FINALLY!!!

20 pizzas + 8 boxes of CapriSuns + "Night at the Museum" = end of year party!!! Thank goodness the end has arrived because I don't think I can handle these adolescent, drama-filled, too cool for school students much longer! I've loved this year but we ALL need a break! Watch out pool . . . here I come!!

Wordless Wednesday

go, Go, GO

Since I, Brooke, didn't even go on this little vacation to California I'm not quite sure why I ended up being the one that got to blog about it. Nevertheless, to continue on as the favorite child and to make mother dearest happy, I will gladly write about these MANY pictures she took while there. What I say, however, may not be 100% correct but that's what you get when you put me in charge! So this trip involved a lot of people coming together from a lot of different places. We had: Ed, Jan and Maryn coming from Utah. Holly and Martin coming from New Mexico. Judy and Andy coming from Utah. And Joetta, David, Joyce, and Rebecca coming from Missouri. Joetta loves coming to Utah for her birthday and going to Vegas and Disneyland while out this way. Justin just happened to be getting his Eagle at the same time so it became a big trip full of lots of things. Here is a little sampling of what took place during those 4-5 days. . .

That week was full of birthdays. We had Martin, Joetta, David, and Craig all celebrating together and what better place to do that than at On The Border, a great restaurant that everyone loves to go to when visiting San Diego. When you go make sure to get the fresh guacamole . . . Que rico! I think it's hilarious that mom gave Martin a BYU tshirt. At least I'm assuming it was from mom.

The next morning everyone got up and got ready for church. Doesn't everyone just look snazzy?!?! If you look closely Madison is almost as tall as grandpa! That night Justin received his Eagle, the highest rank in scouting. I know that grandma and grandpa were very happy that they could be there to see Justin receive this award. Craig was able to give Justin the same neckerchief he got when he got his Eagle in 1984. Yes, I said 1984!!! (see two segments down on this blog!) Way to go Justin on working hard and earning this award and setting a great example for so many people! We're proud of you!!!

And then came Monday . . . all the vacationers were off to the Happiest Place on Earth. To hear everyone talk, they had a fabulous time. Push the play button to check out the video above.

And they saved the best for last! The day before Ed, Jan, and Maryn headed home everyone went into San Diego to surprise Craig with a cake for his BIG birthday! He turned the dreaded age of 40 and would have preferred we didn't make a big deal out of it. But come on! Since when do we listen to peoples requests, especially those that involve embarrassment? Everyone got the little tour of the lab and the I'm sure they learned all the "secret" things going on in there. Yeah right, as far as I understood it life came to an abrupt halt the moment the "civilians" entered the building and didn't resume until 20 minutes later when they left to enjoy their lunch in Old Town San Diego. While there they spotted two famous celebrities. Ever hear of Ben Affleck or Jennifer Garner? Yep, they were there too. I'm just hoping and praying that my family weren't their usual selves and didn't do something embarrassing. I can just imagine mom starting up a conversation with them like she does with a perfect stranger in a line at Disneyland. Maybe find out that their neighbors housekeepers uncle is best friends with mom's visiting teachers brother? Hey - it could happen!

P.S. Check out the nice set of wheels Craig picked up for his 40th! Is it me or does this have mid life crisis written all over it? Nah, Craig doesn't look 40 nor act like it. In fact, he's probably the coolest 40 year old I've ever met!!! He's the bombdigity!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Thanks everyone for all the birthday wishes on Monday! I heard from all my siblings (even one at 5am!) and the rents, along with a lot of other friends and family! It was great going home for the weekend before and celebrating my birthday with everyone. I got back into town on Sunday night and got to start back at work the next day. I thought you'd like to see a little bit of what my day entailed. If you want to see the entire entry visit my class blog by clicking here. I knew that something was planned because I totally got my friend McKenna to spill the beans. What can I say, I have a gift. However, I wasn't expecting it to be THIS big!

To make a long story short my kids surprised me that morning by all wearing matching t-shirts that said "Happy Birthday Miss Porter!" and they each handed me a Diet Coke as they entered the classroom. It was awesome and I am so excited to be stocked up on DC!!!
Here is a great shot of my class! They are totally cheesing it but that's because that day they had A LOT of fun!!! As you can tell some of the shirts were a little on the big side but they were so excited to have them and wore them all day with pride. Many students throughout the school asked me how they could get one of their own. My class felt pretty cool!!!

Check out that mound of Diet Coke - I think I could drink that intravenously for the rest of my life and be ok!!!

And check out all those presents! Everyone was so kind and thoughtful. I couldn't believe all the amazing things people brought me. I got bookmarks, lotion, jewelry, stuffed animals, cards, chapstick, more diet coke, candy, cookies, balloons and lots more! I was super spoiled! Plus right after lunch our secretary walked into the classroom with some beautiful flowers that had just gotten delivered. WOW!!!

Besides all that I had a cake brought in and all my friends and coworkers surprised me at dinner. Everyone was super sneaky! Overall it was a great day and I didn't mind turning 21. In fact, I'm thinking of doing it again next year!!!