Week 1 - Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks. The covenant with God to which you are true enables you to become enlightened by him, and nothing is impossible for you.

I started my new job at Kindercare this week. So far I have worked in two different classrooms. Two days in the toddlers and 2 days in the 2’s class. I prefer the toddlers, but Kate wants to “utilize my talents” in the older class. I started the week with a whole bucket load of paperwork. You would not believe all the hoops you have to jump through just to be able to work with kids. Background checks, fingerprints, immunizations, resident records, transcripts, and a whole lot more. I spent a good 4 hours on Monday filling out paperwork. The next four hours was spent reading and signing policies and informational sheets. I am really excited to work here, I just needed to get to the working part. 

Two jobs is never easy to juggle! Tuesday is when the week got rough and exhausting. The next three days I was working at Kindercare from 8 - 4 and then Payless from 5 - 10. It was way too much time to be on my feet. Everyday I came home completely exhausted and in a slightly bad mood. I am glad I allowed myself to just come home and relax rather than going out with friends. I really need to stop overbooking myself. It is getting to be too much for me to handle. A day full of stinky feet and stinky diapers can wear someone out pretty quickly. ;) I did however allow myself to go dancing. It was really needed. As bad as my feet hurt I needed to be around friends and just let myself go. I am pretty sure I was more entertaining to watch. I was so tired that my brain and my feet didn’t seem to be connected. Nonetheless it was fun and a nice stress reliever. 

Friday I was left alone in a class alone. I was worried at first, but found that taking care of kids is something that I really enjoy and comes as second nature to me. The 4 little toddlers I had were as sweet as can be. I wish i could stay in this class but know that I am needed elsewhere. After work I hurried home so I could meet up with the rest of the ward for our singles activity. I am determined to feel involved in this singles ward whether I like it or not. So I jumped in Spencer’s car and we drove out to Tremonton. Kind of a long way to drive for a friday night activity, but it was fun nonetheless. 

After having dinner at Megan Menlove’s house we headed out to the Martin Harris pageant. It was a great production! Music, dancing and everything. 

I of course wouldn’t sit with anyone other than Audrey and her friends. We giggled together and even had our little dance party in the parking lot while waiting for the line to shorten. No point in sitting in the car and waiting when you can have your own private dance party.

I am really sad that this is one of the last activities Audrey will be coming to with me. She is leaving back to school as soon as we get back from our vacation. I will miss her and the great social life she provides me! ;)

I hopped in the car once again with Spencer. I thought he was a little better off than I was when it came to directions, but apparently we are both directionally challenged... Somehow we got lost somewhere between the pageant and freeway. 

I was super confused about where we were, and then out of nowhere the Logan Temple popped into view. I guess you really can use the temple for direction. I always thought it was a symbolic thing, but in this instance it really was a beacon in the dark. After a short picture break we got back in the car and knew exactly where to go. I was a little late getting home, but I am just happy we had the temple to point us in the right direction. 

Saturday was a crazy busy day. I woke up to dad singing the help call from enchanted, and if any one knows my dad’s level of musical talent you will know that I got out of bed pretty quickly. Mom had been such a sweetheart and woke up to make us english pancakes for breakfast to start off our busy day. It was so tasty! I love home cooked hot breakfasts. Is their anything better? I think not! 

Audrey and I headed to our next few assignments. First we did DD’s hair for a modeling class she had to be at. I was a little nervous that I wouldn’t be able to do what she wanted, but it turned out very cute and almost exactly like the picture she showed me. As soon as we finished that we headed off to the church to fulfill or duty of cleaning for the month. Of course since we arrived late we were given the assignment of cleaning the bathrooms. Not too bad in a church. I’m just glad they get cleaned every week!

Kylie is One! We had her first birthday party today at Katie’s mom’s house. It was fish themed and as cute as ever! She had fish cake, swedish fish, gold fish crackers, and more! it was super cute and really fun.

While waiting for the festivities to start I noticed that my braid was getting a little loose, so I asked David to do me a favor and braid it for me. No wonder boys don’t do hair. This is the outcome of his sad attempt to braid my hair. Not too bad for a first try... I guess. ;)

As we all know I give up anything and everything to spend time with my family, and this was no excuse. I love not only my siblings but their spouses as my own sisters. Katie is so good to me... maybe it helps that we started off as good friends in high school?... or maybe she just loves me like crazy! I’m hoping for a nice even combo of both. 

