WEDDING

I just got back from St. George with my friend Kenzer. We went down there for one of my best friends weddings, Nate Houston. Nate and I met up at Weber State my freshman year because we roomed right next to each other. I couldn't help thinking about every prank we played on him and his roommate like: putting seeds on their floor and watering them during the Olympic break (in hopes that flowers would be there when we got back), using shaving cream to "decorate" their floor with the words: "paybacks a Bi^$#", or cutting all the labels off the canned food and putting them on other cans so when they thought they were opening peaches they got corn. I'll never forget the day hearing Nate yell after opening three cans "what the hell is wrong with Smiths."
Oh they had their fun too through putting open cans of tuna in our room where we couldn't find them, tying our doors together so we couldn't get out, and saran wrapping our toilet seat!

For some reason Nate and I stayed really good friends throughout our missions and as we both went through the accounting programs, me at UVSC and Nate at SUU. A lot of times when we got frustrated or couldn't do school anymore we would take get-a-way trips (me to Ceder and Nate to Orem) and just be able to chill and relax for the weekend.
I am so freaken proud of Nate for what he has accomplished in the six years that I have known him, but even more proud that he pick such a great girl! I met Jana in the temple (at her own wedding) and knew right then how lucky Nate was to get such an amazing girl! Nate you got a good one and you better treat her like a princess ALWAYS! (Even though I know you will!!!)
By the way I learned that you never wear high heels when taking a picture with people shorter than you...I look like if I sat on them both I would ruin their lives!!

On a side note here is me with my new pair of glasses. I really needed them but didn't have any scissors to help me out in St. George. I drove around like this all morning!!!

All Sports Weekend...In DENVER!!!

So if you didn't know how much I love the city of Denver you will definitely know after this post. I LOVE THAT PLACE!! So one of the most random group got together to have an all sports weekend in Denver this weekend which included: Sammy, Kahale, Brook, Rob, and yours truly. What a weekend!

We started off in the airport waiting for our plane that was an hour and a half late and a bumpy ride to Denver. I don't know what the deal is with planes, me, and my stomach this passed while but not one likes each other. When we finally landed I couldn't believe how cold it was. I guess I have to realize I was in the Rockies, but I was hoping for a little more warmth.

After getting our cool minivan Sammy, because he had been to Denver one time, knew exactly where our hotel was. OK, that was the biggest lie ever so for about an hour he drove around telling us/finding the hotel. We found a Marriott, just not the right Marriott. I was really glad to see my bed that night!! Thanks to Sammy I did see parts of Denver that I never would have seen otherwise!

So we got up the next morning and headed to Coors brewery. That place is HUGE! Sadly I forgot my ID so I couldn't get plastered (that was a joke!!), but if I ever did get drunk this is probably the exact picture of
what I would look like. This is non alcoholic beer and pretty much the worst stuff I have EVER tasted! It was a very interesting tour though. It take 118 days from start to finish to make beer.
Being a Mormon and all those details are really important in my life :)

The best part of that morning was when we went to get food at Jack-in-the-Box. After we came out from breakfast we realized that (we'll leave his name unknown...Rob) left the car door open the entire time we were in eating. There was a nice layer of snow all over Kahale's seat!! I am still laughing about that and it is a week later!! Thanks for that one Rob!!!

After that we headed (on a very snowy night) down to the Pepsi center to watch the Denver Nuggets take on the Kings. For $10, I totally got my moneys worth! But everyone knows I love the NBA and I would have been entertained no matter what. It happened to be '80's night and they brought in a surprised guest singer in. At first I thought it was Paula Abdul because they put her picture up on the jumbo tron, but then it ended up being some dude that I have never heard of, had a horrible smokers voice, and I don't even think he sang since the '80's. But once again I get entertained very easy...and I was entertained.
Nuggets won the game with a nail biting ending. I routed for them, but I didn't realize that game tied them with the Jazz so I regret doing that.

