CatChinG uP

Well it's been a while since my last post and half of 2012 is already passed in a whirl wind.  There's been a few things that's happened since my last post, so sit back and enjoy while I try and catch you up to the best that I can.

March
I went to Fresno with a couple of friends of the Women's NCAA Sweet 16.  Stanford, Duke, South Carolina and Saint John's.  We went and had lunch at a resturaunt that was across from the stadium and when we got there we only caught the last half of the Duke/Saint John's game. Duke ended up winning that game, but we were there to watch Stanford and South Carolina.  After the half we ended moving down closer to floor and ended up getting a close up of all the players as well as listening in on the time outs of the South Carolina bench.  Throughout most of the game South Carolina was giving Stanford some problems but in the end Stanford ended up winning the game.

I also celebrated my 32nd birthday.  I usually talke the day off from school but this year I decided to dress up and let everyone know that it was my birthday.  I recieved my birthday wishes from students and teachers.  That evening Doug took me to dinner at the Elephant Bar and enjoyed a nice meal and dessert. 

April
The first week in April was my spring break.  Mom had been telling me that grams wasn't doing good and that I needed to come and see her.  So Doug and I decided to drive over Donner's pass hoping that there would be no snow to make the trek to Idaho.  Luckily the snow was in the ditch instead of being on the main road.  While we were there we had a chance to also catch up with some friends and go bowling.  I spent a lot of time with grams because we weren't for sure how much longer she was going to be with us.  Not more than 3 weeks later, I got that dreaded phone call that grams had passed away.  So I took a week off from work and flew back to Idaho for the funeral and to spend time with family.  It's so different not having grams around and it's pretty quite at the house. 

June
This year we got out of school earlier in the month which was nice.  After school was out I flew down to San Diego to hang out with Allison and her family.  When I got there they picked me up from the airport and went to Sea World.  It had been a long time since I was there last and everything had changed.  We watched all the shows from Shamu, to the sea lion/otters to the dolphins.  Along the way we stopped and looked at other exhibits.  I've always been fascinated by marine life and my dream job would be to work with the dolphins, but I guess I'll have to put that on hold.  Anyways, while at the dolphin exhibit, I actually touched one and I was super pumped.  It felt really smooth and rubbery.  We were at the park all day and ended closing the park down.

On Tuesday, we drove to the cliffs hoping to see if we could see some cliff jumpers fly off the cliffs, but unfortunetly the wind wasn't strong enough, so we didn't wait around.  We then drove over the La Jolla beach to see the seals and sea lions.  While watching the seals, I noticed something in the water and when it finally surfaced it was DOLPHINS!!!  We then drove around looking at the beautiful houses along the coast and wondered what the people that lived there did for a living to afford those houses.  We then went over to check out a 100 year old suspension bridge.  I chickend out and couldn't cross it or walk out to far because they kept rocking it from side to side, so I just stayed on firm ground till the rest of them came back. We then drove over to Coronado to go to the beach to build a sand castle, play in the water and find sea shells.

On Wednesday, we drove to the San Diego zoo and was there closing down the park as well.  We walked and walked, sat and got lost following the map.  When we got there the animals that we saw first were getting fed so they were pretty active.  One of the best exhibits was the gorillas, they too were also being fed and they were up moving around a lot.  One of my favorites is the giraffes, I find them very beautiful animals.  Also went and saw the huge hippo moving about and swimming under the water.  AFter looking at all the different exhibits we ended with walking to find the panda bears, one of which was out eating his bamboo.  Saw plenty of animails on this trip to San Diego.  I flew back home on Thursday morning.  I had really great time and enjoyed the good company.   

HapPy HoLiDayS

For the Thanksgiving holiday I stay in California instead of flying home.  This year I spent Thanksgiving day having dinner with Doug's family.  I always end up making my own turkey for Thanksgiving so I can have leftover turkey sandwiches.  I also made a homemade apple this year and ate the whole thing myself, it was that good.  The next morning, Doug and I ventured out into the madness of the black friday sales and ended up coming back home because it was absolutely insane out there.  We got back up at 5am that morning and ended up getting everything that I wanted but without the hassle of the lines and all the people. 

