Oops!

So, I just realized that I have not written a single blog post since we made the announcement that we were expecting.

I want to get in at least one more entry before the bundle of joy gets here, because once she's here, who knows how long it will be until I write again.

I need to be more like my aunt Joanie who posts a lot but only writes a sentence or two that way you can see what we're up to without having to wait months at a time!

Even though it's been so long, my brain is dead and I can't think of one thing to write about...

Uh... let's see.

Maybe I'll just do a few sentences per month:

January- We found out we were having a girl, but decided to keep it a secret for four long months. Our intent was to keep it a secret until she was born or at least until we sent out our baby invitations. We did it so we could cherish the news just the two of us. It was kind of fun, in a sneaky sense, to keep the secret but after a while, it just got kind of boring! We wanted to tell people so we could start showing them all the loot we had gotten for her. We have decided on the name Rylan Eve Campbell. Brian found the first name and I have always loved the name Eva, but find that it's a bit too overused as of late, and Eve is such a beautiful name. 

These are my sweet girls tying a quilt for little baby Rylan. 

I absolutely love working with them and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

They inspire me every time I see them.

February- My application for graduation was accepted. Brian redeemed one of his Christmas presents and we attended an NBA game, it was the Jazz against Toronto... maybe? Haha! I'm not really that into NBA basketball, I do love college basketball though! Brian and I celebrated our 4th Valentine's Day together and also our 4th anniversary of dating on the 20th. For Valentine's Day, Brian and I ate at La Jolla Groves. Brian was a little apprehensive, we had only been there once before for lunch and Brian wasn't too impressed with it. He really did enjoy his food for dinner though. The presentation and execution was great. We had made a reservation and they sat us in less that 10 seconds and had our meal to us in less than 20 minutes. Pretty good for a 7:30 slot on Valentine's Day! 

Brian and I didn't even attempt to get into Color Me Mine on Valentine's Day. Way too crowded! So, we went the following day. Brian made a beautiful vawzzz (that's how he wants it pronounced) and I made a Birthday Plate for our growing family. Brian was very excited that he and Kyoto (ew! Kyoto did not eat off of it) would be the first to use it.

March- Brian and Kyoto celebrated their birthdays on the same day. Yup, they are twins! Even though he was kind of bummed on his birthday because he "lost" his phone skiing at Sundance, he enjoyed eating at the Bombay House, his gifts and slice of carrot cake! We were able to spend a week along the California coast for Spring Break/ Baby Moon. We started in San Francisco ( I was hit on and followed by a homeless man, lol!) , travelled down to Monterrey, then onto Pismo Beach and lastly to Huntington Beach. It was a lot of fun. I think towards the end Brian got sick of the driving, especially since I tend to sleep all through long drives. I think the next time we go, we will either stick strictly to San Fran or Huntington as those were our two favorite spots. 

Oh... My belly button disappeared this month.

Brian's Kyoto Ice Cream Cake.

Brian using the Birthday Plate.

Brian and I after Bombay House and in front of his super lame balloons. :)

In San Francisco at the start of our trip.

Cliffs in Monterrey. It's a cute town, a place I may like to live when I'm old. 

Brian and I at the end of our trip. 

Huntington Beach definitely has the best sand, water and sunsets.

Hands down!

April- We celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary by eating at our favorite restaurant, Black Sheep Cafe and spending the weekend in Salt Lake City. The hotel must've been pretty empty because we were upgraded to a suite on the 11th floor. At first we didn't know they had done that so we kept pushing the 11 button on the elevator and we couldn't get up. Luckily, a guest informed us that in order to get to that floor we had to use our room key. Thank you kind stranger. We would have been on the elevator for a loooong time if not for you! Brian accepted an offer to work at overstock.com as an email marketing analyst. He has really been enjoying his time there. His coworkers all seem very nice and like to have fun. He honestly just loves working in a positive environment and learning more about what he loves to do. Whenever he comes home he has a big smile on his face, which is such a change from where he was working before. We announced we were having a girl on Easter with an "egg hunt" and we were even able to catch a glimpse of her sweet face on a 3D ultrasound. OB said he didn't see much hair, but she still has some time!

