Happy Easter

Happy Easter Everyone!!

My Easter started on Saturday, a few of the girls in my family went and got pedicures. My Mom and Dad drove down from Idaho for the day, and so my Mom joined us in the feet extravaganza. Kasey and her daughter Anja were there as well. Now, Anja is 3 and LOVES getting pedicures. How funny is that. So when we were letting our toes dry, I took a picture of our feet together and then Anja looks at it and says, "You forgot to take a picture of my nails." Because yes, they did paint her nails and put flowers on each one. She is at such a fun age!!

Easter Sunday we had dinner w/ Mina and the Lords. Mina is the name we call Brendan's Grandma and the Lords are his Aunt, Uncle and Cousins. Heidi, Brendan's Aunt, is such a wonderful host and always goes out of her way to do EVERYTHING. She decorates the tables, cooks very delicious meals, entertains, etc. She is so fun to be around and is such an amazing person. I have posted a picture of Heidi and Mina. Also the other picture is of a centerpiece from one of the tables. There was a total of 3 tables, as Brendan's other cousins joined us as well.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!! Oh, and Happy Spring!!

Our Weekends

This weekend Brendan and 3 of his closest friends headed up to Park City to go skiing. They started the weekend on Friday Night and went up to stay the night at the Zermatt in Midway to make it a Boys Weekend. Our friend Jayna had a hand in the interior design at the resort (Jayna--Brendan said it looked awesome!! Kudos to you!!) Then on Saturday they went skiing up at the Canyons and had a blast.

Here is a picture of them: Brendan, Steve, Jason and Kevin.

To give you a little update on my life, I have taken a new job opportunity. I have been at Zions for 6 1/2 years and was ready to move on. I loved my time at Zions and all the wonderful friends that I have made over the years, but felt like this opportunity was something that I just could not pass up. I have accepted a job with Coventry Health Care as a National Accounts Relationship Manager. I will be responsible for corporate clients and their health care needs. I start tomorrow and couldn't be more excited!!

This weekend I went to a Bridal Shower of a dear friend of mine from work, Heather. She and her wonderful Fiancée are jetting of to Hawaii for a wedding on the beach!! Allison, another close friend of mine from work, had the shower at her house and did an awesome job. The food was amazing. Allison never does anything half way!!

I have posted a picture of some of my closest friends from Zions. In order of appearance: Lorilee, Sheh, Me, Heather, Allison and Sandy. They are all so wonderful!! I am really going to miss interacting each day with them, but they are all close friends that I hope to stay in contact with.

Aloha-- Ward Luau

At the end of last year, the ward that Brendan and I were in got split. We ended up in a new ward and a new building. It was kind of neat being apart of a newly established ward. We went a couple of months with not having callings. But then one week, we got called into the Bishop's Office. Brendan got called as the Priest Quorum Advisor, which he is loving and has been such a great experience for him. I got called as a "Primary Worker." My first thought and reaction was, "Well at least I didn't get called into the Nursery." Now, don't take this the wrong way, I love kids. It is just that, I really enjoy Sunday School and Relief Society.

So the next week, I was called by the Primary President to get my specific Primary calling, the telephone conversation went something like this:

Primary President: Hi Nikki, I heard you accepted the calling as a Primary Worker, well specifically we want you in the Nursery.

Nikki: DEAD Silence, more dead silence

Primary President: Is that alright?

Nikki: Sure. I guess that is fine.

While really I was thinking, are you kidding me?? Well so a couple of weeks went by and really I did like Nursery and loved the kids in my class. But I did complain to anyone that would listen to me and I just felt like, well, what do they want us NEVER to have children??

So about three weeks into my calling, I wake up to find 3 missed calls, all from the Bishop. I quickly called him back, he wanted to see me right away and for sure before Church started. I threw on some church clothes and headed out the door. My biggest fear is that because of my poor attitude towards my calling, the Bishop would be rebuking me to repentance.

Well when I got in the Bishop's Office, his first question was "So, How do you like your calling?"
And knowing for sure I couldn't lie to the Bishop, I replied, "Well, it is definitely interesting and really different from anything that I have done before." He then explained to me that there had come a need to change my calling. I was then called as the Activity Chair of our Ward!! I was so excited, I love planning parties and activities.

I felt so bad about my poor attitude towards the Nursery, that I told the Primary President that I would stay in Nursery until they found someone to replace me, which now I regret somewhat as I am still in Nursery!! :) Lesson learned on having a bad attitude!!

Our first Ward Activity was last weekend. We put on a Ward Luau. It was so much fun and such good food. One of the missionaries that is in our Stake is from Tonga, he came and did the Haka Dance for us and taught all the little boys in the ward some of his moves. We also did a Hula Hoop Contest for the Male Leadership in our ward. I have posted some pictures for your viewing pleasure!!

ALOHA!!!

CEREAL KILLERS by Brendan

CEREAL KILLERS:

You’ve probably received an email that asks various cutesy questions and humorous oxy morons such as these:

- Why do you put two cents in when it’s only a penny for your thoughts?
- If humans evolved from monkey's/apes, why are they still here?
- If 4 out of 5 people suffer from diarrhea does that mean the fifth one enjoys it?

