Independence Day

As a celebration of our independence we ventured up to Pineview with Jeremy’s dear family. This fourth was a particular adventure as we bounced from one campground to the next. The water was busy, boats were crowded, and everyone was pining for a patch of smooth water. The weather was a bit ho-hum, but we still ventured out on the boat and wake-surfed through the sea-like white caps.

We made it over to the Huntsville breakfast and parade, wandering through the elaborate booths offering everything from tiny jumping frogs to quaint home decor. Then the parade for the kiddos began, and I marveled as little Kaden learned what a parade is all about. At first he seemed a little unsure of himself, but it wasn’t long before the little guy figured out that the more attention he brought to himself, the more tasty treats would come his way. He soon flailed his arms above his head, as instructed, and made a mad dash for every single piece of candy he spotted.


Later in the evening, the Mr. ingeniously created what I have now coined as the “Shmookie”, which consists of two giant chocolate chip cookies (compliments of Costco), a slightly melted Reese’s peanut butter cup, and of course a roasted marshmallow.  We devoured this lovely variation of the traditional s’more while enjoying the stellar firework display over the lake.

I am deeply grateful for all the people who paved the way for the freedom I am blessed with. Hope you too had a wonderful fourth of July weekend.

My 1st Half Marathon

13.1 miles is a long, long distance in my world. For those who are unfamiliar, the Salt Lake Half Marathon takes you all over Salt Lake - starting at the Legacy Bridge up at the U, then along Foothill to Sugarhouse Park, then clear over to 2700 S., then it winds back going through Liberty Park, along State st., down South Temple, finishing at the Gateway. It didn't really dawn on me how far it really is until race day and seeing all these different places. I can't even imagine running a full!
   
It was a beautiful day, cool, but full of sunshine. I finished in 2 hours 13 minutes. I kind of let off the gas when I knew I wasn't going to make it under 2 hours even though now I know that I can - so I may need to do another one. I was amazed at how great I felt along the way - mile 7 no prob, 8, 9 no problems, then it kind of caught up with me at mile ten, but I kept pushing. Things kept me going like the guy I was running behind for awhile who was wearing a shirt that read "Anyone who thinks winning isn't everything has never fought cancer" or another girl in a brilliant pink top that seemed to keep a steady pace with ease, and the people cheering along the street sides from beginning to end, which is more invigorating than I realized it would be and I deeply appreciated those cheers even if they weren't meant for me. All in all it was definitely worth it. I was so grateful that Jeremy was there at the finish line, capturing the moment. He's always so supportive and I can't thank him enough for that. 

For Those About to Rock...

Now depending on how well you know me, you can imagine my elation when I found out AC/DC was doing a world tour. Oh yes. That's right - AC/DC. I am fully aware that my taste for old, hard rock is seemingly odd (mostly considering my age), but I think that maybe I was just born in the wrong generation. I mean, honestly, who doesn't like to rock out to a little "Shoot to Thrill" or "You Shook Me All Night Long"? If you hesitated to agree with me, I definitely recommend that you try it on a regular basis. There's just something wonderfully exhilarating about the raw energy and power-driven chords. Also, just to prove I'm not crazy - their Back In Black album is the highest-selling album by any band ever, selling more than artists like Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Michael Jackson. 

Tickets were a good $200 - thank goodness because I had a much higher threshold, though Jer thought they were outrageously overpriced. And let me just say, it was worth every penny (and it was also worth the added deafening I sustained as a result). I soaked in every minute of an event that someone my age shouldn't be privileged enough to attend, with Brian Johnson up there screaming at the top of his lungs and gallivanting around the stage with the kind of swagger that only comes from 30 years worth of performances. Then Angus, one of the greatest guitarist of all time, stalking the stage with his wild, ridiculously high-energy, and of course his schoolboy-uniform and duck walk (you have to see it to know what I'm talking about). His solos were amazing, and I loved how he taunted the crowd to beg for more, raising one hand to his ear like "I can't hear you". And then the next thing you know he throws himself to the ground, kicking and spinning around in circles, while playing the guitar. What's there not to love? I thought it was surreal. They played every good song and then to top it off, you couldn't get a better encore - Highway to Hell & For Those About To Rock. Priceless.

