In Loving Memory of Kimberly Mendel Beck

My heart is aching for the Mendel family right now. Kim, their oldest daughter passed away on Sunday, leaving a loving husband and 5 beautiful children. Heather, my sister-in-law and Kim's younger sister has asked us to spread the word and post this pledge account.

http://pledgie.com/campaigns/14852

While I didn't know Kim that well, every time I was with her I just felt happy. She was SO positive, fun, energetic, loving, compassionate, spiritual, and much more. She wrote the most beautiful poem for my niece Olivia's funeral last year and she was always doing such kind and thoughtful things for others. It is such a tragedy when such an amazing person is taken way too quickly. If you want more details about Kim and her life, there is a short bio posted on the Pledgie site.

Things like this always make me so incredibly grateful for the Gospel and the perspective it gives. Words almost can't describe how grateful I am for every single member of my family. I am also so grateful for my friends and all of the blessings I have been given. Lots of love from me to all of you!

My Roots Continued

Here's another wonderful piece of media coverage about my roots, it is hilarious! This is where I spent 5.5 years of my life getting my higher education. I could put the video up here, but I think my roommates would make too much fun of me. haha.

My Roots

My co-worker refered me to this article, he said it gave him a laugh. Does this make me want to stop telling people I'm from Merced, CA? Never!!

World Series Baby!!

The Giants are going to the World Series!! This makes me smile (and cheer). Go Giros!

Summer Recap

I can't believe it is September 5th!! Where is time going? Honestly, I feel like 2010 has gone by so fast. Here are some summer highlights I haven't blogged about:
NYC with Doug and Heather
Duck Beach 2010Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer run with Kim (I miss her...)Moving into a new house in Arlington World Cup Action (somehow I found myself watching the USA vs. Ghana game in a bar by myself in Salt Lake...funny story)
House projects - painted a dresser and bookshelf
Outdoor concerts with my amazing co-workersBridal showers
Weddings (Ceclie and Alyssa Meik's....I love those girls so much)Visit back to P-town
BBQs
4th of July in DC...might possibly be the best place to spend this holiday
3 trips to Shannon's lake house...fell in love with wake boardingLots of tennis
Lots of soccer
Summer SoireeA week at the cabinDemolition DerbyKayaking on the Potomac
Julie's mission call/going through the temple for the first time
Road bikingDan's visit
Glen Beck rallyKennedy party at JFK and Jackie's former house in Georgetown (SO awesome)Redskins game in box seatsBring on the fall - beautiful leaves, visit from M&J, lots of work travels. I am really blessed!

Peach Goodness

One of my favorite things about Virginia is picking fresh fruit by the bag! Last Saturday, Laney and I went peach picking and got some super delicious peaches.
We also thought taking jumping pictures while picking fruit was kinda funny.
Anyways, Laney's Grandma Hall has a fresh fruit pie recipe that knocks your socks off! We made them with orchard fresh peaches, and I'm proud to report that I've had 3 pieces today. Thought I'd share the goodness:

Step 1: Bake Pie Crust (you can make your own, or just buy the Pilsbury pie crust and then bake it)

Step 2: Jello Mixture
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
5 TBL corn starch
Bring to boil and cook on stove top until thick
Add 6 TBL peach jello (1 pkg)
1 tsp vanilla
2 TBL butter
Let this mixture cool

Step 3: Cream Cheese Filling
Mix 8 oz. softened package of cream cheese 1 cup of cool whip
1 cup of powdered sugar
Smooth in bottom of pie crust

Step 4: peel and slice 10-12 peaches

Line pie crust with cream cheese filling, sliced peaches, and top with jello mixture and chill.

Pincheroo

Friends, I don't know what has happened to me! Down at Duck Beach a mixture of lots of sun, no sleep, LOTS of sugar, and being around some of my favorite people in the world got me starting to do this to boys!Let me explain...I'm not actually pinching their bum, I'm just pseudo pinching it and a few of my friends and I think this is the funniest thing in the world. And now, 5 weeks later we keep taking pictures

after pictures

after pictures of us mysteriously pretending to pinch their bum! Sometimes they knowand sometimes they don't.

Oh my gosh, I am laughing writing this right now. I know this seems really weird but trust me, do it and you won't be able to stop laughing. Lauren and I have worked on techniques...forehand pinch, backhand, the squeeze, the tap, the double squeeze. Ha, maybe I need a bf!?!? If my mother saw this she would probably kill me :)