A Girl Can Dream

Well, I tried. Even though I knew the tickets would be gone before they were even here, I tried anyway. Tickets are still available, but not through the Capitol Theatre box office. All the ticket brokers around scooped them up and now you have to shell out $200-$400 per ticket! Oh well. Maybe I'll come across some amazing deal. But most likely not (sigh).

Seperate note: My husband makes me laugh till I cry. Most of the time, I suspect it is not entirely on purpose that he sends me into hysterics, but maybe he is more sly than I think. The other night, upon hearing our new Young Women's theme at church, he deteminately told me (deadpan), "You are on the Top Ten Daughters of God of All Time list, for sure."

Oh dear. That one got me.

Sometimes. . .

Some days I look at my husband suffering in silence and think my heart just sinks. He's pretty good at hiding it, but there are some tell tale signs of the war his body is waging on him. Sometimes those rosy cheeks of his turn a certain shade of crimson, or his smile just isn't as close to the surface. Sometimes his voice just has a certain tone in it, or his laughter doesn't come. Sometimes I can tell it's hard for him to breathe, or the hot water bottle finds a permanent spot on the couch. But this is only sometimes, and it makes me grateful. And humble. Chronic pain - who knew?

Pain stayed so long I said to him today,
"I will not have you with me any more."
I stamped my foot and said, "Be on your way,"
And paused there, startled at the look he wore.
"I, who have been your friend," he said to me,
"I, who have been your teacher-all you know
Of understanding love, of sympathy,
And patience, I have taught you. Shall I go?"
He spoke the truth, this strange unwelcome guest;
I watched him leave, and knew that he was wise.
He left a heart grown tender in my breast.
He left a far, clear vision in my eyes.
I dried my tears, and lifted up a song-
Even for one who'd tortured me so long.
-Anonymous

Monopoly or Hoofball?

My tree has been calling to me from the depths of our crawl space for weeks now. How very impatient the tree was to come up this year! But I managed to wait until after Thanksgiving to give in to all things Christmas. I will admit that this year we had already been listening to 106.5 and 100.3 on the radio (they play Christmas music), but only in controlled amounts. Now I can listen to every rendition of Carol of the Bells with abandon. But with all that music listening, Brad and I are in a debate about Rudolph and which game he was so sadly left out of. I learned it as Monopoly. Brad. . . Hoofball.

Me: Hoofball? What the crap is that?
Brad: You know, football. But with hoofs.

Also I am wondering, as I do every year, how that song from The Sound of Music became a Christmas song? And what, I ask you, is Christmas without Andy Williams?

Did you notice that I actually have some presents under that glowing tree? That's right! For the first time I actually took a day off work at the beginning of December to try to get it done. And don't you think a tree just looks so much more festive with those wrapped goods? Not that I am completely done. I still have to make my hand made gift. Yes. Every year my family draws a name, and that lucky person gets a hand made gift. It amounts to procrastination, measurable amounts of stress, and many trips to Roberts to stroll the aisles glossy-eyed. But they always turn out and become the gift you most want to give. What are the holidays without some stress to keep you on your toes? But more importantly, what are the holidays without Traditions?

"It's the most wonderful time of the year. . . .

There Was Pie

Our Thanksgiving started with a very sore Brad and a very sore Natalie lying on the couch, soaking up all the rest we could before the festivities begun. Baking for hours the day before will do that to a person. But we loaded all the goods and our rumbling stomachs into the suzuki and headed up to Brad's parents'.

To recap: A four o'clock eating time ended up being a five thirty eating time. My shoulder is still achy from peeling so many potatoes. Is Thanksgiving supposed to make one sore? Seems to be a recurring theme. Anyhoo. . . we did the waiting, we did the eating, we did the socializing, we did the family picture around The Tree. I whipped bowls and bowls of whipped cream, ate inhuman amounts of sweet potatoes, and slept like a baby.

We are indeed thankful.

Our hor d'oeuvres, diet coke and veggies. I am hungry!

A kitchen view. Someone really fulfilled their drink assignment.

The pies, patiently awaiting their debut. And believe me. This is about half of the selection.

