emily the cliff

our world

2011-11-23T16:41:00.006-06:00

I am going over some printing specs for a file I'm working on at work and I found this:

Is everyone else as mature as I am?

How have I lived in the world this long and not know this term exists?

upward over the mountain

2011-11-07T17:09:00.000-06:00

I mentioned we had a busy September with weekend trips, but for sure the crowning jewel was 5 days of backpacking in Yellowstone. Our friend Steven was a ranger there years ago so when he planned a trip it was a no brainer to go...even though September weather that north scared the bejebbus out of me (I have no interest in snow and tent sleeping).

But none of my concern was warranted; hands down that trip was one of the single most amazing experiences of my life. Like, it was perfect. We had beautiful weather that kindly only rained at night while we were cozy sleeping and warmed up during the day for perfect cool hiking temperature. The autumn leaves and colors were stunning and the company was easy and fun. Plus Steven planned almost everyday ending with a dip in hot springs, so tired bodies were comforted and healed from long days of moving...like I said, perfect.

Full crew

permit

these meadows were sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo pretty
]
like so pretty I couldn't stop taking pictures

hot springs at Dunanda Falls

beautiful skies

I was serious about these meadows

one of the handful of times we had to ford a river

in the heart of Bechler Canyon

where we came from, where we were headed

Mr. Bubbles hot springs

Aaron on day 4

I carried s'mores in my pack supplies for this moment

happy campers

last day

Lone Star Geyser

that is Old Faithful off in the distance, which meant we were only a car ride away from pizza in Jackson Hole

calorie burn reward!

I can't wait for next year's trip.

trouble

2011-10-24T11:43:00.002-06:00

If I'm 29 and this was my Saturday night...should I be concerned for my future?

collect call

2011-10-18T11:17:00.003-06:00

I realize I am like one of 4 people on the planet who doesn't have an iPhone or an Android or any other kind of phone in existence that you can use by swiping your fingers across the screen, but I feel like my little BlackBerry also isn't the oldest phone known to man.

However, my brother Logan disagrees. He always teases me about how my phone is as big as a computer and makes jokes about it, so I wasn't surprised when a package from him showed up in my mailbox on Friday with this:

And his note:

I accidentally packed up your phone with my things. Hope you didn't miss any important faxes.

PS. I got you a bluetooth headset for the trouble.

The fake phone is basically the same as my real phone...guess it's time for an upgrade Emily!

lucky now

2011-10-11T17:51:00.001-06:00

Aaron and I just finished 4 straight weekends of away trips and I for one, am totally worn out. I'm ready to cook dinners and be at home, but it was a great month of fun!

We started with a weekend in St. George to visit Morgan and Wyatt (and Christopher and Tasha), then followed with a second weekend in St. George/Vegas for me and Sacramento for Aaron where we each attended separate weddings. The next week we spent an amazing 5 days in Yellowstone on a backpacking trip and this last weekend we went to Moab to support Logan and Christopher racing in 24 Hours of Moab. Sheesh.

I post these from my first St. George weekend as proof of how amazing Christopher and Tasha are as hosts...a few days in their desert home is heavenly. And that is only made more evident by very similar pictures Meikel posted last week of one of their summer visits; everyone should go to there.

asking for flowers

2011-09-23T17:00:00.001-06:00

Aaron's friend Eric got married at the beginning of the month and since he was the Best Man I figured I needed to push my way into the wedding! So I did the flowers.

I always love the opportunity because taking a day off work and filling my house with the scent of fresh flowers is completely fun for me. I'd love to do flowers more often and especially I super love doing flowers for weddings like here and here.

And while I'm not a huge horn tooter, I'm enough of a little internet horn tooter to say, guys...this was awesome. I was a miracle worker with the budget and made some floral decisions that were like, perfect. Elizabeth and my mom both were huge help and my mom single-handedly got all the table arrangements set up while I was running around like a mad woman getting everything else set up, so they were total life savers and it all paid off.

One of the reasons I love doing flowers is putting together something lovely I wouldn't have necessarily chosen for myself; the bride Casey had an all soft and creamy palette, shades of pink and peach and white and I totally fell in love with it. Here is a boxful all snuggled together for the ride up the canyon.

I didn't get great photos once set up, but these give you the general idea..all set up on all the tables.

If only everyday was flower day!

yesterday's blues

2011-09-16T16:30:00.000-06:00

Hey Internet, did I ever tell you Christopher and Tasha and the boys moved to St. George a few months ago?

No, I know I didn't cus it's too depressing (just kidding) (kind of just kidding). When Tasha called me in April and told me they were moving I was like "that's great!" "that will be awesome!" "I'm so excited for you guys!"

And then I hung up the phone and burst into tears in front of a confused Aaron.

Because of course, I really was excited and so happy for them. That move was going to be (and has been) a great move. It was awesome that Christopher and Tasha searched together for answers and guidance for their family and when they found it, they went for it.

But duh...they are also pretty much my favorite humans and have made 2 of my other favorite humans and I miss them. Their entire marriage Christopher and Tasha have either lived 3 buildings away from me at my home or 3 blocks away from me at my office. I don't know how to buy clothes, plan parties, make decisions, or pretty much breath without immediately showing/talking/discussing with Tasha. I don't know how I would ever make pizza crust, fix weird car problems, camp, bike or do lots of other things without stopping by to get advice from Christopher first. And freak, I for sure don't know how to go much more than about a week without trying to convince Morgan to love me or freely getting one of Wyatt's million dollar smiles.

So I hope someday we can be neighbors and kids can run freely between houses and Tasha and I can watch trashy TV together with Sonic drinks and Christopher and Aaron can grill delicious dinners every night.

In the meantime though, I have loved having them stay with us during their Salt Lake visits and getting surprise Tasha packages in the mail and since they are just 5 hours away it means easy weekends trips and much warmer weather during our dreary winter.

(PS- I don't just keep family photos of my sibs on hand, I took these a few months ago at Liberty Park.)

love cats

2011-09-06T12:04:00.004-06:00

Okay, I have some things to catch up on around here, but first the most recent and exciting news.

Aaron and I have hit the cliche moment in our marriage where we're (he's) not quite in baby mode yet but we (I) are (am) getting there, so for the time being...we got a kitten!

And I mean, even as a total non-pet person, when my friend Emilie posted on Facebook that she was looking for a home for this guy last week, I totally melted.

I couldn't resist! We really weren't thinking about getting a pet at all or anything but when I saw him, something seemed to click and after a weekend of kitty sitting, it clicked for Aaron too (hoping I don't have to do a test weekend with any actual children we have before he feels ready to keep them, but we'll see!).

Emilie's family had named him Paul Banks and Aaron has altered it to Pablo so we'll see what sticks permanently. Either way we're having fun with him and he's a great little fit for us.

back down south

2011-08-25T17:40:00.002-06:00

Listen, I know lately I've been quiet around here and not that interesting, but I always claim to be existing at some level of boring.

However, you internet, in general are also mostly boring lately...what is the deal? I thought I knew you.

rambling man

2011-08-16T13:34:00.002-06:00

I love everything about this.

a bite out of my bed

2011-08-10T18:01:00.004-06:00

Naomi was in town last week so we joined her and some friends in the Unitas last weekend.

It was beautiful and awesome, but the mosquitoes were insane. Even in normal mosquito weather I usually get more bites than others around me, so while I expected a few, it's like the 100% deet repellent didn't even slow those suckers down.

Anyone know a way I could possibly turn this into a valuable skill or asset?

chasing cars

2011-08-03T11:27:00.003-06:00

Nephews came to town last night. I was chasing them around after dinner and when I sat down to catch my breath Aaron said to me, "You're so happy right now, aren't you?"

How could I not be?

i follow rivers

2011-08-01T11:55:00.002-06:00

We saw Cowboys and Aliens over the weekend (fart noise), and before it there was a preview for Battleship:

Normally this is exactly the kind of movie I would avoid, but my strict dedication to always see everything the cast from Friday Night Lights does from now on means I will be there opening night!

I love Texas Forever Riggins so much, but I think I can definitely dig Naval Officer Riggins too.

scared

2011-07-21T11:24:00.001-06:00

Some things...

I mentioned previously that Aaron is still in New York for the rest of the week. And get ready to vomit, but I realized we haven't been apart longer than 3 days since December of 2008 and today I really feel it. I'm used to depending on him and looking forward to seeing his perfect face at the end of the day and having him fall asleep next to me. I miss him.

But then...I've remembered how much I like myself alone. I enjoyed single me so much and waking up in my bed alone and making plans alone reminds me of her and I like for just one week remembering that her me.

New York and it's life stirred up something inside me that had gotten too sleepy and comfortable and I'm thankful for the inspiration.

The last few evening have been full of thought and meaningful conversations (and The Bachelorette) with women friends I love...I'm lucky to be surrounded by so many smarts and careers, and creatives and pregnants and wives and PhDs and moms; all as inspiring as that city that never sleeps.

I know some hearts that have recently been broken/are breaking. Talking about it the other night I realized it's been a long while now since the last time mine was and I had to work to remember the feeling. But then a Facebook thread yesterday brought this song to my mind and I could immediately remember the feeling.

I know marrieds are sometimes frustrating to singles cus you just forget. You forget the places you aren't anymore. You don't mean to, but everybody does it...grown ups and teens, depresseds and happys, richies and poories, believers and other belief believers. But somebody is always in the places you aren't. So I'll think more about the places I'm not.

new york groove

2011-07-18T17:17:00.004-06:00

I'm back. And I adored New York.

We saw awesome stuff, we walked amazing places, we caught up with dear friends, we bought junk, we ate pizza everyday (everyday!), and I saw an old crazy dude's balls on my last day...a complete New York experience!

Aaron is still there the rest of the week and he has our good camera, but until then...point and shoot highlights.

