Murder Mystery

Thursday before Halloween I was envited to dinner and a game, and we were to dress in a costume. So I met Josh at his appartment and we walked over to his friends. Being one of the first people there, we helped set thing up and fold papers. As more people arrived we each read our characters part to the Murder Mystery game. It was set as a Class Reunion, each couple was married and have known each other since high school. Josh and I (Steven and Susan) were wealthy, dated all through high school, live in a Mansion and have 6 kids.

In this game there are two murders that have happend previously and 4 will happen durring the game, not to mention also a store was burned and you need to figure out who did it.

First we all enjoyed a halloween dinner, with bloody fingers, frankentiens skin, and so on. it was delicious. For dessert Josh made us some pound cake, with a lime mousse.

In the beginning of the game the first person to die was my "husband", luckily he had a card that protected him from dying for the whole game. As the game went on two more people died, then I was killed by a nail file, thus ending the game. In the end I announced that I was the one who burned the building, out of revenge and the owner of the store was blamed for it, so I was off the hook.

It was a REALLY fun evening :D and I hope to do that again someday. Thanks Josh for enviting me.

HALLOWEEN NIGHT

Halloween night I had two tickets to see a nieghbors haunted house that they do every year, with the help of the wards youth. This years was AWESOME!

Actually the day before I went with my sister Savanna and had a blast with her. We got there really early and waited around but luckily we were at the very front of the line. While waiting in line bro Kutcher brought over a stero and mic. he was on his knees and asking ppl questions but instead of his normal voice we could hear a very low pitch, he then changed it to high pitched, it was so funny. Finally we got to go through, Savanna and I had our arms linked the whole way threw. We were squealing, jumping, and Laughing. It was such A BLAST going with savanna and will be one of my favorite memories together.

We arrived a good 30min before it started and still had to wait in a decent sized line. After waiting a goood hour wew finally got to the front and was allowed in a few min later. It was pretty neat. Having gone the day before I screamed purposefully a few times. As we went through the corn maze my friend asked if the scarecrow was real... I told her yes right as she touched his bicep. He slowly looked at her and scared her so bad! it was hilarious.

TinkerBell

We finally made it to the start.

The Haunted house!

Test

On Oct 23rd, I had an Ice skating test for my Preliminary moves. My coach was out of the country so her replacement Gary helped me out, he told me that he thought I should be testing in a higher level then I was too. The first lesson with him was just on the moves, and then the second one was only half on moves. Gary helped me work on power by first, there was a stretchy band across my waist and he held on to the handles while standing behind me. It was my job to run accross the ice and back while he tried to stop. Second, I held a skate gaurd above my head and had to to 12 lunges accross the ice and back on both legs, that was a killer. Third, a parachute was attached to me and I had to do forward crossovers bother directions as he counted to 20 then had to do double time, the same was done to backward crossovers, which is where I fell and had a big bruise on my knee. The parachute was my favorite. Once last lesson with him and a few lessons with my old coach helped A TON!!!

On test day, we were all at the rink by 6:45 for freestyle (as a warm up), Gary pulled me over for a bit and tapped my head to remind me to get my head up( he also would pull on my ponytail). After about 3 groups preliminary had their warm up. I was first to go, Gary stood by the door ready to pull me off to talk to me if need be. So far so good everything was going smoothly, he only pulled me aside a few times.
In the end my test results came back as a pass for all three judges, one of them even commented in person that it was a great test! woot.

It felt great to accomplish this test with only one week of getting ready! I worked my butt off and now I don't know what to work on anymore.

After testing and work (which my students tested too) I was off to Evanston to celebrate my nephews birthday. seems like everytime i have something with skating on sat. I end up running to Wy afterward.

The Magic Flute

Oct 21st. I went to my very first Opera. Arriving at BYU I met Aileen, got our tickets and found our seats, which where really great seats too, 4th row. Why were we at an opera you might ask? To see a friend perform of course!

It was a great Opera and I enjoyed it very much. Some of the things I enjoyed through out were the animals, Papageno, slaves, and of course the Chorus. At curtain call Aileen and I stood to applaud, right as the curtain was closing our friend Josh waved at us, it was very sweet of him.

