Christmas!...

Christmas was so great this year. For me the Christmas spirit all started last Sunday. We had a beautiful performance by our ward choir and narrations by the famous Michael Wilcox. He can tell the most amazing stories and whenever Jack and I get the chance to hear him speak we go. Another highlight of the Christmas season was on Christmas Eve when my mom and I drove to Kearns where one of her business partners live. He and his wife have nine children (four boys and five girls) and then he also provides for his wife's parents. When I was younger my mom would sew all of my Sunday dresses and lately she has been missing sewing for little girls. So she decided that she wanted to sew some Christmas dresses for these five little girls. We got to their house and the girls were all sitting on the couch with big smiles on their faces excited for their presents. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen. We gave each of them their dresses and we got a million hugs and a trillion "thank yous". The girls were so sweet and they tried on their dresses. The parents said that as soon as they take a picture they will send it to us so I am planning on posting it.


There was one gift that I can say I hated without feeling guilty saying so. I have a sweet 2 year old cousin who I love but she is very very shy. My goal this Christmas was to get her to talk to me before the night was over. The Vawdrey's had all gathered over at my grandparent's house and we were sitting in a huge circle in the basement exchanging gifts one by one. This event takes quite a while on accounta there is something like 28 cousins and 14 aunts and uncles. So... Eva was wandering around holding her new baby doll and since I know everything there is to know about baby dolls, (I had an obsession until I was like 13:) I sweetly called her over to sit on my lap. I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to get to know her a bit more and let her know that Cousin Ellie wasn't as scary as she thought I was. I got her talking about her baby and we even named her Lizzie and talked about her clothes and her long beautiful eyelashes and just as Eva was starting to smile I felt something wet and warm..... seep into my pants..... all over my leg..... She had peed all over my lap! In my head I was freaking out but I didn't want to scare her cause I had finally made her comfortable. So I turned to Jack and whispered in his ear and then he started laughing and so my older cousin Kevin wanted to know what was going on and Jack told him. I really didn't want to embarrass Eva so I tried to get across the room to my dad while carrying Eva on my lap to cover up the pee spot but my aunt Lori could tell by my face what had happened. She kept apologizing and I couldn't stop laughing. And then my uncle Greg offered my a diaper and he was being completely serious but I told him that I wasn't the one who needed a diaper. By the time I had calmed down a bit the whole room was laughing and I was walking out the door with the keys. That was a Christmas story I think I will always remember but one gift I could have survived without.


After we left the Vawdrey's we went to my Grandma Copier's house. It is a totally different environment there cause I am one of the youngest cousins plus everyone is so different but I love both sides so much. My cousin's Jenny, Michael and Suzie were all there and we decided to play games like when we were little. So after dinner we snuck upstairs to the toy closet. We took out the 30 year old "Hungry Hungry Hippo" and played with all of the blocks and took funny pictures. I love my cousins! We had a lot of fun laughs.


Though Christmas was great this year I really missed my sister. This was the first Christmas that she has been away. My parents were planning on flying her in for the day because a sweet friend of ours bought her a "buddy pass" but right now Oregon is in a state of emergency. They haven't gotten snow for decades and for the past two weeks it has been a blizzard. They have no snow plows and the roads have become very icy. Christmas night we all got to talk with her on the phone but it just wasn't the same. Luckily she will be home for two weeks in January. I hope all goes well while she is here.


JUST A LAST HAPPY THOUGHT TO END MY POST:


* I GOT MY LONG AWAITED POGO-STICK! YAHOO! IT HAS BEEN ON MY CHRISTMAS LIST FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS AND SANTA HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL... OH WELL! I HAVE BEEN POGOING IT ALL OVER THE KITCHEN (WHEN MY PARENTS AREN'T LOOKING THAT IS:) AND I AM LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

Famous Quotes by Jon David Vawdrey...

At our home my father is famous for the things he says and most of the time it rubs off on the rest of us. This is the intelligent conversation that we had tonight...

Dad: Ellie-poo you need to go to bed.
Me: You just called me poo!
Dad: Yeah, just like Winnie the Pooh.
Me: I hate Winnie the Pooh!
Dad: That's un-American!
Me: Duh, you probably don't even like Winnie the Pooh.
Dad: Yeah, cause he is retarded!

