a formal apology

I would like to issue a formal apology to all my family and friends for my disappearance over the summer. For all the planned swim parties, double dates, lunch, shopping trips, game nights, projects and everything else that got continually put off and then just... didn't happen.

I started a new job at the beginning of the summer, just hoping for a fun change and something I could stick with for a few years. And needless to say, it's been so much more demanding than I ever anticipated.

HOWEVER, it can be pretty entertaining....

This is Betty Peek-a-Booty, Booty Betty for short. I won't waste time explaining why. She is our favorite regular. She like to yell at us across the store, tell herself how good she'd look in this or that, loudly proclaim to the other customers how cute she finds everything... and of course, stay thirty minutes past closing. She's a delight, that Betty.

Last week our sister and nieces came into town from Virginia, and as always, it just is never long enough. Aren't they adorable?? Gah. Steven and I agree that if our offspring are HALF as cute as them... we'll be lucky ducks.

One time, I decided to shake things up. So Steven bleached a chunk of my hair. And that's how we roll. Maybe next time we'll buzz a mohawk into Steven's head.

Also, favorite thing said in primary today...

Steven: "So the three wisemen brought gifts to Jesus. Gold, myrrh, and... what's the last one? Starts with an 'F'."
"FOOTBALL!"
"No, it's something that smells really good."
"Febreeze? Fragrance??"
"Starts like Fr.."
"FRANCE!"
"Franken..."
"FRANKENSTEIN"
"No... frankincense..."
"oh."

Seriously, primary is where it's at.

And no post is complete without.... dog pictures!!!! YES!!! i know you all secretly love them. i mean, who wouldn't?

a day off

Thank goodness for days off work. Especially ones we BOTH have off. Because um, they are the best.

Our cute sister is in town with her kids for a whole week! Sometimes I forget how fun being an aunt is! You get to spoil them rotten, then hand them back when they are stinky or tired. It's pretty much the coolest gig ever.

We decided (or rather, i persuaded) to drive down to Pleasant Grove's "Strawberry Days" Festival. It ended up just be a major teenager hangout. Didn't even kinda hold a candle to Bountiful's Pioneer Day Festival. But we got Costa Vida for dinner and frozen yogurt, so it was totally worth it. 

(Right, Steven?)

Why can't it be summer always??

celebrating

Steven and i got pretty dang spoiled last weekend. His parents took us out to tepanayaki.

Yes, the tepanyaki.

Basically the best restaurant on the planet. And as such, is saved for very special occasions.

This time, we were celebrating Papa Collins landing a big head-honcho job, horray!

It was a very rejoiceful weekend. For Papa Collins, and the Japanese steak. Yummmm..

Graham has decided to jump into a light-speed growth spurt. He has probably quadrupled in size since we got him. It's insane.

Flynn's hair is finally growing back, which means he doesn't look like a naked mole-rat anymore. *praises*

ARIZONA

Steven and I got back from our gorgeous AZ retreat on sunday night. Seriously, we never wanted to leave. It was warm and sunny the whole time, and we then came back to crappy windy-cold-snowy Utah.

Gag.

We got to hang out with sister and brother-in-law who have pretty much the cutest kids EVER. We ate smores till our bellays exploded. Bought fresh oranges from mexicans. Ate Mexican. Worked on swimming lessons with the kids... and Flynn. Played at the park. Watched Steven ride the mini motorcycle. Threw bread and the ducks. And even took a two hour detour to the Grand Canyon on the drive back. Worth it.

Steven and I decided that we are in fact moving to Arizona in the next two years. They have nine good months of the year. Utah has three.

It's basically a no brainer.

Until then, I shall curse every winter storm that passes through.

LOST

I never thought I'd be saying this, but thank goodness the weekend is over. Steven and I had to speak at chuch on Sunday, and I dont' know about everyone else... but it stresses me out to the extreme and puts a damper on the whole weekend.

Good thing Steven is so patient with me, because I was not a fun person to be around the past couple days. I'm just glad it's over.

It was Miss Jessica's birthday last week! We basically suprised her face off with a party.

Right Jessica? Right?? Weren't you just so suprised??

It was basically off the hizzle.

Poor Flynn also got his first "swimming lessons" from Steven. We decided that when he's wet, he looks pretty weird. And that will will never ever shave him.

We recently finished all "The Office" seasons on netflix, so our after-dinner-before-bed-tv-show-watching was getting really lame.

Some friends suggested we watch LOST.

I always swore to myself i would never watch that show. Way too many people were into it, and it had blood and guts in it. Barrrrf.

But alas, I was that desperate. The also warned us that it would take over our lives.

 I scoffed and said,"psch. yeah right it can't be THAT good."

And then it took over our lives. And now I am ashamed.

Some of the characters im in love with. And some I kinda hope get eaten by the polar bears.

It's basically a knock off of that one book you read in high school english called, "Lord of the Flies."

Plane wreck, mysterious monster, internal struggle for power yadda yadda yadda.

But I swear, if this show starts going all cannible like the book, I am O-U-T.

I just want to find out how it ends already dang it.

Here's to 115 hours of my life being "lost" (ha!) over my stubborn refusal to just skip to the last episode.

cheers.