One night only

My cute friend Todd and his firefighter cousin, Ryan, came to Las Vegas for “one night only” – the name I dubbed their visit since they were literally here for only one night. We went to dinner at the House of Blues, cruised the Las Vegas Strip, went to the Bellagio water show and conservatory, checked out the Wynn and spotted a girl wearing a skin tight mini skirt with fish nets and white furry boots – seriously. It was fabulous. We laughed all night. I loved it! In the morning, we had strawberry waffles and then they left. I hate when fun boys leave. I’m going to get some duct tape and rope before their next visit.

Happy birthday Kim

In honor of my sister’s 35th birthday, I asked a few people who know her well what they liked best about her. Following is a list of their responses:

Aliesha – “she can laugh at herself and gives others permission to laugh at her too”
Amanda - "she is always willing to share. She shares her dates, even the one I barffed all over, and she shares her talents. She's always happy to set up a fabulous photo shoot."
Ashley – “she’s always up for ice cream”
Audra – “Long live rich Kim! No more counting change to buy a Jamba Juice.”
Dad – “she’s generous and is gentle hearted”
Mom – “her positive attitude”
Tate – “she’s my mom”
Taylor – “her lets me dye Easter eggs”
Tonya – “she’s always fun to be around and would do anything for anyone”
Tye – “she makes the best cakes”
Wes – “her boobs”

As for me, I grew up hearing the same story over and over again. When I was 18-months-old, I was eating a cupcake and some boy came over and stole it from me. According to my mom, Kim went running over “as fast as her legs would go” and grabbed the cupcake, kicked the boy and said “No take sissy cupcake.”

So my favorite thing about Kim is she is always there when I need her. And something tells me she would still kick a boy for me if necessary.

Kim snorts when she laughs too hard, loves taking baths (but not with cats), is constantly serving others, is asleep by 7 p.m. and somehow manages to kick all the covers off the bed every night. Life is better because of her.

Happy birthday Kim. Your family loves you.

Remembering Abraham Lincoln

The older I get, the more I appreciate history. I am mindful that I enjoy a life of freedom and peace in a blessed nation because of the sacrifices of others.

So today, in honor of Abraham Lincoln’s passing 144 years ago (April 15, 1865), I am sharing some of my favorite Abraham Lincoln quotes. They apply to us just as much today as they did when spoken by the inspired president many years ago. That’s what I love the most about history.

I know it’s a long read, but it’s worth it. Enjoy!

"I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day."

"...I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord's side."

“To ease another's heartache is to forget one's own.”

"The probability that we may fall in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just; it shall not deter me." Speech on the Sub-Treasury in the Illinois House of Representatives, December 26, 1839

"A house divided against itself cannot stand…. It will become all one thing or all the other." Lincoln's 'House-Divided' Speech in Springfield, Illinois, June 16, 1858

"My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of the Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell." Lincoln's Farewell Address at the Great Western Depot in Springfield, Illinois, February 11, 1861

"The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time. In the present civil war it is quite possible that God's purpose is something different from the purpose of either party - and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect His purpose." Meditation on the Divine Will, September 2, 1862

"Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863

"...that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863

"Property is the fruit of labor...property is desirable...is a positive good in the world. That some should be rich shows that others may become rich, and hence is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another; but let him labor diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built." Reply to New York Workingmen's Democratic Republican Association, Mach 21, 1864

"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan - to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations." Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865

"Whenever I hear any one arguing for slavery I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally." Speech to One Hundred Fortieth Indiana Regiment, March 17, 1865

"There are no accidents in my philosophy. Every effect must have its cause. The past is the cause of the present, and the present will be the cause of the future. All these are links in the endless chain stretching from the finite to the infinite."

Play Time in Arizona

The first weekend of March we had a little reunion trip with our boys in Arizona. We rolled out of town at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and made it all the way to Boulder City before stopping. We couldn’t pass A&W and not get a root beer freeze – it’s a tradition. When we were handed plain root beer drinks, Janel said, “Um, we ordered a root beer freeze.” The attendant responded, “Oh, I thought you were just being polite.” We laughed all the way to Wikiup, periodically exchanging “freeze” for “please” just for giggles.

While we were driving, I was telling everyone how much I love Arizona – the culture, vegetation, etc. I’ve always thought of Arizona as a “classy Vegas” without all the nudey stuff. So you can imagine my delight when we rolled into Phoenix a little after midnight and learned our hotel shared a parking lot with this fine establishment.

