INHALER....PLEASE!!!

Tristen the Triathlete!

I tell you...a girl's gotta breathe and thank heavens for my trusty blue friend making that possible!

The Champion of us all!!! Jake was a MACHINE!

It's officially official!!!

That's right...I got one more thing to check off the list! Now I may not have looked the prettiest, and you might think I was the "Biggest Looser" coming in last place and all, but freak man...can you say YOU are a triathlete? I think not (most of you anyway...)! That's right suckers I just finished my first and most likely my very last triathlon. And shiz man am I tired!

Micah puts on a local Beacon Hill triathlon a few times a year. It's small but is actually even sponsored by some sweet companies. He usually has a pretty nice intimate group of athletic junkies participating. He also usually has a few wannabes (strictly members of the URE family) join in for the fun. I've said a few times that I was going to be a part of one. But I gotta tell you my warm bed has sounded a lot more tempting than swimming in the early am, hoping on my bike for a bit, and then finishing the morning off with a nice run! But today it was going to be a very small crowd of athletes, Micah, Bryan (brother-in-law), and his son Jake. I was up for looking the fool in front of these few so with Lindsey's wake up call I made my way over to the starting line.

3x's the fun...or 3x's the hell?

The racers, the supporters, and the wussies that stayed dry and relaxed.

We all started off decently even. And may I mention that I was NOT last in this event! Close to last...but NOT last! And I hardly even cheated...very proud of myself indeed.

In case you weren't aware...this kind of bike with the real skinny wheels can be a bit wobbly! Not to mention that I sort of fell behind on the bike part because Lindsey only told me how to shift one way and that one way was workin' my legs leaving them like a bowl full of jelly!

So you wanna know my time? Yeah...I don't think so. Ain't nothing but a number baby! Don't mean a thing!
But I finished and it's now onto the next amazing adventure...or race...(or maybe even the Amazing Race?!?!)

A little Foxy Brown inspired "Ladies Night"!

Yeah baby... it's YOUR YEAR, I can just feel it! All your dreams are about to come true!

Actually a little Holly Boyd Birthday inspired Ladies Night. A few of us went out to celebrate the best day of my life...that's right...the day Holly Boyd came into this crazy world! Again, I went along with my being social and out and about theme and traveled all the way out to Long Beach just to be with the ladies. I'm starting to like this new agenda. We gots ourselves some fun gals around to be thouroughly entertained by! I believe I like it!

A taste of the REAL O.C. ...

Party at the St. Regis....guest list please:

*Real Housewives of Orange County and Spouse...

This infamous gal is always at the yearly functions and this year instead of just staring at her Barbie Body - we went in for the kill. I made her take 2 shots because when I asked her to make it look like we were 'old chums' I was chuckling a little too hard and exposed a usually well hidden double chin. She was happy to appease me with another friendly pose, meanwhile Lindsey exaggerated her fondness of her hit reality TV series etc. etc.

Heaven forbid I leave the loaded new hubby out!

Festivites included wild animals and musical instuments to really be a part of the action with! Oh you better believe I rung that triangle like I was born for it!!!

St. Nick at St. Regis

The just about 'fully clothed and covered' Ure girls

Our friendly Dumbo

The themed dancers are my p.f.'s : the first year I went they were dancers (perhaps on the edge of exotic...I'll be honest I couldn't stop staring at them), last year they were pole dancers (you should have seen the grampas getting up there to share in the spotlight...un-freaking-real!), and this year we had many versions of Belly-dancers!

Cheers!!! 2007 is on it's way outta' here

Every year I get to look forward to the real deal social event that actually gives me the right to brag about. The St. Regis Christmas party is one shin-dig that I just won't miss. I work well with V.I.P. staus regardless of how it comes to me. I will take it! I kinda think I was born for it!

My oldset sister Trilby has the connections. She is the right hand gal for Mr. Hadi Makarechian who owns the St. Regis among other things. Hadi, is the nicest man around! He is actually even one of Mitt Romney's biggest supporters.
Well every year I usually help when they throw their big parties and such. This year, they didn't need my help...yet they still gave me a personal invite along with an amazing room the night of the Christmas party. I look forward to it every year, and with this year's Moroccan theme - I was just as anxious as usual.

The first year I went, I felt, in comparison to all those surrounding me, that I was on my way to church, and they were all on their way to star in a Vegas show. Needless to say I always feel a little under dressed, yet overdressed. These real socialites go all out! They are soo into it and I imagine they shop all year for the perfect dress to show off at the party. Yet with all their bling and boobies hanging out I feel a little overdressed looking at them...literally. They show more skin than I show in the middle of summer at the beach!

But regardless of the "nun" appearance I feel that encompasses me each year...I still thrill to go for the people watching event of my life. It is absolutely hilarious! And the entertainment is just as great! Watching older professionals get drunk off their rears and hit the dance floor...priceless!

This year Micah, Lindsey, Brook, and I all went together. We had a great time dancing, lounging in the V.I.P. area (truly my favorite thing to do...I feel sooo cool and posh! I just imitate who's sitting next to me and I'm a perfect fit in!), checking out the themed decorations...exotic animals included (except for the monkey that almost bit my head off! - and to think I always thought I wanted one...), and finally lying to rest in a sweet suite in the early morning hours. I'm already lookin' forward to next year. I'm crossing my fingers it will be more of a Muslim sort of theme so we can all wear headscarf's, veils, and burkhas. I finally wouldn't feel like the only 'over-clothed' party goer there!!!

Night Lights & Silent Nights (yeah right...not with Gary!)

Probably my most 2 favorite boys in the whole entire world!

Last weekend was a little slice of Heaven cause I got to be with My Briti, My Jay, and Everyone's Gary. We did a little of this and a little of that...and then I somehow convinced Gary to come to an H.B. singles gathering. Ummm.. for those of you that don't know about these infamous Mormon gatherings let me enlighten you a bit.