Most of my friends quote inspirational lines from books their dad's have probably written and this is all I get from my dad when we are in a disagreement...

"So there! Were square! You wear Levi underwear!"

Or when somebody asks him to do something he always says...

"Maybe I will... and maybe I won't." (with a mischievous smile)

But that is why I will sincerely love my Papa/Popsicle/Poppie Seed/Pops/Daddy and Father Forever!

Judy Garland in Concert...

I fulfilled one of my dreams today! It felt so amazing! I have always wanted to have the opportunity of being in the audience of one of Judy Garland's incredible performances but since she died in 1969 my dreams were crushed before I was born. The Utah Symphony organized a tribute to Judy and played along to her as she was projected singing on a scrim. They made it seem so real. They introduced her like she was there and she took a bow and acted as though she was in our presence. The ideas portrayed were incredible. Her life story was narrated and she sang her favorite songs. I was blown away. I learned so many new things about her that I hadn't ever known. Such as her real motives behind her work, the downsides and heartbreaks, her joys and passions and best of all the inspiration she projected. She was such an phenomenal entertainer I seriously could not believe her talent. I knew that she had a one-of-a-kind voice but she was so much more than that. I was blown away by her personality and individual way of thinking and in turn she has affected my thought process.

“Be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else”

This totally discribes her personality. She did't conform to what anyone else thought and she was content about that decision. Her will power was ridiculously strong and her independece was beyond compare. I really admire her for that. Anyone who can survive in this world with that frame of mind should be recognized. Sometimes I feel like there is so much compeition in everything that people no longer have the integrity that they need to uphold to be a healthy human being. Idividuality is what makes us likeable. Not to sound harsh but, what is there to like in anyone who is exactly like the person sitting next to them? I am glad I am me and if there is anyone who wants to know it.... I am E to the llie and I love being me!

Always,
Ellie

My Favorite Things...

The Greatest Feelings:

One of my favorite feelings in the world is when somebody knows something about you that you don't know that they know... does that make any sense? For example when somebody you look up to knows your name. Number one it makes you feel special that you are noticed as an individual, and number two they are actually talking to you! Or when someone passes you a note and they compliment you on something you have been striving to do but don't think anyone has noticed and they point it out. I think it is so admirable about a person when they can pick out those great attributes.

Another great feeling is when you feel kind of out of place somewhere and a friend goes out of their way to be with you. It really makes you feel worthwhile. Sometimes people are surprised when they find out that really deep down I am a shy girl. I love to talk but if I am in a situation where I feel out of place I loose all communication skills. I am really trying to work on that though : ) I really appreciate it when they just say one kind thing, whether it is just a hello or a compliment, it helps spark my social self.

Journals:

I LOVE journal writing. Thoughout the day, when I have experiences I always say to myself "Ellie you have got to write this one down." I have two different journals. One is for my everyday thoughts and adventures and the other is used to describe the people around me. What I mean by that is, I describe all of the great attributes about my friend's, family members, neighbors, classmates, etc. I try to pick out their healthy habits and good morals and ethics. This is a healthy way for me to recognize their purpose on this earth. When I know who they are and what they are striving to be I can better comprehend their actions. I take into consideration that people act and react in different ways to experiences and that is what makes them an individual. Sometimes I even try to apply some of their great attributes into my life.

Another type of journal that I have is what I call my "Reminiscent Box." It is where I keep all of my physical memories... science fair awards, pictures, articles, and notes. In the last three years of school I can't say I have thrown away one note that I have recieved from someone. Even if it is something small, I appreciate and love it. It uplifts me and it helps to remember experiences in a fun way.

Looking back on memories is so refreshing. When I have had a frustrating day I like to sit down and read and learn about how much I have grown and the fun times I have had. Journals are one thing that will always bring me up!

Off to the fair...

Last Saturday I had an enjoyable time spent with my family at the State Fair. We had not gone for a few years and felt that it was about time to catch up on the latest pigs, goats, canned food products, artwork and of course Peter's favorite... the rides. I got to see many exciting and interesting things on the topic of artwork including a BUTTER SCULPTURE! It was huge!!! and it was of variety of farm animals!

