Yellowstone!!!

For the UEA (Utah Education Association) holiday October 20 - 23 we went to Island Park and stayed in Steve Hausknecht's amazing cabin and had a fabulous time.  The WE in this group included 3 teen "exchanges" Seema, Lamiaa, and Gabriel and then 5 tweens Bella, Karli, Rane, Lexi, Jackson and 5 kindof adults me, John, Lori, Kelly & Elizabeth.

The cast of characters - very front Ms. Seema! Middle row - Lamiaa, Bella, Lexi, Rane, Karli, Jackson, Me, Lori & Kelly.  Back row Gabriel, John & Elizabeth.


While the 17 minutes of the slideshow will tell the story, here a few things to watch fo r~ lots of hanging out and enjoying everyones company, Lamiaa & Seema learning to play poker and their first hot tub - with LOTS of friends, a dance party, Yellowstone, Old Faithful, a bald eagle, elk, buffalo, ducks, Big Springs, beautiful scenery, sleepy kids, a boat escapade, teens at the Lodge, giggles, Jenga and lots more.  Needless to say the trip was so much fun to watch adorable exchanges enjoy everything new and soak in America and the tweens being able to just hang out together and be in a beautiful spot that some have been before and others all new.

Thanks to everyone for being our friends and Papa John for arranging the accomodations.  You people are amazing!!!

To enjoy the slideshow get a drink, put on some music, put up your feet and click the link. It is a FREE site so apologies for the KIZOA advertisements and it is in a totally random order with pictures from several cameras so days go back and forth...my editting skills were tired.
http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d2026296k2996330o1/yellowstone

1st, 2nd with 3+ kiddos!

Insert heavy sigh right here - aaahhh we made it through the past 2 weekends with lots of first and our second pizza and movie night and had 3+ kids at any given time.

FIRST - October 15th was the second movie / pizza night with what we now fondly call the "exchanges".  We had Khalid (Saudi Arabia) and his 2 host brothers, Brendon and Dane, Cammy (China), Lamiaa (Morrocco) and her host sister Darby and friend Nicole, Gabriel (Palestine) and then some other peeps, my niece Bella along with friends Terri, Joe & Alex and more...  It was a great night with making a few mummies, lots of pizza and the movie, Beetlejuice.  Then - after we got rid of took the boys home the girls hunkered down for a sleepover!  A first for the exchanges!

Mummies in the making and Lamiaa dressing up in Seema's best outfit!

Outside eating pizza and goofing off...

Not sure if Cammy is going to punch Khalid or what???

Cammy & Lamiaa

The best part of the evening - the music speaker!!!

and the hostess, beautiful Seema!

Later that night some Pakistani friends of friends of Seema's brother/cousin that live in South Jordan, Utah came over for a visit!!! So good to have friends all over the country!

And they brought this deliciousness for all the kiddos!!!!

And here they are in the morning eating breakfast!!!

1 - 2 - 3 for the weekend of October 15th.

It is so wonderful to see a wide array of youth getting together and being good friends and support each other through what I can only image as an amazing adventure..  I love having them in my home and in my life!!!!

Meals, Mummies & Miracles!!!!

We continue to have a boat load of fun here in the hive.  We have had several  three dinners with friends that Seema had not met.  Everytime I say we are going to with ____, you haven't met them yet.  Her reply, "mom, you have so many friends!"  

First we went with Terri McGhee to a new place, the Khan Curry House (66?? South State Street - on the East side of the street).  It is owned by a Pakistani man and his Laos wife!  It is all Halal and yummy.  Seema loved enjoying foods from home!  We will for sure go back - let us know if you want to join us!

A CLEAN plate!!!

Happy Terri

The aftermath!

Next we joined Big Daddy Dan for Mexican Food and the famous Rio Grande.  Ask Seema about the building, she is now an expert having read the back of the menu.  This was her 1st time for Mexican food here in Utah!  The verdict - she liked it.  She had halibut tacos.

That is Grace, our lovely server.

What is left of the tacos.

Outside and full.

Thanks Dan!

Then - we went to K.D's house where she make Halal chicken wraps and coconut rice.  It was all yummy and topped off by a delicious apple tart.  Thanks KD & Nikolas!

MUMMY MAKING!!!
For those that know me you understand that I am slightly over-the-top obsessed with all things Halloween!!!
Really I am!  So for the past 3 years a group of also silly (or sympathetic to my obsession) about Halloween friends get together and make mummies!  And lots of them ~ about 350!!!  Here how it works - you save your TP rolls for the entire year.  Then grab all your silly friends and a bunch of candy, crepe paper, googley eyes and the TP rolls and you MAKE YOUR MUMMIES!!!! 

Here is our crew.

Gina & Ririe getting things going! 

Lamiaa & Seema finishing up some breakfast.

Lamiaa - she was the bag and tie it up girl.

Alex & Seema stuffing and wrapping.

Seema also was in charge of adding the eyes!

I like the background here with everyone consentrating.  Ririe was the bring you more rolls & bags boy.  He did a great job and really stuck it out.

Heather & Chelsea in coordinating outfits.

Cutie after the day was done enjoying some decorations.

Joe - a little too early in the morning for him it seems.

and finally the MIRACLE...

This girl having a smoothie for BREAKFAST before school!!! She had made them in Foods & Nutrition this week and loved it.  So as she was off for a long day of school and debate I asked, "Do you want me to make you a smoothie?" She asked, "Can you do it in 5 minutes?"  Me, "yeah"!  Done - a lovely healthy breakfast that makes my heart so happy.  Of course for lunch she took chips, juice and zucchinni bread. 

Just for Fun!

We have been having tons of fun and Seema is a picture taking fool.... so here are some good times captured on her camera!!!

At school with a debate friend!!

More school in sociology class.

This cutie, Lamiaa is also in sociology class.

Lamiaa in the park on the bicycle!

Seema in the park on the bicycle.

Should be under the volunteering for Valley Mental Health post - but it is here instead!  Lamiaa setting up the silent auction.

3 cuties at the movie (Lamiaa, Seema and Darby)

Movies are NOT complete without popcorn & cokes!

Cute feet at the movies!

Gender Identity.

Well - I will be the first to admit that I love DWTS (Dancing with the Stars - for those NOT in the KNOW).  I was thrilled to see that this season they asked Chaz Bono to be a celebrity.  Of course, I was fully in support of this choice - but others in the right wing world of anti-diversity didn't like having a transgendered man on the show.  But Chaz stuck with the controversy and is dancing - or well trying to dance.  But his dancing or lack there of is not of issue in my book - because, he really can't dance.

While we were watching, I told Seema that he used to be a girl - WHAT! Yup, a girl and we used the internet to show her the transformation.  That all was fine with her and again chalked up to freedom of choices in America. 

But - the other day while watching, Seema asked me if I was happy that I was a girl... I have to admit that I have never been asked this nor thought about being a different gender.  I like being a girl and I like boys. 

Then - I asked her, are YOU happy being a girl and her answer, yes, because I get to live with you.  I thought, that is great for a year!  But what about at home in Pakistan where women / girls live under such strict rules and must have a man's presence or approval to do many things that in America we take for granted - going shopping, driving, school and more.  Now - in my head, I am thinking - of course you would prefer to be a man under these circumstances, I know I would in a heart beat... but, her answer, NO - I am used to it.

Perspective.  I am still happy to be a girl.