Following the performance we walked around waiting for him to finish. He met us on the second floor where I was being a little crowd shy :) This was my first time seeing him since the Ball. We had small conversation then walked with him out to his bike. Out front was a group of people singing so we stopped to listen as they sang to a Black eyedpea's song and we met his friend there. We hugged as we departed, then Aileen and I went to the library for a bit then I took her home.

The Opera was Amazing and I liked it Alot!!!! It was a good story.

Also Aileen and I found out we had the exact same shoes on too.

Playing Mommy.

I had the wonderful opportunity to see what it's like to be a mother. How you may ask?? I babysat two boys ages 1 and 3 for about 5day's straight with no pay (this is how I payed for lessons). It was a great experience!!
In a quick run down, we had Errands to run, cousin spend the night, huge fort made in the house, preschool, a little shopping, park, went to Kangaroo Zoo, and played at the mall, a little bleeding toe, naps, a few cries in the night, Scavenger hunt, and Sacrament. Five days full of things to do.

Although at times it was a little exhausting, it was a growing experience for me and I totally enjoyed it.

Charity Masqurade Ball

Friday, after getting ready Meredeth took some photos, Colin helped me into the car and get the whole dress in and then pushed the seat forward for me. It was very interesting to drive at first with the huge dress in the way. At Aileen's house about 6:25 she wasn't ready, Once as she was ready we went out front and took some photos. Aileen had to help me into the car. On our way there Aileen was fixing the blue dress she wore by sewing it smaller. She did a pretty impressive job for being in a car and in the dress. 7-8pm. Part of our job was to tell the ppl to go to the "Golden Man" behind us and he would tell them where to go. I noticed that quite a fe ppl came nad stod on both sides of the Golden Man and they were all dressed up in black, hooded capes, and white masks. They also were a bit mysterious and scary at the same time. I was confused why they were there but soon learned that they were Ushers to take ppl where they wanted to go.

8-9:30 at some point of time I remember looking back over my shoulder to see what the hooded dudes were up to, several of the guys happened to look over at me, I looked away. When the line started to die down I looked behind me again and one of the ushers was already looking at me, He smiled at me and I turned back to waht I was doing with a grin on my face. Since things were slowing down Sharen told us that we could go have fun and that they would do the rest. I told Aileen we had to do it the right way, so we stopped at the Golden Man. He told us what was available to us, Like the castle, BArcelona, Venice, art gallery, exotic belly dancing, food, later a promenade, etc. So wer turned to have an Usher and you could just tell that one guy really wanted to escort us so he was like "Ill do it". We told him to take us to "The Castle"; we learned his name was Joel. On our way there I saw a trampoline in the grass and mentioned it, Joel said we could jump on it if we wanted, so we ran over while he kept walking down the path, and jumped some.
CASTLE: Inside were round tables where ppl could sit and be served food. As we moved toward the stairs, The Hooded usher that smiled at me before with the gray vest was walking toward us and went up the stairs. An older guy doing Professional photos walked in and came to us. He asked if he could take a photo of us and of course we said yes.
There was a group of girls coming toward us trying to take a photo so AIleen and I moved out of the way but in the process were pushed inot the corner where the hooded usher just happened to finish coming down the stairs. So of course we started talking. Introductions were made. His name is Josh. We found out he goes to BYU and is majoring in Opera. On our way out of the castle he mentioned that he hasn't been ona real date since he got back from his mission, I turned on him and as I pulled out my phone said "Well we gotta fix that!" and we exchanged numbers.
BELLYDANCERS: We go tot the Belly dancers and he pulled out a chair fo rboth of us. A lady came by to offer us some drinks, but when she came by she gave Aileen and Josh drinks an dleft to get me one but as she left Josh handed me his instead. (Such a gentleman!). As soon as the DAncers came out everyone around us whipped out their phones and was busy recording or photo snapping away. The belly dancers came by and were getting ppl to dance. A lady came by and asked me to dance, so I got up and she asked if I could shimmy "Oh I can do that" so I shimmied and thenshe had me shaking my hips, I got Aileen to join too.
VENICE: Once inside Josh offered to dance with me so we tried to figure out how to dance with my poufy skirt, we both kept stepping on the hoop. I enjoyed Waltzing with him, but I was nervous becasue I hadn't done it in a while. After a bit I had him dance with Aileen, they looked good because they both knew how to waltz. When we stopped dancing Josh was gentleman enough to seat us and get us some pasta! I asked him if he played instruments, I also asked him to say something in protegees (from his mission) he asked if he could sing instead. It was beautiful! Josh went over and started playing the piano, once again it was beautiful.

