Wicked

On May 2 I was able to go with my friend Angela Ipson and her siblings to watch Wicked. My friends and I memorized the music years ago and finally after many failed attempts to get tickets and some problems with work and planning I finally had my shot to go. The much anticipated moment was well worth the wait and lived up to my expectations.

I loved this show. I would tell anyone if there is one show to see it would be Wicked. I’ve seen lots of shows and this one is my favorite so far. So yes to all my friends who haven’t seen or heard of the story of the Wicked Witch of the West, go watch it, you will fall in love with it. Oh, but don’t read the book, it takes after its name. It’s kinda wicked.

Moms Birthday

For mom’s birthday this year I was doing what I do best. Flying!! I was blessed to fly to the same place I was sent on Thanksgiving. I went to stormy Pocatello Idaho. I called my dad and convinced him to bring my mother up to me, so that I could spend her 51st birthday with her. It was a little bit less from their house to drive to me than down to Salt Lake anyway. It only took them an hour and 15 minutes. The only problem was the bad weather.


We went out to sizzler and then opened some presents in the car. We also went shopping in the mall for a bit before they had to take me back to my hotel and try to race home and beat the storm that was quickly coming in. They didn’t beat it but I’m glad they made it home safely, as well as coming up and taking the time to include me in her birthday.

Relief Society Temple Day

On March 21st my singles ward had a relief society temple day. I loved this day. It was so special. We all get together early that morning for a little devotional, before all piling into cars and heading over to the temple. A group who weren’t endowed went in to do baptisms and then there was a group who did an endowment session. I was so amazed at how many of us there were that could do endowments. It was so much fun to see so many of the sisters in my ward in there together, especially afterwards when we were all standing in the Celestial room, hugging and enjoying the peace in the lords house.

After the temple, we all went back to the church had a lunch and speakers. It was a great day that I made more friendships and many older ones became closer as we all got to know each other on a little bit more spiritual level.

Llama Fun

Last month, I was able to go with a friend to a llama farm at the harry christna temple here in Spanish fork. I didn’t even know the place existed. The Harry Christna temple was very pretty on the outside. We all could go in. You had to take off your shoes to be respectful. The lower floor was set up as a store that sold many different kinds of things, books, clothing, jewelry, trinkets and they even had a buffet with tables.

Upstairs was their gathering place which was also very pretty. We were able to talk to some of the people and see them having a little meeting. Yes I took a picture of them, but they said it was ok.

After we bought some stuff and looked around we went outside with our apples and carrots to the Llamas. They were stinky, but soft and seemed to enjoy the carrots a lot more than the apples. “Just if any of you ever want to feed llamas go with carrots, then you don’t have to get your hands so close to their teeth either.” The only tragedy in the whole thing is that I was too big to ride them. Wow would that have been fun.

Jazz Game

On March 28th I along with my mother and Uncle Jim, were able to bring my Grandma Penrod to her first live Jazz game. She is a crazy Jazz fan and watches the games on TV religiously. She had never been to a game and I knew I just had to take her, so for Christmas we got her the present of tickets to see a game. It took a long time to find a day when we all could go, but we made it.

It was so much fun to see the look of excitement on her face. It was a perfect game to bring her to as well. They played the Phoenix Suns and it was a close game. The Jazz were way up until the end. It had to go into overtime, which made it all the better when the Jazz squeaked off the win. I swear I never prayed so hard for a team to win, just so they would win while she was there. I'm glad they did.

Hanging with the Fam

I had a lot of opportunities the past couple of months to hang out with my family. Some for good reasons some for sad. I was able to go down to my Uncle Brian and Aunt Ruthann’s mission Farewell. I'm so proud of them and a little jealous that they get to go. It was one of my most favorite experiences in life. I loved that so much of the family got together for it. I hadn't seen some of their kids for awhile and it was so good to see them and spend time.
I was also glad that right after the farewell, my mom, dad and I were able to go down the street to Mt. Pleasant and attend the Draper Temple Dedication. It was so wonderful to be able to sit for awhile before it started and watch a slideshow basically of pictures from the temple and to ponder the beauty and purpose of the lords house. I'm grateful that I was able to go with my family to it.

Shortly thereafter I got to spend time with most of my dad’s siblings again, but this time on a less happy note, for their aunt’s funeral. I enjoyed seeing them as well as many of the extended family. It reminded me of Family reunions as a child. I miss getting together with everyone, but glad we have times when we can catch up and celebrate life.

