Starting now..once a month...at least

Hello blogging world. I made a promise to myself I would do this more often. So here I am. Life is good! Brandy has a new job she loves, working part time at a Gymnastics and Sports Center. I am still at eBay. Things are good there as well, learning lots, on a new team doing a lot of special projects, etc. Can't wait for this summer, Brandy and I are seriously starting to talk about a puppy. I am so excited. It'll be nice to have a puppy, and have some more responsibility. Its like a kid, only...not. Ha ha. Easter is just around the corner, good times good times. My mom is having surgery soon, having her second knee replacement. She'll be alright. She's tough. Anyway, that is all for now. Good night all.

I really really really want a puppy! (From Brandy)

Boston!

Bawston. Yes, we saw a magnet that actually was written out like a Bostonian would speak. Hurt my brain. ANYWAY, I will start out one our first venture to Boston, since our vacation really ended where it began, Logan International Airport. As you read previously, due to the storm, we flew in to Boston instead of NY. Everyone thought we were crazy, but we were going. We had no choice. We landed in Boston the day before the storm was supposed to hit to avoid any catastrophe, on a Saturday. It was raining, needless to say, but not really that bad. We spent a good amount of time in the airport and actually found all of the souvenirs we knew we wanted from Boston almost immediately (the magnet mentioned above almost made the list, but it was too confusing to read to really enjoy). After we made our way through the airport it was time to check in to our hotel. It wasn’t too far from the airport, and being that we made reservations with Holiday Inn Express, we had a shuttle to take us there. Score.

It was an eerie feeling in Boston that day. The roads were pretty empty and the air was pretty ominous. It was coming. Once we got into our hotel room and got comfy, we needed food, ASAP (besides, for some weird reason they closed the pool for fear it would flood). We grabbed as many booklets from the hotel lobby as possible to find what we could eat. We decided on Chinese food because we knew that take-out for Chinese would have good serving sizes and it was relatively cheap. OMG yummy! I got beef and mushrooms and Brandy got steamed veggies and shrimp. Also delish. Way too much food, but who cares, we are on vacation.

Watching the storm roll in that night was a blast. The wind got crazy first, and then you heard the rain pound the pavement. All in all, the storm in Boston that night wasn’t too bad. Off to bed for to get an early go in the morning.

Boston Part 2:

The morning we went to Boston was a busy one. After finishing packing, we got a ride to the airport from our hotel shuttle. We figured the airport was the most central location and somewhere that Emily, our ride could easily find us. Holy crap LaGuardia Airport is massive! We hung out and waited for Emily just inside the airport, who arrived not much later with her mother-in-law and baby!

The drive to Boston wasn’t too bad, that is, until we got to the outskirts of Boston. For some reason traffic was a nightmare and a half. Bostonian drivers are nuts, I tell ya. Once we got to Hotel Romney, aka Chase and Jenny’s house, it was getting late and just took it easy and went to an amazing Indian restaurant. So much food, and not too bad of price. After that, we watched Utah play Montana State. We actually found live streaming video online! Thank you PAC-12! Game wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win. I guess.

Boston /Cambridge is absolutely beautiful. Cambridge is just on the outside of Boston, and is so quaint and pretty. I didn’t want to leave. The second day we were there, Brandy and I were on our own adventuring through Cambridge. We took our first subway trip. Wasn’t too bad, except someone was an idiot and forgot which exit to get off at so we had to get back on the train and try again. (Ok, Ok, it was my fault. Oops). The Freedom Trail is absolutely amazing. The history behind it is incredible to me. Some of the historical places we went to were hundreds of years older than the United States. Once we started the Freedom Trail, there is a wonderful yellow line we could follow. (God bless you whoever decided to help us poor tourists.) The Freedom Trail took you all around town, straight through downtown and took you to all of the historical places around Boston. Being a history buff, I was in love. Paul Revere’s house, Old North Church, the cemetary which contains signers of the Declaration of Independence, who could ask for more? PS, did you know Mother Goose was buried in the same cemetery as John Hancock? We wandered and wandered for what seemed ages, and finally came to Old North Church. The trail goes much further, however, for time constraints, we turned around. We did find an amazing cupcake place and bought a Double Chocolate Fudge cupcake. OMG…yummy.

We quickly walked back to the subway and headed back to Chase and Jenny’s house to freshen up, take a nap and get ready to go to dinner. Because our friends had done so much for us to help make our trip a blast, we decided to take them all out to dinner. We went to Maggianos. It was absolutely incredible. Cameron (Emily’s husband) was going to be stubborn and not let us pay for him, but we had other plans. Brandy informed the waiter that Cameron was not allowed to pay and to give us the check. Honestly, for 6 people, it was really well priced, and once again, OMG yummy! We had a blast just sitting and talking. Although I made a fool of myself because I am horrible with names and kept calling Cameron “Parker”. Hey it’s his last name, and also a first name, cut me some slack.