PROMENADE: We all separated for a bit, Aileen and I decided to get a photo of the castle so we left, on the way back we got some photos of us on the tramp. We returned and I told her thath I wanted to go down a certain path we hadn't before. Down this path we ran into JOsh again, and got a talking . Soon Aileen and I took our shoes off and continued to dance. THat's when I saw the Tall guys on STilts using their staffs for the game limbo so I tried it. The BAll was near the end and the band was playing the last song. I left my shoes on the fountain and danced a little jig of my own to the fast tempo.

FOUNTAIN: Everyone was technically gone and Josh started to sing "Once upon a Dream" from Sleeping Beauty, as we started to Waltz again, this time it was easier. There was a grin plastered to my face that entire time! THe Emeros came over and I introduced them, He got a talking to BRuce. WE decided it was time to take off our masks. Once as it was done and I was tarting to pull my mask off Josh looked over and there was this hush, so I was like Good timing SHaren, when she stopped talking and everyone looked at me. Haha the Emero's left us to helpl put things away. Now for the Unveiling what does he look like. He was so Handsome! so of course we took a photo.
He then went to return his cape and mask. In the meantime the Emero's came by again and Sharen wanted to get photos of AIleen and I kissing a frog. When the photo was done I turned around and Josh just happend to be walking up so I said "I kiss a frong and look who showed up". Sharen said something about me hearing the bells, so I sang a bit of "I can hear the bells" from Hairspray. It was the first time I really sang anything all night. I'd been wanting to but knowing Josh knows how to sing I was a little nervous. We asked if he had a ride home, He said he had to talk to his friend Josh about it, and we also offered to take him home.
While he left I was telling Aileen about how I would sing at the top of my lungs to Moulin Rouge. 'And he jumps on top of the elephants head and almost falls off and she's all like oh no' then I started to sing a little from the start. As I turned around I saw that Josh was approaching, I stopped singing, we were both standing there looking at each other, than to my utmost surprise... He started to sing the "elephant Love Medley" from the beginning. Again to my astonishment I started to sing the girls part of the song without fear. As we sang I walked a bit toward the fountain and was getting into the song. It went something like this...

Josh-"Love is a many splendored thing, Love lifts us up where we belong, All you need is love!" Me- "Please, Don't start that again" J- "All you need is Love!" M- "A girl has got to eat!" J-"All you need is love!" M-"She'll end up on the street!"J- "All you need is Loooooove!" M-"Love is just a game." J-" I was made for loving you baby, you were made for loving me." M-"The only way of loving me baby is to pay a lovely fee." J-"Just one night, give me just one night" M-" There's no way, cause you can't pay." J-"In the name of Love! One night in the name of Love!" M-"You crazy fool, I won't give in to you." J-"Don't, leave me this way. I can't survive, without your sweet love, Oh baby, don't leave me this way." Boy I wish we had that whole thing recorded it was AMAZING!!!! He told me that he accepts the invitation for a ride.

COMING HOME: He and Aileen helped me into the car and he shut the door. We went past his street by liek 3blocks before we realized it. Josh Grobans "she dances" came on, Of course we all started singing but I sang quietly so I could listen to Josh's voice, though at the same time I was trying to figure out where to go haha. We found his place and said our goodbyes. Taking AIleen home we were a buch of squeal of happiness. In the parking lot we talked for a good half hour about the whole evening. My phone buzzed and I had a txt from him saying Have a good night and sweet dreams!
The whole evening was just so Amazing, romantic, and like a Fairytale. At times I keep thinking it was a dream. Next year I'd love to go again! <3

Saying Goodbye.

