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!!!

ThE dAY cAssIdY hAd A biRtHDaY!!

It's that time of year again to brag about my cute niece Cassidy Jade Long.....its her birthday (or was....I'm a few days late). This year she hit a milestone....she turned 16!!!!!! Not only is she getting older and more mature but now she can drive (watch out drivers of the world--jk). To celebrate this grand event we went to Las Vegas over spring break for some Fun in the Sun!

There are so many things that I love about Cass!! I love her smile, her laugh, her silliness, her personality, her fashion sense, and the great girl that she is. She always makes me laugh and I love spending time with her whenever I can. She's always ready to pose for a picture, dance, burst into song, and be a great friend . She truly is a beautiful soul!!!

When we headed for the airport we all happened to be wearing our Aeropostale hoodies. So we decided that out gang name would be "Wenches in Hoodies". So world....beware of us!!! I love that I got to spend these few days with two of my favorite people. My sister Julie and my awesome niece Cassidy. I think we make a fantastic trio!

Cass and I decided to go on the roller coaster at our hotel. It was so much fun!!!!! We put our arms up and screamed our heads off the whole ride. I loved getting the chance to do that with her. So of course we had to have a picture to prove to people.

One of the things I loved about our trip was seeing Julie and Cass spend some time together having fun. I think it is so great that Cass has a mom that loves her so much. There aren't many moms that would take their daughter on a vacation for their birthday. I loved being witness to the awesome relationship that they have. I hope that Cass always knows how much she is loved, cherished.....and spoiled (jk).

I love my sweet & funny Sass-A-Cass! Or Cass-A-Daquiri.

Or Cassi-Wassi-Doodle All The Day. Or Cass-A-Dilla.

(Some of my pet names for her)

I love that she's not only my niece but my friend! Every year I write that I hope she never outgrows hanging with her old aunt. I truly hope that it never happens. I hope she always lets me be part of her life. That she'll always talk to me. I have loved all the years I have had the privilege of watching her grow and getting to be a part of it. Here's to many more years (I hope) of watching her grow into a young lady and a great person.

Luv Ya Babe!!!

EaSTeR EgG FuN!!

Its Easter time again at our household, and you know that means.......The Easter Egg Contest! This year we all got our ideas rolling a few weeks back. I think the competitive factor was high this year and everyone wanted to win. We had a small "smackdown of words" via facebook. We all wanted to win add we all had some great ideas.

But before the competition could begin we started off with dinner and treats. Of course, we had potato salad (its not Easter unless dad gets his potato salad). Whenever we get together it turns into a photo session and here are some pics of a few of my buds:

We have also been cleaning out my mom basement and we decided that Easter was the perfect opportunity to get rid of a few "treasures". So we loaded up the garage and had a "sale" and let people take what they wanted. I think people had more fun playing with all the old clothes and hats. Jamie is a character and such a good sport to try a few things on and model them for us.

So it begins.....we didn't have as many entries this year as in the past but everyone tried to bring their A-Game. Candace and I teamed up again this year to try and reclaim our title. We had planned to do Michael Jackson (in all colors). But I had accidentally thrown away a key piece to our design. So we kind of got messed up and didn't do our best. The idea was still funny though. Grandma did a cute frog. Joni, Kara, and Jannette did Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, and Captain Hook. So creative!!! And Josh did a silly Stewie from Family Guy. What a creative bunch!!!

Rick, Julie, Cass, and Tucker did the band KISS. They came prepared with a stage and everything. They raised the standard for next years contest.

All in all, it was a great day (but very cold).

Everyone had fun and that's all that matters at Grandma's house right?

The Celebration of Tucker "T-Man"!!

Another year has gone by and my friend/nephew Tucker is another year older. I can't believe how old this kid is getting and how fast he is growing. Pretty soon he will be taller than me and a teenager. He turned 12 years old and I wish I could go back in time to when he was my little buddy. At the same time I love that he is getting older. He is truly one of the best people that I know in my life. And that is why he gets a birthday "Tribute". (Plus he asked me if I was going to)

He loves his guitar lessons & guitar and his I-Pod Touch.

He loves facebook and his friends.

He loves Dr. Pepper.

He loves Spanky's and Firehouse Pizza.

And he loves Hollister.

And I'd like to think he loves hanging with me. (Ha Ha)

Tucker truly is the funniest kid to be around! He constantly makes me laugh and says the darndest things. Whether he's dancing around, telling me something silly or dressing like a "gangsta" he makes my life an adventure. I went over to his house one day and he opened the door dressed like a thug and says, "Welcome to my crib." It's things like that that make me love him more.

Tucker is also a great son and brother. He has a family that loves him so much. A father to take him to Nascar and a mom who is his #1!!!! They spend a lot of time together, whether on vacation, hunting, or goofing off. There is constant laughter in their household. They are all truly great and he gets to be part of that. What a lucky kid!!!

Tucker is a pretty cool brother. Like all siblings they have their times of bickering, but for all those times there are twice as many times of laughter and love. I love spending time with both Tucker and Cassidy because they are 2 great kids. And when there are 2 of them it means twice as much fun! These are two silly kids!

