Weekend Breakdown

What do most 24 year old single people do on a Friday night? Well I am sure it isn't dinner and mini golf with the family -- well that is just what I did. Let me start off by saying Ricardo's is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Utah -- and second mini golf on real grass is a lot harder! I was doing pretty good with my putting except for nothing would stay in the hole -- I would have had 2 hole in ones -- both bounced out! Frustrating! Sorry the picture is blurry, my mom moved just as I took it.

Saturday night I went do Tooele with Staci from work to a BBQ at one of her USU friends. It was such a blast! The guys were so funny, and I haven't laughed so hard in a long time! We played Ultimate Frisbee, Sevens, back bend contests and around the world ping pong. It was nice to get out and meet some new exciting people that don't just want to sit and watch a movie every weekend! Hopefully we can all get together again soon!

Staci and Chris Cole her friend from College

I want --

So today at lunch we went to Noodles for Andrea's going away. She is one of the cute girls at work, her husband is in the military so they are headed to Cali. Anyways, we rode in her new Jeep to lunch and it made me realize how much I miss having a Jeep...there really is nothing like cruising in a Jeep with the top off in the summer...the only thing that could make it better is if you are cruising to the lake with the top off in the summer!

I want a lot of things in life -- but a Jeep -- it's a little easier to obtain. Maybe I will find myself a hot man that has a Jeep -- I accept referrals -- ha ha

Blog Talk

Okay so all this blog talk has got me thinking -- who really does look at my blog! I mean I know a few people do, but not enough to justify the 700 views it has gotten in the last little while...so leave me a comment so I can see who you are! :)

xoxo - S

And the Award goes to...

Okay so let me just start off by saying, thank you to you 3 people that read my blog :) I write it for you -- my dearest friends!

Okay now to the point! My dearest BFF Steph nominated me for the "Arte Y Pico" award. In a nutshell, this award virtually honors creativity and contributions to the blogging community. Who would have thought that I could be considered part of the blogging community?? I started my blog for Steph, sure we emailed everyday but with a blog I can "tell" her all the same things but include pictures! And now I am addicted! I don't find my life that interesting, but apparently other people do...so why not! Plus I no longer have to keep a journal -- that I never wrote in -- the last entry was in 2006!

Ok, back to the award...translated "Arte Y Pico" means "peak of art" and here are the rules/guidelines for the award:

1. Choose five blogs you consider deserving of this award based on creativity, design, interesting material, and overall contribution to the blogger community, regardless of the language.

2. Post the name of the author and a link to his/her blog so everyone can view it.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given him/her the award.

4. The award-winner and the presenter should post the link of the "Arte Y Pico" blog so everyone will know the origin of this award.

5. Please post these rules.

Okay so my nominations:

Steph: Okay so I don't know if I can technically honor her since she is the one that nominated me -- but I LOVE her blog! I read it every day. She is so real, no emotion or topic is off limits, the boob purse is a prime example I love it! Steph leave a very chaotic, yet organized life so it is nice to be able to see what she is up to!

Matt Logelin: I randomly found Matt's blog one day. His story is tragic, but inspiring. Matt lost his wife 27 hours after their first child Madeline was born. His blog chronicles his day to day life, the struggles of being a single dad, the sadness of loosing his wife, and the joy that his beautiful daughter brings.

Alison: I found Alison's blog "She Blogs, She Blogs" on the same day I found Matt's. She is so witty! She cracks me up on a daily basis with her random yet insightful blogs! Thanks Alison! You have been the source of entertainment for many a long work day!

Kirie: Kirie is a friend that I met a couple years ago, she is one that just tells you how it is, and her blog reflects that. It chronicles her day to day life with her new husband Seth and their "child" Razor.

Perez: I know I know -- some people wouldn't classify him as a normal blog per say...but I LOVE celebrity gossip -- enough said

I take it back!

Okay I know I know -- I said Jeremy was boring! But after last night -- I heart Jeremy! He won me over -- I am in love. Seriously, he is the PERFECT man. Okay don't get me wrong, I totally still love Jason, and if it wouldn't be completely stalkerish Steph and I would be on our way to Seattle at the end of the season (if he doesn't get picked) to hunt him down and force him to be my boyfriend. ha ha...I kid I kid.

So I am sad to admit this because seriously who cries at the Bachelorette -- but I did -- at least 4 times! I am such a ball baby! When things happen to me in real life I don't cry, but I watch some show and I cry -- seriously I am such a ridiculous girl!