Early morning Time Square,

Magnolia Bakery with recent New Yorker, but old friend Dave,

and my favorite Monet in real life (while waiting for the Alexander McQueen Exhibit which was amazing).

I made a stop at Purl Soho, the cutest place that exists in real life and the internet,

ate Joe's Pizza with my favorite Dallas,

and hung out with the always delightful Di and Ben.

It was wonderful, and Aaron and I decided we would move there in a heartbeat...as long as we could live in an air-conditioned hotel with an amazing king sized bed. Easy, right?

New York, New York

2011-07-12T15:19:00.003-06:00

I'm always so embarrassed to say that I'm 29 and have never been to New York. But tonight that changes! Aaron and I are going to get matching 'I Love NY' t-shirts and fanny packs and sturdy white walking tennis shoes and see everything.

And guys, I'm gonna eat so much pizza.

pumped up kicks

2011-07-07T13:27:00.003-06:00

Our 4th of July weekend was awesome. I pulled together 2 separate 4th of July outfits for two separate events, which feels like quite an accomplishment (I'm proud of myself for finishing seasons of TV shows on DVD too, so there is my accomplishment standard). I didn't get to see what Tasha wore this year, but from her previous years (here and here) she has forever inspired patriotic attire.

This song also contributes to the weekend's greatness. I caught it a few times here and there on the radio on the spring and heard this story on NPR. Corey had the whole album when we ran Wasatch Back Relay and since it's one Aaron and I both like, as well as everyone else in the country, this song got lots of play last weekend.

the warming sun

2011-06-30T10:49:00.001-06:00

I know Father's Day was nearly two weeks ago, but I was trying to find this picture to post because it is like, my favorite ever.

I remember as a small person evenings spent tag team reading through a dozen Roald Dahl books with my dad while I walked on his back. And the thrill that came when he pulled out his guitar, plugged into his amp and played along with songs on the radio. And my favorite memory from being really little...curling up on his lap with my head on his chest to feel in my ear his low, even voice as he spoke with other adults.

My dad was a great dad with little kids. He was patient, he treated us like our thoughts and opinions mattered and I know that for me, he made me feel like I could do anything. I knew my dad was very smart and not a very expressive man so when he vocally thought something I drew was good or something I wrote was good or something I thought was good...I believed him; because I knew he was proud of me. I have wonderful memories of being a kid and now looking back, I know both my parents did an amazing job teaching us from childhood on that while the world isn't full of fair, if we use our brains and are thoughtful, we'll be able to navigate well and I hope so much I can be that kind of parent someday too.

But older kids were a little bit more tricky for my dad. Partly because he has no patience for smart-assery (and Clifford teenagers were all smart-asses to some degree). But partly because by the time my younger brothers and I trickled into teenhood, various problems were weighing on my family. From my perspective, it seems that years of financial insecurity were feeling heavier to everyone and particularly to my parents' marriage. When I was 14 the genetic kidney disease that runs in my dad's family started to work away at his kidneys and the slow deterioration seemed to affect my dad in more ways than just physically. He seemed unreasonable and tired of people. It was easy to fight with him and we all did. His kidneys failed completely a few years later and there was a time of dialysis 3 days a week until a kidney transplant my senior year of high school. His health got better, but I was mad at my dad all the time and my brothers were mad at my dad all the time and everyone was enough mad all the time that when I was 19 things were messy and my parents got divorced.

And while divorce is a sucky thing, when it happens, it can be the best thing for a family and it was for mine. For a while I didn't make any effort to see my dad, I only would when it involved Elizabeth, who was young enough still to be shuffled back and forth between parents.

But my dad made an effort. He showed up to things and called just to check in. He apologized but didn't force or expect an acceptance which seemed to give the breathing room necessary to heal our relationship as well as fractured relationships with my siblings too. He gave what he could and left the rest up to us.

I'm always impressed when I think about that now since things are so different from where they once were. Because for years my dad and Elizabeth and I (and Aaron now too), go to breakfast together every Saturday for hours on end. Because every now and then I've called or shown up unannounced, overwhelmed and on the verge of tears and his low, even voice manages to comfort me like it did when I was little. And because in the temple on my wedding day my not very emotional dad cried like a baby and hugged me tight...and having known the bitter, it made that sweet all the more special and amazing to me.

My dad is human and I know my dad is flawed, but my dad is my dad and I'm grateful on Father's Days and all the other days too that he's around and in my life.

broken telephone

2011-06-27T12:36:00.003-06:00

I kind of stink at phones. I either have one that is WAY outdated or one that is a little bit broken because I pretty much have only ever cared about a phone to use as a phone. Oh and then also I drop them all the time.

But you don't marry Aaron Sanchez and get to stay out of the technological loop! So I've been holding out on an upgrade for the new iPhone coming in September and in the meantime have managed to go through 2 Craigslist phones. The last one totally crapped out, so Aaron found me another this weekend and since I couldn't transfer my contacts, he went through his address book and gave me anything he had that I would want.

And this morning I noticed my address book starts as any address book should start:

They catered our wedding and we eat there at least once a week...I guess it's time they made it into my phone (and in case you are wondering why double a Aaron is not my first contact it's because he programed himself in as 'My Man').

nothing is perfect

2011-06-22T10:27:00.002-06:00

For Naomi's going away party last night I made cookies.

And for some reason, almost more than anything else, a successful baking endeavor makes me feel like I'm winning at life.

in the middle of the night

2011-06-21T11:42:00.006-06:00

The 6th year of Cliffords doing Wasatch Back Relay was a total success. Not only was it just generally a smooth year for our team, but I got a great 7 mile run in the mountains at 2am listening to Bon Iver which reminded my cold heart why I love participating.

Cus the a-hole in me can't roll my eyes wide enough at all the tu-tus, the ESTROGEN OVERLOAD! girl teams, the kill scores, and the general douchey-ness involved when you've got 1400 teams of 12 runners (hey, I said I was an a-hole).

But hooray for my Grinch heart growing a few sizes this year! And of course...picture proof.

Van 2

Casey's first run up to Snow Basin.

Inappropriate teammates!

The whole team (minus running Casey).

The kind of moment that makes me want to stop everything and GET PREGNANT.

Kevin lit up like a Christmas tree.

Nearly Clifford Corey

Oh hello June in Utah.

And finally, I love collecting these no-one-paying-attention-finish-line photos.

Way to go In The Thicke of The Night!

turning tables

2011-06-16T13:24:00.003-06:00

Is it okay to be in love with the kitchen table we got over the weekend?

Because I am.

baby sister

2011-06-14T14:14:00.001-06:00

We discussed on Sunday that from here on out every ten years, for just six months, the baby sister and I will be in the same generalized decade of life. Which for now, is our 20s.

To see her just starting while I'm on my way out made me realize that despite being mostly boring, I've got a pretty great 20s to look back on. There are things I wish I'd done, some caution I wish I'd thrown to the wind, but you know...what else can boring expect? Watching Elizabeth blow out candles I knew I wouldn't change her places and that makes me think I'm maybe on the right track.

In so many ways I can't believe she's 20 years old. But in other ways, the girl who has also seemed like such a little adult is adding on years to catch up with grownup brain and clever wit that are in there.

Happy 20s, Be Bopper!

dreams on fire

2011-06-10T11:07:00.003-06:00

I've been in LA the past few days at E3 for work. Beyond the convention it was a really fun work trip...we went to a taping of Jimmy Kimmel, I was struck by the pants fairy and found 2 pairs that I loved and that actually fit me during a 20 minute Zara run, we ate on the beach and just generally enjoyed the company of co-workers outside of work.

But I gotta say (everywhere I possibly can), that the highlight for me was running into Scott Porter, aka Jason Street from Friday Night Lights in the hallway on Wednesday.

Turns out he's a big gamer and has gone to E3 the last 4 years and is one of the voices in a new X-Men game. Oh and also he is really nice and not in a wheelchair! And it means I have the potential to run into him next year and become BFFs.

It was so awesome, and if you still haven't watched Friday Night Lights then call me and I will give you my seasons because there isn't anything better ever.

how am i different

2011-06-07T06:23:00.002-06:00

I'm not saying I think my life is better now that there is an iPad in it.

I'm saying I know my life is better now that there is an iPad in it.

towers

2011-06-02T12:23:00.004-06:00

I can't believe it's already Thursday...sheesh, why can't every week a Tuesday-Friday work week?

The next few weeks are busy around here with a work trip for me and Wasatch Back Relay, so luckily, we were able to get away last weekend for a totally amazing few days.

In fact, it was nearly perfect to me for lots of reasons (guest cabin in Torrey, a retired environmental lawyer full of wisdom, naps, O Pioneers!, dear friends, new friends, Indian food with grandparents), but a lot cus we spent most of the time like this in southern Utah:

And finished up in Logan like this:

A lot of sun with a hint of boot and scarf weather...yummm, my dream life.

roses from my friends

2011-05-27T14:30:00.002-06:00

It's been almost 3 years since I reconnected with my old friends Nate and Joel and they moved into the apartment above Naomi and me on E Street. In that time as neighbors I don't know how many times both Naomi and I were tired and desperately wanting to go to bed but were paralyzed with laughter because the two of them were singing in our kitchen or riding bikes in our living room, or maybe lying in one of our beds. It was really mostly fun and awesome (even if sometimes a little annoying) and we became not just old friends, but current friends. I assumed coming over and eating my food or making jokes would fade once the convenience ended when Nate got married and moved and then for sure after Naomi and I moved too.

But luckily...we stayed friends. And Nate sold us our condo, and Aaron plays soccer on a team with Joel and Nate and I found myself 2 weeks ago, sitting in my kitchen with Aaron, both of us desperately wanting to go to bed but paralyzed with laughter because Nate and Joel were just being Nate and Joel.

