Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Water for Elephants

This is an interesting book. I loved it because I've always considered being a veterinarian and maybe someday with time and money..... I don't think I've ever read a story where the main character is just that. I definitely recommend it. Jacob gives you a reason to look at older people in a new way.

... you're five, you know you age down to the month. Even in your twenties you know how old you are. I'm twenty-three, you say, or maybe twenty-seven. But then in your thirties something strange starts to happen. It's a mere hiccup at first, an instant of hesitation. How old are you? Oh, I'm- you start confidently, but then you stop. You were going to say thirty-three, but you're not. You're thirty-five. And then you're bothered, because you wonder if this is the beginning of the end. It is, of course, but it's decades before you admit it...
- Sara Gruen, Water For Elephants

The only thing about this book: it has a few explicit scenes- worth skipping over if you're faint of heart.

Fishlake.

So, there is one blissful week between semesters and we decided to go on vacation. Fishlake is the place where Heath proposed. We spent the week lounging and doing nothing, literally. To say it was a piece of happiness is an understatement.








-Down by the Lake-





























Rest and Relaxation






Just one last chapter....Snzzzzzzzz.

Richfield


McKenzie hates the swing can you tell?








Out for a stroll...

Fishlake Lodge. The oldest building known to man.























A baby deer.

First Boat Ride...

McKenzie's first boat ride.
It was one of those "throw your hair back in the wind" moments.










Hello, Polys....

The weirdest thing I've ever seen. Polygamists were camping all around us. At least 50 or more. I feel bad that the girls still have to wear their dresses- even camping. P.S. Heath stole this picture (I didn't think anyone would believe us).

The End.

I believe I'm the last person on this earth to finish this book. Also, like everyone else I'm having mixed emotions about the final book of our hero. All I'm going to say is:
I knew about Snape the whole time.

Friday, August 10, 2007

...101 Things...

I've seen this on a bunch of other random blogs and I thought it might be fun to try.
It is just a list of 101 things about me and my life.
Read at your own will.
No particular order...

