Shake Your Groove Thang, Please

Last weekend we went to Kyle's MBA Spring Ball. The theme was Bollywood, but I didn't have a sari, not that many other people do either, so a regular semi-formal dress had to do. But it is so difficult to find a dress that covers you to one of these events--more on that later.




I designed all of the advertising materials for the event {save the date, poster, and tickets} and it was a lot of fun--first timer here, but people everyone seemed to like them, so bravo. I'd say drawing the hand with henna on it was the hardest part.

Kyle snapped this pic of me and Heather so quaintly embracing, and I'm totally caught off guard. I had no idea they were going to call me up to the stand...I wasn't even expecting a "shout-out." Hmmm, I think Kyle knew, but he didn't warn me. This may have been the first time he was able to keep a surprise/secret from me. I always know every present he's going to get me--I'm just that good at getting stuff out of him I guess! Hehe.

Kyle won the award of "Best Dressed" and our friends Greg and Heidi Rose were there and Greg won "Mr. Congeniality." Kyle wore his tux he had from proms during high school because he had to go to so many, he just bought one. Not that he wears it for anything--he wore a simple suit to our wedding. He thought it'd be funny to wear a tuxedo to the dance; like on the old show "The State" and the guy walks around town saying "I'm wearing a tuxedo!"...Kyle dies laughing every time.

And that's a wrap. A really fun night. The hardest thing about this night was finding a dress for it, as mentioned above. I had gone shopping EVERYWHERE to find a dress and finally just decided to buy this one and fix it. I hemmed a piece of silk around the hem of the dress and made it look a little more retro! You can't see it, but it turned out pretty swell, if I don't say so myself and it is supposed to be one of the hardest fabrics to work with--go me! ;)

Today's Quote eloquently comes from my little brother Jared when he was about 7:

The Kids: "So Jared, you like [name omitted] don't you? Oooooo!"
Jared: (calmly) "Yeah."
Mom: "No, Jared likes her as a friend. Don't you Jared?"
The Kids: "No, Mom, Jared likes her like "Mushy Gushy!" Don't you Jared!? [lots of laughter]"
Mom: "Now, you guys...Jared likes her as a friend."
Jared: (convincingly and serious) "No Mom...like mushy gushy."

Stay tuned for: "Kickin it Old School"

Destination...Destin {Florida, that is}

Sorry, but the pun on words was inevitable. For Spring Break a couple of weeks ago, we flew to Atlanta to visit Kyle's family and soak in some necessary rays. I'm sure we're vitamin D deficient due to the lack of sun here--for example: it is supposed to be spring (supposedly), but it snowed a couple of inches on Saturday. I don't think spring exists here, though locals have been insisting that it starts around the end of April. At any rate, we didn't have that kind of time to wait around to experience a little flora, fauna, and sun!

We had a splendid week at the Nel's and enjoyed all of the Magnolia trees in blossom, which I didn't even get a picture of {*sigh*} and of course, we went on our favorite trail for trail running! Oh how I've missed it.

One of our goals while we were there was to go to the beach in Destin, Florida {on the Gulf of Mexico side} for you non-easterners, but no one seemed to be able to go. So, we got Kyle's sister and her husband to take off work and take a day trip with us down there.

A day trip includes waking up 3:45 am, throwing clothes on, packing the cooler, and getting out of the house and on the road by 4:00 am. Then, it gets better...7 hours driving through No-Man's-Land Georgia and Alabama (now that's a state I'm glad I'll never boast to have lived in...sheesh!) The Confederate flags were full force there, of course, I don't think they even realize they lost the war.

Once we got to the pristine beaches, we were in heaven and played and sun-bathed all day! There wasn't a cloud in the sky, except for random fighter pilots that would fly overhead occasionally through out the day, VERY CLOSE, to check out the beach bathers--soldiers need motivation too, I guess. Unfortunately, I didn't put sunscreen on vital areas like shoulders, face and chest...we were using oil with SPF 8, so I figured that the oil might only direct more burn to the areas I applied it to, hence I didn't apply it to places I was more prone to burning. Seemed like a good idea at the time...

Of course Kyle didn't put any sunscreen on at all because he wanted to make sure he got a tan--well, he certainly got his fair share of those rays. He started looking like a lobster during the mid-day heat and we started to slather him in sunscreen, but it was FAR too late. Damage done. And he is still peeling on his ears a little 2 weeks later. I didn't get to much of a burn and mine stopped peeling last week...yum!

