Rocky Point 2008!

Hooray for Mexico! So we made it down to Rocky Point and back in one piece, without getting thrown in a Mexican jail, and it was crazy fun! The best part of the trip, hands down, was the company. Danny and Lindsi were so much fun and we loved having other people to talk to and to keep us entertained! I'm not going to lie though, getting four people's luggage, plus beach toys and chairs and umbrellas all in the trunk of a Civic was a trick. Especially since I brought all of this: Okay, not really. This was a girl in my class's luggage and I thought it was the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. Also, one day she based an entire outfit around that purse, with it being what tied it all together, which was also the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. This paragraph = I'm really mean.

So anyhoo, though it was a tight squeeze, we got all of our stuff there and back! And of course, because Philip and I are book nerds, we took our books. Oh, and if my face looks hot pink, it's because it was. Probably because the only sunscreen I put on my face was my sunglasses, which means I got a sweet tan from them...

I was also a huge fan of the Orange Fantas. And apparently a fan of looking like a grease machine...whatev, we're in Mexico.

Yay! Best Friends Forever! Seriously, these kids are the best...Thanks Danny and Lindsi!

Um, my least favorite thing about Mexico? The food. Though I'm a large fan of Mexican food, real Mexico isn't the same. Mexican food to me means bean and cheese burritos, and from Filiberto's how much more authentic can you get? Apparently lots more. Mexico only has tacos, and no frijoles to be found. So it's meat tacos...and since I'm a bit leery of meat in my Mexican food to begin with, I had a hard time loving the food. The relationship was mutual though, and the food (I'm thinking the fish taco that I bravely tried) decided to not love me and Philip back. Therefore, for the last three days, this has been our drink of choice. I was only kind of joking when I put the straw in, and then I saw the convenience of it. Basically Philip and I each had our own bottle to swig from as soon as we got home on Friday, and then Saturday Philip picked up more, since we had exhausted our supply at home. It was a sad weekend for us, definitely not a fun way to end our crazy fun trip.

Then on Saturday night I went to the Relief Society Broadcast with my sisters and mom, which is always one of the highlights of my year.

(I totally forgot my camera, so no pictures of the three of us, but I realized that I never posted this picture of me and Aly, and what good is a picture if you don't blog it right?)

I normally don't remember much of what was said, but this year Pres. Uchtdorf spoke directly to me. He said:

"To me it seems that our splendid sisters sometimes undervalue their abilities. They focus on what is lacking or imperfect rather than that which has been accomplished and who they really are. Perhaps you recognize this trait in someone you know really well..."

How lucky are we in this church to have such amazing leaders that are genuinely concerned for us girlies with perhaps sub-par self esteem? The answer is: VERY LUCKY.

So anyhoo, that was our trip and weekend in a nutshell! Have a fabulous week friends and wish me luck as I start a new semester tomorrow!

Por Ejemplo and whatnot...

So I am officially half way done with hygiene school! Amazing huh? I ended up finishing up with a bang and am soooo glad that that semester is done, especially Head and Neck Anatomy. I seriously killed myself for that class.

But it paid off...that's a 10 at the top of my page, in case you were wondering, and I was REALLY excited about it. It doesn't sound impressive, but if you ever had to take a class from Souhir Alkoury (she looks like Posh Spice/Victoria Beckham in 20 years), you would definitely understand how exciting it really was.

So, what have I been doing with my time off? Answer...nothing. Well, like little random stuff, but nothing that I've had to think about. Philip has been off too so one thing we've done is watched tons of movies, probably more in the past week and a half than I have in all of 2008. And while watching those movies I've also done this:

Yes yes, go ahead and laugh, but I'm sure you all are remembering now how much you like doing puzzles, and the satisfaction you get when finishing them. Don't kid yourself, you know you're thinking that.

