The Precious

Becca: We should watch a movie.

Kathy: Sounds good! You pick.

Becca: Are you sure you want me to pick?

Kathy: Yeah, go for it!

Becca: Okay.

TV Screen:



Kathy: Damn it.

Becca: {SMILES}

A New 'Do

When Becca decides she's going to do something she goes ALL OUT and makes it happen. On Sunday at Snowbird we were talking in the pool about how she wanted to change her hair and get rid of the length. By Monday she had made an appointment with our sister-in-law Hollie. See for yourself!

How hot is her new hair?!?! H.O.T. Smoking. If you are in the market for a new 'do let me know. Hollie does a great job, she's fast, and most importantly she is great at envisioning a new look! Way to go ladies...

Snowbird 2010--A quiet weekend

I have been going to Snowbird every July for as long as I can remember. It is a tradition that is so packed full of memories that sometimes I am surprised by how nostalgic I can be when I am there. This year was no different and as Becca and I made the trip to Snowbird for a very needed weekend getaway I remembered the many years that had brought me to this point. With the family busy doing other things the two of us enjoyed some quality time.

We ate dinner at the southwest fare restaurant we normally do... we food the food less than thrilling this year which was disappointing. Dear Snowbird: bring back the goods! However, we find it increasingly entertaining how corporate branding shows up in the darndest of places...

We were so exhausted from our lives (wedding, bike ms, school, teaching, work, work, work, work, school, showers, rehearsals, etc.) that we had ZERO energy at the 'Bird. Instead of our usual morning hike and plaza concert enjoyment we kept mostly to the room where we read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, played games, watched movies, and enjoyed the balcony. It must be noted that after four straight bouts of Stratego, Becca's favorite game that she has NEVER lost before, I, Kathy Leslie, finally WON! And I not only won, I KILLED IT!!!! You'll me me above with the flag I captured. Becca's below with her sore loser pout. :)
VICTORY IS MINE!

All in all it was a very relaxing weekend. Thanks to Dad and Laurie for sharing the condo and allowing us to take part in Snowbird for another year. See you next year!

Art Project!

Becca had to work last Friday night and I found myself bored. Sure, there were plenty of things to do: I could be grading, creating lesson plans, revising papers, cleaning the house, etc. But on a Friday night?! I couldn't bring myself to do it so I headed to Sugar house where I enjoyed a dinner of one at Tsunami (YUM!!). The dollar movie wasn't playing anything great so I randomly sauntered in to Michael's Arts and Crafts store. Suddenly I was hit with the desire to so something crafty.

WTF?!

If you know me then you know this is unusual... but I went with it! I called up my good friend Ashley and asked her how she had created some paintings that I had admired at her home. She put me on the right track and I suddenly had plans for my Friday night.

4 blank canvases, acrylic paints, and several foam brushes later....

The project workspace...

The loyal apprentice...

The cleaning of mixing bowls which I used to make the circles...

And VOILA! The new art for our previously very boring bedroom.
I loved my evening and will be doing this more often!!!!

Year One.

Fair Warning: Read this post if you would like, or not. Because we use this as our journal/scrapbook/memory keeper I'm going to be pulling out some ultimate CHEESE WHIZ on this entry.

(This photo is actually from an earlier monthly anniversary, but still applicable.)

YEAR ONE.

On Tuesday, July 13th Becca and I celebrated our first anniversary. 365 days of being official had to be ushered in first thing in the morning--I couldn't wait! For this reason I had a surprise breakfast waiting for my love when she came back from her 7:30am math class.

After breakfast we went our separate ways as life forced us to work, teach, and bring home the turkey bacon! Becca planned our evening together and I must say she hit the nail out of the park. We went to Robintino's restaurant in Bountiful and celebrated the place where we had the first DTR. That's right--it all went down over pizza, salad with blue cheese, and sodas. There were differences this time around, however. Instead of drinking Dr. Pepper this year I drank Diet Coke... Becca has converted me! I ordered blue cheese on my salad... again a convert. And Becca switched from her usual pepperoni and sausage order to join me on a four cheese pizza combo. It turns out that after 52 weeks of hanging out we've influenced each other in some rather serious food-choice ways.

You love blue and I prefer green. You would rather watch scary movies than almost anything else and I can't watch scary movies to save my life. You dream of seeing Backstreet Boys and I want to attend a Chicago concert. You have know idea who Chicago even is! You are brave and I am often scared. You're an activist and I prefer to hide in the shadows. You think Star Wars is the best movie series ever and I can't even name the trilogy. You love Bud Light and I think it is poison. You were "chair girl" and I was "herpes of the mouth girl" (long story here and I didn't really have herpes of the mouth... gross). I knew I loved you at that moment and I haven't looked back since. Thanks for an amazing 12 months:

The first night we hung out--a party at my house that I put on for the sole purpose of being able to invite Becca. However, I was too SHY to even be next to her for more than two seconds so this is the only picture of us together from that night... oops! :) You tried to protect me from my neighbors (even though I didn't need it) and were the life of the party. After everyone left we watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding in the lovesac and I held your hand. Even after you fell asleep. I was so nervous and so happy. Glad the nerves have finally subsided.

We love Sugarland, live music, and sunshine. I knew this was a perfect match! I was so nervous to ask you to attend this concert with me because we'd only been dating for about a week and I didn't want to seem 'too excited' or 'too pushy'. Fortunately we both have a thing for baking our brains out on hot stadium bleachers and you agreed to join me!

A few weeks into our new adventure we went to Snowbird together with Krys and Austin. You are so good to my family and instantly became friends with my sister and best friend. I knew that this was definitely something that could work out.
I'm so glad to have someone to share my hikes with now.

