Sisters Reunion 2008

Two years ago my youngest sister Katie was living in England being a nanny for my brother Todd and his family. My older sister Tracy was living in Budapest at the time. I found out that Idina Menzel was going to reprise her roll as Elphaba in the London opening of the musical Wicked. Being the die-hard Wicked fan that I am, I knew that I HAD to go to London. When I really love something...I want everyone to love it too, so I arranged a bit of a sister's adventure where Katie, Tracy, my best friend Diane (whom my family refers to as cousin Diane) and I met in London to partake of the Wicked fruit. We had a wonderful time together and I came to realize something. I LOVE MY SISTERS!! I'm so thankful that I was born in the same family as them. They truly are some of the finest women on the planet! Our family has also been blessed to have had our brothers marry fantastic ladies too. They appreciate the loud craziness that is ubiquitous with Amsden women, and yet bring a touch of refinement and class to our family flock.
We had such a great time getting together in London two years ago that I could not rest until we gathered together again, and included more of the brood. So, Katie and Susan watched for a great musical to come to Rochester and chose Mama Mia. What musical could be better for our girl gathering? Mom was generous and bought all of our tickets for Christmas presents. She's the best. My Mom grew up with one sibling, my Auntie Jo, who lives in San Francisco. She was able to come and be with us which made our reunion even more sweet.
Tracy drove to NY from her home in Missouri and brought my cute niece Emily, who just turned 12. What a fun way to celebrate becoming a young woman...to come and hang out with the perpetually young and silly women of our family.
My dear sis-in-law Nancy flew in from Florida. And she arranged a surprise by flying out my sweet niece Caitlin who is a student at BYU. None of us knew that Caitlin was coming so they really freaked us out. (Grandma Dee was in on it, of course.)
And Cousin Diane came along to play the dual roles of my sister-in-law Amy who was stuck in California staying with her kids while my brother traveled on business and my cousin Nicole who needed to work. We missed you Amy and Nicole!

Check out the gals. Look how much we love each other. Caitlin and Emily are in the front. Nancy, Auntie Jo (who looks like she thinks we're nuts, and she'd know because she's a Social Worker), Mom, Tracy are seated on the couch with Susan, Katie, and Karen behind them.



Thanks for the great seats Mom!





We are family! I've got all my sisters and me!

1988 Kamiakin High School Jazz Band

A friend from high school posted this picture on Facebook. What a blast from the past! See the hunky guy to my left. That was Sterling. I crushed on him big time....but he was in love with Shelli. Wasn't he dreamy? Shelli- do you remember the kid in the very front with the trumpet. It's Matt Brain. Remember in Biology when he put the test tubes on his fingers and clinked them together and said, "come here my pretty..." That was so funny. We were likely "milling" around the door.

Tea Party for Kathleen's Birthday

Why does Gina look so darn cute?





and I just look like a big goofy nerd? It's the same silly flowery hat, for Heaven's sake!










My tea leaves say that I'm a happy person. How can you not be happy with Peppermint tea and 12 sugar cubes?

Jared's hog

This was a bike that was for sale that Jared begged us to buy for him. We took a picture instead. Aren't we mean?

SAY IT ISN'T SO!!

I just found out that due to low ratings, two of my very favorite shows are not going to be renewed by ABC. I'm totally bummed out about it. Both of these shows were quite unique and fun to watch. Pushing Daisies is the best! The dialog is witty and fast. And soooooo funny! Kristin Chenowith co-stars in it. (She was the original Broadway Glinda from Wicked.) She's a hoot. Both Pushing Daisies and Eli Stone have episodes where members of the cast break out into musical numbers. Now, I know that isn't what real life is like, but I often think about breaking into song when I'm at work. (Patsy Cline's Crazy comes to mind a lot.)

My Work Week!

Seven Random Things About Me

I got tagged. I feel like I'm back in grade school...I'm just too fat and slow to get away and now I'm it.

1. I'm in love with Guitar Hero. I bought myself a Nintendo DS Guitar Hero edition and I play it in my bed at night.

2. I enjoy Spaghettios cold right out of the can.

3. I don't like talking one on one with strangers. I'm only friendly and outgoing if I have people I know around me...then I can talk to strangers.

4. I once ordered a $47 light bulb from a telemarketer.

5. I like to be naked. But only when there are no people or mirrors around. Cats are OK, but I can't be naked and wet because then their hair sticks to me.

6. I think my Grandma's spirit came to visit me once, but I was too freaked out to really let it happen so she left.

7. I still suck my thumb when I'm really really tired and can't sleep.

Consider yourself tagged.