And last but not least, the family picture. May I present, the Hokes. This is one of the 42 (seriously) pictures we took trying to get little Katie to look at the darn camera! And you can now believe me when I tell you that Brad is not the tallest in his family.

Coldplay Concert

Well, I am fresh off the concert high. Meaning my ears are ringing and my throat hurts, and it is wonderful. Brad and I ventured up to SLC to see Coldplay tonight. They are one of those bands that I've always wanted to see, since I like them, and I've heard that they put on a great show. Oh, and I love concerts. We even managed to get a few shaky pictures.

Us in our new seats.

When we got there, we started walking up to our seats. And we kept climbing, and climbing, and climbing till we were three rows from the top. That's what I get for not splurging I guess. But I figured we'd just settle in, and I was glad that for once in my life I actually remembered to bring binoculars. But do you know my husband? Before we'd been in our seats five minutes, he was back down talking to an usher, and all of a sudden he was flagging me down and we were led to new seats. The handicap seats. So really, really good seats (compared to where we were). We got to sit on our own little platform with the cushy kind of folding chairs, and railing to rest our feet on. It was sublime.

Concert highlights for any of you interested:
-First of all there was the piano. I've never met a piano at a concert I didn't like.
-There was a little stage set up on the floor near the back that they played on for awhile.
-He was seriously funny.
-At one point they all walked off the stage, only to reappear in walking up the stairs in the audience and coming to a little stand in the middle of a bunch of seats. There they had some guitars and a harmonica waiting, and they played there in the audience for a couple songs. See the pictures below.

Hooray for music!!!

The Wife Post

A little while ago my most beautiful wife Natalie did a post on Husbands and Tonight I thought I would do the same for the ladies, The Wife Post. I will answer the same questions and hope I give some props to my lady friend and others that will be tagged.

Where we met: Well as on Natalie's post you know we met through my wonderful sister Mindy. I had come home from NC for my brothers wedding and we started talking. Well there was not much talking the first time, but we made up for it over the next five months on the phone back and forth from Carolina to Utah. We dated for about a year and a half, and then we were married on the 24th of June 2004.

How long we have been married: Almost Five years

Whats my favorite feature about Her: Her soul. Now I know that's corny as hellfire but it really is. She can make anyone smile within minutes and love someone who she has never met. It's unreal the love and joy that comes out of her everyday. Also, she's hot.

Whats my nickname for her: So so many. Sweet potato, Sugar, Baby Girl, Love Biscuit and about ten more that I can not tell for fear of death.

Her favorite color: That's a hard one. I guess you have to factor in the season, the fashion, and the room of the house to get that one. But I will say red.

Her favorite food: Salmon. For some reason we will be a the greatest restaurant in San Francisco or on a cruise and her fall back dish is salmon. She love it as well as salads and an Apple Pie Apple from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

Her favorite sport: Whatever takes the shortest time for me to watch. I think she really loves Carolina Basketball, but it is because of me. Football is just too long for her (unless the Chargers are playin) and don't even think of watching NASCAR with her.

Who said the L word first: Me, though I sang it not said it. "I think I love you but what am I so afraid of". . . go on laugh.

First Kiss: On my Mama's couch, November 1st 2002.

Favorite couple thing to do: Be together. On the couch with a show and some popcorn is one of our favorites. I love road trips with her. Us in a car a couple feet apart for a long trip. I love it.

Number of kids : none

Her age: 26

Favorite music: Whatever is on, except my bluegrass, the twangyness gets to her.

Favorite pastimes: She is getting into photography. I bought her a camera for her birthday and she is soaking it up. You know she has a great eye, she got me. Also baking she loves to cook and it is damn good.

What i admire most about her: She never judges people. I do not know how but she is so kind and will cry if she hears people being mean or hurting someone else. She is also going to be the greatest mother if all time.

Will she read this: Oh yeah.

I tag every man that reads this.

