Inventory

Breaking radio silence and returning to take inventory of the last few months or so. 

January

Moved out of my parents' house... yet again. I made the decision to move out waaaaaay back in August when I started working at Rainey Homes. So it only took me 5 months to finally pull the trigger. That Lauren's a slow mover.

Started another semester at SLCC, this time with a full schedule that had me bouncing back and forth between Salt Lake and Davis County a couple times a day. It's the most classes I've taken at one time since going back to school - mildly terrifying.

Got through some emotional hurdles after the move, most difficult of which was a sense of isolation. This coming from an introvert. 

February

My biggest incentive in taking on more credit hours was so I would qualify for a tuition waiver through SLCC's Visual Art & Design program. Apparently they have scholarship money just laying around so I upped my course load and applied. I made it through the first round of the application process and later had to present my working portfolio to a room full of department heads - extremely terrifying!

Received said tuition waiver. I like when school pays for school.

March

Went on a family vacation to St. George to see a Queen cover band perform at Tuacahn. The concert was excellent, which was good because if it hadn't been this vacation might have gone down as one of the worst in Waters history. Rivaling even the capsized boat incident of 2003 at Lake Powell... Let's just say you never want to lock your keys in the trunk of your rented 2015 Volkswagen Passat. You will be carless until someone smarter than the car's computer can find a way to liberate your keys. In our case, that meant several days and 2 tow-truck trips while the car held our personal belongings hostage.

Submitted 4 pieces to the 2016 Student Art Show, 3 of which were accepted. Allow me to remind you of the lengthy entries about last year's show. 

Received 2 awards at the show. One of which was... uh... Best in Show. I received it for a piece I designed in my Advanced Typography and Layout class last semester. My design instructor explained that a design piece hadn't taken the top prize in the show in over 10 years and that it was A VERY BIG DEAL. I promptly threw up in my mind.

Here's more about the project and the show itself if you're keen. What's sad is there are so many little things I would go back and change. Still might. Sometimes you get too close to your own work and just can't look at it objectively.

April

Had to act as Creative Director for a group project in my Advertising Workshop. I discovered that I like taking charge when I'm not in charge, but once you make it official and slap a title on me I'm not so enthusiastic. I guess that means I prefer the lead-from-behind approach. Actually, I prefer the it's-too-important-I'll-just-do-it-myself-becuase-I-don't-trust-you approach.

Was informed by my roommate of 4 months that she would be selling her home over the summer. I decide to ignore this added bit of anxiety-inducing news until the semester was over and I had the luxury of freaking out in earnest, thank you very much.

Took another trip down to St. George with a friend to see the Beach Boys at Tuacahn. Well, what remains of the Beach Boys. We were rained on (a lot), but didn't mind it... so much. Nobody else seemed to either because the venue was packed. "God Only Knows" was probably my favorite number, but the saxophone solo on "Kokomo" was a close second. Very smooth.

Purchased tickets for the Coldplay concert coming in August. Ended up paying lots of money for a couple of so-so seats and then another small fortune in processing and "convenience" fees. I wonder how much less I'd pay if I were inconvenienced?

May

End of the semester. My heart rate returns to normal.

Saw Captain America: Civil War. This is noteworthy because my life is basically measured in release dates for Marvel movies and British TV shows. You laugh because you think I'm kidding. I laugh because I know I'm not. With the introduction of Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, they've basically guaranteed my devotion for at least a few years more. But I am reaching my limit on the superhero movie front.

And while we're on the subject of Captain America, can I just say that I will never get over Peggy and Steve as long as I live. I think theirs is the most tragic narrative arc in the entire Marvel Universe. And then they go and cancel Agent Carter on ABC. Will I never have closure??

Started summer semester. I get to paint sometimes naked people 2 nights a week for 3 hours! Fortunately it's just the one class, but I'm back to using oil paints which is still a frustrating medium for me.

June

Moved again! And not back home to my parents' house like the coward you think I am. Hopefully this will be it for awhile. Moving has officially become my least favorite thing and the next time it happens, I'm just setting all my stuff on fire and starting over.

Besides all the boring minutiae in between, that should officially bring us up to speed. And aren't you glad?

