Have you ever heard the "Denver Thunder"?

That was a question that a Denver Fan asked me (knowing that I wasn't from Colorado) at one of my first events as a Cheerleader. I knew that she wasn't really talking about the actual thunder so I told her that I wasn't really sure and asked, "What is the Denver Thunder"? She told me that it was the constant roar at Invesco Field on gameday. Yesterday I experienced the "Denver Thunder" for the first time as a fan, it was awesome!
I really thought that I would show up and see all of my girls on the field, have a minor breakdown and eventually be restrained for trying to jump on to the field to join in. But, T.J. got lucky. No breakdown, no attempt to jump the railing and not even one little tear. It is a totally different experience being in the stands with all of the die hard fans and I loved every minute of it. I didn't think that it would be easy to move on from something that I have loved so much for 6 years but it's so comforting to know that I made the right decision to hang up the old dancing shoes, or cowboy boots - whatever!

Yep, this is the best I could get of T.J. and I. He loves pictures!

Broncos intros. "Bring 'em out, bring 'em out, bring 'em out"!

My favorite part, the National Anthem. Before the game they had us stand and say the Pledge of Allegience, I love all things patriotic! T.J. looked at me and said "what would Obama do?". I had to laugh!

They had a B-2 fly over. It's cool to think that I've been in one and might have known those pilots!

My girlies doin' their thing. You guys looked awesome!

Memories...

This is a great idea!
1. As you comment on my blog, leave one (or 2 or 3 or 10) memories that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember.
2. Next, repost these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty fun to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you are playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave a memory about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you do not have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments. Have fun!!

My Babies

Okay, so if you know me, you know that I'm a total animal lover! The kind of person that is sad to see a dead little prairie dog on the side of the street - even if he was too stupid to move before the car ran him over. The person that cries when animals get killed in movies - kill all the people you want but leave the animals alone! T.J. actually had to pause 8 degrees because I couldn't pull it together after the old dog couldn't break through his leash to get away with the other dogs! Yes, pathetic but that's who I am. I especially love dogs so of course I would have some of my own and they are hands down (I am willing to go down throwing punches if you disagree with me) the best dogs (kids) in the whole entire world! And... if you don't like dogs, we probably can't be friends - fair warning.
I got Biggie while I was still in college. She is my little princess! I got Harley as a "moving away from all family and friends to go live in Fort Morgan (where?) Colorado" present. He has one floppy ear and as soon as I saw his picture on the Internet it was love at first sight - no going back. He will always be my best Internet purchase! They get presents for just about every major holiday but not just from me, but from the "grandparents" as well. Yeah, their spoiled but until we have babies and maybe even after that, that's how it will stay!

Of course, they both want the same toy at the same time.

"Now what do we do"?

So much for making the bed!

Whitney, does this "dog blanket" look familiar?

I call this - Biggie's mugshot. Doesn't she look guilty of something?

I tried to get some pictures of the dogs for Christmas cards a couple of years ago so I wanted to put them in Christmas gear (I'm really not the type to dress up my dogs but I thought it would make for a festive picture). Didn't work. Harley thought that he was being punished every time I put anything on his head and would go straight to his room. I caught this shot right before he made a run for it.

Biggie acted totally bored the entire time and was all but excited about the "photo shoot". Needless to say, they didn't end up in their costumes.

Powell

Last week we went to Lake Powell for what might be the last time for the season... tear! I could say it again and again... I love that place! And we got a new addition to our lake toys, a kayak! Takael and I have wanted one for awhile and so Rick surprised us with one this trip. So fun! We were especially lazy this trip but got all the fun and sun that anyone could want! Then on Monday and Tuesday, T.J. had meetings in Vegas so I got to hang out with my family. I even got to see Michelle, who I haven't seen since before we moved. It was so good to see her and her cute little boys even if it was for only a couple of hours. Melanie, we thought about coming to see you but we didn't have much time. I wish we could have but sometimes it's the thought that counts, right? My mom and I played Rummikub until her eyes started to look blood shot and then called it a night. She won pretty much every game, so I'm demanding a rematch, I just don't know when. My dad and I went for a hike Tuesday morning for about 3 hours, got lost a couple of times and brought home enough sand in our shoes that we could have nearly created our own little sand box. Then we went to Vegas and ate at the Claim Jumper where he physically ate himself sick, although I have to admit it was my fault since I made us get appetizers and desserts, sorry dad! What can I say, it was a great trip to close out the summer with!

...In what? Competitive eating?

