101 Goals Before I Die

My friend Therese gave me the idea to come up with 101 goals. I've had lots of fun coming up with them. Some are silly, some are serious, but I think it's a good idea to always have goals and things to look forward to. Now maybe since I'm sharing them with everyone, I'll feel more pressure to actually do them!

101 Goals

1. Visit my ancestors' farm in Norway.

2. Sing in an opera.

3. See Diana Krall in concert.

4. Tour Europe by train with my husband.

5. Get LASIK.

6. Exercise 5 times a week.

7. Achieve a doctorate degree.

8. Buy a boat.

9. Become a mother of 3.

10. Learn how to slalom ski.

11. Stop grinding my teeth when I sleep.

12. Learn to ballroom dance.

13. Go on family vacation to Disney World.

14. Take up gourmet cooking.

15. Learn to sew well.

16. Always be reading a book.

17. Go GREEN.

18. Watch the 10 greatest American movies of all time.

19. Continue to develop my piano playing talent.

20. Adopt a pet from the animal shelter.

21. Build my dream house.

22. Attend a REAL fashion show.

23. Plan and carry out FHE every week.

24. Simplify.

25. Learn to meditate.

26. Make writing in a journal a habit.

27. Plant an herb garden.

28. Become a frequent party hostess.

29. Ride a camel in Egypt.

30. Go on a safari in Africa.

31. Be content with my life.

32. Learn how to play tennis well.

33. Have a girl's night once a month.

34. See an opera at the Met.

35. Buy BSU Football season tickets.

36. Shop at the Mall of America.

37. Always have at least $5,000 in savings.

38. Visit Daniel and Grandpa Keith at Dry Creek Cemetery at least once a year.

39. Learn to jump a car.

40. Always pick up trash outside when possible.

41. Write a living will.

42. Buy something for a stranger.

43. Finish my wedding scrapbook.

44. Make singing everyday a habit.

45. Be a thoughtful neighbor.

46. Pay full price for an expensive clothing item I LOVE.

47. Get body reconstruction.

48. Visit my grandparents as much as possible.

49. Feed the missionaries twice a year.

50. Review these goals once a week.

51. Conquer my fear of incomprehensible things.

52. Continue my reign as Dr. Mario champion.

53. Get tickets to and attend the Ellen Show.

54. Visit or vacation with my siblings at least once a year.

55. Serve a mission with Phil.

56. Go to a full service spa for a whole day.

57. Give anonymous Christmas gifts every year.

58. Have enough food storage to feed my family for a year.

59. Visit the Holy Land.

60. Learn how to make real gravy.

61. Own a cabin.

62. Go on a girl's trip at least once a year.

63. Go snowshoeing.

64. Spend a week on a house boat.

65. Be the singer in a jazz combo.

66. Own a pink scooter.

67. Make a pie from scratch.

68. Buy plots for Phil and I at Dry Creek Cemetery.

69. Sing the national anthem at a professional sporting event.

70. Have pink hair.

71. Sing a duet in church with Phil.

72. Live somewhere else for a while.

73. See the play WICKED.

74. Read the Ensign every month.

75. Fly 1st class.

76. Teach my children to love and appreciate music.

77. Own a Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

78. See the beauty of Hawaii by helicopter.

79. Fall in love with a vampire.

80. Do my visiting teaching every month.

81. See Billy Joel in concert.

82. See Mariah Carey in concert.

83. Milk a cow on the Hubbard farm in Grace, ID.

84. Recruit 50 members of Kiwanis Boys' Choir.

85. Make a healthy dinner at least 3 times a week.

86. Go on a $1,000 shopping spree.

87. Cruise to the Caribbean.

88. Save at least $50 every week.

89. Read the Bible from cover to cover.

90. Become a member of the Boise Chorale.

91. Acquire my dream wardrobe.

92. Go to the temple once a month.

93. Road trip across the US.

94. Hike up to a lake.

95. Dine on a rooftop.

96. Learn how to apply eye makeup well.

97. Go on a week long rafting trip.

98. Spend an entire summer on vacation.

99. Camp in my backyard.

100. Invite friends or family to dinner once a week.

101. Bike to Lucky Peak and back by the light of a full moon.

Summertime Fun

PP on the Potty

The other day we asked Sophie if she wanted to go "PP on the potty" and she said "Kay". So we set her on her little potty and watched as she strained and grunted a little bit and then there was pee! She's only gone a few times since then, but hopefully she'll get more interested soon. Yay Sophie!

Boot Camp Graduation

4th of July weekend Phil's parents, Sophie and I flew to Lackland Air Force Base (right outside of San Antonio) for Phil's boot camp graduation. It was SOOOOOOO hot. Like 105+. It was really awesome to see what Phil had been up to for the last two months though. We are so happy to have him home. We went to Sea World and into San Antonio but mostly just stayed on base. We were just happy to be with Phil!

Phil's dorm! Nice comfy cot next to 17 others.

After graduation...

At Sea World...

On the Riverwalk in San Antonio...

Phil sitting outside our hotel room cause he wasn't allowed to go in...

Trying to stay cool!

4th of July. In awe of the fireworks...

I want to thank everyone for being so thoughtful and helpful while Phil was gone.

We are so proud of you honey!

Sophie's 1st Sleepover & The National Anthem

Sophie had her 1st sleepover on Thursday with her good friend Lucy. They had fun eating banana bread, playing the piano, sharing toys and watching Curious George. It took a while to get them to sleep, but when they did Amy and I did get some girl time and watched one of our favorite movies.

My friend Natalie and I sang the national anthem at the Boise Burn game (arena football) last night. We had a really good time. It was an awesome game. My dad, TJ, and Becca all came. We were really pleased with our performance and are excited cause they asked us to sing again for one of their playoff games and an Idaho Steelheads game. So...that will be fun. I guess it can be my new hobby! If you want to hear us, there's a video on Facebook.

I Have Pink Hair!

More Excerpts From Phil's Letters

"Today I woke up at 0200 and went to do kitchen duty. I actually fell asleep standing up. My knees gave out and I fell against the dishwasher and woke up. I couldn't believe it, that tells you how tired I am."

"All the guys that wear glasses have to wear the same, really thick rimmed ones. Our dorm chief was stopped by a TI in the chow hall and he said, "Dorm chief, where'd you get those glasses? You'd look better strapping 2 turds to your head."

"Today we learned how to dress wounds and save lives in combat situations. We practiced on each other and dummies. The dummies were pretty realistic, they had guts hanging out and bones sticking out and big open wounds like they were from gun shots and explosions."

"Today we had a drill where we get in a certain formation and out TIs walk around and inspect us. I did awesome until I had to yawn. I did it with my mouth closed so he thought I sighed. He made me drop and do pushups and said, "Oh poor Mason had a hard day everyone. Oh, its so lame he has to stand here, oh no, poor Mason!"

"When I graduate I'll get 2 ribbons on my dress blues but I'm trying to earn 2 more, honor graduate and advanced weaponry cause I can breakdown my M16 in 30 seconds and we're allowed 2 minutes."

"Today we had to go in the gas chamber. I had to wear a full chemical warfare suit. It was so hot and we had to run, go into the chamber and do jumping jacks, take off our masks and hoods, open our eyes and breathe in the tear gas. We had to give our reporting statement and then walk slowly out. It really burnt my eyes and lungs but I managed better than others."

"Today we walked around looking for IEDs. One went off in front of us on the side of the road. It was a lot of fun."

"One of my favorite places is the toilet. Its so relaxing sometimes I'll just go sit in there even if I don't have to go."