Thanksgiving Goodness

I was able to go home for a few days for some good food and family time! It is always fun when my bros and their families are there. The kids are completely entertaining! I won't go into too much detail, but it was fun to be home! I just want to mention that I am so grateful for the past year! I feel like I am in a really good place. I love my life, I am blessed with great family members, amazing friends and the gospel as a constant guiding light!

Here are some pics of the great Thanksgiving 2008!

Morgan, Ashlee and Christina are ready to dig in

Dad carving that turkey...

The Kiddie Table

My adorable Bergen!

Morgan and Baby Grace

My Snugglebug and I-my favorite moments...

Bergen and Sadie take a little nap

Two of my favorite cuddlers, Andelin and Bergen

Baliadas Baby!!!!

As many of you know, I LOVE Honduras!!!! I miss it every day and anytime I get a little piece of it, it makes me giddy! I will always love that crazy place and everything about it!

Ever since moving to CA, I have been hearing about this little Honduran restaurant in L.A. The other night, Jeremy gave me a great surprise, he took me there! We were able to enjoy platanos fritos, frijoles and crema, and of course, BALIADAS! My favorite Honduran food!






It was a wonderful surprise and even though we both had stomach aches the next morning, that only added to the authentic experience!

Girls Night in the Hollywood

What can be more fun than a trip to the City of Angels with some of my favorite girls? A couple weeks ago, the girls and I made our way north for the premiere of the movie "The Flyboys". The movie was written by my roommates' boyfriend Jason and was directed by his brother. It was premiering at a film festival so we thought it would be a fun change of pace.
We LOVED LOVED the movie, and we are so proud of you Jason! I would highly recommend it if you can find it! We got to meet a few of the actors in the film and then went for a bite to eat at Mel's Drive-Inn in Hollywood! All in all, a very fun night out! I love my life!

Welcome to the World...

Dearest Baby Grace,

I just wanted to publicly welcome you to this crazy place we call mortality! I am so excited you are here! I am sorry I am not there to personally welcome you, luckily you have a lot of people who love you that are taking great care of you now. I can't wait to meet you in just a few weeks! In the meantime, please remind your brother, sisters, parents, aunts, uncles, etc to give you lots of kisses on my behalf! I already love you so much!





Congrats to Corby and Carolynn- you guys do really make the cutest kids! If you make another one beyond your limit of 4, I would be more than happy to take him/her off your hands! :)
To Caders, Andelinie Poo and Bergie-Congrats on your new baby sister! Love you all!

Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh The Right Stuff...

When I was six years old, I attended my first concert. Yes, I know my concert obsession started early. Let's just say it got off to an interesting start, I went to see the New Kids on the Block at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah. I like many young girls, LOVED them! I had videos, posters and all the Bop magazine cutouts of the "Kids"! A few months ago, I heard the group formerly known as NKOTB had reunited and was touring! I seriously was excited! Not because I still love them but the idea of seeing them again was too great to pass up. So I got my tickets, convinced my dear friend Ali to join me, drove to Vegas and prepped for the concert of the year?!?!It was quite the interesting crowd, first everyone was female. It seemed as though all the women were thirtysomethings still trying to live out their dream of being a groupie for NKOTB. (And no, Ali and I did NOT want to hook up with Donny nor Joey.)Seriously though, some girls were crying they were so excited. I, however, was laughing uncontrollably. They were horrible, yet extremely entertaining. At one point, Ali turned to me and asked, "Do you think they know they have been castrated? Seriously, they must tell their kids, 'Well Daddy doesn't have balls, but at least we have a LOT of money!'" So true, they did mostly old stuff, same dances, same guys, just 20 years later! I am very glad I went, I was totally entertained! And their new stuff, its DIIIRTY!!! These old men talking about "Dirty Dancing", "Giving you some Grown Man" and "Sexifying My Love", what is wrong with them?!?! All in all, I am calling it a rite of passage therefore a little less shameful! Also to our defense, we didn't stay the whole time. We met up with Kate and Jessica at Blush in the Wynn and got our groove on! It was a blast and apparently, I have a new boyfriend now! (Thanks Jess!)

Get Up, Stand Up...

Stand up for your rights!

While getting ready this morning, I turned on my ipod and this was the first song that I heard. There could not have been a more appropriate song to start my day!
Over the last few weeks, there has been a lot of controversy back and forth over Proposition 8. Yesterday, the people had a chance to raise their voice and express themselves. It was an extremely close race! In fact, I kept waking up in the middle of the night to check the progress. But in the end, proposition 8 has passed, defending the definition of traditional marriage.

