The BK Lounge

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Becca's 21st--- The fun has ARRIVED!

Unless you have been living under a rock you have heard the continual countdown updates surrounding the big 2-1. From the day she turned 18 she has been all but creating a paper-linked chain leading her toward legality. In the last year the countdown has been especially strong- months, then weeks, then days, then hours. Literally. As usual, mercy prevails, and June 12, 2010 finally rolled around...

Unbeknownst to Becca I have spent the last few months of the countdown building a little anticipation of my own as I conspired with her family, friends, and even the server at The Bayou to pull off what would be the ultimate surprise birthday weekend, including a surprise party with the people she loves. Although it turned me into a bit of a liar for a good few months--pretending to be a work so I could decorate, pretending I hadn't made plans because I was to busy with work, pretending... well you get the picture-- I believe that it was totally worth it because this weekend was ultimately total surprise and total FUN!

Friday night I told Becca we should eat out downtown to get out of the house. We drove downtown and parked near the Olive Garden. She thought we were headed for a little "Hospitaliano" for dinner so she was surprised and perhaps a bit weirded out when I pulled an overnight bag out of the trunk after parking. "Ugh, babe? Where are we GOING?!" Becca has always wanted to stay at the Hotel Monacco downtown, so why not start the birthday weekend off right?! Dinner at the OG, some new books from Barnes and Noble, and watching television... it was truly like being on vacation!

$90.00 for this robe... chump change!

Becca was so surprised and really loved the stay at Monacco. It is a beautiful hotel with excellent customer service and fun, boutique style rooms. Little did she know, however, that the surprises had just begun! On Saturday morning we went home to check on Ellie, did a quick cleaning blitz on the apartment, and Becca went off with her mom for a little mother-daughter date for her birthday. Becca thought I'd be working some extra hours while they were gone-- little did she know that Kristie and I were in cahoots! I emailed Becca's mom several months ago with my idea for a surprise party and asked if she could distract Becca the day of her birthday. That turned in a great op. for the two of them to hang out while I went with my sister, Krysten, to shop, decorate, and set up the clubhouse for the surprise party that evening. I am sneaky as a ninja and she had no idea!

Texting people directions from the bathroom at The Bayou. My face was red hot-- the pressure was on!!! Surprise party in T-minus 30 minutes...

During dinner at the Bayou I pretended (see, pretending again) to take several phone calls from my dad (really it was Krys) who urgently needed us at the clubhouse because we'd broken something for Krysten's shower the weeks before. The story relayed to Becca was that there was a group using the clubhouse and the property management wanted us there to figure out what happened. With my thin alibi's lined up and a very, very upset birthday girl on my hands we trekked out to Sugarhouse to "check on the clubhouse". Krysten was holding down the fort there and had everyone lined up and ready for Becca to walk through the clubhouse door.

"SURPRISE!!!!" My family, Becca's family, and lots and lots of friends greeted her in unison and the look on her face? PRICELESS. We mingled, had cake, and enjoyed our time with the people we love. The after party at Liquid Joe's helped us dance the night away and when all is said and done the experts agree: The big 2-1 went down exactly as it should have.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOVE!
I hope it lived up to every bit of your expectations and met the mark of the countdown!

A Little Red Ride and a Little Bit o' Pride

The weekends have been filling up fast for us and we find ourselves booked, booked, and double booked--we've decided that it is a sign of a GREAT summer! On June 5th Kathy went to Logan to participate in Little Red Riding Hood, an all women cycyling fundraiser that benefits women cancers. This is the second year that Kathy has gone and it was a great time. The weather, company, and chance to be on the bike again (for 33 miles!) were all pretty wonderful.

Kath, Kathy, Sarah, and Niki

Met up with Lesha and Linsey on the route for a bit--good to see these ladies!

**********

After the ride Kathy make the trek back to Salt Lake City to enjoy Pridefest 2010. As it was Kathy's first Pride she was a little nervous, seeing as how she had no leather, whips, or rainbows and had already worn her spandex that day! However, with a little help from Becca, Kathy soon realized that Pride deserves much more credit than that!! It is a well planned, well executed festival with good food, great music, and the chance to spend a little quality time with each other in an environment where we don't have to watch ourselves at all times, and in all things, and in all places! :)

According to Becca's friend who volunteered at the ticket booths, this was the biggest Pride in SLC to date-- 10,000 passed through the turnstyles in the first hour on Sunday!! Amazing-- I'm glad we were 2 of those 10,000.