How cute was it when Jesse took DeAnna down the mountain on his back while snowboarding?? This is exactly why I won't date someone who doesn't ski or heaven forbid board. I love the winter, I live for the mountain. I like Jesse, he is just so....I don't know....just so Jesse. That is the only way to put it.

Jeremy, oh Jeremy -- I heart you. You are beautiful! The perfect man! And how sweet was it when he read about his mother? Any guy that has that much love and adoration for his mother will treat his wife like gold.

Jason, such a little boy! I love it! I love guys that aren't afraid to be childish, because I am such a kid. I love Lagoon, the Zoo, swinging on the swings at the park -- any guy that will let me be a kid is the guy for me. Ty was the sweetest little boy that I have ever seen! And yes Jason's segment made me cry twice...Such an amazing father!

Graham, I didn't like Graham -- until last night. Graham reminds me how I would probably be on a show like that. He was very introverted. He had a really hard time explaining his feelings, and that is why he got sent home last night. I know exactly how DeAnna felt -- I have been in the same situation. You can only put yourself out there for so long in hopes that the other person will reciprocate. And when they don't, at some point you have to let go.

Final two -- I am guessing Jason and Jesse...

Rodeo -- Camping -- Boating

This weekend I cruised up to Logan for weekend festivities. We started out Friday with the Logan Rodeo, call me naive, but I had no idea they were so rough with the animals. I found myself having to close my eyes at some parts! But it was a good time, and once I got over the initial shock I was fine.

Our view at the Rodeo

Mergs and I pre-rodeo

The rest of the Rodeo crew -- Justin, Hayley, Mergs, Sarah and Stephanie

After the rodeo we headed up Logan Canyon to go camping....for everyone that knows me I don't camp. Every camping trip I have ever been on has ended not so fabulous. But this one wasn't too bad -- other then it was FREEZING!! So we left at 4:30 and I got to sleep the rest of the night in a comfy real bed :)

Saturday afternoon we headed out to the lake, it was such a beautiful day!

My View at the lake

Honestly I think I could live on the boat at the lake in the summer -- love love love

Justin driving us around the lake

It was very crowed on the lake so we cruised around a bit, but also just kind of floated. It was just nice to be outside enjoying the beautiful hot weather! Hopefully there will be many more weekends filled with great friends and sun to come.

Bachelorette - Final Four

Let me start by saying I picked the top four -- not like it was hard -- but I did :)

Jason -- I LOVE Jason. Yes I have said this from day one. He is so sweet, just a real genuine guy! When he looks at DeAnna you can tell you is falling in love with her. He is also very observant. He is the only one of the guys that has realized how into Graham DeAnna is...It will be interesting to see how she is on the hometown date and meeting Ty...

Graham -- I think Graham is getting hotter. When he has his face scruffy he is hot, but when he is more shaven he looks like a freaking crack head. DeAnna has the strongest connection with Graham I think. But I think it is more because he plays a little hard to get with her, it intrigues her. Based on the previews for next week, it seems Graham's mom is concerned about the relationship going long term as well...

Jeremy -- He is getting kind of boring for me. He doesn't ever have a whole lot to say, but I think DeAnna is the most comfortable around him. It seems like they can be more of a normal couple with each other. I just don't know if he is adventurous enough for her. I think his hometown date is gong to make all the difference in how she sees Jeremy.

Jesse -- Needs to stop putting off the friends vibe! He needed to kiss her on the one on one time he had with her. You could tell he wanted to, but didn't know how to approach it. He needed more time and I think he would have done it. But he also needs to take the time to talk about "them". He wasted his time with her saying how he wanted her to be happy. I just don't think he is that into her...

Goldens = Lap Dog

This is what happens when your 55lbs Golden Retrievers think they are human or lap dogs...

Random Hike

Taylor and I went for a mini hike last night --

It was short and sweet --

So beautiful --

PINK!

Let me start off by telling you that I have NEVER been a pink person. In high school when all my friends were into girly pink stuff I preferred black. But as I have "grown up" if you can call it growing up...I have decided I like Pink. Sometimes to wear -- but mostly in accessories. Last night I splurged and bought a new Pink 8 Gig Nano -- I love it! Now I can run in style. But I need suggestions on an arm band and headphones that won't fall out of my ears...