I must say I am so happy to see the outcome. I have never felt more proud to be an American than yesterday when I had a chance to cast my ballot! It was so gratifying after such a long battle, whether it had passed or not, I was able to check "yes" and stand up for my right to believe. My right to believe in the family, in a living Prophet and a loving God.

I don't know how many times I have heard, "Yes on 8 means yes on hate!" over the last few weeks. Fortunately, this statement is not true. I know we don't all agree on the issue, but hate is not the issue. Our country was founded on the values that we were able to stand for what we KNOW and BELIEVE to be true. That is the stand that was taken yesterday. I know that I did not cast my ballot to hurt anyone or take away rights. I voted yes because I believe the principles to be true and I will never shy away from those. Standing for what you believe should be commended and not shamed. I would never ask any American or individual to back down from what they believe simply because I have a differing opinion.

The people raised their voice yesterday and stood for what they believed. Let's move on and stop the accusations of hate and recognize it was truly only an exercise of personal freedom. Today I say more than ever I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN.

P.S. I found this statement and thought it was wonderfully clear. Enjoy!
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/church-responds-to-same-sex-marriage-votes#continued

Family Time

Recently my family came to town for the weekend. I would like to say that they came just for me, but I do live in close proximity to Disneyland so somehow I don't think I am the only draw. :) We had a good time at D-land, shopping at the Grove, and Santa Monica Pier. I didn't take many pics but here are a few shots from their visit.

Time To Stand As A Witness

"We will stand as witnesses of God at all times, in all things and at all places..." As we come closer to the Second Coming, we will face more opposition and more challenges. Tonight I sat in a meeting where two Apostles of the Lord reminded us of our responsibility as the Lord's children to defend His plan. In the state of California, there is a proposition, Prop 8, hoping to legally define marriage as an institution between a man and woman. For weeks, members of the LDS church and many other faiths, have been walking the streets getting the word out to Vote Yes on Prop 8.

There is great opposition to this proposition. Many believe it is trying to eliminate or take away the rights of homosexuals. Now I have several friends with same sex orientation, I don't want them to feel as though I am going against them. This is not the objective of this proposition, it is simply to defend the definition of traditional marriage. In 1995, The Family: A Proclamation to the World was issued as a clear declaration of our beliefs. We are simply being asked to defend this belief. No matter your religious affiliation, we mist fear God more than man and stand for truth.

As I sat through the past General Conference and tonight's meeting, I have felt the Spirit, renewing my testimony of the Lord's will. I kept thinking, this is His Church, His plan and we are simply meant to live and defend it.

Many may think us intolerant, but that is not the case. Elder Cook mentioned this evening that tolerance does not mean condoning sin, it means loving the sinner. He said that Satan tries to hide sin behind a face of tolerance. We must follow Christ's example of tolerance by loving and showing kindness, BUT defending our rights as well.

We may not see the repercussions now, but the consequences are great, the idea of free speech may impede our religious liberties. We are asked to be tolerant, but that is a two way street. We cannot be expected to step aside and watch as our society tries to change God's truths.

So spread the word, whether you live in California or not, tell everyone you know to tell everyone they know VOTE YES ON PROP 8! Networking is key!

For more information see the following sites:
www.preservingmarriage.org
www.protectmarriage.com

www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91486191&sc=emaf

www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-divine-institution-of-marriage

Birthday Fever

I have a fever and the only prescription is more BIRTHDAY! The last week of September was a busy one, three birthdays and four celebrations! Jeremy, Spencer and I all celebrated another year of life! It was filled with some great meals and great fun!
Many of you know, I am not big on birthdays, however this year I had a blast! I seem to always look back and reflect. Many times in the past, I have felt as though I wasn't where I wanted to be or I hadn't done enough in the past year. This year, I felt great! I have had some great changes and am very happy with where I am in my life! Plus, I was so SPOILED!!!
First, Jeremy took me to the So You Think You Can Dance tour! I love love love that show and being there live was AMAZING! I miss dance and watching them perform made me remember how much I miss it! Unfortunately, I am too old and lost any and all flexibility! I guess I will have to stick to dancing in my living room!
Then, on my actual birthday, my dearest girls in the OC threw me a party. They were so sweet and continued to spoil me! I love you all for all you do for me! It truly was the greatest birthday!

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I Left My Heart in...

San Francisco! As many of you know, I love San Fran. My family has been going there for years to watch our beloved 49ers, win or lose. Unfortunately, the family wasn't making the trip this year, so instead I recruited a few friends to travel north.
Since I was the only one who had ever been to the city, we had a whole lot to see in just two days! From biking over the Golden Gate bridge to Alcatraz to Union Square, we were exhausted by the end of the trip!
Despite a poor performance by the Niners, we had a great trip! And as always in SF, I ate WAY TOO MUCH!!!!