That morning we got up and went to breakfast in the hotel. It was Sammy, Kahale, and me that enjoyed a nice pre game snack. As we were walking out the door Sammy took a drink of OJ that went down the wrong tube and ended up sneezing. However when he sneezed that OJ went all over the door AND ALL OVER my hand as I was exiting the door. Everyone that "nose" (ha ha) me well knows that I am a neat freak and imagine someone elses snot all over you...I wanted to DIE!! GROSS! I can't even think about it!

So we continue on to the next day in our all sports weekend...We went down to 14th street and walked around that next morning. Summer is the best for that street, but still just like I have said Denver has never been a disappointment. After we were done there we went down to pretty much my favorite stadium, Mile High. I almost feel like I ripped Denver off this weekend because we got the BEST PRICES on everything the WHOLE weekend. But this is my favorite...so we went and scalped Broncos tickets. We all got in the "executive seating" for $60 bones each!!! The normal price was $285! I know I was that shocked too!!! Yet another reason why I love Denver. P.S Do you like the random lady in the picture...who ever she is! I'm sure it might have helped that it was freezing and the Broncos aren't good at all this year, but hey I had a blast! So when I say it was freezing this is me on the train with 8 layers on and my coat is the ninth. I had 6 hand warmers in use: feet, hands, and two in my hat. It was cold, but me of all people who freezes at 80 degrees did well out there!!! I also got free nachos (thanks Sammy for making that happen), to see and NFL game, a free bus ride (I don't think that should have happened either), and I learned all of the Broncos cheers (I really should become a regular): "the pass was: IN-COM-PLETE!", and so much more!

It was an awesome weekend! We got up at 4:30 on Monday to make our 6:30 flight, so it was early, but so worth it!
I really love Denver guys, I really do! If you haven't had any great experiences out there...you should go, it is so worth it! The all sports weekend of beer, basketball, and football was a dream come true!!!

How great are MAC computers!!

I love my MacBook computer. I do, I think they are great computers and should be a spokes person for Mac because I tell everyone about them. Sure it is different than a PC, but it is so much better!
I'm not going to list all the reasons why I love my Mac, but would rather just show you how much fun you can have with a Mac:)


And that is one of the reasons I love my MAC!

LASER QUEST

When was the last time that you went laser tagging? Maybe high school or even Jr. High? Mine? It was last night and I had such a blast! I'll be honest I was not really excited to go, but who knew hanging out where a bunch of high school kids go could be so much fun!
A lot of people might not remember the full experience of laser tagging so I'll give you a recap of the event. You walk in, pay and they give you a card which could be red or green. You sit around for a little while and have the chance to play video games in the arcade, kind of like this... You then are called, according to your color of card, to give your "game name". Mine, the first game was DEEBER and the second game (yep, we played twice it was so much fun) was in respect to Kelly off The Office. All of our team members the second round, had The Office names. William=Pam, Sammy=Kevin, Sarah=Angela, Chris=Creed, Rick=Bob Vance, Mackenzie=Jan, and Steve=Michael.
When you have given them your "game name" you are given a plastic key that activates your laser gun.
You are just about ready to play an awesome game of laser tag, but there is one more fun thing you get to do before entering, have a dance competition! The winner of the dance competition gets a FREE game of laser tag. So we danced... And danced some church dance And danced even more
I am sure you are dying to know who ended up winning, well it was yours truly! I basically danced the night away at Laser Quest and won a FREE GAME, so worth it! Until Chris stole my prize, but don't worry I was able to get it back!!
Once you finish the dance competition you are sent into another room where you are given rules like you can't touch anyone, you can't cover your sensors, or sit while playing. It was a fun two games which included me almost running into several walls, Chris, Steve, and Rick cheating by taking their gear off and setting it on the ground, and a bunch of our team charging the other tower freaking a bunch of girls out! Who knew that laser tag could be so much fun! If you happen to be bored one night with nothing to do, make your way to Laser Quest.