So if you are like most of the world, you are absolutely glued to the T.V. watching the Olympics, I am definitely no exception. These Olympians are absolutely incredible. I cry during just about every event because these people are just so inspiring! So I was watching an interview from one of our female triathloners (I know that's not a word but you get it right?) and she was saying that she competed in her first triathlon just 4 years ago and now she is competing in the Olympics! Seriously... crazy right? So I said to T.J. "I want to be an Olympian" knowing that this was a ridiculous comment but thinking of how cool it would be to compete for your country and inspire so many people, etc, etc,etc. His reply was, "In what? Competitive eating?" Don't feel bad, if all went as planned, he still has a bruise on his arm. Now, it's no secret, this girl can eat but I just don't need to be harassed about it! So sadly to say, I won't ever be an Olympian but I will always watch with complete respect and admiration for all of these athletes and I'll definitely be sad when the games are all over. Good thing football starts soon (pre-season doesn't count, it sucks!) and even better... it's fantasy football time people! Waaaa Whoooo!

Okay... now Diego Garcia

I could not attach this slide show to the last post to save my life but here it is. I spent my 2 year anniversary in Diego Garcia on an AFE tour with the Jazz which got me thinking about it, so I thought I would post of few pics from the trip. We met some of the coolest people and had the absolute time of our lives. It's an experiene I will never forget!

Sun Valley, 5th Year Anni & Diego Garcia

This past weekend we went to Sun Valley with the Harper clan and it was perfect because Saturday just so happened to be our 5th anniversary. We were Newport on our 1st Anniversary, I was on an AFE (similar to USO) tour with the Jazz on our 2nd anniversary (that's were Diego Garcia fits into this post), we can't remember what we did on our 3rd anniversary (must have been really special!) and I had practice on our 4th anniversary. So it was about time we did something fun to celebrate 5 darn near perfect years! We had a blast! T.J. and Rick had meetings on Friday and half a day on Saturday so us girls got to play while they worked. I'm pretty sure we got the better end of the deal. On Friday we hit the spa (of course), hung out by the pool, went sight seeing and met up with the guys for dinner. Saturday, you name it - we did it! We started the day off by renting one speed cruiser bikes - not trail bikes, road bikes, or mountain bikes but cruisers which sounded like a great idea at first. We rode down to Ketchum, yes I said down - can you see were this is going?, pet some Clydesdale's along the way and then realized that we had to get our sorry butts back up to Sun Valley on a our sweet little one speed cruisers. Quite the physical task! But we made it and were even able to ride around a little more once we got there. Then we all took the ski lift to the top of the mountain were there is a little restaurant and had lunch. It was a beautiful ride! Then the brave ones of the group; Debbie, Takael and I attempted to ice skate for awhile. That was short lived but fun. We went to an excellent Steak house for dinner, even though I'm a vegetarian I'm a sucker for everything that goes along with steak. We ended the day with a healthy dose of competition with a couple rounds of bowling. It was a great weekend!
Cruisin'!

The Fam


The Ice Skaters
The Party Poopers
5th Year Annie
STRIKE!

Grandpa Moon

Last weekend I went to see one of my favorite people in the whole world, my grandpa Moon. Not only did I get to see my grandpa but my mom and Craig picked me up from the airport and went good old Malad with me. Every morning I would wake up and go running, my mom would meet me with the 4 wheeler and we would go and look for arrowheads. We always go looking and usually find a lot of flint (fragments of arrowheads) but you rarely find an arrowhead. My mom found the cutest little arrowhead I've ever seen, seriously so tiny and fat that I'm not sure what the Indians would have killed with it. She gave it to me because she had given my sister the last one, thanks mom! Of course we ate a lot of good food, helped my grandpa drive in all the equipment he had out in the hay lands (I wasn't much help since I can't drive stick - I know, how pathetic! So i just followed on the 4-wheeler every time). We sat in the swing and talked every night (one of my favorite all time things to do), and I actually got both my mom and my aunt Jeri to play games with me! Fun fun fun!!!

On the 24th we went to the Ogden Rodeo. It's been a long time since I've been to a rodeo and I guess I just expected the stands to be full of rugged cowboys but instead it was packed full of some serious white trash! I don't know what attracts this type of people to the rodeo?!? Maybe it was just because it was in Ogden, I don't know! I think there may have been two cowboys in the crowd and my grandpa was one of them, and the most handsome one might I add. It might have been smart to check what time the stupid thing started so that we didn't have to sit in the blazing heat for 2 1/2 hours. We wanted to be early but by the time it started we were about ready to leave. My mom played grandma to every kid around us giving them all candy (except for the obnoxious little kids in back of us that kneed us in the back every ten seconds, they didn't get any). Do you think she misses having her grand kids around??? The lady next to my grandpa, too bad she didn't make the pic, was totally flirting with him all night and my mom was getting pissed, funny! She kept asking me "Is that lady irritating grandpa?" meaning, is she still flirting with him. What can I say, he's pretty darn good lookin'!

I'm sure if you zoom in on this one you will see sweat literally dripping down our faces.

Finally the rodeo starts with skydivers and the last one carried in the flag.

Between the rodeo and the fireworks they had dirt bikers doing tricks, again quite the white trash sport. If we they would have had a little roller durby we would have covered all our white trash bases.

