Best names
Lace
Tikara
Tyasia
Karmesia
Chiquita
Jeterrica
Candis
Jamaz
Burr
Jade Stone
Best places
Falls Church VA--I was born there
Rolla MO--it's real peaceful out there...
Telephone TX
Horseheads NY
Norman OK--my home sweet home
Kalispell MT--let's go, Dad
Best foreign matter
fork
Some things I heard this week...
"The last name is Valentine like the holiday, spelled V-A-L-L-E-N-T-I-N-E."
"You're a live person?"
Imagine this in the gravelliest, creepiest old man voice possible: "You know what Doritos go great with? A martini. You know what a martini is? You should use that in advertising. Doritos...with a martini."
July 17, 2008
July 14, 2008
Frito...what week is this?
Best names
Shameka
Lugene
Glindia
Channetta
Kione
Maricka
Tezin
Jelisa
Olga
Delecia
Mechelle
Lolita
Summer!
Best street names
St Elmo's Fire
Olga Dr
Kingston Dr
Best cities
Blawnox PA
Mount Airy GA
Springfield VA (Natalie lives there!)
Burlington VT (Dad wants to live there!)
Waldoboro ME
Independence MO
Darlington SC
Humansville MO
State College PA
Delight AR
Uncasville CT
Crescent City CA (scary dudes live there!)
Rancho Santa Margarita CA
Best foreign matter
keys
cardboard
yellow gravel...???
Best reasons to call
-to report a stale bag of something that was discontinued in July 2006
-to ask how to get on the back of a Doritos bag (that was an 11-yr-old, no less)
-to ask how we make our potato chips so round
-to complain that a 4oz bag of Cracker Jack does not have enough peanuts. It had 9.
-to ask, "Do you guys make Cheezits?" and when you get a negative, say, "You guys are amazing."
-to tell us how great our Flat Earth Tangy Tomato Ranch chips are, but that they'd be even better with bbq
-to ask how you can buy some stocks. Um, talk to your broker?
-to ask how you can buy our packages before they've been printed on
-to tell us how much you like the leopard in tennis shoes
-to offer everyone in the office as many Hebrew National hot dogs as they can eat
# of people who called tortilla chips "tortillia chips": a lot
# of summer jokes not worthy of repetition: too many to count
Best way to deal with your 18th bad bag of chips:
take it to your local Frito-Lay Michigan sales office and talk to the rep there while half-listening to me at the same time, and insist at the end of the call that he keep it
More funnies
When asked for the date on the bag--"August 26...I don't know if that's a date."
"Who makes your products? Is it Frito-Lay?"
"I'm a long, long fan of Cracker Jack."
"You sound like you're not awake yet." Gee, thanks. I didn't think you were done with your story yet.
Best thing written on the envelope: Please read. Thanks. It is a compliment.
Letters
Best concluding sentence
I recently purchased a bag of Lays Wavy Original chips and discovered this white hair. I do not have white hair. I wish to bring this to your attention as no one appreciated hair in their food. It was on a chip--amazing that I could see it. My lamp is very bright.
good old Armando again
Dear To Whom It May Concern;
Hi! How's it going? I'm OK. I'm writing you this letter to let you know how much I love your potatoe chips. Your company has made the finest, irresistible tasting chips ever! My favorite's are the (classic, barbecue, sour cream & onion, cheddar, salt & vinegar) these flavors are so delicious and so so good that every bite I take I can actually taste the ingredients. I like the Lay's logo it looks like the sun with a red ribbon around it. When I would go to work I take half a bag eat some on my break or before and after my shift starts I'd munch on them. I've been eating potatoe chips all my life this brand is the best! Whenever I had the chance I would go to the food mart buy a bag of potatoe chips, candy bar and a bottle of soda pop and I would snack them at home. A lot of people have been buying your food product for years and it has become very popular! You have competition with another brand of potatoe chips--"Doritos". They're making your potatoe chips because I'm your fan favorite, try another flavor like Ranch.
Sincerely yours,
Armando
Best anti-quality letter
One question I have about all your potato chips is where's the dark ones? I always used to get some dark ones in any bag I bought back in the olden days--a few years ago. My husband, son and I used to share a bag of chips. The rule was that nobody could eat a brown one. If they got a brown one, they automatically gave it to me. I can't be the only one who likes the brown chips, can I? Has your quality control become so sophisticated that you just whip the "too brown ones" out of the pile? But the real question is, what happens to those delicious brown chips?