Yep, Simply Sexplicit was our neighbor.

“Does this hotel charge by the hour?” asked Chris.

Saturday was full of outdoor fun. We started with a hike on Camelback Mountain.

Then we went to the Dodgers vs. Mariners game at the new stadium where Valerie and I waited in the longest line for hot dogs. Seriously. It was ridiculous.

After the game, the girls took a “scenic drive” to Todd’s house, i.e. we got lost. It wasn’t the first time. We also got lost going to Garth’s house that morning – 28th Street and 28th Avenue are NOT the same. Who knew?

We went to dinner at Serrano’s then back to Todd’s house to play – and play we did! We played water balloon volleyball, four square, hot potato and a few fabulous rounds of What If.



Popular quotes from the evening included:

“I have to admit, this one is really funny” ~ Todd, speaking about his What If question

“I took your little pony away, what ya gonna ride on now?” ~ Becky during water balloon volleyball

“She didn’t say that when I did spinnies on the monkey feet” ~ Todd during four square

“I’m not going to read this” ~ Garth during our game of What If
The question was: What if Garth wore a sequence Speedo to the beach?

Garth didn’t think it was as funny as we did, which only made us laugh even more. We’re good friends like that.

After the fun at Todd’s, we went back to our hotel room only to hear a different kind of “fun” coming from the next room. Simply Sexplicit it was! At 3 a.m., Jennifer decided she had enough and pounded on the wall commenting “this isn’t a honeymoon hotel!” I think that was my favorite quote of the night.

I often wish the boys didn’t grow up and leave Las Vegas, but life moves forward. I’m simply grateful for the moments we spend together. We are a wildly entertaining bunch.

I love my friends.

Hello sunshine

It’s finally back – Daylight Saving Time. I love the long sun-filled days, blooming flowers and spring weather. But do you realize how long it takes me to synchronize all of my clocks? Ugh.

Quit complaining or go home – the sequel

The other night I was talking to one of the complainers mentioned in my previous entry. “Laser tag was so much fun,” he said. “But the real highlight of the night was when you snapped at me and told me to go home. That was hilarious.”

Now I understand why I'm still single.

Quit complaining or go home

On Saturday night, I invited a few friends over for dinner and a “surprise” activity. I’ve learned that not everyone loves surprises as much as I do. Throughout dinner, certain boys were grumbling about the unknown activity and even trying to get out of it. I got so annoyed I finally told one boy (in my stern, but still kind voice) to “quit complaining or go home.” His complaints ceased immediately.

The surprise activity was laser tag – what boy doesn’t love running around shooting things? Honestly. After the game, everyone was comparing scores and talking about playing again. I just had to laugh.

Dad, you’ll be proud to know I scored higher than most the boys, which made the whole night totally worthwhile. It really is about winning – no matter what other people say.

Orange Stinger

Taylor and I rode the Orange Stinger when we were at Disneyland/California Adventure a few weeks ago. She loved it.


Taylor is quick to laugh and overflowing with sass. She’s definitely in the right family! We love her. Happy birthday Taylor.

Injured players list

While Kim and her kids were in town a few weeks ago, I took the kids to the park. The boys desperately wanted to play football but they were concerned that their almost four-year-old little sister, Taylor, couldn’t run the distance of the full-size football field. The conversation went a little like this:

Boys: Taylor can’t play because she can’t run that far
Karry: Then we’ll just play on half the field
Boys: No, that’s stupid
Karry: I’m not playing unless Taylor plays
Boys: Fine, she can play. But she’s on the injured players list so she doesn’t get any ball time.

Kim’s kids are hilarious. We played football (on half the field), kickball, Frisbee, played on the toys and did some chalk art – all this while Kim took a four hour nap. I am the best sister and aunt ever.

I heart February

Because….