Brad Hoke

Pumpkin Cinnamon Streusel Buns

Alright. I know I just posted one of my favorite fall time recipes, but I couldn't help one more! One of the greatest things about fall are all the baked goods that come, and since my favorite flavor is pumpkin, these are a treat. I think you can put pumpkin in about any dessert and it is perfect! I know, some people are pro pumpkin, some con. But I thought I'd share my recipe anyway since I have found many a yummy dessert in the blogging world. Also, thank you neighbors for supplementing me with several ingredients that I have been missing throughout the years (today is was Nutmeg). I am sure on Sunday afternoon when you see me or Brad approaching, measuring cup in hand, you know what's coming. Pumpkin Cinnamon Streusel Buns
1 pkg Yeast
1/4 C Warm Water
2 3/4 C Flour, divided
1/2 C Canned Pumpkin
1/2 C Milk
1/4 C Butter, melted
1 T Sugar
1 1/4 t. Salt
1/4 t. Nutmeg

Dissolve yeast in warm water and let stand for 5 mins. Add 2 C flour, pumpkin, milk better, sugar, salt and nutmeg. Beat untill smooth. Knead dough about 10 minutes, adding remaining flour as needed. Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat. Cover and let rise until double in size. Punch dough down and let rest 5 minutes, then roll out into a 12x10 rectangle.

Streusel
3 T sugar
3 T Brown Sugar
2 T Flour
1 1/2 t. Cinnamon
2 T Butter, chilled, cut into small pieces

Combine sugars, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in butter with pastry blender or 2 knives unitl well mixed. Sprinkle steusel on top of dough rectangle. Roll up and cut into 12 1"slices. Place in a 9" square baking dish, greased. Cover and let rise another 25 minutes. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Glaze
3/4 C Powdered Sugar, sifted
3 T. Hot Water
1/4 t. Vanilla

Combine glaze ingredients with a whisk and drizzle over warm buns.

The Roaring Twenties

A few years back, my coworkers and I got into the Halloween spirit and decided to all dress up in a group costume. And what do you know, we had so much fun that we couldn't resist to do it every year since! I must admit that I feel a bit foolish, dressing up as an adult. But get in a group with a theme and it's quite fun. This year we decided on the Roaring Twenties, making all of us ladies flappers.

The Husband Tag

Just got tagged to answer the following about my hubby. Kind of long, but fun!

Where we met: Well I was friends with his sister, Mindy. We were coworkers and roommates for awhile. I knew that she had this rebellious brother Brad who lived back in North Carolina, but not much else until he came out here to visit. And shortly after that, Mindy and I took a trip to North Carolina in which we stayed with him for a little while. Then it was 'on like a pot of neck bones,' as Brad would say.

How long we dated before we got hitched: As I mentioned, he lived in N.C., so we talked on the phone from November to March when he FINALLY decided he better just get his arse here and date me the proper way. We were engaged the following January, and married the next June. All in all - 1 year & 7 months.

How long have we been married: It will be 5 years next June.

What's my favorite feature about him: His laugh. It's contagious. And his eyes, they are wondrous.

What's my favorite quality about him: His gigantic and enormous heart. He is friendly to all, even if you don't want him to be. He can talk till the cows come home. He will not let me or any woman near him lift a finger. He takes care of everyone. He always gets me. And we can laugh together.

What's his nickname for me: Um, several I should not mention here.

His favorite color: Carolina Blue! And don't tell him it's the same color as Baby Blue. Really. Don't.

His favorite food: Biscuits, Banana Cream Pie, Fruit Tarts, Sushi, a good medium cooked bone-in steak, Cafe Rio tacos, and the list goes on and on. . . .

His favorite sport: Seriously? Have you ever talked to my husband? His love of sports knows no bounds. If there is athletic ability and/or competition involved, he's all in. But he's a freak for college football & basketball, hence the color preference.

Who said the L word first: This is a toss up, since we can't agree. He says he said it first and I didn't respond, which means I didn't hear him! Obviously!

First kiss, when and where: Six years ago today (we can remember this because it was the same day his brother got married.)!!! Uh, well, zero dates. His parents couch in the basement. Spiderman on in the background.

