100-mile diet

Have you guys heard about this? I think it is so cool and interesting. I wonder if I'm up for the challenge? Anyway, just something cool to think about- where does our food come from?

I like Dave!

It's official- I'm now part of Dave Buhler's campaign staff! He's running for mayor of Salt Lake City and I'm so excited to be a part of this campaign. It's my second one and I hope I can continue learning a lot and meeting new people! Dave's new website is up and running and it is very very cool- I was impressed by it- so check it out when you get a chance!

Even though I take time off of school to work on campaigns (which slows my graduation progress), I feel that this is an opportunity that I don't want to miss out on!

Dave on YouTube

Suzanna's wedding

Suzanna had the most beautiful backyard reception Thursday night. Then she and Jeris were married in the Salt Lake Temple Friday afternoon. Both events were very lovely and special! It was so fun to see my old friend as a bride!! I'm so ecstatic for her!

The girls with the bride! We always take a friends picture at every wedding but our numbers keep dwindling as everyone grows up and moves away.



Her beautiful cake just as the sun started to set. It really was such a pretty night- great lighting, beautiful trees and flowers, the lake in the backround... it was gorgeous!



To further add to the ambiance, they had a horse drawn carriage to bring the guests in from the parking lot. It really was a nice touch!



The beautiful and happy bride!



Suzanna and Jeris after the ceremony! They were so happy (of course) but Suzanna told me it didn't quite feel real yet. I hear that! When you get married, it takes awhile for it to sink in!

Catching up

It's been a crazy month! There's been three trips, one skit performance, two weddings, two showers, three sets of invitations to make and send out, one bachelorette party, four birthdays, mother's day, and a bon voyage party. Whew! Here are some pics to highlight all this fun!

John's cousin Christina married Rocky (Whitey's little bro) May 10th.



We went with Susie and Brent to our ward's annual St. George trip and visited the St. George temple.



My Aunt Barbara took a job in Las Vegas so we threw her a going away party!



A shower for my soon to be sister-in-law, Chelsea!



Suzanna's bachelorette "party". More like just going out to dinner.



My brother-in-law Mark Thornton's 24th birthday party. He got some good stuff! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARK!



Suzanna's wedding reception (last night). Isn't she a beautiful bride? More on this later.

Taggy tag tag

So I've now been blog-tagged for the first time by the Moosh's mama (aka Casey) and been challenged to reveal 8 unknown things about me. This may be difficult considering the things that I willingly reveal include pretty much every mortifying thing that has ever happened to me... hmmm, I might have to settle for the ordinary instead of the shocking.

1. I am really afraid of the ocean. Even when I can see the bottom. Especially when I can see the bottom, actually, because one of the things I'm afraid of is coral. This led to some embarrassing panic attacks when I lived in Hawaii for the summer.

2. I almost always read books in one sitting (albeit a marathon, through-the-night one) and get really annoyed if I can't finish it all right away. It's weird, right? And inconvenient. And leads to some serious sleep deprivation when I find a compelling one!

3. I really like reality shows. Almost all kinds. I do still have some standards (Flavor of Love? No thanks.) But just barely.

4. If I could have one wish, I would probably wish for a better singing voice. My mother has the most beautiful voice and so does my sister, and I'll just keep working on it.

5. I LOVE candy. All kinds. But my favorite is mint flavored: Junior Mints, Tic Tacs, Mentos, Altoids, butter mints, Andes, York peppermint patties... love it all.

6. I once kissed two boys in one day. I'm not necessarily proud of it, yet at the same time, it may have been my one day of glory so...

7. I'm not opposed to getting a boob job one day- I may need it after I have some kids.

8. I used to HATE my toes until I met John and he absolutely LOVES them and thinks they're the cutest thing ever and now I like 'em. My husband is adorable.

I hereby tag:

Kerry
Lindsey T.
Lindz
Madelyn
Cody
Andrea

Go crazy!

