Table for Eight

Survivor South Pacific Finale' Weekend Two really kind Survivor fans took us on a walk/jog/hike up to the Hollywood Sign--which was AWESOME. (My husband came also, but he's not in this photo.) Keith, Whitney, Sophie, and myself. Keith, Jim, Rick, Sophie, myself, and Whitney--after dinner (Finale' weekend). Just outside our hotel in Hollywood (The Renaissance). Whitney and ME--in the lobby of our hotel. Just minutes after we arrived. First time we'd seen each other since we left the airport for connecting flights after the game ended. Christine and her new artwork. She had a tattoo contest and a fan drew this one and won! (To commemorate her time on Redemption Island. It's a fire and a coconut drink.) Me and Cochran in the hotel lobby on the day we arrived. (Cochran calls this our prom picture.) Loved Ones Reunion. This is my husband, Rick's wife, and Sophie's dad--they all traveled to Samoa for the Loved...

Our 6 kiddos--before the Survivor finale Sunday. (All of them were able to attend the finale', thanks to Papa Bear. He's as kind in real-life as he is on the show. PB gave me an extra ticket of his--because I was one short. Love you, PB.) I can't believe it's been a week+ since I've blogged. There's so much to share. --Ozzy won his way back into Survivor South Pacific after a major stint on Redemption Island. --Sophie WON the final immunity challenge and took Albert/Coach to the Finale 3. --I sweat like a monster at the final tribal council.  (There's a hilarious story about Jim and torches related to this. I'll share soon.) --The cast spent 4-5 days together as we prepared for the finale'. --Sophie WON Survivor South Pacific. (Yay-hoo!) --The cast said "goodbye" to each other.  (But really, it was more of a "see you soon." More on that later, too.) --Our family stayed in Los Angeles for the week and ...

(C) CBS, 2011. Me--in the Shoulder The Load immunity/reward challenge. Okay, I am just going to admit it: I'm a little uncomfortable posting this-- BUT-- my friend Janae says I have to. And, I trust Janae.  So, I'm going with her advice. Beginning today/tonight, you can cast you vote for The Survivor South Pacific Fan Favorite. I don't know all of the details, but I believe you can text in and possibly vote online at  http://www.cbs.com/shows/survivor/ It's similar to the voting for Player of the Week. Except ...  this prize money goes to  the player/cast member. And it's 100k. (Yup, $100,000.00 clams.) So, while I'm sure you have a lot of favorite players this season, if I am your most favorite-ist, would you please call in tonight? I think the window for voting will be small (kind of like player of the week). Oh, and please spread the word. If ever I needed news to go "viral," this would be the time. XO. Th...

Today our 2nd to youngest daughter turns 9. (Yay!) And all she wanted for her birthday was SNOW. And guess what? It snowed last night. Yay-hoo! Happy Birthday Zu. We love you so much. (Because we were able to adopt our kids, Birthdays seem extra special to me. Not only are we celebrating our kids coming to Planet E--but, we're celebrating another family who changed our lives forever. So, "H appy Zu's Birthday," Amy. We love you and are so grateful for all you've done for our family . XO.) **** PS: Tomorrow's Survivor South Pacific is a doozy. Tribal Council will leave your jaw on the floor. Promise. So, don't miss it! Cowboy Rick--a fellow Utahn! (C) Monty Brinton, 2011. And here's a sneak peak from tomorrow's Immunity Challenge: http://www.cbs.com/shows/survivor/video/2176036532/survivor-south-pacific-batman-wall-challenge Psst: Who are you rooting for--we've got Edna and Ozzy at Redem...

Our family is packing and getting ready for the Live Survivor Finale' this weekend. And because there are 8 of us, that's a little wonky. In fact, Saturday I actually felt like we were re-living the opening scene in the movie Home Alone--where the McAllisters are packing for their trip to France.  You know the scene?  There are kids everywhere,  2 million questions, open suitcases littering the halls, doorbells ringing, pizzas being delivered, and lots of general chaos. That scene. It's a little overwhelming. BUT, it's also so dang exciting. I mean, in just a few days, I will get to introduce my beautiful family to my beautiful island family. And I can hardly wait.  I promise to update more tomorrow. (And I will be tweeting throughout the week. My twitter.com name is @meehand) **** PS:  A few of you have asked what I am wearing to the finale'. Good question.  What am I wearing to the finale? ...

My summer wardrobe. (PS: My real bathing suit--taken the week before I left for the game.) It's finals week here at BYU and you know that means? I'm grading papers. Lots of them. So, if it's okay, I'll keep today's post kind of quick and light, and just answer a few questions people have emailed this week: Where did you get your bathing suit? And that jewelry on the top? This question cracks me up. I guess because I'm not really a fashion person. And, because I thought all of the other women on the show had way cuter suits than mine. But, here's my answer: The board short bottoms are from a local retailer in Utah, Lime  Ricki, and the way cute top (I'm biased) is from a little company I like to call Target. Funny, I'd had the top for a while and could not remember where I'd bought it. But fortunately my daughter remembered last week (because I've had so many questions about the suit--well, and the socks.) Oh, and...

(C) CBS, 2011. I look at this picture taken Day 1, the day we first sat on those rafts and rowed in as tribes to play the game of Survivor South Pacific, and I think, "WOW, we have been through a lot." Once strangers, then tribemates.  Sometimes enemies, but most often, family and friends. It's incredible how much 18 people can endure in just 39 days. I'd say these 39 days are equivalent to 5 years of learning in "real life." I've learned so much. I think I've grown so much. And yet, I still have so much to learn. For example, as I watched Cochran leave the game last night, I felt so sad.  Cochran was a close friend of mine in the game. I felt connected to him. We shared a lot.  And when I made the decision not to flip at the merge, I did so, because it was the best game-play for me/our tribe, in my opinion.  But, I always understood Cochran's reason for flipping. I may not have liked it , but I understood it.  And I ...