Favorite couple thing to do: Talk. We go to bed at night and can't seem to shut our traps. Someday we'll talk till the sun comes up and love it. We also like road trips. Even though this is a tough feat for him, we love the traveling and the time together.

How many kids: None, yet. And I know all of you are wondering what is up with that. Maybe I should take this opportunity to tell you all that nothing is 'wrong' with us (as we have heard), it's just not quite time yet. Soon though. Very soon. . . .

His hidden talent: Before his back injury, he could play any sport like it was his job. He's a math whiz. And he can rhyme with the best of them.

His age: 28

His favorite music: Bluegrass and Rap. Yep. That was a major relationship obstacle. Thankfully his horizons seems to be expanding.

What I admire most about him: He is one jolly fellow. He never complains about being in chronic pain, and smiles anyway. He loves me like crazy.

His favorite pastimes: Well, there's sports and then there's sports. But to be fair, he also loves reading, watching documentaries, and some good conversation with healthy amounts of laughter.

Will he read his: Yeah :)

I tag:
Amy Baker
Erin
Tara

Thanks Jen!

Facebook

So I have joined the ranks and made a Facebook profile. I checked out My Space a while ago and was just not interested. Brad had been doing the whole My Space/Facebook thing for awhile, so I finally decided I might as well since unlike Blogger, I actually have family members on there! It's kind of a funny world, the whole social networking thing. But fun too. Anyway. . . send me a friend request if you have joined the ranks too :)

Thoughts

Today I realized that I often fall victim to staying within my comfort zone way too often, and as much as I think I don't, I really do. Thank heavens for a husband who is always stretching me and getting me to leave that comfort, and I'm almost always glad I do.

Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.
~ William Shakespeare

Peach Cobbler Muffins for a Lazy Person

Yesterday I did not get much accomplished. It was just one of those days. As soon as I got out of bed I knew, I was going to be a slug today.

Things I didn't do:
-my hair
-make the bed (Brad recovered that one)
-take my booty to the gym
-cleaned the bathrooms, arg!
-anything I should have

Things I did do:
-sat on my favorite spot on the couch more that necessary
-surfed the internet more than necessary
-ate more than necessary
-made freakin good comfort food before my peaches went bad (now here's the plus of my day)

These babies are seriously good. They are really easy, the house smells like fall while they are baking, and the results are oh so yummy. The outside is nice and crispy, and the inside is infused with peach flavors all warm and gooey. I think I shall make some more. . .

Peach Cobbler Muffins

Preheat oven to 375
-peel & slice 2-3 large peaches, set aside
Sift together:
-2 cups flour
-1 cup sugar
-1 T baking powder
-1 t salt
Make a well in center and add:
-4 T melted butter
-1/4 C Canola Oil
-3/4 C milk
-1 t real vanilla
Stir with spoon. Do not over mix. Spoon batter into LARGE muffin tin, sprayed with Pam. Insert 3-4 sliced peach wedges in center of each muffin. Dust with cinnamon. Bake 20-25 mins.

This is what they look like before you pop them in the oven.

Sorry there's no picture before it was half devoured. Very little self control around here.

Memories

I have seen this tag lately on several blogs. It's been a fun one so far. Leave one about Brad too if you want. . . I know that's risky and who knows what we'll get, but more fun!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Harriet Potter

Shortly after I started dating Brad, he dubbed my little sister 'Harriett Potter' due to her love of all things Harry. This is long before he himself started reading them and became a bigger fanatic than even she. I, however, read the first three and then just stopped for some reason. And before I knew it I was several books behind and just never caught back up. Well recently I decided I better give it another go, and after loads of extremely late nights up reading and listening to parts on my ipod I am finally done. That's right, all seven of them, and loved every minute. I will admit that my eyes would sort of jump down the page during those lengthy Quidditch matches, but that's no surprise. And I sometimes found myself thinking why don't they always just listen to Hermione since she's so obviously always right! Well mostly. So now I suppose that I, too, am Harriet Potter. I am anxiously awaiting the next movie and I now know what everyone's talking about when they launch into a conversation about Dumbledore and Snape and DeathEaters and the whole bit. Being the big reading advocate that I am, I'm so excited to own them and read them with my kids someday, if Brad doesn't beat me to it.