1. 1. Its 70 degrees today.
2. 2. I’m finally over my stupid cold and I can exercise again. This morning I went running in my new running shoes. It was pure bliss. I love how exercising makes me feel.
3. 3. I have officially deleted my LDS Link-up profile after an unproductive six-month stint. There was no linkin’ up with anyone on that site! And trust me, it was for good reasons.
4. 4. I have lost almost all my holiday weight, which in and of itself is a miracle considering I didn’t exercise once in January.
5. 5. I was called to be a Relief Society teacher again – that’s my favorite calling ever. And we have a new president that I adore. Yay for the home ward!
6. 6. A trip to California and Disneyland with my sister and her crazy kids is on the horizon. Fortunately, our hotel room has three beds so I will be enforcing a one kid per night bed policy. I’m serious. And Kim has to sleep in her own bed. She’s the worst. Poor Wes.
7. 7. I am getting my hair cut on Thursday – I love getting my hair cut.
8. 8. Valentines Day! Homemade sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting are a must.
9. 9. I am meeting my childhood neighbors for a treat at Boston Crème. I love treats, new places and old friends.
10. 10. I am one month closer to getting married. I haven’t set a date yet and I am actually still looking for the groom, but I am one month closer to finding him. :)

Coupons

Earlier this month, I attended an Enrichment Activity that taught me how to maximize coupon benefits – it was very interesting. (Thanks Kristen). I decided that coupon use was an easy and effective way to save money and I love saving money.

My Costco catalog was full of coupons for items I regularly use so I was thrilled. I pulled out all the coupons and went to the store. This is what I bought.

I had a coupon for everything except the milk, clementines and two can organizers (I’m a sucker for organizational items. I like how this organizer automatically rotates the canned goods. I thought it would be great for food storage, and food storage is great, so it seemed like a great purchase to me – I appreciate simple logic and an occasional splurge).

Anyway, to my surprise, I still managed to spend $367 – on toilet paper, laundry detergent, tampons, can organizers, etc. What the???

I did save $65 with my coupons, but I was so mad about spending that much money on “non-fun” items that I didn’t even care about the savings.

NyQuil Dreams

I think I’m finally getting better. I had a cold earlier this month and a relentless cough that has lasted all year (yes, I know it’s only January, but it has been a long month). NyQuil was my saving grace, but I have weird dreams when I drink it. I dreamt I bought a floating toilet, that my body’s limbs turned into octopus arms, and that the current Mr. Wednesday Night showed up to dinner in blue pajamas. After dinner, he left me at the restaurant and I had to sled home in the snow. He thought my dream was “hilarious.” I didn’t. The NyQuil is almost gone. I think it’s for the best.

Fabulous

Just when I thought I wasn’t a rock star anymore, something fabulous happened. Fabulous was Saturday night. I was invited to the opening celebration of Encore and Steve Wynn’s Birthday Show starring Harry Connick Jr. He opened by singing one of my favorite songs, The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra, and closed with an audience accompanied Happy Birthday tribute to our friend Steve. I sang along with other celebrity guests, Siegfried & Roy, Donald Trump and our family favorite, Neil Diamond.

After the show, I wondered around Encore for a few minutes. The beautiful flowers, brilliant colors and amazing tapestry is quite impressive – even to a rock star like me. It’s worth a visit.

Secret Admirer

Turns out I have one. Well, one who is going to brave revelation…I am sure there are many others still in hiding. Ha! A dozen roses and a letter were delivered to my office yesterday. A red rose surrounded by yellow roses, which my friend claims is the universal symbol for a friend who wants benefits. I had to laugh. I love my funny friends.

Slippery when wet

This morning I woke up to my telephone ringing. My Dad called to tell me the roads were wet and slippery and to drive safe. I’ve been driving for 17 years – every time it rains, I get this call. My Dad loves me.

Christmas in Wisconsin

Once again, Mom, Dad and I went to Wes and Kim's home for Christmas – this year, they’re living in Wisconsin. We were greeted with 32 below temperatures and more snow then I have ever seen. Fortunately, a “heat wave” came through so it wasn’t that cold all week. But Wisconsin’s heat wave is considered a major cold front in Las Vegas so it’s all a matter of perspective.

The week was full of laughter, great food and a lot of time indoors. Here’s a summary of my five favorite moments:

Moment 1
I was assigned to sleep in Tye’s room in the basement. When I arrived, Tye guided me to my “room” where I would be staying. I found this sign on the door.

Apparently, I needed a “pas wood” to get in. After reading him the code (fortunately, it was on the paper), he opened the door to reveal my accommodations. What was supposed to be my room for the week was actually the unfinished closet under the stairs where Tye had made me my very own bed. In the words of Taylor, "him's a stinker."

Moment 2
Tate is quite the tease. I was determined to clean up the house and he was equally determined to stop me. The result – he punched me and I whacked him with a pillow. I then told him that he should never hit his aunt. I asked him if he’d ever seen me hit Aunt DelRae or Aunt Marie. He sat there for a minute and then said, “Can you imagine? That would be hilarious.” He started laughing hysterically and acting out the scenario.

