They grow up so fast!

This weekend was all about supporting my nieces in Evanston, WY. I had an amazing weekend playing the attentive aunt.

Maddie is 13, and on her middle school track team. She had a meet on Saturday, and I sat out there for the whole meet, so that I could call her my sister-in-law when one of her events was coming up. It was so COLD! Bitter cold, with an even colder wind. My hoodie and blanket were not enough, but I had so much fun. Maddie did so amazingly well! I had no clue she was that good. She competed in the 100 & 200 meter dashes, and the long jump. She got second in her 100 m. heat, first in her 200 m., and if she didn't get 1st in her division on the long jump she came dang close. That girl jumped 12 feet!!! I was very impressed.

There wasn't anyone even close to her in the 200 m heat

The reason that Teri was doing so much at home, and coming just for Maddie's events, was because Saturday was also Prom. My niece Aubree is a junior this year, and very much involved in the Prom scene. I went to a big high school, in a big city, in a very populated county. Prom was just a dance, at least to me. In small towns Prom is much more, and the Juniors have what is called Promenade. They girls and boys come all dressed in their dresses and tuxes, and are presented to the whole gym full of family and friends. They then perform a choreographed number for the audience, and finish with a parent child dance (mother/son, daddy/daughter). It was awesome, and so much fun. I'd never seen anything like it, so I really enjoyed the whole thing.

Yeah, cold and wind do not take away the suns power to cause a burn. I think my face is the same color as her dress. Yikes. She was beautiful though, so what does it matter?

Cheese!

So graduation is just around the corner (19 days, but who's counting?), and its time to send out the announcements. Since we have a one of the most fabulous photographers I know in the family, I asked if he'd be willing to do some senior pictures for me. Jon asked me where I wanted to do the shoot, and after some thought I decided on South Jordan Library. It's just a couple of blocks from my parents house, the architecture is fun, the gazebo and fountain/ice rink between the Library and The Pie Pizzeria was a fun area, and since I worked there throughout most of high school, its a part of who I am. Hope you enjoy!

Jon's Favorite

My Mother's Favorites

My Favorites

Honorable Mentions

Getting pictures taken can be awkward, and usually result in some weird smile, and ultra formal pose. Jon knew me too well, and had me playing, and having a fun time taking these pictures. I think the only flaw in any of these pictures is simply the fact that I had a sunburn and was peeling on my forehead despite my best efforts to keep that at bay. Ah well, it was well earned, and so much fun, and doesn't detract from the pictures at all.

If you want to see more of Jon's amazing work check out his website

This will probably be the last blog before I graduate. The workload is piling up, and blogging is going to the bottom of the to-do pile. May 5th!

Spring Break: Take 2

A few years ago my best friend Britney got married, and I spent a lot of time at her parents house helping with the planning process. It was a fun time, and one of the best things to come of it (besides the awesome wedding of Brit and Oliver) was the relationship I gained with her family. I have dubbed them my bonus family. They aren't extra, which to me sounds disposable, and they aren't supplementary, because that sounds like my family isn't great, and I have to supplement them. Instead they are a bonus. A special treat, and I love them.

My bonus little sister Jamey texted me a few weeks ago to see if she and her friend could come up and visit over their spring break. She and her friend Nicole are graduating this year, and coming up here in the fall, and they wanted to meet with advisors, and get a feel for the town. Of course I was thrilled to have them come, and for the last two days I have had a blast enculturating them into Aggies.

I took the girls on my own personal tour of campus, showing them all the cool areas that I think are good to know about, that aren't on the school tour, such as hidden corners of the library, and study lounges in odd places throughout campus. We had to get some good exercise in because afterwards we went to Angie's to "clean the sink". For those depraved souls out there who don't know of this fabulous treat, Angies is the local diner here in Logan. While some diners have giant hamburgers or pizzas to eat, Angies has ice cream. They have small sinks that they fill with ice cream, whipped cream, and 3 toppings of your choosing. It's a tradition, so I treated the girls to this fabulous indulgence. We had a blast trying to eat it, and all went home with sick stomaches. If they come up for Prom in a few weeks we are going to go back, and bring along some help.

We lovely ladies and our ice cream :)

The "Sink."

We had Strawberries, Chocolate Syrup, and Oreos as our toppings.

Putting their dent in the dish.

Ok, it's not completely clean, but it's good enough, and no one got sick, so overall I'd say it was a success.

After stuffing ourselves with ice cream we went home and spread out on the couches and recliner, and watched a chick flick. These girls are so indecisive, but we ended up watching "The Princess Bride". A classic if ever there was one. So cheesy. So quotable. So AWESOME. I love it.

Loving to hike anyway, and needing to work off a few calories from the night before, we spent our morning today hiking along the river up Logan Canyon. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and it felt so good to get out and enjoy the fresh air. We talked the whole time, and it was so fun to hear all of their crazy adventures. These girls are seriously so much fun. Hearing their drama, and recounting all of my funny high school experiences was such a blast. I don't miss high school in the least, but I had so much fun talking and laughing and hanging out with them.

I don't know why I look so weird in this picture, but I love the sentiment of it, so whatever.

This afternoon we went to the park and kicked around a soccer ball, and threw the frisbee. I haven't had so much vitamin D in a long time, and it felt wonderful. We laid out in the sun for a while, and just hung out, which was probably not the smartest idea, but it felt good at the time. (The bright red marks on my arms, and face don't feel so nice, but I'm a redhead so I'm used to it).

I think the biggest compliment the girls gave me, was when they, on more then one occasion, commented on how relaxed they were, and how it was a perfect Spring Break. I couldn't agree more. We played and talked for hours and hours.

I sent them home about an hour ago, and they should be getting back soon. Now I'm anxiously awaiting Jamey's text. Her brother Braden got his mission call in the mail today, and is opening it tonight at 8. I am so excited for him, and what the next two years will mean for him, and all of the Cleveland's. I love my family, both biological, and bonus. They make life fun, and I hope I get many more experiences like this in the future.