When dinner rolled around, we were famished and at this point Kyle had been "sun-bathing" in all of his clothes and a towel over his upper body and face . We went to Fudpucker's...many people cannot pronounce this name correctly, as it obviously turns into an explative when you try, so I don't even bother. Nor should have I bothered attempting to eat anything on their menu. It was disgusting to say the least. I had some nasty version of Gumbo and a fish sandwich--I think they ate me more than I ate them...the stomach ache was something fierce...certainly not a place I'd go to again.

As for driving home: we didn't get there until 2:00 am--thank you NPR!

Oh, I almost forgot! We had a Chicago "blow-out" whilst driving home on the ridiculous roads home from the airport downtown...and our tires were BRAND NEW! We had to drive the 3 hours home on a spare on a Sunday night, and couldn't go over 50 miles per hour or else the tire would pop...that made for a very long ride home. We found out after the fact, that if you blow a tire on one of Chicago's horribly unkempt roads, you are supposed to take a picture of the pot-hole and your popped tire and send them to the state department of something or another and they're supposed to reimburse you...when or how much, I don't know. At least our tires still had a warrenty! :D

Stay Tuned for the Next Official Post: MBA Spring Ball {but that's not till April 18th, so we'll see what happens between now and then}

Oh the Places We'll See

We went to ATL for Spring Break last week and had a delightful time. Kyle has the camera with him at school right now, but I will post pictures on Sunday--tune in for Floridian Burns + Chicago Off-Roading.

Oh and for the sanity of all, I did a quick little bit of housekeeping on our blog from the Christmas colors...I guess its supposed to be spring now, but I don't see a green thing outside. In fact, there is still a bit of melting snow on the ground.

Today's Tribute: I will miss Gumby and Pokey as our main pic, but I really love Sloane Tannen's work, so pipe-cleaner chicks are the profile pic for now folks.

Beard Off + Mouse Paraphernalia

Well, Christmas has come and gone and Kyle seems to be winning the annual "Beard Off"...poor me, I never win these contests. I doubt I'll ever win the prestigious award of everyone coming up to me and asking if I feel warmer due to my new layer on my face or if I like it or if everyone else likes it.

But I do feel at peace that I will be able have those feelings via Kyle. My wonderful, handsome mountain man. One day, back at the parents' house, Kyle just decided not to shave anymore and that was that. We'll see how long it lasts...people are starting to mistake him for their professors.

As a side note, the anniversary of my birth arrived, the same time as usual this year. And, of course, Kyle and I were still on Christmas vacation (over a month...whoopee), so we were able to spend the day together. I received awesome gifts from Kyle's family and mine and Kyle bought be some great clothes and a sewing machine! I was blindfolded and taken around town, ate at this DELICIOUS restaurant that serves only organic, local, seasonal cuisine. Decadent. I'm so very lucky, even for a mouse.

I learned from our Chinese friend in Kyle's MBA program, that I was born in the year of the mouse...but further study into Chinese Zodiac Astrology says that translates to "Rat" or "Rodent" as well...take your pick. I pick mouse, for its more delicate nature.

Luckily, it stands for: protector and bringer of material prosperity. But it does also bring a few other associations to the table: aggression, wealth, charm, and order, yet also associated with death, war, the occult, pestilence, and atrocities. Yay!

I did ask what was the best year to be born in. Answer? No, not the mouse...the Pig. Its for good luck and if a couple could choose any year to wait and have their 1 child in, it would definitely be the pig. I think that's what Kyle and I will do. Oh, I just checked...that's in 11 years. Okay, I'll be 35. Perfect. Although, perhaps the year of the Dragon or Horse might suffice.

Best Day of My Birth ever!

Oh, and since we've been experiencing those wonderful -25 degree record-breaking low temperatures, we've often pondered on the thought of running away to Costa Rica again. How we long to go and play in the sweltering heat once more!

A quick tribute to Costa Rican beaches {the most beautiful in the world...though I only have a few other Central American beaches to compare it to}. Please, oh please, take me back!

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggidy Jog

I know this is a little late of an update...but we went to Yacolt, WA this year for Christmas. The 1st year in 3 years! And we got snowed in...a local record since 1967. Whoopee!

And though we were in the middle of a snowstorm in WI, we didn't think about there being much snow in WA...so we didn't bring gear....

...except running tights, which you see Kyle modeling here. Yes, we're awesome.

So, we got creative. Plastic grocery bags took the place of waterproofing for both our hands and our shoes. Fashion awards? I think we were quite deserved.

