These are the days....

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. ~E.E. Cummings

I can't even begin to tell anyone how much fun I had this past weekend. OK so here is the beginning of the story with pictures from start to finish. I worked the morning shift at the theater on Friday so that I could attend the YSA dance in Spokane that evening. The plan was to meet up at the Stake Center at 7 pm to carpool to the City. I was fortunate enough to get off work "ON TIME" so that I had some time to get ready for the dance. After meeting up with the rest of the singles from Libby, Bonners Ferry, and Sandpoint! I rode with Megan (which you will see later) and the whole way we jammed out to Blake Lewis [former american Idol contestant] and Backstreet Boys. Of course having the times of our lives. After getting everything organized we met up with last of the stragglers in Athol.

We took this opportunity to take a few snapshots, dance to taylor swift in the parking lot, and eat chicken strips. Meet Rick and Taylor (From Libby, Montana) Taylor is getting ready to go on his mission. He is called to serve in Mexico and reports in May! Rick works at the Libby hospital. Together they really know how to bring laughter to the room.

We FINALLY arrived at the dance - right on time - around 10 pm. We got lost in Spkane due to bad directions and driving by Jake! But Megan and I got there by Megans ingenious idea to pull over and ask the native spokanians for directions.

Thank goodness for Good Directions - and turnip greens!

So at the dance, we immediately brought the life to the party! Rick and Taylor were the first out on the dance floor - and needless to say they really brought the smiles, laughter, and groove to the dance.
On some of the "different" songs we took opportunities to take some photos. Here is the Sandpoint YSA group who attended the dance!

Proof Rick really loves entertaining:)
Playing Brittney Spears with the Fan! haha

Taylor, Arielle, Deanna, Megan and Stacy dancing!

Taylor and Rick - enough said!
(dicky is that a wedding veil? haha)

Time flies by when you're having fun! So the closing prayer was given around midnight, and it's tradition for us to stop at Denny's and fill up before heading back to Sandpoint. We drove to Coeur D'Alene to eat there - all 15 of us - and Denny's was a happening place that late at night. It was astonishing! Most got breakfast, Taylor and I got milkshakes to go with our breakfast. I found a hair in my food. We shared Mozerella sticks:) We were all happy campers.

Taylor, Rick and I deciding what to order.

Arielle, Matt, and I waiting on our food:)

This face pretty much sums up my whole night. I laughed so hard I'm pretty sure my abs were killing me the next morning. And by morning I mean late afternoon Saturday when I finally woke up from a long slumber. We left Denny's at about 3 am and headed back to Sandpoint. Still very much awake, we all came back to my apartment for games, laughter, to look at pictures and talk. What was 3 am quickly turned into 6 am when I was finally able to lay down in bed and sleep the day away!

Oh how we love Rick:)

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. ~E.E. Cummings

Leighs Goodbye Party

Mom got Leigh a cake for her farewell party. We have so much fun at work:)

A visit to the Humane Society

The other day a friend and I went to the human society to play with the new puppies they had advertised on the billboard outside! We had so much fun! Too much fun probably, hence the video!

At least I can chooses them!

Yesterday I went to the Sandpoint Ward...I wanted to write down a few things that the children got up and said. It reminded me of when I was little and would get up the courage to go up to the pulpit. I think it's been a really long time since I've attended a ward where the children took most of the fast and testimony meeting time. It was so adorable to hear them bear witness to what they knew was true. Here are just a few I was able to catch and write down...

"I'm thankful we don't have to do the same things everyday"

" I love my mom. She is sweet. I love to give her kisses"

"I know that Joseph Smith is the Prophet on the earth today"

"I love primary, and I love my primary teacher. Mostly I love the cookies she brings"

"I love my mom, I love my dad, I'm thankful for my sister...I love my mom, and I guess...Today I love my brother too."

"I'm thankful I can choose. That Heavenly father allows me to choose. My mom doesn't let me choose, but today my dad let me pick my outfit. My mom says I don't match but at least I can chooses them!"

What sweet innocent spirits who are learning and growing day by day. In Wenatchee I remember our ward had so many young ones get up every Fast and Testimony meeting and bear their testimonies, but Westmond ward's meetings are predominately adults! I have missed hearing from the children so much! Just thought I would share what I got out of the meeting, that I should be thankful for variety, that I don't have to do the same thing everyday. That I should be grateful I get to make choices. That I should love my brother and sisters everyday, appreciate my mom more, and value the teachings of the gospel! All from little ones not much older than 5 or 6!

Meeting Riley

This last weekend I had the opportunity to meet Riley! Unfortunately at the time (as it's not my news to share) I had no idea that Riley belonged to Carson and Janel! What a wonderful surprise! He is the cutest little baby ever, so precious. I got the chance to see him again today, but he was sleeping so peacefully that I didn't take him out of his car seat afraid of waking him. I'm so excited for this baby boy to grow up with such loving parents, families, and friends to support him through his journey! I love him so much already, he's so precious! Carson and Janel have been through so much and I applaud their strength the must have had throughout the entire process. I truly am grateful I have friends like them!

So without further ado, Friends and Family - meet my nephew Riley Alexander Shadel!