The things we see at the gym

While Ashy and I are doing our last set with the trainer today, an old man comes out of the locker room in nothing but his tighty whites. Yes I know! Can you believe it? He was walking towards the scale. He weighed himself and walked back to the locker room. Many people were laughing. Our trainer talking a picture of him with his cell phone. I wish I had a picture to show you. They weren't tight tighty whites either. Visualize if you'd like. If not that is fine too.
Ash and I thought we could start a little series of the things we see at the gym. We may not be able to top this but we will keep our eyes open for the oppurtunity.

How the rest of the summer went down....

I finished at Pingree the 23rd of July, did the whole Pioneer day, then Ash and I hoped in the car and headed to Garland, Utah to road trip to Bozeman, Montana with our Gram and Aunt for a farewell. We went to hear Trev speak and spend the last couple of days with him, and with the rest of the fam. We don't get to see them very often because we do live in different states. Wednesday morning (early) we took Trev to the Bozeman Airport. Our experience with Trev was nothing like the Missionary experience we have had in Utah. Side note: His farewell on Sunday was so great! The congregation was full of his friends who are not members. He planted seeds before he every left. Trev checked his bags, we took a few pics and sent him on his way. He is a great young man is doing great in Minneapolis.

Thursday we headed to Helena for a little Mickelsen reunion. My Aunt and Uncle have some really great friends that have an amazing cabin/mansion they let us stay at. We all slept in beds and had a bathroom in our bedroom . This is only half of us.
Beautiful cousins!
the family also had a boat, they allowed us to use. The best part...very few boy cousins. Us girls spent hours on the lake, no battling the boys for a turn. My uncle was very skilled at throwing us off the tube. Just seconds after this photo was taken, I went flying(blue vest) Cortnee(red) went flying over me and Ash(yellow) just slide across the tube. Cort and I surface and Ashy is just laughing on the tube. One of the many times we were in the water.
We came home and prepared for my Aunts wedding. My mom's youngest sister found the love of her life. Here we are at her Bridal Shower. All the sisters are here...we ar just missing all the nieces and cousins.
Here we are at her wedding this last Saturday. Again only about half of us. Two of them are Missionaries. The rest couldn't make it. It was a beautiful day!
All the rest of my time was spent with these two little ones. I just can't get enough of them!
Brooklyn is full of sass. She has become quite the little tease.
Oh, How could I forget? School! I started at the U two weeks ago, I was accepted into the Social Work program in the spring. School is very different inside of a program. I love being able to focus my studies and the classes all connect. Go Utes!

Birthdays!

The monkey turned 2 on the 30th!  I decided to take pics on his birthday.  He wasn't very excited.  I probably took 100 pics and not one of them is he looking at me, and there aren't very many of them that he is smiling.   Ashley says I am too critical, I probably am..

Our Neighborhood has a little parade on the Fourth.  We walked Matthew and Brooklyn in it.  Matthew was not sure what was going on.  He really enjoyed watching the fire truck.  He had no interest in me. 


After the parade we thought we would try and get a picture of the Monkey and Brooklyn together.  We had Success!  Aren't they cute? 

I had the camera out all day. Matthew would pose sometimes...I snag a few of Brooklyn and Aunt Ashy. 

Sassy Ashy!

I took a friend families pictures a couple of weeks ago and I decided that I needed something to help me create levels. So Ash and I went to a consignment store and found a red chair.  I was so excited about it that I made her come home and be a model. We only got a few cause it was raining....Here she is, sass and all! 

My favorite one...
she knows exactly how to pose...

How to climb the Grainery

You first think about it...

You still consider while approaching...
take a few good pictures with the Grainery in the back ground to make sure its still a good idea...

Make sure you have the right shoes...some good old sk's..

Yep they will work! 

Use all your arm muscles...

Make sure to hold on tight! Or you might just fall...
A fall may include some good laughs..
You must try again...
Almost there...
Success! while posing for pictures make funny faces....


Kick your legs out if you must...
Warning: may include bird poop! 

Weeks of the Past..