Underground

Gloomy weather makes for gloomy dreams. 

I dreamt the other night that I was driving my Corolla through a city. Rain and fog obscured my surroundings, but I was headed somewhere in a hurry. It was early in the morning and except for me, the streets and sidewalks were empty. Finally I pulled off the road, parked my car, and walked across the street toward an old building. Through the fog, I could make out letters above its large, open entryway: Marylebone Station...

...Then I woke up. 

4th of July Weekend

Eberspachers & Waters... Park City... Chick's Cafe... 1776... Cascade Springs... Fireworks... Reverse Charades... Disney Charades (lots of charades...) The Secret Life of Walter Mitty... Jetted Tub... Would You Rather?... Provo River... Cafe Rio... Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory... Shadow Ridge... Heber City... Canyon Drive... Catch Phrase...

I only wish the Declaration of Independence had been signed in May. May temperatures are much more comfortable.

Day 5: Country roads, take me home...

Wednesday, June 12th... We made a very early start, bidding our hospitable hosts farewell. SERIOUSLY. If you want the Martha Stewart treatment on your next trip, might I recommend the Beach residence? They were so good to us! We were sad to go… Thanks, Beaches!

Our drive got off to a fairly good start… We wanted to stop for breakfast at a Denny’s in Centralia, but ended up at a much cuter restaurant called Country Cousins that shared the same parking lot. I think their food was about 10 times better, too. 

Our only non-essential stop during the rest of our drive was at Multnomah Falls in Oregon. We stayed just long enough to walk up to the falls and take a few pictures… Walk walk walk… Marvel marvel marvel… Then it was back to the car and the open road. Drive drive drive… I think the longest, ugliest part of the journey was driving through Northwest Oregon and parts of Idaho. Brown, dry hills for miles and miles. And traffic cops… 

Yes. Traffic cops. Somewhere in Oregon (where the highway speed limit is only 65 and enforced to the LETTER) Lauren was pulled over for speeding. I was distracted by my GPS and wasn't aware our car was picking up lots of speed as we drove down the canyon. I glanced up from the GPS just long enough to spot a highway patrolman sitting in his car off to the side of the road. My eyes darted from his car to my speedometer - we were quickly approaching 90 mph. I shouted a 4-letter word and slowed immediately, checking my rearview mirror to see if I was as busted as I felt. Sure enough, our highway man came driving... With a flash of his lights, we pulled over and waited for the price tag of our road trip to skyrocket. Apologies were made as I handed over all my information. What annoyed me most was that I’d been on cruise control for most of our drive so I would avoid speeding. Minutes later our officer returned to my window and explained that driving even 15 mph passed the speed limit is as hefty a fine as $180. He clocked me in at 89 MPH – a fine of $500…

… But our friendly officer, with his little highway patrol hat and a big dimple in his chin, just smiled and told us to slow down. No fine, not even a written warning. Just a reminder that the speed limit in Oregon is about 10 miles slower than everywhere else. I almost kissed that dimpled chin of his.

I couldn't tell you much about the rest of our drive. It was pretty long and boring and awful. So awful it almost cured me of my fear of flying. Almost... But tedious as our coming and going was and despite Alisa and I getting on each others' very last nerve in our final hours, the trip was a huge success and totally worth it. Hooray! 

Country Cousins Family Restaurant / Holy Cow... Alisa / Multnomah Falls / Pancakes / Alisa at the falls / Our welcome to Washington... We were sad to go! / Multnomah Lodge / More water falling / Bottom of the falls / BACON and other side dishes / Multnomah Falls / Lauren & Alisa... hiding our naked faces...

THE END

Day 4: Let's go fly a kite...

Tuesday, June 11th... Since we’d taken Paige from her baby for 2 days straight, we gave her the morning off from being our tour guide extraordinaire. 

After sleeping in a bit, Alisa and I drove to the very picturesque Lake Sylvia in Montesano (mahn-tuh-say-no), but Lauren was like, Montesa-YES! I loved this little town. And it was so close to the lake! We hiked around for a little while and then relaxed lakeside among the trees – Alisa’s foot wouldn't allow for much more than that. As we headed down one lonely trail, we kept psyching each other out by saying things like “What was that?” or “Do you think they have a lot of bears up here?” The path was pretty isolated and the only other person we saw was a man and his dog as they passed us and disappeared further down the trail. We saw him again a few minutes later coming back up. “Do you think he knows something we don’t?” 

