Amanda's Hawaiian Wedding

Amanda got married in Hawaii on April 30, 2009. It was such a beautiful ceremony and a great three day trip to the islands. Brooke and I barely arrived in time for the rehearsal dinner the day before the ceremony. We met up with everyone at the pool before we made our way to the rehearsal dinner. Four out of the five bridesmaids were able to make it to Hawaii for the wedding. We missed you Sarah! We began getting ready early the next day. We did make it to the pool for a few hours earlier in the morning.The bride and groom seeing each other for the very first time that day!We stayed at the Sheraton Maui. It was so beautiful. We spent our last few days by the water and the pool. I wish I could go back now! Before our flight out, Jake, Lindsey, and I ate at Cheeseburger in Paradise. We also went to the top of Haleakala- the volcano on the island. It was freezing cold at the top with some very strong wind. It was quite the site to be above the cloud line. Then it was off to the airport for our midnight flights.

Baby Lucy

I'm not certain why it has taken me so long to post about Lucy, but it has. Tiffany had her second little girl on March 21st. Lucy is absolutely adorable. Sadly, it took me a month to come see her since I was incapacitated due to the broken ankle. Shortly before the broken ankle I was lucky enough to give Tiffany luncheon for Lucy. I had to push sisters and other friends out of the way to do it though! Tiff's cousin Courtney co-hosted with me. I was so grateful to have the help.
By the time I finally got to see Lucy she was so big! Well, she was still a newborn but I missed an entire month of her life! However, I do love my visits to the Hill's home. Audrey is the most precious little girl and the best big sister. She definitely entertains me.
P.S. I look like a mess because my 10 year reunion was the night before and my ankle was still mostly broken!

SHS Ten Year Reunion

Holy smokes! I can't believe it has been ten years since I graduated from high school. This past weekend I attended my ten year high school reunion! Rachel, our senior class president, so graciously nominated me to the reunion committee with her. With help from Sarah and Jenna we planned the reunion for a very long 8 months. Saturday night was definitely worth all the effort. We had a great night and a great weekend.

A Few of My New Favorite Things!

Since have been crippled for the past two months with my broken ankle, I have discovered few more things to add to my favorites list!

The Flats: I have never been one to object to buying new shoes but I never really saw the purpose in purchasing a pair of flats. I'm 5'1" for crying out loud. I can't walk around in flats all day. Heels have been my life. I didn't even own a pair of flats until I broke my ankle. Now I adore my Michael Kors' flats and the ten other pair I have purchased......oops.
Calvin Klein Jeans: Since I now have to wear flat shoes all my pants are much too long for me, see all my old pants are tailored to heels. But Calvin Klein makes extremely comfortable (and affordable) jeans in petites. Perfect for me. I'm bring back the Calvin Klein jeans, although I don't look like Brooke Shields.
Amazon: I have been a fan of amazon.com for a while but while I was stranded in bed unable to drive or walk, I really learned to love the site. I found books for school, deals on music and it was all delivered to my door step. Now all I need is a kindle!


David Gray: I have always been a David Gray fan, but this album is probably one of my all time favorites. I still haven't grown tired of it after more than two months of listening to it.

Half Way Through

This week my spring break begins. I am now half way through my first official semester of graduate school! Until this semester I had forgotten how much I enjoy learning and being in school. It so different from my undergraduate experience. (For one thing, I am paying my own tuition! ha ha.) I think this time around I appreciate what I am learning and can actually apply it to real life. There is definitely something said for going back to school with some real life experience.

This semester I have two classes, 501- Public Service Research I and 503- Public Affairs. I thought 503 would be my favorite class, since it encompasses so much history. But, last weekend I spent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in my 501 class. I am really interested in public research (research for the social sciences). If I like 502 just as much I may have to consider a Ph.D.. After all, what else do I have to do?