600 Bones...

The other night Sarah had a cute boutique at her house with candles, bows, purses, and clothes. It was so much fun to catch up with girls that I haven't seen in a long time and the latest additions to their families.
The full reason I am writing this blog is to tell you the story about Mackenzie and her purse. To our amazement, even though I was there when she bought it and was FLOORED that she did, she bought a $600 purse. Yep, here are the picture to show you and for me to remember that I will NEVER buy a $600 bones purse! But Mack, I think it is a really cute purse! I would want it if I could have it!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Last night Megs had a bunch of us over for a GREAT party. There was a sit down dinner and pumpkin carving contest. Our teams pumpkin, I think, should have won the whole entire match, but instead we lost. I think we need a new judge, but her name needs to be Sue or our pumpkin won't make sense! I think we did good Leslie and Bromley. We'll get them!

The other team that wasn't recognized was Cameron and Zane

Sammy, Marci, and Ben won most intricate, there pumpkin went out to all those special girls in the world.
Morgan, Sara, and Scott won the most personality.
And Matt and Melissa won most original-- see if you can figure it out. I thought it was pretty creative, a bum crack.
And then there is cute Jeremy and Betsy all dressed up!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Seattle/Vancouver

Vacation is defined as, "freedom or release from duty, business, or activity. Amen, I don't think that could have been said any better, but that is what I did this last weekend had some freedom from business for awhile. My friends and I decided to take a trip up to Seattle/Vancouver this weekend just to get away and it was awesome! Vancouver is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever seen!

Megan and I flew up early Thursday morning where we met Leslie, Syd, Morgan, Matt, and Zane in Seattle. After a quick breakfast and some crazy stories from the night before (like them discovering a piece of poop in the hot tub that they were in) we made our way up to Vancouver. Vancouver was so beautiful and an amazing city, but one suggestion for everyone who might go up there is don't stay in the Radisson in downtown Vancouver. We named our hotel that we stayed in for two night's p2, which stands for porn and pizza. Pretty much every other store was either a pizza place or a porn joint which happened to also be the heart of the red light district. Our hotel hallway somehow had the smell of a rotting dead person mixed with a new carpet smell, it was horrible and I can't decided which was better: the fire alarm that went off at two in the morning one night or the music being so loud that it felt like the club was in our bathroom the other night. One moment that I'm still laughing at is getting stuck in a small elevator with at least 10 people crammed into it. I thought half my group was going to die after the 30 seconds we had been in there. It sounds like a complete waist of time to go up there, but it wasn't in any way, shape, or form because that just made the experience that much better.

We started our journey to Lynn's canyon which is a GEORGOUS area with a huge suspended bridge that looks over waterfalls and an amazing lake. Besides that, you got to walk around a forest where we came to a small but beautiful green pond that would have been the perfect place to swim in, but it was so cold!

We also made our way to Stanberry Park. This park is huge; it covers the whole tip of a peninsula that you are able to view all of Vancouver. They had pretty much everything there from totem poles to rose gardens (ok, dead roses) to a miniature train (we didn't get to see that because they were having some sort of labor dispute, but we did happen to see a black squirrel when we were walking over there!).I think the thing that I wanted to do the most was take a jog around the park. I don't think that I would ever make it around all the way, actually I know that I couldn't, but that is what I kept thinking the entire time, that I just wanted to run!

Other than that Vancouver also consisted of shopping (as usual), but the prices up there are horrendous! If there is one reason why I couldn't live up there it would be because of how expensive everything was (wait, minus the porn…that stuff was like 25 cents for a sneak-peak—don't worry I didn't look!). But Vancouver also consisted of really great food, more shopping, me loosing my voice (I had some pretty great looks from people when I would open my mouth), incredible candy (Clodhoppers and Maynards, if you ever get a chance to try them jump at the opportunity), and being rejected by my friends for liking tootsie rolls (I still think that is considered a candy bar guys. I object to all six of your objection votes and vote that my favorite is tootsie rolls).