We also got to view the best grown flowers in Utah. They were SO beautiful. There were some Dahlia's with blooms bigger than my hand. It was incredible.


Next we went to visit all of the cute animals... and some not so cute. I really liked the cows because they have the most beautiful colors of fur, and the goats were fun to look at as well, but the sheep... well we will just say that they aren't very photogenic... just see for yourself.

And...

Yes... that is a sheep not some crazy deformed child-eating animal from the forest.

After we saw all of the animals we went to the rides. Peter HAD to ride one called the "Zipper," because previous to coming to the fair he designed a rollercoaster with the same name! After we went to another ride similar to the "Rocket" at Lagoon but about half the size. Hee hee I could handle this one though.


I had so much fun with my brothers! They are always making me laugh. I am so glad that I have pictures so that I can look back at the fun times we have had together while we are all still living under the same roof!

Ya know what I'm sayin'?...

I haven't posted in a while, and I thought it would be nice to catch my buddies up on what has been happening in the life of Ellie... I have been dancing a ton! -explains the bruises, bumps, blisters and PULLED MUSCLES! My poor manicure and pedicure were for nothing! Ha ha I had two performances in the last two weeks but luckily I was only in a piece or two. The dance company performance was in opening assembly yesterday and it was swell. I was really pleased with the progress we made in the last week. The lighting, costumes, and of course the dancing looked and felt great. I had a blast being with all my girls. I was only in one piece for CDT. Basically the reason I went was to hang out with my BFFs for the day! I was with Maggie (Mama Peace) and Emma all day on Saturday last week. We carpooled in Emma's new car and jammed to music the whole way to the meeting place... which felt like we drove to Mars and back!

On a more serious topic... school has begun. The excitements of summer have ended and I have to get down to business. Four AP classes and pounds of homework means time to study, read, and prepare for anything that comes my way at school. My dad always tells me right before I start school, study hard, work hard, and when its time to play hard. I think this is great advice. If I work really hard throughout the week I don't have as much to worry about on the weekends. That is when I can take the time to do what my dad says and play. Mostly I am just home, but I like to do things I wouldn't get to enjoy throughout the week. Sew, watch movies, call friends, hang with my little brothers... and stuff like that.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about being patient. Patience for answers, patience with friends, patience for help, patience for excitement... patience for everything. Some times I get all flustered because I can be a very impatient person. If something is not stated to me the first time very clearly then I have to know the answer right then. Or if I am struggling to understand something about someone I want to clear up the situation then and there so that it is not haunting my mind. I read in an awesome book once that I should learn to take things one-step at a time. Rather than getting stressed and angry I should think about the situation calmly and then I can have the patience to solve the problem. Whenever I have a big day ahead of me I remember with the assurance that if I take the situation one step at a time, my day will run more smoothly and I don't have to be as worried. This schedule seems much more organized and relaxed to me. Ya know what I'm sayin'?

Fixed in the 50's...

Anachronism: something or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time, esp. a thing or person that belongs to an earlier time.

Mother is always calling me an anachronism and Alyson is always telling me I am weird for my interests. I have an obsession with anything from the 1930’s to the 1960’s. The language, the hair, the dress, the music, the BEAUTY. I am not much of a disco freak so the 70’s are O.U.T. I just recently ordered a black rotary phone in the mail just like my idol Della Street (Barbara Hale) had from Perry Mason which is my favorite TV show. Next on my list will be a typewriter…. but not the electric kind yuk! The first-half of the 20th century seemed so marvelous, although mother and father tell me it had its problems just like we currently have. War, economic problems, ya ya ya. Home life seemed so perfect, and women were women and men were men. The mothers dressed like ladies and didn’t try to dress like they were still 16 and the men wore a suit and tie and were gentlemen. I idolize that time. I love hippy music so the 60’s are perfect. In addition Perry Mason was on TV. I couldn’t live without my Perry! Everything seemed so decent and perfect then. I am sure I will rant about this topic much more throughout my blog because of my undying obsession and desire to bring back the 50’s!