He is also the sweetest kid. If I am ever feeling bad or sad he always has a kind word. He always tells me: " Stop putting yourself down!" He's my personal life motivator. If I have a choice I never turn down an opportunity to spend time with him. I feel like a better person being around him and his family. I feel like I'm part of something.

Some of my favorite times are when him & I are in the car and we sing to Linkin Park or to the radio. Then we make up names for people or words to the songs. Or we play "mini-van" flick (our game). There is never a dull moment.

Tucker is the best kid! His parents should be so proud for raising such a sweet, silly, fun kid. I hope he will always stay close to me. But as he gets older I know my days as his friend will dwindle as he becomes a teenager. So I'm just going to cherish the time I have and hope that he will always know that his Aunt Steph will be there for him. And that I love him. And I love when I can fill in as a "2nd mom" whenever needed. He's the BEST!!!!!! Love ya, kid!!!

ThE jAnUAry GiRLs!!

Birthdays are a time of celebration! But it does mean that you become one year older...and who wants to get old anyway??? I think that most people....eh, most women, want to stay young all our lives. We are still looking for the cure for the common birthday. As I get older I get more and more upset with my age. I do not like getting older. So I decided to adopt a life's philosophy to make me feel better: "Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional."

I also have many people around me to keep me young. And two that share my birthday with me. My two cute nieces Torie and Halle will always be around to make another birthday more bearable and fun. They are the cutest girls ever! Torie is a junior in highschool and likes to read, watch movies, hang with her BF, sing, and listen to music. Halle is a bundle of energy who loves to paint, draw, watch Sesame Street, and loves Tinkerbell. They are my January Girls!


I have also learned through suffering through so many birthdays that the calories don't count on birthdays cakes. And birthdays are nature's way of telling us to eat more cake. So I allowed myself a piece of cake and some ice cream (both of which are still in my fridge and taunting me). Halle loved blowing out her Tinkerbell cake and I think loved eating it even more.


Dustin and Heather got me a cute cupcake. It was so pretty I didn't want to eat it. And the best part was that it came attached with a large diamond ring. Talk about bling! So now I have my checklist: Got the cupcake, got the ring......got the man??? Well, I'm still working on that. Maybe someday my prince will come....and show up on my doorstep ready to whisk me off to somewhere exciting, and we ride off into the sunset, and.......
WOW, I need to stop watching romances.

I celebrated my birthday first my taking the day off from work. I then knew we were having people over so I scrubbed the kitchen floor, cleaned the bathroom, and vacumned. I then went to Halle's birthday party to wish her and Torie the best birthdays ever! Then my mom and I cooked a yummy dinner. My sisters Gayla and Joni came over (they were going to a play with the parents) and Rick, Julie, Cassidy, and Tucker came as well.

Gayle gave me the cutest apron ever! It had bling and said "Domestic Diva". I love it! Joni gave me a giftcard to Target which is awesome. And Julie and family gave me Happy perfume and some way cute earrings. My mom and dad gave me the cutest purse that I have been stalking at Kohl's. They also gave me the cutest coat! I am so blessed to have so many people in life who care about me and are willing to share my birthday with me.

Rick, Julie and kids babysat me while the others went to the play. We then played Truth or Dare which was funny. Cass had to smell all our feet and had to bark like a dog whenever anyone said the the "and". We dared Tuck to eat Seuarkraut, which he wouldn't do. But I'm such a wuss that I asked for Truth every time. Then we ate yummy cake and ice cream. It wasn't the most excting birthday but it was fun.

My mom is the best! She still manages to make birthdays special. And I know that I am older and should outgrow that, but I still love it.

So now I'm another year older and wiser (no laughing). And I am so grateful for so many things and people. I love you all!!! But I think the true secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and LIE about your age!

New Years Resolutions.....

I'm not the kind of person that normally makes a New Years Resolution. I always feel like it setting yourself up for failure. But this last year I accomplished more than I ever thought I could.

Last July I told myself that I was going to get healthy and make a huge change in my life. I gave up my favorite things in the world (pepsi and treats) and started a lifestyle change in my eating habits. I also started exercising, which I hadn't really done since highschool. The first few weeks were the hardest I had ever had. I never knew how much I relied on food to get me by. But as the days went by and I actually started to see results I knew that I had done the best thing for myself. I never knew I could actually have that much self-control to stick to it for the last 6 months. So now here I am....52 pounds lighter and much happier.

So now that I know that I am able to see something through I want to try to make a resolution and make it happen. I couldn't decide what I wanted to change the most in my life this year, whether I wanted it to be about me or others. So I decided to not make just one large resolution, but many small ones......

I want to be a nicer person. I want to be un-selfish and do for others, to help when its needed. I want to make more friends. I want to visit places and do new things. I want to learn to not be afraid of stupid things, like snow & dating (random, huh?). I want to open myself up to people and not hold back, to not keep it all in and be closed off. Does that make sense? I want to be a "new" me that is more adventurous and fun. I want to a person that someone would love and want to be with. I want my family to be healthy and happy. I want the best for them all. I want to "Pay it Forward". I want, I want, I want....wow, I need to work on that. I guess I should say instead, " I would really really like for.....".

I just know that I can BE better. So if any of you have any more ideas for me to make this happen then please feel free to write and give suggestions. I just hope that I can do these things. I guess we'll see. Let's see if I can make this new year one like I've never had before!