A Great FHE and Pi Day!

Today was a day that I have been needing.  I went to FHE tonight and our group spent the time visiting a widow that lives on a street near us.  Her name is Amy, and she insisted we call her that.  One of our FHE members had seen her outside shoveling the snow from the last snowstorm and he stopped to help.  Oh, she is 90, by the way.  Ty struck up a friendship with her, and he brought our whole group to her cute little home.  We brought pizza and drinks, and had a lesson with her.  She told us about her life, but then she bore one of the sweetest testimonies that I have ever heard.  There were quite a few misty eyes in the room, with mine being the most watery.  I'm such a sap!  

After FHE, one of the girls in the ward threw a Pi Day party.  When I found out there was a pie competition, I knew I had to enter my family's famous Hershey Pie.  It is served every year at Easter, and some random times in between.  It's one of the most delicious (yet simple) things to make.  Mom, you taught me well on how to make them, and I took the top prize at the party!   The Pi Party was just a blast, and it was so good to catch up with old friends, and make a few new ones.  

I will definitely be going to bed full and happy!  Goodnight!

Fun Fact:

Pi= 3.1415926535 8979323846 2643383279 5028841971 6939937510 5820974944 5923078164 0628620899 8628034825 3421170679 8214808651 3282306647 0938446095 5058223172 5359408128 4811174502 8410270193 8521105559 6446229489 5493038196 4428810975 6659334461 2847564823 3786783165 2712019091 4564856692 3460348610 4543266482 1339360726 0249141273 7245870066 0631558817 4881520920 9628292540 9171536436 7892590360 0113305305 4882046652 1384146951 9415116094 3305727036 5759591953 0921861173 8193261179 3105118548 0744623799 6274956735 1885752724 8912279381 8301194912 9833673362 4406566430 8602139494 6395224737 1907021798 6094370277 0539217176 2931767523 8467481846 7669405132 0005681271 4526356082 7785771342 7577896091 7363717872 1468440901 2249534301 4654958537 1050792279 6892589235 4201995611 2129021960 8640344181 5981362977 4771309960 5187072113 4999999837 2978049951 0597317328 1609631859 5024459455 3469083026 4252230825 3344685035 2619311881 7101000313 7838752886 5875332083 8142061717 7669147303 5982534904 2875546873 1159562863 8823537875 9375195778 1857780532 1712268066 1300192787 6611195909 2164201989 3809525720 1065485863 2788659361 5338182796 8230301952 0353018529 6899577362 2599413891 2497217752 8347913151 5574857242 4541506959

And that is just the first 1120 digits. . .

Park City and the Blind Dog

The Weyman family plus Granny Slash

Today was a little hectic, but SO great because I got to see the Weymans! I left work a little early and headed through the canyon (best drive ever, by the way. That canyon is so gorgeous!) toward Park City. Aunt Sissy, Uncle Ned, Elizabeth, and Robert were all up at the Park City Mountain Resort for their yearly ski excursion.

Since Robert's birthday was just a little while ago, I stopped by Jess' and my favorite place for cupcakes, the Cocoa Bean Cafe, and snagged some of their AMAZING cupcakes. How can you go wrong when some of the flavors are Grasshopper, Better Than Whatever, Death by Chocolate, Snickerdoodle, White Chocolate Raspberry, and Snickers?!

Oh, and by the way, these look small in the picture.  Trust me, they are huge, and you have to eat them with a fork!

After we chatted for just a little bit, we headed out for a delicious dinner at the Blind Dog restaurant.  I had never been, but I can tell you, they had the best creamed spinach I have ever tasted.  Yes, you read that right- creamed spinach!  I was planning on just moving it to the side of my plate, but decided to just give it a try.  I'm not ashamed to admit that I scraped my plate clean of spinach before I ate anything else.

Dinner was just a blast!  Elizabeth and I sometimes had a hard time hearing people on the other side of the table, and when that happened, we just looked at pics on Sissy's camera, laughed, and chatted.  Some of the interesting things to come out at dinner:

• Sissy and the tale of the 9-foot Christmas tree.  She called home and had Ned measure the ceiling.  When he told her it was 8 feet 4 inches, she just assumed the tree would work anyway.  The pictures of the family in front of a fake tree that has its top squished against the ceiling are hilarious!
• Elizabeth's habit of mixing up different sayings.  During the telling of a story, she said she was so embarrassed that she was 'beet red as a tomato'.  In true Isenbarger fashion, I pointed out that I was so glad that she wasn't as beet red as a beet- that would have been too red.  We all had a good laugh about that one.
• Robert forgetting to tell our family that he got engaged.  Elizabeth and I were looking through pics when she pointed out Karen and called her Robert's 'fiance'.  I was a little caught off guard since they were just dating at Curt's wedding last summer.  Apparently Robert had gotten engaged a few months ago and forgot to tell us!  That became the joke of the evening.  Anyone up for a trip to Boston at the beginning of October?

