The Life of Courtney Ball

CaLiFoRnIa

2008-07-23T11:02:00.000-07:00

I was meant to live in Southern California! I just got back from my trip two days ago....and my deep dark depression is now setting in because I miss the beach!! So...for all those people that know me...you know that I have Idaho Pride! A lot of the time I call Idaho "Paradise"...Well....I take it alllll back! Southern California is amazing...to say the least! It was such a fun week...4 of us went down (Monty-My roommate Sam-Monty's friend Katy-and of course...Me!) We stayed at my friend Adams house in Rancho Santa Margarita! Anyways...I suck at writing...so I'm going to post pictures below and then write about them! :)

Katy and I showing are Joy for being in California!...The first day we got there we arrived at Adams at 4 in the morning...we got a couple hours of sleep and then we went off to the beach in Oceanside!

Picture of us when we first got to the beach!...notice they are both squatting down to be at my height...I'm short!

So...I always wanted to be buried in the sand at the beach...so they said they would turn me into a mermaid....They made me Fat! and then Monty came and sat on me! What good friends! haha

After the long day at the beach our first day we went to this HUGE stinkin mall...it was amazing! So...this is a picture of us on the Ferris Wheel right before we went home! Pretty pointless picture...but it's my blog...so deal with it! :)

Anyone remember the old show Step by Step? In the Opening of the movie it shows them at 6 Flags and the dorky kid is eating an ice cream cone and then they get splashed by a ride...Well....thats what we did! We were soaked!

We decided to spent 5$ and buy Superhero capes! Sam and I got Batman capes...and Monty got Superman....the rest of the day we ran around 6 Flags like the weird kids that everyone makes fun of...It was awesome!

Monty pretending he is superman...there was a family near us that was cracking up!...I think Monty really felt like he was Superman! haha When we went on the Superman roller coaster...at the very top he started singing the Superman song! haha

San Diego Temple! I have always heard that this temple was soooo amazing...Yes...the San Diego Temple is very very beautiful.... but...I still like the Salt Lake Temple more....

Picture of me at the Tide Pools in La Jolla!...Right after this picture I almost died... Okay not really....but it would have been bad!

Anyone seen A Walk to Remember?...two places at once....Mexico and the US of A

My friend Marcus (who I am secretly in love with)...I found out he moved to San Diego so we met up with him one night and ate ice cream on the beach!

Ice cream...Beach...friends...Marcus....what a life!

The crew at Mission Beach in San Diego!

Our last day in California we went up to Huntington Beach...we were so stinking bummed....it wasn't even a pretty day! I was glad we went up there thought because it was the US OPEN of Surfing! It was awesome to watch!...After awhile Sam and I left Monty there so we could go get pedicures..haha...Long story....but lets just say that Sam now has an Asian lady that calls her quite frequently to see if we want to come back for Pedicures!

Our last night in California we went to a beach with Adam and Monty in San Clemente!...Adam was going to teach us to surf and we were going to have a nice little fire by the beach! Sam went surfing and got up!!...but by the time it was my turn it was dark...the waves were huge...and I thought I was going to die...so I didn't go! But we did have a fire on the beach....it was fun!

Anyways....I want to go back...It was a good time...and we didn't die!

4th OF JULY!

2008-07-09T11:05:00.000-07:00

As many of you know 4th of July is my favorite holiday!...but only when I go to IDAHO FALLS!

Fact: Idaho Falls has the 2nd biggest firework show in the nation!

(Okay it might not be a fact...but on some random website it did say that!)

Anyways Monty (my bother) and I took a little road trip up to Paradise (Idaho Falls) for the best holiday of the year! It was a blast! It started with going over to the Grobergs house for a flag raising...where both Monty and I ran into many old High School friends!..afterwards we went to the good ole Idaho Falls Parade! We sat with some of Monty's friends...and with my old favorite High School teachers family! I was lucky enough to sit next to my teachers 4 year old boy...who would go over to his mom and sneak candy...and then give it to me! haha It was great!

Anyways, my favorite part of the day...which I look forward to all year long...is going down to the river and watching the firework show! Thousands of people go to IF to watch the show next to the temple! You can walk around the river and run into so many old friends....I felt like it was a High School reunion! My favorite part was running into all my old guy friends who I haven't seen since before their missions! It was sooo much fun...but at the same time it made me kind of sad! It was so weird thinking back to being in High School with all my friends...and now we have all gone our separate ways...Some of my old girl friends are married and have babies (so weird!) and a few of my good guy friends went on missions...are now back...and are now getting married!!! It's crazy!! I'm so happy for them...but at the same time I think they are kind of crazy because they never even had the chance to go to college and live the good single life (I'm really good at being single!) haha

Anyways...Idaho Falls is awesome...the firework show was amazing...and man I can't believe it's been over 3 years since I've graduated! If you ever get the chance go to IF for the 4th....then go...and well...you should just go anyways!!

First time I've seen Tyler since the night we graduated!

First time I've seen Shandon since Graduation...he got back from his mission on the 4th...I think I kind of freaked him out when I saw him...screamed...and ran up to him and gave him a huge hug!

April-Ashley-and I....Haven't seen April since I graduated...and well...now she's married and has thee cutest little baby girl!

SUMMER

2008-07-02T11:28:00.000-07:00

Summer is my favorite time of year! I wish it was warm all year long....Actually, this is what I wish...

I wish I lived in Idaho Falls...but...Idaho Falls would be in Southern California...I would live in a cute little house on the beach...and I would have a private jet to take me snowboarding! What a life! haha

Anyways this summer has been pretty fun already! I went to San Francisco (see last post for details) and two weeks ago I went on a trip to LAKE POWELL! Usually every year I go with the crazy Ball Family! For the past two years though I haven't been able to go with my family so I've gone with my friend Jayci and hers! It is a completely different experience going with the Carlson family! Of Course, if I had to choose...I would go with my family on the King Fisher 2!...Funny family...old boat...no air conditioning...little kids all over the place...crazy cousins....we sleep on top of the house boat cause it's so stinkin hot inside! Well...the Carlson family does Lake Powell completely different! Huge-HUGE house boat...Air conditioning...leather couches...Big screen TV...toilets that actually work and that don't smell...and everyone sleeps inside and pretty much has their own bed! It's crazy! The houseboat was amazing and all...but this year I actually missed going with my family!...The Carlson family is awesome... I had soo much fun...and I'm not going to lie...the bathrooms were amazing!...but I miss going with the crazy Ball family!

Anyways, I have an embarrassing story that happened at Lake Powell...here goes...

It was the last day we were at Lake Powell...my roommate Tanisha slept in our room, so when she woke up I went down stairs to go change into my swimming suit! Well in our room there is a little small door that goes into a small room with a bed in it. The entire1e week I never saw anyone in that room ever! So I go into our room...and well...I change! I am 100% naked! I heard a little bit of movement and I turn around and our friend Brett (Who is a BYU football player is in the little room)....Well...Yes I wanted to die! He saw me...haha that's my story!

Ultimate tubing!

Anyways, this summer has been awesome! I have the coolest roommates ever, and we just got a new roommate named Deanne...she is awesome!! In two weeks we are all going to Southern California!!

Picture of Kim-Me-and Sam...we went to our friends soccer game...I hate soccer!...it was so boring...so all we did was take pictures! The score was 0-1....can't anyone just make a goal! haha

The night before we went to Lake Powell we were in charge of making rice crispy treats! Now...I cook...but I've never made rice crispy treats before!...Man were they messy! Sam thought it would be funny to eat them off my hands before they went to waste...she's a dork!

Anyways, these are 2 of my roommates...Sam and Tanisha...they are soo stinking cute!

Well my Blog is boring...and I don't know what to write about...so...Enjoy!

SAN FRANCISCO!!!

2008-07-01T23:20:00.000-07:00

About a month and a half ago I went with my parents and my brother Monty to San Francisco! It was sooo much fun! I have never really been to California...but I guess I thought the whole state of California was warm and sunny...but I was sooo wrong! IT WAS FREEZING!! We had a dandy ole time!

Here's some pictures from our trip!

My Dad and I at the beach.....Freezing!!
My Mom and I got hit by a wave...we were soaking wet!
We had to go visit the Tannar Family!

Alcatraz...So interesting...SO freezing!

The Sea Lions were so much fun to watch...we decided they are a lot like humans!

We loved riding on the trolleys

Monty

I think this street is called Lombard??...I want to live here!

We went to this Museum called the Exploritorium...it was a children's museum....they had the coolest stuff there...There was a toilet that they had as a drinking fountain...never been used...and of course it was clean (it just didn't look it)...it was actually pretty sick to drink from!...but we had too!

Muir woods was sooo beautiful! It was a little red wood forest north of San Francisco! I've never seen trees this huge!

This was depressing...the whole reason we went to California in the first place, was to see Monty's mission and visit the people he taught. Well we stayed two nights up in Northern California and our hotel was right across the street from 6 Flags...and I couldn't go!! It was so depressing! Instead I sat in the car all day...and we visited Monty's mission and only met people who spoke Spanish! haha I'm not complaining...we met a lot of cool people...but the only thing I understood was "Hola" and "Gracia's"

Northern California is Beautiful...especially Napa Valley! Even though I don't drink wine...I would love to live there...it was amazing!

Some of Monty's friends from his mission! Out of all the people we met...they were my favorite!

So...that is our trip in pictures! California is BEAUTIFUL!

OKay..The End

I'm gonna miss them :(

2008-06-07T19:42:00.000-07:00

For the past ten months I have had thee most amazing/rewarding job in the world! Yesterday was the last day of preschool...and I can not even begin to tell you how sad I am that it is all over. I have fallen in love with these kids! Ever since I left the school yesterday, I have wanted to cry. It is crazy to me how time goes by so fast...and these children that I have taught have become such a huge part of my life! All day yesterday I had that ball in my throat because I was about to cry. When I was saying my last goodbyes to the kids, I had to just not think about it and say to myself that I am going to see them again. Being a teacher has been the most amazing experience of my life. Children are so precious and sweet...and these 3 and 4yr olds have made me so excited to be a Mom!

This is my 3 year old class...aren't they cute!??

Yesterday (the last day of school) was Clown day! Everyone dressed up like something in the circus...and of course 3 and 4yr olds think that things like Spiderman, Batman and Pirates are in the Circus! (I love them:)) All we did all day was play! It was funny...my 3 year old class didn't quite grasp the concept of "Pin the nose on the clown" even after saying a million times "You can't peak or pull down the bandanna!" They all perfectly got the nose in the exact same place!...intresting...hahaha

This is Holland and I :)

3yr old class out at recess!

Now...I love my 3 yr old class....but my FAVORITE class is my 4 year old class!!

Mikelle-Trevor-Berk-Will-Lily

haha I just love the 4yr old boys!

Parker-Ethan-Carter-Berk
Little David Uda (Little boy from the repenting story) I love him!MALIA!!! I love her so stinkin much!!4yr old class at recess!

Gabe-Ethan-Gavin-and CARTER (my favorite student ever!)

CARTER and MAX!! You have no idea how much I stinking love them...especially Carter!...When he was leaving for the last time he ran over to me and hugged me and said that he loved me. :(

I MISS THEM!! THE END

Sushi and Ellen!

2008-05-24T09:52:00.000-07:00

Last night me and my roommates went up to Salt Lake with our buddy Jayci! (Oh how I love her!) We went to my favorite restaurant Happy Sumo!!! I must tell you though how sad I was after I left...I have been going to Happy Sumo for the past 3 years...very rarely do I ever branch out and get something other than my All-Time favorite Vegas Roll! Well, last night I went against everything I have ever known..and I didn't get my favorite Vegas Roll! :( I got the Fuji Chicken (don't get me wrong...it is amazing too!) I kept on looking over at Tanisha's sushi...I felt like I had broken a commandment or something! For all of you who are sushi fans...don't go to a sushi restaurant and get chicken!...it's wrong!

Here are some pictures from the night!...

Anyways...this week has been an awesome week! Not only do I have the best jobs and the best roommates but I bought my favorite thing ever this week! (not really my favorite thing ever...but really close!) Now...I don't know if you have seen Ellen Degeneres stand up comedy called "Here and Now"....but it is amazing!! All of my roommates back like..oh...2 years ago?? We became addicted to it! Thank you Melissa West for introducing it to Caitlin and I! Two summers ago we really did become addicted to it...I know pretty much ever line...and I've probably watched this hour long comedy over 50 times!...Well...Last week me and my roommate Sam went to Ross (that cheaper TJ Max type store) Well...I was just looking around minding my own business when suddenly I see a movie rack from the corner of my eye! I started to look through the movies (most were sick stripper/pole dancing instructional videos) when suddenly I find...

You have no idea how excited I was! I think I may have screamed! This is a HIGHLY recommended comedy...and...you should buy it! THE END

Spring Program!

2008-05-12T19:07:00.000-07:00

Today was my 4yr old classes Spring Program! It was so adorable...but it was a DISASTER compared to times we have practiced in our classroom! It was sooo funny, there is a little boy in my class named Parker...on stage he yelled out "I NEED TO GO TO THE BATHROOM!"

The dance was my favorite part! They did amazing! They danced and sang to "Lets get together" from the old Parent Trap movie. They were in Boy-Girl couples...there were more boys than girls...so two boys were partners. Well....the dad of one of the boys was not too happy about that! It was like he thought that his little 4yr old boy was going to turn gay because he had a boy partner in his preschool program! haha Oh well!...I apologize if that happens! haha

Mothers Day!

2008-05-12T18:35:00.000-07:00

Well...I didn't know what to get my Mom for Mothers Day...She is thee hardest person to shop for! (other than my dad) Well...I came up with the most amazing idea. Go to Build-a-Bear and make her a bear that I can put a voice recording of myself in! So, that is what I did! Me and my roommate Sam went to Build-a-Bear and made our Moms cute little bears! My bear said, "POOFY LAVOO! I love you Mom. Thanks for all that you do! Love your favorite daughter!" The bears were so cute...that I even bought myself one to put in my room! When Sam and I got home we were so excited about our bears that we had a bear photo-shoot! haha We are dorks...

In my family, it is a competition to see who is the favorite child...there is a ranking....

Dads Favorites

#1 Kristy or Courtney (depending on the day)

#3 Monty

#4 Bradley or Melanie (depending on the day)

Moms Favorite

#1 Monty

#2 Kristy

#3 Courtney

#4 Melanie

#5 Bradley

So on Mothers day I tried to be her #1. Monty knows he is the favorite...when I told him what I was getting Poofy (Mom) he started laughing at me...and he told me, "You spent over 20 $ on Mom...I'm giving her something that I got for free...and I'm still going to be the favorite!" haha It was pretty funny. I may not be Poofy Lavoo's favorite...but I did giver her the favorite gift!

Kids are so funny

2008-05-07T17:14:00.000-07:00

Never done this before...It is kindof cool!

Today is Wednesday, and on Wednesdays I teach preschool! I seriously have the best job in the world! Somedays I want to rip my hair out...other days I just want to take the kids home with me!

Today we went down to the gym to practice for our spring program. The spring program is an adorable little program of the kids singing and dancing at the end of the year for their families. Well...today was one of those days where I wanted to tear my hair out! As much as I absolutely adore these little kids, even the little angels of the class were being li'l devils! One of my very favorites in class is little David. He is thee cuttest/ sweetest little boy you will ever meet! He has the biggest smile/big blue eyes/and the most adorable high pitched voice you will ever hear! Well...today was so horrible that even little David Uda had devils horns! He was stomping his feet, talking to his neighbor, not singing, not dancing...he was being a big poop! After we were done practicing we went outside for recess. Miss Sam (my co-teacher) and I wanted to pull our hair out. Miss Sam took 3 of the kids, who were being the worst, and had them sit down and miss out on recess. She had to go inside for something so while she was inside I felt bad for the 3 little poops who were sitting out so I decided to have a little heart-to-heart conversation with them so they could go play with the rest of the class. I went over and talked to cute little David Uda. He was sitting down with a big frown on his face (broke my heart) I asked him why he was having such a hard day...we talked for a minute...he told me he was sorry for acting the way he did in the Gym. I then told him that he could go play now with the rest of the kids. Rather than being like 99% of the kids and running off to play...he said, "I can't Miss Courtney...Miss, Sam will be mad!" I assured him that she wouldn't...his reply was, "Yes she will!...I must go to church and repent Miss Courtney...I must repent!!!"
It was soooo stinking cute! A cute little 4 year old yelling out to the entire class that he needs to go to church and repent! I love my job! All I ever do is laugh...kids say the funniest things!