I also gave my piggies a little TLC today. Do you see that bug bite on my left big toe? It itches more than it should. Like it woke me up one night because the sheets touching it was making it itch. Ridiculous huh? I hate when something that small gives so much grief. Like that and hang nails are equally as annoying and look equally as pathetic. I wish that bothersome ailments (scratches, bruises, bug bites, hang nails, etc...) had comparable physical traits. If that were the case though, my toe would be the size of a rhinoceros...hmm, never mind.

So anyhoo, now my toesies are all beach ready. What? Beach ready did I say? Yes! We are off tomorrow morning with these adorable kids and heading to Mexico!

Since Danny and Lindsi have been before, they were sweet enough to make all of the arrangements and take care of knowing how to go to Mexico. Philip hasn't been since high school, and well I've never been out of the country, so both of us were fairly clueless. We are so excited to have tons of fun with them. So if you need me in the next few days, I'll be putting my two semesters of Spanish to use, throwing out words like por ejemplo and aeropuerto, and that's about it.

Oh! And I hope you all enjoyed the finale of Family Week! It's good to finally be done with it! And since I'm not doing a segment on myself, I thought I'd let all of you read more about yours truly on my sister Sara's blog from my birthday last year. It's full of fun yet fabricated facts, Sara being very sweet and tooting my horn, and ridiculous pictures! If interested, CLICK HERE!

Whoopsies, that was longer than I thought! Sorry for being wordy and have a good rest of your week friends!

Family Week! Chapter: Kevin & Nicole

The Jones Family

It is high time that you all be officially introduced to my littlest older brother, and his oh so attractive and perfect wife:

Kevin & Nicole Jones

Kev and Nicole currently, and finally might I add, live here in Mesa, after spending the first year and a half of their marriage living in Louisiana! They just bought an adorable house, and are currently working on making the inside as cute as can be. They have been married for almost two years now, and have a wiener dog named Bruce that they treat like a child, which is awesome.

These two are seriously like the cutest couple I've ever met. They are always super happy and friendly and laughing, and are up for a good time. They absolutely adore each other, and have learned a lot from each other since they've been married. I love them as a couple because they love to have fun together, but work together really well too. And honestly, who ever thought that Kev would find a wife skinnier than him? And ta-da! Nicole is! We love them.

Growing up, Kev was a darling little boy, which is probably why he was always everyone's Kevie Baby. And the poor little thing got a heck of a little sister before he was even two (that would be me), which is why we have always been so close.

Kev is by far the most coordinated Jones. He learned how to ride a bike without training wheels at the tender age of three, he played more sports than any of the rest of us combined, and he combined his coordination with musical talent and played the drums for ten-ish years. I'm fairly certain that he got the genes that were supposed to be spread equally amongst all of us kids.

