Mother's Day

I hope you all had a great Mother's Day weekend!  The Utah weather was beautiful!  It finally feels like summer is finally here.  My little sister and I went on a hike up to Bell Canyon Reservoir and had a blast.  Such a pretty time of year on the mountains. 

 

 

On Mother's Day I had to work the brunch at the hotel, but that went by quickly. We stopped by Randy's grandma's and aunt's houses to drop off flowers for them, and then had dinner, played cards and watched Star Trek with my awesome family.  I love family time and wish we did it more.

 

Yesterday's holiday fits nicely into my latest Randy story, although this is not an announcement.  I am not a mother and I am not intending to be one for some time yet.  Let's just get that straight...

 

A couple of months ago, Randy asked me if we could start packing lunches.  Since he drives around in his tow truck all day, he usually stops for fast food or loads up on snacks at the gas station.  Sunflower seeds and Big Macs aren't really cutting it for my pre-wedding health plan.  So I agreed to start buying things to pack him a lunch. 

 

I've discovered that Randy likes to eat just like a little kid - but in larger quantities.  So the other week, I'm unloading my grocery cart and the cashier looks at my items and says, "Packing lunches?" Yup.  "How old are your kids?"  33.

 

Based on the items I buy, her question did not surprise me. 

My answer, however, probably surprised her!

 

A typical lunch - with 2 PB&J's.  1 just isn't enough...

 

Oh yes. My fiance keeps my inner child alive and well.

xo

Getting Caught Up

In all fairness - I told you I was a terrible blogger!  I honestly mean it when I say I will try to be better.  So let's see... what's been happening in the 4 months I've been absent?

 

In January, we took a mini-vacation up to Lava Hot Springs, Idaho for Randy's birthday.  We played community bingo and had a grand ol' time!  Way to turn 33 in style baby!

 

Last month was my birthday.  Randy seemed very excited to have me open his present (a big bag with the words You Rock on the outside - he picked it out himself).  I found paper clips, binder clips, collapsible folders and a label maker.  ....Although I do love to organize, I was slightly confused as to why he got me a label maker.  Turns out it was a gag gift to throw me off the scent. He really got me a brand new laptop!!  I just took the GMAT and will be applying to start an MBA program in the spring, so he thought I'd need a new computer to help me in my studies.  So very thoughtful xo

 

I also secretly love the label maker. So does Randy.  He secretly labeled my phone 'SUCKER' and I didn't realize it until I got home that night.  A whole day of holding my sucker phone up to my ear...

 

Also in April - we welcome two new members to our family!  My mom's brother Daryl and his wife Laura welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Lily.  Randy's sister Angela and husband Lennon welcomed baby #2, Logan who joins big sis Baylee.  We loved getting to hold the lil guy!

 

 

I cannot for the life of me think of really anything exciting that we did...  Most our lives have been filled with wedding planning =)  We're focusing on all the details now.  This week alone we've picked a florist, decided on a menu and looked at proofs for our invitations.  I have a feeling the next 4 months are just going to fly by!

 

I really should have kept up on this to remember all the funny things Randy does. I'm saving a few for their own posts, but one thing I find adorable...

 

Randy has developed a love for Rubber Duckies.  He buys them for all our friends who have babies, and decided he apparently needed some of his own.  But these are special duckies...

 

Biker duckies - for tough guys only!

Not How I Pictured It

Two things have happened over the last week, that did not go at all as I imagined they would. 

The First: Buying my wedding dress! 

I had a specific dress in mind when I made my appointment at the salon, but they didn't have it in stock.  I tried not to be too bummed out.  Who knows - maybe it would have looked awful on me?  So I grabbed a few other choices, and immediately nixed others that I didn't even want to bother with.

Cliche of cliches - My Dress ended up being one that I didn't even want to try on!  The consultant pulled it for me after I had chosen some similar ones, and it ended up simply perfect.  I may have shed a tear - or twenty (which secretly I was hoping for, because I didn't cry at our engagement and always thought I would).

The whole thing was strangely quick.  I only tried on 4 dresses, and it was kind of like .... that's it?  I'm done?  I had this idea that it was going to take all day and tens of dresses before I found The One.  This was much better though - I'd much rather not stress about the dress.  I'm sure I will have plenty else to dress about in this process!

Sorry - but no pictures of the dress.  The designs are copyright so we're not allowed, plus I'd hate to have Randy stumble on here and accidentally see it.  Not allowed. 

A tip for brides: Buy the dress EARLY.  Most designers take about 5 months to ship your dress to you.  You don't buy the sample at the store - they take your measurements and order you your very own.  I bought my dress on Saturday, Jan 12, and it won't ship until May 27th.  My first fitting is mid June.  So if you have a short engagement - your options are extremely limited. 


