Bear Lake

Goodness...I feel so out of the loop! I haven't had a chance to read any of your blogs lately, and I miss not knowing what's going on in your lives. But don't you worry...when I return, there will be a marathon!

I'm in Utah at the moment, enjoying some time with my family and waiting around for my first niece on this side, little Londyn, to be born. Carly is due the 28th, and I'm hoping and hoping and hoping she's on time! It would be awful to miss the big event!! But I'm sure she'll come...and I'm excited! What a blessing to be here. I've hated missing out on all the showers and baby prep, but getting to see her cute little self in person just might make up for it.

I've actually been here for two weeks, and while I miss my husband terribly (Bri Bri, where are you?), I've been having a really good time. I came out early so I could go to the annual family reunion/trip to Bear Lake. Every year since I was about 13 all the aunts, uncles, cousins and cousins' kids on my dad's side have gotten together for a week of camping, boating, water skiing, sand castle building, jet skiing, eating WAY too much of my mom's gourmet "camp" food, and card playing at Bear Lake. So fun. I'm not a huge sun and water person, but I love being there relaxing with the family, playing games and enjoying all the cute little cousins (who had all grown up so much! I swear...miss one year of Bear Lake and one Christmas party, and they all suddenly look like little adults!!!). This year was a ton of fun--I got in a bit of water skiing (which made me realize I'm older than I used to be...), and in our late night scum games with all the cousins, I managed to maintain the position of "Queen" for quite some time (just the way I like it...just ask Bri...he he he....) Anyway, it was a lot of fun, and I'm bummed I didn't have my camera. Duh Amber, just duh.

Don't you worry, though...you'll be seeing plenty of pictures of Londyn!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully soon! (Come on Carly...what are you waiting for? :) he he he he he)

Something New: Custom Wedding Sign-in Books

What's the point in having a blog if you can't shamelessly advertise yourself once in awhile, right? :)

So, I've started a little business and thought I'd shout it from the roof tops. After all, word of mouth is very important, and I figure that if all 3 of you who read this blog maybe say something to someone you know...that's potentially 6 people who know about my endeavor, and 6 is better than none! :)

After designing my own custom wedding sign-in book, and then designing my sister's, I had a few people comment that I should start a business, and I thought, "I DO love doing it..." The next week I found myself walking out of the court building with a business registration, and then out of city hall with a business license, giggling to myself like a school girl (funny how "grown up" moments always seem to prove how not grown-up I really am! :)).

Anyway, if you're interested or know someone who might be, feel free to take a peek! I'd love to meet the bridezilla in your life! :) (It IS all about the bride after all! Although, speaking of bridezilla, I must admit...it's kinda a scary industry if I think about it too long. What if I come across that girl who's completely insane, and rips my head off for using powder puff pink instead of powder poof pink? Or who thinks I'm trying to steal her fiance because I used a picture of him in their sign-in book? Or who beats me over the head with one of my custom sign-in books simply because she's in the midst of a "I can't find a tux small enough for my poodle Fifi to wear in the line" melt down, and I'm the closest one around? He he he. Ok...I'm sure you guys don't know any people like that...right? :) And even if you do...the bride is always right. Gulp.)

http://www.snweddingbooks.blogspot.com/

Sesame Street & Barry Manilow & Aretha, Oh My!

Wanna know what we did for the 4th of July? Do ya? Do ya? Ok...so, you're probably not that curious, but you get to find out anyway cuz we're pretty excited about it! :) The little video clip below will fill you in on how we celebrated the holiday in the nation's capital:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmrzo5yPX6E&feature=fvst

Yes, we decided to brave the crowds (hundreds of thousands if you believe Mr. Jimmy Smits), and stake out a seat on the lawn of the Capitol Building for the big concert and fireworks display that's broadcast nationwide every year. We figured being in DC for the 4th of July was a once in a lifetime thing and by golly, we were going to take advantage of it. So glad we did. The highlight for Brian was seeing Barry Manilow sing Copacabana, and Aretha Franklin sing Respect (pretty awesome I must admit!). As for me, I got quite the kick out of the gang from Sesame Street singing with Natasha Bedingfield. :) Then there was a video message from President Obama wishing Sesame Street a happy 40th birthday...I can't lie; at that point the whole thing started feeling like a strange dream... :)

Then, there were the fireworks, lighting up the Washington Monument:

The night just kept getting better and better. When it was all over, we fully expected it to take a good few hours for us to get home. We packed up, and joined the mass of people heading for the metro stop. When we reached the escalators that take you underground, our fears were confirmed. There was a line just to get to the escalator that takes you to the train. Somehow, though, Brian led us in another way, and soon we were fighting the crowds through the turnstiles. When we reached the platform, a train headed our direction was just pulling up, and we jumped on. This was turning out awesome! After getting back to our car, Brian made the wise decision to use the carpool lane to get us home, and we whizzed by all the backed up traffic, arriving home 40 minutes or so after the concert ended!! What in the world?! The night was meant to be. That's all I'm sayin! :)

Happy 4th of July everyone! Hope yours went off with a bang! :)