The Windy City

I am so happy at this moment! I just booked my tickets for Chicago!!! Watch out Steph -- here I come!!!! I miss my Steph terribly! Yes I did just see her a month ago, but by the time I get out there it will be 2 months almost to the day! We already have amazing plans laid out, all of which will center around brunch at the Bongo Room :) Love Love Love! Then to burn off the cals we are going to do a 5K -- I better be more consistent with my training! 4 weeks! We'll mix a Cubs game in there, along with a trip to the "bean". Wooo Hooo!!!! I am the happiest lady in the world today!

xoxo - the Chicago Lover

The Host

I loved this book. At the very beginning I was a little unsure of what I thought. It was a little weird, not something I was used to reading normally. But Stephenie Meyer is one of my favorite authors so I had faith -- and I was not disappointed! She has this amazing way of making you fall in love with the characters -- and I was sad to have it end. I would highly recommend picking it up if you haven't already!

Bachelorette

I will make it short and sweet -- I love Jason -- if she doesn't pick him -- she is an idiot! Graham is a player, he is trying to manipulate her by trying to turn things around...and he looks like a druggie to me. And the fact that he is an athlete scares me, they always cheat! Jeremy is sweet, but the connection seems to be weaker. (Becky and I discussed this, and I agree with her) I guess it could potentially grow...guess we'll just have to see.

Off Leash Dog Park

South Ogden City just opened a new off leash dog park yesterday! So of course I loaded up the dogs and met my mom and Mike. It was so fun to let the dogs run around with a whole bunch of new friends. They had a blast! Even Syd was running around with all the big dogs, that little girl is fearless!

Bode in the front seat excited to go to the dog park

Kate and I -- I seriously need a tan!

The Golden's playing with all their new friends

Syd being a big dog with her head out the window

Bode so happy after leaving the dog park, I was trying to get a creative shot --

Weekend Rundown

Another fabulous weekend has come and gone -- it's back to early mornings and long days.

This weekend I went up to Weston again to see my grandma and grandpa. It was my grandpa's birthday a couple weeks ago, so his kids got him one of those photo frames. They didn't know how to set it up so my grandma asked if I would come up and help them out. I love spending time with G&G so after work on Friday I headed North. Friday night we ate dinner and vegged out and watched TV. Syd loves grandma, so she was in heaven! We went to bed a decent time so we could be up early. Saturday morning grandma made breakfast and Syd and I got to work on setting the picture frame up. Once we got all the pictures loaded grandpa came in and gave us the details on the photos. It was fun to see all the places they have gone, and see the way grandpa would perk up telling us the stories.

Late Saturday afternoon I headed into Logan to see some old friends. I called Justin and met up with him and some of his friends. We ended up going over to my old friend Mergs house -- I haven't seen him in years, so it was so great to see him and catch up! We all went out to dinner at my favorite "Logan Place" Juniper Take Out -- delicious!!! Then went and watched "No Country for Old Men" I was not a huge fan...kind of bloody for my taste. But It was a good night with great friends -- hopefully we can do it again soon!

Liberated

Okay my "secret" which wasn't too much of a secret to most of you that know me...but I didn't want to tell too many people in case I chickened out...I cut my hair off.

This was so much more then just a hair cut, it was almost symbolic for me. I have changed so much over the past 6 years, and had my hair basically the same the whole time. Sure the bangs came and went, and my hair color changed mildly, but still was basically the same. I think as women we form an emotional attachment to our hair -- so to cut it off, it's a big deal. Well I decided it was time to cut off all those old memories and who I used to be, so I could begin to grow into who I am now :) Starting fresh and maybe a little blonder...I feel completely liberated, who knew that cutting your hair could make you feel so free? More pictures to come later -- I just had these on my phone and don't want to look like too much of a dork at work by having a photo session at my desk...

Before -- little cheesy

After --

I Heart

I heart my new shoes --

Bored

I am sitting at work -- it has been an incredibly long day. I have been super busy the whole time, so you think the day would go by faster -- but it's not. When did the days get so long?? I guess they generally are only like this when I have things I would like to get home and do.

I would like everyone to know I did get a new email address though, I am trying to get away from my old one -- I've had it since like 6 grade I think. The new one is Sammy4041@gmail.com. I'll still have my old one set up to my StrawBerry (BlackBerry) as well -- so I'll still get your emails regardless.

And because I have time I will post some cute pictures of my gorgeous friends! Kind of random -- I know! But I love these girls :) And a tribute to what was -- I'll explain that comment on Friday -- it's a secret!!!

Becky, Steph and I at Becky's Boise Baby Shower

Still at the shower -- I love this picture because of all our eyes :)

Mindy and I at Romp to Stomp this winter, we had such a great time!

Steph and I in LA Hills, with as many pictures as we have together you would never guess she lives in Chicago...

Last but not least, my Jessie. I miss her terribly! I see Steph more then Jess, and she only lives in Lehi -- pretty sad :(

Miss Priss

Miss. Priss fell asleep during Bachelorette last night -- what a strange dog...