A list of my favorite movie stars:
1) Cary Grant
2) Deborah Kerr
3) Katherine Hepburn
4) Judy Garland
5) Raymond Burr
6) Barbara Hale

An "Affair to Remember" was an affair to remember...

Movie Review!!!
Okay so suddenly the movie "An Affair to Remember," has jumped to the front of the line for favorite Cary Grant movie. I haven't ever seen a romance that was so incredible in my whole entire life... and if you think about it 16 years and nine months is quite a bit of time. The movie is about a young Casanova (Cary Grant) named Nicky Ferrante who is on a cruise from his home in New York to Italy to visit his aging grandma. On the same ship is a young singer named Terry McKay (Deborah Kerr) who just happens to be taking the same trip. She does not want to get mixed up in a guy like Nicky but they happen to run into each other quite often on the ship and soon fall in love. Waiting at home Nicky is engaged to a very wealthy heiress (whom he doesn't love) and Terry has a boyfriend. Terry and Nicky truly fall in love on the ship and spend their entire time in Italy together. They decide that it would be in their best interest to leave each other for six months when they arrive home so that they can save up the money they need to get married and promise each other that after that six months is over they will meet on the 102nd floor of the Empire State building. They work hard to keep the promise but on that day Terry is in a tragic accident.... You must watch the rest if you are interested. It is utterly AMAZING! Movies today just don't appeal to me. I am not interested in the superheroes they are currently displaying, or the horrors, or even what they call "romances." Men in the 50's seem like they would be so much easier to fall in love with because they are such gentlemen. Just look at Cary <3 the perfect idol for all men. I never worry about what I am going to see in the classics because the producers would not allow anything crude or vulgar. I would recommend "An Affair to Remember," to anyone because it is so marvelous!

Back from Camp!...

My week at camp was great. I was one of the oldest girls so I got to be a couselor which was so fun. I had four other girls in my group Kayla, Whitney, Shali, and Renae. I got to know these sweethearts so well last week. They are all so unique but there is one thing they have in common they are all so so kind.

I stuck with my fabulous childhood friend Brittan basically the whole entire camp. We had so much fun together. We had a lot of laughs. Because the theme was Western the camp leaders gave us some cowboy hats. Brittan and I pulled down the rims and wore our blue bandanas around the bottom half of our faces to make it look like we were bandits. Then we wore our sunnies and ran around camp. We thought we were in disguise but people could pick us out.... oh well ha ha.

I had a lot of other awesome experiences at camp that I wrote about in my journal that will never be forgotten. Even though I felt so deprived without a shower I made so many new friends so it was totally worth it.

The Great Escape...

There hasn’t been much news lately… I have just been trying to keep myself busy at home. I decided that when I get back from camp I am going to runaway for a day. Sounds fun. I will plug in some music take my camera and load on my backpack. I will fill it with all sorts of goodies. When I am alone I keep myself company by setting up my camera and playing with the self-timer. So my plan is to go and find a park that I’ve never been to and set up my camera and enjoy the outdoors. Sounds like a perfect day!

I Can't Give You Anything But Love Baby...

I can't give you anything but love baby.
That's the only thing I've plenty of baby,
Dream awhile scheme a while.
We're sure to find,
Happiness and I guess all
those things you've always pined for.

Gee I'd like to see you looking swell baby,
Diamond bracelets Woolworth's never sell baby.
'Till that lucky day you know darn well baby,
I can't give you anything but love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dTBdhmvjrQ

One of the greatest scenes from my favorite movie "Bringing Up Baby" starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant!

Princess Agnes....

Once upon a time there ruled a princess and her name was Agnes. She was the most fair in all the land and upheld a divine role as monarch. She had one distinct feature everyone knew her by.... she was OBESE! 13 lbs. Yes, a very very large feline. She ruled over most of the Vawdrey household. Especially over the cat food. But who could deny her the food when her gleaming eyes pleaded for it? The sweetheart, always got her way. Although her Preciousness was perfect, there were two behind it all who clung to their jealousy. The villains known as Jack and Peter. They always tried to torture her with tricks and scheming operations, but she was always rescued by her favorite knight, Knight Ellie. One sunny day in July, Jack was out to harm her again.... He had planned to take his cat Tom and drop him on Agnes' back claws first whilst she lie taking her afternoon nap. As rumors spread Knight Ellie heard his scheming plan!!! She ran from the family room and jumped onto the banister. She flew to the bottom of the staircase in a split second just as Jack approached the sleeping princess. As he was hovering Tom over the top aiming for the perfect place, Ellie dove to her side just in time to rescue her from the evil Jack. Ellie quickly took her to the food bowl to calm her nerves. She had been saved once again. After her third helping of Friskies dried cat food she went to continue her afternoon nap. She slept peacefully knowing that Ellie would always be there to protect her.