On Sunday we got to go to my cousin Megan's mission farewell. It was so good to see everyone! Sometimes you don't realize how much you miss your family until you get to see them all again. My cousin Rick and his wife Mindy had their baby and so after the farewell we got to stop by the hospital and see little Tirk (isn't that a cute name?). Sorry, no pictures of the little guy.

It was so fun! The time just goes by way too fast! I love my grandpa so much and he will always be one of the most influential people in my life! Hopefully I'll make it back up there soon!

Happy Birthday Takael and Cael!!!

I was gone last week and both my sister in law and my nephew had birthdays.

Happy Birthday Takael!

(Do you like how this is one of the only pictures that I have of you and T.J.? At least he's smiling!)

Baby Cael Cael (2 days old)

1 year old

This is one of my favorite pictures of Cael! (2 years old)

I didn't want you guys to think I didn't love you or something. I wish that I could have been in St. George on the 23rd and Iowa on the 24th!
Happy belated birthday to my favorite youngest sister in law - Takael and my favorite youngest nephew - Cael!

6 Unimportant Things About Me

Here are the rules: you link back to the person who tagged you, post the rules, & share 6 unimportant things about yourself. Then tag 6 people at the end of you post.

6 Unimportant Things About Me

1. I have only had one broken bone in my body, aside from the two ribs that I have slide out occasionally and cause me excruciating pain, only one broken bone, my finger. How did I break my finger you might ask - oh, I didn’t break it, my sister did. Yes, my loving, caring, sensitive beyond belief sister. She kicked me! Must have been some kick because my cast went from finger tip to elbow. I could have opted for an all white cast but instead I got the Utah Jazz cast. What a dork! I’m sure that I could dig out some pretty choice pictures of this cast but unfortunately I was in my “ugly” stage and there is no way that I would volunteer any pictures for anyone’s viewing pleasure, which leads me to unimportant thing #2… My ugly stage.

2. I had (possibly still have) the worst ugly, awkward, how did I ever have any friends stage that lasted much longer than ever necessary or fair for one person to experience. It started at about 6 and I think I’m still pulling myself out of it. I don’t know why my parents ever let me do my own hair before I was a legal adult because the way I looked should definitely be illegal. At one point in my childhood I did my own hair, had braces, wore those lacy top dresses that make you look like a polygamist, and still had only one eyebrow. Wow, what a look right. That brings me to unimportant thing #3… my obsession with shoes and handbags.

3. I have an absolute fetish with shoes and handbags and here is my theory; you could have an ugly day (or stage), a fat day, a sick day, a bad hair day, a p.m.s. day, the list goes on and on but no matter what kind of day you’re having you shoes and your handbag can still look rockin’! If you feel fat, the $200 pair of jeans you’re wearing doesn’t help the cause they just piss you off because they are so D@#$ tight. See what I’m getting at here. No matter how you look, the shoes and handbags do little to add to the frustration of your day, they actually help distract from it. If you have a great handbag or super cute shoes, you can look like crap but people see your awesome handbag or shoes and automatically cut you some slack because they know you have style, you’re just not at the top of your game. Am I not right on this??? But no matter how great the accessory, there is no way to get around #4… the older I get, the bigger wuss I become.

4. I am scared of just about everything these days. Spiders, mice, the dark, the boogie man, long narrow corridors (like the ones you have to walk down to find the bathroom in a mall), confined spaces… you get the idea. I haven’t always been like this. It’s actually getting worse. Scary movies are totally out of the picture and I even have to close my eyes during suspenseful scenes in normal movies. Things that I used to think were fun are now just scary to me. Take wake boarding for example, I go just to get “my turn” out of the way. I’m not sure if I really am scared to do or that I am just so competitive that I hate to suck at something, and I do suck at it! That leads me to #5… I am strangely competitive.

5. Be it a game, a race, a bet, arts and crafts – I want to win; I want to be the best. I have pretty much always been this way but you know it’s bad when people stop playing games with you because it’s no longer fun for them. Luckily T.J. and I don’t play games together because that could be detrimental to our marriage. My mom is just about the only one who will still play with me. I guess that’s her duty as a mother, plus I think she just needs someone to play with and that someone is usually me. My sister won’t even frost sugar cookies with me anymore. She’s still mad because my cookie won over Hunter’s two years ago. And no, I don’t take into consideration the fact that he was only 2, a win is a win! My competitiveness along with a little stubbornness is actually why, to this day, I am a vegetarian… #6.

6. Yes I am a vegetarian. I have been since I was 12 (Mom, I know you think that I was 9, but I’m pretty sure I was 12). One day I proclaimed that I would be a vegetarian. I never really wanted to be a vegetarian, considering both of my grandparents were cattle ranchers and made their livelihood off of people eating meat, it was just a thought, until my sister told me that I couldn’t do it. Well I showed her didn’t I!

If you actually took the time to read all of these I will be shocked! I guess I had quite a few unimportant things to talk about!

I tag Erica, Ashley, Michelle, Takael, Kelly (I just realized I never did the one you tagged me) and Steph (yeah you Stringham!)