Miss Veenker 2009

Well I'm off to Ohio tomorrow, but I wanted to post about "The Miss Veenker Pageant" we had this past weekend. I've always loved doing sleepovers for my nieces and nephews. (Sorry to the nephews, I've neglected you for the past few years, but getting that many boys in a small confined space is enough to kill anyone).

Anyway, last year I thought it would be fun to have a Miss Veenker pageant and a sleepover (inspired by the Miss Pleasant Grove Pageant we had attended a few weeks prior). The girls LOVED the Miss Veenker pageant, so of course they wanted to have another one before I leave.

Now this is not your ordinary"show" that the girls put on 5 minutes before the "performance" is to begin. It's a HUGE ordeal that requires weeks of planning. Not so much planning for me, although I still have lots to do, but the girls "stress" about what they're going to do for their talent, and what they think will win the judges heart with their evening gown, swimming suit, and pajamas wear. (It's really cute to witness).

Katie, (sister-in-law) said that her two girls were so nervous about it. They wanted to do really good on their talent and make sure their "walk" was the best. My niece Brooklynn even choreographed her and her sister's dance, which was REALLY good. McKinsey made these fabulous signs with each girl's picture on them and Libby, Brooklynn and Cricket made this huge Miss Veenker poster. Everything turned out so great this year!

Last year I had the pageant at my small little townhome, but this year I asked my mom if we could do it at her house in case we had someone who wanted to come look at the house. (But it was mostly because I wanted some place with more space). We started off the evening (well it was more like day, we had to start at 3:00 p.m. because the evening would be full of lots of things to do) with hair and make-up.

I was so lucky to have so much help this year. My sister-in-law Cricket and sister Wendy helped with the hair and make-up, which was a huge help. It was kind of funny, while we were doing the hair and make-up, my sister Lori (who was in Indiana last year so Lexi couldn't come) asked "what time does this whole thing start?" I just laughed at her and told her that it has started and that the hair and make-up was part of the fun.

After everyone was gorgeoused (one of my new words) up, we started the competition with pajama wear. The girls looked so cute and the 5 judges (me, my mom, Cricket, Wendy and KyLee) knew already that it was going to be a hard bunch of girls to judge. After PJ's we did the talent portion, then swimwear, and ended off with Evening wear. It was SO fun and worth every minute of stress and preparation.

Now we didn't actually "judge" the girls, instead we took each girl and came up with a word or phrase that went along well with them. After everyone got their crown, flowers and sash, we had dinner and then headed off to Lexi's dance recital. All the girls had fun watching her dance and I'd have to say, she was one of the best in her class.

We ended the night with treats and a movie on the Big Screen (well it was actually just a movie projected on the wall, but it might as well have been). We watched the newer Parent Trap movie and the girls LOVED it. Mya wasn't so sure about watching the movie, she wanted to watch Tinkerbell (she's very picky about her movies and they can't be scary) but after I MADE her watch Parent Trap, I'd probably be safe to say that it's her new favorite movie. We all slept in the basement and everyone did really well through the night.

The next morning we had breakfast casserole and cinnamon rolls and that was the end, although Lexi wanted more. While I was fixing breakfast Lexi asked me "So what fun are we going to have today?" I had to break her heart and tell her that the fun was over.

Next year they want to have the pageant at the Cabin and the year after that in Hawaii. I told them I'd be willing to fly home for the Hawaii trip :). Then again, it's the girls' request on Hawaii, so we know how that will go.

I just wanted to thank my mom, Wendy, Cricket and KyLee for all their help this year. I also wanted to thank the moms for putting up with the girls demands on what to wear and what talent they want to do and helping them get ready. It was so easy with all the help I got. Before we had the pageant my mom asked me if I really like doing this or if I feel like I have to do the pageant. I think she answered her own question when she saw how much the girls enjoyed it and how fun it is to see the girls perform. I have the BEST family!

The girls in their evening gowns.

Striking a pose. They are all really good at that. No drama queens in this bunch (hear the sarcasam?)

Miss Lexi - "Sweetest curves and wave"

Miss Mya - "Perfectly Poised"

Miss Lexi - "Fashionably Fancy"

Miss Afton - "Prettiest Poser"

Miss Brooklynn - "Shiningly Chic"

Miss McKinsey - "Sensationally Spunky"

Miss Hailey - "Best Shimmer and Shake"

The clan with their crowns, flowers and sashes, what a cute group.