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Matchmaker, Matchmaker...

As my "dark day" approaches, I am reminiscent of the year that has passed. It is interesting to remember where I was, what I was feeling and what I wanted almost exactly one year ago.

Many things have changed, most obviously my zip code, but most significantly I am more willing to be vulnerable which ironically makes me feel more confident. However, many things remain the same. I love my Cougs and Niners, I love concerts, being with my friends and watching movies or reading a good book. I am sick of dating, not hopeless just tired of asking and answering the same first date questions over and over again. I still want to love someone completely and unselfishly.

Its funny, it isn't a matter of me feeling old, in fact, I am the baby of my friends down here. I am just done talking about the number of people in my family, what I like to do and where I went to school! Am I the only one that feels this way?

In talking with a few friends here, I have come to a conclusion--I would agree to an arranged marriage. It can't be that bad, can it? I have done the dating thing, I have felt completely myself and loved someone completely as I could and it still doesn't work out. I love those who don't love me and can't seem to love those that could love me. I have tried my best up to this point, but I think I might be cursed, so what have I got to lose?

I turn it over to you, my blog audience! Not just for myself, but for a few of my friends as well. I don't think our standards are too high, I want someone to love that is willing to put up with me, someone who loves the Lord and wants a family. Is that so difficult?

If you need visual reference, see below, we are all attractive, fun and successful chicas! Any suggestions? Send them my way, because somehow this feels less pathetic than online dating (it works for some, I know, totally not dissing it just can't do it!)

The Right Place for Me

Just a quick note, today we had stake conference adult session and it was AMAZING!!!! I felt so grateful to be a member of the Church and know the truth of who the Savior is and how well our Father in Heaven knows us. I felt as the whole session was being directed especially at me. So for if no other reason, today I know I am in the right place for me right now, and that feels good.

The Joys that Come from Disney

Most of you know, I HEART Disneyland! I can't really get enough of it! I am now an annual passholder and I love going to the "Happiest Place on Earth"! Some of my favorite moments since moving to the OC have been made at Disneyland. We going on a regular basis (2-3 per month) and I never get tired of it! The trip to D-Land always hits the spot!

But all the fun is not had in the park alone, there is a House of Blues in Downtown Disney! I love concerts and they do throw a good show! Recently, we saw my boyfriend, Joshua Radin! California Screamin' and Joshua Radin--it really is the happiest place on earth!



We even got a little time with Joshua and KS themselves, we were in heaven!!!! Good thing we got in good with his uncle for the introduction!

I Am Still Here...

I along with many others enjoy the art of blog stalking! I love to see what others are doing with their lives and I HEART pictures. Everytime I log on I am excited to see the new posts and adventures of my family and friends. Unfortunately, there are times when I click on the link anticipating that new post and am sorely disappointed to see that it is the same title and picture that I have been looking at for the last month. You know you have all done the same! For my fellow stalkers, I am sorry that I haven't updated lately! I thought about making seperate posts for everything that has occurred but that seemed too intimidating, SO I will make a photographic "highlights" post.

First, I have gained an AMAZING group of friends here in Cali. I have made some great memories with these guys!
Del Mar Races

Wendizzle, Marci and I

Surfing at San Onofre with Marci and Ali

Saying goodbye to my boy Willy!

Ali and Morgan-"the wet look"

Ali and Morgan-"the watermelon look"

Kristin and Morgan

Special of the Day-A Pete Sandwich

A few weeks ago, Ali, Wendy and I ran a half marathon on the Extraterrestrial Highway in Nevada. Yes, its random but it was fun! It started at midnight, people dressed up like aliens, we had to wear headlamps and reflective gear and we LOVED it! My knee wanted to kill me off, but we survived and it was a really cool race! I would love to do it again. When planning for the race we decided to make a weekend of it and stay in Vegas. Kristin came along for the ride and Aaron and Peter couldn't resist the opportunity to paint the town with us as well! It was a fun weekend despite the pitiful amount of sleep!
Highlights of the trip:

1. Cafe Rio(twice)
Ali and Diz

Morgan and Aaron

Peter and Kristin

Pre-race meal at the Rio

Kristin did not run with us-hence the fact that she is NOT in a ridiculously hot outfit like us! :)

2. Dancing in front of the Bellagio



3. Aaron's desperate attempt to be Billy Ray Cyrus



4. Great Company





And of course, THE RACE!!!! Look out! We were H-O-T-T!






There is so much more that I need to touch on as this has been a great and eventful summer! But I have no patience left to add any more photos or stories! I will try to update it more often from now on! My love to all who read this!