Dana and her kids were there too. She might not be an actual member of the family, but I love her still the same. Her family is so adorable! I am so glad that we have been able to stay friends for as long as we have. I mean how easy is it for 2 girls to get along for 15 years. Oh man, I’m getting old!

Kylie enjoyed her cake just as much as the next person. Katie and David love giving their kids their own cake to demolish. Most of the time I don’t think the kids even get to the cake part. I mean when there is that much frosting in front of you why would you even try to get to the cake? Sadly I couldn’t stay for the whole party. I had to take Audrey home to meet a few friends headed to Provo and I had to head down town to pick up Jen and John from the airport. Their car has been at our house for a few weeks now so I took it to them with just enough time for hugs and goodbyes. Off they were back to Rexburg. 

After attempting to get my Saturday jobs done we all decided to go to a movie as a family. We saw Julie and Julia. It was so cute and really fun! it made me want to eat everything I can get my hands on, and cook what ever I want. Now I am sure I want to go to culinary school. There is nothing that I like more than eating! I would recommend this movie to anyone and everyone who even enjoys the idea of food. 

After the movie I finished my saturday jobs, while talking to Meagan. She dropped in to say hello after about 3 months of not seeing each other. Too bad I had to clean the whole time she was there. I guess nothing has changed in the past 6 years. I finished just in time to head to our ward activity. A luau at the Draper pool, which turned out to be a slight flop, seeing as it was so cold. I only stayed for about 30 minutes until I left to go to Doug’s birthday party at the Murray Arts Center. I stole a ride from Alex and enjoyed an evening of laughter and dancing. A full Saturday that was well worth the work and exhaustion.  

Sunday was wonderful! We had ward conference this week with the stake presidency. They all gave fabulous talks on morality and temple attendance. I really need to get back up on that! President De Vissor gave us a challenge to go once a week, and I am more than ready to take that challenge on! There is nothing better than the feelings I get at the temple. We even had a whole Family Home Evening lesson on the temple... I guess Heavenly Father is trying to tell me to get back on the ball with my temple attendance. 

Lily being as sweet as she is wanted to walk around the temple after listening to a lesson on it. So I went with their little family and tugged Audrey along with me. Temples and Families together can’t be beat! It is so wonderful to know that families really can be together forever! 

Not only is it a beautiful building outside, but teaches such beautiful concept on the inside. Learning how beautiful the Lord’s plan is gives me a better perspective of why I go through what I do here on earth. No one will ever take that knowledge from me. I know I am a daughter of God and that he loves me and had a plan set out for me. It is up to me to follow that plan and return to him again! Nothing would be greater than to return to his loving arms and have him tell me “well done, thou good and faithful servant.” 

Ok maybe one thing would be better... to have my family there with me. I remember the first time I went to the temple and seeing my whole family there. There was not a single person missing. Not too many people have that blessing. I am so lucky to have such a strong family. I will not be the one who falls away and ruins that perfect unity! I hope no one in my family does. An eternal family can’t be complete without every member there!  I love them all, and I hope they all know that!

My friends from swing club; Fyffe, Alex, Aaron, Celcey, Mike, and Deb decided to kidnap me from FHE  and take me to see harry potter again. Although I had already seen the movie once, it can’t hurt to see it again. I must admit,  though I loved it the first time, this time was much better. I think watching it when I am awake makes a huge difference. It was a pretty late showing but early enough that I actually was able to remember seeing it. I had so much fun and really enjoyed being with my new friends!

Had a weird experience this week with one of my new friends. Alex Moore asked me to go out to ice cream with him so I could hear about his family reunion and trip to Illinois. We decided Slurpees were a better choice, and headed out to the gazebo at the Draper Historic park to sit and chat. As we moved from small talk into a real conversation I casually asked if he was related in any way to Devin Moore. I thought that there was no way they could be with such a common last name and such a huge distance. I mean Devin is from Texas and I met him in Idaho. How on earth could they be related. How wrong was I? Devin is not only his cousin, but his favorite and closest cousin. I nearly flipped. Here I was on a date with my old serious boyfriend’s cousin. Oh it gets better... I knew he looked familiar when I first met him, but I never said anything because I have a problem with getting myself into embarrassing situations when I think I know someone. Oh no, not this time. I really did know him from before. I had dinner at Grandma Moore’s house right before my mission. He was there too! 4 years ago and it all still is very vivid in my mind. Crazy mormon world! 

Tuesday night was crazy fun! I got to help plan and execute a triple date with Audrey. I guess somehow she managed to get her hands on 6 free tickets to the Ogden Rodeo. We picked up the boys and had a crazy dance party in the car on the way there. We even took the time to dress up and look the part. 