When I heard something moments later that sounded an awful lot like a bear grunting behind some bushes, I stopped dead in my tracks. Without a word, I turned around and walked as calmly and as quickly as possible back out of the forest with Alisa hobbling behind me. Don’t run… Don’t turn around… Just be natural… Alisa will be the first to go if you’re chased… She’s not going anywhere with that bad toe… Happily, no bears gobbled us up and Alisa’s broken toe didn't impede her escape. But I definitely heard something in there.

We found another trail across that damn Lake Sylvia Dam that seemed less ominous and bear-inhabited. There we marveled a bit more at the trees (so tall!) and moss (so soft!) and ferns (so green!). After we had our fill of exploring we drove back into Montesano for lunch at a cute café/bakery/wine shop called Savory Faire. Delicious.

A leaf bigger than my face / Boardwalk at Lake Sylvia /  The Lake / Flora / Damn Dam / Again, the Damn Dam / Lauren & Alisa / Savory Faire / Hiking / Beautiful Canopy / River from Lake Sylvia / Port Angeles Root Beer / Bridging the Damn Dam / Make way for ducklings / Tiny Daisies

After lunch we headed back to the Beach’s house for Paige and cute lil' Cooper. We bought a couple kites at Walmart  - Ninja Turtles and Barbie, if you must know - and met Paige’s husband at a beach in Grays Harbor. Beaches and Waters sharing an evening at the seaside… How appropriate! The beach itself was stunning – we walked a sandy pathway through dunes topped with tall grasses and beautiful bushes covered in yellow flowers.  The wind was in full force and it wasn't long before our kites were airborne. 

We collected more stones and shells, strolled a little in the freezing water, and lounged in the sand with our kites anchored to our shoes. Cooper even ate some sand. Yum... When we finally left, my poor Barbie kite flew out of my hands and got caught in some bushes. There it flies to this day… I was sorry to leave it behind.

After the beach, we took a couple pictures of a nearby lighthouse and then headed to a favorite restaurant of the Beach’s called Bennett's Fish Shack where I finally ate some Fish N Chips. They were delicious and the food coma I slipped into afterward was particularly comfortable. Later that evening we watched a movie and then fell right to sleep. Blessed sleep… How precious you would be to us for our long journey home...

Lauren's new beachside condo? / Beautiful day... / Dunes / Lauren & her kite / Airborne! / A pagan idol...? Crafted by the natives, no doubt... / Our path to the beach / Leeser and her kite / Lighthouse / Cooper, my lil' backseat buddy / Sand Dollar / The Beaches on the Beach! / Twin kites... / Fish N Chips / Bennett's Fish Shack

To Be Continued... Just once more... I PROMISE.

Day 3: Vampires and other creatures...

Monday, June 10th... We spent a lot of time in the car, but I didn't mind too much. We drove through Olympic National Park and up the coast, whizzing past dense rain forests of the greenest green I've ever seen. Our first stop was Ruby Beach where we explored their tide pools and beaches. We made an early start that morning due to the tide schedule. Arrive too early or too late and the tide would have completely submerged the pools and their marine inhabitants. I was in raptures over how beautiful it all was. Here’s a little of what we saw...

Coast / Rocks / Rainbow / Lauren / Olympic National Forest / Tide Pools / Starfish & Urchins / All that driftwood! /  Down on the Beach / Patrck Star's bum... / Ocean

We shared the beach with a bus of elementary school students who were probably there to actually learn... stuff. Meanwhile, we adults opted for a more hands-on approach, treating the beach like our own personal playground. We climbed up and down muscle encrusted rocks and squeamishly touched prickly starfish and slimy sea urchins that recoiled with every poke. Touch it... No, YOU touch it... I did find one star fish (see above) that looked like Patrick Star caught mid-noogie with his pants down. Such a cute bum!

