Brittany's visit to Utah

Brittany got to come up to Utah for Especially for Youth (EFY) last week, and I got to check her in and pick her up. Oh, how I wish I could've stayed and attended EFY too!!! What good times. She ended up having great spiritual experiences, had great roomies (5 other girls who also went alone), and made a bunch of new friends. Sooo glad she got to go and have this life-changing experience. Then she stayed with me for 4 days. We packed in a lot of fun on Saturday, including breakfast out, facials at the beauty college, a pedicure 4 me, shopping in SLC, a nap, shopping in Park City, an outdoor performance of the Utah Symphony at Deer Valley, and then cheese fries at Training Table. Way fun & full day. I was sad to see her go yesterday.

I LOVE YOU, BRITTANY!!!!

Pioneer Day Weekend

Every year on the 23rd of July, Bountiful holds its Annual Pioneer Day Parade, which all of the Willeys faithfully attend. This year was no exception. We expected a shorter parade (with the current economy), but we actually got a longer parade with more vehicles, less floats. Then we had a potluck bbq at Jeremy's aunts' house and watched some good fireworks. Jeremy's sister Amy and her family were in town from Phoenix, so we got to hang out with them a bit too.

On Saturday, I got together with some girls that I grew up with in Kennewick. We'd planned this get-together a few months ago for the six of us, and two weren't able to make it. But the four of us still had a great time catching up, hearing about each others' families and lives. It was great.

Sherrie, Donna Hunt Mercer, Laurel Banner Orr, and Marci Peterson Burnside

Weekend with Sarah in the O.C.

I met my friend Sarah in Orange County and we went to the Tears for Fears concert at the O.C. Fair. It was a great show - they sounded great. I love all their old and new stuff. We got a great deal on a room at the Hilton Garden Inn through Priceline and enjoyed some good meals and just catching up with each other.

Visiting the Smith family in Newbury Park

I went on up to Newbury Park to visit with the Smith family. I got to attend the ward I served in as a missionary 17 years ago (yikes!). Then we went up to Carpinteria State Beach where their friends were camping for the week and had yummy tin foil dinners and walked along the beach at sunset. Gorgeous!

Visiting the Andersons in St. George

Man, I can't believe it's been over a month since I posted. Why does time pass so quickly??? Since I last posted, I went on a fun road-trip to St George and to Southern California. It was so nice to be able to see some new scenery and visit dear friends, yet work from wherever I was (on weekdays) and not use any PTO. Here are a few pictures from my visit with Kristin and her cute family. This is the view from their new place!

Lovin' the 80s Tunes

Last night I went to the much-anticipated Regeneration Tour concert at The Depot in downtown Salt Lake City. Three bands (best known for their 80s hits) performed their hits, plus some of their newer material. Bands included Cutting Crew, Wang Chung, and ABC. I was most excited for Cutting Crew - I've been a big fan of their music since 1987 when I drove around in my red 1976 Ford Pinto listening to their Broadcast album. I have the 2-3 other albums they've released, and all are excellent. I just love their sound. Check them out! "I Just Died in Your Arms Tonight" is not their only great song, I promise!!
I was never a fan of Wang Chung - in fact, I always say "I love all 80s music --except for Wang Chung, Bruce Hornsby, and Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody"--but everything else!!" But they were fairly entertaining and had a few songs I'd forgotten about.
ABC was just as entertaining as when I saw them last summer (same venue).
Jeremy is in San Diego this week with his family, so he missed out!

Cutting Crew below:

It was a long but fun night for all.

Attempt to Recreate

I had a great time with the Smith family this weekend on our cruise to Catalina & Ensenada. Brittany and I tried to recreate the picture we took 16 yrs ago (see last post). How'd we do?

Catalina Cruise!

I was invited to join one of my very favorite member families from my mission on a cruise this weekend to Catalina. In my greenie area of Newbury Park, California, I lived with Karrie Smith and her husband and 2 boys. She was 7 months pregnant with Brittany, who I talked to often in the womb. Since then, we've always shared a special bond and no matter how many years go by without seeing me, she always remembered who I was and adored me. So now, fast forward...she's 16 years old, her parents have divorced, and she's dealing with the pressures that teenagers face in Southern California. The past few years we talk much more often and are very close.
Anyway, so Karrie planned this cruise with Brittany & her son, Carson (12), and told Brittany she could bring a friend. Her best friend couldn't make it, so Karrie asked her who else she'd like to invite. "SHERRIE!!!" she said! Wow, what an honor! So Brittany called me on Thursday morning, told me the details, and begged me to join them. Within an hour, I had booked a flight to Long Beach for this Friday. I'm so looking forward to spending time with them all.
Here's a picture of me & Brittany in 1993. Cuteness!!

Weekend in D.C.

Last weekend was my sister and her husband's birthdays (Saturday + Monday, respectively), so we went to D.C. to celebrate!! Plus, one of our favorite musicals (The Civil War) was being done at the famous Ford's Theatre, and we wanted to witness that. It was seriously excellent!! What amazing talent. Other activities/highlights include:

• Mt Vernon (by myself)
• Spy City Tour
• sushi at SEI
• to-die-for dinner at Bonefish Grill
• relaxing pedicure
• Antietam Battlefield
• Jefferson Memorial at night
• personal tour of the Hirshorn by cousin Lindsey

It was a fabulous weekend with great weather. For details, click on the slideshow to open Picasa and read my captions.

Mike & Angie's Vegas Wedding

The last weekend in March we went to Las Vegas for Jeremy's sister Angie's wedding to Michael MacDonald. They'd been planning this wedding at the Wynn Hotel for about a year, so we were excited to see how it all turned out. It was beautiful. Friday night, we attended a wonderful dinner for about 80 of their closest friends and family, held at The Palms on the 51st floor at the Nove Restaurant. D-Lish!! Then we went and rode the roller coaster at the New York, New York Hotel. Lots of walking was involved...
Saturday night was the wedding and it was truly beautiful. These pictures don't really do it justice. Congrats to Ang & Mike!!