1. I saw the move Titanic over 10 times in the theater.
2. I've never stolen something, unless you count the numerous times I took my parents car without permission.
3. I hate exercising.
4. I had my first kiss at the age of 6.
5. I had my first "real" kiss at the age of 15.
6. I like country music, a lot.
7. Any and every Garth Brooks song reminds me of camping with my family.
8. All of my friends/boyfriends in elementary school had blue eyes and really blonde hair (with the exception of one).
9. I've been "back" to college three times.
10. I've never traveled East of Casper, WY.
11. I would like to see the plantations in the Southern states.
12. I don't like red meat, except hamburgers.
13. At my first job (kitchen store) I would speak with a british accent and everyone thought I was from England.
14. I went to a movie dressed as an Angel (a psychology experiment) and the screen started on fire.
15. Before I met Heath I had a cat named Harvey. I loved that cat.
16. My Grandpa died on New Year's Eve a few years ago. I miss him.
17. I don't believe in "spiritual" life after death.
18. I am against the Iraq war. I wasn't when it started.
19. I've never been pulled over.
20. I don't like talking about myself.
21. I love my parents.
22. Granmere took me to see Jurassic Park when I was younger. I still have nightmares about Dinosaurs.
23. I can remember dreams days after having them.
24. I once had a huge crush on John Stamos.
25. I'm an only child. I always wanted an older brother.
26. I love Christmas.
27. I think Birthdays are very important for little kids.
28. My first date (alone) I thought the boy was going to stand me up because he was 5 minutes late. He didn't.
29. I expect A LOT from people.
30. I'm a people pleaser. I found out this is hereditary.
31. Right now... I'm hoping you aren't bored by reading this.
32. My favorite color is Pink.
33. In elementary school I would hide in the closet until everyone was out playing sports so I didn't have to.
34. I was a loner my senior year of High School. I didn't have very good friends.
35. My only regret in life: not traveling before I got married.
36. I love McKenzie more than anything else!
37. I've taken eight classes at the Zen Center in SLC. I've very interested in Buddhism.
38. I believe in Karma.
39. I'm a nervous flyer.
40. I've been to Disneyland 5 times.
41. I can't wait to take McKenzie there.
42. I love camping.
43. I once got into a very verbal fight with one of my superiors. (no, not Mom)
44. I didn't get fired.
45. I wish money didn't have so much power behind it.
46. My favorite movie is The Wizard of Oz.
47. I've never had a conversation with a black person.
48. I have serious issues concerning illegal immigrants.
49. I've been told I'm "rude" at least 10 times.
50. My sense of humor gets me into trouble sometimes.
51. Side note: never take anything I say seriously!
52. I love to play games especially with my family.
53. Heath makes me happy. I love him.
54. I'm ashamed to say that I attended a Backstreet Boys concert.
55. I've never traveled outside of the U.S.
56. I've been to Alaska and Hawaii.
57. I want to like President Bush because my Dad does.
58. My first car was a '72 ford Mustang. I got attention because of it.
59. My first day of High School I fell down three stairs and was on crutches for several weeks.
60. I'm accident prone.
61. I love scrapbooking.
62. There is only one person in my surrounding family that I don't like to be around, ever.
63. I don't think anyone else does either.
64. I've also been accused of being mean: even by my own mother.
65. When I was a teenager I lied to my parents and I feel very bad about that. (My Dad never believed me, my Mom always did).
66. I got the lead part in the third grade play, Baby Bunny. Thanks to my Mom who helped me practice my audition.
67. When I was younger I would spend hours organizing what I called "play camp". A camp I built in my backyard that I ran (with imaginary friends). The play: Sound of Music. I could sing and recite every song on the piano. I did this until the age of twelve.
68. Until just a few weeks ago I thought I was 23. (I'm 24).
69. I'm a neat freak.
70. Ever since I was a little girl I've wanted to be a teacher.
71. My greatest fear is: I won't be good at it.
72. Characteristic I wish I could've gotten from my Dad: not caring what people think about me.
73. Characteristic I wish I could've gotten from my Mom: having dreams and actually thinking they might come true.
74. My worst physical feature: my nose.
75. My best physical feature: my eyes.
76. My worst characteristic: being blunt.
77. My best characteristic: thoughtfulness.
78. I have a problem using knives.
79. I can't cook, but I can bake.
80. I never knew my maternal grandfather very well. I didn't cry at his funeral.
81. I remember the first time I saw Granmere cry and I was tramatized.
82. I didn't care for pregnancy.
83. I like to decorate.
84. I'm not allergic to anything.
85. My favorite book: Little Women.
86. My favorite author: Jane Austen.
87. I've considered taking my name off of the church records.
88. It would put my Grandmother in her grave.
89. I love where I live.
90. I wait every Thursday until Heath gets home so we can watch "The Office" together.
91. I saw my cat get run over when I was really small.
92. I once got locked out of my house when I was a little girl.
93. My Grandpa Smith yelled at me after I threw rocks at his horse. In my defense: the horse started it.
94. I've never been to a High School Reunion and probably never will.
95. My nickname in elementary school: Smithers.
96. I hated dancing but I did it because my Mom liked it.
97. I'm scared of being a bad parent.
98. My favorite season is fall.
99. A really tall scary man chased me in the parking lot after we went to a haunted house.
100. Heath and I have the same middle name: Lee/Leigh. All of our children will also have the name.
101. Someday I would like to go to nail technician school. I like doing nails and think I would be really good at it.

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

...McKenzie Turns 1...

No matter how many times I hear it, I still think it's impossible my baby is one year old! I hate to fight back tears when everyone started singing "Happy Birthday". It's the strangest mixture of feelings: happiness and sadness.



Lots of people love McKenzie! Even Grandma and Papa Harvey came in from Wyoming!!


Jessica (our cousin) turned 16 the day before.
Happy Birthday Jessica!

Such a spoiled little girl!!







The Zoo

Here are some pictures of everyone at Hogle Zoo. McKenzie got to go for the first time on her birthday! I don't know if she really "got it" but I think we all had a good time.











Big Kittys

If you haven't been to the zoo recently here is an up close look at the new Asian Highland exhibit. This Tiger comes out and sits within inches of the audience, held back by fencing.
It is amazing!
















Lions, Tigers and Bears




















...Wild Animals...




















August 4th

We had a family reunion on my Dad's side this weekend. Saturday night was spent at the park with a lot of people I don't really know. FUN! I love this picutre of McKenzie and her 2nd cousin Bailee.















































At the Park....

Duncan's favorite color is orange, and every time you see him he is wearing it somewhere on his body.