Biggest fake-fakie
I have enjoyed your products my whole life. Especially Lay's Classic Potato chips. I saw a new snack of yours today. Lay's Cracker Crisps, and wanted to try it. I glanced at the nutritional info and saw 0g Trans Fat. As someone with a family history of heart disease, this is important to me. I eat healthy and one thing I like about your Lay's Classic Potato Chips is that they are made of all natural ingredients. I bought a package of the new Lay's Cracker Crisps and tried them. They were good! They had an unusual taste so I looked at the ingredients to see what they were made of, and one thing jumped out. Partially Hydrogenated oils! But no Trans Fat? How could this be? I looked online and saw that levels below .5g do not need to be disclosed! I just wanted to write to express my disapointment with your company. This practice is deceptive and you should not do it. The bad products will bring the perception of the good products down.
They're on to us
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Lay's
My 19 year old son commented today on how, when he opened your bag of chips, there were hardly any chips inside, he's also onto the pressurized bag trick. Just like the story about the lame Girl Scout Cookies today, there being pathetically less cookies in the package than there used to be. As of today I stopped buying your products, all of them, and my son said he will no longer be buying your products, as will his family to be, and his generation. So you MBA's just keep on generating those profits for your stockholders...(and of course your stock options), you are on the way, or the next geneation of MBA's at your company, to the great Enron gates in the skies.
A former "sick of it" customer...
New York City
But wait, there's more...
Unfortunately, you in customer service who may potentially forward this letter, will be the FIRST to be fired. The warning signs are there, your company does not even have an email service on their web site in order to control costs, (no staffing), and exercise their business model.
Boy, that prestigious faculty at Wharton had all the answers. I just don't remember that dictum, what you ugys are practicing, you know..."Profits at the loss of customers"
I hand wrote the envelope because I wanted to give this letter that "Awh Shucks" country bumpkin appeal, y'all know how dumb the public is.
Best compliment second runner-up
My name is Brittany and I'm writing your company to tell you how much I like your chips. I love your Hot Flamins because they're good, spicy and my favorite kind. I wouldn't eat no other chips but your kind. I really do apprieciate all you've done with making hot flamins chips. Continue to do a good job at making your delicious chips.
Best compliment first runner-up
I am amazed by the quality and taste of Miss Vickie's Hand-Picked Jalapeno chips. I love these chips!!! I get them every time I can. I tell my mom to buy them in bulk at Costco, i am being completely honest when I say these chips are so awesome. On the bag it says that you pick out the best ingredients and slowly cook them in a old-skool kettle, I did not believe that but when you open that bag and taste them I had no doubt that you were not bluffing!! My mother likes them to but not for the same reason I like them, she like them because of they have no artificial stuff and zero grams of trans fat! Anyways I jsut wanted to let you guys know that your chips rock and I appreciate you taking the time to make them! Once again Thank you!!!
Best compliment winner!
Hello, my name is Anne Nichols. I am a fifth grader here at Lebanon Middle School. I am writing to compliment you on your white-cheesed snack, Smartfood. Everyone that I've ever met has tried your corn-tastic treat and agreed that it's fabulous. The taste is supreme, and the color is so wonderful that it would be enough to make you want to jump into the bag and make popcorn angles. I also have some suggestions, but I won't spoil the pleasant moment. I have so much to ask and tell you.
My whole family loves Smartfood. We all adore the creamy-goodness of the corn. As I nibble into the treat I only focus on the taste. It's like biting into heaven! How do you pack that much crunchiness into such a small bag? I truly have no idea how you do it. Another question, does anyone in your company ever sneak some popcorn into their mouth as they work?
How do you do it? How do you make your corn so white? Your Smartfood is whiter then the board in my classroom. Your popcorn is like magic. It's like a wizard cast a spell on it and it can never turn a different color. I would love to see how you make your Smartfood enchantments.
Remember earlier in my letter I told you I had some suggestions? Well, for my first proposal may I suggest a new flavor of cheese? Like maybe cheddar or parmesan, who knows! Hey, maybe you could do extra cheesiness. Another idea, have you ever thought of making chocolate-covered popcorn? I know many people that would cork down more corn after it was smothered in chocolate. I mean who wouldn't? Every one loves chocolate, and who doesn't love popcorn? They are a perfect match.
So once again, I thank you. But not just for taking the time to read my letter but for making Smartfood! I would be so sad if you didn't make your popcorn anymore. I mean who doesn't love to lick cheese of their fingers? It's the best eating popcorn. Well I hope you take at leat one of my suggestions but if you took all of them that would be awesome. Well either way, I hope you keep on making your Smartfood!
