Ghoulishy Good Times

This week our ward hosted a Fall Party/Costume Parade at the ward house (don't you love how PC we are?). We started out with an easy dinner of sloppy joes and salads while everyone arrived and got settled.

Being on the committee, Cole and I got to plan and MC the entertainment aka "Minute to Win it" games. We had a couple games for the adults including Junk in the Truck and Dizzy Mummy. So glad we have good sports in our ward!



I had no idea how excited the kids would be by the games. We did Hanky Panky, Dizzy Mummy and the Paper Dragon. Even after the party, the kids were asking if they could take turn trying out the games.


Right after the games, the kids got to parade around the gym in their costumes while collecting candy from the adults. I was able to catch a few favorites for a pic. While I don't have pictures to support it, it is worth noting that the world is indeed safe...I counted no fewer than nine Buzz Lightyears ready to fly off and save the day.



At first I was bummed we didn't get to decorate cars in true Tunk or Treat fashion, boy, did I change my mind when we looked outside. Over the course of the party, it snowed an inch!

And of course, our favorite lil monkey!

A Name and a Blessing

On Sunday May 30, 2010 we were able to officially give Crew a name and a blessing in our ward. Because of my sister's wedding the day before, we were able to benefit from the blessing of extra family in town for the special weekend.

Cole gave Crew a beautiful and simple blessing, encouraging him to learn the teachings of the gospel, courageously surround himself with good influences and look for opportunities to serve the Lord.

Following the blessing, we had the gang over for some food and family time. Thanks to my talented friend, Jarad, we have some awesome pictures of the festivities.

The first order of business was to document both sides of the family. In addition to everyone who lives in Utah, I was lucky enough to also have my sister Alyssa and brother Bryan in town from Arizona and Oregon. It felt wonderful to have so much of the family together.


We were also blessed that Wes and Stacy were able to join us from Texas. Here is a pic of the Lansford clan.

Because we were a little anxious to get the grill up and going we missed official photos of the Tipps and Richins, who were also wonderful enough to join us for the party.

Grill, did you say grill? Yes, my friends. Cole finally got his grill. This has been a desired purchase since the day we went under contract for our beautiful patio-less backyard.


I warn you. The man makes a killer kabob.



Don't you love how fancy photography can make regular food look special? :)





We love our friends (here and here).


Katie, how did we not get a cute picture together?


Such a fun day.


Yes, he got stuck and wasn't sure how to get back down.



Nothing like a little weekend sunbathing.



Last but not least. My little guy was such a champ. Between his Binky, a quick nap before the BBQ and all the "loves" from his favorite people, Crew was such a good little boy.

Couldn't you just eat him up?

Happy Love Day

Even though it is now Tuesday, I am still basking in the fun of a much-needed long weekend. In addition to the day off, Cole and I were lucky enough to have two house guests!

Ashley and Jarad were in town celebrating his grandpa's birthday and as hosts we got to steal them for the better part of the weekend.

Among the fun activities, the boys took us to Tepanyaki for a wonderful Valentines dinner. It was my first time at a hibachi grill and I had a blast as our cook sliced, diced, threw and prepared each portion of our meal.

Besides the good food and entertainment, it was awesome to have such good friends here to share it. Love you guys!

Celebrating Halloween in Style

Cole's office decided to throw a Halloween party for employee's kids this afternoon and were, of course, encouraged to dress up in costumes. After bouncing around every possible idea, including dressing up like the gang from Jon and Kate plus 8, his team settled on a "Christmas" theme.

Enjoy the photos below of his clan in their ugly grandma sweaters, amid holiday decorations, ready to pass out their candy canes.

Their boss, Teddi, was out of the office today, so they dressed up the little bear to "represent"...

Labor Day in the Mile High City!

Over Labor Day weekend, Cole and I opted to escape all labors and visit our friends, Jarad and Ashley, in Colorado. Jarad had vowed to run a marathon before his 30th birthday next month and we thought it was the perfect opportunity to support him and have an awesome weekend with friends. We started the weekend with golf/girl chats in Loveland and then shopping and eating in Estes Park.

The next day we headed into Denver for a very full day of the Denver Art Museum, the Taste of Denver, yummy lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings and shopping at the Outlet Mall in Castlerock.


On Monday, we were up bright and early to support Jarad as he ran the American Discovery Trail marathon. So much fun!

We had a great weekend! Thanks, guys.

Summer Nights

Last month we were able to rope Katie and Scott into coming up to Salt Lake City for a Bees Game. With a mid-game rain delay, we were also able to hit up Red Rock for some yummy dinner before heading back to the game.

The Bees made a valet effort (only losing 5 to 8), but our real entertainment was this intoxicated Bee's fan in the upper deck. He had a very vocal opinion about every player of the field and warming up in the bullpen. At one point he was so out of it that he dropped his phone below and had to stubble down to find it.

