Bonfire: Loving the smell of campfire.....

Post Throwback evening

Jefferson makes Angelina, DR, and I look even better!

Throwback Enrichment = Elementary Bliss

There are very few events that you can label being the "best ever" [insert event] and have it actually be true. The Throwback Enrichment deserves that label. Who wouldn't want to revert back to Elementary school, enjoying mini pizzas, fruit snacks, juice boxes, Disney sing-a-long videos, ping pong, and of course 4 square! Who would have thought a roll of tape could fuel such competition? I knew it would from me but Jane Morgan? Oh yes. A force to be reckon with on the 4 square court, a dark horse.

My 4 square "serious business" look....it works. Jane and I in the final and she did win...this time. Next rematch she best bring her A++ game! ;)

Putting the 4 square tape to GREAT use!

Jess Berry Quote of The Day!

Sometimes the very moments that seem to overcome us with suffering are those that will ultimately suffer us to overcome.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

My DP taste buds are NOT average...I taste all 23 flavors!

"Today I drank a Dr. Pepper. I didn't taste 23 flavors, I only tasted one. It was Dr. Pepper flavored. MLIA (My Life Is Average)"

My Life is Average

Happiness From Helping Others

"President Gordon B. Hinckley believed in the healing power of service. After the death of his wife, he provided a great example to the Church in the way he immersed himself in work and in serving others. It is told that President Hinckley remarked to one woman who had recently lost her husband, 'Work will cure your grief. Serve others.'"Those are profound words. As we lose ourselves in the service of others, we discover our own lives and our own happiness."President Lorenzo Snow expressed a similar thought: 'When you find yourselves a little gloomy, look around you and find somebody that is in a worse plight than yourself; go to him and find out what the trouble is, then try to remove it with the wisdom which the Lord bestows upon you; and the first thing you know, your gloom is gone, you feel light, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, and everything seems illuminated' (in Conference Report, Apr. 1899, 2–3). "In today's world of pop psychology, junk TV, and feel-good self-help manuals, this advice may seem counterintuitive. We are sometimes told that the answer to our ills is to look inward, to indulge ourselves, to spend first and pay later, and to satisfy our own desires even at the expense of those around us. While there are times when it is prudent to look first to our own needs, in the long run it doesn't lead to lasting happiness."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Happiness, Your Heritage," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 119–20

Girls Night...A's game!

Rach, me, Cec, and Jenn. Not really a girls night could get sweeter. Maybe if the Yanks were playing (hint hint Rach). ;) Thanks for taking us Rach!!

We represent the A's well with footwear! We didn't give Cec the message, but next time she'll support!

Seattle Sunny...No, Really It Was

Headed to Bainbridge Island on the ferry for dinner. Surprisingly the ferry was less rough than the cruise ship. No sea-sickness for me.

Beautiful view of the city. Couldn't ask for better weather for Seattle. As one person put it: Seattle tricks you. It makes you want to move here when its sunny.

Space needle..obviously.

We went to the Folk Life Festival at the City Center. Think How Berkeley Can You Be Parade but bigger! Some of the best people watching I've ever experienced. Matt was entertained for hours (literally).

Not only was this man sporting the black velvet skirt but he was still asking the ladies rather confidently at that to dance.

Simply enjoying the madness of craziness.

The Mariners' field is gorgeous and has a beautiful view of downtown!

Jonathan and I at the game. The Giants won that night. The Bay represented well in more than one way for the Memorial Day weekend. What can I say? I've got the baseball karma...

Behind home plate!

Charlie and Becky's (Amie's uncle and aunt) backyard right off of Puget Sound. It is so amazing. Their house is beautiful, Becky is an amazing cook, Charlie is hilarious, they were so kind and wonderful hosts to welcome me as the tag-along with Matt and Amie.

Matty's favorite position. ;)

Inner Workings Of The Stanford Sophomore Mind Part 4

**Disclaimer: I did NOT put Stanford Sophomore up to this post but as promised I never change the content of my guest blogger (even when it makes me blush...something I rarely do). Thank you SS for the compliments.

Would Jess Berry Approve?

I haven't gotten approval from Rachel Hamilton to use her name, so I will refer to her as Rachel Hamilton. (Hi Rachel!)

So yesterday night I was talking to a very full Rachel Hamilton and she began to tell me about Sunday dinner with her family. She started to tell me how wonderful the steak was she had, but I cut her off to ask:

Rachel, would Jess Berry have approved?

After thoughtful contemplation, Rachel then answered yes. No more description of the fabulous meal was needed, we both understood the powerful implications of that question.

Would Jess Berry approve? That question is an excellent assessment tool for all of our important life questions. Let me give you some examples:

Should I flirt with this guy/this girl? Unsure. The answer could be yes or no depending on the relative and appropriate knowledge of sports compared to yours.

Should I enjoy living alone for a while? Approved! The answer is yes based on your willingness to enjoy "the freedoms" and the privacy.

Should I do something good for someone? Approved! The problem is you have to beat Jess to it. This requires skill, agility, speed, and thoughtfulness.

So the next time you are trying to describe something absolutely wonderful or make a hard decision, stop, think, and ask yourself: Would Jess Berry approve?

Jess Berry Quote of The Day!

JM: I want a puppy that doesn't bark and never gets big.

JP to JM: Jane, that is called a stuffed animal.

Do People Feel This Way About My Blog?

Hmmm....probably not....I am too hilarious. ;)