PS Does Smartfood really make you smart? I am going to test that one day.
Shameka
Lugene
Glindia
Channetta
Kione
Maricka
Tezin
Jelisa
Olga
Delecia
Mechelle
Lolita
Summer!
Best street names
St Elmo's Fire
Olga Dr
Kingston Dr
Best cities
Blawnox PA
Mount Airy GA
Springfield VA (Natalie lives there!)
Burlington VT (Dad wants to live there!)
Waldoboro ME
Independence MO
Darlington SC
Humansville MO
State College PA
Delight AR
Uncasville CT
Crescent City CA (scary dudes live there!)
Rancho Santa Margarita CA
Best foreign matter
keys
cardboard
yellow gravel...???
Best reasons to call
-to report a stale bag of something that was discontinued in July 2006
-to ask how to get on the back of a Doritos bag (that was an 11-yr-old, no less)
-to ask how we make our potato chips so round
-to complain that a 4oz bag of Cracker Jack does not have enough peanuts. It had 9.
-to ask, "Do you guys make Cheezits?" and when you get a negative, say, "You guys are amazing."
-to tell us how great our Flat Earth Tangy Tomato Ranch chips are, but that they'd be even better with bbq
-to ask how you can buy some stocks. Um, talk to your broker?
-to ask how you can buy our packages before they've been printed on
-to tell us how much you like the leopard in tennis shoes
-to offer everyone in the office as many Hebrew National hot dogs as they can eat
# of people who called tortilla chips "tortillia chips": a lot
# of summer jokes not worthy of repetition: too many to count
Best way to deal with your 18th bad bag of chips:
take it to your local Frito-Lay Michigan sales office and talk to the rep there while half-listening to me at the same time, and insist at the end of the call that he keep it
More funnies
When asked for the date on the bag--"August 26...I don't know if that's a date."
"Who makes your products? Is it Frito-Lay?"
"I'm a long, long fan of Cracker Jack."
"You sound like you're not awake yet." Gee, thanks. I didn't think you were done with your story yet.
Best thing written on the envelope: Please read. Thanks. It is a compliment.
Letters
Best concluding sentence
I recently purchased a bag of Lays Wavy Original chips and discovered this white hair. I do not have white hair. I wish to bring this to your attention as no one appreciated hair in their food. It was on a chip--amazing that I could see it. My lamp is very bright.
good old Armando again
Dear To Whom It May Concern;
Hi! How's it going? I'm OK. I'm writing you this letter to let you know how much I love your potatoe chips. Your company has made the finest, irresistible tasting chips ever! My favorite's are the (classic, barbecue, sour cream & onion, cheddar, salt & vinegar) these flavors are so delicious and so so good that every bite I take I can actually taste the ingredients. I like the Lay's logo it looks like the sun with a red ribbon around it. When I would go to work I take half a bag eat some on my break or before and after my shift starts I'd munch on them. I've been eating potatoe chips all my life this brand is the best! Whenever I had the chance I would go to the food mart buy a bag of potatoe chips, candy bar and a bottle of soda pop and I would snack them at home. A lot of people have been buying your food product for years and it has become very popular! You have competition with another brand of potatoe chips--"Doritos". They're making your potatoe chips because I'm your fan favorite, try another flavor like Ranch.
Sincerely yours,
Armando
Best anti-quality letter
One question I have about all your potato chips is where's the dark ones? I always used to get some dark ones in any bag I bought back in the olden days--a few years ago. My husband, son and I used to share a bag of chips. The rule was that nobody could eat a brown one. If they got a brown one, they automatically gave it to me. I can't be the only one who likes the brown chips, can I? Has your quality control become so sophisticated that you just whip the "too brown ones" out of the pile? But the real question is, what happens to those delicious brown chips?
Biggest fake-fakie
I have enjoyed your products my whole life. Especially Lay's Classic Potato chips. I saw a new snack of yours today. Lay's Cracker Crisps, and wanted to try it. I glanced at the nutritional info and saw 0g Trans Fat. As someone with a family history of heart disease, this is important to me. I eat healthy and one thing I like about your Lay's Classic Potato Chips is that they are made of all natural ingredients. I bought a package of the new Lay's Cracker Crisps and tried them. They were good! They had an unusual taste so I looked at the ingredients to see what they were made of, and one thing jumped out. Partially Hydrogenated oils! But no Trans Fat? How could this be? I looked online and saw that levels below .5g do not need to be disclosed! I just wanted to write to express my disapointment with your company. This practice is deceptive and you should not do it. The bad products will bring the perception of the good products down.
