Happy Birthday, Mom

Mom would have turned 65 on Wednesday. Dave, being the superstar husband he is, suggested that we have Bruce's family over, have mom's favorite pie (lemon meringue), and set off a few of the chinese lanterns we couldn't use at our reception sendoff because the wind was too crazy. I thought it was a beautiful idea.

 

We watched the funeral slideshow while we ate pie. Dave had never seen it, and I wanted him to know a little bit more about her. I cried (of course), but it was so nice to have Dave next to me. He fills so much of that dark void. I'm so grateful for him.

We didn't manage to take video of the lanters, but they were beautiful. 

I really miss her.

Happy birthday, Mom.

Fixed

Leo was, um, loving everything in sight when we got him, so Dave made the decision to get him fixed. Called, made the appointment...everything but actually taking the little guy to get fixed. I had the joy of that job. Let me tell you, dogs KNOW when they are going to the vet. Chloe was like, "sucker," as I took Leo out the door. Little did she know (until later, then she KNEW) that she would end up there in a few hours for a checkup and shots. 

Poor little guy. He was so stoned the first day. Dave could not stop laughing. I laughed but felt guilty. He was just so pathetic looking!  It was the first of many of Leo's and my bonding experiences.  Sadly, the fixing did not end the "loving." The vet said it would take a month, so I guess we'll see...

How on earth the dog-hater ended up with two dogs who like to sit at her feet, I will never know.

This has become his new favorite place to curl up and sleep in the evenings.

Solar Eclipse

The last solar eclipse I can remember was when I was a teenager. Dad busted out his welding mask, and we tried to take pictures with film cameras through it. The lighting was so bizarre, as the eclipse happened around noon, and I remember feeling like I was in some sort of science fiction film.

Dave and I had purchased a new patio set the day before the eclipse, so we decided to host a little eclipse party with my brother's family, Dave's sister's family, and Meg and Jim who were stopping through on their way down to San Diego. It was the first real big party we've hosted, and I LOVED it.

The eclipse was cool, too.

 Our awesome pinhole camera.

 The shadows the sun made on my dress.

So cool!!

El Presidente, 2 months, and Leo

Dave was recently installed as president of the Utah Academy of Family Practice which required a trip north for his ceremony and meeting. It happened to be our two month anniversary of getting married, which we of course celebrated with a little sub-zero action.

Dave headed up to Ogden and left me to hang out with my brother's family for a few hours. We had a good time.

Maia and me telling Dave how much we wanted him to be done in Ogden so we could go home.

We also decided that trip to adopt my brother's dog, Leo. He's a pretty cute beagle puppy, just not when he pees on people.

Dave decided that despite the incident, we would still take Leo home. I took him for a run the next morning so he could get used to his surroundings. He managed to keep up the entire six miles.

 But he was pretty tuckered out in the end.

Dixie

Moving to St. George has been a bit of an adjustment for me, especially since I don't start teaching until August. My days include trying desperately to finish thank you notes, organize the garage, and get our house in order, as well as running errands, cooking delicious food, and exercising. It doesn't sound so bad when you put it that way, but it gets a little bit lonely sometimes when most of those activities are solitary. Consequently, Dave has tried to find things that will spice up my life a little bit.

Enter: Dixie, the little red scooter.

This little gem zooms me around town at a blistering 40 mph (downhill with a tailwind) and makes running errands and going to the gym so much fun! I just hit 100 miles the other day and finally had to fill up the gas tank (1 gallon capacity). The other day Dave and I met at the temple to clean. He was on his motorcycle and I took my scooter down. I couldn't stop laughing at the sight of us riding home side by side on our respective two-wheelers. It's amazing how much joy the little things bring into my heart.

Dave said make a tough face.

The Avengers!

Dave had to go to Kansas City for a conference last month, so I went up north to spend some quality time with the brothers. That quality time included seeing the Avengers. I haven't laughed so hard in a movie in a long time. It felt so good to be with family for a couple of days. I was more than ready for Dave to come home but was so grateful to have family to keep me company while he was gone.

I really love these guys.