I owe this to Jessica...

So I am super embarrassed.....I can't believe it has almost been a year since I last made a post!  Slap me on the wrist several times.  Jess and I made a promise that we would blog at some point before the middle of September.  Well here it goes, Jess......

 So much has happened in the last 11 months; it is hard to know where to begin.

I was asked to speak at a Business Banquet towards the beginning of April.  I thought it was just a short couple minute shhpeal...nbd.  But when I arrived at the Banquet Hall, I wanted to faint.  There was around 500 people in attendance, cameras everywhere, and big screens posted in corners of the room-like 15 ft big screens!  There is nothing quite like getting up in front of a crowd of strangers and seeing your giant face in the corner staring back!  But it went really well much to my relief and I was honored to have been asked!!

And of course with the end of April and school, thus began my now annual trek across the country to good ol' Virginny!  Gah how I love it there.  Well this summer, Kody decided to tag along and come sell this summer, and we started on our journey.  He took the first driving shift as I had pulled 2 all-nighters preparing for finals.  I slept for a couple hours and then took my turn behind the wheel.  Within 10 minutes I saw flashing red and blue lights behind me and my heart stopped.  We had crossed state lines within the past hour and we were now in North Dakota (where there may or may not be an outstanding warrant due to an unpaid speeding ticket back in 2010).  I pulled over and, with my hand on my seat belt, I turned to Kody with a panic look in my eye and tried to think of some way I could magically switch places with him in the passenger seat.  The cop walked up towards my window and I passed him my license and registration with a sheepish and rather frightened look.  He was in his car for what seemed like an eternity until finally I saw him emerge.  He put his hat on and I thought, "Oh noooo....he's getting all official looking for when he puts me in hand cuffs..." and I had images of being hauled off to jail.  But he handed me a ticket and waved me on our way.  To this day I still count my lucky stars and swear I will never speed again...well at least not in North Dakota.


Virginia was grand as usual.  I loved work and it was so fun being there and working with Kody and Kyle.  Kody loved pretending I was his personal secretary...I let him have that fantasy for a couple months.  Another highlight was being there with Jessica and the kids.  Words can't even describe how much I adore them.

At the end of the summer, Kody and I drove from Virginia to Echo to spend a couple days with the family all together.  There really isn't anything quite like it!

Here are some more highlights.....

Kyle, Kody, and I got to spend the afternoon at the DC
Temple.  It is positively gorgeous!

These boys are just way to much alike.  I love it!

We went paint-balling as an office one morning.
Probably one of the funnest things I've done.
I definitely got some good shots in....as well as some good welts!

We also got to meet this special gal!  Aren't they
 just precious!  I love those grins.

Oh I just love pool side days!

I also got to babysit on occasion, and there is nothing funner
with those two!!!  Here we had made soap clouds.  Just put Ivory
Bar Soap in the microwave for a minute or two and
watch (love Pinterest!).  There is nothing better than that face!!

These kiddos know how to work.  It was so fun to look up
from my desk and see them washing windows!

I just love this family!  I am so grateful that I have
been able to spend my summers with them!

Ok!  I just adore this boy!

That grin!  Probably my most favorite
 picture from the entire summer

Everybody loves the Teddy Bear Picnic at the Lake!

Love these 2 to bits!

Look at my Gma go!

Kennedy and Eric's kids are super adventurous to surf
with Uncle Kaden!!  They follow in Jonah's footsteps!

My new family!  (Don't ask!)

Back in Lethbridge and living with Laura again.
This is just after a Miranda Lambert concert.  I have
never really listened to country but it was way
fun!  VIP seating and all!

Well now I am back in school and I finish this year!  Words can't even begin to describe how excited I am to be done.  But I am dreading all of the decisions I need to make in the next couple weeks!  So much to figure out!  Well folks!  That's all for now!

PS- I'm not shnazzy with the pictures and they have gone all out of whack so I apologize for the discombobulation!