Happy Birthday JC!

Today is JC's birthday and I want the whole world to know how much I love him! Today he is 29 so here are 29 things that I love about him:
1- He makes me laugh 2- His openmindedness 3- His cute bum! 4- He's a hard worker 5-Our inside jokes 6-His strong hands 7-His passion for the Utes 8-His willingness to help others 9-His brilliant mind 10-His eyes 11-The way he treats animals 12-His knowledge and love of the gospel 13-He is always teaching me something new without even knowing it 14-His patience with me 15-His outgoing personality 16-His laugh 17-His sensitive side 18-I love that he can't sleep at night unless he is cuddling me 19-He always knows how to make me feel beautiful 20-He knows the horrible side of me and still loves me 21-His desire to find equality in life 22-That he calls me throughout his day just to see how I am doing 23-The way he takes care of our home 24-How safe he makes me feel 25-His romantic ways 26- The way he is with children 27-His adventurous side 28-The subtle and not so subtle ways he sets me straight when I need it. And last, but not least 29-His selflessness

JC, I hope you had a wonderful birthday. I love you so much!

Rocky Mountain High

This weekend JC, Parker and I went to Colorado Springs to watch the Utes take on Air Force. The drive was worth it! We took Dante with us and he was such a good doggie, well for the most part. We left him in the hotel while we went to the game and he would not quit barking. We even ending up calling a "Pet Hotel", but they wouldn't take him because I didn't have his vaccinations with me. So we ended up buying a muzzle for him and I starting crying the second I put it on him. Pathetic, I know! By the time we got back to the hotel he had gotten the muzzle off and it was wrapped around his neck. I'm pretty lucky that I didn't kill my own dog! I think he has forgiven me now!
The game was fun! It was neat to see the cadets on the field. Nothing like a man in a uniform! Their fly over was quite lame. I was sure that because it was the Air force they would have jets of all kinds flying over head, but all we got was a quiet refueling plane. I guess all the jets are busy fighting in a war or something. Der! Anyhoo, JC is trying to get fresh with me so I gots to go!

Aggie Graffiti

As most of you know we enjoy traveling around the country watching the Utes. One of the best parts of away games is taking the Utah Red car with window flags flying, and U of U plates shining into the enemy territory. This weekend in Logan was certainly no exception.

On the freeway ride from South Jordan to Logan we passed several cars that had Aggie fans showing us their "A" (what ever that means). The car ride is a great pre-game ritual where fans can show each other who is number 1, using either the index or middle finger. Usually it is the index finger (unless we are headed to Provo). We never feel like the car is a target of opposing fan angst, unless we are in Provo.

After we found a spot near the campus and stadium, we parked the car and began the walk to the stadium not worrying about retaliation from Aggie fans. The game turned out the way Utah vs. Utah State games usually do with the Utes crushing the Aggies. When we returned to the car we found it had been decorated by Aggies, using clever artwork and design to voice their displeasure with the loss to the Utes.

Amazingly, the Aggie fans used some sort of magical make-up or marker that is only visible up close from the outside but from the inside is very visible and very blue. I have to hand it the the agricultural school kids, they were far more innovative and creative than those Cougar fans in Provo who simply smash blueberries all over the car.

Of course I can write about this with out any anger or harsh feelings because what ever they used to write on the windows comes off very easily. This blog entry would have sounded different had the car been scratched or damaged. We will post pictures but keep in mind that what ever they used does not show up very well on film either!

Goodbye Summer

Saturday JC and I purchased a little grill so that we could go tailgating this year before the Ute football games. Saturday morning we got it all set up and prepped for our big tailgating debut! We went up to the U early so we could get a good spot. We were able to find a shady spot that worked perfect! JC grills a killer steak! We had such a good time w/ JC's family and hope to make it a tradition with whomever wants to join us! The Utes won their home opener and they had fireworks after the game. I'd have to say they were better than any of the fireworks we saw during the Fourth of July. I think that last night was probably the last night that felt like summer to me. Today I was thinking how sad I was that summer was over which is funny because Fall is my favorite time of year. I just can't believe how fast time is going by.

On a different note, my cute little Dante Wante cracks me right up! For anyone that knows him it's no secret that he loves chapstick. Today JC and I were taking a nap and we wake up to a clicking noise coming from the living room. I get up and apparently he found a tube of chapstick because Dante was out there squeezing the chapstick out with his teeth!! The tube was destroyed and apparently there was still some left in the cap because he was hording it in his mouth and would not let me have it. I had to bribe him with a "cookie" to get him to drop it! I guess he'll be good and lubed!! Tee hee! This may sound lame, but I really feel that he is prepping me for children! I'll be good and ready by the time they come, well probably not, but I like to think so!

A big city and a Big House

What a great week it has been! In Chicago we were able to enjoy a handful of the activities that the city has to offer. We were able to see popular attractions like
the Navy Pier and the shops and stores of Michigan Ave. We enjoyed the great architecture from the skyline tour from a boat on Lake Michigan, and up close at the Sears Tower. Also, even though Emily and I are not museum buffs we thoroughly enjoyed the Art Institute of Chicago and the Field Museum.

The highlight of Chicago for me was the atmosphere and electricity surrounding the Cubs game against the Philies at Wrigley Field. From the throngs of fans that packed the CTA Red Line from the "Loop" in downtown, to the tailgaters and parties when we got off the train on Addison. It was truly a great experience and coming from someone who literally hates baseball that is saying something. Oh, and also the hot dogs and nachos at Wrigley were to die for!

Then there was the Big House. What a great venue to watch college football. There was an announced crowd of almost 109,000 people, however, not once did I feel crowded or too close to other fans. The first thing that impressed me about Ann Arbor was the number of Michigan fans that took the time and talked to us and offered their pre-game food and wanted to know about Utah and what exactly is a "Ute". However, even though they were very friendly with the Utah fans they were quick to point out that we came all that way just to watch our team lose.

The best word I can use to describe our time in Chicago, Ann Arbor and the game in Michigan Stadium is: Incredible!

Vacay was Awesome!!

It's amazing how fast 6 days goes by! We just got back from Chicago/Michigan and we had the time of our lives! Chicago was such a fun city with so much to see and do. Everyone there is really friendly and the only complaint I have regarding people is....... stink!! Foreigners, please use deodorant!! At one point we were stuck on an elevator in the Sears Tower with some of the stinkiest body odor I have ever smelled!! 90+ floors was a long way to ride, believe me!! It was extremely hot with the humidity and now I know what people mean when they say "oh you live you Utah, but it's a dry heat right?" The highlight of the trip was the Utah vs Michigan football game of course! The Utes made us proud! Ann Arbor was a fun college town. JC and I compare it to Logan on steroids! It was a true college town like something you would see on the movies! The Michigan fans were so friendly and made us feel welcome in their town. We had such a good time and good food, well good food for the most part. All I can say is never ever eat at White Castle. I have heard people compare hamburger joints to our beloved Crown Burger, places like In N Out Burger and White Castle. JC and I love Crown Burger and so when we went to Cali we had to try out In N Out Burger to compare. Not even close! Crown Burger takes the cake! So we are driving along the freeway in Michigan and low and behold we see a sign for White Castle. Sweet, we thought, now we can do some comparing. White Castle is the worst fast food I have ever eaten! Not even kidding. I was so sick after eating there and spent the night running to the bathroom. I wouldn't recommend it! Overall, the vacay was freaking awesome and I love that JC and I have so much fun together. Now it's time to look forward to something else!! What will it be....?