Reveal Cake we did with my parents on Skype.

Ta Da!

Ok, so this picture is a bit hard to decipher. I'll do my best. The top of the image is the top of her head. Little slits are closed eyes. Middle is nose. She is pulling down on her bottom lip with one hand. She is a little stinker and this is the best we could get before she turned around and would not have any more pictures. 

What a DIVA, already.

We are in trouble.

May- After two years of being a super senior... (too many choices!) I became amongst the newest alum at UVU. Brian put on a great brunch for close family and friends. He even made french toast for everyone! Incredibly delicious! Now that school is over, I have a lot of time on my hands. Brian and I are attempting to live a more healthy lifestyle which mainly includes trying to go to sleep at a decent hour and waking up before the sun is midpoint in the sky, lol! We are also attempting to eat healthier by incorporating more fruits and veggies into our diet. I am thinking about possibly creating another blog to track our progress and recipe ideas. 

I love this time of year! So much more time and sun. What more could you honestly ask for? We are very thrilled to have a fun packed week ahead of us, especially kicking off the summer right with an awesome Memorial Day BBQ!

Hope life finds you well. We love you all. Thanks for reading!

And a partridge in a pear tree...

Not too many photos in this blog.

I feel like I have posted so many photos on FB the last few weeks that I am photoed out.

The idea of having to grab photos from FB and bringing them over here makes me feel exhausted.

However, everything and anything is making me feel exhausted these days.

I hear that 13 weeks is when it starts to dissipate, than I heard 16, than I heard after 5 months..

Who freaking knows?

All I know is that I am constantly pooped

and sick

and grumpy.

Poor Brian.

Anyways, to the fun stuff.

Christmas was very fun. We were able to do all of the traditions we enjoy. We watched home alone, we made cookies, we did our Christmas Eve box.

Brian got a great backpack and a much needed updated wardrobe.

He still needs to find new casual shoes, but he's almost there.

I got beautiful brown boots and Brian took a whack at getting me jewelry for the first time ever-

and he aced it!

Now we just need to go someplace really fancy so I can wear it!

We were able to celebrate the Christmas holiday with both families.

We went to my in-laws on Christmas Eve, it is my mother-in-law's birthday.

We went to my family and made the big announcement to them by putting my sonogram in an envelope and addressed it to Jordan who freaked and told everyone for us.

Than we went to my in laws and awaited patiently for Josh to Skype us.

We waited about 2 hours into the call and Brian took the sonogram over to the monitor and asked Josh what it was..

Everyone freaked and it was funny.

The day before Christmas, we met my OB for the first time.

He is a very kind man, and we both really like him a lot.

He met with us and discussed common concerns that new parents might have about the pregnancy.

He had us listen to the heartbeat and upon learning that we have a history of twins in our family, he did an ultrasound.

No twins.

But a very clear picture of our baby.

Twas a Christmas miracle.

We went to my aunt's to celebrate New Year's Eve.

It was the first time I have ever been.

They go all out. It was really fun.

I was able to be the water-tosser designee.

It was quite the honor.

Today was my last first day at UVU.

I am so excited but going to school has been rougher than I thought.

I was hoping by the time spring semester came along I would be feeling more energized.

However, I'm really dizzy and lightheaded still and it's hard to concentrate when I'm there.

I'm hoping things get better with time, or else this is going to be a VERY hard semester.

But... I have to do it!

Four classes won't stand in between me and graduation!

That would just be silly.

We have decided to keep the baby's gender a surprise.

But curiosity may sway our decision.

We do have names picked out but we're not telling those either.

Mwahahahahahahaha!

Monster Mash

 

This about sums up October: The Death of Good Weather.

or... so we thought.

Utah Weather is weird, but awesome.

One day you wake up to find snow and frost on your car, the next day you don't even have to wear a light jacket. Just one of the things I might miss if we ever move from here.

Maybe.

:)

 

 

We had plenty of fun experiencing our last holiday with Josh, Brian's brother-in-law for a while.