What a fantastic evening!  Even as I was driving home, I kept thinking about how it is such a blessing and privilege to be related to such amazing people.  They are great examples of humility and goodness, and I am so glad I got to spend some time with them.  Love you, Weymans!

A Terrible Breakup

I have decided to observe Lent in order to rid myself of a nasty habit- drinking pop.  I have found myself getting mad headaches if I go a day without caffeine, and to me that is no bueno.  I would like to be in a place where I don't reach for pop every time I get thirsty.  It's something that I have wanted to do ever since I noticed that my teeth feel weird, my mouth is dry, and my stomach growls after I drink it.  So, I am going to observe Lent and give up pop for forty days.  Wish me luck!

To my boyfriend, Dr. Pepper, we need to take a break.

Music can touch the soul!

Today I was looking over YouTube for a video that Jess and I have been searching for for years.  I came across this recording of Le Nozze di Figaro, and the chills just started running up and down my spine!  I was playing the very beginning (starting at :28, and going to 1:00), and Jess came in my room and told me that this section of the opera is what made the Marriage of Figaro her very favorite opera.  I have to agree that this is an INCREDIBLE section!  And, I have decided that I have a HUGE crush on Gerald Finley (the Count).  He is the best!


Ohhhh. That crescendo gets me every time! I can't even explain how this part makes me feel! Mozart was truly a musical genius with his works. Check out the harmonies and mix of music in the rest of this act. SO GOOD!

Jimmerisms

I was a doubter.  I thought he was a one trick pony.  But boy was I wrong!

Today BYU swept #4 San Diego State University in basketball.  On their court.  And SDSU is no team to sneer at.  It was a great game, and the entire BYU team was on fire!  Abouo had 18 points, Hartsock had 15, Emery had 14.  The guys were on FIRE!

But my favorite thing has been to read some of the 'Jimmerisms' that people come up with.  I try and stay away from the sacrilege, but some of them are really hilarious.  My favorites:

- Why did Jimmer cross the road?  Because he was tired of crossing over Tre'von Willis.
- And Jimmer dwelt in a tent.
- One time the BYU basketball team was walking on the beach.  They looked back and there was only one set of footprints.
- While playing Scrabble, if you spell the word 'Jimmer', you automatically win . . . forever.
- Double Jimmer all the way across the sky!
-Jimmer has more crossovers than the US-Mexico border.

Oh dear, people are clever!

Hell Froze Over Today

Four months to the day . . .

And I'm getting another post up.  I'm sure no one will read it since you have all given up on me and my blog!  I'm sorry!  I never was good at journal keeping.  And it seems as if there isn't much going on in my life that is interesting for people to read.  Oh well.  Let's get a few updates up.

The Isenbarger's Know How To PARTAY!

Today Jess and I threw a bridal shower for our friend, Amy.  She and our friend Chris are getting married on March 19!  Amy has always been such a fun person, and always comes to our get togethers.  So we were really excited to throw this shower for her.  In true Isenbarger fashion, it was a *little* over the top.  Our spread included: chex mix, chips and salsa, veggie pizza, rock candy, little smokies, cheese ball and crackers, strawberry napoleons, and Lisa's Best Bubbly.

Yeah, we go a little overboard sometimes. . .

In fact, we spent so much time on the food and getting ready for the party, that we didn't have time to get ourselves ready!   Let's just say that Jess and I weren't at our prettiest . . .  But we had a good time.  We played a memory game with pictures and stories from their courtship, watched a chick flick, had presents, and played the bubblegum game.  We videoed Chris' responses and played them for Amy and the girls.  We asked amazingly easy questions like, "What was the name of Chris' childhood pet?", and "What was the name of the elementary school that Chris went to when he was nine?".  Honestly.  Who wouldn't get those answers right?!  :)  After a wad of fourteen Dubble Bubble pieces, Amy's jaw was sore and hurting.  But we had a great time watching her try to chew!

It was a fun time with the chicas in the ward.  Amy got some great presents (you're welcome, Chris!), and was sent off into married life with a great party.  Congrats, Amy and Chris, we love you guys!!!

Praxis: Consider Yourself Rocked!

Today was a pretty big day.  I took the exam that has been the focus of hours of study for the last semester.  All told, I probably studied about 40 hours for this dang test.  Thankfully, a lot of material was online so I didn't have to take a class or spend tons of money preparing.

I took the test at noon, and felt really nervous walking in.  But I kept telling myself over and over, "I'm prepared.  I've been preparing for this for a long time.  I can do this."  It was a pretty lengthy test, with 120 questions.  I just buckled down and took it one question at a time. 

After an hour and a half, I finished with a passing score!  UVU requires a 150 for the program, and I got a 177.  BAM!  I felt so amazingly good walking out of the testing place.  I was so excited that I went home and finished my El Ed application immediately!  Now I just have the group interview on March 25th, and then the waiting begins . . .

Thanksgiving Dinner!

