Just a few more pics of the beach in southern California. I thought this was kind of funny. They are all standing with their left hand in their pocket looking at the same thing. From left to right, we have Mike, Bryan, my brother Mike and my brother Trent.

Just the two of us!

Ok, so this house was the cutest house. I took probably eighty-three pics of it with the dream that one day I would have one just like it, with a view of the water, of course.

From this part of the state, on the day that half my family got in the car and the other jumped on a plane, all heading home to Utah, me and Mike were off on yet another adventure. This time we flew to Northern California to go on the monster of all apartment hunts. We looked at probably 25 apartments in 4 days. And no, I didn't take any pictures. But we did find one and signed the paperwork before we came home the next week. We will be living in Campbell, CA. I am really excited, and as I am writing this, I am thinking that we get our moving truck today and in two days we will be on the road to California. Now enough about that because I have a feeling today might be an emotional one.

I've Been Everywhere, Man, I've Been Everywhere. . .

Well, we are finally back home after it feels like the mother of all vacations. It started in the Mile High City (for those of you who aren't down with the Lingo, Denver). I flew out there to meet Mike on his loooong drive back home from Oklahoma. While we were there, we thought we would hit up a Rockies game. We had really great seats and the game itself wasn't too bad either. The stadium is really pretty, and I am bummed that the only picture I got was of the scoreboard, but at least I took one. I am usually terrible at remembering that I have my camera with me.

And from one baseball game to another, (and one state to another) we ended up at Dodger stadium. We spent the week in Newport Beach with my family, and although we tried to take in a game in Anaheim, the Angels weren't in town, so we settled for the next best thing.

Me and Mike at Dodger Stadium

This is the view of Dodger stadium from the (not so) cheap seats. Thanks mom and dad for an awesome vacation. And yes while we were in this vacation, we hit up Disneyland and California adventure, but as I mentioned before, the not-remembering-the-camera problem struck again, but not to worry I always have my 'memories, like the corners of my mind. Misty water colored memories. . .' oh sorry. Anyway, the trip was a blast and I am so glad that we got to go on a great trip before we move.

Girl From Ipanema and Going Mad

There are days when I am at work and all I hear in my head is La di da di da, or some other wordless, mindless tune. . .and usually it passes-until today, that is. The la di da di da, I finally figured out, is my brain's way of telling me that I am slowly going MAD! MAD, I tell you! MAD!!! So, as I was participating in my daily surfing, I decided to check the website of an awesome show, fittingly called "MadMen", thinking I may stumble across an interview or something else that I haven't previously read. Then, I came across this little activity on the website, probably aimed at people just like me with nothing better to do than create 60's era avatars of themselves, while trying to make it through the mind numbing boredome at work, called "MADMEN YOURSELF"! Perfect! Don't mind if I do, and while I am at it, I will madmen people I work with as well as my husband!

Well, you guessed it. The top picture is me (in the green dress), in my special little scenario, walking right past my husbands private secretary "excuse me", to surprise my hubby for lunch. And of course a homemade lunch is waiting in the picnic basket in the car, along with a checked blanket, perfectly suited for an afternoon picnic-seriously, it's not like anyone actually worked in the sixties!
And here is the famous hubby. We will pretend that Sterling Cooper (in this scenario) is an accounting firm, instead of an ad agency. He is the big man on campus, with his power suit, briefcase, and of course his always lit pipe! Ow, baby! Eat your heart out ladies! Just remember-he's taken, and I am always watching. . .(how's that for drama?)

I am so excited for the new season to start! Thanks Erin and Bryan for getting me hooked on this awesome show. And for those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, seasons 1 and 2 are available to rent! Run, don't walk, to your nearest video store and watch it! NOW!

And yes, you can call me a nerd.

(Ok, so a little explanation on the title. Whenever I watch MADMEN, or if I am reading an interview with an character/actor, for some reason the song "Girl from Ipanema" pops in to my head. I think it is because it has the most old school, elevator-music sound to it than any other song I have ever heard. And it totally belongs in a poolside scene-man, I should be a writer or something).

Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

HOME! I can't believe where the time has gone! My little brother is home from his mission! It has been two years! He served in the Phillippines, Tacloban mission and although he has somewhat of an asian accent (or whatever you might call it-a mix of tons of different languages all rolled in to one), and acts really strange (why is that?), it is so much fun to have him home. It feels like it did before I got married. It was me and him, and here we are again.

These are the delicious cupcakes (at least one flavor) that my parent's neighbor, Rebecca Jensen, made for the homecoming get-to-gether. She did such a great job! Heck forget about the returned missionary, we have gourmet cupcakes here! (If you need cupcakes for any sort of occasion, i.e. wedding, farewell, homecoming, baby/wedding shower, GNO, let me know, and I would be more than thrilled to get you her info. Her website should be up an running soon.)

Trent with Mom and Dad

And of course one with Brooks. We made him a shirt that said I {heart} Uncle Trent! And he HAD to wear it the next day too. It was so cute to see Brooks with Trent. He stood in awe the entire time we were at the airport.

Welcome home, Trent! We love you and missed you! It is so great to have you home!

A Little Less Conversation, a Little More Shopping, Please

As it turns out, this post is long overdue, but I need to document the fun things that I do (take a trip to Vegas with the girls) and the things I do that are so out of character for me, although not unwelcome by any means (shopping for 12 hours straight.)

The idea came to us one day when I was talking to Steph via instant message complaining about how badly I needed to get away and hence the idea was born and booked within a couple of days. We decided that a shopping trip was definitely in order, therefore we planned nothing but what stores we had to hit. We were ready to go, just had to wait until the magic day.

We stayed at the Stratosphere although it was more of a home ground for us to layout out our booty from a hard days work, pass out on the bed and wake up only to repeat said activities the next day. Of course, we had to eat at In 'n out. I know, so cliche for a trip to Vegas, but what the heck-it was delicious. It was the perfect little get away for the girls before life got to the point where we wouldn't be able to jump in the same car and drive out of town. Steph has since moved to Arizona for probably the craziest reason-to live with her husband, sheesh! Who does that? Love you two! Jacy just bought a new house, Congrats, Jacy, and is now up to her ears in remodeling, and then there is this dark cloud looming over my head like I am getting ready to move myself away from family and friends, and pretty much anything that is familiar. . .why do I have that feeling? Oh yea, that's right, we are getting ready to move to the Sunshine state never to return again! Just kidding, we will be back at Christmas. Anyway, it was so fun, and I am so thankful to have such fun friends.

BEFORE

(Jacy, Steph, and Moi)

I am pretty sure this is a before pic, because after, as you can see in the next picture, I am pretty sure we had zero energy, not even enough to muster up a smile. So here we go with the before and after.

AFTER

Thanks for ALL the fun memories girls.

Round Here. . .

So, not much is going on right now, but I thought I could write about all the little things that I am doing to keep my mind occupied. Over memorial day weekend, Mike came home for a visit! Woo Hoo! I picked him up at the airport and brought him home to a house full of people moving all of our furniture out and into a storage unit. Welcome Home Babe! And thanks to all the helping hands that day, we definitely couldn't have done it without you. As for when we moved out, it wasn't until about 3 days later, so we spent a couple of nights sleeping on our mattress on the living room floor (I know, a little white trash, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do), with absolutely no other furniture and no food in the entire house. It was quite the experience, but it was nice to just hang out and have most of the moving done. On memorial day we went 4-wheeling with Spencer and Steph up Farmington Canyon. I guess you could call it our last big hurrah. Spencer is leaving to do the same training Mike has been doing, so lo and behold me and Steph are being abandoned by our husbands, left to fend for ourselves living in our parents' basements!

(Me, Mike, Spencer and Steph)

Actually, it has been nice being back home. It is a little strange, I'm not going to lie, but I am so grateful to my parents for letting me mooch off of them for the rest of the summer. Mom and Dad's house will be our last stop before heading off to California. It is nice to be spending time with them now, because come September it will no longer be a short drive to visit family.

As far as summer goes, it is going. I haven't really done anything yet to make it feel like summer. No baseball games, no swimming, nothing, nada, zilch! And not that I am planning on returning any time soon, but I miss having the quiet parts of my day filled with homework and projects. School really helped keep my mind off things I otherwise don't like to think about (the fact that I still have 9 weeks, and some odd days left until Mike comes home), but I'm not counting or anything. I will see him in a few weeks when he comes home to visit over the 4th of July, so adding to the fact that Independence Day is my favorite holiday, having Mike home will make sitting in my parent's backyard eating homemade ice-cream and watching fireworks that much more enjoyable.

How Did I Get So Lucky?

I know I am a day late, but better late than never, right?

Anyway, I just wanted to point out that I am so lucky to have two wonderful mothers that are the best example to me of what a mother should be. If I am half the mother they are, then my kids will be pretty well off.

I think I have the best mom any girl could ever ask for. She is patient, and she always sees the best in everyone. She has always been our number one fan, no matter what activity we were involved with at the time. She was always on the sidelines at soccer games, on the front row at school plays, dance, piano, and voice recitals. At times she almost seems like the energizer bunny. She never slows down and that smile is always on her face. I have so many fun memories with my mom, whether I was sitting in the back of an aerobics studio listening to my mom count off a routine for the class (by the way mom, I loved the headbands and leg warmers), or just dancing like lunatics in the kitchen to some of our favorite songs. Somehow, she even got my brothers to participate in this activity. We spend so much time laughing, and having a good time (even though I am sorry that a lot of the laughing is at my mom's expense) she has always been a good sport and put up with us. I love her dearly, and don't know what I will do when she doesn't live just 10 minutes up the street.

I am so lucky to have a sister that has been such a great example to me for the past 27 years. She, too, is an excellent mom (as you can see by the happy boy in the picture). She loves to have a good time, and seems to always have the energy for it (wonder where she got that from). I have vivid memories of Erin doing a full on dance routine, while carrying on a conversation with whoever was in the room at the time, and not missing a beat. She has so much energy, and just like my mom, I rarely see her without a smile. She definitely notices the positive things in life and the smallest things make her happy, and she is able to put smiles on the faces of those around her. I am a better person because of these women, and I can't ask for anything more. I love you guys. Thanks mom and Erin for being you! And HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!