I don't know if I have mentioned this in a previous blog post, but Josh was called to serve a 2 year LDS mission in Melbourne, Australia. He left on November 6, 2013. So Halloween was kind of our last big

SHH-BANG!

 

Here is Brian with our super lame cat pumpkin and even lamer cat.

Just Kidding, Kyoto is probably 10 times cooler than you!

P'wned.

 

 

Here is little Josh. I should've taken a picture of his final project.

It was a pretty cool silhouette of a kangaroo.

Do Australians say, "bloody brilliant"?

If so.. that's what his creation was.

 

Here is my other Brother-in-law Chase.

He also did a beautiful interpretation of a Pumpkin carved Pumpkin.

He is so special...

Joke, Chase. Chill.

:D

 

For my birthday, Brian got me super sweet tickets to see Macklemore in concert.

My birthday was in August, so I have been ever so patiently waiting.

I had never been to a rap concert before.

I know, it's hard to believe since I grew up in New York. In Syracuse no less where rap music is basically a religion.

I was worried I wouldn't have the guts for it...

But it wasn't bad.

Everyone there was super chill and just super into the music.

It was, literally the LOUDEST and BEST concert I have ever been to.

I'm pretty sure my ears are still ringing.

But seriously, it was the best.

I'm so happy my sweet husband bought them for me.

 

 

I think this is a picture of Macklemore singing, "One Love."

He seriously had more costume changes in his concert than Katy Perry.

He wore a throwback Jazz uniform.

An Earl from England costume.

Leather jacket, of course.

Old school military outfit.

and like a ton more I can't even remember.

There may have been a cowboy and an Irish man costume.

Literally a blur.

 

Brian and I were able to make a trip along the Alpine Loop before it got too cold and snowy.

We were worried that we wouldn't make it since we waited so long.

It was very cold when we took these pictures- but no snow.

 

 

Suzy, my brother-in-law's girlfriend, gave us super sweet tickets to see the Jazz pre-game.

I was so excited we were able to go because I had never been and Brian hadn't been in a while.

I was even more excited when I got there and realized who they were playing.

BLAKE GRIFFIN: MY BROTHER!

 

Okay maybe they don't look like IDENTICAL TWINS...

But we could definitely pass of as having the same momma.

 

We were so busy this October we weren't able to do a ton of Halloween activities.

However, we did make it to some.

This Pumpkin was on display at Thanksgiving Point's Cornbelly's.

We went on a hayride, ate pumpkin spice donuts, did a mini maze, and sat by the fire.

It was a lot of fun.

Oh! and we had legit Kettle corn, my absolute fave.

Then, I think we came home and watched

Hocus Pocus.

I love that movie!

 

For dinner, Brian wanted to attempt to make a lasagna graveyard as his contribution to the Halloween Season.

What can I say?

I am thoroughly impressed!

I mean seriously, this takes some mean culinary skills and artistic talent.

I love his use of the cilantro to capture the "overrun- ness" of the graveyard. 

 

Brian and I

He was an outlaw.

(Anthony, we will never forgive you for stealing his costume!)

and

I was a scarecrow.

I even wore plaid, which may be the scariest part of our Halloween.

I literally hate plaid.

But you have to wear plaid when you are a scarecrow!

 

Aren't we just adorbs?

Yes!

 

We hope that you all had a pleasant Halloween. Autumn weather is so fun.

I am always excited for Halloween because I really feel like it is the "kickoff" to the Holidays.

After Halloween, all the holidays just start to happen one right after the other.

I hope you are able to enjoy the beauty and excitement of each holiday individually.

You guys reading this are awesome.

*cough cough*

MOM!

:)

 

See you again around Thanksgiving you cray cray kids!

 

He says: "Don't eat me!"

 

 

13 Things I Find Absolutely Terrifying

In the spirit of Halloween, I thought I might share some things that are particularly scary to me. I know I might get a lot of heat for the things I put on the list. Some of you may not agree with my reasons for being scared to death of the things on this list- just know it's all in good fun and laugh about them.

Also know, that a lot of the things I am making fun of- I do.

So don't take it offensively or else 

YOU 

will be on my next list.