Can't wait to see what happens once babies get up in the mix.

beautiful boy

2011-05-25T09:00:00.001-06:00

Today is nephew Wyatt's 1st birthday. First birthdays are the best because here is a whole person with a face and a personality who didn't even exist a year ago. It's amazing!

Since we bought a condo, I have basically offered to host every party within a 30 mile radius because I'm so excited about it. So to start things off, we had Wyo's first birthday party over the weekend.

And eff, that kid is awesome. He doesn't know how to smile without using his whole face, he lets his big brother climb all over him, and he hardly ever makes a fuss. He is pretty much just happy and adorable all the time. And he's probably the only redhead with a Mexican mama. So to honor that little big time happy redhead, we ate circus animal sugar cookies and hot dogs and Tasha made party hats to celebrate with all of Wyatt's favorite adults and Hudson.

Happy birthday to my favorite 1 year old!

party hard

2011-05-20T11:36:00.005-06:00

Last weekend we celebrated Aaron's birthday. It was a combined party with his two besties since the three of them have birthdays 2 days apart. In the tradition of Aaron parties, we went to Lowe's Xtreme Air Sports in Provo and it was so fun. It was cheap and friendly and had a lot of space. Plus it was great because we had some nieces and nephews in attendance and there was even an area specifically for those tiniest of guests.

This is basically what the whole place looked like...so many ways to be XTREME!

I stole these couple from Damian because cutest.

Aaron and Wyatt

Christopher and Morgan

I love this picture because it's Aaron waiting his turn behind little kids.

Michelle and Casey made a cake for the event and their goal was to decorate it with everything boys like.

Mission accomplished!

basic space

2011-05-17T12:29:00.001-06:00

Over the weekend Aaron and I celebrated our one year anniversary. We reminded ourselves that we recently gifted each other a condo, so while we have tennis lessons on the horizon, we kept year one pretty mellow with a morning trail run, a stroll through Red Butte Garden and dinner at the delicious Copper Onion (people in Salt Lake, go to there).

We did make it special cus all day I wore my wedding shirt,

and Aaron wore his wedding shoes.

Back at six months I said we'd managed to have it pretty easy up to then, and I think we wrapped up the second half of the year pretty much the same way.

I do feel like in the past six months more and more I have seen that Aaron and I are very different from each other in so many ways...more than just tastes and interests, our frames of reference rotate on different angles. Yet at the same time, more and more I also see how we are morphing into some sort of singular unit; I 'we' us all the time in conversation because I feel comfortable that we feel the same way about where we are headed and decisions we are making (and that Batman Begins is the standard against which all other comic book movies are rated).

It's incredible to me that being opposite and growing together can exist in the same space, but I'm thankful for it. And I'm thankful that with one year down we've still got tons ahead of us to go.

find a way

2011-05-11T10:26:00.004-06:00

Today is Aaron's birthday and boy oh boy am I glad he was born 29 years ago today. Thanks so much Blanca!

We of course, have yet another kid oriented party planned at an extreme sport place on Saturday night with his 2 BFs who share his birthday week (remember last year's party, and the year before?). It will be fun and the plus side of being married to someone who likes to party like an elementary schooler, is that I will know every place possible for parties when we end up with some of our own.

Sunday night I was going through some of Aaron's stuff trying to combine bins for storage. While I was slightly annoyed that he must have bought all of the native print bags and coin holders in Guatemala while he was there on his mission, I ran across a pile of non-mission related things. There were a lot of IDs from his various seasons working at The Canyons and other little memory type trinkets and then I came to this:

And it melted my annoyed heart.

I went to San Francisco for the first time when Aaron and I were first dating. Since I carried a Nalgene bottle and was into music that used guitars and like, sometimes had feelings, he always teased me that I was a hippie and because of that, said I'd especially love Haight-Ashbury (I'm actually way grossed out by real hippies). So in trying to be cute and funny I decided to bring him back the most ridiculous souvenir possible. And I succeeded!

I assumed it had been dumped in the trash a long time ago cus you know, it's a weed ashtray. But he didn't throw it away (even though he did break up with me a week after that trip), he threw it in with other stuff he wanted to remember. Finding it reminded me that I married someone who is not only positive, confident and so much fun, but who is also incredibly sweethearted. I love this day to spend thinking of him and being excited he exists.

Happy Birthday Husb!

do you hear the people sing

2011-05-09T10:43:00.004-06:00

There are a few things I've learned from my mother.

The first is to appreciate beauty where ever it may be found, in both the obvious and the not so obvious.

Secondly, your drink to ice ratio should be just enough drink to cover your glass full of ice.

And thirdly, Les Miserables is the best musical in existence...I have memories as far back as I can remember of the soundtrack playing in our home.

So imagine the combined excitement of my siblings when we realized that Les Miserables was going to be on tour in Salt Lake and nicely coinciding with Mother's Day. And imagine my excitement that I am the lucky one who gets to be her date.

May 26th, I can't wait for you to be here for me to cry my eyes out!

girl with the golden hair

2011-05-04T15:47:00.003-06:00

You know that kind of day where you roll out of bed and convince yourself that you've actually done a good job getting ready in 20 minutes and that your ponytail looks full and your bangs aren't greasy?

But then in the middle of the day you notice in the restroom mirror that you were wrong? Like way wrong.

I just realized today is that kind of day!

sugarless

2011-05-02T10:53:00.003-06:00

We're all moved into our new place! We got our fridge on Saturday and this may or may not be why we bought it.

Come over sometime for a fake sugared drink!

kids

2011-04-28T15:14:00.003-06:00

Nephew Garrett is in town for the weekend! Monday I will have soooo many pictures of him since living in Northern California means he gets way less play around here.

But today I met up with him and his dad and all Salt Lake family members for lunch. This little Morgan cowboy greeted me and proudly showed me his new cowboy belt buckle.

And his real cowboy pants. Adorable!

Cousin sucker punch!

Freak, tiny humans you're related to are the best.

family snapshot

2011-04-27T10:50:00.002-06:00

Proof of my point!

Thank you Universe for giving me this today when I had my camera and not yesterday when I didn't!

i forget its there

2011-04-26T11:21:00.002-06:00

I forgot my camera at home today.

It's like forgetting your phone...because um, what if I need to take a picture of something today?! (And I know what you're thinking, I could take phone pictures. But if I'd remembered my camera I could take a picture of my phone to show you that my phone is old enough and takes low-res enough photos that everything ends up accidentally looking a little perverted.)

So what if I see a ridiculous bummer sticker or person at lunch? What if the snow stops and something pretty happens in the sky? What if I see Morgan and Wyatt and they do something cute?

How did everyone live fulfilling lives back in the 90s?

homeward bound

2011-04-18T18:52:00.005-06:00

So we bought a condo yesterday.

There are lots of reasons why it's exciting and fun (I'm going to paint EVERYTHING), but number one might be that Nate sold it to us.

(we're holding pens from the mortgage company as proof in case that isn't clear from our awkward poses)

I never would have thought in elementary school that I'd buy my first place from the kid who wouldn't skate with me at our 5th grade Classic Skating field trip...but I guess things change!

anonanimal

2011-04-13T18:00:00.002-06:00

I'm not pregnant by the way. I'd like to think Aaron and I will take one completely indulgent vacation before that happens, so you can start wondering once pictures from The Canary Islands or somewhere equally exciting show up on my blog!

I sit in an office all day every day during the week. I have a tall window next to my desk and though it looks out onto a parking lot below me, I can look up and out to the distance and see the north end of the Wasatch mountain range and the sky above both it and me. Besides the dumb snow ruining weekends, I don't mind the cold weather lately because it's been beautiful to watch in the sky. I have seen cotton ball clouds sitting on top of the mountains while darker ones creep over my building, and the other way around. I have seen the sun fighting to take over a gray sky in the morning and kept tabs on the back and forth battle between the two the rest of the day. And I've watched and listened as tree tops blow in a wind that seems to be warning them and me it's not yet time for shady tree picnics.

As long as it comes soon, I'm okay for now because I love watching the weather and creating an appropriate soundtrack for it while I sit all day. Yesterday's hint of warm felt like Ray LaMontagne, while Andrew Bird has fit perfectly with today's sunny then stormy story.

most of us prizefighters

2011-04-07T18:04:00.002-06:00

I think I'm boring because when I look at the stats of my blog there are like 2 people reading it, but there used to be more (and I know that doesn't like actually matter, but it does make me wonder what was worth coming to my blog for at one point that isn't worth it anymore).

And that's totes not like an actual big deal because,

a) I am boring,
b) I post like once a week these days, and
c) I will get more boring since we got DVR at home a week ago so now through recording and HuluPlus I can strategically WATCH EVERY SHOW CURRENTLY ON TELEVISION...and that is gonna be time consuming (by the way I caught part of that new TLC coupon show last night and I wanted to slow clap for the lady who got $600 worth of groceries for $7, effin amazing).

But, just now I realized that I am not only boring, but also maybe a little bit pathetic cus I had to look at all my posts from April of 2009 to see what excitement used to be like (and I wasn't even really exciting then).

I know how to spice things up, I'll get pregnant!

on a good day

2011-04-05T11:26:00.006-06:00

On Saturday, I made it out of IKEA with having spent only $20...personal success!

Other weekend successes include, treats recovered from underneath the couch cushions,

Fantastic Mr. Fox for the one thousandth time in between Conference,

and Morgan eating so many vegetables!

Color coordinated egg dye and cups (even though the actual dying was NOT a success),

and finally giving Elizabeth the cowl I knitted for her but had been wearing myself all week.

Mikey got to met Wyatt for the first time,

and Wyatt got to feel up Zuzu for the first time!

steady on

2011-03-25T17:06:00.004-06:00

I have found the most delicious breakfast cereal combination ever.

