Tribute

My babiest sister is 19 today. Nine. Teen. To me she will always be the chubby 3rd grader with "kidgy" cheeks and a knack for beating up boys. She is one of the most beautiful and intelligent people, inside and out, that I have ever known. She is so strong, mentally and morally, and I wholeheartedly look up to her. She always tells the truth and is never ashamed to stand up for what she believes in. I am so blessed and grateful to have her in my life. She is such a solid part of my foundation. She manages to stay grounded in the face of adversity and no matter the situation, always comes out on top. I am incredibly proud of her and look forward to continuing to watch her grow and mature.

An Update! With Pictures! And Words!

I guess it's about time I get to posting something of "use" around here. I have a tendency to write when I'm feeling down on my luck, but because my life has been so happy these past few years, I hardly write any more. It's a little sad. I thoroughly enjoy writing, but nothing of substance comes about when I'm content. Which I'm sure you've noticed, considering I've just written an entire paragraph full of fluff. I'm working on it.

The short:
Arizona
Halloween
Baby Shower
Dad Bday
Kristen/Ryan Bday
Andi 21 Bday
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving part deux

The long:
I went to Phoenix with my friend, Lauren, at the beginning of the month for her birthday. Did some shopping, met her family, hung out with some of her friends, and visited The Bori's and Jenna for an afternoon. I didn't take my camera, so the only pics I have are the ones that Lauren took, which were all on the night we went to Saddle Ranch.

Classy ladies wear glasses!


Apparently Arizona is covered in knee-deep mud. Mud that is invisible in the dark.


Halloween was a fun event, as usual. We did things a little differently this year. Tyler's little sister's best friend (you follow?) has an un-repaired cleft palette. We decided to have a fund raising Halloween party to get some money to put towards her much needed surgery. We had a pretty good turn out, and raised around $500. A very small drop in the bucket, but every little bit helps. Again, I was camera-less, so these are borrowed pictures.

Lovebirds.


My handsome Lt. Dangle (my claw got in the way)


The Ladies. Back to Front - Kathleen, Michelle, Freddy Krueger, Lee-Lu, Bee.


Blind Referee, Fred, Bee.


Co's baby shower was a hit. A lot of people = a lot of presents! It took her nearly 2 hours to open all of them. She is the cutest little pregnant lady I've ever seen and I can't WAIT for Kenley Rae to GET HERE ALREADY! (but not yet. wait till you're ripe, please)



My dad's birthday is on the 13th of November. It's one of the few times during the year that all of us get together. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures. My sisters and I got him a pay-as-you-go cell phone bc we hate never being able to get a hold of him. We also took him to Claim Jumper for a steak and lobster dinner, his favorite. It was a short visit, but it was time well spent.

Ryan (Courtney's husband) had a bday on the 19th, and Kristin had one on the 25th, so they joined forces and had a joint bday celebration. Dinner at Firefly, karaoke at Imperial Palace. All in all the night was fun, however, the DJ was kind of a jerk and only let people that tipped him sing. In the end I think only 2 people in our group of at least 20 got to get on stage. Oh well. Pictures!

Don't tell me to keep my mouth shut.


Crazy Pants.


Bday Girl.


Me, La, Co.


Me & Droopy Eyed McDrooperson.


Andrea's 21st birthday was on the 24th. As soon as the clock struck midnight on Sunday night (Monday morning) we were out on the town. Went to Green Valley Ranch for some live Irish music, then to Drop Bar where some of the people we were with partook in a little Hookah.

Tyler, Dre, Erik


Me & Neil


Andrea & Kris


On the actual day of her birthday Kris, Andi's boyfriend, got us a table at Prive in Planet Hollywood. I'm not into clubs and it was WAY expensive, but sometimes sacrifices have to be made in the name of 21st birthdays.

Andi and Cash, cashing another bottle.


Erik, Me, Neil.


Single for the night (tsk, tsk).


My dorky yet adorable boyfriend.


Sisters.


