes me feel pretty

14. She'll jump off the high-dive at the pool

15. She'll dance the Electric Slide

16. She's always willing to help

17. She's a great example

18. She takes me on vacation with her

19. She hangs out with me by choice (go figure)

20. She lets me cry on her shoulder

21. She has a great smile

22. She can be hypnotized

23. She's very outgoing

24. She loves her family & will do anything for her kids

25. She loves me...did I say that already?

I realize some of those things were cheesy and my list could go on & on, but those are some of my favorite things about my sister Julie!

It was nice growing up with someone like my sister - someone to lean on, someone to count on....someone to tell on! Having a sister like her is like having a best friend I can't get rid of because I know that whatever I do she'll always be there. And I hope that she knows that its the same for me. She can always count on me, to talk to, to listen to her, to be there for her.

Julie has the best little family. I hope her family realizes what a great wife & mother they have. I know that my sister will do anything for her family. She always wants the best for them and worries for them. And loves them with all her heart! They are so lucky to have her. She is the best example of what a mother should be. I only hope that if I have kids that some of her mothering "mojo" rubs off on me. She is a great example to follow.

Anyway, the point of this whole blog is to tell my big sis Julie "Thank You!" Thanks for always being there for me through the years. We share our past, now lets look forward to our future together. Have a fantastic birthday and remember, you're not getting older, you're just getting another year closer to looking like mom. (Just kidding sis!)

Luv Ya Sis!

Celebrating With Cake!

I was trying to think of a creative way to celebrate Candace's birthday this year. I was going to be really mean and do a whole "You're Old" theme. But then I remembered that I'm older than her....so what does that make me...ancient?? My first idea was to make a cupcake tower but I couldn't figure out how to make 30 cupcakes fit. So I decided to have it spell how 3-0 with a candle for each one. I decorated them in colors I know she likes: black & red. It was really fun and I think she liked them enough. I especially loved embarassing her when we all sang to her at the family picnic. At least she had a cute helper to blow out all those many many many candles.

I'm NOT 30.....I'm $29.99 plus tax!

Finally the day has arrived where I can tease my best friend & niece Candace about hitting a birthday milestone. Candace has reached that awesome time in her life where she is almost to the top of that "hill" where she is turning 30!!!!

I think she is really 18...with 12 years of experience. She's the oldest person I know...that is younger than me.

Candace and I have been great friends since we were small children. I have so many memories of her throughout my whole life. We would always get the same Christmas presents (in different colors) every year, we had the same dolls, and as we grew up over the years we found we had many many other things in common. Candace was the cutest little girl with white blonde hair, a quick smile, and outgoing personality. She grew up loving animals, babies, movies, drawing / art, and at one time was obsessed with the New Kids on the Block. She loved to play outside with her friends and idolized her older brother Dustin. We were always friends & family but as we got older our friendship grew......

As we became teenagers we found more & more things that we both loved to do. We loved going to movies, listening to music, reading, going on vacations, and eating out. We both developed a love for the band 'NSYNC & boybands, and were annoying girls that were obsessed with them. We loved (and still love) to quote stupid / funny lines from movies to each other and make fun of embarrassing moments we each had....she always had more than me. I have many to share with you all, so ask me next time you see me.

But here's one in particular that I especially like: We went on a cruise and on our layover in Atlanta, Candace walks into the bathroom. She looked around and wondered what all these men were doing in the womens bathroom, then she realized she was actually in the MENS bathroom. She comes walking out with a red face and I laughed my butt off. I could have stopped her before she went in...but I didn't! That's how our relationship works. And that's the great thing about being friends with someone over many years...you have tons of dirt on each other.

We love goofing off when the opportunity presents itself and you will always find us laughing our heads off over something. We have tons of private jokes and team up against people to tease them mercilessly (sorry family). There are so many things that I love about my friend Candace: she is funny, caring, smart, has a great laugh, is witty, has a beautiful smile, pretty eyes, is outgoing, loves chocolate, and likes to hang out with me (go figure). I hope that she always stays such a strong independent silly awesome woman!!!

When Candace met Brett I was so happy for her. She truly fell in love at first sight with him and they are so great for each other. I love that he loves her for what a fantastic woman she is.

Before we knew it they were starting a family and Candace's life would become even better. She became a mom to little Ryker Bean. She is the best mom in the world! She loves that kid to death and is raising him to be such a great & funny kid. He definitly gets his silliness from her.

Pretty soon they will be adding to their little family with baby Smallz (in December). I'm so happy for her that she found a man to love, who loves her so much. And will be sharing all her talents and awesome traits with her children. She is a great wife and mother and I know she loves it.

I love that Candace is my best friend! I love that I can call her anytime and we always have things to talk about. We can see each other and call a half hour later and still manage to talk for another hour about random dumb stuff. I know that she always has my back and wants the best for me. She is honest with me when I need it, and sometimes tell me what I want to hear, when I need that too. Only best friends tell each other useless information and don't care. She is the one I can tell secrets to and I know the best time she can make me cry...is when she makes me laugh so hard. A true friend is the person who no matter how you treated them the day before, still keeps their promise to stand beside you the next. She truly is one of the best people I know and am privileged to have in my life!