Basically if you're single and Mormon (ok - I guess not necessarily 'Mormon' - I mean Kareokee Dave has no issues pursuing those not of his faith. More power to you man...more power to you!) and between the ages of 17-35 (well actually the old "Ho House" crew takes the age level up a notch or two) and willing to drive from 5-60 miles to arrive at your destination (and why wouldn't you be...I mean a boy's gotta find his future lady no matter the miles he might rack up. Although regardless of the hours you spend traveling for hopeful lucky love you still only see the same people you saw last weekend at the San Diego party!) then it means you're going to pretty much end up at one of these get togethers.

Sometimes these party's have themes - such as: "Pimp and Ho Party" (that's where Mormon's take the opportunity/excuse to dress skanky and show a little more than the Sunday dress code allows. Oh wait.... or was that Halloween?) or sometimes these parties are in honor of a special occasion. Birthday's are great - it basically allows for a party to be thrown a few times a week even. So us lonely ones have plenty of opportunities to mingle like life long singles. Now it may sound as if I'm describing these celebrations in a negative light. Let me correct you on that. I am not above it I will admit. However, I go through phases where I can and cannot handle the idea of walking into a social gathering with the unmet anticipation of leaving with my heart skipping a beat.

Well...I'm giving it another shot. So for a record breaking 2 weekends in a row I have 'gone out' and I've actually had a good 'ol time. Don't mistake a good time for having found my "Love Potion #9" actually able to cast a spell on one lucky fellow...cause that didn't happen. But I saw a few people that were actually interested in having a real conversation and weren't just anticipating the next words that would come out of their own mouth.

Gary, knowing the culture I'm weaving my way back into, was not too hard to talk into going with me. He may have been expecting a little comedy watching me try to get into my groove, and I was counting on him for a little humor relief when my social anxiety made me break out in hives. So off we went. We drove with two friends Brock and Tyrone and I don't know if they quite followed the "remember when"s that we couldn't shut up about.

We were a little early upon getting there (why may I ask do we start everything at like 11pm when we all know we're just sitting around doing nothing waiting for 11 to roll around), and I refused to go in till it was crowded enough that I could be incognito. Immediately Gary and I sat next to the fire with the perfect view of all arriving guests. This is the way I prefer it, an ability to people watch everyone without them really noticing me. We were really waiting for my mini crush to arrive. I've had this ongoing mini for like 2 years now and haven't really said more than a hello to him. But with Gary at my side, I was determined to show him my skills. Well let's just say that my mini did eventually arrive. I attempted to talk to him (and yes I had to start the conversation), I had a very brief one way conversation (that would be me pretty much talking to myself cause I don't even think we made eye contact the whole time. His eyes were wandering all over the place apparently searching for his next fling) and then he let me off easy and didn't even make me end the conversation. At least that's what I told myself when midway through my sentence he walked off and I was left REALLY talking to myself.

Wait, no, that's not right. I had GARY listening to me the whole time. He was listening to me in utter amazement at my inability to act smooth, mysterious, or just plain feminine towards my mini crush.
Well needless to say, nobody left with my digits in hand. But not to worry - I'm sure this weekend I can go to another H.B. rager and give it another shot with all the same people. Gary has accepted the service project of 'yours truly', and insists he can turn this dating disaster into something a little more desirable. We shall see....I mean good for him if he can. Geez - I know quite a few worried friends and family that would gladly throw in some reward money to see him succeed! But till that miracle materializes, at least Gary and I can enjoy a 5 minute finale as we do our thing on the dance floor (it's usually just the living room floor actually) before making the hour drive back to our safe havens of home.
So basically my revamped attempts at being a socialite have left me without a whole lot. Ahhh - such is life!

Me, Tyrone, Aubs, Brock

The best house we found...lights flashed right along side the best Christmas tunes!

After a lovely Holiday FHE... this little quad adventured out to check out the highs and lows of Holiday Christmas decorations. I gotta say there were some real winners out there! I'm all about getting right into the Christmas spirit this year.

His favorite thing...

Now I may not be loved by everyone...but I do know this - My Baby Loves Me! Cause...

Sometimes I let him drive

If he wants to be more of a macho-man...then I'll help him anyway I can

I don't care if he eats like a pig or even what he eats. He doesn't have to grow up and be a closet eater around me!

We both love Apple products!

And we both LOVE to play dress up!

My baby and me....we're two peas in a pod. I love him and he loves me...and that's all a girl needs!

Always a Bridesmaid...never a Bride...

Or at least an 'Honorary' one!

A little bachelorette bash...Mormon style -
it was off the hook dude!
Lauren Geeves got married last weekend to Stevey Bennett. Now that's a cute couple. Needless to say it was a great reason to bring home the goods from Provo! That would be none other than my lovely Fister...Alice Hobbins! Who will soon become my very first roommate in a really really long time. (We'll see if it lasts...I mean I'm kinda particular about a few things!) But perhaps it will help cure the disease of loner status that I've acquired. But I gotta admit, I kind of like being a hermit. Ex: When my allergies start going crazy and all I want to do is itch my stinking throat, make that lovely growling sound, crack my neck, and jerk my arm like I've been hit with a sudden dose of turrets... it's better if I'm only interupting my own quiet time. (Only a few of you special close ones will get a smile from that!) So Alice...get your bootie down here and show me how it's done. We gots some fun to have!

p.s. Did I mention that there actually is a song entitled, "Always a Bridesmaid Never a Bride" and my mom MADE me do a song and dance to it at our Family Talent Show??? Yeah...jokes on me right? Thanks mammie.

Oh Pardon me! ... did I forget to mention Taylor Shupe was my HERO in China?