After dinner, Chase, Jenny, Brandy and I decided to take a walk around Cambridge and get cupcakes again. Hey why not, right? They were also delish and in a fun little diner that looked like it was stuck in the 50’s. We were absolutely exhausted after cupcakes, so we went home and crashed.

The next morning we were off to see historical Massachusetts. Lexington and Concord, two pivotal battles in our Revolutionary Way are just a short distance from Cambridge and so we decided to take a day trip and go see them. To stand on the same ground the American soldiers did was incredible. We saw a short video about the war and I learned things I never knew. It was awe inspiring. Also a fun fact: did you know that Paul Revere never actually got to where he was supposed to go? He was captured, detained and let go, but never fulfilled his duties.

In Lexington, we went to the Commons, and just across the street was one of the most sobering things I have seen in a long time. There was a sign on a house that read “House of Jonathan Harrington who wounded on the common April 19 1775 dragged himself to the door and died at his wife’s feet.” Wow…really? That’s intense.

We also drove out to Walden Pond, where Henry David Thoreau lived in solitude. It was breath-taking. But I do need to point out that they really need to re-evaluate what they call a pond out there. IT WAS MASSIVE!!!

After Walden Pond, we went home, dropped off Jenny as she had some papers to grade (ah the joy of being a teacher,) and Chase took us on a guided tour of Harvard. The old buildings were absolutely incredible. The campus was crazy big. I still think my favorite part was the freshman dining hall. It looks like Hogwarts. No one is allowed in but freshman (reminds me of The Skulls). The law library was probably the biggest building I have ever seen. Absolutely beautiful. Two of my other favorite landmarks at Harvard are the Statue of Three Lies, and Winnie the Pooh. That’s right, Winnie the Pooh. The statue of three lies is actually pretty entertaining. The year of Harvard’s founding is wrong, John Harvard is not the founder of Harvard, and the statue is not actually John Harvard. Apparently because of its’ infamy, no one has bothered to change it. It was a sight to see.

Well, that about rounds up our trip. It was a wild one, and the day following our tour of Harvard, we packed up and flew home. I had more fun than I could have ever imagined, and it will be something I will never forget.

US Open Part 1!!!

Vacation Tales August 25-Sept 4

Day 1: August 25, 2011

We’re starting our tale on this date because this is when everything started to get crazy. The days
leading up to August 25 had brought concern of Hurricane Irene. She had already hit the Bahamas and
left destruction in her wake and had set sight on the East Coast. All reports had her hitting landfall in
North Carolina and heading up with the coast and hitting NYC around Sunday at possibly a Category 1
Hurricane.

Upon hearing this we decided to head to our Travel Agent to see if we could switch our flight to
Saturday. Luckily airlines were being nice and let us change our flight without fees. We felt safer now
knowing we would be flying in on Saturday and safely in our hotel on Sunday when the Hurricane was
supposed to hit NYC.

Day 2: August 26, 2011

Happy Birthday JOE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This day was full of fun times and sad times. We found out that all
flights to the major airports around NYC (five total) had canceled all flights for Sunday. Yay lucky us
already switched our flight. With that not on our minds we had a great night of homemade mac and
cheese with a delicious caramel apple followed by finishing touches on packing.

Enter the sad: Joe has a friend that works for Delta (our savior really) and that’s how we found out that
not only were airlines canceling flights on Sunday but possible Saturday too. This way evacuating the city
if needed wouldn’t be as hard I guess. She text Joe around 10 PM on Friday night and told us our flight
Saturday had been canceled.

I fell to the floor balling. Called my mom in hysterics. I was looking at flights anywhere somewhat inland
but close enough that we could drive. WE HAD TO BE IN NYC ON MONDAY!!! No if ands or buts about it.
I was not going to have $2,000 go to waste.

Good thing I pack early. Upon hearing this news we decided to head the airport and figure out some way
to get on a plane. After an hour or so at the counter we were put on a flight to Boston at 9:45 AM the
next morning, August 27.

Day 3: August 27, 2011

Now instead of our destination being New Jersey we were headed to Boston! We were on row 43 of
44…holy big plane Batman. Joe was able to talk with the representatives at the gate about getting
somewhat closer. Sadly there were no seats any closer. Butttt they did have two open seats in FIRST
CLASS that they put us in.