Gotta love summer nights at the ball game!

Graduation here we come...

Even though Cole official graduated in Dec., I was able to con him into walking in the formal Spring graduation taking place next week. I just think that it is emotionally necessary to do. I mean, if you never walk, did it really happen?!?

Walking next week could mean avoiding long, sleepless nights, waking up in a cold sweat after a dream of your employer firing you for falsifying your education. OR....

It could just be a great excuse to get his family up here to visit and and have a party with all of our friends.

Hopefully, if you read this blog you are our friend and not some crazy person. To all the friends, you are officially invited to our party!

Wedding Bells for the Pixtons

Casey and Allie Pixton's wedding was the perfect excuse to take an extended weekend trip to DC. On Saturday morning we were privileged to attend their sealing in the Washington, D.C. temple. Later that afternoon we met up with the rest of the wedding party at the Cosmos Club for pictures and final preparations. The ring ceremony was beautiful and it was really sweet to hear some of the couple's personal promises to each other. Cocktail hour and the full blown reception rounded out the day. Cole and I spent a lot of the evening drooling over the beautiful building but also managed to fit in dancing, over eating and getting to know the couple's friends and family.

As a side note: Cole bought me this silk dress especially for the trip and while it was beautiful, it was incredible light weight. Through out the entire day and evening, I had a really hard time keeping this dress in line. Just imagine with me going in and out of the subway system with the ever changing up and down drafts. Then imagine me walking several blocks with the city buses whizzing past. Lets just say, we both had a hilarious and creative time keeping me G-rated. Oh, the memories...

Go Utes!

The Utes creamed UNLV last week (at home) and we enjoyed every minute of the game from the student section of the Rice Eccles Stadium.


We started the evening at Red Robin. You can't beat the endless steak fries...


In honor of the 10th anniversary of the Eccles stadium, the Eccles family payed for a little firework action. Cole got a couple of great shots!

Kickin' it in Kamas

In honor of Labor Day weekend, Cole and I headed about 80 miles east of SLC for a few days of camping with our friends, Ashley and Jarad.

We set off after work on Friday, arriving at the Iron Mine Camp site with just enough time to set up camp and get a roaring fire underway.

On Saturday morning we decided to go for a hike about 6 miles away from our camp site. Other than the fact that I started being "allergic to nature," the hike was so beautiful with shade most of the way! After a fabulous view of Granddaddy lake, we headed back to camp for a yummy meal of tin foil dinners and dutch oven apple goodness.

We rounded out the trip with a good night's rest under the summer's first rain storm and an amazing breakfast on Sunday morning.

Enjoy the photos! (Please forgive all the greasy hair...:)

I ♥ Tim McGraw

Did you know?

1. Tim McGraw was dubbed "country music's first metrosexual" by W magazine;
2. While helping stepfather Horace Smith deliver cottonseed throughout Louisiana, Tim McGraw first developed a passion for country music. The pair spent their long trips in Smith's 18-wheeler listening to country tunes;
3. Of his humble beginnings, Tim McGraw had this to say to the Washington Post in 1999, "I see it like [Roberto Benigni] at the Oscars: 'I want to thank my parents for giving me the best gift of all: poverty.' It gives you something to strive for.";
4. Tim McGraw and wife Faith Hill have a rule that they're never apart for more than three days in a row;
5. Tim McGraw gave up his dream of becoming a lawyer (inspired by watching Al Pacino's ...And Justice for All) when he became a hard-partying college kid. "I got into school, picked up a guitar, joined a fraternity, and started sucking down kegs," he told Esquire in 2006. "Law went out the window when my grades came back."; and
   
6. Tim McGraw performed at the USANA Ampitheater last Friday night.

That's right folks, for a sweet $35, Cole and I (along with our super cool friends, Jarad and Ashley) were able to experience this...

April Showers (Wedding Showers, that is)

Saturday, I co-hosted a personal bridal shower for my best friend Katie. Her finance, Scott, was generous enough to let us crash his apartment and his sister and fellow bridesmaid, Christie, co-hosted the shower with me.

In addition to her new sisters-in-law and the Bukey sisters, Katie had a great turn out of old college friends and gals from her current singles ward. We started out with a delicious bridal shower menu of spinach chicken salad, mixed fruit, cucumber/crab salad goodness, hand-dipped chocolate covered strawberries and pretzels and the ever-classy sparkling juices.

We played a few bridal shower games including one where you use the lyrics of cheesy, romantic songs to come up with the couple's wedding vows. Not only do you have to write them but then your group had to perform them as well.

After a few more games, it was time to open the goodies. I think Scott will be more than pleased with the gifts. :) He even sent a few goodies of his own for Katie including 2 pairs of boxer shorts.

With food eaten, games played and presents opened, we sent each girl home with a goodie of her own...gourmet cupcakes from Mini's in SLC.