First you have Audrey and Matt, with his crazy stylish glasses. I love how much fun these two can have without worrying about what other people think. 100% pure fun for them!

Maria and Mitch came along as well. They are quite the couple. Insight left and right about absolutely everything. I would get lost just listening to them talk, but enjoyed every minute with them. Personally when it comes down to looking the part I think Mitch wins. His scruff just gives him the tough cowboy look.

And here is Jake and me. Fun fun fun! we laughed and enjoyed taking pictures of all the great things that happened at the Rodeo. I wasn’t too good at catching clear action shots because it got dark so fast, but we still played around with the camera to see what we could get. 

This shot is my personal favorite. I was pretty proud of myself for catching this. Mid air trick! The motor bikes were pretty cool and most definitely got the crowd going better than anything else at the Rodeo.

Too much fun with the crew! It was way too much fun to have on a week night. I hope we can keep this up through the summer. It never hurts to have a little fun and get dressed up every once in a while. Try it! It will change your life! Let go and have a little fun.

I love hanging out with Audrey. I know I keep saying all these great things about her, but honestly I am never exaggerating. She saved me from social suicide this summer and I am so glad! She is my best friend and I look forward to doing this again with her soon!

I had originally asked Bryce Lake to go to the Rodeo with me so we could catch up and make up for the date I have owed him for a good 5 years. Sadly he had other things going on and wasn’t able to come, but when he called me back he had another idea. I guess Keisha, his dad, and himself were headed out to Utah Lake to go boating, so I hopped on that bandwagon and decided to go with them.

I mostly enjoyed the time I had just sitting at the front of the boat, but when the tube came out I was the first to jump on. Steve has no heart when it comes to tubing. He will whip that boat back and forth at crazy speeds. I know it doesn’t seem like we are going all that fast in this picture, but I have bruises and bumps to prove otherwise.

When all the tubing was done we all jumped on for one last picture seeing as only four of us could go on at once. from Laft to right we have Rachel (Keisha’s roommate from BYU), Dan Funk, Me, Bryce and Keisha. It was so much fun.

Keisha and I enjoyed our Zingers on the way home and had the best looking wind blown hair ever! I was surprised at how curly it still was with all that wind blowing it back! Super hot, I know. After a long wait to get into the dock we cleaned the boat, I said my goodbyes, and I headed down town to try something new. Alex and Spencer wanted me to try Blues Dancing. I decided that I was only going to watch the first night. It took a lot to convince them that I wasn’t going to dance, but eventually they got the picture. I sat back and watched and came to the conclusion that Blues Dancing just isn’t my cup of tea. 

What a wonderful experience I had this week when I got to go to the Draper temple and see one of my sect childhood friends go through the temple and finally get sealed to her husband and children. Dana Brooks has been a great friend since I was 11 and her husband Andy Hyer has been a friend from way back when. In fact I am almost certain that David and I can take full credit for their hook up. About 5 years ago they got married in Dana’s back yard with my dad performing the ceremony. At the time Andy wasn’t a member of the church. He had a lot of friends who were and even a grandpa who was still an active member, but never really felt the desire to join. After a few years and a lot of effort from Dana’s family and mine Andy joined the church. I was so happy that Dana stuck with it and was determined to get Andy to understand what she believed. Well This week was the icing on the cake. Wednesday morning I went to the endowment session for both Andy and Dana. I couldn’t hold the tears back. It was so cool to see tow of my best friends make the right choice to go through the temple. I thought that would be all I could see, but as I left the temple I knew that I needed to be there for the sealing as well. I said a quick prayer and called my boss to see if I could come in a few hours late. He said if I could find someone to cover than he was fine with it. Felicia was such a sweetheart and covered me. I raced back into the temple to meet my family before we walked into the sealing room. Dana and Andy came in and the waterworks started all over again. Seeing them get sealed for all time and eternity was priceless. Soon after the ceremony was started the two kids, Bryce and Brooklyn, were brought into the room in their white clothes. Such a sweet moment to remember. I couldn’t stop myself from crying. I swear I cried more than anyone else in that room. Why do we cry when we are happy anyway? seems pretty backwards to me. ;) It was beautiful and I am so happy and honored that I could be a part of it. 

After work I of course headed to the U as usual for a night of fun and friends. Swing dancing there has almost become a addiction. I love getting exercise and having fun at the same time. why would you ever do it any other way? We danced the night away and headed to Dee’s for a milkshake or two. Only problem is that they didn’t have a table big enough for us so as you can see we all piled into one booth. It made eating a little difficult, but fun. Good times with good friends can’t be beat!