As annoying and bossy of a younger sister as I was, I'm surprised that he liked me enough to be my friend. We were often about the same height, and I used to pretend that we were twins, and secretly wished that we were. Every year we would go trick-or-treating together and often dress up as the same thing. Except for the year that I was a witch and had a very very sorry costume, and when I walked around the school in the Halloween parade, a kid in his class said I looked dumb and Kevin punched him in the stomach. That's what big brothers are for, right? I believe this is when our love for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland was born. Kev is fun to go to amusement parks with because he will scream really unattractively on roller coasters with you, and most likely lose his voice because of it. Something that I can never thank Kevin enough for is always letting me tag along with his friends. See here is him and Jared, and I'm the cute boy with the helmet on. I'm sure I was really helpful. This didn't stop there though, when I started 7th grade, I didn't know anyone, and luckily for me, Kev let me tag along with him, sit with him at lunch, and hang out with him and his friends until I made my own friends. It was also a very unattractive stage of my life (as evidenced below), which he was sweet enough to ignore. High school was not an exception, Kev was still super nice to me, and he still is. He is super easy to talk to on the phone, and will call you at least once a day to see how your day is or if anything new is going on. He will laugh at lame jokes and tell even more lame ones, and basically makes you glad that you talked to him, even though you may not have thought that you had much to talk about in the first place. One of my all time favorite things about Kev is how skinny he is! Check out those leggies! And is it odd that we have no shortage of pictures of Kev wearing shorty shorts or not shorts to showcase his legs more? And is it more odd that after a while it became a game to see how unattractively skinny he could look? As odd as it all may be, it sure is funny. And fyi, he's still that skinny, and he's kind of/really proud of it. Random tidbit about Kevie, he's my dad's favorite, and always has been. Kevin could get my dad to buy him ANYTHING, just by whining, scratching his back, closing his eyes half way sort of pathetically, and saying it would be a good bonding experience for them. And as much as my dad would laugh and roll his eyes, he would always cave. Lucky boy. Another random fact, Kev has freakishly white teeth, that are super straight and perfectly shaped, and yet for some reason he is really self-conscious about them and always tells my dad that he needs veneers. Ridiculous huh? And if you tell him that his teeth look white, he'll freak out and say that he needs to bleach them... and then that he needs veneers. Kevin is a helicopter pilot. Read that again...a HELICOPTER PILOT. How cool is that? I always tell him that he is the luckiest person in the world because he absolutely loves what he does, and everyone that he has worked for has said that he is dang good at it too. When he was in school for it he worked crazy hard and studied his life away to make sure that he was doing everything as best as he could. He is the type of person that you'd want flying you around, because he know's his stuff. Funny fact, Kev has to put 40 lbs of weights in his helicopter every time he flies because he does not weigh enough to meet regulations or whatever. Awesome huh? This picture makes me laugh because it shows how very pathetic I am. Kev and I were the only kids at home for a really long time, and when he left on his mission, I wanted to die. Here I am pouting when he got his mission call. Believe me, it was a really LONG two years. Kev went to Japan on his mission which suits him so well. He has always been a fan of eating gross things or trying it just to see if it was really bad, so going somewhere and eating all new food was like a dream come true for him. Um, eating something gross in high school or some time... I think it's sardines...yes, what else would come in a can like that? And him taunting the crawdads that he would later eat...gross. Him living not in Arizona was really hard on all of us because we were so used to having him around all the time. He is the ultimate hard worker and a go-to person when you need someone to do any electrical work, help you move, go choose out and buy a fan and install it, hang up a gigantic clock, pick you up and take you to work when you get a flat tire, and then go and put the spare on, and take it to be fixed while you're still at work, babysit on short notice...you name it, he did it for our family. He is the type of person that always puts family first and will do anything to be of help. Though I could have chosen any number of pictures of Kev with all of our nieces and nephews surrounding him, I chose the Creepy Uncle Kevin picture because it makes me laugh. Kevin is seriously so good with kids and is going to be such a good and not creepy dad. All of our nieces and nephews think he is the coolest ever because he will have coloring contests with them, ride down the stairs in sleeping bags, and take his Wii over so that they can have a good time. Have you heard enough about him? Well now let's meet the adorable girl that we call Nicole. When Kev first told me about Nicole, I knew who she was, but didn't know her at all. And my first thought was, "Hmm, she's too pretty to be nice." And honestly, that thought couldn't be LESS true!! Nicole is seriously the sweetest girl on the face of the planet, and will always always laugh at everything you say!

Kevie really really liked Nicole when they first met and would tell me that he liked her because she was super nice, super funny, and wasn't fake or anything, just herself. He also didn't mind her darling style and rockin' bod, I'm sure. And she never fails to impress with her TGIF knowledge and quick references to Full House. She is also the world's best aunt, and the grandkids love her. She will someday be the world's cutest mom, no joke. She has also been ridiculously supportive of Kev and his career. She moved with him to Louisiana three months after they got married, and now that they've moved back here, she still sends him off every other week for 7 whole days, while she stays here. And have you seen a cuter copilot ever? I love Love LOVE having a brother and sister-in-law that are seriously my BFF's and that I so enjoy hanging out with! They are always willing to hang out with us, even if it is just sitting on our couches and talking about nonsense until the wee hours! Oh, and if you ever are in the mood for Filiberto's and need someone to go with you, 98% of the time, they're in the mood too. Seriously, aren't they just cute? Both of them are also very very stylish, and always look put together, but are also always up for french toast at our house on a Saturday morning, where showers are optional. Basically they are cute no matter what, and don't mind being a little less than fresh if the occasion doesn't call for it. It's great. So that's Kevie and Nicole! I seriously love them so much and they are some of my best friends in the world! They are also so so sweet for putting up with me being my very bossy self, as I often step over my boundaries as a sister because I just want the best for them. I couldn't ask for a better big brother and wife that suits him more perfectly! I love you kittens!

For Your Reading Pleasure...

About a year ago I started this little thing called Family Week, which has turned into Family year. Well, I'm delighted to announce that I will be finishing this finally and posting Kev's installment tomorrow. Hip hip hooray!

In the mean time, if you haven't been following along and/or are bored out of your mind at work today and/or have forgotten just how lovely my family is, I've reposted all of them so you can reread them and gear up for tomorrow.

So enjoy! And check back soon to read all about my littlest brother!

Family Week! Chapter: Sara and Jason

The Jones Family

I would like to introduce to you my amazing sister, her fun husband and adorable son. Please meet:

Jason, Sara & Oakley Palmer

So here are the famous Sara and Jason! They live here in Mesa, and have since they got married nine years ago! Jason works for a wood trim company, and Sara works as a hygienist with me! Can you imagine anything more fun?! They are probably my favorite little family in the world, primarily because I spend so much time with them, which is one of my favorite things to do!

One reason I love these two as a couple is because they have a very realistic relationship. They each have VERY distinct personalities and brought a lot of character to the table. Being married never changed who they are, and because of that, they are still very much themselves and love each other to death in spite of each of their quirky habits, tendencies, talents and ideas.

I know I put this picture on Jake's post too, but I thought that the triangle hair style could not be left unmentioned. 5th grade is when Sara was in her prime. The best part is that this was when Jason was a Junior in high school! If only he could have seen her then!

Ok, my mom requested that this picture be included, because Sara was a very ornery baby, and she would ALWAYS shake this plant stand as hard as she could! Are you loving the plastic pants as much as I am?

It must be mentioned that Sara is a figure-it-out-er. If there ever arises a problem or sticky situation, Sara will be able to figure out how to go about it. Not only will she figure things out, but she will show you how it's done. Apparently that's why I follow so closely in her footsteps!

Two future dental hygienists.

After Sara graduated high school and I started junior high, the heavens decided that we should become best friends. Sara has always been so supportive of all of my endeavors, and this is about the time it all started. We went almost everywhere together, and still try to! This was also about the time that we started looking alike. Some of my friends refer to her as my twin, even though we are almost 6 years apart.

Being Sara's shopping partner through my teenage years was pretty much the highlight of my adolescence. We would sing really loud in the car and take awesome pictures of our adventures. However, at about the same time, I was made into Sara's personal assistant/slave. On one occasion, Sara was sitting at the kitchen table and called me in from our bedroom. When I got to the doorway and asked what she needed, she said, "Would you bring me the ketchup?" And did I? Of course. I couldn't say no to Sara if my life depended on it.

When Sara and Jason were dating and engaged, we were still crazy close. At one point when someone asked her one thing she loved about Jason, she replied, "He's nice to Melissa." I was 13 at the time, and probably annoying, but he was, and it meant a lot to Sara. And still means the world to me. Also, Sara doesn't mind dressing up or doing things to look unattractive. She is always up for a good time, and if a costume is involved, she has the best one.

I'm sorry Sara. Kind of. This picture really was too good to pass up. Sara is NOT a morning person. I think the picture explains it all.

She is also amazingly creative, and can make something out of nothing. One time she made these blue pajama pants, and had like a foot of material left over, so she turned it into a pajama vest. Who else would make a pajama vest? She is the first person to call if you are trying to figure out how to make something, whether it be food, something on Microsoft Word, a craft, or if you're fixing something around your house. Dr. Heap, our boss, recently commented to me that Sara is the only girl he would ever buy power tools for. Rightly so, Dr. Heap, rightly so.