"People I hope get smack-cammed because they over-react to jokes."

1. The Notebook

Whenever I watch it or even think about it, chills run down my spine and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Perhaps one of the reasons I am so terrified of this movie is because I always watch it from a psychological stand point. Ryan Gosling's character Noah, had so many

mentally unhealthy things going on I don't even know where to start.

To many, the above film is the most romantic novel and book of all time.

That, to me is the most frightening thing of all.

I am scared to live in a world where women find men who are obsessed with the very idea of them

that they stagnate their lives, build a house and wait for you to come, romantic.

That is unhealthy.

That isn't love.

You want to know why it isn't love?

Because he didn't just "build a house and wait for you to come."

He had some fling on the side with some chick.

That is not devoted love- that is a back up plan in case you decided, upon seeing that house in the paper, that you thought he was a weirdo, potential psychopath and decided to avoid that town like the Bubonic Plague.

Which is the correct course of action, if you for any reason ever find yourself in a situation like that.

2. Tai Pan

Tai Pan, even with its cute accessories is a place where nightmares come true. 

First the place smells funny. 

When are the owners of that store going to realize that making everything smell like potpourri and cinnamon is not comforting nor inviting.

If you want me to think your store is cozy and inviting, bake some dang chocolate chip cookies. 

That'll keep people coming.

Second, Glitter.

Why does Tai Pan find it necessary to put glitter on EVERYTHING!?!

It's as if the person in charge of purchasing inventory orders adorable things from a catalog,

get it shipped to the warehouse, and before anything is allowed to be shipped out to stores, they put glue on it and douse it in glitter.

Do they not know that glitter is the herpes of craft supplies?

It gets everywhere and never, ever, ever comes off.

I went there two months ago and I'm still trying to get glitter off of me.

Lastly, check out.

I always make sure Tai Pan is the last stop on my mall trip.

As if being caught in Tai Pan wasn't enough.

I always have to make up some excuse as to why I'm there, like I'm ashamed.

"Oh, my mom made me come."

or

"I'm just here for the clean bathrooms."

They make you advertise for their potpourri, glitter quarantine establishment by putting your items in a clear/cream colored high school cafeteria garbage bag. 

I can't go to any stores after that!

I'm not going to tote around garbage bag like I just shopped at China Town.

People might start handing me their empty Pretzel Time Cups.

Why don't you just kill me?

3. Twilight Series

The only thing I'm going to say about this matter is that I read the books. The grammar used and plot line of the story was that which could have been written by a 12 year old girl.

If I thought that was terrible, I spoke to soon, because then they started to make movies...

Why does Kristen Stewart always look constipated?

Why does Edward always look like he's going to eat her?

Than, he kind of does...

Imprinting is not a valid excuse Jacob.

She's still a baby and you are a freak.

 That logic would never hold up in a court of law. 

Why were the ending credits to the final movie, the exact same as the opening credits of One Life to Live?

(The soap opera for those who don't want to admit they have ever watched day time television).

One Life to Live should honestly consider suing. 

They stole your opening credits!

Lastly, Stephanie.

Stop telling people God inspired you to write Twilight.

He would never do that.

He might inspire you to become a writer.

He might confirm that writing books for children is a good path in life for you.

He did not instruct you to write about vampires doing it.

You should be ashamed.

4. Technology

Technology is good.

I couldn't live without it.

But there are some things that scare me about it.

Texting. Youtube. Facebook. Instagram. Snap Chat.

Texting.

I find it scary that we live in a world where if someone calls you, it's weird.

Think about the last time someone called you.

You probably thought it was an emergency.

Or you looked down at your phone and saw the name of the person on your screen and thought,

"Why are they calling me? Well, if it's important they'll text."

I was watching CK Louis on Conan O'Brien and he opened my eyes about texting.

What he said made so much sense to me.

He said texting and talking over the internet is making our next generation mean.

When we were kids, if we wanted to say something mean to someone, we had to do it face to face or over the phone.

You said something mean, saw the other person's reaction:

Sadness or Hurt

and thought, 

"Oh. That doesn't feel good. I don't like the way I feel when I see how my words effected someone."