After a great time up there we headed back down on Saturday to be able to spend all of Sunday in Seattle. Despite our not so great hotel in Vancouver we were blessed with an awesome one in Seattle. The first thing I got to do when we got to the hotel was run in the gym! It was so nice! I really liked Seattle and thought it was a really pretty city. I have been up there before on soccer tournament trips,but I had forgotten how great it is. Seattle reminded me so much of San Francisco I had to think twice at times where I actually was! We didn't have too much time there, but we did have a chance to go on an underground tour of the city. Apparently, I know I don't have all my facts strait but you'll get the picture, a 13 block radius of Seattle burnt down in the late 18th century.
Now I'm not really sure why they did this, I wasn't paying attention, but they built on top of the city that already was there, so some of the buildings that you are looking at in Seattle the first floor is underground and the second is at main level. It was one of my favorite parts to be able to walk under the streets and actually see the full city that they had under there. It has been there for years and at different times in history it has been underground shopping, a place to put earthquake debris, and currently today they use it for tours or because land is so expensive the owners of the shops above ground also use it their space for storage. I just thought that was a really neat and how they have this whole other life underground!! Oh and I forgot to mention that a lot of people have seen ghost down there, but unfortunately I was not able to see one, maybe next time!


And there you have the gist of my "vacation" that I went on this weekend. There were so many great laughing moments like: "Zane me that," the high five that was not really a high five by Leslie, counting 1-7 every time we left a store or sight seeing place, poop in the hot tub, stomps inside our minivan, the double flush, chanting-chanting-chanting, measuring body sizes with Morgan's belt, Zane's and Syd's fighting, "Hey guys, hey guys this is my pleather jacket", and so much more!


Basically I just want to say to 1-6 that was a zane-tastic trip, Zane on, Vancouver/Seattle!! Zane, LIZ!

Here is a good one

TO LAUGH IS TO RISK APPEARING A FOOL,

TO WEEP IS TO RISK APPEARING SENTIMENTAL.

TO REACH OUT FOR ANOTHER IS TO RISK INVOLVEMENT.

TO EXPRESS FEELINGS IS TO RISK REJECTION.

TO PLACE YOUR DREAMS ABOVE THE CROWD IS TO RISK RIDICULE.

TO LOVE IS TO RISK NOT BEING LOVED.

TO GO FORWARD IN THE FACE OF OVERWHELMING ODDS IS TO RISK FAILURE.

BUT, RISKS MUST BE TAKEN, BECAUSE THE GREATEST HAZARD IN LIFE IS TO RISK NOTHING.

THAT MAY AVOID SUFFERING AND SORROW,

BUT THEY CANNOT LEARN, FEEL CHANGE, GROW, OR LOVE.

CHAINED BY THEIR CERTITUDES, THEY ARE SLAVES.

THEY HAVE FORFEITED THEIR FREEDOM

ONLY THOSE WHO TAKE RISKS ARE FREE

Random Question...

So I'll give you a quick background on my stupid hobby that I love...which is reading and finding out about murders. Anyway I'm into this Kipland Davis murder that happened over 12 years ago.
The question is does anyone know how to find out when these men go on trial? I've looked all over the court house site for Provo, but I couldn't find anything...can anyone help me out?

Homecoming 5K

Last week my 9-year-old nephew, Miles, and I ran in a 5K up at the U for homecoming week. It was such a fun experience to be with Miles running the whole race. Now getting a 9-year-old to 3.2 miles is some experience! We made it through the first mile just fine, but after that we focused more on just getting the race done (by walking).
I think the funniest thing that happened out there was I was trying to get Miles to talk throughout it so he wouldn't focus on the race. I asked him his favorite TV shows, how school was, and finally "how are you doing?" With a completely white face Miles responded, "I'm fine." When we were driving home he said, "Liz, remember that time you asked if I was OK? Well I lied and I really wanted to die at that moment!"
I am really proud of Miles for finishing the race because he did such a good job! Miles is such a great kid and anyone who gets to know that kid is one lucky person. He is so smart, loves ALL animals, and is one of the most mature kids I know who is always willing to help out.
Great job bud and thanks for running with me!