They're on to us
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Lay's
My 19 year old son commented today on how, when he opened your bag of chips, there were hardly any chips inside, he's also onto the pressurized bag trick. Just like the story about the lame Girl Scout Cookies today, there being pathetically less cookies in the package than there used to be. As of today I stopped buying your products, all of them, and my son said he will no longer be buying your products, as will his family to be, and his generation. So you MBA's just keep on generating those profits for your stockholders...(and of course your stock options), you are on the way, or the next geneation of MBA's at your company, to the great Enron gates in the skies.
A former "sick of it" customer...
New York City
But wait, there's more...
Unfortunately, you in customer service who may potentially forward this letter, will be the FIRST to be fired. The warning signs are there, your company does not even have an email service on their web site in order to control costs, (no staffing), and exercise their business model.
Boy, that prestigious faculty at Wharton had all the answers. I just don't remember that dictum, what you ugys are practicing, you know..."Profits at the loss of customers"
I hand wrote the envelope because I wanted to give this letter that "Awh Shucks" country bumpkin appeal, y'all know how dumb the public is.
Best compliment second runner-up
My name is Brittany and I'm writing your company to tell you how much I like your chips. I love your Hot Flamins because they're good, spicy and my favorite kind. I wouldn't eat no other chips but your kind. I really do apprieciate all you've done with making hot flamins chips. Continue to do a good job at making your delicious chips.
Best compliment first runner-up
I am amazed by the quality and taste of Miss Vickie's Hand-Picked Jalapeno chips. I love these chips!!! I get them every time I can. I tell my mom to buy them in bulk at Costco, i am being completely honest when I say these chips are so awesome. On the bag it says that you pick out the best ingredients and slowly cook them in a old-skool kettle, I did not believe that but when you open that bag and taste them I had no doubt that you were not bluffing!! My mother likes them to but not for the same reason I like them, she like them because of they have no artificial stuff and zero grams of trans fat! Anyways I jsut wanted to let you guys know that your chips rock and I appreciate you taking the time to make them! Once again Thank you!!!
Best compliment winner!
Hello, my name is Anne Nichols. I am a fifth grader here at Lebanon Middle School. I am writing to compliment you on your white-cheesed snack, Smartfood. Everyone that I've ever met has tried your corn-tastic treat and agreed that it's fabulous. The taste is supreme, and the color is so wonderful that it would be enough to make you want to jump into the bag and make popcorn angles. I also have some suggestions, but I won't spoil the pleasant moment. I have so much to ask and tell you.
My whole family loves Smartfood. We all adore the creamy-goodness of the corn. As I nibble into the treat I only focus on the taste. It's like biting into heaven! How do you pack that much crunchiness into such a small bag? I truly have no idea how you do it. Another question, does anyone in your company ever sneak some popcorn into their mouth as they work?
How do you do it? How do you make your corn so white? Your Smartfood is whiter then the board in my classroom. Your popcorn is like magic. It's like a wizard cast a spell on it and it can never turn a different color. I would love to see how you make your Smartfood enchantments.
Remember earlier in my letter I told you I had some suggestions? Well, for my first proposal may I suggest a new flavor of cheese? Like maybe cheddar or parmesan, who knows! Hey, maybe you could do extra cheesiness. Another idea, have you ever thought of making chocolate-covered popcorn? I know many people that would cork down more corn after it was smothered in chocolate. I mean who wouldn't? Every one loves chocolate, and who doesn't love popcorn? They are a perfect match.
So once again, I thank you. But not just for taking the time to read my letter but for making Smartfood! I would be so sad if you didn't make your popcorn anymore. I mean who doesn't love to lick cheese of their fingers? It's the best eating popcorn. Well I hope you take at leat one of my suggestions but if you took all of them that would be awesome. Well either way, I hope you keep on making your Smartfood!
PS Does Smartfood really make you smart? I am going to test that one day.
July 13, 2008
this weekend
Wendy, thanks for coming to hang with us this weekend. It was fun.
Molly and I made Dinosaur Food (aka no-bake cookies) which she got really excited about once she realized they weren't really made of grass and squashed bugs.
F&A came over Friday night. This is Molly giving Eli the pictures she drew for him. So cute. She'd been making artwork all afternoon.
I think this is my favorite picture of Audrie so far.
Molly: I get a white sandwich with crust, and you get a brown sandwich with no crust.Eli: Yeah, Ma-ee.
Singing happy birthday...I could go for more pie.
Molly and I were twinkies with our braids on Saturday, and Sunday she looked really cute with crinkles.
