What our names mean...

What Rachelle Means

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily. You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

What Casey Means

You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily. You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Race for the CURE!!! - May 10, 2007

A couple weekends ago, many of us were able to participate in Susan G. Koman's "Race for the Cure." Amy Erickson, a friend from work, put together our team. She did such a great job and put a lot of work into making this happen. We had so much fun and were so amazed at how many people (including survivors) were there. Those who planned on running the race, couldn't because it was impossible to get around anyone on the street because it was so packed...it really was an incredible sight! Needless to say, when we walked across the finish line, we finished it at an amazing time 1:24:22!!! woohoo! Mom walked the whole way and was such a trooper (I know she wasnt feeling so great that morning). She was all smiles and was so grateful for the support. Our team raised over $4,000 dollars!!! Thanks so much to everyone who helped make this possible! We love you.

Here are a few photos for your enjoyment!

Friday Night Lights

Casey and I have never really been into T.V. shows...but we LOVE "Friday Night Lights"! I believe season 3 starts this fall, but we watched all of season 1 this last week and are so excited to start season 2! and...it you like football, you'll love this one even more!

Some of our wedding...

So some of my friends have been asking me to post some pictures of our wedding - so here you go! I must admit though...my scrapbook is much better <:

My new found love!

Casey and I have been hittin' up the gym pretty hard the last couple weeks and I have found my new love while exercising. We have been going to a spin class that lasts an hour...and talk about instint gratification!!! This lady kicked out butt - I felt like I lost 8 pounds after the class, it was great! Not to mention, my legs are sorer than they have been since three a days for soccer down at SUU. But, not only are our legs sore...but my upper arms, shoulders, back and stomache are feeling that wonderful feeling too! I am happy to report that I am acutally excited to go to the gym now on spin days...which is tonight!

Casey's new cut...don't you think?

Casey is so good to me...Friday night we were hanging out at my parent's house and I asked, "do you want to go to a movie?" he said, "sure, which one?" I said, "Made of Honor!" and without any hesitation he took me! What a good man he is. Anyway, Patrick Dempsey stared in the show and while I was staring at him throughout the movie, I couldnt help but visualize my husband with Patrick's hair-do...



- Don't you think it would look good on him? I am trying to convince him that this is his next cut, so any help on my side would be FABULOUS!

Graduated!

Well, I am taking a moment to share with you my most rescent accomplishment...I graduated Utah Valley University on Friday with a degree in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Psychology! WooHoo!!! My mom sent out commencement announcements to our family which I would have posted, but forgot to bring it to work with me today so you just get boring text instead. Anyway, thats my big news for the week - I am so excited! Casey graduates next spring but he took the first summer semester off and we are going on a few excursions while it is still just the two of us. It should be fun!

I'll take one of those...

-This is my dream kitchen...I may not get for some time...but eventually it will be mine (:
We need some serious help! Casey and I have to be out of our townhome on June 2...I'm a little panicy because we cant find a decent priced house with a layout we love. So, if anyone knows of a cute house around here - send it my way will ya?

My sweet hubby!

I have the BEST husband in the world. He is always trying to brighten my day. Earlier this week I got home and these beautiful flowers where on our kitchen table..."just because". - Thanks Casey!

The Melting Pot

My dad is visiting from Afghanistan and goes back tommorow. It has been so nice to spend some time with him. Last night Dad, my brother Sterling and I went to the Melting Pot for dinner and we were all in absolute HEAVEN, the food was divine! We had an appetizer with cheese fondue, then a yummy salad, then some meet and seafood and then my favorite part --- the chocolate fondue...yum, yum, yum! we had marshmellows, bananas, strawberries, cheesecake and more - it was soooooo good. Thanks dad for the fun and yummy night out!

Race For the Cure!

Mom's friends at HCI have formed a team called "HCI's Pride for Pink" for the 5K race at the Gateway Mall on May 10th, 2008 at 8:30am. We will be running/walking in honor of her.The registration fee is $25. If you are interested in being a part of our team, register at http://www.active.com/donate/komenslc2008/hciprideforpink* We have also desinged a team t-shirt (which is pink). If you are interested in purchasing one, email Amy Erickson at amy@hcinsight.com - tell her what size you want and she will reply with payment options. She actually has a Mary Kay Business so she can take debit/credit cards too.Here is the information on the shirt - When you purchase a "PRIDE for PINK" Race for the Cure team T-shirt for $10, the net proceeds will be donated to theSusan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

Easter

I figured since it has been a week since Easter that I should put sme pictures up...so here are a few.... We had a good Easter weekend. Saturday morning we went over to my mother in laws home and ate lunch and then had an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. She does this every year and all her grandkids just love it. In some of the hidden eggs there is "Bunny Money" they you can go buy stuff at her store with after the hunt - they love it!
Casey is a little old to participate in this eventful activity, So Sunday morning I made him breakfast and put this LITTLE Easter basket at his spot with some of his favorite things.