Moment 3
Taylor locked me in her room to play school. I practiced my reading while she wrote in her pink Hello Kitty notebook with a pencil. I looked at her work and said, “Taylor, you’re such a good writer.” Her response: “I am not riding right now. I am not even on a horse silly.” This make-up loving princess is undoubtedly a cow girl at heart. Wes was so proud.

Moment 4
Taylor was “starving” and “needed” a peanut butter and honey sandwich so I made her one. She took it down to the basement to eat where she could watch the boys play games on their new Wii. A few minutes later, the door to the basement opened and she said, “Tarry, my sandwich is leaking.” I cleaned it (and her) up and she finished her sandwich at the table. A few minutes later, my dad opened the basement door and exclaimed “Yoll! Someone’s lunch is all over that doorknob.” I couldn’t stop laughing.

Moment 5
We took the kids to go see Santa at the mall. When Santa asked Tate what he wanted for Christmas he said a husband for his aunt. I REALLY hope he gets his wish!

Other favorite moments included listening to Taylor laugh as she rode the sled down the hill, laughing at Tye as he slipped on ice walking into the ice-cream store and then slipping myself, watching Tye and Tate waddle into school in their full snow suits (bibs, boots, hats and gloves), and seeing Dad’s face when I sat on a whoopee cushion – one of my novel Christmas presents to the kids. He thought I actually made that sound with my body and he looked at me in pure disgust. It was fabulous.

For the past several years, we’ve traveled to Wes and Kim’s house for Christmas. Sometimes I do so slightly begrudgingly as I have always enjoyed being home. This year I realized it’s not where you’re at, it’s who you’re with. And there isn’t anyone I would rather spend Christmas with then my dear, loud, crazy family.

My birthday

My birthday is on December 30. For years, I didn’t like my birth date as it is often lost between Christmas and New Years celebrations. Now that I’m older I love my birthday for one reason - it was the day my Dad’s parents got married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Gresham, Nebraska in 1928.

In January 1967, my Grandpa passed away so I never had the opportunity to meet him in mortality. But I distinctly remember him holding me as a baby and I have always believed he brought me to earth. If that is true, why wouldn’t he chose one of his favorite days – the day he married his sweetheart – as my birthday.

Today my Grandma and Grandpa were reunited again after nearly 42 years of separation. Although I will greatly miss my Grandma, I am happy she is once again with her husband and three children. Undoubtedly this is a day of celebration for her.

My heart aches for my Father – the last living member of his family. I was asked to tell him about Grandma’s passing, a burden I did not want to bear. Fortunately, he has a clear understanding of the Plan of Salvation and the reality of eternal families. He is taking it much better than his very emotional daughter.

Winter Wonderland

A blanket of snow covered Summerlin yesterday, transforming the community into a winter wonderland. Hundreds of residents were out building snowmen, having snowball fights or sledding down the hills. It was fabulous.


The last “measureable” snow officially fell in Las Vegas on December 30, 2003 – my birthday! (Yep, it’s coming up, consider yourself informed). And since I believe one shouldn’t have to work on their birthday, I had that whole day off to play in the snow. It was a great birthday. The snow is truly beautiful.

Snow in Summerlin

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! How I wish I could have wasted this day sitting in front of a large window with the curtains drawn, wearing my fluffy white robe and slippers, sipping on a steaming cup of peppermint hot chocolate.

Christmas Countdown

1 – sit at home and enjoy all my Christmas decorations
2 – go to the Fireman auction at Fashion Show (it’s a work thing)
3 – attend Summerlin’s annual Hometown Holidays event
4 – attend Summerlin’s annual Hometown Holidays event again
5 – wrap Christmas presents
6 – Christmas party with the girls
7 – watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional
8 – listen to Christmas music all day
9 – eat peppermint ice cream
10 – make homemade salsa
11 – go to Town Square to see the snow
12 – attend my work Christmas party
13 – go to the Bellagio conservatory and water show
14 – watch a Christmas movie
15 – look at old family photos of previous Christmas celebrations
16 – get a hair cut – I must look cute for Santa!
17 – go out to eat and order a yummy dessert
18 – have peppermint hot chocolate for breakfast
19 – go see KA
20 – go to the Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Gardens
21 – read a Christmas book
22 – play in the snow
23 – make cookies for Santa and reindeer food
24 – read the story of Christ’s birth