See you in a week!! Hopefully I'll remember to pull out the camera occasionally so you can all share it with me!!

Catching Up

It's been a really long time since I posted anything, so I thought I'd do a quick catch up post.  A few weeks ago I was asked to sing a solo in Sacrament Meeting and that happened today.  I chose the song Once there was One, which is one I've sung a few times before so it's familiar and very beautiful.  It turned out really good and thanks to the Spirit I got through it and added a lot to the spirit of the meeting.  After it was over, I got a lot of compliments and a lot of people told me that they didn't know I could sing like that.  I don't try to hide my talents, but singing solo is not something I'm absolutely comfortable with, except in the shower.  I was happy to share my talent and would do it again if asked, but it's not something I beg for.  In other news, Alabama is 5 days away!!  I am so excited!  It will be so nice to get away for a few days and especially to a place I've not been.  Yesterday I was at Mom and Dad's and 7 year old Colin asked me to bring him something from Alabama.  I asked him what kind of something and he promptly replied, "I don't know, something random... something boy style."  I laughed.  Mom suggested a rock.  He'd love it!!  Anyway I'm excited.  I guess that's all for now!!

Funny Quote

I found this quote the other day.  I don't remember where, so I can't give credit, but I laughed so hard and decided to share it here.  I like it A LOT!!!

I figured out why I’m so fat. The shampoo I use in the shower that runs down my body says “for extra volume and body.” I’m going to start using Dawn dish washing soap. It says, “dissolves fat that is otherwise difficult to remove.”

Happy Day

 Yesterday my cousin Landon married the love of his life!  We are excited to welcome Hailee to the family.  I just love Hailee.  The past few months Landon and Hailee and I have been getting together for dinner and I've gotten the opportunity to get to know her just a bit and she is amazing and perfect for Landon.  It was such a great day!  Landon's whole family lives out of state so we were able to see all of them.  Vance and Cheryl came from Iowa, Hannah and Lynae and Camden from Alabama (amidst the tornado carnage), and Jameson and Jocelyn from Kansas.  It was such a beautiful (snowy, overcast, with a few peeks of sunshine) day and such a great thing to be in the temple with a bunch of people you love.  My Uncle Kevin and Aunt Debbie brought my Grandma and Grandpa and a lot of Cheryl's family was there too.  The reception was at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and there was a lot of family present.  I was able to bond a bit with Camden who is almost 18 months old and is a real mama's boy (with Dad not here, but I imagine he loves Dad just as much).  He had to warm up to me but by the end of the night he was talking and giggling and playing ring around the rosy with Grandma and Mom and Hannah and Jameson and I.  I wish I had a picture... it was too cute.  I ended up staying until the very very end and walked out with Vance and Cheryl and then walked to the parking lot with Vance and got some one on one talking time with him.  He's such a great guy.  I came home feeling a bit melancholy because even though it was such a great day, one of the problems with having out of town family is that you get to see them for a few hours every little while and then it's back to saying goodbye.  The light at the end of the tunnel is that I get to travel to Alabama to hang with Lynae and Tyler and Camden and Hannah in 26 days!!!  I'm so excited to see where they live and to spend some quality time with them.  It makes saying goodbye a little easier knowing that I'm going to see them in less than a month.  Hopefully Camden will remember me and I won't have to rebond!!   I'll post a few pictures here and then hopefully I can get some from Mom because I didn't have my camera at the temple... I know big surprise!

The cake... I've never seen one like this before... not sure what it is.

From L to R:  My dad's cousin Carolyn, Grandma Gardiner, Jameson (Landon's older brother)

The centerpiece.  Hailee decided to do greens as her colors and it was springy and beautiful.

I love the saying on this picture frame--Live every moment, Laugh every day, and Love beyond words.

The first dance

Camden and "Aunt" Julie-- I'm really his first cousin once removed, but that's way too difficult so Lynae calls me Aunt Julie!  He wanted the camera... that's the only reason he's smiling!!

Camden and his mommy Lynae!! ( I love this girl!!)

Lynae, Camden, Hailee, and Landon with the temple spires in the background!!  So Beautiful!!

The lighting is bad in this picture, but I needed this one.  Landon accused me of trying to split them up, but I told him it was only temporary!!