I love ya Soupie!

Happy "not quite old yet" Birthday!

P.S. Stop being younger than me already!!!

Once Upon A Bean!

Another year has gone by so fast and my little nephew Ryker is ready for another birthday. I had to take the time to dedicate a small blog entry to honor this sweet boy. Ryker will be turning three years old in the next few days and I cannot believe how fast he has grown. I can remember the day he was born and the first time I saw him as his "Great" Aunt Steph. I remember when I first held him that he was wide awake and looking around, like he was wondering "What is this strange place?" To this day he still looks around and tries to figure things out, how they work, and how they are built. He had always been a very curious boy since the very first.

The second thing I noticed when he was born was his adorable dimples. There is something about that smile of his combined with the dimples that prevent me from saying no to him or not smiling myself. They are seriously irresistable.

The third thing I remember about him when he was first born was his bright blue eyes. They are so blue and you can see his emotions in his eyes at all times. He has "Smiley" eyes.

The fourth thing I remember about him was that the first time I held him I knew I loved him. I may only be his auntie but I adore this kid and will do anything for him (any time, any place, any where). He will grow up knowing he his adored and loved very much.

Ryker has the best parents in the world! I think it is so great knowing he is growing up in a home where he is so loved and cared for. I don't think Candace & Brett could have had a better kid. I know that Candace's life revolves around this boy and she is constantly teaching him, reading to him, singing with him, and playing with him. He is so lucky!!! He is the light of his parents life and a soon-to-be Big Brother.

Ryker is a typical boy. He loves trucks, cars, tractors, planes, helicopters, motorcycles, and anything with wheels. He loves dirt, sand, jumping, swimming, and playing. He loves his shows on tv: Super Y, Sesame Street, Sid the Science Kid, Dragon Tales, Curious George and don't forget the movie Cars. He loves his "blankie", his golf set, and his stuffed animals. He loves playing with his cousin Halle and they laugh and run around together. He has the sweetest voice and likes to sing Sunshine, ABC Song, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and Wheels on the Bus. Ryker loves cookies, brownies, ice cream, popcorn, cereal, ravioli, and pretzels. This kid has great taste!! He loves all his grandma's & grandpa's because they all spoil him so much. He adores his mom & dad.

Ryker has had many nicknames since he was born. We started calling him Bean while still in his mommy's belly. From that came Beanie-Boy & Beans. He is also called Stinkin' & Baby.

Since Ryker started talking he has been trying to say my name. It started out as "Seppie" and has since evolved to "Steppie". My favorite thing to hear is when he says my name and then goes "Hi, Steppie!" We have this little game where I go "Ryker.........HeBeeJeeBees" and he laughs at me and does it back. Ryker's favorite thing about me is my truck. He calls it "MY Steppie's green truck". He has adopted it as his own and loves when he get to ride in it. Sometimes I think he tolerates me for my truck and cries when IT leaves. That's ok though. It makes me happy to make him happy and if riding in my truck does that....then so be it!

I am so lucky to be an Aunt to such a great kid!!! I hope he grows up knowing I will always be there for him, to spoil him, teach him, and listen to him. And to give him "goodie" bags to take home, and ride in my truck, and make tents with. He is a sweet, silly, smart, awesome boy and I love him. Happy Birthday Bean!

LeT FrEEdOm RiNg!!!

I can't believe it already the 4th of July. My how times fly!!!! Like we do every year we head up to my sister Gayla's house for BBQ and fireworks...the best combo in the world!!! I was especially excited this year because my friend and niece Sarah was in town with her 4 cute kiddies. I hadn't seen her in forever. We had Torie and Josh show up, Kelly plus his kids, The Long's and friends, most of Gayla's kids (minus Chris), Tracy, me, and Grandma & Grandpa.

We ate yummy BBQ of steak and chicken, salads, chips, fruit, rolls. We broke into the desserts!!! Can you say YUM!!!!! Donuts, fruit pizza, cookies, and "Bird Seed" ( its a Haacke thing). After that feast some decided to work out by playing football.......or tossing the ball around a little. Cass and Josh just had more fun seeing who could catch or toss it the weirdest or most creative way. There were many other pictures I could have posted (aka blackmail) but I decided to be semi-nice.....this time!!!!

I hadn't seen Sarah and Chris' kids in forever, and I have never seen baby Davis. He was so stinkin' adorable. I just kept taking pictures of him smiling. So enjoy the photo montage of little man Davis.....

My favorite pic is when he totally crashed on Aunt Chelsea (with butt sticking out and all).