And, you stopped saying mean things.

Now, you type or text,

"You're fat."

You feel powerful.

It feels good.

You keep doing it.

You're a jerk.

Also, he talked about how people rely on their phones to avoid feelings of sadness or loneliness.

They don't allow themselves to just sit there and be in the moment.

They don't allow themselves to contemplate about life, because it's scary and oftentimes hard,

so they get on their phones to avoid the negative feelings.

"Oh no, without my phone I have to accept the fact that Jared and I broke up... 

um.. no I think I'll watch 8 million vines instead.

Facebook/ Instagram.

You don't have that many friends.

You aren't fooling anyone.

Nobody cares that your cat learned how to do a backflip.

Stop writing vague posts and refusing to answer anyone when they ask you about it.

What's new Rachelle? : "Ready to just give up on it all. There is no point. Sad."

@jewels : why what's wrong sweetheart?

f@howard: can I help with anything?

pat@ttack: Why aren't you answering my texts?

...

Also, you would never call someone and explain the mahi mahi you were eating in full detail before you ate it..

so why exactly are you posting it on Instagram again?

And if I don't care about what you do on the daily, I surely won't care what you do by the second, which leads me to:

Snap Chat.

Nobody cares.

Yup. That about sums it up.

Youtube.

This is seriously, by far the scariest.

Before, youtube used to be about sharing happy or funny videos.

Now, it's where people download videos of tragic things.

I am deeply saddened that youtube has become the outlet where people download videos of people getting robbed, being mugged, being humiliated, being hit by a car, etc.

Where are the heroes in this world?

How did you come to the conclusion that video taping a man being humiliated by a group of teenagers was more appropriate than putting down your phone and trying to help that man?

I remember thinking, if something bad happens to me in public, someone will show compassion on me and help me out.

That is not the reality that we live in anymore. 

It is the exception.

It is more likely that 45 people would videotape me and upload it than stop to actually help me.

5. Twerking

I don't care if grown adults twerk.

That's your prerogative.

But please, consider this a public service announcement, don't make your babies twerk.

Especially don't make them twerk and than post it on Youtube and Vine for the whole world to see.

It is incredibly creepy.

It should be considered child abuse.

Why don't you just advertise to pedophiles (or Jacob from Twilight) that you have kids that can twerk for them?

You have no idea who are watching your children on the internet or for what personal gain they hope to achieve from watching it. 

Also, when your kids grow up and see that you posted them shaking their butt upside down with their diaper on and it go 9039646486748367843 views, they are going to hate you.

Imagine applying for a job,

"Oh you're the baby in the Twerksalot video from 2013? I used to watch that all the time!"

uh... yeah.

6. Getting a Trim

I think everyone can share my pain.

Boys, girls, men and women alike.

You know that fear you have when you at the salon or the barber shop and a complete stranger is standing behind you.

You ask them, "Please only cut off a 1/4 of an inch, I'm trying to let me hair grow."

You know that is not going to happen.

You know when they turn that chair around and you are forced to look at yourself that you will have 3 inches missing from your hear.

You know you have all thought about grabbing those scissors, shears, electric razors and chopping off a few inches of their hair.

HOW DO YOU LIKE IT?!? Why are you so mad? It'll grow back! Now pay me $50 for doing what you didn't want me to do.

7. People that won't miss work when they are sick

Here's a thought.

Don't come.

I don't know how to make it anymore simple.

Nobody is going to think you are noble.

Nobody is going to think you are a better employee for coming in.

People don't get raises for infesting the entire office with their germs.

All people are thinking is:

Please stay the heck away from me.

Don't touch my stuff.

Sanitize everything you touch.

Don't breath on me.

I have a thing next weekend I don't want to miss, but I will if you infect me with your sick nastiness.

Seriously, go home.

In fact better than go home, stay home in the first place.

If you think you're going to get fired for missing three days of work to recover from sinus infection,

trust me, you don't want to work there.

8. College

I don't like the fact that college professors think that all of your time should be spent doing their stupid busy work assignments. 