Oh glory day how amazing First Class is! Since we have no clue what you do and don’t get in First Class

we asked…yeah, EVERYTHING is complimentary!!! Hello Bailey’s and coffee! It’s great to meet you on
my vacation!

We finally got into Boston and to our hotel. Thank goodness they had a list of places that delivered
because it was pouring rain and we were starving! After some delicious Chinese food we sat down and
made our plan of attack to get to NYC by Monday!

Me in the hurricane in Boston on 8/27

Day 4: August 28, 2011

Enter our day of daringness! Bwhahaha

Irene had made landfall in North Carolina and was making her way north. Fortunately for us it appeared
she was going to head more inland up the East Coast rather than hug the coast and downpour on NYC.
Also, she was now a Tropical Storm. After much debate, car rental investigations and weather watching
we decided to leave Boston at 3:00 PM Sunday afternoon destined for NYC!

Honestly the drive wasn’t bad at all. Slightly windy and some sprinkling rain, but nothing crazy. And
score one for us in leaving Sunday instead of early Monday: Tolls were closed!!!! Sooo we only had the
crazy rental car price to pay! Oh and score two for us: parts of CT we drove through flooded Sunday
night, good thing we left early!

We made it to NYC about 7…and COULD NOT find the hotel. I swear I drove around for an hour…at least.
Finally finally we found the Holiday Inn Express and begged them to let us stay there instead of trying to
find the Holiday Inn for one night. They obliged and we were finally in NYC…the Open just a mile away! I
actually just wanted to stop and sleep there cuz I found that easier than my hotel. Hahaha

I was a day away from one dream coming true: Attending a Grand Slam.

Day 5: August 29, 2011

The day of the Open had finally arrived!! So far we had endured canceled flights, a late night at the
airport, first class, a hurricane, and got to exercise our right of being 25 and renting a car! The time for
TENNIS had arrived!

We got to the Billie Jean Tennis Center around 9 AM and waited for the gates to open at 10. I had fun
taking some pictures around the grounds and just taking in that I was actually here! We knew that Andy
wasn’t playing on Monday but were excited to see Fishy, Sharapova, Venus and yes, even Federer.

Since we returned our rental car that morning we got up at 6:30 AM. We didn’t get back to our Hotel
til close to 1:30. It was one LONNNNNNNG day. The first of many to come!! But long days are ok when
you’re at tennis having fun!!!

By now we knew the schedule of play for the next day and yet again, Andy wasn’t playing. I was getting
worried….


Joe and I on Day 1 of the Open!

Day 6: August 30, 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDY!

Another day of tennis, fun and pictures. I took about 120 pictures on Day 1, my camera died on me
about 20 pictures in on Day 2. I was bummed that I wouldn’t be able to get pics of Andy now. We
tore apart our hotel and the charger was nowhere to be found. I was determined to find a disposable
somewhere. We were able to watch Djokovic, Nadal and Serena play. Also, American James Blake.

It was shortly after Djokovic match I received CRUSHING news: Andy was playing the night session on
Ashe the next day. We only had tickets for the day sessions. I was NOT leaving NYC without seeing Andy.
That’s why I came. I needed to fulfill Dream #2. I sat on the ground of Arthur Ashe stadium in tears. I was
devastated and beyond sad. After talking it over we decided we’d do whatever we could to make sure I
got to see Andy the next night.

Emily being the Saint she is had no problem picking us up Thursday and our hotel had a room for
Wednesday night. Now all we needed to figure out was getting tickets! Thankfully we were able to trade
our Day tickets for Night and pay the difference. Things aligned: I was going to see Andy Roddick!!!!
Tears and stress lifted. Now time to find a camera!

Day 7 August 31, 2011

Since I can’t sleep in to save my life I was up about 7:30. I decided to clean up the suitcases. They were a
mess after we were frantically searching for our charger. Around 8 AM our hotel phone rang. I thought
that was odd since we hadn’t order a wakeup call or anything. There was a gentleman on the line and
he said that he had ridden the shuttle with us a few times to the Open. He asked if we were staying
for the night match and if we had tickets. I said that we were able to get extend our stay and get some
tickets. He then asked if I wanted better seats….ummm sure! I went to the door and there was an older
man with glasses and an LSU tee shirt standing there. He handed me two tickets and said, “Here, enjoy
these.” I knew these tickets were for sure better than ours because they were bigger and blue. As I’m
walking back into the room I notice they say BOX 56F instead of a row number and that COURTSIDE is
written below that. I start flipping out!!!! I screamed to Joe (who was half asleep still at least, the phone
call woke him up) “WE HAVE COURTSIDE SEATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

I immediately pulled up the Arthur Ashe seating chart and found out that we were about 10 rows FROM
THE COURT! I would be just mere feet away from Andy Roddick!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH

Now finding a camera/charger was much more important. Since we turned in our day session tickets we
had all day to scour NY for an electronics store. Lucky for us our hotel had a shuttle stop at the mall and
the mall had a Best Buy nearby! We rush over there, find a charger that works with our camera battery
and head back to charge!!!! I could not wait for the night session. I was seeing Andy Roddick, LIVE and
from COURTSIDE seats!!!!

