The Homecoming

I'm late on this. My parents have been home for almost a week now and I've been tardy in posting photos. Their plane arrived last Thursday about 10:30 p.m. We had quite a crowd of family there to meet them. Many people commented to me how fast it went, but I have to say it was a long 18 months for our family. It's been fun to have them back. We had a nice weekend of family parties, BBQ, and going to hear them speak in church. Mom and I tried to do a little shopping on Saturday, but she was far too jetlagged. You know my mom is tired when she can't shop! :) Here are photos from the airport.





Mom and dad brought the boys blow guns from Borneo
(it goes well with the Darth Vadar shirt, don't you think?)

Lot's of sparkly hair clips and beaded jewlery for the girls

My Big Brother

Afton emailed this week trying to remember the details of a story I told her about growing up. I love that she remembers this stuff! Since it's almost Darren's birthday, I thought I share it in honor of him. I don't know that I ever won an arguement with him as a kid because he always made up some new rule that applied. (I'm sure the rest of you with big brothers understand.) We did have fun though, and it all makes for some great (no pun intended D) memories. Here's the example.

I was watching TV and he'd come in and change the channel to something he wanted to watch. When I objected, he told me I hadn't "called it", meaning when you turned on the TV you had to say, "I turned it on I get to watch what I want". So the next time I made sure to call it. Then he just turned the TV off then on again. This became known as a doey (doo ee), and we started calling "no doies" when we turned on the TV. The next time, he turned the TV off, unplugged it, plugged it back in, then turned it on, which he told me was not covered in calling "no doies".

Eventually, what you had to say when you turned on the TV is "I turned it on, I get to watch what I want, no doies, no anythings, no nothings, no matter what." We did this for years. I would even say it when nobody was around just to be safe. In which case, when someone walked into the room when I was watching TV I could merely state, "I called it" and they knew what I meant. I completely believed my siblings when they stated they had "called it" that they had said the whole thing too, but maybe everyone except me didn't bother to say it when they were alone. I was nerdy that way. I probably still am. :)

The other TV thing you had to call was when you left to go to the bathroom or get a drink or something, you had to say, "Place back, everything back". Which held your spot, pillow, blanket, etc. If you didn't, we would, of course, take your spot, pillow, or whatever just to teach you a lesson on following house protocol. :)

It's all so funny now, but was taken very seriously back then. Afton asked about this because she and a friend were discussing what they had to say to hold their spot when watching TV. Anyone care to share their story?

Twilight- the movie

Hey Twilight fans, check this out on Afton's blog.

http://aftonsblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/because.html

oh- and thanks Rick for sending me the real trailer- the fake one, although funny on its own, made more sense after watching it.

The Weekend

I wasn't going to blog about the weekend because I didn't take any photos, but I'm at a serious lack of what else to post.... plus it really was a good time. It was a busy sleepless weekend and all kinds of fun. Alisa (& family) and Shelly were in town for their 20 year reunion. Very fun to see them back on our home turf instead of having to go to CA to get my fix.

I was kind of bummed because I thought all the girls were coming to my house for a slumber party Friday after the reunion, but they canceled earlier in the day. Rick came over after working late. (OK I haven't mentioned new-boyfriend-Rick on this blog because I just figure all of you are reading my other blog as well, but in case you haven't been keeping up on that new-boyfriend-Rick is my new boyfriend named Rick. haha) Sometime after 12:30 am, Rick and I were watching the finale of SYTYCD (was anyone else surprised at who won?) and Shelly called saying they'd twisted Carlos' arm to get him to the reunion and they all wanted to come see me. Really, nothing makes me happier when old friends want to see me as much as I want to see them! So about 1 am Shelly, Alisa, Carlos, Julie, Jane and Missy all showed up at my place. Poor Rick got an earfull of silliness as we all caught up, told stories and laughed. I loved reconnecting with everyone and it was especally great to see Carlos. Needless to say, it was a very late night.

Saturday I had play tickets in the afternoon (Big, The Musical at Hale Theater). I slept until show time. I then went and hung out at Shelly's for a bit. We thought we'd hit an early movie then a later dinner but I'm sure you all know what it's like when it's time to feed Sean (jk- sean). So, Shel and I just chatted a bit then met Sean, Alisa and family for an early dinner- Pizza Benders at Italian Village (I think I haven't been there since high school- definitely a weekend of reminiscing). After, Rick met us and we played Rock Band into the wee hours.

I seriously love my friends. Thanks for coming down (even though I know it wasn't for me). We'll have to have another CA rendezvous soon.


Oh good- photos. Backing up to last weekend in Boulder- I'm always getting on Erica because she doesn't blog. She uses the excuse that she doesn't have time. So I figured while I was there I'd take some photos of her kids and post them-- well now I understand. I didn't get time to snap any shots of her kiddos either. BUT she just emailed some photos of her cutie kids so I'll post those.


Here's the whole Dunford clan. The weekend we were there Dan took a couple of days off for their "family vacation". They spent one day at Rocky Mountian National Park and did some other fun local things for the weekend.


This is Matt and Ryan. They are so fun. Heidi and I went over Sunday morning and chatted for about an hour then went to Sacrament Meeting with them. At the end of their weekend, Erica asked Ryan what his favorite part of the weekend was (thinking it would be something from the family vacation weekend). Ryan said, "Hum... when Betsy and her sister came over." Love you Ryan!!


Twin babies Andrew and Grace.

My Sisters

Steph, Heidi and I just got back from an extended weekend in Boulder. How I love that town! And my sisters! It was just what I needed. We shopped, saw a movie, got massages, went to yoga, hung out on Pearl Street, went to Boulder Falls, ate at some favorite restaurants, and saw some old friends. Mostly we just talked and giggled all weekend. Here are some highlights.

Here we are at Boulder Falls. Fun memories at this place.

We did a little yoga at the falls. I've never been in a Bikram class with Steph when the teacher hasn't complimented her on her half moon pose.

Heidi has a great toe stand!

The skirt didn't lend itself to appropriate yoga photos. But whenever there is water, I just can resist getting in!!

Yep, that's my baby sister!!


Our favorite street performer was on Pearl Street - the Zip Code Man. He is amazing! You tell him any zip code and he will tell you the town where you live, a street close by, restaurants, parks, etc in the area. Steph stumped him though. First time I've ever seen that. This is the second time I've seen his show where someone has been from 99603 (Homer, AK), my favorite place! Kinda weird. This is a photo of Steph participating in the show.


We decided a little henna was in order to complete the weekend in our favorite hippy town!

Thanks my sistas! I love you!