INTRODUCING THE BOY...AKA CHRISTOPHER MATHEW RIDDELL!!!

Two and a half years ago I met a boy...


Yes I liked him but we weren't ready for each other. He was wild and taken. I was scared of everything in California. We talked and flirted. Over two and a half years I grew up and he tamed down. This summer we started to talk more...

I had a crush. We spent my birthday weekend together...




After that I was hooked.

Five things I love about him...

He is so kind and he always says please and thank you.
He puts up with my crazy ideas and is open minded.
He makes me feel protected and beautiful.
He is always trying to be a better and has learned from so many life expirences.
He gives good hugs and kisses.

That is the cheesy part of the blog. Now some fun pictures...











More to come....

Hawaii...

Here are some pictures. Sorry I will add words as soon as Tuesday is over!!!

***thanks tami for arranging the pictures!!!

....

I am back from Hawaii!!! I started a post and will finish it soon. Just be patient my friends.....:)

Birthday weekend...(a few weeks late)

My birthday in pictures...

Surprise dinner at BJ'S Brewery.








So many people showed up and we had so much fun. Thanks Funke and Tami for planning it. Also thank you to everyone who came.

Camping...









After dinner we drove up to Icehouse and went camping. So much fun.

Celebrating at the Willey...





The office decide to celebrate potty style. It all has to deal with a blog I posted a few weeks ago. It really was such a great idea. As much as I hate bathrooms I loved this surprise.

I had a great birthday. I really do think they get better and better every year. Thanks so much for everyone who helped me celebrate it.

Remember...

Crazy shoppers...

My favorite days at the Willey...



This video is actually from last year. However today was just as bad. We had well over 200 people outside the store today. At one time we even had a line of over 100 customers. It was great.

Just in case you were wondering why I wasn't in the Olympics...

In all seriousness I am obsessed with the Olympics. Go Team USA!!!

First comes love...then comes marriage...then comes baby in the baby carriage!!

(talked about in reverse order for sake of the blog)

Babies...
Two of my favorite friends in the world had cute little boys.
Maddax John Fisher
Noah Lance Bailey
Congratulations to Kolby, Tanya, and Hannah Fisher and also to Brigham and Brittinee Bailey. Congratulations to all my others friends that are expecting.

Marriage...
I had tons of friends get married this summer.



Congrats to Kasha & Ryan, Jamie & Timothy, Matt & Kellie, Kayla & Robert, Chris & Annie, Heather & Robert, Marshall & Kelsey, Justin & Amy, Leah and Austin and whoever else I forgot. (Sorry)




Love...
This is the fun part of the blog. Sorry to all of my single friends for bringing up dating and to all of my married friends congratulations.

I was talking the other night to a friend about dating. I have always thought of him as, for lack of better words, a ladies man. Mind you I really had nothing to base the thought on. I just assumed he would have no problems dating. Well talking the other night I realized I might be wrong. Don't get me wrong he is a great guy and I am sure the ladies do love him. I think he just doesn't know it yet.

So this part of the blog is in honor of him. I have always loved to challenge people or make deals with them. Lucky him! I told him that all I want for my 25th birthday, which I am so excited for, is for him to ask a girl on a date and go. He lives in the Utah County area and really has no excuses as to why he won’t succeed. He isn't as keen on this challenge as I am. If anyone has any ideas for the date or encouraging words please post them in my comments.

He has one month from today. That is five weekends. Best of luck!!

PS He knows I am posting this blog and will probably read it. Just so you know chances are without my challenge he would still probably go on a date soon. He isn't desperate by any means. And we might not ever talk again after he reads it. Let the challenge begin.

Bathrooms

Anyone that knows me knows I hate bathrooms. I hate everything about them. I hate going in them or cleaning them. I hate bathroom talk. I hate talking about them or talking in them. Basically I am starting to hate this blog!

So I should probably explain why I would write about the bathroom. Well the other day when I was in a bathroom at work a coworker came running in and ran to a stall. She then comes back out of the stall to tell me that she thinks going to the bathroom is such an inconvinience. She then proceeded into the stall. As she is going to the bathroom she asks me how my day is going. I was so disguested that I could barely even respond. She keeps talking. She finishes going then comes out. (Mind you I couldn't just leave because I was being forced into this awkward conversation) She then decides to fix her hair and adjust her clothes before washing her hands. Which wouldn't be so gross if she didn't almost forget to wash her hands. She then runs out of the bathroom and I am still just standing there not sure what just happened.

