Go Cougs; Go Fam; Go Team Reunion...

A couple of weeks ago, we used the exceptional excuse of a "Team Reunion" (defined: Drew's close-knit group of college roommates, originating at the Glenwood, but expanded when they moved to the 191st ward and 3 of them met their fabulous wives, me included) to head out to our beloved Utah for a week of all-out fun.

It started out with a 2 1/2 hour delay on the tarmac at Dulles, an unexpected overnight layover (sans luggage) in Phoenix (and thus, a sleepover at my parents house), and an early morning flight to SLC where we found out they had lost our luggage. Augh! Can you say "Trip from Hell"? Luckily it made a serious comeback with a fabulously fun night spent with longtime BFF, Jenn Rose (now Potter).

Friday after I locked myself out of Jenn's house w/ all our belongings inside and then proceeded to break in, I met Drew at the airport where I learned his flight included none other than John McCain.

Team Reunion up in Big Cottonwood Canyon at Wendy's family's cabin (we got in by the skin of our teeth, as it was being sold and would close two days after our departure). Loads of fun, a wonderful dinner out, scandalous late-night games, and Little Teamsters meeting eachother for the first time.

Sunday we were off to see Drew's family at his mom's new house in Herriman. Lots of cousins, delicous BBQ, fresh fish caught by Uncle Daniel that day, and late-night games. Monday Drew, Makenna and I made the trek down to Provo to honor one of our favorite burger joints, Burgers Supreme (get the Rueben, fries, fry-sauce, and a Diet Coke and your life will never be the same). Then we upheld the annual tradition of decking ourselves out in all new BYU paraphernalia (including a darling pink sweatshirt/sweatpants combo for Makenna) and stopped off to get a modest 2 lbs. of chocolate-covered cinnamon bears from the Bookstore. Ahhh...good times.

Such a fun trip. So glad we made it out there. It killed us not to be there for a football game, but we had some note-worthy substitutes for sure. See everyone next year!

The 3 of us on a hike around Silver Lake.

The moose we got dangerously close to.



The lovely Jenn in front of her new house in Lehi.

Mr. McCain at PHX Sky Harbor Airport. What is not shown is Drew in the Men's Restroom with him 2 minutes later using neighboring "facilities".

Makenna and Cousin Nathan, born exactly 1 week apart, got on splendidly together.

Loving on her Uncle Daniel.

Me with the Sisters-in-Law: Joanali, DonnaLin and Melinda.

Drew with his crazy, yet very lovable, family.

The little Teamsters at Silver Lake (not pictured: fellow Teamster Spencer Bateman).

Hanging out around the Tree of Life on BYU campus.

Seven and Counting...

SEVEN years yesterday. SEVEN. We were just reminiscing about showing up to the Mesa Temple at 6:30 A.M., pre-sealing, so that our skin wouldn't melt right off our bones while we were trying to take pictures. The bride's car was considerably late, leaving Drew to wonder if he was being stood up (my pre-cellphone days) the day of the wedding. Alas, the hair just took longer than anticipated, I showed up in all my bridal glory, and the rest is matrimonial history.

Except for... the part with the uber-ugly sealing dress. After worrying what I would wear during the ceremony (my dress was AZ-August chic; translation: short sleeves, scoop neck, and a halter top...hehe), a VERY trustworthy friend assured me the temple had beautiful, stylish gowns, set aside especially for the blushing brides. On our way to the Bridal Room, I stopped to pick out one of these dresses. What came next was...

1. The attending matron giving me an utterly baffled look at my request.
2. A quick walk to a "special closet" where a few dingy temple gowns hung.
3. A horrifying look from Yours Truly, when I weighed my options.
4. Heart palpitations and maybe a couple of tears when I chose the Best of the Worst, (think turn-of-the-century ruffles, above the ankle hem, and gobs and gobs of lace).
5. My beautiful wedding dress hanging from an over-padded hanger in the Bridal Room, while I walked in, holding hands with Drew, to find a hundred faces staring at me and JUDGING my sealing dress choice. Nothing short of TORTURE. But soon afterwards...nothing short of BLISS.

Ahhh, memories. I love you Drew. Happy Anniversary.

Birthdays and House Projects

Makenna's birthday was so much fun and she really got into opening the presents this year. After the labor intensive Wilton Cake class Stacie and I took two years ago, I caved and decided to take the road MORE traveled, settling on a traditional strawberry 2-tiered cake. We surprised Makenna with a Barbie tricycle (which immediately bestowed on her the title of "cool"). I also couldn't resist in adorning her with completely gaudy, and totally girly, dress-up clothes: a frilly hot pink skirt and some fierce diamond-studded pumps.







I recently finished this little picture project, finding my inspiration on a Sugardoodle.net link. I printed 12x12 photos from Costco and Tacky-glued them onto 12x12 pieces of Styrofoam sheet. I then finished them off with 1" black ribbon around the edges to conceal the styrofoam and secured it in place with black-headed sewing pins. I like how it turned out, although I veered from my original plan of including decorative scrapbook paper on some of the 12x12 pieces.


Drew finished this fabulous new headboard last night, which I am entirely pleased with. We made it out of two old bedroom doors and finished it with some decorative crown molding on the top. I love it!

Happy, Happy Birthday Makenna Dear

Our little girl is turning TWO today! Can you believe it? It seems like just yesterday Drew and I were chatting on the phone, while he was interning up in D.C., about how we should spend our last weekend ever being completely childless. When lo and behold, the next morning an ultrasound showed Makenna was way too thirsty to stay inside Mama one more day and we had an emergency C-section, while Drew rented a car and drove like Evil Knievel down to St. Mary's to make it just in time for the birth. And the rest is history.

On to the absolute most important things about Makenna at age 2:
1. She loves to help around the house and clean while I'm cleaning. If I'm vacuuming, she's not two feet behind me with her little vacuum. She always asks for wipes to clean the kitchen. I hope this keeps up.
2. Makenna's favorite breakfast is 2 scrambled eggs with ketchup and a cup of orange juice. She gobbles it down like it's nobody's business.
3. She loves to wear jewelry. I can get at least 20 minutes to get my make-up on in the morning if I give her my box of bangles and a few chunky necklaces. Before you know it, she fairly resembles an African princess with jewelry up and down her arms and legs. BTW, she wears Grandma's pearls just about every day.
4. She is a water bug and loves to be in the pool. She won't wear any life-saving device, so my eyes are glued to her at all times, but she loves to jump off the side and into someone's arms.
5. Makenna is also a love bug, giving kisses and bear hugs to anyone who wants one, and some who don't (getting off the plane, she's standing next to the man across the aisle and gives his leg an intense bear hug to his astonishment).
6. Her favorite songs are "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" and "Wheels on the Bus" which we watch endless times on YouTube a day.
7. She signs like a pro. Since she's a bit late in talking, her doctor recommended we start teaching her signing. She knows tons of signs and likes to confuse extended family members by talking with them in sign. Thus Drew and I are left to translate. (However, one of her first speaking phrases which consisted of more than 1 word was "Ice, Ice, Baby"... just keeping it real.)
8. Makenna loves to read books, which makes this former el. ed. teacher overjoyed. Her favorites are Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star; This Land is Your Land; Ten Little Fairies; and Fanny's Dream.
9. She loves to go to nursery now (it took a full 5 months) and doesn't even look back to wave good-bye when she runs in there.
10. Last, and most important, she has turned into one of my dearest little friends. We have so much fun together and have fun making eachother laugh during the day. She has quite a sense of humor, of which I am grateful for. I am so glad I get to spend my days at home with her and I love being Makenna's mom.

August 3, 2007


August 3, 2009