Thanksgiving Dinner

Black Friday Buys

Homemade Apple Pie

 We didn't get out of school until the Dec 22, which is typically late but considering I had the week after off it was extrememly nice.  I flew home early on Friday morning, so early that I had to ask the security guard at the airport if I could get through because I had a flight at 6.  She must have been in the holiday spirit because she let me through, otherwise I think I would have missed my flight. 

I flew into the Salt Lake airport only to catch the Salt Lake Express to take me to Idaho.  Mom and Dad picked me up at the gas station that it drops you off at and to my suprise Teresa had come into town and brought Niya.  What a nice surprise!!!  The whole family was home again for Christmas and it was really nice to see everyone.  On Christmas day, we waited for Teresa, John and Niya to get to the house before we opened presents.  It was so cute watching Niya, she was just trying to figure out what was going on.  Later that evening, we have our traditional Christmas dinner with my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Bob.  We usually have it at their house but decided to switch places. 

I spent a few days hanging out in Blackfoot, and then made my way over to Burley to spend a night with Teresa and John.  Mom then took me to Twin Falls, so I could visit with Allison and Ryan.  Allisona and did some shopping.  I got some really great stuff and a cheaper sales tax rate.  I wish I could have spent more time with everyone.  I went to Boise on Friday and spent the rest of my time at Mama Jo's house.  I didn't have a car which was different but found a way to get me one to drive.

For New Year's Eve, I hung out with Erin and Greg.  I went over to her house to visit and then went up to the Boise foothills to another one of her friends house.  We were out by the bonfire looking out over the Boise Valley.  It was so beautiful and peaceful up there.  After midnight struck, we left and I went home to bed.  Later on that week, I met with friends to visit and have dinner, and I can't forget that I had to walk CJ and Marilyn to school. 

As I was packing to leave, I was extremely worried that my suitcase was going to be too heavy since I was bringing back more than what I came with.  I had 2lbs to spare and had to stuff clothes in another bag to make it all fit.  The break was nice and long and I had a really enjoyable time.  I hope that 2012 can bring more good times like 2011 did.

she's rolling over

Niya and her pillow pet

Christmas

Opening presents

Niya got Dr. Suess books'

My favorite girl

Me & Allison and our matching headbands

Me & Ryan

Happy New Year
Me and Erin

BSU vs. San Diego State

So I was debating on whether I wanted to go down to San Diego for the BSU game and asked Lovern (a guy I work with) if he wanted to go.  So we bought out flights and bought game tickets and decided to head down.  We stayed with his mom who lives in Cornado, so we didn't have to pay for a hotel room.  We took Friday off from work and flew out on Thursday night.  We went shopping on Friday and stopped by some Brewery that Lovern wanted to stop at.  On Friday night, I met up with Christina and had dinner at an amazing Italian resturaunt.  We waited for an extremely long time but it was so worth the wait. 

On Saturday, we went down to Randy Jones Sports Bar and Grill to enjoy some pre-game food and watch football and enjoy the company of other BSU fans.  We then rode the trolley down to the stadium so we wouldn't have to worry about parking.  Our seats were really great and we were around other BSU fans so that made it nice.  BSU ended up winning the game and afterwards, I went down to field level to slap hands with the players.  I also slapped hands with Coach Peterson, I was kinda start struck for some odd reason.  I even got a photo opp with one of the players that I knew as well. 

On Sunday, we went down to Lefty's Chicago Pizzera.  Lovern is a huge Bears fan and they just so happened to be playing the Chargers.  So we went down there to watch the game and enjoy the Italian beef sandwiches.  The Italian beef sandwiches were pretty awesome.  I wanted to try more but the sandwich filled me up so unfortunetly I didn't get to experience the Chicago style pizza or enjoy a Chicago dog.  I had a really great time only to come back an enjoy a week off for Thanksgiving break.

Italian Beef Sandwich

Bears Fan at Lefty's

Pre-Game meal @ Randy Jones Sports Bar & Grill

Team coming out on the field

Gettin ready to tear up my Italian Beef sandwich