Segs on the Beach!

I'm not making that phrase up--it's the catch phrase of GW Tours in Huntington Beach where we had the pleasure of riding segs on the beach!

As if riding up in a hot air balloon was not enough, we decided to go on a little segway off-roading adventure.

Enjoy!

Our tour guide told us to strike a pose when the camera came out--I took him a little too seriously...

We got to go "off roading" on the sand--so cool!

This is the only dude that fell--and he made it happen about three times... yup. 

He told us to strike poses--I was only following directions.

And down the grassy knoll we ride!

And slalom through the trees we must!

And then it was out to "south central." I was told to flash a gang sign--again, I was only following directions! 

And here I am, apparently about to get hit by a car--I didn't even realize it until I saw this picture. :)

We did it! ....mostly without falling...

We had an excellent time! I'd highly recommend GW tours if any of your adventurous sides are itching to come out. Hope you enjoyed the snapshots! 

Top 11 of 2011

In thinking back through last year (and honestly searching through the blog and Facebook to try to remember all of last year), I created a top 11 list.

The following are my top 11 experiences from 2011(kind of in order, but not really):

11. Leaving Thompson and going to Warren.

Although I wasn't happy about it at first, and although it's not always easy, I have learned a lot about myself and God's provision through the move. You can read more about my heart toward the move initially here., packing up my old classroom here, moving day here, setting up the new room here, and the room really getting put together here. Obviously, this was a big part of my year last year. :)

10. Traveling to Europe on VACATION! 

I had been to Europe a few times prior to last summer, but never just for fun. You can check out all of my European Adventures beginning here.  And if you're really bored, there's plenty more where that came from!

9. Getting to see Nicole three times in one year.

Nicole lives too far away. First, she lived all the way in Georgia. Now, she lives all the way in stinkin' England. But, I was fortunate enough to be able to see her three times this year--far more than I did when she lived in Georgia. The first visitation happened in England beginning here!

8. Planking on top of the Eiffel Tower.


Planking is awesome. The Eiffel Tower is awesome. I got to plank on the top of the Eiffel Tower--I must be awesome. :) Here is the post and picture of that awesomeness!

7. Not going to Ireland. 


Ok, this may not seem like a "highlight," and I'm still bummed that we didn't get to go, but it sure made for one great memory! PLEASE please read the story here. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wish you were there to not make it to Ireland with us. "N as in NEVER GOING TO GET TO IRELAND AT THIS RATE!"

6. Meeting Brian Regan! 


Getting to meet my favorite comedian was an unforgettable experience. He is so down to earth and so stinking funny!

I didn't blog back when I met Brian Regan, so here's a picture for you!

5. Two new cousins and a new step-nephew being born. 


I love these three so much. I am so blessed that they are now a part of my life. I can't wait to watch them grow up and change. Read about my amazing little cousins here.

4. Learning more and growing closer to God. 


It's my goal now each year to read the whole Bible. I never want this to become a check off to-do list activity. but a discipline. From this (and from my incredible church and home group), I have learned more about my God and who I am in Him. I pray for an even deeper relationship this upcoming year. Here is just one example of this...

3. Getting to be on TV!


My mom and I got to be on Eyewitness news toward the end of last year. Cambi Brown and Sean Collins came to our house and installed a CO detector. Although we had to wake up super early, we had a blast. And, we made a new friend. Cambi, you're the best! Here's the whole story (and a clip!).

2. Buying my first car. 


I feel like such a big girl now. I have my very own car. Josie is great. Please read more about her here!

1. Riding a helicopter into the Grand Canyon.


One of the most amazing things I have EVER done! I can't even describe it to you. I can't wait to actually fly a helicopter on my own!!! Read more about my adventure HERE!

And here's to hoping that 2012 will have more than 12 amazing adventures ahead! Cheers!

My Weekend...In Pictures

This weekend has been awesome (every weekend should be like that according to Mrs. G., and I'd have to agree). I thought I'd share it with you all through some  (a lot of?) photos....

Friday began with the birth of my nephew (my step-sister's son) Logan! Welcome to the world, Buddy!

After work, we tried out Buffalo Wild Wings. Our staff didn't have a great showing, but it's the quality not the quantity, right? I did get to hang out with my old junior high PE teacher from Tevis. When he realized I was in his class, he told me he hated me. We had a grand ole time...

Friday evening was sushi and Target--always a delightful combination. 

On Saturday, Mom and I headed out to Solvang to celebrate Lauren Jensen's birthday. This was the view for the first part of the trip:

A cotton truck?!? Really?!? Not cool!

When we arrived, we had lunch at a golf course...

...and embarked on some wine tasting adventures.

Of course, I was the DD (or the DVD as I like to call it).

(The water had quite the refreshing flavor!)

The winery was GORGEOUS!