We finished the weekend just chilling on the couch, watching movies, and enjoying what felt like the first real summer day of the season! Ellie got into the relaxed mode as well... here she is leanin' like a cholo...

This for That

SHE DOES THIS:

SO WE DO THIS:

EVEN STEVENS.

Monday, May 31, 2010

Tampon Plumbing

Scenario: A bathroom sink that won't drain, no ability to move the pipes, no way to see what the problem is because of the mucky water in the drain.

Solution: After putting the bathroom sink on full restriction for a week the full water basin finally drained to reveal a drain pipe that was still full of water. It was deep enough that paper towels would rip if put down there, but small enough that a washcloth or rag wouldn't fit. What were we to do? After a quick brainstorm I realized that we had just emptied out the PERFECT solution from underneath the sink. Ladies, gentlemen, I give you tampon plumbing.

Contents: Tampons + Wire hanger = a plumbing solution that even MacGyver would applaud! And by the way? It worked.

Krysten's Bridal Shower

My little sister is getting married this summer, let the festivities begin! As the maid of honor I had the opportunity to plan the family bridal shower. It was a blast getting in touch with family we haven't seen in a while as well as putting my event planning skills to the test. All in all it was a successful party and even if I'm just speaking for myself, I had a blast! Thanks to Allison, Laurie, Dad, Grannie, Mom, Becca, Taylor, Hollie, and all who helped set up, bring food, and take down. And finally, congrats to you Krys-- love you and Austin!

The sisters. Love these ladies!

Mom, Aunt Claudia, Allison, and Emery

Austin's mom, Lisa with Grannie

Krysten chewing on tootsie rolls... a consequence for a missed question on "The Newlyweds Game". For the record, of 19 questions she got 16 correct, including a question that asked Austin which famous person would he want to meet if he could. I thought his response of Bret Michels was completely random... it turns out Krysten knows her fiance quite well! Not only did she get Bret Michels correct, she also knew Austin's favorite color, candy bar, memorable date, favorite features, favorite song, etc. Well played, well played.

Grannie and Aunt Frannie

Emery mugging for the camera--how cute is this mini?!

The fam

Krys with both moms

Love you sister!

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Ellie

In April we ventured to the Humane Society of Utah to see if we could find our own little bundle of joy. We were looking for something that was independent, fairly quiet, and would be instantly cuddly. Knowing that these requirements automatically eliminated children, dogs, and most other humans, we headed to the Humane Society in search of a kitten.

Never having been there we walked in not knowing what to expect. We'd heard rumors from friends and family that this place was horrible--bad people, bad animals, bad all around. In our opinion, that couldn't be FARTHER from the truth! We love the Humane Society because it was there, in cat tower I, that we met Ellie.

We wandered over to the kittens and Becca saw her first. She reached into the cage and pulled out a scruffy ball of fluff that was shivering, timid, but very cuddly. Immediately the tiny kitten nuzzled into Becca's neck and fell asleep. "This is the one! I'm ready to go!" Becca declared within 30 seconds. I wasn't sold yet and wanted to make sure that we had checked all options.

While Becca held her miniature puff I wandered the cat cages in the Humane Society. There were so many cats that needed a home, which one was mine? I returned to the main entrance area and was again informed by Becca that "mine" had already been found and was currently resting in her lap. After I spent a little more energy in focusing on that kitten I realized that, as usual, Becca was right--- this was our cat! She was quiet, cuddly, and all that we had been looking for in a companion for our home. We got the adoption papers squared away and walked out toting our 3 month old Siamese mix, now named Ellie.

Now almost two months later we are realizing that "timid" and "quiet" are not the right words for this little personality! Like her moms, Ellie is hyper, lovable, fun, funny, independent, and affectionate. Unlike her moms, she adores eating all paper products, jumping in toilet bowls, raiding for scraps in the garbage can, biting bare toes, and climbing up our backs like she is Stallone in "Cliffhanger". We'd wanted quiet and got so much more, but in all reality we got more than we'd even wanted. This kitten is a wonderful addition to our home and acts as a constant companion (even when at times unwanted!) to our daily routines.

If you're thinking about getting a pet we urge you to think about adopting from a rescue shelter--it turns out that she has helped us more than we could ever have helped her!

In the bookcase. We can't decide whether we love this or hate it--love because it's hilarious to watch, or hate because it's naughty. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree...