Old Glory and Cousins Breakfast

Since my parents have been back, we have been having a lot of fun time with cousins! Even though Mason doesn't look like it here - he is enjoying his cousins a lot! 

Believe it or not - my Dad would drive this thing around during my growing up years. And yes, he drove it to the East Coast, Midwest, West Coast, numerous times...with all 11 children! Rules about seat belts? Apparently those didn't exist. We all survived, and had a wonderful time doing it! Who needs hotels or kitchens? We had this beauty! Yes, it broke down - but you'd better believe my dad knew how to fix it! My Dad knows how to make use of a penny. I love him for it. Sometimes we tease him that he was born in the wrong generation, but I am so glad that he is my Dad! This old motor home which Nate has affectionately named 'Old Glory', is practically a member of the family now. We will be sad when it is retired. It's days however are not yet finished. Mom and Dad took it to Scofield where my Dad tended sheep and enjoyed camping overnight with many cousins. Nate and I couldn't go because we had already reserved tickets in advance for Sundance, but we were happy they had a great time!

Annie Get Your Gun

Sundance Play: Annie Get Your Gun. Gift for Mother's Day. Loved it! So well done. Especially fun to be in that beautiful place! Unforgettable evening!

hellos and goodbyes

The last three weeks have been a mix of emotions of hello's, and goodbyes. My Mom and Dad are home from the Philippines!! It was so wonderful to get them home! There's no one who gives hugs, gives advice, who just gets you...like your Mom and Dad. It's so great to have them back again! Nate and I are so grateful to live close to them now while we can. We know that this closeness most likely won't last forever...so we are enjoying it while we can.

However, the last two weeks Nate and I have also said goodbye to two of our best friends. Nate said goodbye to one of his best friends from highschool, Ben, and I said goodbye to my mission trainer and one of my dearest friends, Ali. Ben is moving to Iowa for Medical school, and Ali's family is moving Minnesota for work. It just makes me realize how much I need to appreciate moments as they happen...and the comforts of having friends close by. Of course we will stay in contact and meet at future moments, but we miss being able to see them often. 

Highlights from the last few weeks were seeing my violin teachers from The Netherlands. They come to vacation here every Summer, and we get to have our students play for them at a Masterclass. I love them, and I'm so grateful I get to see them every year! It's always scary having my students play for them - because it's like the musical day of judgment in some ways...but I'm SO grateful that my students have that incredible opportunity!

Other highlights - Pioneer Day and my Grandmother Andersen's 93rd birthday! She is still in good health. What a blessing to have her close!

As for the rest, I teach about 15 violin students now. It has been so nice to teach during Mason's nap times. Nate is studying every evening for the LSAT in October, and so we don't see him often. Thankfully we are planning a trip to Hawaii a week from Tuesday, so I will get to see him all of the time! I'm holding on until then! :). It has been SO nice to have my family close, so that I don't get so lonely with Nate gone a lot.

That's all for this week!

Roll Me Up crepes and Utah Lake

On Friday Night Nate and I decided to take Mason out with us to get a crepe, and then to Utah Lake. It had rained that day and the air was so clean and cool (Northwest kind of air). It was absolutely a perfect night - so nice to have a break from the hot streak Utah has been going through lately! On Saturday Nate and I celebrated our 3 year Anniversary since our first date! We went to an Indian Restaurant called 'Kohinor' and then to a frozen yoghurt place. Jen and Rich were so kind to watch Mason for us. Mason gets treated like GOLD when he goes to their house - he is totally adored by all of his cousins. He is one fortunate boy. I can't stop being amazed by my sister-in-law Jen....she is seriously one of the most generous people I know, and LOVES babies. Is it any wonder her kids love them too?

By the way - my first date with Nate golfing and to get gelato with friends Bob and Jacobie, was the best date I had ever been one. Marrying him was THE best decision I have ever made! It  just gets better, like my sister Amy wrote in our book when we got married. We've been through our share of hard things together (mostly Nate being patient with my ups and downs through pregnancy, child birth etc), but we're still going strong. Maybe even stronger than ever. I love that guy more than I can say! 

Can't Stop, Won't Stop

It's been a couple months since I've written a post.  What a shame!  Overall, though, I feel like I'm doing a good job with this year's goals.  I passed the first portion of the Foreign Service Exam (but failed the second...next time I'll pass!), I'm making solid progress in reading the BofM in Russian and Spanish, we've hit a couple national parks...I've got to focus on the victories.  Speaking of which, October will be victorious when I take the LSAT!  That's right--I changed the test date from June to October to give myself a little more time.  I'll still be able to apply for Fall 2014, so I figured might as well use every last day possible.  I'll be at class or at a study group almost every evening until then.  Fun!

