Fashionista

I don't consider myself stylish in any way. My idea of style is to throw on a comfortable t-shirt, jeans, and flip flops. The other night, I had an opportunity to hand out with the girls and go shopping. Lucky for me, they all took pity on me and showed me how I can still wear my jeans and t-shirts and still kick it up a notch. We had a great time together trying on clothes and picking out new things to wear. Shopping isn't necessarily my thing, but it sure was fun to come home with a few new additions to my otherwise bland wardrobe.

Peace

I've had a lot to think about today. We lost another friend to brain cancer this morning. This is our second friend within the last 8 months that has passed away from this awful disease. Words can't express the deep sorrow that I feel for her family. It's hard to lose those that we love. I am so grateful for the love and hope that our Savior, Jesus Christ, brings to each one of us during these hard times. I am especially grateful for the sealing power that enables us to be together with our families for eternity. She will be missed, especially by her sweet husband and four kids. Having a knowledge of the gospel makes it a little easier. I am so happy that she is not in any more pain and that she is able to move forward with her life on the other side of the veil. She will be a great strength to those she is with now with.We will miss her and are sad to see her go, but knowing that we will see her and our other friend again someday brings us peace and happiness.

K-T-B!

Our super good friend, Katy, drove through Chicago last week and we were so lucky to have her stay a night with us. She's currently on a road trip across America visiting friends and family and also going on as many blind dates as she can. If anyone could do something like that, it's her. She's so awesome! We were supposed to find a blind date for her while she was here, but I was too selfish and wanted her all to ourselves instead.

We met Katy six years ago while we were at Penn State. Katy started her PhD program there, but was only there for a brief 4 months. We packed in all we could while we had her around and ended up with a great friendship that stands the test of time. (Is that dramatic enough for you?!)

We didn't have a whole lot of time while she was here, but we did take her over to Lake Michigan and drove around a little bit. These are just a few of the fun pictures that we took with her. We had a great time! Good luck on the rest of your trip Katy!

A boy and his sword. Can't leave home without it.

Who doesn't love rolling around in the sand?

Hamming it up for the camera!

Life is Good with Friends

Some good friends from Pennsylvania stopped by on their way to Colorado! It was so much fun to see them! Their kids have gotten so big since we saw them last (almost 2 years ago). The kids all had a great time playing video games, running around, and catching a grand total of 11 fireflies in a jar. We had a great time talking and catching up on everything and just hanging out! Lucky for us, they are moving back to Wally's hometown so we're sure to see them anytime we're home visiting grandparents.

A Mastercard Moment...

Parking at the airport: $10

Airport food for dinner: $15

Spending 3 1/2 hours at the airport with great friends: priceless

It's not every day that you get to spend an afternoon at the airport to see some special friends. Lucky for us, our good friends from PA were on their way home with a long layover in Chicago. We waited to tell Kelsie and Brandon that we were going to go see their old friends until just before we left and you would have thought it was Christmas all over again! The whole drive to the airport we heard, "I can't wait to see Sage and Gabe!" Once we got to the airport, we arranged for a meeting place and then waited for them to come. Kelsie was overcome with excitement and when she finally saw her friend Sage, it was a scene right out of a movie. They both ran to each other and ended in a huge hug. It was the same for Brandon and Gabe.

We spent the next 3 1/2 hours hanging out at the airport and enjoying the time we had to spend with their family. The train ride was lots of fun for everyone and getting food at the food court couldn't have been more exciting (Wally had to wait 15 minutes for Brandon's Happy Meal). When it was time to say good-bye, we held back our tears and had to explain to our kids one more time that they had to go home and that we'll hopefully see them again soon.

After all, isn't that what family is for?

Another Publication?

A good friend of mine had some of her photography work published here (just look for Courtney Price Photography) and it got me thinking about being published.

Ironically enough, Wally and I have been "published" one way or another in every state we have lived in. And I'm not talking about all of Wally's publications for his research in chemistry. Or all my blog publications, does that even count?

It all began when we went to the hospital to have Kelsie. She was born on Father's Day weekend and the paper wanted to do a story about a new dad. I thought it was funny because Kelsie was born in Utah, which to my knowledge, does not have a shortage of "new father's" year round. We just happened to walk in at the right time and were chosen as the couple. The reporter interviewed Wally all about being a new dad and what his expectations were. After a series of questions and pictures taken (while I was in labor, I'd like to add), Sunday morning, Father's Day, Wally's face was on the front page of the Daily Herald with me in the background during a contraction. I don't think we saw it until after my mom, who was driving from CA, called to tell us she saw Wally's picture in the newsstand at the gas station she stopped at and bought all the papers that were left. So, here's Wally in all his glory (doesn't he look young?):


Our next publication was in State College, PA when we participated in the annual Kid's Bike Parade for the 4th of July. This happened to be our last summer there before we moved to Washington and we had been part of the parade for the last 5 years. The photographer must have been impressed with Brandon's (2 almost 3) biking skills and got a picture of him riding with me in the background, again, scooting along behind him.

Our most recent publication was in Richland, WA were we lived before we moved to Chicago. Last spring our family participated in a family bike race put on by the parks and recreation department. Wally and the kids rode 4 miles up the Columbia River and completed tasks along the way. (Caleb was only 2 months old at the time, so I walked the first part and met them at the end.) They earned enough points from the tasks they completed that we ended up winning the whole race (based on points, not who crossed the finish line first). They took our picture and put it in their spring catalog, advertising this year's race. This time we all made it in the picture, even Caleb where you can barely see his little head poking out from the baby bjorn.


3 publications in 3 states without even trying. We must just be the kind of people that attract the media's attention. At least it's fun to think that! We'll see if our publishing streak continues while we're living in Illinois. Once I know, you'll know.