Is that Willie Nelson?!

On Friday I was sitting at home getting ready for the weekend when I got a call from my wife, who was very excited, letting me know that one of my favorite singers was sitting a booth away from her and her work pals at Chilli's in American Fork. WILLIE NELSON! Holy Hellfire. You have never seen that little Suzuki go so fast on State Street. I caught air on the railroad racks of Pacific Drive. The whole way thinking what I was going to say? That I love Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain or Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys? Or even his work with the Highway men? I might start singing his Ray Charles cover Georgia, love that one too. So I parked in the Chilli's To Go spot and did not even hear the girl ask what the name on the order was, or I am sure that the spot was saved for others picking up their food. I would pay a fine to shake ol Willie's hand. This is what I saw:



He looks just like him right? It took me a few minutes to decide, but to my disappointment it was not Willie. He must be a look alike for the fair or just his twin brother. We debated with the others there and even asked the server if it was or not. I mean, how many people wear bandanas around their neck? But the braids, or should I say lack thereof, was the biggest difference. Plus he didn't smell of a certain illegal substance. Regardless, it will always be the time I almost met WILLIE NELSON.

Conference Goodness

I have finally finished grieving that Conference weekend is over and done with, and that I have to wait another six months to hole up with Brad all day and wear my pjs for extended periods while enjoying church from the couch. It was wonderful! I am in favor of making it a quaterly occurance. Here are a few of my favorite quotes. Some funny, some serious, some quotes of other quotes. Untill next year. . .

In our search to obtain relief from the stresses of life, may we earnestly seek ways to simplify our lives.
~L. Tom Perry

Hope has the power to fill our lives with happiness.Its absence—when this desire of our heart is delayed—can make “the heart sick.”
~Dieter F. Uchtdorf

As one writer expressed, “in the depth of winter, [we find] within [us] an invincible summer.”
~Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Come what may, and love it .
~Joseph B. Wirthlin

Learn to laugh.
~Joseph B. Wirthlin

(On Angels) Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near.
~Jeffrey R. Holland

“You pile up enough tomorrows, and you’ll find you’ve collected a lot of empty yesterdays.”
~quoted by Pres Monsen.

Today the sun never sets on congregations of the Latter-day Saints.
~Boyd K. Packer

When I cook, I feel pretty heroic.
~Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Brigham Young said, “Progress, and improve upon and make beautiful everything around you. Cultivate the earth, and cultivate your minds. Build cities, adorn your habitations, make gardens, orchards, and vineyards, and render the earth so pleasant that when you look upon your labors you may do so with pleasure, and that angels may delight to come and visit your beautiful locations. In the mean time continually seek to adorn your minds with all the graces of the Spirit of Christ."
~quoted by Dieter F. Uchtdorf

the words of James Barrie, the author of Peter Pan: “Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.”
~quoted by Deiter F. Uchtdorf

Special Treat

On Friday night Brad and I got a special treat: my two sisters came with us up to the Utah State, BYU game. We were a mixed crowd with all of Brad's family cheering on Utah State, of course, and my two sisters in their BYU garb cheering for the opposition. The weather was perfect the whole night and didn't start raining until the long ride home. We've got to go up for more games this year than ever before, which is a good thing considering this is Derek's last year. And I am VERY happy about some new and miraculous rule they've made in college football which makes it go by so much faster!!!

Here we go!

"We are really excited!!!"

Brad's mom and niece, pregame

And this is Brad's dad, cleaning the glasses. I think this is a very fitting picture of Jerry. Just happy to be there so see his son play, camo and all. Now who's getting the kettle corn?

Caught red handed.

Starting to get a little tired and delirious, just waiting for Brad's brother to come out of the locker room already!

When Brad started jumping with Katie, she thought jumping was just the most wonderful thing one can do! She entertained us with her cute little hops for awhile.



I know this is blurry, but can you see the sheer joy? You just have to smile with her.

Hooray! Good game Derek!

