Much to blog about

I have a lot to blog about! We have been so busy doing all sorts of things, and I have lots of pictures to prove it! I have just been to busy and too tired to blog about it. But don't worry, it is coming. Soon. Perhaps even tonight if I can muster up the energy. So stay tuned and I might actually try to get caught up!

One Year Ago...

One year ago, this was my post.

September 17, 2008 was the day that our niece Victoria was born. It was also the day that we became an aunt and an uncle. I can't believe a year has already gone by, and we just love having this little girl as part of our family. We wish that we lived closer to Shawn and Krystal so that we could see all three of them more!

Happy Birthday Victoria!

We love you!

Us saying good bye to Victoria last month in Utah.

Wednesday's Read

Today I will talk about a few of my summer reads. I read a little over 20 books this summer, some of them noteworthy, some of them not, and some of them awful. As I was searching for books to pass the time on those lazy summer days, I turned to a children's series that I was hearing excellent things about, "Percy Jackson and the Olympians", by Rick Riordan.

There are 5 books in the series and I read 2 this summer and I finally got my hands on the third(there are MAJOR waiting times at the library for these books!) So far, I really enjoy this series, it vaguely reminds me of the beloved Harry Potter.

We have a boy named Percy who discovers in his pre-teens that he is "special". Percy has certain special powers being that he is part God(in the Greek mythological sense). He doesn't end up at Hogwarts, but he does end up at a special camp for half-bloods. As a potential "chosen one" Percy faces treacherous tasks to keep peace among the Gods, but of course he is not alone in all of this, for what is a chosen one without his posse? In Percy's case he has Grover and Annabeth by his side, to battle the enemies.

In all reality, although there are similarities between this series and Harry Potter, I think that it is more of a compliment then anything. Who doesn't love HP? These are fun books that are an obvious easy read seeing as they are in the Children's genre. I also feel that they are quite educational when it comes to Greek Mythology. There are many myths and creatures that I new virtually nothing of until I read about them in these books.

So far the "Percy Jackson" series has been exciting, scary, funny and even educational. I know that there are times when I just want to read an entertaining and easy book that purely entertains, and these are that kind of book for me, a great summer read.

So if you ever find yourself going through Harry Potter withdrawls and need a book about a chosen boy with special powers and his two sidekicks, warding off evil while heeding advice from a wise old confidant, give the "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series a try.

*The fourth and fifth books are both out-the fifth just barely came out. I have yet to read them yet.

Friday's Read??

I have never before done this, strayed from my beloved Wednesday's read and created a whole new edition, behold... Friday's read. This will only happen once and it is a special occasion because I can't wait until Wednesday to blog my thoughts about the book I just read.

"Catching Fire", by Suzanne Collins is book two in the Hunger Games series. I LOVED this book! It was just as great as the first, and maybe even better because you know the characters, and you have invested your feelings in their lives.

Of course before I started this book I had to hurry and re-read "The Hunger Games". It was a good thing that I did, seeing as this book picks right up from where we left off. I am not one for spoilers so I wont give anything important away.

"Catching Fire" seems to run at a quicker pace, which is true of a lot of sequels since all of the character and time period description are taken care of in the first book. There was also a little more romance in this book which (I can't deny), I was totally okay with.

There is also something unique for me with these books. In most novels when the heroine is torn between two love interests (which is basically all the time, in every book ever written), I have a pretty clear idea of which male suitor I prefer and I find myself getting frustrated with the heroine when she can't make up her mind. But in these books, I am on the fence about which guy she should choose. I like them both, for very different reasons, and I can see her happiness with both of them. I am very interested to see what will happen in the end.

This book was captivating from the beginning and kept me entranced until the very last page when I read the cursed last for words of the book,

End of Book Two.

I officially hate those words. The feeling that I felt when I read them was despair, knowing that I have to wait an ENTIRE YEAR for the story to continue. I have had that "I have to know what happens next feeling" ever since I put the book down.

I can't stop thinking about this book. It was so fascinating and the characters truly came to life for me. I have so many questions and it is driving me crazy that I have to wait so long to find out the answers. It is torture that Suzanne Collins decided to end her book right at the climax of the trilogy, but I will admit that even thought it sucks right now, it is going to be so sweet once the third installment comes out. I already can't wait.

If you have not already read, "The Hunger Games" (shame shame), do so now, and then go get "Catching Fire."

Just do it okay.

Finally!

I have waited a whole long year for this book and it came out today! It's a good thing that I have the day off tomorrow, because I doubt I will be getting much sleep tonight!

4 Years Ago........

4 years ago, on August 29th 2005, it was the first day of classes at Utah State University. 

4 years ago on the top of the stairs outside of the TSC I was approached by a really cute guy. 

4 years ago today, I met my husband.   

I remember walking home that day with butterflies in my stomach, thinking about the gorgeous guy that came up to talk to me and I hoped that we would end up hanging out.  If only I had known on that day what the future held for us. 

I love you Justin, and I am eternally glad that you found me on that day!

* A picture of us in our early dating days*

P.S. 20 years ago on this day my baby and only sister was born.  Happy 20th birthday Julie!  I love you so much!

Gomez and Blind Pilot

I know that I am way behind in blogging, but I thought I would post about a concert that we went to on Wed the 5th. Justin and I went to go see one of our favorite bands, Gomez, in concert at the Murray Theater. It was his third time seeing them, and my second.

The concert started with a band called Blind Pilot who we had never heard of. They were so good and we have since bought their album and we are in love with it. The album is called "Three Rounds and a Sound". It is really nice and chill. We think that it is kind of Death Cab meets Jack Johnson.

Then Gomez came on and it was amazing! We were in the very front, right up to the stage. They sounded awesome and we loved every minute of it. After the concert was finished they gave out their set lists to a few people up front and I got one of those. Later as we headed outside we walked past the back of the building to get to our car and there were a few members of the band standing in the back doors talking and then one of the lead singers was by our car talking on his cell phone. We discussed going up to them and getting their autographs but we then decided that they were people who just got done working and were just relaxing and we didn't want to go and bug them.

All in all it was a perfect concert! We found a new band that we are really loving, and we got to see one of our favorites up close and hear a lot of our favorite songs. It was an amazing night!

*Sorry the Pics are weak. They are from our phones.*

Blind Pilot

Gomez Pics