Saturday #14--June 13, 2009

A Day With My Nieces!

My brother Brian invited me to go with him and my niece Lauren to the zoo. It was fun--especially to see Lauren's reactions to some of the animals.


I tried to introduce Lauren to cotton candy...she wasn't all that interested and didn't really like it. Luckily she handed her slimy cotton candy remains to her dad and not me.


After the zoo I headed to Orem where SummerFest 2009 was in progress. Max & Brityn entered baby Madeline in the Baby Contest. I arrived just as they announced her as the 1st Place in her age category 0-4 months! Madeline got a certificate, a t-shirt, a medal and an invitation to ride on a float in the parade. She slept pretty much through the whole thing!

So, of course, as a proud aunt I stayed for the parade. A summer parade on a Saturday evening (even if there are threatening rain clouds) is a great Saturday o' Fun activity. Look! There's my elementary school represented! And while these kids are not from Orem High's marching band, I took their photo because it always cracks me up to see kids playing instruments which are bigger than they are!

I'm not sure what Jennifer did on Saturday. But I bet it was FUN!!!

The effects of playing too hard...

and.. a follow-up post from "Amy's Fantastic Disneyland Birthday Extravaganza." The day we were scheduled to leave, unfortunately, Amy E. tweaked her back from playing too hard and landed in a wheelchair at the airport.
The perks of accompanying someone in a wheelchair at the airport:
1. Instant "first in line access" at security check point.
2. Special treatment and kind words from all airport officials.
3. No random security checks.
4. Front of the line to board the plane.
5. First pick of any airplane seat (I wondered if sitting next to the pilot was an option).
6. Golf cart ride from terminal to baggage claim.

Disney's # 1 Fan! Amy's Fantastic Disneyland Birthday Extravaganza

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY! I've discovered that Amy is Disneyland's # 1 Fan. These Birthday pictures say it all...

Before her Mickey Mouse ears...




.. and the magic that happens after she puts on her Mickey Mouse ears....






I'm sending the last photo of Amy to the marketing department at Disneyland.

Thanks for the fun, fantastic day Amy! We enjoyed spending time with you on your Birthday, in your favorite place... or what you call, the Happiest Place on Earth. I have to agree, it is the "Happiest Place on Earth" after laughing uncontrollably on your favorite ride Splash Mountain! Even after a wave of water completely soaked us (I'm glad your Mickey Mouse Ears were safely hidden in your Disneyland bag). Thanks for being such a fun, fantastic friend and sharing your Birthday with us!







Random Photo's of Amy and Terri... I was too terrified to enter the "Tower of Terror."

As Promised...Splash Mountain at Disneyland

Do you see Jen's look of complete TERROR?

Here's a close up!

Saturday #13--June 6, 2009

And that, my friends, pretty much sums up our Saturday o' Fun #13! Jen and I, along with our friend Terri, spent the day at Disneyland and California Adventure, riding all our favorite rides. It was a perfectly lovely day.

We Fast Passed Jen's favorite ride...Soarin' Over California...first thing when the park opened. It's a great ride that engages almost all of your senses.

Tower of Terror has been replaced as my favorite ride with this "Root 'em out, Shoot 'em up" Toy Story Mania ride at Disney's California Adventure. It has 3D glasses too.

We met Tinker Bell! Here's our best fun fairy pose!

And who doesn't love this ride? I just have one tip...Do NOT look into the idol's eyes!!!

The Adventureland walkway from the Tiki Room to the Pirates ride is almost as crowded as the Primary hallway at church on Sunday. Luckily, with some crafty maneuvering, you can avoid it all together!

I've decided I like this ride better when it's decorated up for the holidays as the Nightmare Before Christmas. But, it's definitely a classic!

Jen and Terri satisfied a two-day craving for Mickey Mouse shaped ice-cream sandwiches. Yum!I enjoyed a refreshing Mint Julep. Anyone have a good recipe? I'd like to make them at home.