Cutest thing ever

Saw this today on Andrea's blog and had to share it with you all immediately. Apparently it's been really publicized and gotten really popular, but for good reason. This cute couple did something for their first dance that could've been so cheesy and dumb, but for some reason it just comes off as sweet, fun, funny, touching and pretty much awesome. I don't know if you'll love it as much as I did, but I had tears streaming down my face because I enjoyed it so much!

Happy Birthday, Catherine!!

My little sister is 23! I can hardly believe it! It seems like not too long ago we were playing "Escape from the Orphanage" by climbing out of the bathroom window with all of our baby dolls (you know, like in Annie.) I love you, Cath, and I'm so proud of the incredible woman you are! Hope your bday was as awesome as you are! Love, Barb

Part VI

For our last day in Philly, we saw some of the downtown sights. Some of the highlights were Love Park and some genuine Philly Cheesesteak. Richard and Catherine had already taste-tested the three front runners, Pat's, Jim's and Geno's, and declared Pat's the winner so that's where we ate ours from!


John, Barb, Beverly and Aunt Barbara at Love Park



No Love at Love Park



Lots of Love at Love Park



Richard and John illustrating a different type of love- brotherly love, of course!



John's excited to eat his Cheese Whiz Philly Cheesesteak!



Rocky was here!



King of Steaks indeed!



Richard's excited to eat his with roasted peppers!



That's the end of our Philly and New York adventure!! We had so much fun! Thanks, Dad, for making it happen, and to Catherine and Richard for being wonderful hosts!

Part V- Longwood Gardens

One of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I visited last time I was in Philly and had to go again and show my mom, aunt and hubby the amazing gardens. It was originally the private estate of the Du Pont family in the early 1900's. As they traveled the world and saw other beautiful gardens, they would return and replicate what they saw. They wanted it to be a public place for all to enjoy. It's gorgeous! They have a HUGE conservatory with dozens of different climate-controlled rooms, an Italian water fountain garden, a topiary garden, an idea garden, children's gardens, a fountain show, tulip garden, rose garden... oh, I could go on! I highly recommend it!

I'm a little teapot...



The hydrangeas were incredible!



Aunt Barbara takes time to stop and smell the calla lilies.



The fam enjoys the Italian water garden.



Johnny illustrating how all the tulips were facing the sun.



Me and Johnny vacationing together (for a change)!

Part IV

Guggenheim Museum




The Metropolitan Museum of Fine Art



The John Lennon Memorial (Strawberry Fields) in Central Park



The reflection of the lights on the water at the Brooklyn Promenade



Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory (de-lish!)

Part III

Historic Trinity Church




Battery Park




Times Square



The Apple Store




Tiffany and Co.



Monty Python's Spamalot

Part II

We drove our rental minivan (still not big enough for six adults) two hours from Philly to New Jersey where we parked then got on the PATH to New York. We got off at the World Trade Center station which is still an incredible sight. There's still a giant hole in the ground and tons of construction. Even without massive tons of rubble, it still looks devastated. It was a moving experience.



These are pictures I took in the station. I got in big trouble for doing so- photography of any kind is prohibited. I didn't know this but in retrospect, it makes sense. I'm pretty sure they didn't suspect me of engaging in terrorist reconnaissance but better safe than sorry, right?

Philadelphia and New York, part I

We had so much fun visiting Catherine and Richard this past weekend. We flew into Philly Wednesday night and came back Monday afternoon. It was a short trip, but action-packed!!

First on our agenda was to hit IKEA. There's going to be a grand celebration when our very own branch opens on May 23rd (seriously, I'm thinking of throwing a party in honor of it). My mom, Aunt Barbara and Johnny had never been and we spent about 4 hours there- shopping, eating Swedish Meatballs, more shopping and finally, buying so much we could barely fit it in our rented mini-van!

My mom (a serious furniture bargain connoisseur) could not believe the prices at Ikea!!
I think John's favorite part was eating lunch. The manager's special of the day: Meatballs and Macaroni and Cheese.
John: "I'll have the manager's special." [insert gleeful giggle here]
Me (to burly man server): "That's this man's dream."
Burly server: "No, that's EVERY man's dream."