Discussing the ending of the Bachelorette.
June 29, 2008
Colorado reunion
Okay, just kidding about that last post. Logan provided the commentary, and I really do want to share this exciting trip. If you don't want details, just skim through the pictures.
My friend Candice conveniently got married last week, so I took a little summer vacation (no pun intended) to be there and it was so much fun. I arrived in Denver on Wednesday and spent the afternoon seeing downtown with my friend Jeff (from Paris infamy) and his girlfriend who was also visiting.
After an exciting lunch and a not-so-exciting visit to the art museum (I think I like BYU better...it has more interesting stuff, takes less time to see, it's free and is guarded by the awesomest student security staff on the planet), we went to the capitol, which was very beautiful.
This is what happens when I give my camera to Jeff.
On the steps of the capitol. The gold dots mark one mile above sea level...but we weren't sure which one was more accurate. Maybe the city sank and they remeasured...
We strolled up and down the 16th St Mall for a while, which was interesting...then we went to a real mall and Natausha and I had fun trying on clothes in the fitting rooms while Jeff tried on gangsta hats and wifebeaters in the store. Would've taken a picture of that, but I was on the phone. And yes, this giant fake breakfast food display was in the mall, and this lady was polishing the sausage. We all simultaneously got out our cameras.
After that interesting afternoon, I went to my friend Stephy's house where I visited last summer and was so excited to see her and her super nice family, and my roommate Natalie, who was also there for the wedding. We sat in the deliciously dry backyard and made smores around the fire before Nat and I went to another house where we were staying, due to her allergies to Steph's dog and cat. I *might* have been able to make it with extra drugs, but she couldn't, so I stayed with her. The next day we met Stephy's friend Meredith in Boulder for lunch (Panera--delicious strawberry poppyseed salad and free cookie) and shopping (huge sale at Bath & Body Works--pretty much smelled the whole store and came out smelling like the whole store). Then we wanted to go swimming/visit Steph's sister Jeanne who was lifeguarding at the pool, but they had just closed for thunder. We went over to visit anyway. (Well, Steph and I did. Natalie was reading the second book in the Twilight series and couldn't do anything until she finished.) There were about 8 lifeguards there just hanging out. So we walked back home and washed Stephy's car and made sure to document it with some great action shots.
Stephy drying the car. How candid.
Then Stephy's brother-in-law made an exciting announcement--he was going to take Jeanne's lunch to her. Since we already had our suits on and the pool was open again, we walked back over with him and swam.
Post-swimming, we watched Enchanted (so cute) and we went to Candice's for a little girls' night.
Since I have a need to document everything, here's Natalie and half of my face in the car. We had lots of fun oohing and aahing over the wedding dress, chatting, eating Reese's pieces, and playing Scattergories. It was SO great to see Candice, who I hadn't seen since December (like Steph and Nat) and I wish we could have stayed longer, but Nat and I had to get back to our lodgings.
Friday was the wedding day. We were told to be at the temple at 1, when the ceremony started, so of course we ended up having to get gas where there was none in sight, asked someone, finally found gas, decided to skip lunch so we wouldn't be too late, arrived at the temple at 1:05, waited around for a while until anyone from the family or wedding party showed up, and then finally the couple came out at 2.
It was worth the wait. Look at how precious they are.
The temple and grounds were beautiful.
It was a good thing we brought extra water because the car with the water didn't make it to the temple.
At this point, they were taking pictures and I was a little bored, so I took pictures of my own. Stephy was an adorable bridesmaid.
My aim with self-portraits is getting better. I had lots of practice in France. After pictures we finally got some food and repaired to Candice's house. It was nice to have a little break between the festivities and get out of the sun. Steph and I played more Scattergories in the basement, where it felt great after Candice's mom cranked the AC.
A couple hours later, we headed to the reception, held here at Highlands Ranch Mansion, an old, well...mansion that has changed hands many times and supposedly has secret passageways, a haunted wing and the whole nine yards.
Since we were early, we explored the place, which is huge and unfurnished, and I took pictures. This is the beautifully decorated hall where dinner would be served later.
The wedding party taking more pictures on the lawn. It was so pretty!
We were able to have a minute with Candice before people started thronging her.
Once everyone had finally come and talked and mingled and found their seats, Candice's dad talked about the significance of a temple marriage because there were many nonmembers there, Candice and Marcus did a little ring ceremony, and everyone at the head table (bride's parents, groom's parents, best man, and maid of honor) gave a toast. Funny thing is, Steph didn't know she was the maid of honor and expected to give a toast until the day before. We had joked about it. But she did a great job.