Our first trip to Las Vegas together was a family affair and the fact that you stayed with me after that-willingly no less!-is a tribute to your faith. :) I love that I have a constant playmate now and enjoy our many trips together. Remember our second trip to Vegas together in December? The museum, Titanic exhibit, Excaliber, swimming, talking to birds, Chinese restaurant at the New York, the horrible effects of warm beer, and a Tix for Tonite extravaganza that led to some serious Cirque de Soleil? We definitely know how to have a good time!

Park City has become our home away from home and I love our weekend adventures shopping, eating, laughing, lounging, and generally being silly. You a seriously fun travel companion and I look forward to many more adventures and anniversary weekends in the lodge.

Oktoberfest 2009. It seemed like ages had passed since our July trip. The months never adequately measured the growth of our time together. You kept wishing you were legal; I was just thanking my lucky stars that we were there together. We took the picture in the cardboard cutouts and inspired others who were too chicken to follow in our footsteps to do the same.

You were right at home in this nasty, ratty cowboy outfit. You wanted to hold more guns but couldn't figure out how to balance them. I never felt more naked in my whole life than when i was in this outfit. It was so fun to be at Lagoon on a beautiful September day with our siblings!

You are such a good sport to join my family for our post-dinner park visits. You hate when we play basketball, I know, but you join us anyway. And that means you ROCK.

TIP IT! You made me give Kathy Griffin a chance and it turns out she is pretty darn hilarious. Thanks for taking me along to her show! I love spending time with your family and really lucked out to get such good in-laws!

You are a clever fox and conspired with Austin to take Krys and I out for a night on the town. A carriage ride at Christmas was just what the season ordered!! Remember the carriage next to us with all the little kids who were egging us on into a race?!
Gotta love good ole fashion street sparring.

For spring break 2010 we headed to Capitol Reef for our first camping trip. I loved testing out the new tent you got me for Christmas and had a blast roaming the red rock with you. You talked me out of a spontaneous San Fran trip because you are so good at being logical. Our budget thanks you and I thank you for this memory!
Sorry you had to freeze your toes off that night!!!

I felt like this day would never come! Finally in April 2010 you officially moved in to our apartment on 6th Avenue. You are the best roommate ever and I love that we no longer have to commute!

Walk MS 2010. Welcome to event season, my dear! I love that you are our newest SEL and couldn't be happier to have you by my side at work. The color orange will never be the same...

One of my favorite memories so far is running the Salt Lake City 5K with you. As we ran the streets that beautiful morning side by side I was overcome with emotion. I had been so sure that I would be a solo runner all my life, never expecting to find love because I didn't believe in it. Now I believe, expect, and know that we are meant to run all the races we face together.

You have never been so excited to put on fake tatts in your whole life. Remember how we were so tired that Saturday that we settled for Hot Wheels and Pirates stick on tattoos?
We're TOTALLY hardcore.

Bike MS 2010! Bike MS 2009 is where things got started for us (via text of course) so it was very "FULL CIRCLE" to have Becca with me this year. Love the gator, love you, love it.

I am amazed at this woman and constantly give gratitude that she is in my life. She is beautiful, funny, smart, caring, and absolutely the nicest and most positive person I know. She is my best friend, my companion, my love, and my partner. In 52 weeks we have grown so much and been through a lot together. Here's to 52 more years of going through that same process!

Brandi Carlile-Red Butte Garden

For Tara's birthday we gave her a ticket to Red Butte Garden's concert series featuring Brandi Carlile and her amazing band. There was no better way to recover from the wedding extravaganza weekend then to hang out with a good friend at a great venue listening to one of the best singer/songwriters EVER. If you don't know who Brandi Carlile is then stop reading this post immediately and look her up. A cooler, some blankets, bare feet, sunshine, and good company. This is why I love summertime in the SLC. Thank you July 11th for rocking our socks, and happy birthday T!.

The Wedding... The SUSPENSE!

Krys and Austin the night before The Big Day!
(Holding their crystal flutes- a gift from the siblings.)

In my efforts to keep this blog in chronological order I have to post the obligatory space saver for the wedding. I am waiting for pictures to come in from our photographer because I'm sure he did a much better job than I at capturing the moments. At Nate's wedding (see here) I was able to take a plethora of pictures, but this time around I let our wonderful photographer Justin Reeves handle that.

At Nate's wedding Austin caught the garter... turns out that was more prophetic than we knew! Stay tuned for the photo documentation of July 10, 2010 and congrats to newlyweds Krysten and Austin!

UPDATE: While we're waiting for the photographs to come in I thought I'd share a video that my future brother-in-law Vince made. So fun!

UPDATE 2: For wedding picture highlights click here! Thanks to Justin Reeves Photography

Krysten and Austin's Rehearsal Dinner

Part of the reason we are so behind in blogging is that it has been such a busy summer! After Bike MS wrapped up at the end of June we went full throttle into the wedding plans. Thanks to Lisa and David Shick for hosting both sides of the family at The Lion House on July 9th. We had a blast hanging out with the family and enjoying a beautiful night in the SLC. We are loving life!

How beautiful is the place we live? We are in love...

Also in love? These two... congrats Krys and Austin! We love you and are happy to share this event with you both! You clean up pretty good!

Dad and Krys practicing The Dance. I held up just fine during their practice run... the wedding day? That's another story. :)

This pose is now tradition for Taylor and I...
It is both strange and wonderful that the four of us...

...Have now become the SEVEN of us.

My favorite part of this picture--aside from the beautiful people I call family--is Austin's head peeking into the background.

White Trash Birthday Bash

On June 19th a few of our comrades celebrated Tara's birthday in style. I could tell you more, but pictures are worth a thousand words...

What: Tara's Birthday Extravaganza
Where: Nick's Parking Lot
Who: Some of the despots I call friends
Why: Because we're Americans...and now we GET IT!