I don't like the fact that every teacher thinks the only class you are taking that semester is that class, so they pile work on you.

"You should have plenty of time to do this assignment over Fall Break."

First off, Fall break is two days long. 

Second, I was planning on sleeping all Fall Break.

Third, Are you working over Fall Break?

No, to you it's vacation.

It's vacation for me too, you little jerk.

9. Diners

I don't think diners in general scare me, maybe they do.

I was thinking in particular, IHop. 

I don't like how they can't cook an egg.

I don't like how the syrup containers are always crystallized.

I don't like how the menus everything is sticky.

I don't like how everyone in there, you're pretty sure you saw on America's Most Wanted or Unsolved Mysteries.

10. I am getting old

The other day, Brian and I were at Burlington Coat Factory.

There were some teenagers there, playing hide and go seek or some crap

and I couldn't help but find myself getting angrier and angrier.

After listening to them giggle and watching them chase each other around the store I turned to Brian in frustration and said,

"I want to leave now!"

Then it hit me.

I am getting old.

I now know why my father hated me from the time I was 12 to the age of 21.

I used to be just as annoying as the stupid kids in there.

Another thing that scares me about my inevitable aging is the fact that my next milestone in life is parenthood.

Am I in the twilight zone?

I remember being 11 and my milestone was getting to high school.

Than having my first boyfriend.

Than going to Prom.

Than graduating.

Going to college.

Getting Married.

Establishing a Home.

...

First comes love.

Than comes marriage...

No! Stop singing!

It's a little daunting that my next milestone in life, is to create another life.

Shouldn't there be some type of course I need to pass in order to qualify for this?

Isn't there some sort of Application process?

I mean if it takes 4 months to get a passport, it should take at least a year to get a parenting license...

11. Any sort of precipitation

I'm not afraid of precipitation. My hair is.

But relating to this. I remember refusing to leave lots of places because it was raining or snowing and my dad would get upset with me and say,

"Snow/Rain never killed anyone."

Hi dad. Let me know if you've ever heard of these:

Blizzards?

Monsoons?

Hurricanes?

Yeah it does.

All the time.

Message to me dad: Even though, I realize I am being vain, that isn't your strongest argument. 

You should probably come up with something else.

12. Time 

I was thinking about this yesterday when I was getting ready to go on a double date with Brian and some friends.

I asked Brian what time it was

8:15

What felt like 3 minutes later it was 8:57

How does that happen?

On the other hand, at work, you look at the clock

2:30

what feels like 3 hours later 

2:34

Seriously?

This is a cruel cruel world we live in.

Just kill me already.

Put me out of my misery.

13.Miley Cyrus

I don't feel the need to elaborate on this at all.

Summertime Sadness

Kyoto Buns has got that Summertime Sadness too!

Lana Del Ray speaks to her soul.

In reality Kyoto was upset with us because she saw that our suitcases were packed and she knows what that means- that means we are going on a trip and once again...

she is not coming with.

 We left her for Colorado.

It was a fantastic trip.

We went because back in April, Brian had discovered that his favorite band of all time,

The National

would be performing at the Red Rock Amphitheater.

He has been anxiously awaiting September ever since.

Neither one of us had ever been to Colorado before. We really didn't know what to expect.

I can honestly say it was a lot different that I had envisioned in my mind, but in a good way.

For instance, I had no idea that trees grew out of the red rock like that. 

I'm probably a loser, but I thought that was very cool.

I also kept making references to Disney and Fox & the Hound, as that's what the drive into Avon reminded me of. 

I think I annoyed Brian asking him every time we saw a cliff, 

"Do you think that's the 

cliff the mean bear threw 

the dog off of?"

There were a lot of cliffs.

So yup, he wanted to kill me.

  

After an 8 hour drive, which call me crazy, wasn't too bad actually..

we made it to 

The Pines

resort in Avon, CO.

Here is Brian looking off of our terrace in the room. He is contemplating all of the beautiful things in his life, while reading a chef's cuisine digest.

This is the life!

 

Here is the view from our room. 

The air was so fresh and clean there. 

The place is so grandeur, that I felt microscopic in comparison. 

