My feet are ...

cuter than yours. Seriously, look at your feet and then look at mine. Admit it.

Those "Katy" flip flops were given to me by my friend who lives in Katy, TX. Speaking of Texas, here are some of my thoughts about the big state.

Things I don't love about Texas:
No mountains
heat
humidity
fire ants
Texas pride
Cochroaces
Copperas Cove

Things I love about Texas:
Dr. Pepper museum
certain missionaries that servied in TSAM between '97-'99
certain member families
Jill
Carrie Margaret
Jonathan Dean
Sunsets
6th Street
Riverwalk
HEB
Rudy's
Chuys
Taco Cabana

Anyway, my brother Dan hit a hole in one last week. Think about how cool that is.
























Thursday night was the first Intuitive Eating Meeting (say it out loud cause it is fun). It was great.

Bird watching with the Bean

I started a blog for the Bean Life Science Museum - I'm their webmaster so its ok. We had a great bird watching activity with Mr. Webb (MW) as part of the Museum's new Nature Experienceship program.

My friends, Stacy and Brent came along and we had fun watching birds. We also had lots of fun taking pictures as you can see.

IT'S NOT A TUMOR

or maybe it is.

Last Saturday my 11 year old niece, Lucy had a brain tumor removed. I visited her tonight and let her pick from my many hats so she could cover up this:



She chose this one:



And this one:



I gave her the soundtrack to "Hairspray" so she could listen to the music in preparation to see the movie. She'll be able to see it in a couple of weeks.

I've always been ...

a great aunt. Now I am in more way than one. Makes for a great pun!!! Just like, "Utah! A pretty, great state."

Boys can pee anywhere ...

This last weekend I watched my brother Dan's kids cause he and his wife went to the UCLA/BYU football game. I know some of you who read this blog are parents and so maybe the things I'm going to write about aren't very funny but because I don't experience them very often, I find them hilarious. These are the kids I spent all day Saturday with.



In the morning I put the little girls in the double stroller, Luke jumped on his two-wheeler and Tyson wore these:


We started the 2.1 mile trek from Dan's house to Ann Dee's house. My plan was the get these kids some exercise and wear them out - their plan was to talk Cameron into hooking up the Game Cube once we got there. Both plans worked.

So here is the funny part ...
On the way home Tyson and Luke were ahead of me and the girls were both asleep in the stroller. The boys knew they had to stop at each intersection and wait for me before crossing the street. They got to a busy four way stop on 1100 East in AF (on the border of PG) and Luke dropped his bike and took off his helmet and stood behind a small sign of the corner and relieved himself. I couldn't stop smilling - I wanted to laugh but I thought I better not. Tyson came running to me to tell me what Luke had done but he didn't need to tell me cause I saw it and so did everyone else at the four way stop. Luke thought he was hidden behind this little sign. I was just glad I didn't have to find a bathroom for him. Here is the intersection.



Later that day I told the boys not to grow up and to just stay kids.

Tyson = ok.
Luke = I want to be a grownup.
Me = Why?
Luke = Cause you get to be the boss.
Tyson = Yeah but you have to change stinky diapers.
Luke = Yeah but you get to swim in the deep end of the pool.

I started thinking - am I taking advantage of my priviledges as a grownup? I was the boss of these kids for a weekend and I did have to change stinky diapers but it has been a long time since I swam at the deep end of the pool - I need to enjoy life more!

I'm just glad that this little red headed girl is ok cause she is sweet and smart and likes animals. She also lives with three brothers and knows how to stick up for herself. She'll even go bird watching with you anytime. Get better soon Lucy.

Labor Day Weekend - Las Vegas Baby

Who can say that they've ridden in a silver beetle bug from Vegas to Provo?


Well this salamander can - we named her Vega (we think she is a girl). The Bean needed a new Tiger Salamander so I reluctantly volunteered to drive this one up from the Exotic Pet Store in Las Vegas - it saved us $41.

I was worried about Vega all the way home - trying to make sure she didn't get too hot. I sang "Viva Las Vega" to help her - I think she survived only because of my singing.

While I was in Las Vegas I got to spend some time with my favorite family from the mission - they now live in Las Vegas in case that wasn't obvious.

See how cute these girls are? The oldest one here was blessed on my first Sunday in San Antonio - yup it was a little while ago.

One of the reasons I love this family is because it was in their home that I realized I still had my agency as a missionary and it was up to me if I wanted to drink Dr. Pepper or not. My trainer no longer got to decide for me! They took great care of me and I spent Christmas with them both years I was in Texas. It was fun to see them again.

The rest of my trip was spent with these guys ...