Then Steve, Rick, Tucker, and Hunter started on the fireworks. It was really fun this year because there may or may not have been some questionable firework action going on. There were two other families in the Cul-de-Sac (which we have aptly named "Cul-De-Sac of FIRE!!!!") who were also letting off fireworks. It kind of turned into a war, back & forth between them all. Who could let off the loudest, the longest, the highest fireworks. It was way fun! Tucker kept yelling "WHAT!" like a thug to them. It was hilarious! Then Davis Highschool's fireworks began. We couldn't hear the music this year so Sarah serenaded us with her version of "Proud to be an American" and I attempted to be Neil Diamond and sing ""We're coming to America". I probably sing it better if you ask me. Ha Ha!

Fun times + Great Friends & Family + Yummy Eats + Fireworks = Happy 4th of July!

MeMoRiAl DaY wEEkeNd!!

Over Memorial Day weekend I had the pleasure of entertaining two of my friends: Cassidy & Tucker. Their parents went to their cabin for the weekend and the kids chose to stay with me. Because of the holiday plans, I made them come along with me as I drove Grandma & Grandpa around to the different cemeteries. It may not have been the funnest of times, but I think the kids got a kick out of finding all their ancestors. I think Cass found that there are atleast 4 or 5 generations of her grandparents in one cemetery. We also had fun trying to find the oldest headstone in the cemetery. I think the oldest we found was around 1829. When we got to the cemetery up by the temple (to see Kyler's grave) they had a bagpiper there playing music. It was so peaceful. Then the kids and I got silly......

And Grandma & Grandpa got silly too....

What made it the most fun was to be together.

To get the grandparents & their grandkids together, spending time, and being silly.

After the kids went home I hear this knock on my door and its my mom telling me to come downstairs. When I get there my dad showed me a box full of all his old stuff. The first thing I pull out is a pair of old red basketball shorts. They were my dads from when he was in highschool (around 1950). I decided to try them on to see if they would fit....and they did!!! So I pranced around modeling them for my parents as they laughed at me. Then I pulled out my dads old Air Force uniform and hat. I was musky and starchy, but I tried it on anyway for fun. I can't believe my dad used to be so small or so young. I even found sand in the hat from when he was stationed in New Mexico. It was fun that my parents came & got me so I could be a part of their walk down memory lane. And I found out so much more about my dad too.

WhAt hAppENs iN vEGas BAbY!

I wrote a little of our adventure to Las Vegas in my previous post. But I feel my blog needed more "visual aid" to portray how much fun we really had. Whenever you get a few girls together in a new city...watch out! Since Cassidy is only 16 we had to keep the trip PG-13 rated, which was fun because besides the drunks, weirdos, and smokers.....Vegas is a blast!

There are so many things to do........

Guess who we ran into, of all people? That's right...Elvis" (plural). They took the time to take their picture with the coolest people on earth! (It only cost Julie like $2-what a great sister!) Julie and I started a tradition of trying on silly glasses everywhere we go. This year I got my 2010 glasses and I have a pic from our last trip with my 2005 glasses on.

We spent one night of our trip in the arcade at the Excalibur. We played racing games (I won), skee-ball, and Cass played Guitar hero. Julie & I just had fun trying to mess her up.

We went to the outlet mall just down the strip.

We found this great hat shop where we went wild.

We tried on everything....and bought nothing!

When we were planning Cassidy's birthday vacation we went through many different ideas. We wanted to go to San Diego, possibly Texas, or New York City to see a Broadway show. Since we couldn't afford that we stayed in the New York New York Hotel & Casino and went to see Lion King. I couldn't believe the puppeteers and the effects. And their voices were amazing!
I thought it was amazing and I loved it!
Our hotel may not have been in the original city but it was pretty darn close.....

except when you walk outside its warm and people are nice.

On another night of our trip we went back to the Excalibur to see the Tournament of Kings. Its just like Medieval Times, minus the drunk guys (who were hilarious). We were assigned to sit in the "dragon" section which meant we had to cheer for the bad guys and boo the good guys. Our guy lost but we were the coolest one out there so I say we win! Afterwards we took a taxi to the Bellagio to see the fountain and the strip at night.

We ended up spending half a day by the pool, which I loved! I think that is one of my favorite things to do, sit by a pool in the warm sun with a cold drink. I could have sat there all day, but we were in Vegas and had things to do!!!! One of the main things I wanted to see was the Venetian Hotel. I think it is so beautiful! I love the architecture and the details. I want to live there in that palace amongst the naked people on the ceiling & the gondoliers (jk).

Besides running into our friendly Elvis' we also saw Michael Jackson, Captain Jack Sparrow, Superman, Wonderwoman, Spongebob, and Blue Man Group.

Last time we were in Vegas we took out pics with these statues outside of the Monte Carlo Hotel. We're keeping the tradition alive.

I could go on and on about all the little things we did & saw in Las Vegas, all the different people we saw, and different accents. It truly is the most diverse place on earth. It can also be extremely entertaining to us country folk (ha ha). Best part of my trip....spending time with my sis and my niece. They are two of my best friends and I will always say yes to any adventure they invite me along to. What happens in Vegas.....a really great time!!!