I took the entire week of Thanksgiving off of work. It consisted of a lot of late nights and crazy shenanigans, but I didn't get any pictures. Had Thursday Thanksgiving dinner with the Stewarts. I made green bean casserole and sweet potato souffle and I must say they were rather delicious. I was very proud of myself. The Sunday after Thanksgiving Tyler and I went to St. George with my mom, sisters and their boyfriends, for a Brinkerhoff Thanksgiving. Got to see family (and Jenna. Hi!) and eat some amazing food. It was the prefect ending to a perfect month!

Now December is upon us. I hosted my very first bridal shower today. It was stressful and nerve-racking, but turned out ok. Next weekend will involve a grad party and yet ANOTHER bday celebration, so stay tuned!

A Request of Sorts

Oh, hi December. Good to see you again.

No offense, but weren't you just here? I swear you just left, and now you're back again? Already? What happened to 2008?

And another question, if you don't mind: what is going on with your weather? Last time I checked, it's not supposed to be in the 70s in December.

Not to be rude, but can you go away for another month or two? I'm nowhere near ready for Christmas, and I was rather enjoying November's company.

Kthxbye.

xoxo,
Jenalyn

Miscellaneous Musings

Stop and go traffic is never fun. But it's worse in a stick-shift.

Every single day this week has felt like Friday. Now that it's finally here, I can't help but wonder where the week went.

I have all of next week off. Jealous?

I spent $200 at Target yesterday, and did not buy a single item of clothing (not even shoes!). This is both good and bad. Mama wants a new pair of shoes, but she doesn't need them.

My car registration expires this month. Oh well.

5 bdays this month. 1 down, 4 to go.

I get to partake in 2 Thanksgivings this year. I'm anticipating amazingness.

I have to make a green bean casserole for one of those Thanksgivings. Should be easy, but I'm nervous. Never been much of a cook.

Birthday numero dos takes place tonight. Firefly (the love of my life) and karaoke. Pictures to follow...

today is the day! will either be celebrating or drowning my sorrows. either way, i knew i should have requested tomorrow off.

The Vet Who Did Not Vet: A Cautionary Tale

I guess I'm "it"

From Kolbri... I really did not have an enjoyable HS experience. So i apologize for the boringness of this survey.


1. Did you date someone from your high school?:

eh, not specifically. I went to some dances with some randoms. My HS boyfriend went to a different school.

2. What kind of car did you drive?:

i had 2... the first was a forest green hyundai scoup that i got for my 16th bday. i blew that engine up tho (i guess that's what happens when you don't get the oil changed. who knew?). then i got a saturn sc2 or something...

3. What is your most embarrassing moment in high school?

I can't think of any off the top of my head. I was pretty much a major geek, and looking back i get embarrassed, but i don't recall any embarrassing times during HS.

4. Were you a party animal?

No... i went through a phase my junior year, but it ended as soon as i started dating JB my senior year... nothing too major (though i did get caught and grounded for it)

5. Where you considered a flirt?

oooh no. boys didnt like me.

6. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?:

none of the above.

7. Were you a nerd?

yesh... but not a smart one. just awkward and dorky.

8. Were you on any varsity teams?

nope.

9. Did you get suspended/expelled?

I got "in-house" once. For tardiness. Lame.

10. Can you still sing the fight song?

I never learned foothill's, but i can still sing basic's! again? lame!

11. Who were your favorite teachers?

i liked mr. jones @ basic... and at foothill mr. stanley.

12. Where did you sit during lunch?

at wendys, usually.

13. School Mascot?

falcons

14. Did you go to homecoming and with who?

i went to a few... the first one was my jr. year w/ alan norris. then i went to 2 my sr. year: foothill w/ aaron hefner and basic w/ JB. i can't say that i'm proud.

15. If you could go back and do it again, would you?

i had a lot of fun, and miss some of my friends. the only thing that would get me to go back would be the promise of seeing loren again.

16. What do you remember most about graduation?

that i just wanted to get it over with!

17. Where did you go senior skip day?

one year we went to state line and rode the rollercoasters. i think all the other years (you dont HAVE to be a senior to enjoy senior ditch day!) we just hung out at random people's houses.

18. Have you gained weight since then?

poo... yes

19. Who was your prom date?

JB

20. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion?

probably not. i didn't really have any friends my age at foothill, they all went to basic. my fooshill friends were all younger than me.

21. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself?

um... dont ditch class so much and do your homework!