Stephy and Jeanne. They're adorable.
Jeanne and Joel. They're pretty much the coolest married couple ever. Except anyone reading this.
Not the best placement...or maybe it's good. Do I look angelic?
I, who am not a big fan of cake in general, LOVED the cake. It was beautiful and delicious, with some kind of berry filling inside.
We knew this would happen...haha.
After the throwing of the garter and bouquet (caught by Candice's adorable 11-year-old sister MacKenzie), the DJ started the dancing. He got the boring stuff out of the way first--the bride/groom dance and the daddy/daughter dance. I was itching for them to be over so I could get on the dance floor. Okay, I videotaped the whole thing. Actually, the four of us girls were all sobbing on the sidelines. But anyway, that has nothing to do with this video, which is the groomsmen busting a move.
Of course, this was taken after we had all gotten sweaty dancing. But aren't we cute?
After the groomsmen danced it was pretty much the five of us on the floor having a great time. We didn't care because we didn't know anyone there besides Candice's family, and the DJ loved us.
This is Candice's adorable little cousin who was breakdancing the whole night. I wish I had gotten more of it--aDORable. All-in-all, a very nice, memorable reception. A good time was had by all, even (or especially?) by the valet parking guys. They flirted with us, made sure to remember Stephy's name (probably thinking the girl who got there too early and forgot to put her car in park), and went back to the car to get the gift, which we had left inside (not that it was an extra trip). One of them said this was his second job, where he'd come straight from his 9 to 5 and he was trying to gain weight. All that running is not helping.
The next morning we had decided to do yoga after Steph, Nat and Meredith did a yoga class at the rec center on Wednesday night and came home so relaxed that Natalie didn't even follow through on her plans to attack me with a bear hug and scream loudly. So we busted out a DVD, and after realizing how weird the couple demonstrating were, turned down the volume and turned up Enya. We ended up not following the video, and instead made fun of the yoga couple and Steph and Nat tried to remember moves from their class. I was terrible at it, but it was a lot of fun.
Meredith came over and we walked to the Huckleberry for lunch, where I enjoyed a huckleberry milkshake and falafel sandwich.
Mmm I want another milkshake now.
In downtown Louisville...how cute.
Steph's friend Natalie came over and we headed to a nearby lake to go paddleboating where Meredith had gone before. This is Natalie getting ready for her exercise on the hyperextension bench...
instructions seen here. These little doodads were all around the lake. Interesting.
After looking for the paddleboats, we discovered that Meredith had been dreaming and there were none. Turns out all of us except Steph had seen the sign identifying the lake as Whatever-its-name-was-lake, which she knew had no paddleboats. So we did what any group of five girls would do--took pictures of ourselves at the water's edge.
Natalie, Meredith, Natalie, me.
They like to call themselves Natalie squared.
We spent the rest of our time there playing on this conveniently-located playground.
Can I put an existing picture on my driver's license? This one would be good.
Aw Natalie I miss you already.
This little girl wandered up to me and attached herself to my leg. She was so cute and just looked up at me like she wanted to come home with me and be my friend forever.
Then her brother or cousin or someone showed up and started chatting away and playing with us. He was so funny. Apparently liked the red slide, but only a little bit. His grandma kept thanking us "for being so kind."
Yes, I have rope-ladder-climbing skills.
Natalie had this cute picture idea, but it was really hard to hold myself up on the slide and at the same time not die of laughter. The other Natalie and Meredith were cracking up for like 10 hours straight. Okay, it was more like 10 minutes.
This seesaw thing was rad. Other playgrounds need to follow suit.
We finished with a rousing round of the ha-ha game. I don't think we got past 2 or 3 ha-has because everyone was laughing so hard from the beginning.
After the park we went to the grocery store to get stuff for dinner and make fun of the strange fruit they had there. Natalie wanted to get drinks from Sonic, so we asked a kid at the store where the nearest one was. Ended up taking the scenic route among cows in the pastures. But once we got there, a stroke of genius made possible the filming of this commercial. We could become gazillionaires.
After that adventure we all went back to Steph's for a delicious dinner *on the patio* and a rousing round of mafia, one of those someone-killed-one-of-us-let's-find-out-who-it-was-and-kill-them games.
And then I came home Sunday. I'd like to thank everyone who made this trip possible, and our very gracious hosts Bro. and Sis. Jones. It was great to see friends I hadn't seen in a long time, support Candice at her wedding, and get away from work for a few days. Not to mention the amazing weather. Let's add Louisville, CO, to the list of places I've been where I wouldn't mind living: Brookings, OR, and Le Vesinet, France.