I want to eat it all the time...a whole box of bran cereal in 3 days would be good for me right?

desert eagle

2011-03-22T12:37:00.008-06:00

I didn't really make any resolutions at the new year cus I always break them, but I've decided to make one after this weekend; go to Moab more often than once every 15 years. It's close, there is tons to do and it's cute...all my favorite things.

The purpose of the trip was because back in December Naomi invited us to sign up for the Canyonlands Half Marathon with her. Assuming it would be a good motivation to get off winter pounds, we signed up. Wrong assumption! Neither of us trained, so luckily there was also a 5 mile run we could switch to and still get the half marathon t-shirt. Winning!

The fun of just 5 miles is that I carried my camera so Naomi and I could take pictures of each other along the way (note: posing for running photos is more difficult than one would think).

Five mile finishers,

Half Marathon finishers,

and what I get for trying to take more photos with both Aaron and me in them.

We went to Delicate Arch Saturday evening and I did a crappy job at photos except for this one (I love Diane's jump!).

Sunday morning Aaron and I were going to take a bike ride but it was much colder than I was prepared for in the cycling clothes department. So we went to Dead Horse Point which was a SPECTACULAR decision.

We have a May return trip in the works, I can't wait.

super bad

2011-03-18T16:54:00.004-06:00

This is worth double internet posting, I saw it while at lunch with co-workers at 5 Guys on Wednesday.

This tattoo is:

a) gross,
b) WAY gross, or
c) the worst tattoo decision EVER

(answer: all of them)

i dream of the 90s

2011-03-16T15:42:00.000-06:00

Hopefully everyone is watching Portlandia episodes or at least catching clips on Hulu. I wondered if it was going to be a (funny) one-trick pony, but I've yet to find an episode I didn't love, which is awesome since Fred Armisen is so great.

This one is still my favorite because Aaron is totally friends with a couple of these guys:

And another gem:

i am what i am

2011-03-14T12:10:00.006-06:00

Favorite photos from my last camera upload...

Like cute Casey and Kevin at our Alberto's Valentine's date,

Morgan's 'vroom vroom' truck noise,

a tuba strung with lights at the Devotchka show,

and February balloons in the wind at Sonic,

There was Danny's Cafe Rio birthday dinner,

my new dream chandelier,

the most awesome bread to celebrate Marsha's wedding,

and Aaron's truck after Tuesday's storm (not awesome).

Triple pregnant bellies (!) in one place over the weekend,

laughing too hard to be in focus,

and Wyatt helping Grandpa play the guitar.

movin' on up

2011-03-08T08:48:00.005-06:00

How long has that really cute Corn Flakes commercial been around?

I just saw it this morning and while Corn Flakes is like the most boring cereal ever, I will eat it now cus great box design and city block table parties.

Adorable.

she's my baby

2011-03-04T11:45:00.004-06:00

When Aaron and I went to Vegas two weeks ago I knitted a gift for baby Zuzu. Christopher and Tasha hand delivered it last week to the little tiny all the way in New Zealand since they are there visiting (so jealous!) and this morning I was delighted to see this on Facebook:

Forget the hat, what a perfect little face!

I followed the pattern for a 3-6 month old since it's still summer in New Zealand and I wanted it to fit her in the cooler months, but of course, I didn't do a gauge with the yarn I bought (cus I don't understand gauges so instead of learning, I just ignore!).

But oh well, the owl is so cute and it's soft and pretty Alpaca so it can hang around for the dozens of other beautiful Maahs babies that are coming in the future...right Mike and Katie?

ruins

2011-03-01T18:11:00.002-06:00

So after last night's episode I realized that Aaron and I are in for trouble because he's never protected me from wild beasts in the South African desert...how can I possibly know we will last with only real life experiences and no elaborately produced dates or sex hotel suites in our past?

IF ONLY I COULD GO BACK IN TIME!!!

you are what you love

2011-02-25T13:40:00.004-06:00

Kristina and I have an ongoing joke about becoming The Unplugger.

Because when I was a teenager a very nice woman was teaching my church class and as part of her lesson she wanted to play a song from a CD. This was like 1998, so it's not as though CD players were a new thing, but nonetheless she had no idea how it worked. Her husband set it up for her and pushed pause on the song so it sat spinning until she wanted to use it. And you know, she was old so it seemed like, okay that she just kept a CD on pause for an hour. But then...after the song was over, she unplugged the CD player to get it to stop. Unplugged the whole thing! CD players have a huge stop button!

I made a mental note right then to never let technology get the best of me, but then...I don't know, I've accidentally kind of turned into an Unplugger in my older years. I wasn't that bad, but for sure it has gotten worse since I married Aaron who loves all that junk.

When we're out he can start downloading something at home with the magic of his phone. His laptop works on the TV so the internet can be huge and my iTunes can play through the TV speakers. Everything from my laptop is now on our desktop, still separate from his stuff and nicely organized. He has set up Google documents so we can both add information to schedules and budgets and stuff. It's all great, but I don't know how to make any of it work. Usually I just push all the buttons on various remotes or try to match up cord shapes with coordinating outlet shapes until Aaron's eyes look like they're gonna pop out of his head and he just does it for me.

So it shouldn't surprise me that when I just e-mailed him a reminder that we are feeding the missionaries tomorrow, that I got this back in response.

If I could only figure out how Mobile Me works, then I would start sending him appointment invitations for all kinds of inappropriate things!

the strip

2011-02-22T18:33:00.005-06:00

Neither of us were pictures of perfect health by the end of last week, but we still took off to Vegas for the weekend...hopefully we didn't get Nick sick.

We didn't do a whole lot except:

visit palaces of athletic shoes,

eat giant plates of food,

and of course, be on computers.

We saw mall art,

the most awesome dance dudes ever (which was only pretty good),

and went to fancy tapas restaurants.

So pumped this dude lives there permanently!

Not pictured: napping, TV, the terrible wind when there was supposed to be sun, and a knitting project for a kiwi baby that I can't yet show.

let down

2011-02-18T17:21:00.003-06:00

My Facebook feed today is full of comments about the new Radiohead album, which I guess means I know mostly people with good taste in music (including my bishop!).

My love for Radiohead comes from a total cliche - cus they were a boy's favorite band and I loved that boy. But hopefully everyone has a couple of those stacked up in their history; it's how I'm someday hoping to relate to teenage daughters.

I'm still deciding where the new songs will land on my Favorite Radiohead Songs list, but this one...this one cus one day I am gonna grow wings.

sick and tired

2011-02-16T15:06:00.003-06:00

What do you get when you combine 1 part terrible head cold with 1 part throwing up a million times?

Oh, just Aaron and me last night (he's the head cold, I'm the throw up).

Worst part: though for 2 days he's only grumbled out half sentences and moved from couch to bed and back again, all of the sudden I'm apparently the mutant...dude won't come near me.

Best part: we've got a weekend trip to Vegas planned and if I keep not eating food, I'll get a little bit skinny!

it looks like love

2011-02-14T11:51:00.006-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day! Or as I now prefer to say, Happy Anna Howard Shaw Day!

I maybe overcompensated this holiday because of an under-festive Christmas, but I also found the repetition of these projects calming the last few weeks. But sorry Aaron that you are living surrounded by pretty, sparkly hearts.

I have paper hearts for some lady friends,

glitter hearts for the window,

crochet hearts for a Valentine's Day birthday girl,

and cookie hearts for work (and me).

But besides going overboard, I do like Valentine's cus it's a nice chance to tell all the people you love, that you love them.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is, I love you internet.

Truly.

(Valentine's also wins cus it has a monochromatic color palette...I love going in stores and seeing displays ranging from dark red to light pink).

take me over

2011-02-11T13:11:00.002-06:00

Cut Copy always makes me think of 3 things:

1) My brother Logan,
2) running in Liberty Park on summer nights, and
3) being an early 20-something (as opposed to the nearly 30-something I am now)

Their new album Zonoscope is all awesome, but this one makes me feel like it could have been straight off of Bright Like Neon Love.

2004, I can't believe how long ago you were.

make your heart

2011-02-09T13:21:00.006-06:00

Before Aaron and I met, I only knew who he was vaguely because we went to the same church, but he and his roommate Eric didn't ever socialize with anyone (or smile) so I knew nothing about them. I do remember one specific Sunday when they walked in with this tall, beautiful girl who Aaron and Eric talked to and smiled at all through Sacrament Meeting. Because I am a terrible person, I made all kinds of assumptions about them and their dating lives that were completely wrong and should have taught me a valuable lesson about assuming and asses and the like (but it didn't).

The tall, beautiful girl ended up being a friend of theirs, one who I would come to love and one who got married on Saturday.

I did her flowers for her, which I love to do regardless of the kinds of flowers involved, but was extra fun because she did a vibe similar to what Aaron and I had done for our wedding (cus Mexicans).

However, I am the worst at getting photos before I rush the flowers out the door so this is the bride bouquet in one of Aaron's hands while he drove with the other,

these are the 5 bridesmaids mini bouquets and a flower girl bouquet in a bowl on my lap,

and these are the boutonneires and mom corsages in my hand while walking up to the temple.

I wish the back of my car looked (and smelled) like this every day!

I need to get photos Tasha took of the tables, but my favorite was this sign-in table arrangement.

I love the set up stage of a party,

and the party side of a party...such a great night.

Congratulations Melanie and Zach!

world news

2011-02-07T14:17:00.002-06:00

We got together with some friends over the weekend and after watching an MMA fight (a dude got kicked in the face!) someone suggested Pictionary.

I can't even remember the last time I had played it, but it was so much fun.

But also, apparently I need to re-learn how to draw the shapes of the continents.

