Celeste, the best kitty a girl could have!

Celeste, my baby girl, passed away on May 21, 2012. She lived many years, 16 in fact! She had her share of kitty treats and loved to be part of the family! Celeste had been getting skinnier for a while now and the doctor said she had thyroid problems and arthritis. I knew it would be her time to go soon, yet I wasn't ready to part with her yet. I think I felt like if I made the decision to take her in to be put down, it was like I was killing her. I struggled to make the call. She was such a strong cat. Whenever I came home, I would hear her sweet special "meow" that was just for a few of us. It spoke to me like "hey, I'm right here". I would always do it back to her. A week or so ago, I finally decided I wanted to be there with her when they put her down. Yet, my sweet baby girl beat me to the task. On Sunday night, my parents hadn't heard her much of the day so my mom went into the garage to find her very weak and barely able to walk. My mom picked her up and told her how much we all loved her and how much she has meant to us. My parents stayed with her for a few hours, brought out some blankets for her to lay on and made her comfortable. Around 12:15am my parents were off to bed and in the morning after my dad woke up, he found she had passed away. I worked a night shift Sunday night at the hospital and as I got off work, I had a text message from my mom to call her asap! I don't like those text messages. She told me she had passed away during the night and I immediately broke down into tears. I cried myself home and eventually to sleep. I awoke with a huge headache and then I drove down home to say good-bye! It was tough to see her but I wanted to. I held her close each time before I left my parents house over the past few weeks, but nothing prepares you to see them that way. I'm grateful my parents were with her in the end and for the love they showed her from all of us. I know Celeste is in heaven with her brother Oreo (Emily's cat who passed away 7 years ago) and she's enjoying life pain free. I hope she has found my Grandma Hardy, who loved her so much! Here's to you my baby girl, I was ever so grateful for the listening ear you provided when I needed somoene to talk to. I love you so much and you'll always be in my thoughts!

Elder Neal Anderson entered the MTC!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012!!! MTC Day! When Bryce entered the MTC, we were all able to go in and mom was able to put his badge on his suit. Well, since they've changed how the missionary enters the MTC now, we acted out our own. My mom had Bryce's badge from his mission and with it being in spanish, it was perfect! Mom still had her moment!

A big hug for mom!

Elder Neal Anderson and proud mom!

The Anderson Family, minus Lara who was at work. We could all tell Neal was a little anxious, plus it was a little warm outside and he was wearing a suit!

Neal, Mom, and Dad! Excited for the experiences the next 2 years brings us all!

Neal receiving love from his 2 cute sisters! We also reinacted this picture out as we had done with Bryce! Emily and I hope to find our Prince Charming's and get married while Neal is out, but if not, all the better for him to be there when he gets home!

Siblings! We all love each other so much! I love that we are all so close and love to do things with one another! How great is Family! Now that pictures were done, we took off to Brick Oven Pizza in Provo for lunch!

Bryce & Neal in front of the MTC!

As we walked across to the front of the MTC to take pictures, my dad noticed Neal's friend Skyler Trent. He waved to Skyler and soon Skyler saw him and waved back. I think this was a great blessing for Neal as well as the rest of us, who was obviouslly sad to leave his family and we were drying tears from saying good-bye to him. But upon seeing Skyler, he immediately had a huge smile on his face. Skyler was a "host" and was able to be Neal's host into the MTC. As they walked away, Skyler told Neal, "You're in good hands...really good hands!"

One last hug for Mom!

"He's in good hands...really good hands!"

An afternoon at Trafalga!

April 27, 2012...Emily, Bryce, Neal, my dad, and I used our Pass of all Passes at the Lehi Trafalga! It was awesome! After a hand stamp, we played some laser tag and mini golf! So fun!

An example of what a flooded putting hole in mini golf looks like! I think there were atleast 4 holes that were swamped and Bryce and my dad "scooped" or "pushed" the water off of the green! We had a dry hole after that. My dad even scooped the water out of the hole so I could putt. What a man!

A hole in one! Yup, me! However, my ball was lost in the hole due to water! Go figure, Lehi Trafalga needs to get on top of taking care of their mini golf range! We troubleshooted many holes! But still had a blast!

We ended the afternoon with some quality ski ball! I love this game!

A few of my recent activities...gotta love life!

Downton Abbey! Oh PBS, well done! Season 2 is over and 3 begins next January 2013! Yet while my roommates are anxious for season 3 to start, I still have season 1 to watch. I jumped into season 2 and love it! I can't wait for more!

It's true, I am the owner of the "new" ipad! If that is what it's name is! I have loved it! I admit, it was a splurge, huge in fact, but loving it!

The Titanic, last picture taken April 10, 1912.

Some may know of my fascination with the history of the Titanic among other big events in history, yet I think it's the untold stories of which capture me the most about this tragic event. The 100th anniversary of its sinking was April 15, 2012. I put together a little night to honor those lost that night. I printed off boarding passes, as shown above, researched 11 victims and 11 survivors, researched facts and displayed them around the house. My friends and I then watched, of course, Kate and Leo in Titanic, had a mid movie snack of vanilla ice cream (the iceberg), oreos (broken ship), and sprinkles (passengers) and then at the end of the movie, I handed everyone their bio of their passenger for them to find if they survived or not. My friends really enjoyed the night and overall I hope they learned a bit of history of the Titanic and its amazing passengers. Each of them had a story, amazing ones in fact, and I wanted them to be heard, remembered on that day! I'm grateful for my friend Justin Rae, who humored my ideas for the party and allowed me to post my nerdy knowledge of the Titanic about his house for others to read. Thank you! It was a great night, it meant a lot to me to celebrate it they way we did.

I just finished this AMAZING book and I recommend it to all! My mom just finished it and is loaning my book to her friend, now how is that for a recommendation! Read it! If you aren't familiar, Stephanie Nielson and her husband were in a plane crash in 2008 which burned her over 80% over her body and her husband's 30%. The pilot didn't survive. The story is a true tale of her triumph in life, to overcome adversity and trust in the Lord for the future. The best part in this tale is her will and ability to have another child, born April 2, 2012. She's beautiful! Check out her story either through my button on my blog or go to nieniedialogues.com.

It's simple, and I admit it...I'm addicted to this stuff! I LOVE Chocolate Milk! Be true to your moo!

Have you seen it? Then go! It is the top grossing film on opening weekend...ever! My siblings and I saw it at 11:59pm opening night! And I have seen it once again, yesterday! It's that good. Period. :) I love Thor!