Hot Air Ballon Festival

This weekend I went with a few friends to the Cave Creek Hot Air Balloon Fesival.
The coolest part was seeing the night-time parachuters with their pyrotechnics and thier lighted jumpsuits.
The meteor looking things in the sky are actually the parachuters.
Pretty spectacular.

Balloons

I had to get a pic of the ladybug balloon!

Me, Myself, and I

I got "spotlighted" in Relief Society today and I thought I'd share with you some interesting "tid-bits" about me. Some of which were shared in my "spotlight."

Pursuit: Happiness

Favorites:
-Animal: ladybug
-Hobby: blogging, running/jogging, baking
-Season: spring
-Dessert: cheesecake
-Vacation spot: NYC
-Book or movie: Blind Side

Name a unique quirk about yourself. I love to vacuum.

Where is the farthest you’ve traveled? Boston, Massachusetts or Oaxaca, Mexico

Favorite gospel topic to study currently: atonement (looking for a good read? The Infinite Atonement, by Tad R Callister is awesome)

Coolest childhood toy. Bike. We spent hours upon hours riding our bikes up and down the street and around the neighborhood once we got older.

Who’s a prophet or apostle you greatly admire, & why? Captain Moroni. He has all the attributes I’m looking for. Who wouldn’t want a man who was strong and mighty, with perfect understanding, thankful, a hard worker, and who is firm in the faith of Christ? Heck, I think I’d be happy with a Private Moroni.

What’s the grossest thing you’ve ever eaten? carrot pudding (Shh! Don't tell Grandma)

What superpower do you want? To be able to instantaneously go from one place to another.

If you could stuff yourself with one delicious food, what would it be? Peanut M&Ms (my kryptonite)

Have you ever had stitches? Twice. 1. I fell on the fire place when I was a toddler and 2. I fell going UP some stairs while at Ricks College with a whole group of jocks who witnessed it. Kinda embarrassing.

Where would you want to travel the most if there were no obstacles? Ooh! I love to travel. Caribbean. Italy.

What one event would you most like to attend? My own wedding. :)

lake or ocean: ocean. I love laying out at the beach with the warm sun beating down with the sound of the crashing waves. Delicious. :)
chocolate or vanilla: chocolate
morning or night: morning
book or movie: book
paper-cut or canker sore: paper cut. Who really wants either? Seriously?!
high heels or flip-flops: high heels (I need all the height I can get)
cats or dogs: neither, but if I had to choose it would be a dog.
innie or outie: innie
tent or hotel: hotel although I do like to camp
phone call or email: both

CA Christmas 2009

I went "home" to California for Christmas this year and spent a whole week with the parentals and the other 2 unmarried siblings. We had a great time!

me, Emily, and Bryan on our "hike"/"nature walk" in Laguna

The view looking out over the ocean.

Bryan turned 14 while we were home and can now attend the Stake Dances. He even got ordained as a teacher on Sunday. I'm so glad I was there for the special occasion.

Emily and me sporting some Chinese hats in Chinatown.

We took a stroll down Olvera Street in L.A. and looked at all the trinkets.

Bryan and the Mexican puppet.

Emily

me

Coverage Certification

First thing this morning I received an
email that seriously made my day.

Here's an excerpt:

Congratulations! This will confirm that you received a Passing Score on the Coverage Certification Course.

What a relief!
I stressed over the 3 day class and
2 day exam
{in a major way}
and I passed {the first time}!
Even more impressive that
my coworkers who have been in claims for over
20 years didn't pass!
And only 50% pass the first go around!
Go me!

What does this mean?
Well, now I'm certified to handle claims that need policy interpretation.
Blah!