So smart Emily!

twilight galaxy

2011-02-01T19:13:00.006-06:00

Over the weekend I finished knitting a pair of mittens that I started a few weeks ago. This is important for a few reasons:

1) even though I've been knitting for 6 years it's the first non-scarf or hat or other straight shot simple project I've knitted and,
2) it only took me a few weeks from start to finish (as opposed to starting one winter and finishing the next)

I think the hat frenzy I went into for Christmas got me in a good knitting place and my friend Corinne's persistence in getting together a monthly knitting group really did the job. At the beginning of January she suggested we try a cute mitten pattern and though it was 'Bella inspired' I figured no one besides the girl who came up with the pattern really cared about Twilight movie mittens. Wrong-zo. Do all of you know that grown-up ladies go nuts for that teenage vampire stuff?

Turns out when Tasha went to pick up our yarn and needles the knitting store lady informed her that they had taught like 30 Bella mitten classes last year; their top seller.

So whatever, I have Twilight mittens.

But I have CUTE Twilight mittens!

electric relaxation

2011-01-31T12:48:00.005-06:00

Yesterday was my birthday. And as has been the case the last 11 years, it came at the end of my involvement with the Sundance Film Festival. You see, I work in Salt Lake the 10 days of the Festival checking in with the theater managers to make sure everything is running smoothly. It's usually fairly cushy...I make rounds and answer questions and get to catch a few films. This year however, we had new management teams at the busiest of Salt Lake theaters so everyday I found myself running from my regular job to that theater where I would work another 8 hours or so for 10 days straight. It was fun, but also completely exhausting.

So this year when Aaron or Tasha asked what I wanted to do for my birthday the answer was easy; I wanted to sit on my couch in sweatpants and eat pizza. No moving. The whole day. Nothing else. For good measure I fit in an hour of church and the first exercise I'd gotten to in a week, but other than that, it was sleep and treats and movies and family stopping by. Next year is the big 3-0...I'll put some real pants on for that one (maybe).

And of course all of you friends who didn't see me, I will still be accepting gifts throughout the rest of the week.

slow life

2011-01-25T17:17:00.003-06:00

I've enjoyed the warmer weather and no snow in Salt Lake recently, but I also like the cozy of the cold the storm brought in this morning.

Today feels like a these songs kind of day.

Thanks for the mix Miaken.

i'm on fire

2011-01-20T13:01:00.004-06:00

We had a small graduation party for Aaron on Saturday night. My brain only computes two party categories: Everyone I Know or like 6 people over for dinner, so with some self-restraint I managed to keep it small(ish) sized per his request.

Mid-week he decided on a nacho theme for the food and we ended up busting out all the stops. Aaron refried beans, found a great cheese recipe, and made pico to his liking. I did help with guacamole and some vegetable cutting, but in case it seems I made him do everything for his own party, remember guys, he's Mexican- he likes cooking while a white lady bosses him around!

Behold, the work (except the beans and cheese which were on the stove):

Behold, the payoff:

Also, when Morgan comes over he immediately wants to watch The Fantastic Mr. Fox. Usually that means everyone watches The Fantastic Mr. Fox in the living room, but this time since it was a party, we moved him to the computer in our room. I couldn't handle how adorable he looked perched on the chair, watching so intensely.

I know some people drink water or things not full of fake, but I don't know those people...I count party success in empty soda cans.

the list

2011-01-18T12:11:00.003-06:00

For the past few weeks a friend at work and I have been working on our Top Ten Movies of 2010 lists. I've been holding out to see The King's Speech before I finalized mine and finally got to it on Friday night, with the bonus of watching another I'd wanted to see, Rabbit Hole, on Sunday evening. However, I totally forgot that the Golden Globes were also Sunday night, so now I just look like I jumped on the awards boat; but I assure you, I did not!

My Top Ten Movies of 2010, all of which could move up or down a notch or two because I have a hard time committing to set rankings and loved each of them a lot.

1 The Fighter – because Christian Bale but also sooo many other things
2 A Prophet – because I couldn’t stop thinking about it
3 Scott Pilgrim vs. the World – because it is everything that is awesome about film making
4 Social Network – because I wanted it to keep going
5 Winter’s Bone – because people like that really exist
6 The Kings Speech - because it is both serious and hopeful
7 127 hours – because I felt like I was drinking that pee
8 Exit Through The Gift Shop – because really entertaining and funny
9 Inception – because it is like watching a painting
10 Somewhere – because it’s quiet and I like the way Sofia Coppola makes films

Honorable Mentions:
*True Grit – cus hello...I really wanted to really love it, but I only really liked it
*Black Swan – because totally compelling, but I think some of the sexy stuff was a little to gratuitous
*The Kids are Alright – cus they felt like a family and Annette Bening was awesome but I was really bugged by Julianne Moore
*Catfish – cus mystery! but I’d watched the Dateline before so I knew everything...oops.
*Easy A - cus it’s been a long time since a smart teenage girl has shown up a teenage movie and Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci were too adorable for words but the Lisa Kudrow storyline was lame
*The Town – cus ALMOST as good as Gone Baby Gone
*Babies – cus babies! but kind of boring
*Jack Goes Boating – cus swimming, but it moved really slowly
*All Good Things – Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst are AWESOME, but the second half feels like a different movie from the first half
*Rabbit Hole - cus great acting, but I didn't want to watch it again

Movies I wish I had seen/haven’t seen yet (but probably won’t until sometime around 2013):
Blue Valentine
Restrepo
Casino Jack
Never Let Me Go
Howl

Movies I wish I hadn’t seen:
I’m Still Here - cus I wanted to punch you in the face Joaquin Phoenix
Leap Year - cus you're better than that Amy Adams
When In Rome - cus too many things were too stupid

if you knew

2011-01-13T11:26:00.005-06:00

Next weekend my very favorite of local event begins, The Sundance Film Festival. I love the opportunity to pack into a week all kind of international, experimental and low budget films that might never make their way to me otherwise (and of course to be smug the rest of the year as a lot of stuff gets released, "Oh I already saw that at Sundance.").

I particularly love that over the years, the Salt Lake screenings just keep getting better and better, making it easy and close to get to almost everything that shows up in Park City. I think Salt Lake locals should take advantage of the whole Festival but a really easy and FREE way to do that is to get yourself tickets for the Best of Fest screenings that will show at the Rose Wagner theater on Monday, January 31st.

Tickets will be available tomorrow at the box office in Trolley Square and again, they are free! The films chosen for those screenings are Festival category winners so they really are usually pretty great.

chasing cars

2011-01-10T15:05:00.008-06:00

Aaron was fairly sick this weekend with what I think must have been some sort of flu. He was worse than I ever felt a few weeks ago when I was sick so I hope that marriage doesn't mean just trading back and forth various mutating diseases!

Because he was so laid up, we were pretty much at home from Friday evening up until this morning.

I usually drive myself crazy (and others I'm sure) feeling like I have to reach some level of productivity on the weekend. I work late during the week so it seems I always have a long list of 'Things To Get Done' on Friday on top of normal list things. On the flip side, weeks are so full and busy that when it comes to the weekend I often just want to relax and spend time with my husb.

Consequently, I end up feeling guilty about not doing this or doing too much of that or just generally feeling not efficient with my time. And of course, I assume I'm the only person on the planet who feels that way.

So when by this last Saturday evening I realized I had done a lot of nothing and more sleeping than usual, I started to get mad at myself for not finishing some organizing in the back room that haunts me, or dropping off a few last Christmas gifts or sending a package I've been meaning to send for 3 weeks or doing this thing or that thing, or ALL THE STUFF TO DO FOREVER.

But in a very uncharacteristic move, in the middle of my self-loathing, I told my brain to shut up. I spend most of the weekend taking care of Aaron- fixing food, washing blankets and clothes as soon as he moved or changed, running to the store for orange juice and so on. And it felt nice to be able to do those things. In the next few years Aaron and I will hopefully be adding a few little humans to our family and I'm not sure how often we'll have chances to watch a whole season of 30 Rock in one sitting (the fourth season...man I forgot all about Salma Hayek!), so I love that we can now.

Plus I did things not necessarily on my list, but that were still valuable...I spent some solid time with a new knitting project, I went to baby sister Elizabeth's first art show, and I planned out the year with my Activity Days girls. We saw Kristen and Logan for a gift exchange since we'd all spent the holidays out of town and I spent the rest of the day moving the trophy vase Kristen surprised me with all over the living room, trying to find it a home where I could stare at it as lovingly as I've stared at it on the internet for a year.

In all of it, I was reminded how much I love my home and my husband and the people in my life. So either I learned a nice lesson or I have become the World's Best Justifier...but I'll take either.

make it up

2011-01-05T12:45:00.006-06:00

In part because we had a lot of volume in gift-giving this last Christmas (I work in an office of 15 people and everyone gets everyone gifts every year), and in part because we were trying to be smart with our spending, Aaron and I turned to making some of our gifts.

I decided that since there are only 6 nieces and nephews I could knit beanies and I'm surprised I actually did it (cus poor time manager). Oldest cousins Morgan and Garrett got red beanies and Wyatt got blue so the brothers would be opposite.

Morgan looking cute

I went with the same design and colors for Anna, Luke, and Livie except that the girls got pink.

Livie looking cute.

For some friends, family and co-workers we did an extension of the reusable produce bags we made in Feburary for Kristina's wedding. Aaron and I measured the size of the little plastic bags you get at the grocery store and made our drawstring muslin bags that same size.

Aaron picked a font, made a stencil (with Christopher's help) and we spray painted the bags with the word FRESH.

I made tags and we filled some with oranges and rolled up the rest.

For my little primary class kids, I bought IKEA clip frames and scrapbook paper and framed cards from Persimmon & Pink for them.

And for neighbors and some church peeps we made a crapton of my mom's delicious caramel corn. I did have to throw away the 'merry christmas!' tags I made and redid them as happy new year tags since we were behind on running those around (cus poor time managers).

Though we still have straggler bags to get out, I think it was an overall Christmas success (even as poor time managers)!

planet new year

2011-01-04T15:50:00.002-06:00

I guess it's time to post New Year resolutions? Here are mine in no particular order:

1. Watch TV
2. Eat food - sometimes healthy, sometimes not
3. Hang out with my husband
4. Read my scriptures

(Confession: I will probably accomplish all but the scripture one.)

that's not the issue

2010-12-21T13:36:00.005-06:00

A week or so ago Aaron and I were looking for a photo of Morgan to show to him to a friend and Aaron went to my blog for one. But he had to scroll through four pages before we found one...FOUR PAGES! I don't know how I let so many posts go by without him being the star.

I am sorry Morgan.

The problem with him being a two year old though is that he is hardly ever standing still.

However that is the only problem because he also comes up with ideas for how water buffaloes kiss (it's by touching horns you make with your fingers on your face).

And then of course, there is that Wyatt face, which when hatted looks like the sweetest babyface,

and when sweater-vested looks like the sweetest 80 year old face.

fever

2010-12-17T15:36:00.003-06:00

On Tuesday my co-worker Mason said something about how he and I were the only two in the office who seemed to have eluded a cold/flu virus that was going around. So of course Wednesday I woke up with a nasty cough and continued to feel worse and worse throughout the day.

Consequently, the last two days have looked like this:

I'm not complaining even though all the orifices on my head are doing various gross things cus I don't remember the last time I was snuggled in bed watching movies all day. I just hope the knitting projects for nieces and nephews I'm fitting in between naps don't end up diseased like the smallpox blankets we gave to the Indians.

where no one stands alone

2010-12-14T12:15:00.000-06:00

I started watching Justified when it started earlier this year and I was so into it (so into Timothy Olyphant), that I decided it was high time to get around to watching the other great series he was in, HBO's short lived Deadwood.

With my deep affection for both television and all things western it has been the love of my life the past few months. The characters are well written and I love that there are really great female leads (Calamity Jane!). The acting knocks your socks off (Swearengen) and the attention to detail is spectacular. Aaron and I have just started the third and final season and I can't say enough good about it even though it has some some rough stuff (cus brothels) and some of the absolute worst language I've ever heard (so don't watch it Mom).

It's amazing and I'm going to be sad when we finish it up soon, which is why I can't wait for what looks like a truly great Western film for Christmas Day release.

I can't wait cus:
a) cowboys,
b) the Coen Brothers,
c) Jeff Bridges with one eye, and
d) RETRIBUTION

christmas don't be late

2010-12-09T12:45:00.002-06:00

Two years ago for Christmas Aaron gave me the best ever Christmas gift of nice speakers. He then went home to California for Christmas and Naomi took off to Montana so I found myself alone in my E Street apartment for a few days. Mostly I switched between listening to Kid Cudi's mix tape and the Rosie Thomas Christmas album louder than I'd listened to anything before and at an amazing sound quality level. It was awesome and A Very Rosie Christmas became a favorite (though of course Amy Grant will still always hold a place in my heart).

The past few weeks I've been trading between it and the latest Black Keys in my car (I guess I always need a Christmas music offset) and while her Christmas Don't Be Late and O Come O Come Emmanuel might be my very favorite versions of both, I can't find youtube videos of them. But her cover of River is also really great and conveniently youtube available.

But in case you want those other two, links below!
Rosie Thomas - O Come O Come Emmanuel
Rosie Thomas - Christmas Don't Be Late

much farther to go

2010-12-07T10:58:00.004-06:00

I've been pretty pleased with myself the last two holidays as I've managed to get holiday appropriate decorations put up and put out with enough time to enjoy said holiday decorations. Our apartment was sufficiently spooky at Halloween and there were some nice fall colors scattered throughout the living room and kitchen for Thanksgiving. And if you came over and ate food or treats, the napkins were even holiday coordinated!

For someone who is always late and usually can't remember where I stored stuff the year before, I felt that October and November were quite successful and preparatory for the real domestic test of Christmas decorations. Plus I really do love the Christmas season and have been particularly excited to plan for a first one married to Aaron.

So I had big plans for December including Aaron and me spending an evening putting together a well designed advent calendar. We'd thoughtfully fill it up with nice things to do for each other and start ourselves a nice little family tradition. We'd of course bundle up to buy a live tree for that lovely pine scent, string it up with a million lights and start with new ornaments in a color palette of our (my) choosing for our first ever Sanchez family tree. We'd thoughtfully buy and craft gifts early so I could spend a weekend coordinating and wrapping because I LOVE wrapping presents. And since Christmas on a weekend this year means pre-Christmas time is cut short, I knew I really had to be on the ball.

But then someone backed into my parked car and didn't leave a note over Thanksgiving weekend adding an unexpected $500 deductable to our December budget. And then my phone just up and permanently died requiring a replacement. And then it took me forever to find my decorations. And then suddenly it was Sunday and I'd been so busy with other things that there still wasn't any Christmas anything in our home.

So our tree might just stay this,

and our ornaments might end up just like this,

but eh...you win some you lose some I guess. There are still almost 3 weeks until Christmas which means there is holiday spirit yet to be had. I did get my wreath from last year hanging on the door and I do have festive napkins. And the glow from the lights in the vase feels cozy at night while the ornaments on the table feel nice and cheery.

So maybe, this year I'll start a Christmas tradition of not stressing out about Christmas decorations...which is a tradition I think can manage to maintain every year.

count your blessings

2010-12-02T12:24:00.004-06:00

Aaron and I got very lucky when we moved into our apartment, because our church ward just happens to be thebombdotcom. It's tiny both in members and geographical boundaries but it's diverse and runs like a family and feels like a perfect fit for us. It only got cooler when we found out our bishop is a musician who has recorded with the likes of the one and only Tom Waits.

So a few weeks ago, Aaron came home from a church meeting and asked me if I knew the local group The Lower Lights. I did cus I listen to music other than rap and also Clifford family favorite Paul Jacobsen is a member. They had an upcoming show that I had wanted to go to but it unfortunately overlapped with a previously planned engagement so I didn't think we could make it.

But Aaron informed me that as it turned out, our bishop was also in The Lower Lights. He had gotten tickets for the young men of our ward for an earlier show that had been added to the evening...which meant we could also totally go. I told my family about it and my dad decided to join us as well as Christopher and Tasha and the boys and my mom and her husband too. It was that snowy Saturday before Thanksgiving and as people came into the theater, shaking off the snow from their coats, we noticed that not just the youth were there, but a bunch of grownups and families from church had also come. Before the show started I walked around chatting and showing off Wyatt in a setting outside of church with the people who feel more and more like friends to us rather than just Sunday acquaintances.

And then of course the music was wonderful. I'll talk harmonies and steel guitars any day, but it was especially nice to hear them used to folk up hymns and give a little more volume to songs that are usually played under more conservative constraints.

Plus as someone who firmly believes that there is room in the LDS religion for all kinds of personalities, political beliefs, interests, tastes and appearances it was nice to see the guy at the pulpit also be the guy in the band (he's usually a drummer but was only in picture view when he played the tuba...I know tuba alone doesn't quite scream rock and roll!).

i am part of a large family

2010-11-29T13:08:00.006-06:00

Thanksgiving success...hope you had a good one too!

blessa

2010-11-24T12:46:00.003-06:00

Yesterday Utah was abuzz with talk of THE WORST BLIZZARD EVER!!! And the WORST BLIZZARD EVER basically amounted to a few hours of snow falling.

Oh.

So, way to freak out everyone who lives in a state that is covered in snow half the year.

And while I work in what seems to have been one of the only offices that didn't shut down in the afternoon, I did manage to sneak out early enough to be home when the snow really started coming down. So I spent the evening with Aaron planning our assigned Thanksgiving dinner dishes, one of us checking the storm outside occasionally out the window. I took a hot shower and spent a decent amount of time after that watching TV on the couch in my bathrobe with my hair wrapped in a towel. And when we went to bed I threw an extra blanket on our bed, not necessarily cus we needed it, but because it felt so cozy.

It's hard this time of year to not sound a little cliched when you say you're thankful for your blessings, but last night I felt particularly aware of mine. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in things that don't matter, but the harsh weather of winter always reminds me that a warm home, food to eat, hot water for washing, and a bed to sleep in are more than enough.

And if in my thoughts I add upon those basic blessings the many other layers of reasons I have to be thankful, from my beliefs to my husband to how lovely the artwork hanging on our living room walls is, then I feel a sense of peace that sometimes gets drowned out by the noise of the world.

Something I'm awesome at always remembering though? How wonderful it is to be an aunt. Nephew Garrett is in town (with his parents of course) so my weekend is full of not only the usual Morgan and Wyatt time, but also cousin nephews giggling time.

I am a lucky girl indeed.

brand new colony

2010-11-18T12:24:00.002-06:00

With the weather changing I rounded up all of my scarves in order to neatly organize them in the coat closet.

I hung up as many as I could before I ran out of room, but realized that until Aaron and I are way rich and can build a room for my accessories, the rest are gonna live piled in a basket for now.

And note to self, no more buying scarves (note to others, I will still accept gifted scarves).

two of the lucky ones

2010-11-15T11:00:00.003-06:00

Today, Aaron and I have been married for 6 months...proving the theory that time does in fact fly when you're having fun.

However, the past 6 months disproves that thing I've always heard about the first year of marriage being the hardest. Perhaps the hard stuff kicks in on the second half of that first year, so in May I'll let you know, but so far has been pretty great.

And maybe that's cus we'd gotten in arguments before we were married, so arguments big or small now don't worry either of us. Or maybe it's cus we dated for so long in the Mormon world, that getting to live together still feels like such a treat. Or maybe it's cus at the end of the day we both love TV so much and have found common ground in the mindless show category with Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Dirty Jobs, Overhaulin' and as of Saturday, HBO's 24/7.

I guess that when people say marriage is hard that sounds crappy and what Aaron and I have experienced so far feels like life. You get frustrated sometimes when soda cans are left out (me) or cereal boxes not closed (him). You readjust your financial planning when your few weeks househusband turns into your few months househusband. You schedule time to read books to help learn how to better talk to each other. And in general you stumble occasionally when realizing that what has been your life (singular) is now your life (plural).

But most of the time you feel like you're hanging out with your favorite person and having fun, sometimes with a bunch of friends, sometimes at Alberto's, sometimes in the nest you make on your living room floor. You talk about kids and you can't wait (but will wait) cus know you got a gem for your eventual baby daddy and that makes it all seem less scary and totally manageable. You know that a bad day means someone is at home, maybe even with dinner made, ready to rub your feet (me) or rub your shoulders (him) and that is a comfort you hope you never take for granted...but probably will take for granted someday when the babies feel unmanageable and you're frustrated and doing some stumbling. But that is still, a great life.

So tonight we will celebrate with discount coupons at our favorite Thai restaurant and consider ourselves a couple of lucky ducks (filled out lucky ducks cus the saying about putting on weight when you're in love...well we've proved that one 5-10 pounds true for sure).

chain of fools

2010-11-11T13:01:00.002-06:00

A few weeks ago my Aunt Julie organized a 5K to raise money for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and to honor my other Aunt Barb. It was a lovely event and Aaron and I happened to pull up to it at the same time Christopher and Tasha pulled up. When Tasha asked if we could help get the boys out of the car, Aaron unbuckled Wyatt and since he was outfitted as a baby animal, Aaron decided to hold him like an baby animal...which sent panic through my body.

And in classic boy behavior, even though none of them are boys, upon seeing the baby animal hold, Logan had to try it...which still sent panic through my body.

And then Christopher had to do it...which didn't send so much panic cus hey, his baby.

My grandpa however, resisted trying it. So maybe there won't be reckless behavior train reactions when we're all in our 80s?

pursuit of happiness

2010-11-05T12:55:00.002-06:00

I have thought it before, but looking at some of the pictures my mom sent me from when she was young, tells me yet again that I was born in the wrong decade (and my grandpa totally looks like Shia LeBeouf).

Although there is the TV issue...even looking great, I guess I couldn't live in a time without internet television.

halloweenhead

2010-11-02T11:05:00.003-06:00

For not being much of a Halloween person, this season was a roaring success. I decorated our apartment and make Halloween sugar cookies! We went to a haunted house! We watched scary movies at a cabin in the mountains! We dressed up and spent 2 nights out at parties!

It was enough to exhaust this old woman so I'm looking forward to the mellower month of November (where I will just overeat).

But being tired is well worth it cus Aaron's Frida was a total hit everywhere we went (he'll have some living up to do next year).

My coordinating costume was also a success.

But kids still always win, cus can anything beat that football player and his Wyatt football?

impossible soul

2010-10-28T18:11:00.008-06:00

My aunt Barb lost her battle with Pancreatic Cancer last week. There was a funeral in St. George on Monday and then a service in Logan yesterday where her earthly remains will rest; comforting opportunities for family members and friends to say goodbye.

So I'm sad for my grandparents who buried a child and for Aunt Barb's 3 kids who, though young adults, won't have their mom around anymore. And I'm sad for my own mother and other aunt and two uncles who lost a sibling. But Barb was very sick and really ready to go, so everyone is glad she is somewhere better.

And I'm glad that though funerals are so sad, they are also a chance for family to gather together and express all kinds of emotions and hug each other a little more than usual.

warm night

2010-10-26T11:41:00.004-06:00

I am not sure I should admit this to the interwebs, but I put sweatpants on at approximately 7:30 on Saturday night at a cabin in the Uintas and didn't take them off until approximately 8:30 on Monday morning in our apartment.

Gross? Or way awesome?

(way awesome)

variations on a theme

2010-10-12T12:13:00.005-06:00

I was going through pictures from our California trip with Aaron's family, and noticed an awesome reoccurring theme (besides my fuzzy documentation of said theme).

uncle-niece teasing

uncle-nephew teasing

niece-nephew-uncle teasing

brother-sister teasing

uncle-uncle-niece teasing

general chaos teasing

arrow

2010-10-07T14:07:00.004-06:00

Hi Internet. I didn't forget you again, but I've been in California. And if I could manage to get my cord and camera in the same place ever I would upload and post pictures of Disneyland, Uhh Yeah Dude, and Aaron's seriously adorable nieces and nephew.

In the meantime though, yesterday a friend posted on Facebook a quiz to gauge your empathy quotient. Since I can't resist an internet quiz, I took it...even though internet quizzes also kind of stress me out because what if I mark that I like the city instead of the beach and then that means my true love is Nate Archibald instead of Seth Cohen? So stressful!

But besides that, on more in depth quizzes sometimes some of the ways I know I have to answer specific questions makes me sad.

Sorry Ms. Likes Boring Things, that is a strongly disagree for you (on the flipside, I am waaaay empathetic, so tell me your problems anytime!).

on my way back home

2010-09-29T02:30:00.004-06:00

Aaron my sweet, I love you. I love your flat billed baseball caps and teenage style. I love your ambiguously ethnic face. I love that you don't care about movies made before the late 90s, or music at all outside of hip hop and electronic. I love everything about you.

BUT. After Band of Horses last night, I was reminded that a little bit of my heart will always belong to American-made, long haired and/or bearded, rock and roll...preferably from the South.

In another life, in an older decade, I could have been a groupie.

**I know Neil Young is Canadian, but that is like basically American.

hanging around

2010-09-27T13:38:00.006-06:00

How has it been 2 weeks since we've gotten together internet? Well it's not you, it's me...I've been busy. But I'm back now cus Tasha got an iPhone so I have to keep her full of content.

Also, summer has officially ended, so if you want to know how it finished I have conveniently summed it up below.

I found a drink machine OF THE FUTURE,

hung out with some sibs,

and learned Wyatt is so spiritual he is already praying.

Aaron and I fell asleep some Friday nights in our TV nest,

we saw Cindy's beautiful America,

and realized there was perfect coordination in attendance!

I watched family friend Reid Mumford riding in the Tour of Utah,

and took mature photos.

There was Janelle birthday face squeeze,

and outside pizza to celebrate a PhD.

There were grown up men immersed in intellectual reading,

and my husb involved in a potentially sketchy back rub chain.

I hung out with a delightful Morgan,

and continued to melt over that smiley Wyatt-face.

Aaron and I bought BFF bracelets at the fair,

I found this photo on my camera,

and Joel learned to skid on a fixed gear (but unfortunately/fortunately did not fall)

Not too shabby!

food party

2010-09-10T13:28:00.006-06:00

Does anyone else get thrown with Monday holidays? I've thought it was Wednesday for like 3 days. Surprise, it's Friday.

Yesterday I went to the grocery store on my lunch to pick up groceries for dinner. But I got sidetracked with cereal that was on sale at 4 boxes for $5.

And Throwback Mountain Dew that was on sale at 4 packs for $10.

Hello being a grownup, your grocery life is awesome.

dreams

2010-09-03T12:00:00.004-06:00

I just got this text from Christopher:

There is a girl on the other side of the intersection listening to Stevie Nix so loud I can hear it. You two would be BFFS.

Probably. Since it didn't happen last year, I've started saying my prayers that Glee will do an all Fleetwood Mac episode this season.

Oh please bless.

rainbow sign

2010-08-30T12:33:00.002-06:00

Remember when rainbow cakes made the rounds on the internet a while ago? Tasha's birthday was last Wednesday so for the world's most colorful woman, I decided to try one.

And it worked! (because it's actually really easy)

Easy and awesome, my favorite combination.

Plus, for the occasion Wyatt did his Spike Lee impression,

and then his old man impression,

and then his sweetest baby in the world impression.

rocky mountain high

2010-08-25T18:00:00.001-06:00

I know I'm behind, but I have one more thing to say about our trip to Colorado Springs.

It is that Colorado is stunning.

Many years ago in college I took a class called Literature of The American West. As someone who had never camped or climbed or outdoored much I think for a long time I unconsciously felt that I couldn't love the mountains or nature as much as the people who did any of those outdoorsy things could.

But the class gave me the chance to open my perspective of what it really meant to live in and love the beauty that surrounds me. And I realized, I always had.

Because not that many generations ago I come from Europeans who came to America and settled western farmland and I love that heritage. Because I was born with lungs that feel comfortable breathing elevated air, and grew up in a city nestled right up against mountains. And because I had parents who took my siblings and me to national and state parks throughout a handful of western states and taught us to appreciate not only our home, but also the deserts and forests and sheer space that extended beyond the valley in which we lived.

But even as such a cheerleader for the West, somehow next door neighbor Colorado has slipped through the cracks. And when I went to visit Katie last December the trip was short and our drive back to Utah was in the dead of winter and mostly through dead Wyoming (sorry Wyoming).

So I wasn't expecting this time around to be so awed. I didn't expect to stand on the top of a 14,000 ft peak and see out forever and ever.

Or to be in a place so high that clouds came up from rocks beneath you like mist out of a geyser.

I didn't expect to feel the altitude straining my breathing on a long bike ride.

And I didn't expect that coming home along the Colorado River would be so tight that I'd wonder with ever turn how anyone ever originally came through those passes, let alone build roads and highways.

New Mexico, I've still never visited you, but I hope you know you have a lot to live up to.

old before your time

2010-08-23T10:38:00.003-06:00

Isn't it amazing when an artist says something you feel and it hits you like a ton of bricks on a Saturday afternoon?

I didn't make a summer mix, but fall is already happening. Mailing addresses if you're interested please ejcliffordatgmaildotcom.