The Greenhouse...

Earlier today I was working hard for mother at the greenhouse when I realized none of my friends (except 2) have witnessed the beauty that it holds. Some days it can be blazing hot and once in a while you may see a large and colorful spider and you ALWAYS get dirty but it is so incredible. In the winter you can walk inside and it is so refreshing and humid. The plants smell amazing just like wet soil and it is so greeeeeeeen and colorful. I take pleasure in the opportunity I get to spend there... Enjoy the pictures!

The Defeat of the Horrible Tremendous Mountain...

This year on the fourth of July Mother decided to take my two brothers and I for a refreshing hike in the mountains. Father could not come because only the night before he had injured his leg from jumping on the trampoline with Peter. We drove up Little Cottonwood Canyon at roughly 12:00 and reached our destination at 12:30. To Mother’s dismay the Albion Basin was not open for another two weeks. Instead of turning back we decided to take a different hike. We began by following a trail that was parallel to a running creek. As we got further along the trail we started getting to some snowy areas. The trail popped in and out because of the thick snow but we could see hikers ahead of us so we did not worry about getting lost. Most of the time we followed a ski lift, which seemed to go on forever. The area was SO green and beautiful. At one point in our journey some hikers stopped us and asked if we knew our way to Cecret Lake. We did not know that we had been following that trail but they gave us directions. The trail got really snowy so we decided to go to a more rocky area that would not be as slippery. That was not such a good plan. It was difficult but we kept moving. By the end we had basically hiked the entire mountain. It was the hardest hike I think I have ever been on, but it was totally worth it. Peter did so great and I was surprised that his little legs took him so far. I don’t think I can remember him complaining once. By the time we finished it was 4:00 in the afternoon. I had such a great time with my brothers and mom that day. My goal is to go a lot more hikes this summer!
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The History of the Wellies...

Dear Friends,

I thought that you might be interested in reading about the history of my wellies... These two shoes are practically the best things that have ever happened to me. They are very luxurious and comfortable and so versatile. I can wear them anywhere and at anytime. They have not only changed my life forever but they have also created my identity. In the halls at school I have a dear friend who always looks and smiles at them. He has told me that he does not know of another person who dresses like me. Honestly I am not sure if I should take that as a compliment but.... I do. I always tuck my pants into them to make them stand out. I would like people to notice that I am proud to be an owner of true galoshes and I am not scared to wear them! My closest friends at CDT (Maggie, Mary, Emma, and Sierra) all call me Ellie Wellie. I absolutely love it. One day while I was with my sweet sistas at CDT, out of the corner of my eye, two shoes (I am not sure if you could even call them shoes they were of such great divinity) were glowing with radiance. The background was a glossy pink covered in an exquisite pattern of yellow shapes. I had practically fallen for my first love. I delicately slipped them onto my feet. After a rush of ecstasy had swallowed up my body I asked for the owner, who I found to be my childhood friend Phoebe. To make a long story short I begged for some for Christmas and Santa blessed me with a perfect pair of brown wellies. Now I won't ever turn back.

One Splendid Day...

... I decided to start this blog. It was a new encounter of mine and a decided that it would be in my friends best interest to be able to learn a bit more about me through my short writings. This made sense as I have filled my summer with new and exciting adventures. Although my friends would not be aware of these things because my poor little car has not moved from my driveway for almost a month because of technical problems. It really is a pity because the weather has been so blazing hot and having the convertible would have been nice. My dear friend Derek made it apparent to me that the summer is a third of the way though and so I decided that I should quickly get started on this blog.

I hope that my lovely notes on this page will intrigue you to come and visit again!