Surprise....

... it's a baby shower for our dear Mia Maid Advisor!!!! Michelle is due in June, with her first child, and a few of us Young Women Leaders wanted to help the YW shower her with bed time stories. So we threw her a surprise baby shower.

We wanted to make sure her new baby would have plenty of bedtime stories!

Book Basket

 Hanging up tissue paper flowers!
(Thanks to a few of our YW for your help hanging them)  

Michelle's comfy corner!

Cute diaper cake that Jeanna made!

My oldest son checking out the food (my boys and husband came to help me set up)! Erica hooked us up with a fondue feast, veggies, and chex mix. Jeanna made her families amazing punch!

Flower power!

The moment of surprise! She really had no idea - way to keep it a surprise everyone!

Taking it all in!

Oh Erica and your silliness! I love working with women like this who like to be silly with the girls! Her and her sister had the girls making tissue paper diapers that they had to wear the entire evening in hopes of not breaking them.

 Some of the girls showing their tp diapers at the end of the shower

A lovely picture of Michelle and Jeanna (she made the diaper cake and the yummy punch)

The mom-to-be! 

We had so much fun showering Michelle with lovely treasures for her little girl who will be here in a month or so. 


Happy Showering to you,

Reunited and it feels so good!

On Saturday night I had the opportunity to attend a reunion with some good friends from my college days! I was in a sorority, CHI DELTA, and forged many great friendships during that time in my life. We had many fun times together and I remember being the designated driver to all the events - I drove a red mini-van so I had plenty of room. I always felt better knowing my sister's would get home safely. I had many opportunities for leadership as well as many chances to grow and learn from the amazing women around me.

There were over 50 ladies at the reunion, from some of our founding sisters to the most recent to go alumnae! It was so good to see everyone!

Karen, Molly Kristen, Me, Jen (my Big Sis), Char, Jennifer

Me (with my shirley temple, should you think I was drinking ;-), Jackie, Lannette, and Jen

Brandi (my pledge mom) and myself!
Thank you so much Brandi for organizing our reunion. Beta Phi!

Twilight

Note to reader: If you have not seen the movie "Twilight" you may not want to read on. I don't include any major information from the movie, but I do talk about it.

Okay - it's been nearly a week since I saw the movie Twilight and I am still not sure what to write! I had a great time with the ladies I went with (there were about 17 of us at the 12:01am and the 12:02am showing) and I especially enjoyed sitting next to my girl Jill, but the movie left much to be desired. The biggest thing for me was that I didn't find the actor who played Edward to match what Edward looked like per the books and Stephanie's descriptions. He didn't make my heart skip a beat! As he was casted and trailers/previews were released, I thought maybe I would grow to like him in that roll, but it didn't change after seeing the film.

I really enjoyed the baseball scene and the one in the dance studio, but I couldn't stand how Jasper acted throughout the film - he was creepy. I found the movie to be choppy and was really disappointed with the meadow scene and her first glimpse at him shimmering in the sunlight. I found some of the lines to be really cheesy (I mean - "spider-monkey" really)! Obviously movies made from amazing books don't always stand in comparison, but I was sure hoping it would be close. I do hope to watch the movie again and see if my feelings change. But for now, I will just reread the series and enjoy the pictures that come to my mind.

If you saw the movie, what were your thoughts?

You are so cold.....

I can't wait to see this. Who wants to go with me opening night?

Ellemenopea

For all my fellow Sacramento bloggers:

I am hosting an Ellemenopea open house this Wednesday night from 7pm - 8:30pm. Come check out the great, I mean GREAT, things that Jaimee and Valerie can do with vinyl to help you with your home decor, Christmas gifts, or just to get ideas for future projects.

Email me at orangepeanut@gmail.com and I will send you the info!  

Sweet Caroline

Friday night my mom and I went to the Neil Diamond concert at the Arco Arena. This was her mother's day gift from me and my little family. I have fond memories of Neil Diamond blarring from the radio and my mom singing along with a bandana in her hair as we cleaned the house. She has always liked Neil and I couldn't wait to go with her (I do enjoy his music, but can't say I'm one of his greatest fans). 
I was surprised to see the number of younger people there and in fact, just a few rows in front of us was a young teenage boy who was dancing and singing along to nearly every song! He was having a blast! 
It was a good concert, except at the end while we were trying to leave the arena and we got stuck in a human traffic jam, not good when you are only 5'2" and you are in the middle!
Intersting Facts:
Neil Leslie Diamond, (born January 24, 1941), is an American singer-songwriter and occasional actor.

As of 2001, he claimed worldwide record sales of 115 million copies, and as of 2002 he was ranked third, behind only Elton John and Barbra Streisand, on the list of the most successful adult contemporary artists in the history of the Billboard chart." As of May 2005 Diamond had sold 120 million records worldwide, including 48 million records in the U.S.

Though his record sales declined somewhat after the 1980s, Diamond continues to tour successfully, and maintains a very loyal following. Diamond's songs have been recorded by a vast array of performers from many different musical genres.

Diamond was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984, and in 2000 received the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award.
Interesting Facts:
* He has been married 2 times.
* He has two daughters
* In 1979 he had a tumor removed from his back and was wheelchair bound for 3 months.

Mamma Mia

Last Thursday was a girl's night out to see Mamma Mia and it was so great! Funny, beautiful singing, and good company!

Thank you Marci, Melissa, Leslie, and Chrissy for such a great time! 

Keith Urban & Carrie Underwood and the "Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride" Tour

Last night found me enjoying seeing this guy....



....and this girl rock the Arco Arena!!!
Now I haven't been to a concert in quiet awhile, but a good friend asked me if I wanted to go! Uh, yeah!!! My wonderful husband was okay with me being gone another night (my calling pulls me away from home several times during the week)!
Marie and I had a blast checking out the interestingly dressed girls, the guys who looked like they were going to a rock concert (they had longer hair than me) and of course who can resist watching drunk people dance and walk!!!
This is one of the best concerts I have been to (Reba was my favorite). Now I listen to all types of music, my motto is "give me a beat and I'll move my feet," but I have really enjoyed the more rocking country music that has been creeping it's way in! Carrie Underwood was stunning and the girl sings so well! I was impressed that she was dessed modestly. The crowd was singing along to some of her songs, but the buzz was all about Keith. He was definitly ready to put on a show. I love when musicians/singers play to the crowd. Keith walked through the crowd, even signing and handing his guitar to someone in the audiance, he threw a gazillion guitar picks into the crowd, he brought a girl on stage who had written a nice sign for him (she wanted a kiss, but he asked if she would settle for a hug seeing that he's married). He even had the McKlatchy High drumline perform on stage!
Girls night out, enjoying some good music, ringing in the ears, people watching - I had a blast!!!!
Thanks Marie!