HaLLoWeeN

One of the doctors I used to work with, who is a good friend, threw a big Halloween party the week before Halloween this year. He and his wife, Jill, throw the best parties!! So, needless to say, we had a really great time! It was fun to see all the costumes, but also to see a lot of people that I used to work with at LDS Hospital that have spread out between a few hospitals in the valley.

My rockin' Carmen Miranda, aka Chiquita Banana costume

Sherrie, Stephanie (Adams Family, maybe?), and April (Miss Flinstone herself)

Kenz and Shannon

Craiger and Connie



Doesn't get much better than a caveman, Richard Simmons, and a dirty she-man nurse dancing around!

The 20's hottie Miss Sammie, Eileen - costume of the night - the "old doctor" and Chaquita Banana

Walk like an Egyptian - Lorraine made her costume!


Brad said this was his clan that benefitted from the Richard Simmons program

Halloween night at HarryO's in Park City

Me and the girls...and Kenz and her hubs, aka Brett Michaels

I ♥ family

I know what you are all thinking - it's about freaking time Sherrie starts updating the blog (keep scrolling too...have posted stuff previous to this posting)!! I have been very busy and have lots to update with...so hopefully today and over the next few days there will be loads and loads of new posts! These pictures have been continually stacking up to be posted (yes, for the last 5 months or so), so I am going to finally post them!

This was one of the weekend I came home to visit from DC - graduation weekend last May

Like nephew, like aunt!


Jessica's ballet recital this past summer


Janell and Chris' Wedding this past summer. Janell may be one of six cousins my age, but I'm lucky to get a long with all my cousins really well, especially those of us that are the same age. The three girls, me, Julie, and Janell have stayed especially close. We frequently get together and are the best of friends, which I am so grateful for!! Janell and I have become even closer the past few years through different similar life experiences - dating being one of them! We have both been through our ups and downs, but so happy she and Chris finally tied the knot! I really enjoy having Chris around (especially since he allows me to frequently kidnap his wife), even if he is annoying when BYU beats my team at football. I'll let Janell keep him :)










We meant to get pedicures or AT LEAST repaint our toes before the wedding...looks like we had time, eh!?! haha


Grandma's Birthday dinner


Happy birthday to my big brother. I sure do love him! Wish I could see more of him and Heather and my cute little nephew!! So fun to be with them though when I do get to see them.




I have a baby Hitler nephew and the nerdiest sister...she says she learns it from me!


I was at Janell's a couple weeks ago and stole a bunch of pictures from her from over the years...so here are a few old school pictures that I loved!

Julia's wedding back in 2004

Me and Janell at the Tim McGraw concert


Shopping in Park City, UT and Holi Krishna


The Family Christmas Party 2008 with Janell and Paul

A Powerful Truth

Violence against women and girls continues unabated in every continent,
country and culture. It takes a devastating toll on the lives of women, on their families and on society as a whole. Most societies prohibit such violence – yet the reality is that too often, it is covered up or tacitly condoned.
– United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

This is a really great link, please, please go to it and listen!! Being aware can be so powerful!! Wish I could do more in this world to help!

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/08/20/magazine/kristof-audioss/index.html?tham=&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=a3

I can't wait to read the book that touches on these stories...Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn. Please visit their site and spread the word!!

http://www.halftheskymovement.org/
Half the Sky lays out an agenda for the world's women and three major abuses: sex trafficking and forced prostitution; gender-based violence including honor killings and mass rape; maternal mortality, which needlessly claims one woman a minute.

Summer through Fall Randoms

Alright, here is the update summer through fall, minus the dance trip! I will post some slide-shows when I get around to making them!
One of my old roommates from my semester in Romania was in town, so the few of us that were all in Utah at the moment got together to see her. I love, love these girls! It still amazes me whenever I get with these girls that one semester abroad, four months that made such a huge impact on each of our lives in one way or another, could have brought the ten of us so close together; girls that probably would not have been friends in any other situation. We all have such extremely different personalities, but all have a base and passion for life and humanity. I have some of the best memories in my life with these girls (plus the 6 that aren't pictured).


A weekend with Clog America! This summer Clog America hosted our first International Folk Dance Festival. It was small and quaint, but we all had a good time! Alex and Kyle, our videographers from tour this past summer came into town from San Francisco, which was a lot of fun to see them too!!



My D go married! This is the only picture I have from Derek's wedding, the other is of me and D hiking Machu Picchu. Derek and I have been friends since we were 4! We fell out of touch a few times when he moved in the 8th grade - became reacquainted in high school after randomly bumping into each other at a mutual friend's house and then again after a random encounter at the gas station in Bountiful years later. We have since stayed in touch and he's one of my really good friends.


Oh my poor car! Pobrecito! This car has been so great...hopefully it can get me through a few more months, at least!

NOV 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

"We must unite. Violence against women cannot be tolerated, in any form, in any context, in any circumstance, by any political leader or by any government.

The time to change is now. Only by standing together and speaking out can we make a difference."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

The month of October was Domestic Violence Awareness month. I had this to post and never did...but since it is important, I am still posting. However, today, the 25th is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Since this is all along the same lines, I felt even more justified in posting it :)

Women aged 15-44 are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than from cancer, motor accidents, war and malaria, according to World Bank data. Domestic violence is such a sad and tragic event that is unnecessary.



Besides it being Domestic Violence Awareness month, October is also awareness month for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and Breast Cancer.



Domestic violence touches the lives of Americans of all ages, leaving a devastating impact on women, men, and children of every background and circumstance. A family's home becomes a place of fear, hopelessness, and desperation when a woman is battered by her partner, a child witnesses the abuse of a loved one, or a senior is victimized by family members. Since the 1994 passage of the landmark Violence Against Women Act, championed by then Senator Joe Biden, our Nation has strengthened its response to this crime and increased services for victims. Still, far too many women and families in this country and around the world are affected by domestic violence. During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we recommit ourselves to ending violence within our homes, our communities, and our country.
During this month, we rededicate ourselves to breaking the cycle of violence.

-Barrack Obama