After dropping Terri off at the airport, Jen and I returned to the parks where we "invested" in some rain ponchos and rode the wet rides we had been avoiding...Grizzly Bear Rapids and Splash Mountain. Guess what? The poncho was absolutely no good on Splash Mountain!

I have a lovely picture of Jen and I on Splash Mountain, which I will scan and post soon. I haven't laughed so long or so hard in a very long time! By the look on Jen's face in the picture (coming soon) I'm not so sure she enjoyed it as much as I did.

And here is Jen, flagrantly breaking the rules of "keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times." Luckily, she didn't get caught, otherwise she may have made the "no entry allowed" list, with her mug shot posted on the Disney police wall.

Thanks girls! I had a FABULOUS birthday vacation at Disneyland. It was great to have you there celebrating with me.

BONUS!!!
If you can guess where these pictures were taken, you get 100 extra bonus points for the day!

Saturday #12, May 30, 2009

MAKING THE "FUN" COUNT!

"Have a FUN day!" said the guy at the front desk as Amy left the gym.
"One of the purposes of Young Women's is to have FUN." said Sister Statham, Stake YW President.
"Are you going to post this on your 52 Fun Saturdays blog?" said Sis. Nichols after we took a picture of the AF 1st Ward YW leaders.
"What are you doing for FUN today?" asked Brian when he rang the doorbell and woke me up from my nap.
"For FUN Well Done." was the note on the tip jar at Cold Stone.
"It's FUN to see all the books you guys have." said Amy E. as she helped pack up Max & Brityn's library.
"Have FUN with your grandchildren." said Amy to Jen's mom.
"Today was a different take on FUN." said Amy E. to her sister Kendra at the end of the day.
"Fun, fun, fun." said someone on TV--which Amy heard while she put away groceries.

It was Stake Conference this weekend. Both Jen and I had meetings on and off the entire day. So, we really didn't have anything "FUN" planned. I guess I could consider going to meetings on a Saturday as FUN--relative to say taking out the trash or getting the tires on my car rotated. It's all about attitude, right?

What was interesting to me, however, to count all the references on Saturday to FUN! Every time I saw, heard, or said the word FUN, it was like a little bell rang to remind me it's what the day was all about. So, while this post is a bit on the boring side and our day was only mildly FUN as compared to other Saturdays o' Fun, I'm grateful for the repeat reminders of my goal--having a year of FUN Saturdays!

Oh, and for my fellow YW leaders...never fear! I'll post our picture when I get it uploaded from my camera!



SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!
Next Saturday...We're having fun in DISNEYLAND and at the Beach. WAHOO!!!

Saturday #11--May 23, 2009

BEFORE & AFTER SATURDAY (well, mainly just "after")

I got a text message from my sister Angela on Saturday.

Angela: "What are you doing for Sat of fun?"

Amy: "Yard work."

Angela: "That's doesn't count!!!!!"

Amy: "Sure it does!"

Amy: "What r u doing??"

Angela: "Eating lunch in San Diego. We went to the beach."

Amy: "I'm jealous of yr fun sat."

So, here is the lesson. Sometimes Saturday has to be a chore day. And "fun" is all a matter of perspective. Although, I'd much rather have been at the beach!!!

My Fun Saturday Chore was yard work. Since I'm not moving (ooh, this will be a way to see who reads my blog!) I decided to put in a garden after all. I forgot to take a "before" shot, but here's the "after." (And to be honest, it's "after" finishing it all up on Monday too.)

Here's my front flower bed with new perennials (thanks Sue D. for the suggestions!)

And my back yard garden with a new tomato plant, hydrangeas (I'm going to try), new zucchini, clematis (this three year old vine is going strong), new strawberries and squash (by seed). Now I'm crossing my fingers it all grows!

Check out Jen's post for her Fun Saturday Chore...painting her bathroom.