My mom and Alyssa were able to come this year too!
Pam and Kendall (my other mom and dad)

My honey and me.

My sister in law Alisha and her cute baby Matix

Here is another one of Matix I just had to put in bc he looks so handsome!

Me, Alyssa, Nat and Mom

Mom's new style

After the Rex Lee Run, I took my mom to go get a new haircut. Emily Mortimore cut it for her. She looks so pretty!

Family Pictures

We went and had some family pictures taken before mom started chemo, just thought I would share a few - there will be more on mom's blog.

I love this picture of the boys! The tops of the trees look awesome!

Rex Lee Run - March 15, 2008

My little sister Alyssa and I ran in the Rex Lee Run down at BYU on Saturday. We had a TON of fun doing it together. We ended up only running a 5K instead of a 10K because I was getting over phenomena.

Here we are before the race...

It was FREEZING!

The run is to raise money for cancer reasearch. You could honor a cancer victim or fighter.

Alyssa honored our Aunt Sonya who passed away in December from Pancreatic Cancer and I honored my mom who is fighting Breast Cancer.
There were TONS of runners!

We finished!

Vincent & Vivian Booker - March 11th, 2008

***Here are some pictures of my new neice and nephew! My sister Sonja's first little ones. Vincent was born at 9:08 p.m weighing 6 pounds and Vivian was born at 9:09 weighing 4 pounds 11 ounces! They are so cute!

Vivian and Vincent (he is crosseyed looking at me - so funny!)

This is Vincent

Here is Grandpa with Vivian

What's up???

So all I feel like the only thing I have been putting on my blog lately are "tags." I cant find my USB for my camera and have tons of pics I want to post...So...hopefully I will find that soon! For those of you who dont know (sorry I hadnt said anything to you Laur) my mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer about a month ago and began chemo last week. So most of my "blogging time" if you will, has gone to keeping everyone up to date on what is going on with her - her blog is under "Mom's Journey" if you want to take a look. However, hers needs to be updated too with my pics. Just thought I would let you know.
To come...
I am new Aunt to twins!
My little sister Alyssa and I ran in the Rex Lee Run on Saturday
and
My mom chopped her hair...she looks soooo freakin cute!

Because it was comical...

Thanks Laurie! - FYI, my answering machine now works!!!

1. My rock star name (first pet and current car):
Muffin Cougar (Hummm)
2. My gangsta name (fave ice cream flave and favorite cookie):
Jamoca Oreo
3. My “fly guy/girl” name (first initial of first name and first three letters of last name):
S Van (Great, I sound like a minivan!)
4. My detective name (favorite color and favorite animal):
Green Owl
5. My soap opera name (middle name and city where you were born):
Rachelle Irving
6. My Star Wars name (first three letters of your last name and first two letters of your first name): VanSh
7. My superhero name (2nd fave color and a drink with “The” in front):
The Blue Pepper
8. My Nascar name (first names of your grandfathers):
Hubert Rush (RAD!)
9. My stripper/p-nog star name (name of your fave perfume/cologne and your favorite candy):
Angel Twix
10. My witness-protection name (mother’s and father’s middle names):
Rae Don
I hereby declare that I shall heretofore be referred to as
Angel Twix , Thank you!

Tag You're it....

List seven random facts about yourself and then tag seven people.
Here are the rules.
#1 Link to the person that tagged you.http://vanwagstories.blogspot.com/
#2 Post the rules on your blog.
#3 Share five random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog.
#4 Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
#5 Leave a comment on their blogs so that they know they have been tagged.

Five Random or Weird Facts
#1 I am absolutly terrified of Alligator's and think there is one in every pond, lake or ocean I am in.
#2 When I was getting babysat when I was little I was playing airplane with my sitter - she was laying on her back on the floor with her legs up in the air, and I would lay on her feet and she would glide me around in the air and then take me for a crash landing by bending her knees and throwing me on the couch. Well one of my crash landings really became a crash and I broke my wrist...anyway, because of this incident my middle finger is totally not straight (I hate it).
#3 When I sleep I have to have a pillow in-between legs, if my knees are touching it will drive me crazy.
#4 I am totally money anal and wont buy something unless I can pay cash.
#5 Casey loves eating icecream in bed while we watch a movie...I cant eat or drink anything unless a light is on - If I cant see it, I dont think I can get it in my mouth.

I tag...
Jessica Lowell
Collette Haas
Angi Bradley
Natalie Tillmann
and I am only doing four this time!

MUSIC!!!

Hey everyone...I need some help. I got this really cute pink ipod in January and collectively added songs. I made two workout playlists and an "on the go" playlist and I am already sick of my workout songs. So...with that said, if you have any good running songs - especially the ones that make you want to go faster, I would love for you to share them with me. Thanks.