Time seemed to crawl by….finally it was time to enter the grounds, get some yummy BBQ Chicken
Pizza for dinner and settle down in my awesome courtside seat. The players finally came out and I was
ecstatic as Andy was right there in front me!!!! I took picture after picture, got a couple of his Box and of

Brooklyn for Joe and enjoyed the match. I was totally fine with his first round match going to four sets. I
got to see him play longer!

I had the tennis ball I had gotten from practice in my bag. I know that following the match the winner
signs some autographs while exiting the court. I was going to try and get down there to get an
autograph. What better way to cap off an amazing dream already come true, right? Sadly the security
officer right there was mean and wouldn’t let me down. So I took pics of Andy signing autographs. I
noticed that his box and cleared out and I had I thought. I wondered if I’d be able to run into Brooklyn or
his coach on the concourse. I took a walk to find out!

What a good walk it was!!! As I was making my way around I saw a small entourage of people walking
and recognized the woman as Brooklyn. I had my camera and an autograph book so I decided to ask
her for a picture. She was so nice and said yes and also signed an autograph. I knew Joe was going to
be so jealous. But hey, I got him a picture of Brooklyn Decker! I figured if I can’t meet Andy then his
supermodel wife is the next best thing!

I ended up being gone about an hour cuz the line to get us some delicious Honey Deuce drinks took
FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! Joe figured I had found Andy, gotten escorted out of the grounds for finding Andy
or had died. Lol! He was happy to see I was ok and then very very jealous at the pic of Brooklyn. I got the
pic for him so he was OK with that!

We finished up the night watching Sharapova win. I still wish I could thank the nice man from our
hotel again. The front desk couldn’t remember who he was or what room he was in. He truly made my
dream of seeing Andy play more incredible by giving us those seats and again making a stressful and sad
situation better and work out more than I could have ever thought

So far we had dealt with flight issues to then be rewarded with first class and momentarily didn’t know
if I’d be able to see Andy to seeing him from Courtside and meeting his wife. New York sure was a roller
coaster and now it was off to Boston/Cambridge!




Andy following his huge serve

Andy getting ready to serve

Me with Brooklyn Decker

Yummy Honey Deuce Drink!!! :)

Long time no write

Wow, it has been way too long since we have updated this thing. I made a promise to myself I would get on here at least once a week, starting NOW! Life is pretty good. Just workin away, staying busy. The US Open is coming up! Brandy and I are stoked to be going. Its a dream of hers, and I am so happy I can help her fulfill this dream. It will be a blast to get away for a week and just hang out. Plus we will be going to Boston to see friends who live back there. Good times. Well, until next week.....

Been a long time..

So I promised myself I was going to write in here all the time. That went well. Let's try it again shall we? Life is going well. I am still working and love my job and my co-workers. Brandy is keeping busy at her job. We recently went to Florida for NCAA Gymnastics championships. It was a blast. Nice weather, no work, and just being away was amazing. Next up is our trip to Vegas. 3 weeks! We are going for our anniversary. We can't wait. I can't believe we have almost been married two years. Crazy. Well that's all for now, and I promise I will be back more often!!

Brandy's first post in the blogging world.

Soooo....who knows if we're dressing up for Halloween anymore. We don't know of any parties and the Utes play on Halloween....if we hear of a party we'll probably just go and not dress up. The expense isn't worth it right now. Other than that not a lot is going on. I'm SUPER stoked for WinCo opening tomorrow. It's huge and full of savings and a danger to have within walking distance. hahaha I'm not crazy. I just love the grocery store. I'm also super excited for the holidays and want to bake all the time. Thing is I don't have anywhere to take all these baked goods so it is kinda a difficult situation. Alright I think I've rambled enough! :)

Halloween

After much deliberation and frustration, we have figured out what we are going to be for Halloween. Pebbles and Bam Bam..Won't I look hot as Pebbles? Ha ha..Anyway, if anyone knows of any good parties for Halloween, keep us in the loop! We wanna come!