EDIT: I'm not sending these until about mid-September, so I'll take addresses up through then!

she lives on a mountain

2010-08-19T11:17:00.004-06:00

I have visited Katie in all the various places she's lived since she left Utah...which actually means various neighborhoods in just Huntington Beach and Boston. But whatever. We usually spend some time seeing sites and shopping. We eat so much food/treats and sometimes do some sort of fitness. I meet her friends and we see movies. And, I wear her clothes and we spend too much time getting ready.

Always I've done these visits by myself.

So while I didn't realize that a trip Aaron and I planned to visit Katie in Colorado Springs last week might possibly turn into a sister trip, well, it kind of did.

Luckily, I got a great husband! Aaron sat patiently while I tried on all of Katie's clothes and we took too long getting ready. And he likes sites and fitness and food and movies so the rest worked out nicely.

Plus, having Aaron meant we didn't have to take awkward pictures of each other...instead, we got awkward photos together!

beg steal or borrow

2010-08-17T13:42:00.002-06:00

Aaron and I got back from Colorado Springs yesterday where we were visiting sister Katie. It was great and of course I have all sorts of photographic evidence of the fun we had.

But before I get to that, I need the world to know that I totally beat Plants versus Zombies.

I realize that for anyone with a phone capable of games this is old news, but since I only ever iPhone when I steal Aaron's at church, I was only introduced to PVZ last Sunday...and maybe I played for 3 hours straight after church.

And then maybe I played like 3 (or 4) of the hours on the drive to Colorado.

And then maybe I played when Katie and Aaron were trying to talk to me all weekend (couldn't they see I was busy?!).

But then Sunday morning I got to this screen!

And for the 3 minutes of the zombie music video, I felt like a million bucks.

I think professional athletes and I have a lot in common now, that must be what winning a gold medal feels like.

when I drink

2010-08-12T12:44:00.003-06:00

Since this is more often than not my car cup holder situation:

Imagine my delight when I noticed this the other day:

That's double water, b*tches!

on the couch

2010-08-10T15:59:00.009-06:00

Remember our couch that was supposed to come in 2 weeks but was taking like 2 months?

It finally came!

First we did what anyone with a 2 new couches would do...built a mega-couch to nap on of course.

Then we moved them to places that seemed more suitable for everyday use.

But it took a great coffee table, getting the last of my junk from my old place, and having dinner guests from church over last night to get everything finally put together.

The big couch,

the little couch,

and a corner for my chair

below my favorite, newly framed ostrich.

Now there is just this pile of pictures left (in the front room that is).

future reflections

2010-08-05T11:33:00.004-06:00

Last night Aaron and I ate dinner at Alberto's (what's new). I was mid nacho-to-mouth when I heard my name. I looked up and there stood a Nate I once knew. A Nate I knew when I was 17; a Nate who was my first kiss.

Yes, I was totally old by the time I got into the kissing game, but that is besides the point. The point is that it was weird seeing First Kiss while eating Mexican food with Last Kiss.

After Nate walked away Aaron asked me a bit about what I was like at 17 and our conversation shifted to being young in general and fitting in. I had a good time in my teens because I was involved with school activities that interested me and I had a really great group of friends. But sometimes I kind of wondered where I fit in...which I think probably everyone felt at some point in their youth. And since I wondered what I needed to be like, I had all sorts of funny ideas about what someone I ended up with needed to be like too. He had to like the same music as me. He had to love America and literature. If he had long hair and was some sort of outdoorsy rock climber that would be dreamy.

But college and a mission and just getting older all helped me figure out me. I grew into myself. I am often TOTALLY self-conscious and play the Everyone-Else-Is-Cooler-On-The-Internet Game, but even when those insecurities sneak in, I am comfortable in my own skin. I like the things I like and the person I am. I can be hard on myself when I think about my own expectations, so while there are places like career and education that I think a younger me would be surprised/disappointed about, I also think there would be a nice deep breath that I managed to chill out and find my place (which incidentally is usually on my couch, in front of the TV).

And I think being cool with being me is why when Aaron came around and wasn't into reading and thought some of my favorite, cutest shirts looked like grandma shirts, then that was all okay. It was better than okay, because every time I thought our such different tastes and likes would get in the way of our relationship progressing...they just didn't. Whether or not Aaron likes Wilco, I still like Wilco. And whether or not I want to skateboard, Aaron still wants to skateboard. So not worrying about those differences meant I could look at the person Aaron is and fall in love with all the goodness and kindness inside him instead of looking for someone with stupid hippie hair.

For 17 year old me, First Kiss Nate was a dreamboat. But I'm glad that 28 year old me was the one picking by the time Last Kiss Aaron came around.

come running

2010-08-03T12:50:00.006-06:00

We went to Idaho last weekend.

Because brothers Logan and Christopher and husb Aaron competed in all of their first Olympic length triathlon (Olympic length means the swim is 1 mile, the bike is 25 miles and the run is a 10k).

There was uncle time,

one shaved leg time,

and creepy motel time.

The morning of there was handsome time,

family time,

Wyatt cheering time,

Logan venting about getting a flat tire time,

and the sweet reward of finishing time.

Not shown above:
-All of the young, Mormon wives from Utah cheering on their husbands (I realize Kristen and Tasha and I were there, but it was weird to feel grouped...blah, blah, blah, I'm not comfortable with some of the categorizations that come with getting married)
-Seriously, how creepy that motel was
-How much Mexican food all of the boys ate after the race! Congratulations!

little brother

2010-07-29T11:37:00.005-06:00

Twenty-seven years ago today my brother Christopher was born. He came eighteen months after me (which now makes me think my mother must have been a wonder woman since there were already 2 older than us). However, with a house, a career, a rad wife and two beautiful babies I think he probably looks much more like the older sibling now!

In a serendipitous coincidence, today happens to be the day Bike Snob was on our very own Radio West program. If you aren't familiar with Bike Snob then you should be because he write amazingly clever blog posts and he loves bikes in a completely egalitarian sense; bikes are functional and fun and practical for all kinds of people. I started to read and love Bike Snob because his point of view reminded me of another less sarcastic, but equally passionate, bike point of view...Christopher's bike point of view.

Because I don't know another person in real life who loves bikes as purely and as simply as Christopher loves bikes. He started mountain biking in junior high school and moved to a road bike a few years later. He figured out ways to build and fix bikes on his own with little money or outside help. He's competed in all kinds of races including the long haul of LOTOJA but considers day to day commuting every bit as important because he thinks bikes are good for both people and the environment. He will help anyone with any kind of bike problem. He will search Craigslist and KSL ads for a bike that fits your price range. He will take you to the bike collective to introduce you to economical part options and a sense of bike community. He will go on a bike ride with you and even if you're huffing and puffing at 20 miles he will make you feel like a million bucks for your effort even if he could go another 50 (when he's in shape that is!).

Of course, the other two bike boys in my life are Aaron and Logan, and both of them are also intense and knowledgeable in their appreciation. But Christopher quietly and kindly seems to be the go-to guy.

Thanks for being born little brother.

fake plastic trees

2010-07-23T11:25:00.000-06:00

Besides how much my mostly inside body appreciated our sunny trip south last weekend, my mostly inside thoughts also appreciated our sunny trip south last weekend.

I think there were some things I was very good at as a single person. One was annoying roommates with my complaints about dishes in the sink. Another was watching all the shows on TLC and HGTV. And the third was driving by myself.

I think I still annoy my roommate with my complaints about dishes in the sink and I still try to watch as much TLC and HGTV as I can possibly squeeze in around Whale Wars and Tour de France coverage. However, I have been no good at driving by myself. The very lovely reason behind that is of course, that I have someone I always want to be around with me now. The only problem is, I've realized that a lot of my alone thinking time is wrapped up in driving by myself time.

I didn't get a car of my own until I was home from a mission at 22 and the freedom of it I still haven't ever gotten over. I love letting my mind wander in a car. I love the way you can be surrounded by sound in a car. I love being in a car long enough to listen to a favorite old album, or a brand new album, or a mix of songs. I think half the reason I love Cache Valley so much is because it's the perfect alone drive distance away.

But I don't drive to Logan or nearly anywhere alone anymore. And since Aaron and I have very different tastes when it comes to music and the enjoyment thereof, when we're together we listen to podcasts and the artists where our music overlaps.

So for the first time in a long time, on the way home from Escalante, with worn out bodies and bellies full of pizza, I ended up driving for a spell while Aaron slept on the back seat and Christina dozed in the front. I slowly turned up the volume for their sleeping ears to adjust and got back to a place I didn't realize I have missed so much...but plan on arranging to visit more often.

big sky

2010-07-20T15:45:00.001-06:00

Aaron's summer internship doesn't allow for taking time off, so we have to pack A LOT of fun into weekends. Like driving 5 hours on a Friday afternoon to Escalante for a quick couple of days backpacking with Aaron's old roommates.

This was the trail we were going to do last year, but just ended up camping instead.

We hiked through rain,

and water,

and heat.

We learned that Native Americans began those family back window stickers.

We set up camp in this awesome alcove.

We ate s'mores.

We only had one first aid issue (besides blisters) and that was Christina sticking her hand directly upon a cactus.

We had Stacy's 14 year old nephew with us. I thought 14 year olds were the worst of teenage offenders, but this one was the world's most adorable kid. I'd have 12 boys if they'd all turn out like him (no I wouldn't).

On our way out we discovered we could have died!

But forgot all about that when we were reunited with soda!

Backpacking success!

world news

2010-07-16T12:49:00.008-06:00

Morgan turned 2 yesterday.

This was his party (because the kid actually watches sports).

This was his cake (baked by his adorable mama).

This was his mature dad.

This was his tiny brother.

This was his grandma holding that baby brother.

These were Morgan's other guests.
Maggie

Coleman I think?

Will I think? (who all belong to the hilarious Megan)

Hudson (who belongs to Meikel and Luke)

Alma and Julia (who belong to each other)

And Nick (who belongs to Aaron and me).

Thanks for being born kid!