Seattle is Not the Place for Me

So I have decided that it's a good thing we will not be moving to Seattle or some other Pacific Northwest area (please tell me Akron Ohio isn't like Seattle!). I'm getting really tired of not seeing the sun! It's been cloudy here in Utah for the past week or so, and I don't know how much more I can take. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying the cooler weather and the moisture, but then again, I haven't really noticed THAT much moisture. It seems like it will rain for a few minutes, then stop for a long time, and then rain a little more, and stop again. But during the stopping stages, I'm not seeing ANY sun and I'm starting to get a little claustrophobic!

I got really depressed when I pulled up the weather and noticed that for the next 10 days it's going to be about the same. Now I'm praying that it's wrong (most likely my prayers will come true because the weather people are never right), but if for some reason it's right, I may just have to exchange my ticket to Ohio for the Bahamas.

There are so many things that I would like to do, but can't because of the "rain". My windows need some major TLC, and what's the point in cleaning them one night if the next day it's going to rain? So I just have to stare out water stained windows till the sun decides to come out and stay. I did get brave and clean my sliding glass door (because it's under an eve and I figured the rain wouldn't do too much damage to it) and boy did it make a difference! Every time I look at it, I ask myself why it took me so long to give it a good scrubbing, HUGE difference.

I would also like to drive over to the other side of Utah Lake to take pictures of the mountains I have taken advantage of for the past 28 years. I could take pictures with all the clouds, but wouldn't it be so much prettier if their was a beautiful blue sky in the background? I agree. Plus as you can see in the pictures above, the clouds are cutting off the top of Timp, and we wouldn't want to remember the mountains that way, now would we?

So for now the pictures and windows will have to wait. I really hope that by the time I get around to taking pictures the mountains won't be completely brown like they get every year. And hopefully when the rain stops I'll still have the motivation to clean the windows.

Anyway, on a happier note, we did get an offer on our house a week ago, unfortunately the bank has the final say. We FINALLY got ahold of the bank today and they are saying it could take 30-45 days till we hear back on approval. So please pray that the couple that put the offer in will still be interested by then. I really hate that we are having to sell in this dumb stupid market, but remember, have a positive attitude that everything will work out.

"Slacker" is My Middle Name

So I have been quite the slacker the last couple weeks! Usually I have plenty of time at work to update all of you about our exciting life, but I started a project I have been wanting to do for a long time now. I took all my recipes that I've had in my recipe box, all the recipes I've printed off the Internet and just threw in a pile, and some of my favorite recipes from cook books and combined it all into one big binder.

I typed everything into the computer and printed the recipes off and then filed them into different categories! I'm very excited about this. I always struggle trying to figure out what to fix for dinner and when I can't think of anything, we end up just going out. I never realized that I had so many great recipes till I actually started pulling them out of my recipe box. When I would get a recipe, I would file it my box under the letter I thought would be fitting - and never look at it again. Now that I have everything accessible and easy to see, I should be able to be the domestic house wife that Clint has always wanted :).

Any way, now that I've told you my life story about why I'm a slacker, let me fill you in on what's been going on in the last 3 weeks.

It's For Sale!!!

We finally got our house on the market a week later than we would have liked due to the funeral and haven't had much luck. It's only been on the market two weeks, but I still am freaking out because we've only had one showing. I keep telling myself that I need to have faith that it will all work out because we are suppose to move to Ohio. Some times it's really hard though.

Anyway, after reading my friend Janisha's blog, I decided that I needed to get our house on KSL, and make a blog of our house. So if you are interested in looking at it, click here. I don't know if any of you are like me, but I LOVE seeing other peoples houses. I love to see what ideas they come up with. So just don't judge me or mock me if you don't like my house :)

Bridal Veil Falls

Next we decided to take new engagement pictures. Not really, but we were at Bridal Veil Falls the other day, I mockingly made us take cheesy pictures.

Oh Clinty boy, I love you!