Which leads me to some bathroom rules...



Rule #1: No stall conversations. You’re gross if you want to talk over the sound of going to the bathroom. Just finish the conversation before or wait until you’re done.

Rule #2: Wash your hands!!!!!

Rule #3: Do not explain to anyone what you are going to do when you get in there or what you did when you leave.

I know there have been emails about lots of rules. I think these basic ones are a great start. So if I ever see you in a bathroom chances are I will not talk to you. Be offended all you want but no talking!

eBay...just discovered

So recently I have become obsessed with eBay. I have bought my NES and some games off of it. I know I know everyone else has been buying things on eBay for a long time but I just realized I love it. Most of the stuff I bid on I don't need. Here are my last three things I am trying to buy. I will even try to justify my need for them.


Oh a keyboard. I learned to play the piano when I was younger but now I only get to play when I go home. (mind you not very well anymore) So I have talked to two people about taking lessons again. They said this 61 key keyboard will work for now. For obvious reason I can't have a piano in my little apartment so I NEED this keyboard.


Second a bike rack for my car. Okay okay I don't have a bike. I will though. I have been looking for a few weeks now and part of the hold up was transporting it. This will solve that problem. My friend Brandi has one kinda like it and it seems to work just fine. I have already decided to buy a bike so I NEED a bike rack for sure.



Last is this My First Signs DVD. When I was in Utah I got to watch part of one of these DVDs with my friend Emily's baby. It was actually a Baby Signtime though. It is funny how much I still remember. I am signed up for an American Sign Language class this fall and this DVD (along with all of the others I have bid on) will help I am sure. It will be good to know something. Which is why I NEED this too.

PS I just checked and I am still winning all bids. They all close in 24 hours or less. Wish me luck.

The Hamburger...seven plus years.

So, one sad day a little over seven years ago I ate a hamburger and it was so gross. From then on I stopped eating them. I was completely disgusted by them. The look the taste and the smell. I knew it was all in my head but I couldn't force myself to eat one. I even had dreams about them. All bar b ques lost the appeal they once had. Well I have an announcement..I again like the hamburger. I had only ate one in over seven years up until last week. Since then I have ate three. This is a huge step for me. You might laugh but it is. Here is a picture to capture the deliciousness of it.




Okay this one is huge. The three that I ate have been really thin meat patties. I think I will stick to the thin ones until I am fully ready. Baby steps!! Maybe next I will try a hot dog.

Memories

This is for you Tanya!

Here is a fun little game... Leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time, or a long time, anything you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. On your mark...get set...blog your memories!!

Cedar Fort...the greatest small town.

So most people don't know much about the town I grew up in. I love my little town. I just got home from a week of celebrating Pioneer Day and most of it was spent in Cedar Fort. First a few facts about Cedar Fort....

It is located west of Lehi. It takes about forty five minutes to get to Provo or to Salt Lake.


Population (year 2000): 341 That wont change much anytime soon either. They only allow like four houses to be built a year.










They have an Elementary for grades K-5. The higher grades are bused into Lehi for school. They also have a church, post office and small a country store.


Growing up we were always entertained. Being so far from Lehi we all became really good friends. We had the greatest group to hang out with.


We did so many random things...(top ten)

Four wheeling
Horseback Riding
Rabbit hunting in the fields
Rappelling on water towers
Car tag
Bonfires
Camping
Night games
Switching street signs (shh)
Mud wrestling


My favorite thing about Cedar Fort is its celebration of Pioneer Day. It is a five day event. First three days include a concert in the park, town clean up and softball game, town pageant and a big dinner. Then the real fun begins. On the 23rd it is an all out town water fight. No one is safe. Everyone comes out with truck and hoses including all ages. Here are some pictures.















The 24th is celebrated with a breakfast, parade, carnival and a rodeo. It is always such a fun and exhausting day. Here are more pictures.
















Here are some other random pictures from my trip home.










I had such a great time seeing friends and family. Cedar Fort is the greatest small town ever!!