Broken

Last weekend Shannon, Lindsey and I made our way to Flagstaff. Shannon and I planned to get out of town for the Valentine's Day weekend since we're the "singles." Linds jumped in when Jake found out he had conference all weekend. We had planned for a weekend of skiing and fun, but that's not exactly what we got. It was entertaining but not in a good way... for me at least! We hit the mountain bright and early on Saturday to take advantage of the fresh powder.
Shannon decided to take a skiing lesson in the morning so Mathew, Andrew, Lindsey and I headed to the top of the mountain for some skiing.
The trouble began when Mathew and Andrew coaxed Lindsey and I into some back woods skiing. But, who could resist making new tracks in fresh snow? Really? Drew even made a snow angel!
We decided to do the run one more time before meeting Shannon in the Lodge for breakfast. Of course I had to take the path less traveled. I ended up hitting a giant rock that was covered by nearly a foot of fresh powder. I felt my leg contort in two different directions and then I heard the snaps. That is one sound I never need to hear again. Lindsey so graciously took a picture of me writhing in pain while I waited for ski patrol to come rescue me from the woods. I was trying not to laugh because it hurt so badly!
So, I got a ride down the mountain courtesy of ski patrol. Then I was put into an ambulance and taken to Flagstaff Medical Center. I was the first accident of the day! Lucky me, they even had to cut my ski pants off because my ski boot could not be removed. Here I am all doped up on morphine and Adavant. Diagnoses: broken right ankle and sprained knee.
Now, I have a pretty blue cast on my right ankle that I get to wear for the next five weeks while my ankle heals. Then I will start physical therapy for my knee and ankle. Oh, did I mention that my shoulder is in need of repair too? I'm an orthopedic mess! And, in case anyone is wondering, yes I will be skiing again! I only have a ski accident every twelve years or so.

Bridesmaids

So, 2009 has happily turned into "the year of the wedding." We have three friends marrying this year and two of them before June! When Lindsey, Shannon, and I had dinner together (no one else could make it), Lindsey surprised us with gifts. Shannon and I each received a little cookie in the shape of dress with a question in the middle. My question read: "Sara, will you be my maid of honor?" I was so excited I nearly jumped out of my seat at Corbin's. Lindsey is certainly setting the bar high for Shannon and I now! ha ha ha. I'm so excited to be in Lindsey's wedding and to be able to stand up for her. December will be here in no time!

Utah- The First Trip of 2009

Every year in January Park City is a major destination for all sorts of people. The Sundance Film Festival lures them in. This year I was no exception, though I did have another reason for hitting Utah on opening weekend. Rachel, Lauren, Kristen, and Gloria were staying in Park City for skiing and the festival. I decided to join them for the first half of MLK weekend. We had a FANTASTIC time.

On Saturday, we spent the day skiing Park City Mountain. It was sunny and nearly 40 degrees outside. There wasn't fresh snow but we found some powder in the woods. Have you ever seen so many coats on the red carpet?! Thanks to Glo we were on our way to Ashton and Demi's Spread party. Good times.

While I was in Utah, I was also able to spend time with Autumn, Tim, and their families. I enjoy every moment I am able to spend with them. Meeting little Nolan and being a part of his blessing day meant so much to me. Only seeing them once or twice a year is not enough. I miss them very much.I stole this picture off Autumn's blog! Thanks girl!

Back to School

The past three weeks have been rather grueling for me! Well, that's not counting the trip the LA or the trip to Park City. That part was packed with fun. No, I'm talking about the three week statistics course I just finished. I didn't do too hot in stats during college, mostly because I didn't understand the dumb stuff. In order to start my MPA program this semester I had to take a three week online intensive course. I lost a lot of sleep and probably shed a few pounds due to stress but it was all worth it when I managed an A+ in the class! I never thought I could teach myself statistics and pass! Now, I'm ready to be a student again. I'm so excited!!

Goodbye 2008. Hello 2009!

New Year's Eve. There is something funny about New Year's Eve. It never seems to live up to all the hype. Well, I guess that is, unless I go somewhere. This year I decided to spend the final moments of 2008 with Rachel and Sarah in Los Angeles. It was a fabulous way to ring in the new year. Why do I not live in LA? I should move. The SC wristband Rachel is wearing in the picture above is only a slight indication that these were some USC fans. Since we were so close to Pasadena anyway, we went to the Rose Bowl on New Year's day. It was definitely a sight to see and I got to be honorary USC alum for the day. I must say I was exhausted by the end of the game however. I had been going non-stop since I hit the airport mid-day on NYE. My pajama's never sounded so good.