TSO

Every year the Trans Siberian Orchestra comes to town, every year we wish we would have gone. This year we were informed this is their final year for Salt Lake City. We got hooked up with matinee tickets, arranged a sitter and headed out on the town.

OK, I am about to reveal my not so bright side, but for posterity reasons, the truth must be revealed. When I heard Orchestra I thought, "take one for the team Jennifer, this is for Corby". 

We nestled in our seats to wait for the grand performance. 

The performance began alright, I will title it hair whipping, hair swirling, body contouring, and electric guitaring entertainment. I could not stop laughing as I watched these humans whirl their heads a 100mph while doing back bends. They would attach themselves to these platforms that would rise up and they would contour some more. Honestly, they are super talented individuals and the light show was simply amazing. It caught me off guard as I was expecting to be quietly entertained by the orchestra. I did not think to bring a camera so only a few photos from my not so great phone. Sorry. If you have never gone, I highly recommend it. Just come prepared for the real stuff. Maybe even purchase a CD of music so you know what is in store. 

All in all I had a great time with Corby even if we couldn't even speak during the performance due to volume.

Merry Early Christmas Corbster, just one of my many surprises I have in store for you this Holiday Season. 

Evening in Excellence

 This was a bittersweet evening. 

First time we were there without our sweet Teesh LaReesh. The evening was over-the-top, as usual. Our Young Women's Presidency is just full of extra milers. The decorations always match and coordinate. The video, recapping the years activities is amazing and puts me in tears every year. Love that my girls get to benefit from so much talent.

 Each girl brought a shoe that represented a shoe that you would wear as you stood in a holy place. Malia brought her slipper and said that one of her holy places is her bedroom where she reads her scriptures and says her prayers.

 Malia was asked to play the piano for a special musical number. Malia did great but was frustrated she made a few mistakes, A sweet kind Beehive reassured Malia that she did not even notice a mistake. Such a kind act of love shown to Malia.

 Sierra brought her sandals. She said she wears these to Seminary as her holy place. She talked about how her teacher, Bro. Adam Hock, has been an answer to her prayers this year. She said he has really helped her through some hard times. I love Seminary!

 Because Magera is the Laurel President, she conducted this fantastic meeting. I was one proud momma watching her carry herself with such grace.

 Our presidency from left to right: Leslie Anderson, secretary, Michele Barton, president, Stephanie Hoyt, 2nd Counselor, and Niki Guevara, 1st Counselor. Malia posing after earning her Faith and Knowledge.

 Sierra earned Integrity and Choice and Accountability

 Great job girls. From back row left to right:

Heather Barton, Kiersten Wells, Sierra Hansen, Morgan Guevara, Malia Hansen

front row left to right:

Becka Wells Angel Anderson, Kari Jorgensen, Katie Harvey, Holly Henderson, Alissa Cooper

 My beautiful daughters. Malia is in 8th grade and Sierra is a junior

 After the evening we were treated with gourmet desserts and refreshments. The cupcakes and individual sized quiche were so amazing. They looked great and were out of this world delish.

The evening was a success thanks to so many people who work so hard to make it happen!

5A State Champions

Pam's girls play on their high school volleyball team. They are the reigning champs and this year did not disappoint. Stacey #12 is a senior and Brooklyn #13 a sophomore. Stacey did a fantastic job bringing the title home while Brooklyn will get many chances in the future in the next two years. It was so fun to cheer them on to victory.

 Go Vikings!

Stacey is front and center. I love the excitement in her face. Good job girls way to take it to the top.

Introducing.......

Andrew

I wanted our new car to be named Abigail but Corby, on his knees, begged his car not be another female. Fine, we did not get our Andrew in human so we will enjoy him car style. I know this is a quirky post but I want my girls to remember the funny things about me. I am a goof, I name items. It is fun!

While waiting for the insurance company to decide who will pay the damages that resulted from the accident we had to rent a vehicle. It just happened to be the same exact car Jaren and Cindy drive so we played a prank on them. At this point they did not know we were even involved in an accident.