After our exploring, we scoured the beach for rocks and shells. I picked up a few smooth white stones and a cool piece of driftwood. Then we just sat on the beach for a while. Lauren read Warm Bodies while Alisa and Paige relaxed on a blanket in the sunshine. 

Because we were in Twilight country, you best believe our next stop was Forks, WA. Why, you may ask? Why not?? 

Guys, this town is small. Their Chamber of Commerce was this tiny building plastered ceiling to floor in Twilight memorabilia. The Forks Timber Museum next door was closed, which really was a shame... I guess they've moved on from timber to vampires. The lady inside the Chamber of Commerce gave us the lowdown on all the Twilight landmarks - places they've actually designated within Forks as sites from the book. We signed their ridiculously huge guestbook, picked up some maps, took a picture with Bella’s truck, then sat down for a picnic lunch. We later drove through town with our trusty maps, finding Bella’s house, Fork’s High School, and Dr. Carlisle Cullen’s parking spot at the local hospital… Oh, yes. When in Forks… Sadly, no vampire sightings. But it was rather sunny.

In true Bella fashion, we then journeyed from Forks to Port Angeles. There we walked along the pier, visited a wildlife exploration center, and glimpsed Canada across the Salish Sea. Still no vampires or werewolves. I did see a couple dogs, but they were Golden Labs. And neither of them responded when I yelled, "Jacob!!" 

Driving home we stopped by Lake Quinault Lodge. Well, we tried... We were on the wrong side of the lake and the more we drove, the wilder the forest became. We thought maybe Paige was driving to a secluded location where she could leave us for dead. But we eventually found the lodge and Paige did not kill us. 

The 87-year-old lodge is where President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill first establishing the Olympic National Park. It was a very charming old building inside and out. Sadly our many hours driving caught up to me by the time we reached the lodge and I became very acquainted with their nice ladies' restroom. TMI? But the rest of the lodge was lovely, too. 

Barbie Edward / Lake Quinault Lodge backside... / Lake Quinault Lodge frontside... / On the green by the lake... / Paige's take on Bella / A pin for every visitor... / Hello, Canada! / Inside the Lodge / Welcome to Forks / Forks Population / The Lodge / Barbie Jacob / Lounging / Lauren's take on Edward / Bella's Truck

To Be Continued... AGAIN...

Days 1 & 2: What a day to visit Seattle...

So... Back to my spontaneous road trip with my sister. Oh, you'd forgotten?? So did I. 

If you're planning a road trip to Washington, do yourself and your travel buddies a favor and divide the drive between 2 days. Alisa and I had a 14 hour drive to and from our destination - NOT including pit stops - and foolishly decided we could muscle across 4 states in one day with ease. Staring at the open road for that long does strange things to a person, both body and mind... In the days following our trip, I felt mildly panicked at the thought of even climbing into an automobile again. Blind optimism carried us to Washington - We’re going on vacation! - and nothing but defeated desperation and bitter tears - Road, why you so long?? - got us home.

Moving right along...

Saturday, June 8th... We departed Salt Lake at 7:30ish am MST and arrived in Aberdeen at 9:30ish pm PST. One highlight of our drive, maybe the only highlight, was stopping at Cancun Mexican Restaurant for lunch in Boise. I hadn't been there in years and nothing perks Lauren up like some delicious Mexican cuisine. 

The only pictures I have from our drive are a couple shots of Mt. Hood towering over the remaining landscape. It freaked us out a little bit. Enjoy. 

Sunday, June 9th... Our first official day in Washington. No church for Lauren & Alisa! Dearest Paige had an itinerary for our stay and Sunday’s attractions included Olympia and Seattle. 

In Olympia we visited the state capitol and ate a picnic lunch (lovingly packed by Paige) down at the pier. We checked out a little 100 year old tugboat (toot toot!) and considered commandeering several other vessels docked at the marina. We settled for strolling on the mainland instead. The morning was a bit overcast, but the rest of the day was clear and beautiful as can be. We even saw a group of locals gather on a splash pad for some dancing to live music. One homeless-looking man was twirling around this little old lady, but she seemed to be enjoying herself. He had some pretty good moves.