The Second: Randy's latest purchase

Okay - who here is surprised about that?  No one?  Me neither. 

A few days ago, Randy says, "There's an auction on Tuesday night."  Which I just take to mean I'll be at the auction, so don't plan on me for dinner.

Monday night, I ask him, "So is there something specific you are going to look at?"

"A chainsaw."

"....what?  Not...coins or anything."

"No.  A chainsaw."

"Why do we need a chainsaw??"

"To cut down trees!"  We have 3 saplings in the front yard.  He could pull them out by hand.  No chainshaw needed.

I could not come up with a response.  So with a brief reminder of the wedding and the tow truck he wants to buy....off he went.

Tuesday night, I'm enjoying my dinner and the week's episode of Downton Abbey (obsessed) and he bursts through the door with a giant grin on his face, proudly displaying his new purchase.

That's a funny looking chainsaw.

Ms. Know It All

Happy New Year!!

I know I am not the most consistent of updaters - and I resolve to try and do better ;)  I have so many funny stories built up.  I think my biggest obstacle is that I feel like they all deserve photos to go along with them - and I am terrible at uploading pictures from my camera.  Seriously.  Twice a year maybe.  Also a new resolution.

I am currently away from home, on a business trip in San Diego (SUNSHINE!).  Although I always miss Randy, I do enjoy being able to order room service, watch whatever I want on tv, go to bed whenever I want....  it's nice! 

Anyway, I thought I'd take the opportunity to share one story.

Years ago, we took a family trip to the East Coast.  We visited New York City before driving up to Cape Cod to stay in a beach house for the week.  I remember driving to Gettysburg and sitting just behind my parents in our mini-van and overhearing this conversation:

Dad: "Babe, how far are we from New York?"

*pulls out Atlas* "XXX miles." *puts atlas away*

"Hmm.  What river is that?"

*pulls out Atlas*  "It's the XXX river."

"Oh! ...............  what's the weather like in the fall here?  What are those mountains?  Think we could make it to DC tonight? How far is it to Philadelphia?"

"Ty!  I don't know!"

lol.  It's now become a running joke in our family - all of dad's random questions. He persists that mom is just so smart that he assumes she knows all the answers.

I had a big dose of nostalgia last week. Randy and I were driving home from the airport (we went to our cousin's wedding in Chicago), and he says to me:

"What are gas prices doing?"

"Randy - I don't know we just got here."

"Oh. Okay.  Hey, what time does that tire place open tomorrow?"

"I don't know - Google it!"

"Okay, okay.  ......  What's the weather supposed to be like the rest of the week?"


I am marrying my father!  Good thing I consider that to be the best possible outcome ever =)

Christmas Shopping

Tis the Season to brave shopping malls and outlets - as the time to order things online has passed because Express Shipping is just plain robbery. 

I've been done with Randy's Christmas for a couple of weeks now - but still have a few small things to pick up for family members.  When I told him that, he says, "Aw crap.  I haven't even started on yours!"  6 days left Strader... tick tock...

One of our pitstops while fighting through the mall was H&M - one of my favorite stores.  I love their leggings.  So comfortable.  Which is the reason I wear them all the time and is also probably the reason why I have a couple itty bitty holes in the knees of my black ones now.

The holes drive Randy insane.  "What kind of fiance do you have?  Who lets you run around in hole-filled pants that belong in the garbage?"  So I told him he could buy me new leggings for Christmas ("Finally!").  I figured it was convenient that we were there - so I could point out exactly which ones I want, my size, and other appropriate colors to purchase. 

When I asked Randy if he wanted to look at leggings while we were there he says, "No thanks."

"......But we're already here?  Isn't it just easier if I show you exactly what to get?"

"No - I'm okay."

"Really?"

"Yep."

"But you just said you haven't even started on my Christmas!"

"I lied.  Straight to your face." 


Again - I find myself going from exasperated to laughing.  He can be such a good secret keeper when he wants to be!

275 Days & Counting

After a rollercoaster day yesterday, I came home to find a package on the doorstep.  I brought it inside, shaking my head again at Randy and wondering what he ordered this time.  Then I noticed, this box had my name on it.

I could not for the life of me remember what I had ordered, since I ship all of Randy's Christmas presents to my mom's house. So I opened it - and it made my whole day!

Our favor bags for the candy buffet at the wedding!  They turned out so perfect! 

I think my little sister - and Maid of Honor! - said it best when I sent her a picture of them.

One Day Later...

December 4th. 
Another package arrives.
Perhaps I should have waited an extra day for my last post....

He is now requesting a new Christmas Wishlist.  Which I will not give him for at least another week - because I would get it next week!

 

We are getting new granite countertops installed in the kitchen tomorrow - I would just count those - but apparently home improvement doesn't count, and he just laughs at me when I ask for a pony.  *sigh*