Here we are, giddy with anticipation...

Robert Plant & Jimmy Page. Metallica. Guns N' Roses. AC/DC. My life is complete...

Go Jazz!

I won a pair of sweet tickets at my office, so Jer and I had a fun date night. We went to CPK because I was absolutely craving their BBQ chicken salad. Yum! The game was against the Bobcats and of course, we won. It was a great night, and even better, a cheap date.

Pass, Blitz, Tackle, Touch Down - GO COUGS???!

This football season Jer and I had the opportunity to attend quite a few BYU games with the Marsh's. However, as a Utah alum, I was strictly instructed to wear cougar blue and cheer my heart out. Though initially wary, I kept an open mind and, believe it or not, the games were incredibly fun (even for a U fan).

Though feeling somewhat capricious and unloyal, I still entirely enjoyed every time a BYU player blind-sided an opponent. I still got real worked up over disappointing, outrageous, game-changing calls by the officials. And it didn't matter that I was watching the cougs, my two favorite things about football - sacking the other team's quarterback and watching players dive over opponents head-first into the end zone - did in no way lose their luster.

Now this year, during what is likely an entirely over-hyped, but nonetheless exhilarating rivalry face off, Jer's cougs took home the victory over my utes, much to my dismay. Jer even bailed on me to actually go to the game (who wouldn't though right?), but what was worse was his gallivanting around like a proud peacock upon arriving home - which I am pretty sure put to shame my gloating from the prior year ute win. It was, however, a very close game, so I am grateful for that small consideration in my favor.

And who can forget the crowning event of the season with Max Hall's words that will long outlive his football legacy: "I don't like Utah. In fact, I hate them. I hate everything about them. I hate their program, I hate their fans, I hate everything. I think the whole university, their fans and their organization is classless". Unlike the many outraged Utah fans around the state, the comment made me do nothing more than laugh. It is, however, always fascinating to see the ridiculous reactions that can be provoked by such an inconsequential comment.


Now if I'm being entirely honest, I can probably name more BYU players than Utah players, but I still maintain that that is not the point, though Jeremy will fervently fight me on that. Jer may be the most avid BYU fan I have ever known, so accordingly I can be the "supportive" wife. I've even conceded to rooting for BYU... just as long as they're not playing the Utes (which is more than generous if you ask me).

Despite enjoying games, even cheering for the cougs, and Jer's relentless attempts to sway my loyalties, I remain the classless Ute fan. Here's to many years of marital discord during rivalry games to come.

Trick or Treat

Halloween at the Browns was lovely - good food, good friends. The soups were delicious and the pumpkin bread bowls were adorable. It was a real spooky night with guests like Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Nellie Lovett, two sets of H1N1, and two pairs of polygamists. Any night with water-tight handshakes is always a good one.

 

Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.

There is nothing quite like a fall day. The cool crisp air, pumpkins piled high, and playing in the leaves. It always feels like the natural time to slow down - to listen to the crunching, crinkling autumn leaves, to take in the harvest moon, to breathe deep the scent of rich spices wafting through the air. A simple smile, a good book, and the waning sunlight warms the ever chillier days. Autumn - the hush before winter.

Birthday Fun!

I love that Jeremy's birthday is September 2nd and mine is the 4th. It's a celebration week. His birthday was on a Tuesday, which happens to be one of the longest days of the week for him. His first class starts at 7:30am, work at 12:30, back to class at 5:30pm and usually doesn't get home until 7:30 pm. It's a very full day, to say the least.

I still tried to make it special, as to be expected. We had a fun little dinner with delicious chili-lime chicken kabobs & cheese fondue {YUM!}. And Ally and I slaved away all day making an adorable birthday cake and the most scrumptious cupcakes (to become addicted, please see my recipe blog: www.simplysweetrecipes.blogspot.com).

Then for my birthday we went to Tepanyaki, mini-golfing at Cherry Hill of all places (Jer beat me by 6 points on my birthday), and Coldstone (I recommend getting the strawberry blonde). We did a joint birthday gift this year and got a new {camera} that we are so excited about! We ordered it online through Costco so we could get a free printer with it - but I can hardly wait for it to get here.