Percival Landing / Paige & Alisa / Cool mural /  Aboard the tugboat / Lauren & Alisa... ding, ding! / The Sand Man / Dancing locals / Diet Coke / Olympia's capitol /  Lauren / War Memorial / Tugboat / Roses / Percival Landing 

In beautiful Seattle we walked around downtown and headed over to Pike’s Market. We didn't see any vendors performing fish acrobatics, but the market itself was an experience. Lots of booths full of fresh produce, flowers, fish, poultry… and people. And smells. Good smells and bad smells. Then there were booths for vendors selling homemade wares - jewelry, crafts, clothing… Not surprisingly, Seattle markets on a sunny Sunday are very crowded. So crowded we even rubbed elbows with some drag queens dressed as nuns with winged habits. Like The Flying Nun but with deeper voices and heavy, HEAVY makeup. I was simultaneously fascinated - Should we ask for a picture? - and terrified. Come on, Lauren... Drag queens are people, too. 

After the market we hobbled back to our car and drove to the Space Needle. Alisa's healing broken toe (line drive to the foot while playing softball... OUCH!) didn't make for a very comfortable walk, but she was a good little soldier. As we looked for parking near the Space Needle, a very nice lady stopped us right in the middle of a lot and gave us her parking spot. Turns out she paid for several hours worth of parking when she only needed a couple. She told us she was a believer in karma and offered us her parking slip which was good until 11 pm. Thanks, nice lady! 

The Space Needle itself was little more than a glorified elevator ride at $20 a pop, but it is a Seattle landmark and something I've always wanted to see. The weather held up beautifully - we had clear views of the city and the surrounding landscape from every angle. No regrets there. And I loved seeing the sailboats in the harbor. 

After the Space Needle and Lauren’s customary purchase of a thimble memorializing her visit, we headed to a restaurant called Red Mill Burgers where Oprah herself once dined. I had the Bleu Cheese Bacon Burger and sang Oprah's praises as I ate. That was one tasty burger. The restaurant accepted cash and check ONLY (first non-tithing check I've written in a while) and you had to sort your own trash into garbage, recycling, AND compost. Sorry, I’m new here. Maybe I'll go all granola and live in Seattle with their cool markets and tasty burgers.

Pike's Market / Lauren and a Piggy Bank / Pretty striped umbrellas / Flowers / Alisa & Lauren at the Space Needle / Seattle Art Museum / Seattle from the Needle / Smelling roses / Space Needle / Sailboats / Produce / Alisa and her burger / Inside the market / Red Mill Burgers

To Be Continued...

Spontaneous

How’s this for spontaneity??

When I came home from work last Tuesday I found my sister talking to my parents about a potential road trip up to Aberdeen, Washington. She recently left her job and wanted to take advantage of the free time while she could. Her only problem? Her husband wasn't able to take time off from work on such short notice to accompany her. And he really didn't like the idea of her driving 14 hours alone. So when she casually mentioned needing a travel companion, I may have casually responded with something about always wanting to visit the Pacific Northwest… 

Aberdeen, birthplace of grunge rocker Kurt Cobain and namesake of another Aberdeen I know and love in Scotland, is a small town approximately one hour west of Olympia where my sister’s dear friend currently resides with her husband and baby boy. Though it was short notice, my work cleared me for some time off. You already know I have co-workers whose work attendance is often inconsistent, but the days I needed for the trip were all clear on our department calendar. Not a conflict in sight. Before you could say paid time off, I blacked out the 10th through the 12th all for myself. Thus, an adventure was born...

Pick-A-Little, Talk-A-Little

Don’t worry - I am not going to blog about Kristen Stewart again. It’s just that sometimes I have opinions about Hollywood celebrities, okay? UGH.

I’ve also decided to take it easy on the diet & exercise confessionals. Yup, the share-fest is over for now. We’ll just let the changes speak for themselves as they occur, whatever those changes may be.

Like you, I’ve spent my week trying to acclimate to the end of Daylight Savings and (like you?) I’ve struggled. My body does not like early mornings so this week it’s been especially uncooperative. No, Lauren. Sleep. Sweet sleep. How comfortable you are. Sunday was a breeze since church didn’t start until 1:00 – I just let my lazy self sleep in a bit. Then I woke up to lovely sunshine and made a nice breakfast that I ate in bed. But when my alarm sounded on Monday morning, at what still felt like 5:30, my room was dark and there was no time for breakfast. I walked in to work yawning and a co-worker mock-scolded me: “Now Lauren, none of that!” So I yawned again.