My friend Candice conveniently got married last week, so I took a little summer vacation (no pun intended) to be there and it was so much fun. I arrived in Denver on Wednesday and spent the afternoon seeing downtown with my friend Jeff (from Paris infamy) and his girlfriend who was also visiting.
After an exciting lunch and a not-so-exciting visit to the art museum (I think I like BYU better...it has more interesting stuff, takes less time to see, it's free and is guarded by the awesomest student security staff on the planet), we went to the capitol, which was very beautiful.
This is what happens when I give my camera to Jeff.
On the steps of the capitol. The gold dots mark one mile above sea level...but we weren't sure which one was more accurate. Maybe the city sank and they remeasured...
We strolled up and down the 16th St Mall for a while, which was interesting...then we went to a real mall and Natausha and I had fun trying on clothes in the fitting rooms while Jeff tried on gangsta hats and wifebeaters in the store. Would've taken a picture of that, but I was on the phone. And yes, this giant fake breakfast food display was in the mall, and this lady was polishing the sausage. We all simultaneously got out our cameras.
After that interesting afternoon, I went to my friend Stephy's house where I visited last summer and was so excited to see her and her super nice family, and my roommate Natalie, who was also there for the wedding. We sat in the deliciously dry backyard and made smores around the fire before Nat and I went to another house where we were staying, due to her allergies to Steph's dog and cat. I *might* have been able to make it with extra drugs, but she couldn't, so I stayed with her. The next day we met Stephy's friend Meredith in Boulder for lunch (Panera--delicious strawberry poppyseed salad and free cookie) and shopping (huge sale at Bath & Body Works--pretty much smelled the whole store and came out smelling like the whole store). Then we wanted to go swimming/visit Steph's sister Jeanne who was lifeguarding at the pool, but they had just closed for thunder. We went over to visit anyway. (Well, Steph and I did. Natalie was reading the second book in the Twilight series and couldn't do anything until she finished.) There were about 8 lifeguards there just hanging out. So we walked back home and washed Stephy's car and made sure to document it with some great action shots.
Stephy drying the car. How candid.
Then Stephy's brother-in-law made an exciting announcement--he was going to take Jeanne's lunch to her. Since we already had our suits on and the pool was open again, we walked back over with him and swam.
Post-swimming, we watched Enchanted (so cute) and we went to Candice's for a little girls' night.
Since I have a need to document everything, here's Natalie and half of my face in the car. We had lots of fun oohing and aahing over the wedding dress, chatting, eating Reese's pieces, and playing Scattergories. It was SO great to see Candice, who I hadn't seen since December (like Steph and Nat) and I wish we could have stayed longer, but Nat and I had to get back to our lodgings.
Friday was the wedding day. We were told to be at the temple at 1, when the ceremony started, so of course we ended up having to get gas where there was none in sight, asked someone, finally found gas, decided to skip lunch so we wouldn't be too late, arrived at the temple at 1:05, waited around for a while until anyone from the family or wedding party showed up, and then finally the couple came out at 2.
It was worth the wait. Look at how precious they are.
The temple and grounds were beautiful.
It was a good thing we brought extra water because the car with the water didn't make it to the temple.
At this point, they were taking pictures and I was a little bored, so I took pictures of my own. Stephy was an adorable bridesmaid.
My aim with self-portraits is getting better. I had lots of practice in France. After pictures we finally got some food and repaired to Candice's house. It was nice to have a little break between the festivities and get out of the sun. Steph and I played more Scattergories in the basement, where it felt great after Candice's mom cranked the AC.
A couple hours later, we headed to the reception, held here at Highlands Ranch Mansion, an old, well...mansion that has changed hands many times and supposedly has secret passageways, a haunted wing and the whole nine yards.
Since we were early, we explored the place, which is huge and unfurnished, and I took pictures. This is the beautifully decorated hall where dinner would be served later.
The wedding party taking more pictures on the lawn. It was so pretty!
We were able to have a minute with Candice before people started thronging her.
Once everyone had finally come and talked and mingled and found their seats, Candice's dad talked about the significance of a temple marriage because there were many nonmembers there, Candice and Marcus did a little ring ceremony, and everyone at the head table (bride's parents, groom's parents, best man, and maid of honor) gave a toast. Funny thing is, Steph didn't know she was the maid of honor and expected to give a toast until the day before. We had joked about it. But she did a great job.
Stephy and Jeanne. They're adorable.
