We Are Family

I flew up to Seattle last weekend to spend some time with my Mom's family. My Aunt Laree's family was all in town for a birthday party on the other side of their family, so the Flanders Clan had a get-together on Sunday afternoon as well. A couple of pictures from the weekend.
The "Original" Cousins. Apparently nobody told me we were going for a cool Pacific Northwest vibe. I look a little Utah in this picture. Oh well! At least I'm not short.

Cousins and their spouses and their older kids (the second and third generations). I would like to invite my Dad and siblings to identify everyone in this photo.

My cousin's kids. I can name about half the kids. That's good, right?

The Verdict

In case you were wondering...

I like getting massages. I may have signed the membership forms at Massage Envy to get a massage-a-month at a reduced cost. I think it might help with my headaches. So yes, I'm now addicted.

I loved "The Hunger Games" movie. It was more than a movie, actually, I thought it was an experience. And it was exceptionally well-done. Which was a pleasant surprise and I take back the not-so-nice things I said about the casting director (who I'm sure was personally offended!) when I first heard about this movie.

One more thing that I would like to share my opinion on. (Because this is my blog and who's going to stop me.) A big Thumbs Up to Governor Herbert for vetoing the "abstinence only" sex ed bill that somehow passed the Utah legislature during the 2012 session. My personal beliefs on this subject are as conservative as the next girl's. BUT I find it irresponsible, insulting and incomprehensible to tell public school teachers to teach "abstinence only" and prohibit them from mentioning other options. Educators are the very people we depend on to teach children and adolescents to think critically and make informed decisions. It's absolutely ridiculous to expect 8th graders who are watching "Glee" on TV on Tuesday nights to make smart decisions on Wednesdays if they don't have good information. The bill eliminating sex education courses in Utah would have tied the hands of teachers in our state. Thank you, Governor Herbert, for putting a stop to this madness.

Chef Lauren

Don't you just want to invite this cute little Chef over to your kitchen to make juice? I know I do. Lauren has set the bar pretty high in the "cute niece" department. I hope her new little sister-to-be will be able to keep up.

Tale as Old as Time

I saw the musical "Beauty and the Beast" last night at Capitol Theater with my friend Teri. It was really wonderful. Disney does stuff up right.

Looking forward to seeing "The Hunger Games" movie this weekend. Loved the book (the first book in the series is one of my all-time favorites for Young Adult Lit) and am curious to see what they do what the movie. I've been skeptical since I heard they cast Miley Cyrus's boyfriend as Gale. I mean really. But I'm trying to keep an open mind.

Also this weekend, I have an appointment to get a massage. Never really had one but I'm exhausted from some stressful weeks at work and decided I needed a treat. I figure one of two things might happen: 1) I could hate it. 2) I could love it and get addicted. Could really go either way for me. Stay tuned...

Can't. Stop. Laughing.

I just got a text from a girl who would like to schedule an appointment for eyelash extensions sometime before her family pictures on Saturday. I believe this text was a wrong number and not some sort of strange scam. But I REALLY want to schedule an appointment with her and get some practice applying eyelash extensions. How hard could it be?

Planning Ahead

I decided this morning that I want to spend my 35th birthday in Hawaii. Please mark your calendars for February 14, 2014 and start saving your pennies! You are cordially invited to eat fresh pineapple and chocolate covered macadamia nuts with me on the beach.

Daylight Savings Time

Overheard: Only the government would cut an inch off the top of a blanket, sew it to the bottom, and think they had made a longer blanket.