Help Chuck get 3rd Season

To all my friends and truly devoted Chuck fans...I'm asking you to help take a stand and this week do something to help the TV Show Chuck get a 3rd season. NBC is making the decision this week and we need to help them make the right one :) If you've never seen the show, I really think you should. I love this show. You can watch it online at nbc.com or hulu.com and if you want to watch the first season it on the thewb.com
Really you guys will love the show!!! Also at CHUCKTV.NET It talks about how signing a petition is great, but a hand written letter is worth 100 or 1000's of signatures on a petition. Wouldn't it be great if we could take the small amount of time to write the network and tell them why we love the show so much!!! It takes such a short time but can make a Big Difference. So let’s all help SAVE CHUCK!!!

PS Watching it online helps them see who watches the show too....oh and tell your friends!!!

Guidelines for letter's:

DO be respectful.
DON’T be threatening. “I’ll never watch NBC again!” doesn’t have any impact.
DO mention your age, gender and general geographic location. We want to show what a broad fanbase this show has.
DO tell them whether or not you’re a Nielsen viewer. If you’re not a Nielsen viewer, remind them that your viewership still deserves to be counted.
DO tell them if you watch/buy Chuck on other platforms (iTunes, Hulu.com, PS3, etc.)
DO tell them why you want Chuck to stay on the air.
DON’T complain about a storyline that you aren’t fond of. Keep comments about the show positive.
DO handwrite your letter if possible. If not, at least sign it by hand.
DON’T send in a template/form letter. It’s okay to model your letter on someone else’s (we recommend Rachel’s), but make it your own.
DO send in a box of Nerds candy with your letter, as per Josh Schwartz’s suggestion.
DO write today!
Where to Send Your Letter:

Ben Silverman
Co-Chairman
3000 W. Alameda
Admin Building
Burbank, CA 91523

Angela Bromstad
President of Primetime Series
100 Universal City Plaza
Bldg 1320, 4th Floor
Universal City, CA 91608

Hailee's Wedding

On March 13th my Cousin Hailee got married. I was so nervous that I wouldn't be able to make it. I was on call and the first one on the list to be called out. I decided to go down anyway. Her wedding breakfast was in Nephi, so I was still in Rang of the airport. It was so fun to see everyone and finally meet some of my mom's friend that she had growing up. (My mom is from Nephi)

After it was over, my parents and I went to see my Grandma and Uncle Jim. We hung out until I had to run off to Fountain Green. I was a little scared that I was going to get called out, but I figured I'd be ok since it was 4 pm. I'm glad I was right.
The wedding was beautiful. My father married them. They made a cute couple. I'm glad that so many of my cousins were able to come. It was so great to be able to run around snapping pictures and gossiping with my cousins again.

Wish we could all get together more often, like we did when we were kids. Miss the fun times.

Hailee and CHet cutting the Cake
Josh filling up the punch bowl...yeah yeah..we all know he's spiking it :)

2 Baby Showers

Last month I had two baby showers in one day. They were both in different Cities and were both for girls in College that I hadn't seen forever.
The first one I went to was up in Willard for my friend Stephanie. I met Steph in College. She was my roomie Becky's Cousin and was always at my house. The funny thing is, is that when I moved to Chicago Steph was in my ward. I was so shocked to see her there and so happy that she was. She became my visiting teacher and made me feel lots more comfy when I was living there.

She was in town this week and I was able to go to Becky's house and see her as well as a bunch of girls I hadn't seen since College. It felt like know time had passed. I loved it.

The next shower I ran too was for my sorority sister Emily Bilskie. She is my little sister in the Sorority. It was back in Salt Lake. There were tons of my sister's there. We games that you have to play at baby showers, talked, ate and had a great old time. It made me really miss hanging out with my sister's. I loved being back together with them all again.

I usually don't like baby showers, but today it was well worth going and I wish they could have both lasted longer, so I could have enjoyed everyones company a little bit more.

Visit to Adrian and Chase's first ski trip!!

So Last month I was able to go up to my sister's house for a little visit one weekend. It was so much fun. We got Lisa's sister in laws together made cookies and gossiped. We chatted and ate the cookie dough more than anything.