Me and my friend Teresa. I sure am going to miss the Jensen's. They have been our friends from the day we got married, seriously! They have had struggles with the kid thing as well, so it's been so nice to have an other couple who knows what we're going through. It's also nice because we still feel like we're in high school and can pretty much plan our night of activities 5 minutes before we leave for our weekend of fun.

Clint and Robin, they sure act tough...

...but they're really not. So when I said that we still act like we are in high school, this is proof. Clint is fondling Robin, and Robin's hand is on his way to Clint's behind. BOYS, they keep us young and make us laugh.

Roman's Birthday Party

We had one of our nephews birthday party a couple weeks ago. It was such a nice day! Here are some fun pictures to document the day.

Some of the guest playing that weird, but fun game that you through balls and try and get close to the first one?

The cake. Clint's sister Makell made this! Doesn't it look great!

Makell, Patti and Clay. I love this one!

Clint talking to Jax

Jax was so good to just let the kids smother him.

Roman wanted his Uncle Clint to hold him.

He, Clint, made quit the mess.

And for payback, Mariah told Roman to kiss Clint.

Roman, me, Clint and Boston. Has anyone ever gotten a picture of a 2 year old and a 4 year old together looking at the camera, smiling and not being silly? I know I haven't.

Happy Birthday song. This is for you Scott. My brother is in Argentina on his mission right now and he loved when I put a video on my blog of people speaking English, so I though I would put the happy Birthday song on here for him.

The Funeral

All in all the day went pretty well. Lots of tears, and laughs but no one had a major break down so we can't complain. We had a viewing on Sunday night and so many people came! Thanks to all of those who came and most of all waiting in the long, slow moving line to see us. It really means a lot to us to have your support.

Monday was the funeral and Clint was one of the speakers. I wish I could speak like him. He didn't have any notes or anything and he just stood up there and did such an amazing job! The service was really nice. We sat on the second bench and I could just picture Jim sitting on the front row, sitting sideways looking at the pulpit and holding Patti's hand behind him. I'm sure he was there and I'm sure he was giving Patti a hug the whole day. She did amazing!

Here are a few pictures of the day. I do have pictures of Jim in the casket, but I didn't want to post them for a couple reasons, but mostly because he really didn't look like Jim. In fact so many people commented on him not looking like himself that after the burial Patti was standing there in a daze and asked me if it was really Jim that we just buried (I'm sure it didn't help that there was a mix-up with bodies at the hospital on the day he died). I had to reassure her it was him and he had his scars and marks that he had before. It's amazing to see that your spirit is really what makes a person, not your body.

Clint and I with Roman and Boston

Clay, Patti and Makell

The family, Jim is kind of peaking through

The Pallbearers (Clint, Enrique, Roman, Clayton, Coleton, Mick and Derrick)

And again at the cemetery. Don't they look good! They all had matching lime green ties and those handkerchief things in there pocket.

Mariah, Boston, Patti and Makell

The family at the grave site

Here they come

And a again, isn't Roman just so cute holding his dad's hand

Almost there

The casket

Getting a ready for a family picture

And the final family picture

Clint's Graduation!!!

UVU's First Graduation!!!

And Clint was one of them!

I am so happy that he finally did it! It was a day that we'd been waiting for for a long time! At the convocation, President Thomas S. Monson spoke and received an honorary Doctorate degree. It was an amazing experience and I feel so privileged to be part of it.

Even President Ukdorf, President Eyring and their wives were there.

President Monson after he received his honors

The Class of 2009

Clint's mom, his sister Mariah and my brother Craig, waiting for the commencement to start.

Roman, Enrique, Clay and Makell waiting.

The Meeks clan minus Jim at Clint's Graduation

Woodbury School of Business Graduates

Congratulations!!!

Clint and his mom Patti

The three of us

Mariah, Boston, Makell, me, Clint, Patti, Clay, Roman and Enrique

Boston being funny at Mimi's Cafe

Mariah, Boston and Clay

Waiting for our food. Boston was going crazy because the food was taking so long. Then when it finally started to come, she was the last one to get hers. Poor thing.

And that was our long and exhausting day. It was kind of a bitter sweet moment. We were all so happy for Clint, but still really sad that Jim wasn't with us anymore. But I really feel like he was there supporting Clint. Love ya Clint, you did great! Just promise me that law school isn't going to take as long as your undergraduate ;).