Thanksgiving was the big holiday for our family this year.  We had everyone home, and it was the loudest bash ever!  Such a great time.  I always love hanging out with them.  Some people go on vacations to exotic places when they get time off of work.  I go home.  It's the best vacation anyone could ask for.  Don't believe me?  Check out these pics and see what I mean:

It started out with a visit to Clarks Hill restaurant.  BEST ONION RINGS EVER!!!!  And I don't like onion rings that much.  Mom and Dad found this little gem and took Jess and I out on their anniversary.  Don't worry, they didn't pay.  :)  Can I just say that I have the best parents ever?  It's the truth.

 

Nine Irish Brothers: Round 1.  This is the owner, Jerry.  We told him how much we all love his restaurant and how it is a family tradition for the kids to come here every time they are in town.  We also discovered one of the best appetizers ever on this trip.  Nine Irish Brothers Pots O' Gold.  Hollowed out potato skin, sauerkraut, corned beef, and a slice of swiss cheese on top.  Add some thousand island for dipping and you've got an amazing bit of food, people!

 Jess and I were trying our best to get on PeopleofWalmart.com.  We tried and FAILED!  How could they not want us?!

 After a *slightly* stressful round of family pictures (we got kicked out of our first and second spaces and settled on another fireplace scene), the kids took a break at Arni's.  They have some great pizza and some AWESOME salads!  Green onion, swiss cheese, turkey.  That's what I'm talking about!

 JC, you become more like your mother each time I see you.  And that's a good thing.  :)

Gorgeous ladies, just gorgeous.

 Seems like Curt & Cole have similar tastes in wives: petite, beautiful blondes with bangs.  Love you, ladies!

 Addie proved how much of a girly girl she is.  Here she is checking out People's 'Sexiest Man Alive' edition with Aunt Emily.  And she wasn't just looking . . .

 Watch out, Matthew Morrison!  Addie is coming for you.

As for dinner, Sarah made the BEST stuffing I have ever tasted.  And coming from a Stove Top lover, that might not mean that much, but the fact that it was Braden safe made it all the more delicious.  Oh, and Sarah broke that wooden spoon right after this photo when she tried to stir the stuffing.  It was pretty hilarious.

 Have I ever told you how much I love fried turkey? I'm kinda like the dad on Christmas Story.  Turkey fiend.  This Thanksgiving was heaven for me.  We had a fried turkey, and two different roasted turkeys.  Yeah, Dad went a little overboard.

 I have to say that the food was especially good this year.  And most of it was safe for Braden with his milk allergy.  Yay!  I think he liked the food, by the by.

 Rick was ready to bust a move on that plateful of food!

 Pooma and Judy sat at the Bad Kids table, away from the adults.  Pooma is usually the ringleader when it comes to trouble.  Don't believe me?  Check out that mischievous smile!

 Addie couldn't stop eating the bread.  Here she is with a huge mouthful of the stuff!

 After dinner, Trin shared some stories, poems, and drawings with us.  She is quite the little performer.

 I have the cutest nieces and nephews.  Seriously.

 And the tryptophan kicks in!

 The ladies in the family all made little hot chocolate ornaments.  Miss Vanessa found the craft online.  Isn't it cute?!  Although Jenny thinks hers isn't as nice as she wanted it.

Here we all are, hard at work.

 

Love this!

 Cole and Emily cornered Jessie, serenaded her with a rousing rendition of 'Happy Birthday', and then pulled out the ultimate gift: an exclusive edition of her favorite story, Beauty and the Beast.

 This was the funniest thing I saw all vacation.  Addie was picking her 'ickies' out from her toes.  She likes to have clean feet.  And then she went to go get the 'ickies' from her mom's feet.  EEEEEWWWW!

See what I mean?  So cute, yet SO gross!

 The dogs found the best seat in the house.  Don't you worry, Boompa gave them little tidbits here and there.  Even he knew that we wouldn't be able to finish THREE turkeys.

 JC said the potatoes were his favorite ever.  I think we will need to make this recipe again next year! 

 This Thanksgiving was the first time ALL the kids were able to make it together to Nine Irish Brothers!  We finally were all there and had a heck of a time.  Since Curt failed at 'downs' last time, and we kept trying to convince him to eat more by goading him, "Kyle could do it!", we decided to let Kyle have 'downs' and show Curt how it's done!  This is round 1.

 

Round 2

 

Round 3

 

Round 4

 

And FINALLY, round 5!  Kyle ate it ALL.  Take that, Curt.  You are one Salty Dawg.

 I think Todd liked his sandwich.

 And the couple's pictures begin.  Curt and Vanessa.

 Cole, Emily, and . . . a bottle of malt vinegar?

 Sarah and Todd (with his mouth full).

 Kyle, Ash, and of course, Cole in the corner.  He always get us with that!!!

 Awww.  :)

 And last but not least, the single ladies.  I wouldn't take a couple's pic with Jess and she was trying to convince me.  I think I look like I'm about to kill her here.

 

The whole gang!  What a great end to the trip!!!!