I also got to just hang out with me and my nephews for a little while. Ok I used the tv as a baby sitter a lot but it works. They all got stuck to it like glue. There so cute.

The next day we had the wonderful chance to take Chase up skiing for his first time. Lisa and I brought him night skiing to Bogus Basin near Boise. We got chip lift and rental tickets.

Chase was so cute and excited! We took him up the bunny hill and he wasn't scared at all. We couldn't get him to put his ski tips together to learn how to stop. He tries to run in his skis. He hasn't figured out that you don't have to move them to make them go. The kid was so excited and fearless. He just kept saying. "I want to go up the big hill" We didn't let the poor kid though, because he couldn't figure out how to stop.

After awhile it got cold so we went in for some food and glasses of nice Hot Chocolate. We went out for a bit afterwards, but then had to leave.

I'm glad we got to take him and that he's excited for his next trip up the slopes. Maybe he'll figure out how to stop and we'll take him up the big hill.

Tight Ward Family

My Singles ward is amazing!!! We are all really close. Every weekend someone seems to have something going on. There is always a game night on Sunday nights at some random persons house and the fun thing is, is that everyone finds out about it and everyone goes. There is usually always between 40 and 50 people at everything. It's not even sponsored ward activities.

There have been a couple of really fun ones lately. My friend Torri had a PI party, yup PI party where we all brought our favorite pie and ate way too much, while we played games and chit chatted. I had five different kinds of pie myself and brought my new favorite, Raspberry and Blackberry pie. yummy!!!

My friend James had a big movie night at his house on March 13, better known as Friday the 13th. We watched The 6th Sense. We had a little contest to see if we could fit everyone on the couch.

It soon got to be impossible because so many people showed up. They had to lay on the floor around and sit on chairs behind the couch. I'm so glad I got there early. Of course the best party was after the movie, when we ate Orange and Grape Floats.

My friend Shaline threw a Smores Bonfire night on one of the first warm weekends in March. It was wonderful. We didn't even half to where coats!!

I mostly stayed around the fire, ate smores and tended to the flames, while others played basketball and Volleyball. Chit chatting and getting to meet new people was my favorite.

One of the main events at most of the Parties is Karaoke. It's huge. Everyone gets up and sings their little hearts out. Well everyone that is except me. Know they have not yet successfully pulled me out of my seat and forced a microphone into my hands and until they do that I will happily sit on the couch and cheer them on.

Some of my favorite nights are the Sunday night game nights or war nights. It depends on the game being played. There is this game called killer bunnies that we get pretty vicious playing.

Sometimes we all pull out different ones and section off and other nights it’s ended up as just a chit chat night and telling of worst date stories. Oh to good memories!!

Draper Temple Open House

I was so lucky to be able to go to the Draper temple Open house. It is just right up the street from where I live. I was able to attend with my Mother, Grandma Penrod and Uncle Jim. It's weird to call him my Uncle since he is only a bit more than a year older than I.

Anyway Jim got the tickets for us and because of Grandma we got to park up at the temple in the Handicap parking. I'm so glad we could just walk in. It was freezing outside.
Anyway the Temple was beautiful inside. We were able to watch a short film and then tour all the rooms. My favorite were the endowment rooms. They were painted with scenes from the mountains, that reminded me of the mountains down in Fairview where my father is from. I also loved the huge sealing rooms. This temple has the biggest ones of all of them.
It was a special visit to be in there and I can't wait to go through it now that it is dedicated.

Free Denny's and Chicago Overnight

So my sister and I decided that we wanted to go to the free Denny's breakfast that we were told about during the super bowl. We went to go here in Sandy and the lines were outside the door and around the building.

We decided to go in Tremonton instead. When we got to my parents house we packed up Lisa's kids and my mom and went to our Denny's. It was so much fun. We had to stand in line but it wasn't over a half hour, but we got free food, had tons of fun talking and even got to see friends that we hadn't seen forever. Guess everyone had the same great idea.

Later in the month I was able to have a 20 hour Chicago overnight. I called my old roomie Shaun when I got into town and she picked me up for a poker night. It was with people from her ward. It was so much fun. I was up so much money and lost it all on one hand. It's a good thing that it wasn't real money.

The next day I called my other old roomie Chelsea and she took me out to lunch and then we went out for hot chocolate. We talked the entire time. It made me really miss living there. It's a good thing I can go back and visit often.