Happy Pioneer Day!!! A new added tradition to throw into the mix is a family brunch and swimming. I ate the best pancakes ever, enjoyed a little time with the family, and then headed out the door to my next adventure. 

Mike, Cherry and I decided to take on Utah Lake once again in our canoe. We packed it up in Cherry’s grandpa’s truck and headed out to the lake. In we hopped with Mike as the captain, Cherry as the navigator and me just chilling in the middle enjoying the water and small breeze. We jumped out and swam a bit. We didn’t last long in the water with the smell and fish, but it was too hot to stay in the boat the whole time.  

Part way through our adventure we decided to take on the weedy area of the lake. Mike paddled straight into the brush with confidence like any good captain.  

With no paddle and no opinion I sat as we got stuck in the middle of the brush. I was ready to jump out and push, but then I remembered how many creatures would be lurking in that nasty water. So as any good passenger would do I sat and waited till we reached a safe place. 

With my luck I ended up working on Pioneer Day. Mike and I worked hard to get out as early as we could so we could meet up with Alex to watch fireworks. We headed out to Cottonwood found a place on the high school grounds and watched the great fireworks. The finale was pretty impressive for such a small town. After the fireworks we went to a park and had a picnic with pizza... until the sprinklers went off. Guess it was time to go home.

Saturday I got to spend time with a few of my new found friends. Felicia from work, Fyffe, Alex and I decided to enjoy the weather and take a hike. We hiked to Cecret Lake and had a picnic at the lake. A short simple hike that was very enjoyable. It was beautiful! I wish I could spend all day every day outside.  

After spending half the day outside we continued our activities down town at the gateway fountains. we splashed and played for a good hour. A swing song came on, so naturally we started to dance in the water. 

I felt a little weird breaking it down in the middle of public, but it was fun. I'm so glad Mom let me take her water proof camera so I could catch a few of these super fun moments. 

By the end of the hour we were drenched from head to foot. Not a dry spot on our bodies. But what is the point of going down town in the summer if your not going to play in the fountains? ;)

Dad finally got released form being bishop this week! I hope we will get to see a little more of him now. It was a great sacrament meeting listening to all the great men that have run our ward for the past 5 years. Mom gave a great talk about Dad and his “super suit.” I always knew he was Mr. Incredible! 

June 29 - July 5th

Only a few more days with the family gone. I am getting quite bored and very ready for them to be home again. Seeing as I was over at David and Katie’s I spent some time there with the girls. We had so much fun the night before and the next morning. I love being with my family! 

Even though the family was missing in action for a while we made for it with all the fun we had at our first Collier Family Reunion. With t-shirts and all we stormed Heber Camp with food, fun, and music. As soon as we finished our family pictures we were able to change into our grubbies and have some real fun!

Clearly Dad enjoyed the food the most! Two sausages... really dad?
Bouncing babies! Too cute for words.
I have never seen anyone enjoy watermelon as much as my little Sadie Bug!
I see modeling my future! What do you think?
My sister has the best sister in the world! ;)
Who forgot to zoom out? I believe that would be my mother!
Cheese Gromit! Cheese!!
Chatting it up at the table.
Ahhhhh... High school sweet hearts! clearly it didn't work out! ;)
Nothin' beats a good book out in nature.
Goldilocks and the three bears... this was my family assignment. After convincing a few people to be good sports we told the story with a few fun props. It turned out to be quite funny and entertaining for both the actors and audience.
David, Katie, Lily,  and Kylie
Mike, Des, and Evylee
Jenni, Mark, Payton, and Sadie (missing in action)
With a squeeze and a SMILE!!!
I thought looking up eliminated double chins???
Oh, pretty!
My favorite Nephew! I can say that because he is my only nephew... he he he
Wonderful hot shmoos....
Who picked up these crazies!?!?!
I think they rose a little too much! but still just as delicious as ever!
Oh look, a sight you don't see every day... I"M READING!
No one has a cooler family than me! Who else piles up on a giant pile of sleeping bags!
Trust building obstacle courses... we did alright, but had a rough time all balancing on one little beam.
A few swings later we all landed safely on the wooden plank... but one of these things is not like the other!
How high can you fly... with a little manly assistance? 
The whole crew! I love my family and am so happy we could all have so much fun at this reunion. I hope it keeps happening and that we can always enjoy each other!