A new Blog!

So I just went to make a thanksgiving post on this my faithful blog of many years and it turns out it's full! Wow, who knew! Anyway I'm started a new blog here's the address: http://pureandsimplytara.blogspot.com  So enjoy folks, I'll keep blogging just now from a new location. :)

Celebrating SD style

 Last weekend I went with my parents down to San Diego, to visit my sister Brianna and her husband Cameron, and to celebrate Brianna's birthday. Here we are on Saturday morning ready to celebrate. Me, Brianna, and Mom.

 Me, Dad, and Brianna ready for a day of celebrating.

 First came breakfast. We went to a really cute restaurant where we all tried new dishes. I got lemon poppy seed waffles. SO carb-a-licious.

 Me and my little sis. Happy birthday baby girl!

 Next we went to a football game at SDSU stadium. It was free hat day. When we arrived they just run  out of hats at our gate so we went to the next gate, as we walked up they gave out the last hat, oh no... so we rushed on and finally arrived at a gate with hats. Here we are celebrating our free gift.

 At the beginning of the game they had the usual opening ceremony followed by a really cool fly by by these airplanes.

 Mom and I looking sporty in our new hats.

 B and I looking gangster while waiting for the game to start.

 The Aztecs were playing Air force. I was really impressed that the air-force players actually knelt and prayed in the in zone before starting the game.

 Here we are enjoying the game, I somehow was sporting a nice "snooki" poof when I put my hat on backwards.

Dad, Mom, and I enjoying the game.

 This is the mascot of the Aztecs. He was really enjoying his roll...and showing off his body...it was entertaining to say the least.

 The day was cold 60 degrees, and windy. We kept warm with jackets, blankets, and hot chocolate.

 During half time I saw something  I haven't seen in awhile, a girl twirling batons I didn't know they even did that in college. She was good at it too in spite of the fact that she had to have been freezing!

 Because it was the birthday of the Marines they honored some local Marines at the game. I felt so patriotic! Happy birthday Marines, thanks for all you do to keep us safe.

 Air force fought a good fight. Here are some Air force fans, these guys kept their shirts off the entire game in spite of the cold. They were hardcore.

 After the game and shopping we went back to Brianna and Camerons place for dinner. Dad bbq'd and deliciousness was consumed.

 The next morning we went to church. B and I traded clothes as per usual when we get together. Here we are ready to go.

 After church we ate cake. Since we didn't have any candles B had to blow out her scented candle. One candle for her first birthday as a married woman.

After cake we played a few games of golf, our recent fav family card game, then yummy dinner. Fun weekend full of good times with family.

Branch campout

Last weekend was our branch camping trip. Since I just didn't get enough camping in this summer I decided I just had to go. After work Friday I met up with my friends Kendra, Ryan, and Amber and after a quick bite we headed up to the camp ground. Our trip up was lots of fun chatting and singing along with the radio! When we arrived we used Kendra's lanterns and put up our tent. We've got skills. Here's Ryan, Amber and I with the finished product.

Then came relaxing around the fire...and of course eating good food. Here's Amber, Me, and Kendra around the fire.

Ryan, President Jackson, Brandon, Adrian, and Rusty enjoying the fire and good company!

The beautiful fire.

My roommate Tamar and I looking campy hoot! Hanging out around the fire was great. That night was extremely cold! Even with 3 pairs of socks, leggings, sweats, long sleeves, a sweatshirt, and my head covered, I was still super cold and didn't get much sleep.

But not to worry we all made it through to the morning & a beautiful morning it was!

Here's our crew enjoying breakfast burritos made by our branch presidency. They were amazing!

Enjoying the beautiful morning and sunshine.

Amber and I enjoying the fire in the morning.

Amber making pancakes for the group. Such a stud!

Blanca and I, survivors of the cold.

On our way home we went for a hike. It was a beautiful day. Also we sang along the trail which made it even more amazing!

Amber and Ryan got creative in their posing....this looks kind of twilight-ish right?

Amber and I enjoying the beauty of nature and fresh air on our hike. Can't tell you how nice it was to get out in nature and enjoy the peace, fresh air, and friendship found there.

Happy haunting 2012

On Halloween morning our rehab team all showed up in black. Here we are the dream team! Love, Love, Love my Coworkers. AJ our funny guy, the health nut & the muscles of the crew; Me the singer of songs, quick to laugh & bringer of attitude; Marlou the big boss, quick witted & smart, Ben the money maker, nice guy, the whooer of women.

We went through many costume ideas but finally settled on vampires. I went and bought capes, make up, and teeth. During lunch I busted out the make up and helped make everyone look scary. Marlou made it clear she had never dressed up in the 6 years she has worked at our facility but was willing to do it cause she knew it meant a lot to me. Love that they were all willing to indulge me. :)

Looking scary and Hott!

Our DON was Dracula and we were his minions during the costume parade. We won 2nd place in the costume contest! Frightening aren't we?

After work I stopped by my brothers house for dinner and to see them in their costumes. Here I am with my brother the cowboy.

Adden was diago! Such a cutie.

Benny was the cutest monkey on earth!

Then I went to meet up with friends and head to Hollywood for the big costume party in the street. Since parking is a nightmare down there on halloween we decided to take public transportation. Here we are waiting for the bus.

Yep it's halloween on the bus.

Nick, Naomi, Justin, and Kimberlee on the bus. Naomi's old lady costume was amazing. Also riding the bus reminded me of how stinky bus riding can be. whew.

It took FOREVER to get downtown including 2 buses, lots of walking, and a potty break but we finally make it. The costumes were AMAZING! Here's some of our group with some particularly awesome ones, Marie was the girl from Brave (her costume was amazing), Nick and Justin jumped in there too.

We bought bacon wrapped hot dogs. They were delicious!

Some of the costumes were wild, as expected for Hollywood.

We took a break and enjoyed the costumes as people walked by. So entertaining.

One of my favorite groups of the nights, these women did an awesome job dressing as the witches from hocus locus!

There was even a visit from the ghost busters car! So awesome!

Nick even met his possible future bride while we were waiting for the bus. We ended up taking a cab home so we could get a bit of sleep before work the next morning. It was a wild Halloween, full of once in a lifetime experiences. Nice work LA.