There's been a lot of comings and goings lately.  It was a lot of fun having Jason and Ashley in town a couple weeks ago from New York.  We barbecued, hung out at the park, went out to lunch, visited a chocolate factory, met up for shaved ice, and just chatted.  It was hard to have them leave so quickly, but they've got work to do, people to meet, and places to see in NYC.  Just last week, Shirley and Steve returned from Hong Kong, and they've had quite the stories to tell!  They had a great time visiting Mom and Dad in the Philippines as well.  Mom and Dad are now hosting Joanna's sister, Liz.  We love hearing reports from Liz about the missionary work and getting to know Jim Jim, who seems like a fantastic guy.  Ramona and David also came to town last week, so David, Steve, and I hit the driving range at East Bay Golf Course and had a great time.  Now, my Aunt Cara is in town with her family.  It's a fun time of year to meet with family--summer is the best!

I'm enjoying my work as a copywriter at Fit Marketing, where I work with some of the coolest people I know.  I was even invited to star in a Youtube clip featuring Brooks Forester, my coworker/best bud who is a contestant on the Bachelorette.  We had a lot of fun filming the clips, but I've got to say, acting is exhausting!  I don't think I have a future as an actor, but it's fun to have a clip that's already received 20,000 views in under a month!

Mason has been recovering from vaccinations for the past few days.  The poor kid had 6 shots on Wednesday!  I would have been a bit fussy myself.  He's doing a lot better today, and we were able to go to Temple Square to support Joanna's return to the Orchestra at Temple Square.  Mason and I had to listen to the Music and the Spoken Word program in the overflow, but it was still a neat experience.

We're still celebrating the beginning of summer--my favorite time of the year!  I love the long, long days, and the fact that winter is far in the distance :)  A couple weeks ago, we celebrated my birthday at the Communal, as Joanna already mentioned.  This past Saturday, we went to a nice dinner as a late celebration for Mother's Day and Father's Day.  We got a great deal to the Tree Room at Sundance, and we had an amazing time!

Well, tis the time to study!  Wish me luck!  I've signed up for an LSAT course, tutoring, and a pre-law school prep class.  Hopefully it pays off!

Communal and Provo Marathon

For Nate's birthday brunch (since his birthday is on Monday, we decided to go Saturday), he chose to go to 'Communal', a fancy/hip downtown restaurant in provo - across the street from the newly under construction South Provo Temple. It was a fun experience, especially since the Provo City Marathon was underway. When we got there, runners were coming in at 3 1/2 hours. When we left they were coming in at about 4 1/2 hours. Since Provo city was my first marathon, it brought back a flood of poignant memories. I admit I teared up a little seeing the runners come in. One scene especially was tender for me - an older man running with his arms around a young man and woman sort of helping him finish the race. It reminded me of when my Mom ran a marathon in her mid fifties (while I was in the Netherlands studying the violin). My sisters had arranged for family members to be runners with her at the end of the race to help her finish. Running a marathon is like going through life - exhilarating, exciting, exhausting, and very fulfilling. It is easiest when you run with friends and strong supporters along the way. Mason clapped and cheered along with the rest of us, as runners went by. It was a super sweet coincidence for me. I'm SO grateful for the people who run with me and cheer me on through my life!

french toast with rhubarb

Nate's steak sandwich

finish line of the Provo City Marathon

Mason cheering on the runners

We were lucky to have J-Dogs on the same day with Nate's great Aunt and Uncle on the Freeman side, Greg and Tony. We were fortunate to visit them in their home in Washington last year on our vacation. They were unbelievably kind and hospitable, so we wanted to take them out to a fun hot dog place (since Tony loves hot dogs) on their way to St George. It was fun to surprise them by having Nate's family show up, including Jason and Ashley who had just arrived the night before from NY. When we came home, our good friends Greg and Shauna (and their two beautiful girls) met us, and we were able to spend some time together before their big move to Houston. We are going to miss them! Later that evening we had a fun dinner and birthday celebration for Nate and his little brother Jordan at the Freeman's cabin in Hobble Creek. It was a full and wonderful day spent with family and friends!

The Splash pad at The Riverwoods

Mason and I had a lot of fun with Alison (my mission trainer), and her little boy Wade at the splashpad at the Riverwoods in Provo. She thought she might be having her baby that morning (since it was her due date), but since she didn't...we decided to go to the splash pad and cool off! It was so fun to see them jump right in with all of the others and enjoy the water. I look forward to going back again sometime soon. Let me know if any of the rest of you in the area are interested in bringing your cuties along!