So my birthday came and went. It was probably the hardest birthdays I ever had.  I always wondered what it was like to have your own birthday.  Now I know that I don't like it.  As I was driving to church on my birthday tears just feel, all I wanted for my birthday was to celebrate it with Steph.  It was a good birthday, I spent all weekend out with friends.  On Sunday I spent it with the family.

What would the day be without Smash and I making faces at the camera. 

The day would not have been complete without this little one and her smiles!
How could I forget him? Playing the piano with Great Gramm and Grandma. 
When Matthew and Brooklyn are here I usually get the camera out.  I was taking pictures of Brooklyn the other day, Matthew comes right up to me and points the camera towards him.  It is so funny to watch.  If he sees my camera in the room he will also pick it up and bring it to me.  Model in the making? 
My mom celebrates her birthday just ten days after me.  She turned 50 this year!! whoot, whoot!  Bet you would have never guessed she was that old huh?  Smash and I decieded a couple of months ago that we were going to through her a surprise party!  It was a hit.  We pulled it off! We thought for sure she knew but when she pulled up and saw what was going on she didn't quite know what to do.  We just celebrated with the fam the night of her actual birthday.  The following Saturday was when the big party happened. Smash and I are still recovering from it...

I love this picture of my parents laughing! My dad isn't going to be very happy that I am showing everyone. But I enjoy it so much! 
I told you he just poses for the camera.
I turned to see this face during my Momma's birthday dinner.  The funny part she keep looking at me just like this.  I said "Smash what do you need?"  Her response "take a picture of me Meags."  Isn't she funny? Side note: I love running. Never in my life did I ever think I would say that.  Last Thursday I decided that I was going to run home from work. I work at the Pingree School for Autistic kids. Its only three miles away.   As the day came to a close, I started doubting myself,  I didn't leave myself any other options beside running home, so I had to run it.  I started and pushed myself the whole way.  I did it! It was a huge accomplishment.  Yay! for over coming a challenge I have face my whole life.  I still have my moments.  However I look forward to the next challenge. 

Steph, Stephy, Rebecca...

are just a few of the names we call our sweet sister Stephanie. As I turn 24, she turns 23 the day before. We haven't ever celebrated a birthday without each other. Some may think I am kidding. However I am not, she arrived just one day before my first birthday. Our birthdays are on Saturday and Sunday, it is the first year we will not be celebrating together. A few months ago I made a very selfish comment about how I was going to have my birthday to myself. As the day draws closer I'm not sure what to do with myself. It will just not be the same. We have always wanted to be our own people, do our own things. Life hasn't always taken us in that direction. In high school we both were student trainers with the sports medicine program, we both wanted the car at the same time, we both spent two summers doing pest control, we both went on our first cruise together. Wanting to be our own people we have done plenty of things by ourself. I stayed close to home after high school to do sports medicine for one more year, she went away. The biggest difference between us is that she is Amazing! She loves helping people, she is an amazing peoples person. She can talk to anyone, I'm not quite the same way. As hard as it is to no have her here for our birthdays. I know that she is doing something she loves. Heavenly Father has truly not only blessed her in this adventure, but He has also blessed me and the rest of my family. I don't know what we would do without her. She is an inspiration. She makes me want to be a better person.

I want to share with you all a little of her greatness. This is the email she sent me for my day of birth.

Hello Meags! I know it is early but I wanted to send you a birthday wish! I know that we are apart but you are very close to my heart! I love you so much! You have always been there for me. I knew that you would always stand up for me when I needed you there. You are a great strength to me. Thanks from the bottom of my heart! You have a strong testimony and a desire to serve. You love people and you work hard. You know that you are a daughter of God. There are many people in this world that don't have that knowledge. Thank your Heavenly Father everyday for that knowledge. Know that I love you so much and that I think of you often. It is sometimes hard to grow up and have that realization but everything has a purpose. Evern though we are apart we are closer than we have ever been. We have the opportunity to grow through our letters, words and prayers. Thanks Meags for all you do! You are a bright spot in my life! I love you! I wish the happiest birthday ever!
Love your dear sister
Steph

¡Te amo!, in the words of Sister Colwell ¡Te freakin' amo!