Our rental was a Chevy Malibu. We took pictures sent them to Cindy and Jaren stating we wanted to be just like them so we decided to buy Sierra a new car.

Doesn't Sierra look good in a 2013 vehicle. She thinks so too, but it's back to Sally the Saturn for that girl.

This picture might have given something away if you were looking close.

Apology

Bria came home from school with this in her bag. I asked her what it was about. She said that Alyssa hits her and so Chance, our carpool buddy, raised his hand and told on Alyssa. Bria said the teacher asked, "Bria, did Alyssa hit you?" Bria said, "Yes, but she probably was stretching". Don't you just love Kindergartener writing and the punctuation just puts it over the top. One of the many reasons I love NPA.

A lesson we should all learn, say sorry when you do something to someone else.

R.I.P. Lila

Earlier in the week, Corby arranged a babysitter for the little girls and asked me out on a date. He planned to take me to dinner and a movie, one with Sandra Bullock. He knows she is one of my favorite.

We dropped the girls off at a kind neighbor and headed down the road to Cafe Rio. We were on Builder's Drive, making a left hand turn onto 27th South. A 17 year old girl was traveling North on 27th West without her lights on. We pulled out to turn left and wham!

I wasn't even looking so it came as quite a shock.  I was looking in the opposite direction daydreaming about my yummy chicken salad when I hear, she didn't have her lights on.

When the dust settled and we reassured each other that we were OK, we looked at the other driver. She was frantic about getting out of her car. She was screaming and fumbling with her door latch. She threw something on the ground and began running away from her vehicle.  Multiple cars had stopped to help and someone encouraged her to sit down. When the ambulance arrived they whisked her away. Corby thought she might be pregnant as she was holding her stomach and crying. Her airbag deployed. At first I thought ugh this is our fault. But several eye witnesses and the police officer all attested she did not have her lights on. I think we have all done this a time or two, poor girl!

 To be honest as I look at the photos I think from the looks of our car that it wasn't all that bad but Lila, the Lexus, can take a hit and that she did. Lila is totaled! A car made of steel and one made of plastic. Ours looks a lot better than the girls. She was driving a Hyundai.

 We were able to still go get dinner but our evening was not at all what Corby had planned. Both our necks hurt and I was really nauseated, still am, for that matter. Corby banged his head and has a tiny cut. All in all we are blessed once again because if she hadn't a swerved last minute I am pretty sure Corby would have taken his own ambulance ride.

 During the accident a tragedy occurred. See these beauties? I have had them for over 6 years and if you spend anytime with me, you will have noticed them a time or two. I guess my toes are super strong because on impact I pulled them apart. Maybe I should look into a toe competition. Maybe I could win some money to off set the accident, deep thoughts! Don't mind the mud, like I said I wear them a lot and they were in need of  washing.

Rest in Peace Lila and my pink Flip Flops.

 Until we meet again, Lila enjoy your ride on the tow truck

Abuduction

I picked up Malia from ballet and asked what her fun plans were for the weekend. Malia sadly responded,  "it is Avery's birthday and she is going to Colorado,  she won't be around". We arrived home and did our nightly routine. While I was helping Bria read, a brainy idea appeared in my mind that we should kidnap Avery and go get ice cream. I got the little girls in bed and arranged Sierra to stay with them. We called Amy, Avery's mom, and we took off to make our idea come true.

We surprised Avery when we appeared at her door. Isn't it awesome she was in her feet pajamas. Her mom was so funny. She pushed Avery out while Avery is debating but I don't have shoes on, but I don't have a coat, Amy continued to say have fun Avery I'll see ya later.
I am super sad I did not have Clarrisa with me. The plans were so quick that was a minor detail overlooked.

Hi Avery, are you ready to go hit the town in your jammies?

We decided to hit the Marble Slab in the District for our celebrations. So many choices. So many delicious options. So many sizes, how does two best friends decide.

After much debate, a decision was born. I grabbed Sierra her favorite since she made this whole evening possible. Thanks Magera!

I am a structured person. I like things planned but I am also spontaneous and this night was just incredible. Malia is a fun fun girl to hang out with and laugh.

Happy 14th Birthday Avery!