The next winery wasn't beautiful, but it had lots of personality...

We walked around and shopped before dinner. Solvang is OBSESSED with Halloween. Strange. All the stores were participating in a Scarecrow making contest.

The sunset that night was beautiful. Notice the moon?

The evening held many rousing games of Dutch Blitz (appropriate, much?) and a delightful slumber party for six!

This morning we ate an incredible (and filling) breakfast! I could not come to Solvang without a piece of this deliciousness!

(Here is where we enter our food comas)

We had to work off our breakfast by shopping, olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting, and of course, laughing. 

On the way home, we picked up many unwelcome visitors on the windshield, so we had to drive through the car wash before coming home. I chose the best option, and it came with a PICTURE! Check it out!

Amusing, because I really hate Halloween, but hilarious because it's a picture from the car wash. :)

I hope you enjoyed my weekend in pictures. Let's hope that there's many more of these to come!

This Definitely Made the Top 10 List of Life!

Yesterday I did one of the most amazing things I have ever done--flew over and into the Grand Canyon in a helicopter!! I was able to cross off two things from my (never written down) bucket list: ride in a helicopter and go see the Grand Canyon. This was truly an epic way to kill two birds with one stone so to speak.

The van picked us up at our hotel at 0635. We. Were. Tired to say the least. We rode to Henderson airport, checked in with the company, hung out a bit, and were separated into our different groups. We were going to go on this adventure in the hands of Pilot Jake Arnold.

We went on another quick van ride, got some instructions, took some pics, strapped on our floatation devices (in case we accidentally landed in Lake Mead or the Hoover Dam), and loaded up. Mom and I got to sit right up front with the pilot and I was stoked!

As we lifted off, the music playing in our headsets was "Come Fly With Me," and I seriously couldn't stop giggling. I was like a little kid getting a pony for Christmas. I knew instantly that I had fallen in love with helicopters. I need to learn how to fly one--seriously seriously seriously. New life goal.

We flew up and out toward the canyon and I giggled--a lot. Our pilot probably thought I was a nutcase. :) We got to see Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam. We saw lots and lots of desert and dry land, and we came upon the canyon grande. We actually flew down into the canyon, pretty close to the side, and I was just slowly dying inside from excitement.

The copter landed in the bottom of the canyon and we were able to get out, walk around, take pictures, enjoy a bit of a picnic, and hang out with the other folks from another copter. The whole time I just couldn't believe it was real.

After about 25-30 minutes, we strapped on our floaties, buckled in (the back this time--we had to share), and took off again. We stopped about 15 minutes later to fuel up, and then went on our way. I was so so sad when we spotted the strip and realized that my epic adventure was too quickly coming to an end. As we touched down, "Happy Trails to You" was playing on our headsets. Loved it.

It was my first helicopter ride, but I assure you, it will NOT be my last. I cannot recommend this highly enough. We went with a company called Maverick Airlines , and I was nothing but pleased with them. Check it out if you're planning a trip to Vegas in the near future. I will leave you with some amazing pictures to assure you of the epicness and awesomeness of this adventure. To see all of the pictures, click here!

 Mom and me--all geared up!

 Pilot Jake Arnold!

 Yah, we were that close!

 The Hoover Dam

 Lake Mead

 Approaching the Canyon

 The Grand Canyon

 Incredible

 Getting lower and lower

 After we landed, walking around

 Madre and me with our sweet ride

 Stripes

If I had 10 thumbs, I'd give this 10 thumbs up

Your Team!

I really have no idea how this "game" originated, but it's been going on for quite some time. My brother and his friends began putting odd people they'd see out and about on each others' hypothetical "teams." This, my friends, can be quite hilarious. Since it's gone on here for years, I thought that creating a European team would be no less than epic. So, I (as candidly as possible) snapped shots of candidates that I put on my brother's (and my friend Aaron's) team. When I returned to the states, I developed said snapshots, put them in a nice neat album, and presented my brother and Aaron with their team, European Edition. I'll share some of the gems with you here:

 Mr. Overalls

 Mr. and Mrs. Short Shorts and Puffy Hair

Mr. Buck Tooth Tourist

 Mrs. Dressed from Head to Toe on a Hot Day

 Mr. Mullet Boy

 Ms. Make my Hair Match my Leggings

 Mr. Brightside

 Mr. Mismatch Mania

 Ms. Blue Hair Weird Tights

 Mr. Ghost Sun Bather on a Cool Day

 Ms. Panties on the Wrong Side of the Pants

 Mr. Bag Pipes gone Wrong

 Mr. Whoopie Cushion on a Train

 Ms. Inflatable Head

Ms. I Like to Show the World my Bra

There's plenty more where that came from--I'm pretty sure the "team" had over 60 people on it. :)

Life goal: Never make it on anyone's team!