I still hadn’t adjusted by Tuesday and left my house with half my hair still dripping wet. My attention was divided between the road and my reflection in the rearview mirror as I drove to work. Oh, the perils of (cautiously) applying mascara and concealer while operating a moving vehicle. I have this weekend to get my rhythm back. No more puffy-eyed, woozy zombie mornings for me, please.

Thursday night I went to Eisenhower Jr. High’s production of Seussical the Musical. My cousin Avery played a Who and was honestly the cutest, most animated Who up there. It was like the Who’s Who of Whos and she was the very best. The entire show was darling and made me nostalgic for my school musical days. They are a big deal when you’re that age, no matter what part you’re playing.

In 7th grade I remember being cast as a Pick-A-Little lady in The Music Man - I took it very seriously. So seriously that when I completely missed a cue for all the townspeople to walk onstage and congregate around Harold Hill, I didn’t just stay put and wait for the next entrance. How will they perform this scene without townsperson #43! Actually, I think my character’s name was Augusta. Our drama teacher made up names for everyone. Because in theater there are no small parts, only small actors. Anyway, without giving it a second thought, I awkwardly walked onstage well after everyone else had already assembled. And as if my late entrance wasn’t conspicuous enough, I tripped over my skirt for good measure. Right in the middle of Harold’s soliloquy. Augusta… the town drunk. Sometimes in the midst of nostalgia you remember only the embarrassing.

So I’m headed on vacation this week to visit a friend for her birthday. Missouri - The Show-Me State (do I dare ask?), home of Mark Twain and the St. Louis Cardinals. I got time off work and booked my flight a couple weeks ago. That all sounds very grown up, but I know better. It’s weird. Am I really at a point in my life where I buy plane tickets and visit friends who have gotten married and moved out of state?? Yeah, it’s weird. But I am excited.

Decembering Remember...

Because blog posts were basically non-existent in December, I started chronicling the highlights. It was a pretty fun month, worthy of a lengthy post. Bear with me... Or go away.

NOTE: Some of these pictures didn't upload very clearly. Click on a pic and scroll through if they're too fuzzy.

Early December... Friends throw a birthday party for Lauren. We eat chocolate cake, drink bubbly stuff, sing carols and showtunes around the piano, and watch The Muppet Christmas Carol. All my favorite things - I make as many requests as I want since it is my party. Everyone happily obliges. 

The Friday before my birthday, a friend at work surprises me with a birthday cake. More chocolate cake!

The Saturday before my birthday we leave our snowy home and fly (YIKES) to California. 

• Day 1: Arrive in Cali at the Long Beach airport (smooth flight!), drive to condo - our temporary home, go grocery shopping at Target, eat Pigs in a Blanket for dinner and then promptly hit the sack. Katie & Lauren share a room.
• Day 2: Lauren’s birthday!! Ignore news of and subsequent facebook posts about Wear Pants to Church Day (it was bummin' me out... on my birthday!),  Crystal Palace, visit Dustin's missionary stomping grounds, Palm Springs, McDonald’s for lunch, giant Marilyn statue, new scarf and shoes, meet cousin Angela (our very own Californian) and her BF Brian at El Torito for birthday dinner - YUM. Find a hair in my birthday flan - NOT yum. Zumba in the garage with the sisters.

• Day 3: Sleep in, play tennis, spend afternoon at Huntington Beach – actually get in the freezing water for some wave jumping. Lauren hurts her ankle getting knocked over by a beastly wave, but makes a quick recovery. Michael loses sunglasses... twice. All of us unashamedly soaked head to toe in sea water and covered in sand. Watch sun set over the water. Clean ourselves up back at condo for dinner at Outback Steakhouse. End the evening with another trip to Target.

• Day 4: First day of Disney! Disneyland… Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean... again, Enchanted Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, The Golden Horseshoe, Space Mountain, Christmas Parade,  Snow White's Scary Adventures, Mad Tea Party, Choir processional hosted by Lou Diamond Phillips.

