ALOHA!

I'm home now... =( I had a blast in Hawaii! We definitly need to plan a family reunion in the future and go! I will post more pictures (less goofy ones) as soon as i get home from cheer camp! i love you all!

Branding Potatoes

So today I attended the funeral of a sweet elderly sister in our branch. And since it's a small branch, took a couple of things for the lunch afterward: a rhubarb crisp for dessert and of course, FUNERAL POTATOES! I swear Darla was in the kitchen with me this morning as I whipped them up. After the funeral, I had a hair appt. My hairdresser & I were talking about death and funerals and I was telling her about Darla & the funeral potatoes. She asked what they were, so I told her the basic recipe. She looks at me and says, "No, honey. Those are Branding Potatoes." Out here, branding day isn't just the fam and a few friends trying to get all stinky & bloody. It's the fam and every single neighbor and relative that can be rounded up within a 100 mile radius. The family hosting "the Branding" as they put it, provides a huge spread for lunch, including Branding Potatoes. I guess I'll have to tell Dad no more stale cheese from the cab of the truck & cut with the castrating knife, sandwiches, warm pop and smoked oysters. He'll have to serve Branding Potatoes at the next "branding". I'm sure Darla will show up if he does, though. :)

Making Me Miss Mar...

And the rest of you too, but all the M's in the title sounded so cool! I made strawberry pie today and it just made me think of all the pie related memories I have of all of you, whether it's making pie together or eating an amazing pie by Marilyn or Nanny or watching "Pushing Daisies" with Cindy. It seriously made me a little homesick for everyone.

These ones are waiting for the pie man to touch them with his magic restoring finger so they'll be plump and red and un-moldy again and perfect for a pie :)

Missouri Church History Trip

Our ward went on a church history trip to Missouri last weekend.  Our stops included Independence, Liberty Jail, Fishing River, Far West, and Adam-ondi-Ahmen. Although I'd been to most of the sites before with our family, I was glad I did decide to go with my ward.  It was good to be reminded of what the early saints went through.

Me and Lars at Adam-ondi-Ahman: I couldn't be outdone by Taffy, so I had to post a picture of me with a boy to the blog.  (note: my relationship status on Facebook has not changed)

Me at the Fishing River:  Not your usually church history stop, but it is part of the Zion's Camp story.

Me and Eliza at Far West: (In the background Eliza's frenemy and the jerk - there was a little bit of high school drama happening on the bus. It made me laugh and I was glad I was able to avoid it for the most part.) 

Shopping! My favorite part of all trips!

James Mercantile was down the street from Liberty Jail.  I took Eliza shopping with me to distract her.  It was fun trying on the dress, but I am thankful I didn't have to spend the rest of the afternoon in something like that.  It was a warm day, so it made me happy to live in the age of t-shirts.

Me and Mark at Spring Hill

 

We chose a good weekend to go, It was green and lovely. I can definitely see how that area could have been the Garden of Eden at one time.

EFY!

Yes that is Taylor!!! =D Mom said "Yep he looks like a little boy" haha which he is. But thats him! I'm curious to hear opinions....

Lisa's girls!!!

This is Lisa! My councilor!

That is me, Kenyl, Liz Pipes, and Marissa Hedelius. If you look closely you can see that we are making a sign with our hands. it is an L with our right hand, and an A with our left. Our company name was Liken All. hence the LA! That was at pizza night with our awesome bandanas which i brought and we're all wearing awesome socks!!

Ok from seft to right, we have Kylee and Laurel Blackham, Me, Kendyl, and Liz! We were alll int he same apartment at the Riviera! These girls rock!

Ok so i know you girls were just dying to see my loverly pictures of EFY. So here they are. Well some. i have lots, so i'll put the majority on facebook i think. Efy was amazing this year! Just like always. I will be very very very heartbroken for my last year to be next year! But for girls we can apply to be a councilor when we are 19, so i just might consider that option. And needing college money, it isn't such a shabby idea!