If you’re looking for more of the same, I invite you to leave. For we will be heading for deeper waters as we delve into the intricacies of the enigmatic world of children’s breakfast cereals. Now do you get the title? Clever, huh? Yeah, I though so too.

COCOA PUFFS:
Sonny the Cukoo Bird has been “Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs” since the 1960s, but only recently has he come under fire from critics. Some accuse him of having an abnormal and unhealthy addiction to the chocolaty corn puffs. Others contend his “psychotic” outbursts are harmful to young viewers. All I can say is, “give the bird a break, people.” So, he’s excited about his favorite cereal. What of it? Can’t he show a little enthusiasm? When was the last time you had that much passion for anything?

CAP’N CRUNCH:
You may think the Cap’n’s name warrants discussion. Nope. I happen to think that “Cap’n” is a perfectly reasonable name. My curiosity lies in the unique texture of his cereal. By texture, I of course, am referring to its distinctive ability to tear up the inside of your mouth. I ask you; why must something so delicious be so hazardous? Perhaps there is a secret alliance between moms and Cap’n Crunch makers to limit the consumption of this sugary wonder. We may never know. Personally, I know it’s time to put the spoon down when the roof of my mouth starts bleeding. Now, where did I put those Sour Patch kids?

FRUITY PEBBLES:
Dear Fred: Barney is your best friend, yes? Are you really going to let colored breakfast flakes ruin that friendship? Share.

Dear Barney: I realize your prehistoric brain may not be fully developed, but ask yourself this question: which would be cheaper, buying a few boxes of cereal or concocting an extravagant plan (involving a life-size Pterodactyl suit) to steal Fred’s cereal? Why do you want his cereal anyway? You’ve already got a hotter wife and a nicer boss. Leave Fred with some dignity. Leave him with his Fruity Pebbles.

SMURF BERRY CRUNCH:
Why did you leave us, Smurf Berry Crunch? I don’t care that you turned my sister’s poop blue. Just come back… soon.

LUCKY CHARMS:
I stand behind my little, Irish brother’s obsession in protecting his stuff. It’s his leprechaun nature. I just think he got the short end of the stick. I can only imagine how things started for him.

Leprechaun Headmaster: “Sprinkles, here’s your pot of gold. Twinkles, here’s your pot of gold. Dinkles, here’s your pot of gold. Lucky, ooooh, I’m afraid we’re out of gold, but here’s a box of disgusting cat food-like cereal to keep away from menacing children.”
Lucky: “Can I at least put delicious multi-shaped marshmallow bits inside?”
Leprechaun Headmaster: “I guess”
Lucky: “What about purple horseshoes?”
Leprechaun Headmaster: “Get out of here.”

HONEY COMB:
Like Sonny, the Honey Comb monster is passionate about his favorite cereal. Unlike Sonny, he is, in fact, dangerously psychotic. Where Sonny harmlessly cartwheels about, the Honey Comb monster spins uncontrollably in a frenzied rage destroying everything in his path. Is his purpose to scare little children into eating their breakfast? You won’t see it on TV, but children everywhere have been injured by the furry, little maniac. If I ever find him in my house, I’ll lock him in the closet the first chance I get.

COOKIE CRISP:
Hey, Cookie Crook. Lose the dog. His “Cooooooookie Crisp” howl gives you away every time. Did you ever think he might be in cahoots with Officer Crumb? Think about it.

FROSTED FLAKES:
My question to little league coaches everywhere, “where the H*LL are you”? Do you realize a giant man-eater is spending vast amounts of time with your children both on and off the field? Responsibility, people... look it up. I see lawsuits in your future.

KING VITAMIN:
Dear Quaker Executives,
I understand it’s tough to compete with the Luckys and Cap’ns of the world, but “King Vitamin?” That’s honestly the best you could come up with? Unless you were one of those children fortunate enough to grow with Flintstones Vitamins (a.k.a Chewy Sweetarts), the word “vitamin” conjures visions of your mother forcing horse-pills down your throat. Envision a boa constrictor midway through a water buffalo, except the taste is worse.

What about “King Krunch” or “King Puff”? The options are there. After all, lots of cheap knock-offs have been successful. If Marshmallow Maties can do it, so can you.

Sincerely,

Someone with too much time on his hands

COUNT CHOCULA:
My congratulations to the makers of Count Chocula! Not only have they created the best cereal ever (by marrying chocolaty puffs and marshmallows bites) but their mascot rocks. What could be better than a charming Vampire Count who craves nothing more than sharing his tasty cereal with friends (Franken Berry, Boo Berry and all of us). So, why can I only find Count Chocula on the supermarket shelves during the fall? Perhaps the marketers want the cereal to coincide with the Halloween season. Well, that makes perfect sense. I know I only crave delicious things 2-3 months of the year. (Note heavy sarcasm).

TRIX:
These commercials drive me crazy. In each, a determined rabbit has to try to fool kids into sharing their cereal. How greedy are these kids? Are fruity puffs such a precious commodity these days? Someone needs to tell these kids there are much cooler things in life than 28 ounces of puffed corn. Like, oh-I-don’t-know, a SIX-FOOT TALKING RABBIT!!! You can bet my children will never act that way. “Listen, kids… share your freakin’ cereal with the silly rabbit, or I’m letting the Honey Comb monster out of the closet.”

I hope you are not dumber for having read this. For a real post please see any of Nikki’s entries.