Hey Y 'all

So I thought I would jump on here and give a little account of myself. The leaves are turning, and the big games of conference season are coming. Life is swell. I was on the road for the first couple weeks of the games and missed a few of them. It hurt worse than losing a kidney. College Football has not let me down this year. Even though most of the BCS conferences have been horrible(ACC, Big 10, Big East and worst of all PAC-10), the wonderful SEC and Big12 have saved the day. Small teams like BYU have the best chance to hit the big bowl games if they win out. Hopefully, Utah is undefeated and they meet at the end of the year in a top ten game. Don't get to cocky yet, remember 1999-2000. I probably shouldn't go on too much on football. This isn't a sports blog.

Anyway, if you set yourself up and never allow yourself to change or let change find you, life would be dull. Over the last year or so, our life has been hit in the face with change and gone from one extreme to another. It has been a good ride, and Natalie has been blogging on it pretty well. If you have seen some of Natalie's blogs, you have seen my small town life and the love I have for cat fishing (I never did jump that fence and catch those cats). Also all of our trips and lovely vacations, all of which have been wonderful (like the pic above from San Francisco). We have been married for 4 and a quarter and I still think every night is a sleepover. I have been lucky. Well this is not a preaching blog either so I'll wrap it up, and in the future I'll leave most of it for Natalie. She's the boss. Smile and be happy everyone Life is good.

September Dear

I really just can't believe that another September has come and gone. I always enjoy September. It just seems to have something special. School starting, fall coming, a little crispness in the air, the return of our favorite TV shows, and Brad would want me to mention the start of college football. This September has been especially good to us. Brad came home at the beginning of the month from two week long business trip, we celebrated mine and my sister's birthday, Brad and I went to San Diego and stayed with my fabulous family there (more posting on that still to come), and I painted half the house! Here's a few moments from our September dear.

First up was my birthday on the 10th. Brad and I left for San Diego the following day, so we did most of our celebrating down there, which was just fine with me! Brad also got me a new camera, about which I am still in awe and sometimes just take it out of it's bag and hold it.

Here's me and my cake at Brad's parents' house. His niece (and him for some reason) are helping me blow out my candles. Click through to see it better. She's so cute.

Next up was Megan's 19th birthday, which we actually just celebrated tonight. Here's my lovely siblings. Dain, Megan, & Bree. Love them to pieces!

My latest baking adventure! I got to make Megan's cake - Red Velvet anyone?

And here's little bro, Dain, wowing us all with his 'mad skills.'

Tag!

This looks fun - thanks Andrea! Here goes. . .

YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)-
Hank Reno
YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)-
Coffee Ginger Snap
YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)-
N-Hok (well that one wasn't very exciting, with my last name)
YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)-
Turquoise Cheetah
YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)-
Marie San Diego
YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)-
Hokna (hee hee)
YOUR SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)-
The Cobalt Diet Dr Pepper
YOUR NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)-
Otto Judge
YOUR STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)-
Body Victoria Dove (Brad's is Hugo Bit O' Honey. Are you laughing cuz I am!)
YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names)-
Marie Ernest (sorry Dad, I know you don't like your middle name revealed)
YOUR TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)-
Manning Manhattan (pretty cool huh?)
YOUR SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (favorite season/holiday, flower)-
Christmas Peony
YOUR CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie”
or “y”)-
Pineapple Cardigany
YOUR HIPPIE NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)-
Peach Catalpa (I doubt if anyone knows what this tree is)
YOUR ROCK STAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)-
The Photography Twilight Tour (this has nothing to do with the book - I really do love that time of day)

I Tag Amy Childs & Tara.

Saturday Football

On Saturday Brad and I headed back up to Logan for another of his brother's football games. It really was a good trip, since they actually WON! We were so happy for his brother. But I also couldn't help taking some pics of the halftime entertainment. They did the usual thing of someone comes down from the crowd and tries to kick the ball a certain length, or something. I wasn't really paying attention untill. . . the guy all of a sudden strips off his shirt to reveal a huge painted E, among other things, and starts dancing around with the mascot! You can see below why this was especially hilarious. Too bad I didn't get it on tape, it was seriously a sight to behold.

