A fun and busy first day!

The day started off with an amazing breakfast made by the best cook ever, my mom. It included delicious crepes, hashbrowns and scrambled eggs. Boy is it good to be home. Next I went to the driving range with my brother Nathan so he could give me a few tips on improving my swing. He's a great teacher - very patient and explains things really well. I really appreciate his help, I learned a lot. Unfortunately, that's about all I'm going to get to see of him since he leaves for Lake Powell tomorrow. Lame. Anyway, after golfing we met up with my mom and sister Simone at the nail salon. We had a good time getting pampered with manicures and pedicures. Even Nathan got in on the action! Here are some fun pictures from our (two hour) spa day...

Nathan enjoying his first pedicure! This is the definition of being comfortable in your masculinity!

Simone thoroughly enjoying her manicure!

My mom enjoying her pedicure!

Simone and I drying our freshly manicured nails underneath the UV lights.

Next, Simone treated me to lunch at Astro Burger, (yumm... I sure do miss Utah food. Thanks Simone!) and then took me over to see her new house. It's such a cute house and she's done a great job decorating it!

Then I FINALLY got to meet my newest niece Emery for the very first time. She is so precious and adorable, and so beautiful! I took what felt like a million pictures and we were only there for an hour! (I secretly want to be a photographer!) You can bet there will be more over the next few days. Here are some of my favorites from today... Check out that hair!!! Too funny!

Emery and her Mommy! Check out Emery's cute double chin!

After visiting with Adri and Emery, we went to my niece Meg's Preschool Graduation. She was so cute performing all the songs. She's such a doll. Afterwards we went to dinner at Noodles & Company. (Again, yum. I wish we had one of these near us in Cali.) And again, more pictures!

Meg is the one in front with the black and white polk-a-dot dress. She was definitely the best dressed one up there!

She's officially a kindergartner! She'll be five in August and I can't believe it!

My nephew Carson (Meg's little brother) had some chocolate and it looks like more of it ended up outside his mouth! It's even on his nose and cheek! He's such a cutie!

After dinner my mom and I headed back home to watch the American Idol finale. I have to admit that I got bored at times, but there were a few good moments. Such as: David Archuleta singing Apologize with OneRepublic, seeing the past contestants perform again - especially Michael Johns (I've missed him), Jack Black, and David Cook WINNING! I didn't care either way because I liked both of them but it was fun to see something other than what was expected. It was quite the upset! And for all of you who are bummed out, don't worry. David Archuleta has already got it made!

I'm here!

After a bumpy plane ride, I finally made it! I haven't seen too much of the family yet, but I'm sure excited for what's to come!

Unfortunately, I didn't get to watch AI on the plane. The time zone up in the air was Eastern, so it was already over... But I did get to watch it with my mama! And all I have to say is Deja vu! Why did David Archeluta sing Imagine again? And it was pretty obvious who the judges want to win. Also, did anyone else think the boxing analogy was super cheesy? Tomorrow night should be fun... Although, as DC put it, "The competition is already over."

Today's the day!

In just a few short hours I'll be boarding the plane for SLC, UT! I'm so excited to see my family. It's going to be so much fun! Usually it would be hard to leave my hubby behind but since he left for Ohio on business yesterday, that won't be a problem! I'm sure going to miss him though...

I'll be flying JetBlue, which I love for the comfy leather seats and the TV...

But they haven't had the best track record... Hopefully there won't be any hiccups today!

Also, the first night of the AI season finale is on tonight.

In California, the show starts at 8 pm and I believe it starts at 7 pm in Utah. My flight leaves at 7:25 pm and arrives at 10 pm. So I'm hoping I'll get to see it on the plane. I wonder how the time zones work as you're flying above 30,000 ft... I guess I'll find out soon enough!

prolonging the inevitable...

I've always been concerned about getting good grades in school, but over the past few years that concern has become an obsession. And that obsession has become unhealthy. I get so worried before each quiz or test that I literally get sick to my stomach. (At this rate I'll definitely have an ulcer by the time I'm done with school.) If I get anything less than an A, I feel like a failure. I think it started while I was working on my prerequisites to get into nursing school. Each A I earned increased my chances of being accepted into the program. Once I got into the program, everyone had such good grades that it felt like a competition - fuel to the fire. Also, every time I would get an A, everyone would make a big deal about it which would make me feel so good about myself. However, lately I've been getting increasingly tired of trying to keep my 'four-point-oh' (Which, by the way, is so overrated. Will any future employer ever see my grades? No.) and being in my last year doesn't help. Senioritis is definitely kicking in early. Which brings me to last weekend. While I should have been studying for my final, I decided to spend my time doing fun things. (see below) And even though I won't find out my grade until Wednesday, I'm pretty sure I can kiss my A goodbye, therefore kissing my 4.0 goodbye. Oh well. I'm not perfect and I hate putting that much pressure on myself. Now I can either choose to remember that "C's Get Degrees" and stop worrying, or devour a pint of chocolate ice cream while tears spill down my cheeks.... Unless I end up doing better than I thought. I'll keep you updated.

A fun night out...

After a yummy dinner at Chili's, Jeremy and I headed over to the driving range for some practice. Tonight was the fourth time I've been and I'm really enjoying it. I feel like I'm making some good progress. And then I saw the video.

Are you kidding me? I look ridiculous! Seriously, who golfs like that? And aside from the embarrassment I'm putting myself through, I started getting a blister on my hand...

Although that's nothing in comparison to Andy's "blisties" from last week's episode of The Office. (Too funny!)

Also, while we were there we saw the cutest thing you could possibly see at a golf course. A little 2 year old boy golfing, with his own little golf club! And he was actually hitting the ball pretty good. It was adorable. Check it out...

After golfing we went and saw Ironman. I wasn't too excited about seeing that movie but it turned out to be awesome. I'd give it four stars. (or is it five?)