The Pioneer Day Parade!

Well, it has only taken me three weeks but I am finally back! So, I thought that I would catch you all up on what I have been doing. The first thing, was the Draper Day's "Pioneer Day Parade"! This was so much fun, I was able to go down with my Dad, Heather, my nephew Josh, Ryan, and my in-laws to my mother-in-law Marie's real estate companies office which is right on the parade route, so it worked out perfectly. Plus, Ben (my bother-in-law) was there with his work, Modern Display to display some amazing floats that they did this year. However, the best part of the day was taking Josh to play the cute games that even included a huge bubble machine. He was so excited. So, all and all it was an awesome day!

My Family Reunion in Bryce Canyon!

For the 4th of July, I had an Ott family reunion in Bryce Canyon. This is always a ton of fun because all of the aunts, uncles, and cousins from all over get to come together and catch up! However, sadly due to work, Mark was not able to attend. So, I decided to drive down with my brother Ryan.

Friday, I said my sad goodbyes to Mark and left to get Ryan and drive down to Bryce. Luckily, we made it there just in time for a 2:00 BBQ at "The Pines". "The Pines" is land that my Uncle Steve owns that is right across from the entrance to Bryce Canyon. This was tons of fun and of course had some awesome food like my Aunt Tricia's famous Snickerdoodles! I am craving them right now! Anyway, we were having so much fun talking that we ended up staying there until 8:00 at which point we went to eat and watch the fire works at "Ruby's Inn".

Saturday, we woke up to some chilly weather and rain. However, that did not stop us from venturing into the park for some picture taking and hiking! In fact, we even convinced my mom to due some hiking! Thanks for being a good sport Mom!

Sunday, we got up and said our goodbyes and then headed back to Salt Lake. So, all and all it was a great weekend. I just wish that Mark would have been able to come!

My Mom, Step-Dad John, me, Ryan, Heather, Ben & Josh after our hike!

Me being a dork! (Excuse the ugly hair - it was pouring!)

My nephew Josh "Giving me Loves"

Girl's Nights Out are the BEST Nights Out!!!

This past week I have been more than lucky! I have had two girl's nights in one week. Last Thursday I met up with my good friends Shae, Dahlia, Ashley, and Lacey and went out to Red Robin! We are so dorky...we go there pretty much every girl's night and sit at the same table every time. Anyway, we were able to catch up and talk about what was going on in our lives! It was a total blast and my friends even surprised me with a huge piece of cake for my birthday that was the night before! It was awesome!

Me, Dahlia, Ashley, Lacey, and Shae (Little bit fuzzy)

Then, last night I was able to host our monthly "Domestic Diva's" night. For any of you who are not familiar with us we are a group of girls that get together once a month and do something domestic. This can be anything or everything it just has to be something that is kinda domestic because most of us are NOT...so we do our best to try and make an effort! So, last night we all got together at my house and made "Bath Cookies". These are actual cookies that you mix together with ingredients such as Sea Salt, Vitamin E oil, and eggs...to name a few, and you actually bake them in the oven. However, instead of eating them you put them in the bath tub with you and they dissolve. I was way nervous that they would turn out really gross or weird looking but they are cute. In fact, to describe them best I would say that they look like baked Frog Eye Salad (if you know what that is) or Tapioca Pudding that has hardened. Anyway, it was a ton of fun! In fact, we were having so fun we didn't even notice what time it was. So, it was almost midnight before anyone went home. So, needless to say I was a little tired at work today. Anyway, thanks to Heather (my sister), Carrie, Alycia, Melissa, and Shae for all coming. However, I am so dorky I forgot to take a picture of us. So, below is a picture of the cute cookies! We even added sprinkles to them so that they would look like real cookies.

Bath Cookies!!! (Let me know if you want the recipe!)

Thanks again to all my girl friends for being who you are and I can't wait to get together again soon!

The week in review...

Well, seeing that I have not posted in over a week....I thought that I would bring you guys up to date. Last weekend was my 5 year high school reunion. It was actually not as bad as I thought it would be. I was able to catch up with friends that I had not seen in a while and heard some great stories. However, it scared the crap out of me that people my age have like 2 or 3 kids!!! Aahh!!

On Sunday, it was obviously Father's Day. However, it just so happened that my Dad and my Step-Dad were both not in town for the holiday. So, we ended up spending the day with my in-laws. (Not to say that, that is aweful or anything). Anyway, we all went down to Gateway for the annual "Chalk Festival". It was amazing....to think that people are actually able to create pictures out of chalk that are that good blew me away! (Take a look at the pictures)

Then on Monday, my Mom, Step-Dad, bother and sister, and spouses went out to eat at Benihana for my birthday (the 18th...tomorrow), Father's Day, and my Mom's birthday (the 24th). It was so good! I had not been there in soo long!! Then we went back to Mark and I's house and ate ice cream cake and played some Rock Band (I am sooo bad!).

That brings us to today (Tuesday) Mark and I went to his parents after work and had a little dinner and birthday cake. Then, my Mother-in-law Marie gave me my present....I huge pot with flowers in it for my front porch. It was perfect I had been begging Mark to let me plant some flowers so this saved him from having to do it!

So, that sums us up for now! Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's and Happy Birthday to me!

I loved this bear!

This is all out of chalk! However, someone dumb thought it would be funny to drive over them :(

FREE WILLEY! To this day I am still obsessed with Killer Whales!!!

Pride Day 08'

Today Mark, my brother Ryan, myself and our friend Brian decided to go downtown for the Pride Day 2008 parade and celebration. It was a total blast! Everything from Space ship floats, the QUAC team (this is the gay and lesbian water polo team in case you didn't know), drag queens, to everyday people like you and me coming together in support of equal rights.

We started out with Mark, Ryan, Brian and I watching the parade. It was so much fun. We saw some great dancers, even better drag queens, and the best float I have ever seen...it was a space ship / UFO that actually had a person in it and moved up and down with smoke coming out the bottom. Then, we went over to the Marriott hotel on State Street to meet up with some of Ryan's friends...Lauren who works as a lawyer with my brother, her sister Tiffany, and Tiff's good friend Randy. We ended up hanging out at the hotel talking for a while and then decided to head over to Library Square for the rest of the Pride Day celebrations. It was awesome! We met some real nice people, hung out at the Barack Obama both, and pet every cute little kid or dog that Lauren could get her hands on. So, all and all it was an awesome day and a great way for all different people to come together and realize that we are all so similar and that most importantly we are all people that deserve the love and respect of each other!!!

The awesome UFO float!

The blow up Barack Obama! Obama 08' here we come!!!!

Ryan, Mark, and Brian at the parade!

Me, a QUAC member, Lauren, and Tiff

Randy, Me, Tiff, a HOT drag queen, and Lauren!

I finally gave in!!!

Well, completely against the will of my husband....I have finally joined the blogging world. He happens to think that things like this are lame and a waste of time. However, I am convinced and devoted to proving him otherwise. Also, I think that this will be a great way to highlight our wonderful life and share it with our friends and family. So, I am excited to get started and hopefully get in touch with friends from the past.