Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Good News Update!

What a cute baby! This is the update for baby Beth. She was in the hospital for about a month healing from a blood infection. It seems the first picture I put up she was well... kinda bloated. There's no pretty way of putting that. So it seems she has had to "decompress" and then gain some healthy weight. She is at home with mommy Maresa now and doing good. For a while Maresa (my sister in law) had to get up at 3 am and insert a feeding tube in her throat so she would feed throughout the night. I am guessing that practice isn't necessary anymore though.


She is a rare site for most still. There is a list of less than 10 people that are allowed to see her for awhile. (I made that elite list thank-you-very-much... even though I'm 600 miles away).
In the close up she looks like Jesse. In the sleeping one I think she looks like Maresa.
In the other she looks like... well herself.


Isn't this nicer to look at than the last picture of me? Blaugh.... For the record Brett REALLY likes that picture. Ugh... he's weird.

That picture was actually taken at a Red Robin in Seattle the weekend of Chad and Elisa's wedding. I think thats where I first met Grandpa Jack and was introduced to his funny jokes. Also Stephanie just found out she was pregnant with Preston, who is almost turning into a "big boy." Lastly, Brett and I had just gotten engaged.... oh memories...

Sunday, May 25, 2008

New Tasty Feature

If you look to the top right side of our blog you will notice our tasty new feature. Brett and I have complied a list of places we've eaten at which we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Usually this is a combination of an amazing food at an amazing price. Others were so amazing they were worth every penny.
For example, The Philadelphian will give you a huge, appropriately greasy, delicious philly (or anything -because it's all good) for under $5. At Lek's Railroad Thai, however, you might pay $20-something for the curry duck. But it would be worth it because every single bite makes you want to write a book about how duck should never be consumed any other way.

I'm kind of a spaz about good food. I know. But whose not? We really don't go out to eat very much, but who doesn't like to make lists? (See Bub's and many of his blog postings, and Matt and his "How Dark Helmet tried to destroy my life" list).

Here is the quick run down in case you ever run by any of these places:
Bucers- This has an asterisk because Brett cannot back it. Moral reasons I suppose. He insist its for huge losers and is too embarrassed to walk into it. He won't eat there because of the "ambiance." Which, by the way is awesome. It's a dark little cafe with music, rich locals who buy $5 hot drinks and liberal college students who huddle together and talk about how they are going to change the world because, surely it needs changing.
What am I doing there? Not being liberal or rich, but just eating lots of chocolate. Enjoying the orange truffles, but not before I eat the best vegatarian pannini, or maybe the turkey. Or maybe the Colossal Chocolate Cake- which is the most insane chocolate cheesecake you've ever had. If you are driving through you need one to go. Otherwise you simply have not lived.

Sorry- I will make the other recommendations short and sweet.

Moons- the service is very personal. Very personal. The owners will talk your ear off. But that's ok because the Freedom Dip is worth anything. It's not on the menu, but they'll make it. Get the salad with the homemade honey mustard dressing and pretend like your being healthy.

2nd Avenue Pizza- It's on 2nd Avenue and the wait is a bit long, however something about the spices they mix into the pizza will make anything you order the best pizza you've had.

Panhandler Pies- yes, I waitressed there, however order the pie (ANY) and you will love pie even when you thought you didn't like it.

Helmer Cafe- the rudest backwoods service you've ever had but order the Helmer burger (it's ginormous) and mind your p's and q's.

The Philadelphian- Go before the Health Inspector shuts it down. Order anything. Save cash. Fall in love.

Lek's Railroad Thai- don't fall for "Southern Food" in Alabama. Go here, and order anything. The Duck is delicious, but so is everything.

Burger Stop- This is mostly for sentimental reasons. I loved going here with my family growing up. I never liked fries, but these guys will convert anybody. The fry sauce is the cherry on top. Also, everything here is good- the shakes and the chicken sandwiches are killer.

Pete's- Even though Brett and I had our first "date" here it's not all sentimental. The food is pretty good, but the ambiance really is neat. Yep, ambiance.

Ivar's- because you just have to.

Bubba's - good BBQ and everybody knows it

Merchant and Main- almost didn't make the list, but it's the only place so far we would send people to. It's in Old Vacaville which has a good feel, and the prime rib is perfect.


The End For Now!

Where'd the pink come from?


This is Brett typing this one. You probably have already assumed that because of the pink. It's great being out here in California, they have this, I believe it's called "memorial day". What it is is that you get to get the day off. So what we did is we went camping for a bit. We saw some fancy-pants Redwoods, and did the campfire thing.

We went for a hike, and despite what Rachel might tell you, I wasn't afraid of the vultures once I picked up a stick. We also were lucky enough to have an exercise in putting up the tent in the rain. But judging by all the trees that we saw that had been previously struck by lighting, I won't complain with the light drizzle.

Well, that's all I got.

Friday, May 16, 2008

We're Connected


We're Moved in and Online!!!

Monday, April 14, 2008

Fancy Pants WA DC

Apparently our Nation's Capital is a pretty big deal.
Just kidding, of course it is. It's just that interesting.
It can be educational,



exciting, and sometimes scary.


But most of all there is a great sense of unity and pride.



And of course, there are always more scary things than politics...



Here is a great shot of me. Mostly because you can't see how much wider than Brett I am. Ha. Just kidding.
Brett had to fly to D.C. to get sworn in to The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. I drove up there 14 hours to see him- and yes it was SO worth it. I'm so darn proud of him.
It was a great experience. First of all as a couple it was really neat to do something exciting, stay at a nice hotel (Marriott -HoLLeR WhAt!) and have a nice romantic time before little baby Marie comes. (That's right, i slipped a name).
It was really cool to meet some of the big shots in charge of the Military. I have to say I am so impressed with many of the high ranking military people I meet because of two things: 1. They are humble and gracious & 2. They make a BIG deal about their families.
Every successful high-ranking official will always come out and tell you how important their spouse is to their success and how essential their family is in balancing their life.
I'm one of the few spouses that gets to be around all the JAG students when officials talk about these issues and I am so thankful for that. I like being a part of something that is realistic about life and includes the family as intergral part of progress and accomplishment.
I'm not saying the military (or any man-made institution) is perfect, however it feels so good to know that I personally respect alot of Brett's bosses, all the way up the chain.





Sunday, April 06, 2008

Sweet Baby Girl

My brother finally had his baby. Or his wife did. Her name is Beth (i think that is what they are sticking with!). She was a few days overdue but finally came into the world on April 2 at 8:45 pm.
Her Stats: 21'' -7lbs-14oz.
She was born at LDS Hospital but then Life-flighted to Inter-Mountain Hospital which was really scary. Little Beth couldn't breathe on her own, had air around her heart, and had some sort of a blood infection. She has been in their ICU ever since then but is doing better each day.
My brother says she is sweet and mild, but is not down with having a breathing tube stuck in her face and tries to pull it out. Silly girl, breathing is good for you!
I was so scared when I heard all of this, but the baby probably is totally chill and knows what she is doing. She is sooooooooooooooooooooo beautiful.
Thats right. I'm bragging.

She is the first grandchild in my family. I'm gonna spoil the crap out of her! Just kidding... sort of... my mom will do a good job with that.
Beth We Love You!