My Coach is no longer teaching, So she can spend more time at home and in her calling as YW president. For my last lesson we worked on some spinning for a bit, and learning a lay back spin. Then we moved onto the harness and worked on my Axel for quite some time. She promised to teach me a double once as i've landed my Axel, and on the last day she stuck to her promise. At the very end of our lesson she taught me a double solchow! it was loads of fun. Once as my 30min were up we hugged, it was kinda a hard day for both of us and emotional. 2 years worth of Skating lessons, competitions, tests, shows/ performances, practices, quick spurts of chatter, gossip, boys, a teaching job for me at the rink, some borrowed shoes, and a new life brought into the world. It was a great two years and I cherish each moment and the growing friendship we share. Love you Allison! ♥

Silver State

Early in the morning we all met at Allisons and we decoated the car before we took off, During the Whole trip we had lots of ppl looking at the car, waving, thumbs up and such.
We arrived to find out we had to wait for our room, so we stopped at Richards bro's work (Dentist) and we played a few games(1 fav memory) as we waited. Then we all took off for lunch at this amazing place that the name escapes me. It had the BEST SMOOTHIES on the planet!!! We decided to go swimming at the hotel while we waited and finaly after a while we loaded up the carts and headed to the room.

We stayed in the coolest place ever, and in the Penthouse Suite with a great view of the pool.
The first night after we were all settled in Allison went on a date, so we all stayed behind and babysat. Skyler fell asleep to me singing " Heavenly Friend" it was so Adorable! and Gavin totally crashed after running around, then his cousin was just a few min behind. Everyone fell asleep as I read my scriptures waiting for the grownups to return.

Day Two. We left for Charlenes Practice Ice at noon. the whole way there we were all Jamming to the music. for lunch I made blt's and we went swimming. After she competed we went to The Mirage for a buffet dinner. Delicious. had sushi for the 1st time. Durring our desserts Allison started taking photos of us pushing air out of our mouth makign our lips loose and vibrate, the photos where comming out so funny that all our laughter made the ppl next to us start laughing at us. That night we drove down the strip back to the hotel.


Day Three Sat. Early in the morning we got up and headed for the rink to be there by the 6:30 and were informed they changed our practice ice 15min early so we had to jump on the next one. Their rink in vegas is smaller than ours so we each had to adjust a bit. Once we got back I started Bedazzling my outfit for the night. Allison and Richard were unable to get the room for the night so we had to switch to a differnt smaller room, which by the way was still awesome. So we packed and loaded the car up. All us girls went down the street and shopped at the H&M store as well as Old Navy. I enjoyed playing around with the statues in oldnavy, and was tempted to by something while shopping but came away with nothing :D When we got back to the hotel we went to the pool as Allison tried to get them to hurry up with our room since we had been without one all day and had little kids. Finally they gave us our room and we were able to unpack.

That night we went to the rink again for my Artistic performance. Allison and I went to go stand by the coaches area to wait for my turn. It was nice to be alone with her just one on one, it has been awhile since that has happend. before we went for my warm up I informed her of a girft I wanted to give her, which i'm glad I did. I was first to perform. and it was my best performance of Romance Anonimo i've ever done, near the end I even started to cry, as well as when we walked off. The final score was a little depressing but I survived cause I knew it was my best performance i've ever done. I placed 4th. after that we went to the Bellagio hotel and looked at some of the things they had there, then we went across the stree for dinner at a hispanic restraunt which was delicious. Right before we left we stopped and watched a few of the fountain shows. Back at the hotel we had Icecream then it was off to bed.


Day four Sun. I woke up, got stretched and ready for competition, so did lindsay. We made it on time to our practice ice. which went well for me. we chilled in the subway there untill it was time to do our warm up. My warm up was going well except for my lutz. Finally it was my turn to get on, and I did awesome other than a little slip on my lutz. in the end I got 1st and Linds got 2nd. we were happy with what we got. I bought the cd's and movies to the performances and then we headed out. Back at the hotel we packed and checked out.


Allison new of my goal of visiting any temples I happen to be by that I havnt visited yet, and she was nice enough to let us stop at teh Las Vegas temple and then again at the St. George Temple on the way home. it was so cool to see them.

On the way home we played a few games, my favorite was when one person starts singing a song and then another person jumps in with a differnt song that has to have at least one word from the song before that was sung... it was fun we played it for a long time.