I had a lot of fun testing out my camera's settings, hence the multiple photos.

After Avon, we went up to Vail, CO.

Which was literally just up the road.

It's a cute ski town basically Park City on Steroids.

 

There I am in front of an Italian coffee, pastry and chocolate shop.

Here is Brian taking a super deep breath.

Not only because the view from Mt. Evans is simply breath taking but also because...

We were up almost 13,000 feet. The air is pretty thin.

It's freaking hard to breathe up there. 

It's funny because almost the whole way up there are warnings that say,

"If you begin to feel light headed turn back."

"Drink plenty of water to help get adjusted."

"Snow, rain may keep you from coming back down, you may stay the night in one of our complimentary sheds in case of inclement  weather."

I'm cool. I'd rather die.

 

But the view up there was spectacular.

We hiked about a half a mile to the look out and already we were out of breath.

Those signs were no joke. 

You really can't do as much as you think you can without fully adjusting to the air's thinness.

Brian wanted me to hike. So I did.

I was in the elements, but out of my own.

*note: the golden sparkly flats I chose to wear.*

Brian was very disappointed we didn't get to see any real life mountain goats.

But hey! We did get to see this little guy.

His name is Sir Alfred Chuck.

On the way down, we decided to pull over and sit on the edge of the cliffs and look out. 

It was really pretty because it was foggy, eerie and even a tad spooky.

It was awesome.

Brian amongst the clouds.

Next we went to Cherry Creek, CO. 

It's just 5-10 minutes from the heart of Denver.

There were two malls (an indoor and an outdoor one) within a block of each other.

Can you say HEAVEN?!?

We parked our car at the indoor mall and walked to the outdoor one so we wouldn't have to pay at the meters. 

Yeah. We're sneaky and thrifty like that.

We ate breakfast at delicious little crepe place.

I got apple cinnamon and Brian got banana's and nutella. 

 

Brian and his Nutella...

He's such a white boy.

Then, I wanted to go to the Bronco's stadium.

Brian thought it was too far away... but I made him go.

I must say, I like the Bronco's colors.. brings me back home

Orange and Blue

Then came the moment we had all been waiting for.

The moment Brian had pondered and obsessed over for 5 straight months.

The moment that had brought us to fun Colorado in the first place....

The National!

But first... there was more waiting.

You can't watch The National in the daytime.

They deserve more intimacy than that!

Who do you think they are?

So we waited..

And waited...

And waited...

And than...

Now I'm not saying Brian cried.

I don't know if Brian cried.

I chose not to look and check for fear that he might have been.

But, I would not be surprised if he had.

They were honestly great. Every song sounded better live than on his album.

If you've never heard of them, I would recommend them.

Some people say they have a hard time getting into them because they think the songs are sad...

They are not sad.

They are slower and melancholy.

But they have fast songs too.

The songs may be a little sad, but they are hopeful.

This is me: Sad that we had to come home.

The ride there was awesome, but the ride back felt like it took years!

The ride from Grand Junction to Price felt like 8 hours in and of itself.

Probably because we didn't want to return to our responsibilities. 

I know it's not practical to be on vacation forever but,

Can't we at least feel like we are on vacation all year round?! 

So lately, when I go to my in-laws for dinner, I pull out a photo album and I look through it.

There are some cute pictures in there of little Brian Boo. 

Here are just a few of the gems I snatched while looking through album #1.

*Below*

He is thinking:

"So... let me see if I got this straight.
I end up marrying a girl who takes how long
to get ready?!?"

 

On a somber note. 

A great man, the patriarch of the Southwick Family Clan

(my mother-in-laws side of the family)

returned home.

After 21 years he reunited with the love of his life.

We truly will miss him and his sweetness and willingness to help even until the end.

I will never forget how warmly he welcomed me into the family.

I will never forget his hugs and his sweet kisses on my forehead.

I will never forget his smile and his laughter.

We will never forget his humble strength.
We will never forget his example to us.

Until we meet again, you are in our minds and hearts.

*Below*

A tender picture I found in one of the albums of Brian and his grandpa