• Day 5: Later start… California Adventure… Screamin’ California, Tower of Terror (Not me! No thanks!), Off the Page, Sorceror's Workshop, Little Mermaid, Soarin’ Over California. Back to Disneyland...  Mark Twain Riverboat, Thunder Mountain Railroad, Indiana Jones, Captain EO, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, fireworks and "snow" (Lauren cries...), It’s a Small World. ALSO... Lauren sees a cat run into some bushes as the park is closing! I was hoping for a cat sighting because apparently there are dozens of cats that live within the park as mousers. Hopefully not as Mickey Mousers.

• Day 6: Tennis, back to Disneyland... Great Moments with Lincoln, meet Cinderella, Ariel, and Fairy Godmother at Snow White's Wishing Well - celebrity sighting! Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, Village Haus for lunch, Peter Pan's Flight, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Mad Tea Party, Alice in Wonderland. Back to California Adventure... Little Mermaid, Little Mermaid... again, Aladdin mini musical, World of Color (AMAZING!), shopping, Lauren buys her first pair of Minnie Mouse ears and some chocolate. LEAVE PARK - NOOOOO!!! Visit local tourist shop for some less expensive Disney merchandise. 

Beat it.

Disney Artist Mary Blair... I want that job.

Mouseketeers

Archimedes

Oooo, la la!

That's me.

My poor, POOR feet...

AWWWWW...

?    ?    ?

We're optimistic.

• Day 7: Sleep in, avoid sad news about shooting in Conneticut, pack for our return home (NNNOOOOO!!!), eat pizza and apple pie at cousin Angela’s cute place, leave for Long Beach airport. Almost miss our plane – Lauren gets on 5 full minutes before everyone else due to a hiccup in the security check. Lauren thinks if she is stuck on the plane alone it means the plane will surely crash and she will DIE. Katie makes it through the gate… then Alisa and Dustin… then everyone else. Phew. If we die, we die together.

That same weekend (SURPRISE! We arrive home safely from the trip)… See Alfie Boe sing for Music & the Spoken Word at the Conference Center - attend with cousin Stephanie and her family. Took Mom’s ticket because she didn't want to go out in the cold… Sucker! Such wonderful music and the sweetest stories. By far the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard in that Conference Center... Caroling with friends later. I miss the caroling, but visit with everyone over hot chocolate and popcorn afterwards.

Receive birthday box from Missouri with cute handmade gifts. Hooray! It was literally a brown paper package tied up with string.

GDO (Girls' Day Out) at Sweet Tomatoes for our annual sock exchange. We wanted to eat somewhere we could hang out as long as we wanted and eat lots of food. Also, somewhere that wouldn't be too busy. I got tall, neon zebra socks. It was a fun afternoon!

Ward Christmas Program - We did it! I love my ward. 

Christmas Eve: Eat lots and lots of fudge, Grandma and the Wade family come over for our annual dinner, read the Nativity story and sing carols, cousins exchange gifts and we open our PJs. Lauren stays up late watching 1980 BBC version of Pride & Prejudice - never seen it before. A little dated, but decent. Eats lots more fudge.

Christmas Day: Open gifts from siblings - Santa gave us Disneyland so we're not complaining about the lack of packages under the tree. No sir. Jack Skellington bobblehead from Michael, Avengers DVD from Katie, dance-y games for Kinect from me to the family, beautiful leather-bound edition of The Hobbit from Alisa and Dustin. Drive up to Grandma's for cousin gift exchange and party. Bubble necklace from cousin Samantha, Union Jack umbrella from Grandma, Tony Bennett Duets CD and 3-pack Nivea lip balmmmmmm from Steph. Also, chocolate of the Snickers and Nestle Crunch variety. Consume even more fudge.

New Year's Eve: By now the fudge is gone. Complain about how New Year's is not my favorite of holidays. Set goals for the next 365 days of my life. Watch Men in Black 3 with the family while eating homemade chili. Play aforementioned dance-y games on the Kinect. Watch ball drop and drink bubbly stuff. BAM! 2013.