Jeanne and Joel. They're pretty much the coolest married couple ever. Except anyone reading this.
Not the best placement...or maybe it's good. Do I look angelic?
I, who am not a big fan of cake in general, LOVED the cake. It was beautiful and delicious, with some kind of berry filling inside.
We knew this would happen...haha.After the throwing of the garter and bouquet (caught by Candice's adorable 11-year-old sister MacKenzie), the DJ started the dancing. He got the boring stuff out of the way first--the bride/groom dance and the daddy/daughter dance. I was itching for them to be over so I could get on the dance floor. Okay, I videotaped the whole thing. Actually, the four of us girls were all sobbing on the sidelines. But anyway, that has nothing to do with this video, which is the groomsmen busting a move.
Of course, this was taken after we had all gotten sweaty dancing. But aren't we cute?
After the groomsmen danced it was pretty much the five of us on the floor having a great time. We didn't care because we didn't know anyone there besides Candice's family, and the DJ loved us.This is Candice's adorable little cousin who was breakdancing the whole night. I wish I had gotten more of it--aDORable. All-in-all, a very nice, memorable reception. A good time was had by all, even (or especially?) by the valet parking guys. They flirted with us, made sure to remember Stephy's name (probably thinking the girl who got there too early and forgot to put her car in park), and went back to the car to get the gift, which we had left inside (not that it was an extra trip). One of them said this was his second job, where he'd come straight from his 9 to 5 and he was trying to gain weight. All that running is not helping.
The next morning we had decided to do yoga after Steph, Nat and Meredith did a yoga class at the rec center on Wednesday night and came home so relaxed that Natalie didn't even follow through on her plans to attack me with a bear hug and scream loudly. So we busted out a DVD, and after realizing how weird the couple demonstrating were, turned down the volume and turned up Enya. We ended up not following the video, and instead made fun of the yoga couple and Steph and Nat tried to remember moves from their class. I was terrible at it, but it was a lot of fun.
Meredith came over and we walked to the Huckleberry for lunch, where I enjoyed a huckleberry milkshake and falafel sandwich.
Mmm I want another milkshake now.
In downtown Louisville...how cute.
Steph's friend Natalie came over and we headed to a nearby lake to go paddleboating where Meredith had gone before. This is Natalie getting ready for her exercise on the hyperextension bench...
instructions seen here. These little doodads were all around the lake. Interesting.
After looking for the paddleboats, we discovered that Meredith had been dreaming and there were none. Turns out all of us except Steph had seen the sign identifying the lake as Whatever-its-name-was-lake, which she knew had no paddleboats. So we did what any group of five girls would do--took pictures of ourselves at the water's edge.
Natalie, Meredith, Natalie, me.
They like to call themselves Natalie squared.
We spent the rest of our time there playing on this conveniently-located playground.
Can I put an existing picture on my driver's license? This one would be good.
Aw Natalie I miss you already.
This little girl wandered up to me and attached herself to my leg. She was so cute and just looked up at me like she wanted to come home with me and be my friend forever.
Then her brother or cousin or someone showed up and started chatting away and playing with us. He was so funny. Apparently liked the red slide, but only a little bit. His grandma kept thanking us "for being so kind."
Yes, I have rope-ladder-climbing skills.
Natalie had this cute picture idea, but it was really hard to hold myself up on the slide and at the same time not die of laughter. The other Natalie and Meredith were cracking up for like 10 hours straight. Okay, it was more like 10 minutes.
This seesaw thing was rad. Other playgrounds need to follow suit.
We finished with a rousing round of the ha-ha game. I don't think we got past 2 or 3 ha-has because everyone was laughing so hard from the beginning.After the park we went to the grocery store to get stuff for dinner and make fun of the strange fruit they had there. Natalie wanted to get drinks from Sonic, so we asked a kid at the store where the nearest one was. Ended up taking the scenic route among cows in the pastures. But once we got there, a stroke of genius made possible the filming of this commercial. We could become gazillionaires.
After that adventure we all went back to Steph's for a delicious dinner *on the patio* and a rousing round of mafia, one of those someone-killed-one-of-us-let's-find-out-who-it-was-and-kill-them games.
And then I came home Sunday. I'd like to thank everyone who made this trip possible, and our very gracious hosts Bro. and Sis. Jones. It was great to see friends I hadn't seen in a long time, support Candice at her wedding, and get away from work for a few days. Not to mention the amazing weather. Let's add Louisville, CO, to the list of places I've been where I wouldn't mind living: Brookings, OR, and Le Vesinet, France.
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