Longhorn Days

Longhorn Days is always a fun time. I love small town celebrations and it was great to be home for a small break from the world. It was a busy but fun time! On Saturday, July 27 I ran in the 5K that morning and got a time of 34:50. I also ran/jogged the whole time. Pretty good since I haven't ran a 5K since high school and I haven't been able to train much this summer between my test and the extreme heat wave that hit Provo. Thanks RJ Cook and Robert Conger for running with me.

Later I went to the parade with Mary. Mom had to work, Meg was in the parade, Mandy was working and watching at the gas station, and Carol was visiting family in Monroe. After the parade, Patty Cook was baptized. We were able to attend her baptism and then go to a BBQ at her house. Were able to catch up with Cooks and Gordons.

Mom met up with us at the BBQ and then we went to the park for the concert and auction. The concert was fun. The Greg Simpson Band came and played. They didn't play any of there own songs, but they did have a fun mix of others. I knew almost all of them. The auction went well I think. They forgot to the the quilt from Altamont 1st ward. I wonder what will happen to it.

Mom, Mandy, and I stayed for the fireworks in the park, especially since it was not crowded. Mary and Meg went home to be with the dog. I love fireworks and for as small as we are, we put on a pretty good show.

Getting to the car was another adventure. We got about half way to the car when I realized I didn't have my phone. Mandy and I went back to where we watch fireworks to find my phone. We finally found it and went to go find Mom and the car. Instead of walking out of the park and around to the parking, we decided to walk straight. Well, the grass got really high and then we found water. It felt like we were walking through a swamp. As we were coming to the end of the "swamp" and to the hill. Mom turned on the car and turned on the lights. Those were really blinding. Mandy and I had to stop for a minute because we were completely blinded. Mom turned them off and we walked two steps when the car next to her turned theirs on. We were blinded all over again. Eventually we made it to the car and then home.

That night I got to chat with Cat (Sister A). It was really good to talk to her. We talked until 2:30 am. If I had stayed awake for 3 more hours, I would have been awake for 24 hours.

All in all it was a great day and a great weekend get-away!

Picture from the parade. I forgot some floats and groups of people (like the Cheer Leaders). 

Our parade is unique that you get to watch everything twice because it come back around.

This is Brian and Heather Gibson. He use to be the band teacher at the High School. He transferred to Uintah High School, but he brought his band down for us to listen. It was fun! I got some video but blogger won't let me upload them.

Pioneer Day

Happy Pioneer Day!

Weddings

July 19th was a busy day. I started the day by going to Emily Gordon's wedding. Mom, Meg, and I were temple crashers. I had left my recommend at home so the temple had to look me up. Then we went into the waiting room and then the sealing room. I feel bad. I was suppose to be a standing guest, especially since we weren't on the original list. But we had some kind gentlemen who would not let Mom, Meg and I stand. The reason why I feel bad is I ended up on the front row. Not even Rachel, Emily's sister, was on the front row. Family should have had precedence over me to be on the front row. It was a lovely ceremony and Emily and Todd were glowing. Todd also got very emotional and cried through it. It was sweet.

Outside the temple we visited with Kelsi and and Robert Conger. We were able to chat with them for a long time. We stayed for pictures because I wanted a picture of the Gordon Family. They didn't do it until almost the end. They had friend who were left stay for a photo. I made Kelsi and Robert get in it with me since Mom and Meg ditched me to go to a fabric store.

Funny: Becca had asked where Mom had gone. I told her a fabric store. She said, "Oh..." with a sigh. I told her not to worry because Meg was with her. She said, "Oh good." in a happy amused tone. It's not as funny as I write it out, but it was funny in person.

I met with Mom and Meg to the fabric store and at the counter we they had a funny. It said "Sewing and collecting fabric are two different hobbies." We told Mom that she was like the lady in the funny.

After the fabric store we went to the luncheon/dinner. We sat with Tathan Thacker, and McKayla and Coy Burton. Their little boy is a mover. We had homemade Cafe Rio and Horchata and a Watermelon drink. It was all really yummy! They had little bells placed on some of the tables and every time one was rang, Emily and Todd had to kiss. I think they got a little tired of it by the end.

The cutting of the cake was pretty epic. At first it was nice putting the cake in each other's mouths. After that, Emily put some icing on Todd's nose. Then she ran away. Todd, with the cake piece on the cake server went after her. He jumped over some chairs and chased Emily. Emily ran to Rob for protection. When Todd got to Rob he tried to get Emily but got Rob instead with the cake. What I couldn't see from my angle is that Rob got cut and so he had to go to the bathroom to clean up his face from blood and icing and cake.

When it was time for Emily and Todd to leave everyone was armed with a squirt gun and Emily and Todd had super soakers. They ran out into a brief water fight. I thought it was a fun and summery way to exit their wedding.

My day didn't end there. I then went up to Fielding for Emma Rose Phipp's wedding bash. I have never been to a wedding party quite like this before. It was like a carnival and open house combined. The sad part is that Lee couldn't make it. His flight got cancelled from Alabama and the soonest they could get him to Utah would have been after the party. They got a refund and Emma a ticket. So after her party I drove her to the airport to catch her flight back to Alabama. They were getting married the following Saturday in the Atlanta, Georgia temple.

I was to visit with Tien and David Borland and see their baby for the first time. She is a little chuck. I also spent most of the evening with Heidi Paul and Jenica Brown and her husband Joshua. It was a great time! Thanks Emma for a great party and for letting me drive you to the airport so we could catch up.

Gordon/Judd Wedding

Phipps/Courington Wedding Bash

NCTRC

I passed the NCTRC Exam. I am now a Nationally Certified Recreation Therapist!

On another note, I went to the Provo City Center Temple tonight and I ran into Brent and Marge Barker. He is a former bishop of mine from my days in Price. It was so fun to see them!

July 6th/7th Party

On July 6th the Mathis Clan got together for a party. It was our 4th of July party/Book Club. We started the party with a kayaking trip. That was the fastest I have ever finished. I think we were on the river maybe 45 min. We did have 1 tip-over. Kriz and McKay tipped. Paul and Millie got their oars. Meg and I got to them first and held on to Kriz and the kayak. Boyd and David John came and got Kriz into their kayak. Then we got McKay back into his kayak and David John then went with him for the last set of rapids before we got to the end. 

After, we went back to Aunt Ann and Uncle Lee's house for lunch and book club. We also had a discussion about the "famous" Easter picture and showed Amy's kids and had the debate on if it was a rabbit or a lamb....

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Of course we stayed and chatted and played after that for several more hours. 

Then next day, Kriz and McKay blessed their baby and we had party round two. It was a beautiful blessing given by McKay.

Thanks family for a fun weekend!

4th of July

Happy Independence Day America!

I was able to go the 4th of July Parade (Freedom Festival) this year in Provo. It's a huge parade. I forgot to take pictures so photo credit to Daily Herald for these pictures.























After the parade I went to work and then I went onto campus behind the Hinkley Building to watch the Stadium of Fire fireworks. It was a great show. Again, I didn't take any pictures of them. Here are some again from the Daily Herald.

Happy Birthday Allissa

One of my companions while I was in Ottawa on the mission had a birthday party today! It was 90s/Friends themed. We wet met her apartment and then went into Salt Lake for some karaoke. It was a lot fun. Thanks ladies for a fun evening!

Happy Birthday Allissa!! I hope that this year is filled with many wonderful memories and adventures. 

No one told me my sign was backwards and I obviously didn't catch it