Seattle Pics

Sorry to any of you who were actually interested in seeing some pics from Seattle. I think I worked out the kinks and a smaller version of our web gallery is finally up. Cross your fingers and spin around twice while patting your head and rubbing your stomach ... and it may work. Go to gallery.mac.com/bon.jon

Thanks!

Happy Birthday to Bonnie!

I just have to tell you how cute Jon is. He made my birthday so special! We went to the gym in the morning and ran three miles, which I felt was an awesome way to start my 27th year of life!!! (Crazy, now I'm in my upper twenties - ahhhhhh!)

Then we were off to do something, but the only hints he gave me were that I should wear kind of grubby clothes and not put on makeup because we were going to do a service project. He also told me that it was downtown by the Gateway Mall. So, as we ate lunch at a place called "The Soup Kitchen" I thought I was very smart in figuring out that we were going to feed the homeless. It all made sense because we had talked about going to do that anyway, and it's right next to the mall. So Jon let me believe that and I tried to convince myself that it was a cool idea for a birthday.

Anyway, we drove downtown and right past the shelter. Huh? It turned out that Jon and scheduled a couple's massage for us in the mall. He even made Creme brulee, my favorite, for them to bring in to us afterward. It was the perfect way to enjoy my day. Then we had dinner with my family and called it a night... not too eventful, but absolutely perfect!

Seattle Rocks!

We decided to get away for the weekend, and since we didn't know where we wanted to go, we just searched where the airlines flew for pretty cheap. As soon as we saw Seattle on the list, we knew it was a winner!
The trip was amazing. We ate the most expensive meal of our lives (accidentally) at Morton's Steakhouse, because we didn't know what it was and felt stupid leaving after the prices were given to us in the "Verbal Menu Presentation". So funny! (Go to www.mortons.com for an idea of what we paid!)
We fell in love with the people, the scenery, the seafood, and the artsy feel of the city. Even church was fun there! Here are some of our favorite finds:
1. The Crab Pot - a place where they throw your seafood feast on the table and you just dig in!
2. Pike Place Market - so many fun things to do and see that we went back three times.
3. The Seattle Aquarium - it would have been more fun with kids, but we loved it anyway!
4. Smith Tower - A way cheaper way to see Seattle than the Space Needle, though that was awesome, too.
5. The Underground Tour - a bizarre little tour that shows how crazy and inventive the early Seattle-ites were to solve a fire and toilet flushing problem in their little marsh city. Basically there's a city under the city and we go to see it!

6. The Wexley School for Girls - though it's not actually a school, it gave us lots of fun photo ops and their website is awesome. www.wexley.com

7. Todai - the BEST sushi buffet we've ever seen. Good sushi, plus desserts, a hot food bar, and a killer view of the commercial district. SWEET!
8. The Aurora Bridge Troll - a glob of concrete shaped into a troll that was actually commissioned by Seattle City Council to "encourage a bond and artistic feel in the city" or something like that. It was pretty awesome.

I can't wait to go back. There is so much to do and see, plus my skin has never felt softer. Utah is so dang dry! For more pics of our trip, go to gallery.mac.com/bon.jon and you can see our favorites.

Christmas!!! ( I know i'm a little late!)

It may be January something (I don't even know the date today!!) but I just have to put in a few pictures to share with you the joy we felt during the holidays. We spent time with Jon's family, my family, my extended family, and lots of friends. We are definitely blessed with great people in our lives.
Here are some highlights of the season -
a. An ugly sweater party where I took home the ugliest sweater prize (thanks Bob and Caity!)
b. A Scrollie lunch at Paradise Bakery - it's a miracle that we all still get together!

c. Helping our friend Emily move into her first home - yay!
d. My class Christmas party that included snowman ornaments, cookies and games - they were SO excited they couldn't even sit still.
e. Christmas eve with my family - new jammies, dancing, and silliness... Oh, and the reading of the Nativity. We don't act it out anymore! (Darn.)

f. Opening gifts with both of our families. It is way more fun when babies are involved.

g. Snowmobiling, games and GUITAR HERO the day after Christmas. Good way to come down slowly from the Christmas high
.
h. New Years Eve with Caity, Bob, and Eric. We got pretty good at Guitar Hero since we played it with these guys ALL NIGHT on their big screen. Awesome!
Happy Holidays!

My new hobby

So I decided I finally wanted to try something new to be domestic. I figure I should at least try. So I bought a little sewing machine that is for like 12 year olds or middle school home ec classes. It's not fabulous, but it did its job. I made three pairs of baby shoes. They're not fabulous, but my neice Saige seems to like them! One small drawback... the Christmas ones are slippery AND sticky so she slides around and stops really fast. Kinda funny, but kinda scary. At least she'll grow out of them soon! The flower pair has a vinyl bottom so they are easier to walk in. Yay for sewing! (see babytidbitz.blogspot.com for my friend Lisa's page. She's the one who showed me how to sew these ... hers are DARLING!)

It's not ... comcastic

So, you know how they always make those cheesy forwarded emails heralding the nobility of military or public service, and the point is to make you feel grateful for all their sacrifice and hard work? I'm not saying those aren't great because they often make me teary. I don't want to minimize the attention they get by any means.

But I want to write my own public service announcement lauding the self sacrifice and hard work of your local .... cable guy. Being married to Jon has opened my eyes to what your average cable guy does every day just so YOU can watch Dawson's Creek or The Office whenever you want.
Have you ever considered what they do for YOU? :)

Let me tell you. They drive around all day and find people who are stealing cable. They knock on doors in the scariest neighborhoods imaginable and enter homes that smell like animal urine or pot. They trudge through rain and snow to make sure you're properly connected. They even climb poles like monkeys to simply do their job. But the worst is... they face rabid animals with only tazers and pepper spray to protect them!

Below is proof of what can happen when the unsuspecting technician simply places his hand NEXT TO a chain link fence to let a vicious dog on the other side get accustomed to his scent.
(Side note: he was wearing heavy-duty work gloves with RUBBER on the top)
Normally after a fight you would say, "You should see the other guy!" But in this case we won't say that because the "other guy" is probably still laughing about the mess he made of Jon's new gloves and chewing on some toy to get ready for when Jon comes back. Though he did get smacked with a screwdriver. (Don't call PETA, okay?)

By now you are surely moved to tears, just like the military ads. I know, me too. I say to you, "Ask not what your cable guy can do for you, but what you can do for your local cable guy." Just pay your bill. But if you don't, at least pull your dogs inside so Jon can disconnect you peacefully.

I love you Johnny Boy!

Stapler Incident Part 2

This is Hailey (right). She is cute. She got a stapler in her face (notice red mark on forehead). But she recovered. And she still loves me. :) This picture was taken just after she returned to class. This picture is at the end of the party. She looks much less dazed! (Phew.) It looks like Rusty got smacked. But he's just crazy and cute. And here is a picture of the stressed out teacher trying to calm the masses. They're fun, but man, you only see half of the kids in this picture. I don't know how anyone teaches and keeps their sanity! Happy Thanksgiving to all!