Sara is a little bit hard to shop for, because she generally buys the things she wants. Basically she is a miniature Melvin, and I love it. Not only that, but she is a figure-it-out-er when it comes to gifts too. If she has any idea that someone could be scheming something, she runs through her mind everything that they could possibly be scheming, and then figures it out by process of elimination. Therefore, unless you get her a present and give it to her the same day, she probably knows what it is. Ask Jason how awesome that is.:)

She is hands down, the best gift giver in the entire world. Yet another thing she got from Melvin. Seriously, she listens all year, and thinks of something that you wouldn't ever think to ask for. For example, this year for my birthday she gave me a Suns jersey. How much did I want one? A ton. Would I have ever thought to ask for one? Definitely not. It is truly amazing.

We share a brain. We often have conversations that go like this:

.

M: So do you think

.

S: Yes, but didn't he

.

M: I know they

.

S: No, I talked to Mom and she

.

M: Oh, okay

.

Or...

.

S: Did you see

.

M: No, was it the

.

S: Totally, even though

.

M: SHUT UP, do they

.

S: Yep, sure do. Or we can be talking about something,

then change subjects a hundred times,

and when I ask,

"So red then?"

She'll say, "Definitely red, maybe with some blue too."

I can't imagine it being hard to be married to one of us.

Sara will always take time out of her schedule and money out of the bank to spend time with you. One time after she was married, my parents and Kevin & I were going to go on a little vacation. Unfortunately, Kev had to work, and since I wanted a back seat partner, Sara came instead. Thank you Jason for letting her.

And she brought her boogy boards, and went with me, even though she is totally afraid that sharks are going to eat her when she's in the ocean.

She has a fantastic sense of style, and gets mad at me when I say that I don't think I can pull something off. She will try almost anything that she thinks looks cute, and should basically be best friends with Stacy London.

She is also dang funny. Alyson and I LOVE having her around because she has such a quick wit, and is quick to throw out a pun or lame-ish joke, and then do an ugly laugh to pull it all together. She never hesitates to tease us all, and will often gang up with another sibling, so as to best express their love.

Sara would give you her leg if you asked for it. She really is so very generous, and is who I call first if I need something. Whether it be picking me up from Gunnell's at 8 am on a Friday and hanging out with me while my brakes are being fixed, or helping me with my hygiene application and reassuring me that I'd get in, or coming with me to help set up my table for Enrichment after work, or "helping"/making an apron for me to give to my sister-in-law. Basically, whatever the task, she'll help. Because she is that nice.

Something that was previously not mentioned, is the fact that she is a HILARIOUS mom. She loves her son, Oakley, and loves to dress him up. Here he is as Mr. T this year for Halloween. And she made the costume in like 10 minutes. Last year he was a mummy, and his costume was again made in record time.

Sara likes Oakley to be as stylish as she is, and generally dresses him as a little man. He wears a different tie to church every Sunday, and he always looks adorable. This boy LOVES his mama and also loves his adopted mama, which is me. We often think that people think that we are a lesbian couple with an adopted baby. It is pretty awesome.

Oakley loves to play and be outside. One of his first words was "outside". When he plays in their backyard, he often talks to the birds on the roof, throws rocks and sticks and grass, and pushes toys around. It seriously can keep him entertained for hours at a time. And he doesn't even mind if he is wearing an over-sized t-shirt as a dress.

How could you not love this boy? He has the prettiest blue eyes in the world and the cutest little smile. His favorite things are: his dad, his mom, bouncy balls, Pepsi, throwing things, climbing on things, and anything with buttons.

Sara, Jason and Oakley are the cutest little family ever! They love going on family bike rides, and spending time together. Jason is such a cute dad, and Oakley gets so excited when he comes home every day!

So that is my sister Sara! She really is the best friend and sister in the world, tied with Alyson of course, and I don't know what I would do without her! Often times I think that people don't really know me unless they know us together! So there you go, friends, a little more about my other half, and her adorable adorable family!

And one more just for good measure: