Elf Yourself

A couple of weeks ago my friend, Kim Walters and I decided that it would be fun to dress up like elves and sing for money outside the metro. We ended up singing for fun and had the best time of our lives! The pictures tell the story.

We started off at Unique Thrift Store to look for some treasures and we were not disappointed. We found elf hats, wigs, sparkly dresses and more.

It took us hours to put it all together...

Before and After

Photoshoot!

When riding the metro into DC we got a lot of looks, smiles and heard plenty of people whispering. We were trying to keep our cool but we couldn't stop giggling. A couple of people on the metro wanted to take a picture with us...and that was only the beginning. I'd say over the course of the evening at least 30 people asked to take pictures with us.

We found a spot that was in good sight of the National Christmas Tree (which is located in front of the White House) so people could take pictures with us if they wanted to. We started off by handing out mini candy canes to kids that walked by. Then it turned into taking pictures with kids, some Asians and other random people.

Then we decided to try out our "routine." We had practiced 4 songs and had some dance moves to go along with each one. (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Here Comes Santa Clothes, Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas).

It was amazing to see the crowd form and the kids' eyes light up and even had some people sing along. Then the cheers came and the screams for more! It was so great! One of the funnest and best moments of my life. It was great to help people smile and feel excited for Christmas.

We had a great time and will never forget the fun we had!

A Lovely Thanksgiving Break

I was blessed to be able to go home, very last minute, for Thanksgiving this year. Thanks Mom and Dad for helping me make it home! It was definitely a much needed break for me. One of the highlights of the trip was going to Temple Square to check out the lights. Here are some pics of its beauty!

The luminaries were my favorite part. They were incredible. Each one was written in a different language.
World peace, that's what that is.

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At the BYU Museum of Art there is an extraordinary exhibit of Carl Bloch originals. Click here to read about it. If you are in the Utah area, the paintings will be at BYU until May 7, 2011 before returning to their original locations in Europe.
Some of my favorites included:

Gethesemane

Luke 22:41-44 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Healing at the Pool of Bethesda

John 5: 2-9, 16-17 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

AND HERE'S MY FAVORITE BLOCH PAINTING

Why? Because I love old people; I love the old woman's countenance. I feel like she perfectly expresses God's love for even some of the smallest and insignificant creatures on this Earth.

Old Woman Feeding Sparrows

Matthew 10:29-30 "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

"God is in the details! Just as the Lord knows all of His vast creations, He also knows and loves each in any crowd—indeed, He knows and loves each and all of mankind!" ~Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Harp Recital

I had my harp recital this past Sunday in Springfield, VA.

I'm grateful for the love and support of my family and friends that came. Thank you!

Friends and family from VA and MD came to support me.

We literally had 2 weeks to put this together. Brett did a great job!

Now Put Your Hands Up!

I was going through some pictures today and found this little treasure. Enjoy!

Kaapu kaapu kaapu Hiroshima, Hiroshima Kaapu

"Kaapu kaapu kaapu Hiroshima, Hiroshima Kaapu"

My dad recently traveled to Japan for work and everytime I think of Japan, I think of the Carp's fighting song. We had it on a cassette tape and we would listen to it and sing along as we drove from Utah to Oregon.

Now I have something else to remind me of Japan...Hi-Chew!!

"Hi-Chew Hi-Chew Hi-Chew Hiroshima, Hiroshima Hi-Chew"

Their tastey fruity deliciousness always hits the spot. Well, I should have asked for a year supply because I have come to be somewhat addicted to them. I went for several weeks without them and then when I was in Costco last week, as I was walking down the candy aisle, there they were.

HI-CHEW!!!

I would have to say though, I wish Costco sold the grape flavor

because that is definitely my favorite.

My Heart is Melting

A Late Summer's Daydream

I was really excited to get this coin during one of the programs I helped coordinate this summer through work.

My first ever pair of cleats. Respect the Pumas.

I love baseball and I love astronauts!

Ashley and I at a Nationals Game.

DRAGONFRUIT. So beautiful, but not much flavor to it.

I picked up a "free" donut from the ground. It was delicious.



THE "What About Bob" house!! I was so excited to see it.

Gimme Gimme Gimme, I need I need I need

Right there where Dr. Marvin and Bob stood. Life is good, life is great, life is wonderful!



This is the hospital that Dr. Marvin took Bob to.

My hair turned GREEN! This is the first time it's ever happened. I first tried ketchup to get it out, but that didn't work. The remedy was baking soda mixed with shampoo.

Bree and Dree are Puma twins!

After our mud fight! Last night of frisbee with Bree was so fun, yet extremely sad. Frisbee will never be the same with the division of the Dream Team.

This is what I watched "Avatar" on for the first time. It was amazing. They painted the screen on the wall. Basically, their basement was a movie theater, even drawers full of snacks, soda and a popcorn machine. We stayed at this house for one night when we went to a YSA conference in West Virginia.

These recliners were wired so that when it got loud the seats would reverberate with the sound. It was pretty cool!

So Long, Farewell
My Little Bree Biscuit


FHE was canceled, but I took the opportunity to take a photo of the beautiful Capitol building while I was downtown.

I won the Biggest Loser Competition at work!! $80 richer


Such a beautiful and moving experience to watch "The Sound of Music" musical at the outdoor theater of Wolftrap in Vienna, VA. It was difficult not to sing along.


My co-worker, Melissa went to Nashville and got this bumper sticker for me. She knows how much I love using the word "biscuit." hehe

Confessions of a Workaholic

My roommates, friends and family would likely classify me as a workaholic. Well, I might classify myself as such since I have worked many weekends and evenings, sometimes late into the night, the past couple of months. Amazingly, I still have time to have some fun too. Since I haven't had much time to blog over the past couple of months, I've got a bit of catching up to do.

Aubrey and I went to the batting cages for a "girls' night out" (followed by Chipotle and watching planes land at Gravelly Point Park). This particular evening was the night of the Priesthood session of General Conference. Guys, it might come as a surprise to you, but by default, girls' nights out are more of a frequent occurrence than you may like to recognize...

Next morning, Aubrey and I woke up early to check out the Cherry Blossoms. They were beautiful, but somehow I didn't feel the magic this year. We took a couple of shots, stayed for about 15 minutes and headed home.

The next day I flew to Santa Fe, New Mexico for a week for a work conference.

Dreams come true, yes they do, in Santa Fe. Thanks, Jack Kelly for helping me find the Land of Enchantment. And yes, all of my dreams did come true. Well, not really.


Melissa and I on Burro Alley

At the St. Francis of Assisi Catherdral in downtown Santa Fe

E.T phone home

Reaching out to E.T.

It's really called Camel Rock because it kinda sorta looks like a camel from the side...but I dubbed it E.T. I am still waiting for approval on the official name change.

Work has since slowed down so let's get together. Call me my friends!

We can do this:

Or go to this:

Or play with this:

Or see this:

Or watch this: