The Fabulous Five

Today I clicked on the "Gal Pals" link on my blog.

Looking at photos of my friends brought back so many memories, but most of all it got me so excited to see these people in a few weeks!

So let's look at our friendship through the years, shall we?

 This is me in 5th grade. I played the French horn.

It is very apparent in this photo of how popular I was. 

Everybody wanted to be best friends with the girl in the oversized sweater that played French horn!

So, it was no surprise to anyone when I became best friends with two of the brainiest and most creative kids in school, Jael and Lecia.

Then I met Brityn (and Cameron).

I remember the first day I met these two.

We were in Primary at the Marana building, and I was impressed that they already had braces!

But our lives would never be the same when we met Nicole.

I mean, where else would we get the insider information on all things Frank Sinatra and Mafia?

(By the way, I totally credit this photo for launching my photography career.)

We were so awesome.

In fact, we were so cool that we made our own amazing movie and had a very fancy movie premier dinner.

If you read that last line in a sarcastic tone, then you read it correctly.

And then we said goodbye to our favorite friend/brother/crush/irksome-person, Cameron, as he left for his mission.

Lecia cried,

as usual.

Yet we continued to dance.

We even had our own exclusive dance party during Lecia's wedding reception.

I can't wait to see you guys!!

Nicole, I hope you've got a playlist all made out for us.

Summer Vacation #2: GFR 2013 in Oceanside, CA

These are my friends from childhood (except for Nicole. I met her in middle school). Most of them live far away, but I get to see them every year. I never realized how unusual it was to keep up friendships since elementary school until a few people told me so. I am very lucky blessed.

Brityn: AKA "Mother Brityn"

Jael: World Traveler

Lecia: Pam from The Office.

Nicole: The Photogenic One.

I look forward to this each year! I stress out about it before hand with arranging babysitting and what-not, but it is always worth it. Plus, I honestly believe I come back a better Mom. And that's because I am hanging with some very wise, funny, and beautiful women! I think we should rename it The Better Mother's Convention since we pretty much talk about our kids the whole time.

Speaking of kids, I thought I was going to return home with Sophie and Sabrina clinging to me saying "Never leave me again, Mommy!!!" But much to my surprise and pleasure, I returned home and it was as if nothing had happened. They were like, "Hey, Mom." and then went on with their business. That means, they must have been very well cared for while I was away.

My favorite moment of this GFR is this: I woke up one morning and saw that Brityn and Nicole were already up. I wave to them and then head for the obligatory bathroom, but Brityn stops me. "Don't wake up Lecia! She is sleeping on the bathroom floor."
Then I hear a groggy Lecia voice, "I'm awake."
I open the bathroom door and sure enough, Lecia is lying in a blanket heap with her sunburned legs outstretched on the tile. Lecia got a sever sunburn and was cooling her legs off by sleeping on the tile.

And here are a few photos just to prove that I actually was there myself:

 (Above photo credit: Jael)

 (Above Photo Credit: Lecia)

Now I have to think of a way to repay both my mother and mother-in-law for watching Sophie and Sabrina (and feeding Dave) while I was away. Thanks to the both of you for caring and loving my little girls!

While I'm waiting....

...for this baby to come (hopefully tonight!), I thought I'd actually update the blog! So here it is....

History of Summer Events:

1. Girlfriend Reunion

Once again, the yearly reunion of us 5 girls was an amazing experience.

This was taken at Brityn's (girl in green) Dad's new Shave Ice Shop. DELICIOUS x infinity. 
I'm so proud of all these girls. They were awesome friends throughout school and they continue to be a huge influence on my life even though we all live in 4 different states. I look forward to our time together each year. A big thanks to my parents for watching Sophie and to Dave for allowing me some much needed girl time. I strongly believe that every woman needs some girl time. So take it!

2. California Trip
We had a blast at the Hancock Family Reunion at Knotts Berry Farm! 
Supposedly this was to be our last family reunion for a while since mis padres are planning on a mission next year.

Sophie at first was very wary of riding the rides, but after a while she warmed up to it. Dave accompanied her on all the kiddy rides while I got to take pictures. Being pregnant, I had the opportunity of riding a total of TWO rides!! Kiddie Land at Knotts Berry Farm was great, though, because there were virtually NO LINES! Compared to Disneyland where pretty much every line takes a half hour minimum to get through-- it was great!

 

Sophie was very excited to see some of those beach crabs.
Sophie's favorite part by far was the beach. Mine too.

