Gridiron Traditions

After the Poway v. Carlsbad game today, we got this picture with all the Mendenhall boys. Uncle James and Kyle were there along with Auntie Jennifer to cheer on James and the Poway Gators.

 

Uncle Bill and Aunt Chris always are there for support. We are so happy they come and cheer James on! We love you guys!!!

 

Abby's 3rd Birthday

We woke up and started the day off making my baby some cupcakes. She did a fabulous stirring job, and she didn't even lick the spoon. (Apparently I've passed along my germ anxieties to my daughter.Lick the bowl? Yikes!)

 

The finished product. Looks like it's finger picking good.

 

I finally was granted wish and got a jumpy in the backyard. 15 kid's birthday parties I've planned during my tenure as a mother and not once had I rented a jumpy. Now I feel I've made some important rite of passage. (p.s.note to self-if you have germ anxieties, don't rent a jumpy.)

 

 

Great picture of Jack and Sam. Who got the better ride? I think they're both winners.

I Want to Be a Part of It!

I've been dying to post about our trip to NYC, but it seemed like a daunting task. How can I do the awesomeness of the trip justice?! I've picked a bunch of the highlights. Sit back and relax, this may take awhile. (btw, Chris Martin sang this song to me while we were landing in NYC. well..not really.)The flight into JFK was so amazing. It was the early morning hour of Friday, September 12th(5:15am to be exact) as we approached the airport. They still had the lights shining from the 9/11 memorial and it was such a cool sight to see from the air. I'm sure the picture doesn't totally capture the effect, but you get the idea. The light beam hit right against the cloud cover for a really cool effect.

 

We braved the subway right off the bat. It was totally easy to get into the city from the airport and it only cost us $7 a piece. The Metro Card was about the only bargain of our trip!

 

We went straight over to the Today Show, cuz we're tourists and that's what tourists do!

 

It was Footloose Friday so we got to watch Kevin Bacon and his costar lady jam with Kenny Loggins. (For those of you reading this, we can now be one of your six degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon, we were practically dancing right next to him so it counts....)

 

We made a lunch stop at Carnegie deli. The best part was eavesdropping on two authentic Jewish New Yorkers talking sports. The pastrami and coleslaw was good enough, but it sat pretty heavy in our stomachs.

 

Gotta touch the giant pickle for good luck.

 

Love it!!!

 

Here's a shout out to Herman Rotenberg at the 1,873 Wedding Band booth in the jewelry mart. Thanks for the incredible deal on the anniversary band and of course, thanks to Mark for the lovely celebratory bauble!

 

Ahhh, Peter Luger. The best $200 I wish I'd never spent. Can't complain too much, it's all about the experience, and next time I'm at Outback I'll be able to reminisce about how much their steaks are about the same quality as Peter Lugers...

 

So many pictures of ME! Mark was the camera guy, what can I say, there's more coming so you can get your fill. I do love this shot with the Lady in the background.

 

This horse was super lovable and it was fun to eavesdrop on this cop's conversation with his wife.

 

Here's my frightened face at the Top of the ROck, 70 stories above Manhattan.

 

We got to catch up with our friend Monica, she took us lunch on Saturday and church on Sunday. It was a great experience to see where their chapel is. It's a cool old building that used to be a monastery. We even got to listen to a semi-crazy talk from a Puerto Rican sister-high entertainment.

 

Finally, red meat worth every penny we spent. I loved the Burger Joint!! Great food, great atmosphere, and yummy fries in a paper bag. Doesn't get any better than that. Well, the pizza at Lombardi's the night before was pretty darn close. But, Burger Joint takes the edge because of it's mysterious location behind a curtain in the lobby of a fancy hotel.

 

I love this picture Mark took at Central Park. We totally did not want to leave this spot. I particularly did not want to leave because sitting down on a bench gave my blistered feet a break.

 

I honestly can not wait to go back! I loved the city, and there's still lots left to do. We did get to see Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre, which was fabulous-too say the least. I am so glad we finally decided to take this trip and go explore the big city.

Can it Be?

15 Years have past since the day I made the best decision of my whole life. How could I have possibly known as such a tender young age that I was making the single most important choice in my whole mortal life on that day that I took my sweetheart's hand in mine and prominsed to love forever? I hoped for a lifetime of love and happiness. I got much more than I hoped for.

 

A wonderful ride down the road of parenthood, with my best friend at my side for encouragement. There is nothing more dear to me than the sounds of my children thrilled to see their Dad. My boys and girl are so lucky to have their father as an example of how a wife ought to be treated. He always puts me first.

 

Fun trips and date nights, some fancy dinners and some as simple as dinner at Rubio's and walking around Costco. It doesn't really matter what we're doing. Mark finds a way to make it fun.

 

Our "Hallmark" moments. There are the sweet moments and not so sweet ones, I find strength in knowing he's going to be there through them all with me.

 

Quite the life we've built together. From our first basement apartment days in Salt Lake, to staying at my parent's home, to our condos in Ssbre Springs, to our Waterfield Laurels days, it feels like home when we're together.

 

 

Every day truly is a perfect day when I'm with you. I'd follow you anywhere, and I know you'll follow me wherever else this journey of our life to together takes us. I'm so proud of that crazy nineteen year old girl who convinced you to marry her! I'd do it all again in a hearbeat. I love you more than words can say. Happy Anniversary!!

This is the way It's going to Be

David has an alter ego. His name is Coach Dave. He is very tough. He runs grueling warmup drills on his favorite players. Some of the things he makes them do don't even make sense, like doing cartwheels. But, no one dares question Coach Dave.

 

Then he corrals them all for a fascinating ritual of chanting and bouncing up and down. (He's in the middle there, trust me.)It's all very primitive and quite moving. The other coaches stand back in awe.

 

The chicks dig him too.