One year older. One year wiser.

Vegas Baby!

So randomly Karen, Ally and I headed down to Vegas - and it was so much fun. There are some definite perks about being temporarily unemployed. We stayed on the strip at the Monte Carlo for two nights and soaked up the sun for hours on end, enjoying the hotel's lazy river and sipping Miami Vices. We mostly worked on our tan and of course shopped until we dropped.

Then we stayed a night at the Holiday Inn in St. George where they upgraded us to this funky HUGE room that I thought was a little creepy, but it was free, so who cares? Then we did more shopping (can you believe it?) and saw Aida at the Tuacahn theater. The setting there is AMAZING with the enormously beautiful red rocks and the backdrop of twinkling stars in the night sky. I absolutely loved the musical - it was opening night and the actors put on a great performance.

There were lot's of laughs and girl time. These two are so much fun! What a great family to be a part of.

Goodbye Spokane!

Well, to say the least, we couldn't be more excited that we're heading home to Utah! Seriously, the anticipation of finding out was almost unbearable. Summer just crawled by as we waited and waited to hear back from the University of Utah - not to mention the fact that I was stuck in Spokane for my job and of course Jeremy had to be in Utah for his internship. Plus always getting asked "so, have you heard yet?" conveniently reminded us all the time that we hadn't. We were both really nervous that we were going to have to tell everyone that we didn't get in. A month went by after he submitted his application and they told him he would hear back after only 2 weeks. We started to get even more nervous because we thought if it was going to be a "yes" he would have heard by now. Then on a Friday, our good friends, Chris and Tara, were accepted to transfer to Arizona. We couldn't have been happier for them, but Jeremy decided he couldn't wait any longer, so he called the U first thing Monday morning...

I will never forget, as I was driving home for lunch on that beautifully sunny afternoon and my phone rings and of course it's Jer and the first words out of his mouth are "guess what?". I started basically freaking out. I was so excited I accidentally hung up on him! I don't think either one of us could stop smiling all day (I couldn't even wipe the smile off my face as I gleefully told my boss "I quit!"). I guess it was a little unfortunate that we couldn't have found out sooner so I wouldn't have been by myself in Spokane, but I told him I would have done it a million times over if it meant he would get into the U.

Then the whirlwind of moving began! But again, due to my excitement, I packed our entire apartment up by Thursday. Then Jer flew in Friday - even though it took him ten hours to get here when his first flight was cancelled because there was a drizzle here in Spokane - it was pretty ridiculous. Not to mention that he had a horrible flight the night before on his way from Phoenix to Salt Lake after sweating all day under the hot sun while looking at helicopter crash remains. Poor guy. But he made it! Then, we loaded up the Uhaul Saturday morning - which happened to be our 1 year anniversary - what a great way to celebrate! We planned to go to dinner and whatnot in Spokane that evening, but after packing up, I looked around and thought "why not just go now?". And so we did. We drove straight to Salt Lake - a 14 hr. drive. Probably not the safest idea since I could not stay awake despite my best efforts and Jeremy could barely keep his eyes open. But somehow we arrived safe and sound - it's probably a good thing we said a little prayer before we left! :)

And just like that, our time in Spokane is over. Really, I can't believe we've been here a whole year. The time went by soooo fast. We made many dear friends and have some great memories like...

Pig out in the Park...

Playing in the SNOW (I've never seen it snow like that - and I'm from Utah!)...

Our new appreciation for Red Robin...

Lake Coeur d'Alene...

Bloomsday (some funny result facts)...

The beautiful river & falls...

And our absolutely wonderful ward and great friends...

And of course the night when our neighbors murdered someone and the {SWAT} team was there the next morning to blast over the loudest loud speaker I have ever heard "tenenants of 2057 come out with your hands up!". Okay, maybe not a high point, but definitely one funny, crazy, unforgettable memory that we like to laugh about all the time.

I am so proud of my husband and his diligence. He studied more than most can imagine, sometimes putting in 12, 13, 14+ hours a day! He's incredible. He worked tirelessly this school year and it definitely paid off. I am so grateful for all of his hard work and that he gets to go to the U. YAY!