3. Projects:
Project No 1: Find and Paint a console table
So, for a while I kept looking at one wall in my house and saying to Dave, "I wish I had a console table I could put right there." I kept scanning Craigslist for one I'd like at a price I would pay, but didn't see anything. Then one day while we were driving down the street to church, I saw the following little table in someone's carport. "Are they getting rid of that?" I wondered aloud. You know how people are always throwing freebies in their yard when they get sick of them. Well, long story short, the owner was giving it away so we took it. Now this is not the console table of my dreams, but Hey! It was free!!
 BEFORE
 
AFTER:

I read in some design magazine that to paint a piece of furniture black was like giving it a little black dress.
It disguises it at least.


Project No 2: Make a copy-cat of this CB2 Perspective Mirror.
CB2's:

Yes. I know it's cool. However, this costs something like $900. :(
I told Dave I wanted one and he came up with a wallet friendly solution.

OURS:

  Our less expensive solution was to take Ikea mirrors and have them cut by the Stained Glass place down the street. Then we just arranged them how we wanted. It did take us something like 2 months to actually complete it. 

We're not the fastest workers. 

Project No 3: Hot Air Balloon Mobile

 

I actually just did this today real quick. I got inspired by this beautiful mobile, and decided on a free and easy alternative. Sophie really enjoys it so I hope our new baby girl will too.

RANDOM STORY:

I am amazed with my little girl all the time. She will randomly start talking about something that I had completely forgotten about that had occurred last year!

Well, the other day Sophie and I were leaving the our community's splash pad and were passing the sand volleyball courts there. Sophie sees it and starts talking about hitting the ball back and forth. "Yep," I respond. Then she said, "Do you remember when Daddy missed?" I started laughing. Back in February Daddy attended a work volleyball tournament and Sophie and I went to cheer him on. Well, Sophie really remembers going to that and she especially remembers when Daddy missed the ball.

That's all.

Now we're just waiting....

There's..... A......

Story on this song...

Once upon a time in High School at the Lunch Table someone (probably Brityn) begins singing a song starting with "There's a..." Lecia thought she was singing "There's a land that I heard of..." (from "Somewhere Over The Rainbow") and I thought she was singing "There's a place for us" (from the song "Somewhere"), but she was in fact singing Josh Groban's "Let Me Fall!" They all have a "There's a" part with the exact same interval! Hence, this Trio was born. And we've been singing it ever since.

Les Poissons, Les Poissons! Hee Hee Hee Hua Hua Hua

Utah Trip

Here is Dave with his new friend, Paul. We met him at this side-of-the-road hamburger/hotdog and fishing stand.
Note: Sophie did NOT like Paul.

Dave, Lindsey, and Brigham Young.

We had the amazing opportunity to go to education week at BYU with some family. Let me just say this: It's a wonderful feeling taking whatever classes you want and not worry about assignments and homework.

The Melvilles. She's having a baby though you can't tell from the picture (or in person for that matter.) I hope I'm allowed to say.

Sophie & Kennedy. Yes, Sophie is eating her shirt.

We spent A LOT of time with some of our cousins this past summer. One cousin in particular has taught Sophie the word "Mine!" Soph uses it often. :)

Other things Sophie has been saying a lot (just a few):

• "I Don't Know"
• Prayers
  (muttering and saying Mommy and Daddy while folding arms)
• "Go!"/" Go?"
• "Mommy!"
  (Apparently 'mommy' just means 'Someone pay attention to me now!")
• "One, Two, Threeeeeee!"
• "Please", "Cheese" (they sound almost identical)
• "W" (I could have sworn I heard her sing along with the ABCs song and say 'w')
• "Doing?"
  (What are you doing?)
• "Apple"

Things she sings:

• "Ee-I-Ee-I-O!"
• "Clean Up! Clean Up!"
  (But it sounds more like "Pick up! Pick Up!"

"Home" in Arizona

Dave, Sophie, and I are glad that the temperatures have been dropping. We've been taking advantage of this with lots of nice walks. We love the desert and all it's surprises --Including cactus flowers and fruit.

Raise your hand if you love the desert!

Joslin Update

Brityn and Madeline came to visit us last weekend. Per Jael's request, here are some photos...

Notice how humongous Sophie is compared to Madeline (who is actually 5 weeks older).

Sophie had a blast on the swing....until she fell off.

Auntie Nicole with her babies.

And Sophie's first time on a trampoline. Notice how excited she is.

Best of all was the Wii Dance thinger. Here's me and Dave doin' a dance-off.



Don't forget to check out my Joke Blog. I just updated it here.

Love These Ladies!

I had an amazing weekend with my all my best friends (excluding Dave) in Cedar City. (Dave and Sophie had quality Daddy-Daughter time while I was away). I've been so lucky to be blessed with such amazing friends and I am so glad that we've kept up our friendships! It's also really fun to get together and pretend we're 12 again.

Watch this video....




Now tell me if you see any Sand People in this picture...

I always knew deep down Jael was a die-hard Star Wars fan. :)