Brad's brother is no. 77, doing his thing.

And here's Brad with his Dad, brothers and two neices. It's a family affair.

We're Quirky

Here comes me first tag. . . yay! I'm supposed to divulge a few quirks about myself, but as I was trying to think of some things I could only think of Brad's quirky self! Go figure. I did manage to think of some strange little tidbits about me, but keep reading for some about Brad too. Here goes:

-I am very particular about my bed at night. I have to have at least two blankets. In addition to the regular blanket, I have to have another one folded in half over my legs, just for the weight of it. And I have to pull the blankets ALL the way up to my chin and just cocoon myself in. I used to have to prop up my arm so that I could hold open my nose to breathe, but nose surgery has made that better. I also have to have a fan, but that's mostly to drown out Brad's sometime snoring.
-It's extremely hard for me if someone close by is slurping really loud on their beverage, or chomping on something really crunchy with their mouth open. I hate that this bugs me, but I just can't help it! And usually if someone slurps once, they're going to slurp the whole drink!
-Yes, I have a bit of claustrophobia. Put me in a crowded car with a low roof and stuff all over my lap, and I will be fighting like crazy to not jump out of that moving vehicle!
-I am an expert on salads. Big salads. I have a big salad that I consistently order at pretty much every restaurant I go to.
-I like the toilet paper to roll over the top. Sometimes I will change it if it doesn't. I swear Brad puts it the other way because he thinks it's funny.
-Before I go to the grocery store I like to make sure that my list goes in order of where the items actually are in the store. That way I can check it off as I go and not run around like crazy.
-I really enjoy HGTV. I can watch 'Design on a Dime' or 'Color Splash' all day. Maybe I even have before (well not ALL day).
-Shaving of the legs must happen daily! I hate the prickles!
-I cut my food in half before eating if it's something I really shouldn't be eating. Like that third piece of pizza. I fully intend on only eating one half at the time of halving, but I sometimes eat both anyway. I guess I feel less guilty if they're in halves.
-For some reason I can remember what I wore on specific days. Like special occasions, dates, first days of school, holidays, etc. Brad will be reminiscing about something and I'll say, "oh yeah, I was wearing. . . ".

Brad's Quirks
-He has a method called 'Practice Packing' before we go on a trip anywhere. About a week before it's time to go, he'll start making lists. After the lists are done, he'll get out the suitcase and pack everything on his list in their specific little spots. Once when he's done and satisfied that everything is in and fitting properly, he'll zip it up, and then unzip it and put everything away! Sometimes he does this twice before we even go! I must admit that he has gotten more relaxed with his practice packing since we've been married.
-He is a 'singer-songwriter.' This is because he is constantly singing and making up catchy little ditties. Sometimes it's a love ballad, other times he'll start free-styling, complete with beat boxing and dance moves. You just never know!
-He has a crazy good memory. . . about some things. He can hear a song once and remember every word. Or remember history trivia that, when most people know about it, he know details. But ask him what happened yesterday, or to name even one of his elementary school teachers' names, and he's at a loss.
-When he does the laundry (I know, I am lucky) he is very picky. The detergent has to be fully diluted in the water, which also has to be at a specific level, before he will even think about adding the clothes. There is no such thing as, "throwing in some laundry real quick."
-Carpet lines, the ones that show up after you vacuum, are one of his favorite things. He was highly disappointed when we got new carpet and the lines didn't show up very well.
-He irons, lint rolls, and spot cleans constantly. If you see him coming with a lint roller in his hand, you better hide.
-SOME of his sports related quirks are as follows: During March Madness he does multiple brackets, all done in the same mechanical pencil every year. Panic ensues if he cannot find this pencil! He does several brackets for himself, collects one from all friends and family, and also does a 'final' bracket at the end of each game complete with the score. He will only watch certain games with certain people. He uses our regular tv, our old tv, and our computer for simultanious sports watching. Our house is like the ESPN Zone. If he is recording a game on our dvr, he will check it at least twice before going to bed or leaving the house.

Whew! If you actually made it through all that I tag Amy Baker, Sharalee & Christie.

