Lindsay's visit!

My sister Lindsay, and her sweet boy came and visited us for a week in June. We had so much fun with watching movies, going swimming, talking, making food, and trying to keep cool... She flew down to Arizona, and then drove up with me to Utah as I went up to present for a Conference at the University of Utah regarding music therapy and substance abuse. The whole 2 weeks still feels like a whirl wind of events. Unfortunately I didn't get many pictures. Here are a few I have, and then a place you can read more about the trip:

I got an opportunity to party/ dance with my nephews and nieces before dinnertime...

Day 122 - Saturday, July 26, 2008 - Family Dinner

Sat-ur-day is a special day, it's the day we....

... do as many things possible!!! I woke up early and despite being on vacation still went for a run (also despite only getting 3 1/2 hours sleep). After, I drove my friend Aaron to an appointment (car broke down earlier that week), than I helped my dad finish organizing and cleaning the garage. After I quickly got ready, and Holly and I went to pick up Aaron and see if we could help get his car started. Unfortunately it was not the battery, so we decided to play the remainder of the afternoon. There is a Chinese market near Aaron's home that has the BEST tea and I haven't been able to find it anywhere else. This was the first time Holly had been to this market.

This is basically what she thought of the place.... I forgot how she has really sensitive smell.

We found some really interesting things there, that I hadn't seen last time. One was "green rice." I was so tempted to get it to see what it was like.

But then I saw Holly's expression of it, and decided not to torture her anymore with it. Perhaps next time, we visit... this would be fun to get and have a "green" party of some sort, or even green eggs and ham + rice party.
I was able to buy the "squash candy" they have there. It's so good, and healthy as well. Too bad you couldn't see Holly's expression of this candy.

I had to go get a few more things that I could only get in Arizona, and one of the stops we made was to Ulta (of course) to return a exchange a product I had just purchased previously.

That evening we met up with my other family members for a fiesta/ birthday party. We were able to swim, talk and reconnect that evening.
I hadn't gone swimming in a LLLOOONNGGG time. We played several fun games with my nephews and nieces. One was Marco Polo... I need to practice that one so more I realize.

Later I watched for the very first time "Rocket Man." I had never heard of this movie before, but it is hilarious! I laughed through the whole thing practically. Beware it is korny. But I like that kind of movie.

Day 121 - Friday, July 25, 2008 - A Day at the Salon...

Christmas in July...

Or this is what we were hoping as we walked outside in Arizona. Holly and I decided that this vacation was the "Ulta" trip. She went to Ulta almost everyday. It was also a roller brush trip for her... but that's another story.

My mom told us about a new Ulta opening up near her, and since we are deprived by not having any Ulta's near us, we went. What was supposed to be a 1/2 hour shopping trip turned into about a 4 hour excursion. It was a lot of fun. We discovered that they were doing FREEE eyebrow waxing!!! So my mom, Holly and I all got one. This was the first time I have had this done. It's not as bad as I thought it would be. Then we discovered that they had a really good deal on their salon haircuts. Holly and I decided to take advantage of this deal. I decided to just get a whole new look. I was ready for change in my life. Plus I had been having dreams of getting my hair cut that week.

Before the haircut picture (if you look you can still see the red marks from the eyebrow waxing... but really it didn't hurt that bad)
Holly and mine "After Pictures." We celebrated at Chipotle of course

After we went on several errands where I was able to see my mom's new classroom, and we were able to fulfill one of Holly's dreams of getting a "In - n - Out" shirt.

Holly with her NEW COOL SHIRT and other goodies

That evening Holly and I took her rental car back. On the trip to the rental place we stopped at another Ulta to return the roller brush that Holly bought the day before (they were giving away free brushes as well during the grand opening). While we were there we checked out the sunglasses (of course). We found some great ones, and were really tempted to get them, (they were on SALE!!!) but chose not to. Instead we took pictures of the sunglasses we would like to get one day.

I can't decide which one I like better. Any votes?

Day 120 - Thursday, July 24, 2008 - Pioneer Day

Pioneer Day!!!

Many people may not know this, but on July 24th, the Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Vally and began to establish Utah. What's even more exciting about this day, is that I have it as a paid holiday, and am able to travel to Arizona, but not have to spend holiday prices. My cousin, Holly and I visited Arizona over this holiday weekend. It was her first time really visiting Arizona.

Holly and I - so excited as we are about to leave for the airport to embark on our exciting vacation!

Holly rented a car for the very first time so that she could travel for work related purposed on Thursday. When we came into Arizona (late Wednesday night) we continued what appears to have become my tradition to go to Walmart at midnight. Then was able to talk to my mom for several hours after.

Holly and her 1st rented car. We laughed when we saw it as it was the exact same kind of car that she drives at home. Only this was a newer model... thank goodness:)

With only a few hours of sleep, I helped my dad work on another tradition of cleaning out the garage on a holiday :) But this was actually the main purpose of coming this weekend. It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun. I enjoyed spending the time with my dad, and going through old memories with him. I found a plaque that my mom had in college. It said "Romans 16:16" than on the back of the plaque it had written on it "for more info see Linda in apt 306" (or something like that). I think my mom is holding back on some stories about her youth from me. During this day, I learned how to put together shelves and was able to assist in coming up with an organization system for the garage. I also was able to use a power washer for the first time (those are really cool!). And also see what happens when the hose to the power washer unexpectedly comes off right next to your dad. I'm still laughing about how funny it was trying to catch the hose as it was shooting water all over us. It felt good though with that heat we were enduring.

My dad and I at the end of the weekend, with the majority of the clean garage. The shelves in the background that are standing up strong and sturdy, are the ones I helped my dad put together :0) They look so great!!!