To Flood or Not To Flood?

My parents live in Morgan on a street called the Island Road.  The street is called the Island Road because it has a river that runs down both sides of it the make the road an Island.  In years like this year the question is posed, "Is it going to flood or not flood?"  Until now my parents house has not flooded.  They have made some preparations such as....

Placing a mound of cow manure by the river and....

Pulling up the carpet in their basement. 

Some things in Morgan however, have flooded including my dad's field.

It looks a little more like a lake these days than an alfalfa field.

The flooding isn't all bad.  It gives the kids a  new place to play as you can see here. 

Will my parents house flood this year? Who truly knows.  The question comes up truly every spring.  Is it going to flood or not flood.  I hope they will be able to stay dry for another year.

You Ready for Some Salsa?!

I debated planting a small garden this year.  Well, I got busy and didn't get anything in the ground in time so, I decided to plant a potted salsa garden instead.  I have heard of people doing this before and have seen them planted for purchase at the store.  I thought I would give it a try.  I planted a pepper, a tomato and some cilantro.  So far, so good... no deaths in the salsa garden yet!  I'll keep you posted of the progress as the summer continues.  Everybody keep your fingers crossed!

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I didn't love this book. I read it because a friend suggested it to me. I've read Hemingway before and didn't love him. He's still not my style. I might be missing something. I don't know!?


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Night by Elie Wiesel


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A another book about the Holocaust that breaks my heart. Told from the perspective a 13 year old boy. It is compelling and heart breaking to read. One of my favorite lines from the author.. "One person of integrity can make a difference, a difference of life and death." I definitely recommend this book.


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Les Miserable

I have always wanted to see Les Miserables on broadway.  It is one of my favorite stories ever written, ever!  I have seen the movie of Les Miserables with Liam Neeson and I highly recommend it.  My friend Aubrey got tickets for Les Miserables here in Salt Lake at the Capital Theater.  She invited me to go with and I was elated! Although I was tired and our seats weren't great, I had a fabulous time.  The music was amazing.  The stage and of course as I mentioned, I love the story.  It was a great night.  Thanks so much to Aubrey for the invite!

Huntington Beach

I spent Memorial Day Weekend in Huntington Beach California with a group of girls.  I knew some of them before we left and some of them I didn't.  What I have to say about it now is we will all be life long friends.  It was such a good time.

Gen, Kari, Cheryl and Cristina waiting for X2. 

They had fast passes so they didn't have to wait as long. 

We were trying to get Cristina's wrist band on Lyndsie's wrist. We totally failed. This picture is my favorite of the trip!  Lyndsie face is so strained. Who would think something more serious was happening. Hahaa!

Oooo La La at the Beach!

Kari and Julie in the car on the way to Magic Mountain. 

We made it! Yay!

My favorite ride on the earth...X2. Totally worth the 2.5 hour wait.. sigh!

Cute, sweet, girls!

Going on GOLIATH for the second time. Don't worry about the 225 foot drop into a black hole!! Yikes! Hold on tight....

Julie and I couldn't pass up trying on the hats.

Movie and Candy night.  Yes, all of the bowls on my body have a different kind of candy in them. 

Beautiful girls Lyndsie and Julie waiting for X2. I think this was about 2 hours into the wait. 

A quick pic while on Ninja.  We were a little excited!

Yes we are shopping by the beach!  I love this place!

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Great book! A classic easy to read, great message!

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Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a good book. Very interesting philosophies about success. Like the new way of viewing people with successful lives.

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Angie's Birthday Surprise

My friend Angie's husband contacted me a few months ago to help plan a birthday surprise for Angie.  Her birthday was on May 12th.  We planned the surprise to be at my place the night of May 11th.  I told Angie I had a gift for her and asked if she could stop by.  When she came over.... Ta da, a house full of people for the birthday surprise.

I hope that she had a good time and was surprised.  Her little girl got scared by all the shouts and noise.

 Me and Angie.

Angie and her husband Nathan.

 Can't have a birthday party without a cake!!

 Bri and Zane. 

Best Friends Emersyn and Charlie.  Angie and Nathan's little girl.

Thor

Five big Annie stars for the movie Thor!  I loved it.  I saw it this week with my friend Sarah.  It was much better than I thought it would be.  It was well developed and interesting.  The actors played their parts well.  I was entertained throughout the entire movie.  My favorite role... the gate keeper!  Loved him all the way! It's a great movie of good vs evil with a little romance mixed in. Clean, fun, entertaining.  Can't wait for part II.

Happy Birthday Dad!!

We celebrated my Dad's 66th birthday yesterday.  All of the little girls made him birthday cards and they were all so lovely.  Kim made an awesome German Chocolate Cake from scratch that was amazing!

Then there was the Happy Birthday singing.  From the pictures below you can see Ethan and AJ both took it very seriously.  I have to say I am a tiny bit disappointed in myself that I didn't record the amazing voices of them belting out Happy Birthday to their grandpa.  

Why Ethan is pulling that face I do not know.  And AJ's look as if he is trying out for American Idol was all I could handle.  We laughed for ever over their natural talent and singing control.  

I don't know if anyone could have done better.  It was a lot of fun. Happy Birthday to my Dad!  I love you all the way!

Tanning Trip #7

Brianna and I headed out over the weekend for our annual tanning trip to Mesquite.  This is the 7th year we have followed the tradition.  We have actually come up with a pretty stricked ritual.  We leave on Friday afternoon.  We drive to St. George and stop for In N Out hamburgers.  We finish the drive to Mesquite, check into the hotel, get in our pajamas and watch TV until we fall asleep.

Bri sitting pool side. 

On Saturday morning we go get a massage. It's heaven. Then we go to Walmart by all the slutty magazines, some treats and diet Pepsi.  Then we go lay out at the Casa Blanca Pool for the rest of the day. Around 4:00ish in the afternoon we pack up our pool bags and head back to the hotel.

I was so excited to wear my hat! Ha! :)

We shower and get semi-ready, meaning we don't wear any make-up or fancy clothes.  We take our selves out to dinner and then to see a movie.  This year we ate at Los Lupes.  Which was fabulous and I highly recommend and saw Water for Elephants as you can see in my post below.  Then on Sunday morning we wake up. Eat the free breakfast at the hotel and head for home.  It is one of the best weekends ever!!  I hope the tradition last forever!