Deep Woods Missouri

Brad recently spent quite a bit of time in a VERY small town in Missouri, and every time we would talk on the phone he would tell me how crazy it was out there in the middle of nowhere. Here's some of what he told me.

You know you're in the sticks when. . . .
-the only place to stay is one of those strip motels with about six rooms total. The front office was also the owner's living room. Once inside you find a awful musty smell, green shag carpet, and the window won't close.
-the whole town has a 'boil order' meaning that you cannot use any water out of the tap before boiling it first. Brad had to go to the gas station and buy water bottles just so he could brush his teeth.
-you are looking to buy a good, hot meal, you have to drive to the next town over. . . which is an Amish community.
-you call the front desk at the motel for an iron, you receive an audible sigh and, "don't you have another shirt you can wear?"
-the main drag has the courthouse, the gas station, the hardware store, farm clothing store, three vacant buildings, and (the highlight) a laundry mat/hair salon/car wash. Oh, and three more vacant buildings.
-there are more dirt roads then paved ones.
-you're lucky if the mail comes twice a week.
-there are two banks in the whole community, Farmer's First Bank & Farmer's Second Bank.
-Google Maps doesn't even have any idea where you are!
-the only school in town (kindergarten to 12th grade) has more four wheelers in the parking lot that actual cars.
-the road had three lanes: the Horse & Buggy lane, the Four Wheeler and Go Cart lane, and the regular ol' automobile lane.
-to show how great the pond on your property is, you line the fence with rotting catfish heads that have been caught from said pond. Brad actually recorded this for all to see. Take a look if you don't mind his enthusiasm for giant fish. I really don't know what else I can say to warn you. It's pretty funny actually.

It's Just Funny

When I was down at BYU over the weekend for the move it, we drove past some, well let's just say interesting, signs of sorts. Maybe they were put up by students to welcome everyone, or just get everyone excited? Who knows. But even my BYU attending sisters found them pretty ridiculous, and we just had to drive by again and document the funniness. Here they are, for your viewing pleasure. Just a little sampling of 'BYU culture.'

Who thinks of this stuff? And who agrees to paint it on a sign?

'Come light someone's fire.' I think this one's my favorite.

Um, are they angry about something? Or just very enthusiastic? Megan, stay away from these buildings! These three all go together in one sentence, in case you are confused: We are Men born 2 rock your (censored) ________ off!

I am at a loss of words at this point. Do you see the things hanging? Are they pearls? Oysters? I think this one goes with the top one.

College Move In

Me, Meg, & Bree

I suppose I should just admit it. Summer is all but gone. It usually doesn't make me melancholy at all to see the temperatures dip and the air get crisper, because soon follows the fall leaves and pumpkins. But for some reason this year I just don't want to let summer go! With reluctance, I decided that I should make peace with the changing seasons and embrace all the things that come with Fall. Helping make the transition easy was getting my two sisters all settled in at BYU. My mom, two sisters and I made the final carload down to campus today. Megan, my youngest sister, is a freshman at BYU. Cute! She scored and got a seriously nice place. Doesn't even smell funky, and all her roommates seem mostly normal thus far. Meg - I still can't believe you're a in college! You will do wonderful!

All set up at Megan's dorm. I suspect she will be at that desk a LOT.

My other sister, Breeann, is back for more this year as well, so she was headed back to the same apartment she had last year. I suppose that my family is a Cougar family. My mom attended, and now my two sisters. Will little bro Dain follow suit? That would make Dad and I the odd ones out. He graduating from San Diego State, and me with only a little UVSC, or UVU, under my belt. I must admit that I am a bit jealous, having never actually lived in student housing and attended school full time. I am so glad that my sisters get to experience the full student life. I think you really miss out working and only going to school part time.

The Sisters, at Bree's place

In our haste to get out of Provo before the game was over, we decided to head back up towards home for dinner. I decided that we should start a new tradition and hit up some seriously good sushi each time someone is off to school. It did not disappoint. But then again, I am pretty easy to please in the eating department. Have fun at school you two!

Megan, eating in enjoyment.