We did find out that Amanda doesn't mind wearing shorts in the snow, so long as she has knee high rain boots.

And we built a 9 foot snowman and juiced a lot of carrots...gotta stay healthy in all this cold weather!

Being turned into a snow-caterpillar was certainly a highlight of the trip. And, yes, Amanda is still in shorts.

We also got to catch up (very quickly) with cousin Erica and her husband Brad while going to weddings at the Portland Temple. They are the cutest couple...so, glad we got to bump into them! We love you two!

Thanks family for such a wonderful Christmas! We love and miss you!

Bonus: a little adios movie clip...



p.s. "Thanks Buddy, hope you find your dad." -Norwhale

~ Chicagoland ~

When possums are playing possum, they are really not "playing," they actually pass out due to sheer terror. This has nothing to do with what we did this weekend...just an interesting factoid.

Once upon a time, Kyle was flying all over the place for all of these interviews for an internship this summer. I know, I know, didn't he just start the program? Yes, he did, but because his field is in such high demand, they start recruiting immediately! This is why we were in the Conrad Hilton in Chicago last weekend. And how, you might ask, did we pay for a 5 star hotel on a student's budget? Simple: we didn't. Thanks Wrigley! We had an delightful time in the "Windy City!"

Look how cute he is! I think he is well pleased with this situation...Let the Chicago fun begin!

Nothing like a proper tea! Our favorite past time is definitely having some nice Mint Medley herbal tea together. So civilized. Lol, even if we do often pair it up with an all-fruit Popsicle!

The Grand Lux Cafe: owned by the same company that owns Cheesecake Factory, but nicer and better food. Had I known it was the same management as Cheesecake, I probably wouldn't have gone. I loathe it for its cheap, buttery nonsense. But it was surprisingly descent and had mediocre desserts!

This picture is rather Nancy Drew...I always loved her mysteries (quite an adolescent addiction, actually).

Going down... I had to make sure to restrain myself from getting off every time the elevator door opened. I just assumed that whenever the doors open, it must be my stop since I was the first person on...doesn't seem to pick favorites, just by floor number. How rude. I suppose I'm not very good with elevators, though I use one almost every week to get to Trader Joe's (one floor up...I think this is why it took me 4 tries to get to the hotel gym). I can't believe I'm actually fessing up to it really.

One last pose before we hit the road, all bundled up, to window shop and check out the Lights Festival. I love Christmas, and that's an understatement. I cannot tell you how excited I was when the radio stations started playing music for the Holidays! Off to chop down our tree in a couple days...no need to fear, we won't leave a carbon print. It'll be quick and painless. Promise.

Last stop: the Chicago Temple. It was much smaller than any I'd been in, which doesn't say much, but very lovely. Too bad the ice was starting to kick in (we still have some remaining snow outside from last weekend's snow storm) so they had to turn the water fountains off. The one behind me is supposed to be really cool!

I wouldn't say it was particularly windy for the "Windy City," but then again, I did live in Rexburg, so there's really no comparison. I guess we'll just have to find out this summer. Kyle accepted the offer at Wrigley for a 3 month internship! After such schmoozing, how could he ever refuse? Plus, they really are an awesome company with great people and he already feels right at home.

Wrigley here we come!

It was a Mash...It was a Monster Mash

If we had more time and were willing to pay money for a costume that would be worn once, we would probably have been Gumby and Pokey or something of a random nature. Instead, we chose to be the Stepford 50's couple for Kyle's MBA party.

All I had to do was tease my hear, put on an apron, heels and bring my trusty and domestic rolling pin. Kyle simply had to wear his already nerdy-chic spectacles, hat, "I LIKE IKE" (one of the Asian girls at the party actually asked Kyle if IKE was a rock band! LOL! Come on people!), and brought his daily Wall Street Journal. Easy! I sort of wish I had been The Magnificent, Marvelous Mad Madam Mim...she is so delightful.

A quick tribute to our all time favorite last-minute costume...

It was our 1st Halloween as a couple: We were "Fowl" or "Foul," take your pick. I had come back to Rexburg to visit Kyle on my off-track and there was a Halloween party that night so we went to the local K-Mart and picked out the already discounted childrens costumes, cut out the arms and legs and wore them quite splendidly I might say!

Here he is feeding me worms: the delicious and mulitcolored kind! And it tasted like Bubble Gum Pie, yum! Perhaps next year we'll relive the good 'ol days of kids costumes...you'll just have to see what kind of tricks we have up our sleeves...