Nerds

Kevin and I listen to a lot of talk radio and had noticed ads for the Utah Symphony's concert of video game music. The inner nerds in us thought it sounded like an interesting idea, so we booked tickets and decided to go. Our 6th anniversary is on Sunday, so if we needed a reason to justify spending the money, that became it.

We congregated with all the nerds at Abravanel Hall, which was festooned with three large screens mid-air above the orchestra. The middle screen was a close-up of the conductor, the orchestra, the choir, etc. (Yes, some of this game music has ooooo's and ahhhhhhhhh's which would require a choir).

We heard a variety of songs accompanied by clips of the games on the other two screens. Music selections included the following: Super Mario Bros, Lost Odyssey, Sonic the Hedgehog, Battlefield, Shenmue, Castlevania, Kingdom Hearts, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Chrono Trigger, World of Warcraft, Halo, and the Legend of Zelda. I was only really familiar with Super Mario Bros and Legend of Zelda, but found myself enjoying some of the others. I was actually impressed to hear what great orchestrations have been composed for something so seemingly unlikely such as a video game. Kevin's favorite was Kingdom Hearts, which is one of his favorite games. He had hoped and expected them to play Final Fantasy, but they didn't.

It definitely wasn't the "usual" symphony crowd. We saw one girl dressed as Poison Ivy (?) See if you can figure that out. All in all, it was fun. There is something about a live symphony that really affects you. We are already scoping out the season to see something else we can go see.

Halloween 2009

This is Gunther. Gunther is modeling his new pair of Daisy Dukes, but with a special detail--exposed pockets. I must also draw your attention to his exquisite sparkly princess tattoos--comprised of roses and hearts. So cute. The perfect attire for taking his little brother trick-or-treaing. Ah, good times.

This is Molly, Gunther's only wife...for now HA HA HA! Based on the height of her big poof of hair, one might surmise that she is the most spiritual of the colony! She looks oh so reverent in her black and white smock. She appears to be a bit depressed here--maybe because she only has two kids...

Kevin and I love Halloween. It is definitely one of our favorite holidays. I always love an excuse to bake, so we made some fun Halloween cupcakes for a pumpkin carving party at one of our neighbor's houses.

Kevin is so enthusiastic about this! He decorated some impressive cupcakes so I couldn't resist taking a picture. Below is a closeup, try not to drool!

Geordan's Wedding Day

Geordan got married to Daniel Billings on Saturday, October 24th in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. It was one of the most memorable sealings I have ever been to mostly because the sealer had extremely interesting insights to the temple and the ordinances performed therein.

Kevin did Geordan's bridals, these are a couple of our favorites! Kevin did a great job on them! They were shot out in Highland on an extremely windy day. We are glad there were some that turned out well.

Geordan asked me to make her wedding cake. I have only attempted one other wedding cake before, but this was my first one working with fondant. It was my first time working with fondant, period. There were a few problems, but all things considered, I think it turned out better than I expected. Geordan gave me a general idea of what she wanted and I was grateful for the liberties she let me take with it. I had fun making it and I think people enjoyed it.

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Ah, sink me! Kevin has been quite busy as of late. Not only is he spending hours every day studying for the LSATs (the test is September) but he is also performing 8 shows a week playing the title role in the Scarlet Pimpernel at the Hale Center Theater in West Valley City, UT, what? In addition, he has been working on some marketing projects for the theater. The show is in its third week and Kevin has already gotten some rave reviews. Here are a few of them:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705323483/Hales-stunning-Scarlet-Pimpernel-almost-perfect.html

http://www.heraldextra.com/entertainment/article_07f44963-4ae8-565b-868f-d22697f21fef.html

http://www.sltrib.com/arts/ci_13093261

Addicted to Quilting

Ever since I returned from NY, there has been one important difference--I finally have access to my beloved Bernina (sewing machine)! I also was fortunate enough to raid my mom's fabric collection for some free materials. This quilt is intended for a baby boy, though there is no specific recipient in mind. I may actually keep it for myself for the future since my mom designed some of the fabrics. You can't really see the details of the prints, but it is an enchanting collection with rabbits. If you click on the pictures, you get much better details.

Same idea, but this one is clearly aimed for a baby girl. It isn't completed yet (I still need to add a border) but I love the combo of pinks, turquois, and black/greys.

I didn't make this quilt recently--I made it when I was 16. My mom was making something like it and I really liked the idea and made my own version. I had just heard a great quote in seminary about sunflowers and stitched it onto the border. "From the early morning hour 'til the sun is at its close, the loyal, steadfast flower seeks the light without repose. And like loyal flower, our course should be as true, the Son of God we follow, each day our whole life through."

Hiking Mt. Timpanogos

My birthday happens to fall on Pioneer Day, July 24th. I decided I wanted to hike to the caves for my birthday. Once we started hiking and got high up enough, Kevin took a picture of our lovely view.













The sign should also warn, "If you are out of shape..."










Kevin and I decided this was Pride Rock. He is pretending to be Simba here. As I thought about it more, however, I think it looks much more like when the Little Mermaid is on her rock. Rock on Kevin, rock on.



















Kevin and I are looking so dapper in the early morning.







I haven't actually been to the caves since elementary school. Kevin had never been. It is really cold and damp in the cave, which is why you get to see stalagmites, stalagtites, and helectites (sideways ones). You are not allowed to touch anything because of the fragile nature of the cave's contents.





















The biggest of them all: the heart of Timpanogos caves. They have a red light behind it that they turn on so it actually looks red.




















These formations look slimier and more caramel-colored. Because the caves are on a fault line, there have been occurrences of earthquakes and mud slides. Mud slides have happened here.



















Many of the parts of the cave look like you should be under water. These walls looks like sea coral.









I thought this was a pretty picture. It looks like there is a little seahorse peaking its head out. I would love to go again, it was a pretty good little workout. We were both sore the next day. That concludes the cave pictures...



















After we went hiking, we got lunch and then went tubing down the Provo river with Andrew Veenstra and Sara Burroughs. We didn't take the camera so this is not us in the picture, but you get the idea of what went on. We rented tubes from a company that drives you up to the top. Once we got on the river, it was about an hour and a half ride. We all tried to stay together and did a pretty good job, except when Andrew decided to be heroic and help unite people with their groups. The water was only a couple of feet deep in most parts, but none of us wanted to get in the water. When we strayed too close to the sides, we all struggled to get ourselves away rather than just getting out and moving. This resulted in some tubes almost popping, Sara getting flipped over, etc. My hair almost got ripped out. And the water was only two feet deep.

Moving

Kevin and I were surprised to find ourselves back in
Utah so quickly after moving to NY last October. Kevin
had been auditioning while simultaneously preparing for
the LSATs. It came as a shock to both of us when we
realized that "the crazy actor" life wasn't in harmony
with what we wanted. We began saving money, knowing
we would have to move eventually . Quite randomly, a
good job opportunity arose for Kevin, and we both
strongly felt that we had to seize the opportunity. So, it
was with mixed feelings and trepidation that we
commenced our sojourn to Utah. We rented a Ford
Explorer and packed all of our precious possessions inside
(Luckily, we sold the big furniture pieces). 33 hours later,
we arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. It was neat to be
reminded of the beautiful country we live in (excluding
Nebraska).

Oh look, it's Iowa, nothing but corn.

Still Iowa, but getting close to Nebraska. Some wind action going on.

Oh, and Iowa also has some KILLER rainbow sherbet.

Project for Mom

My mom has developed some patterns
for really cute aprons. She needed some
pictures (marketing purposes) so Kevin
took some shots next door at Gardner's
Village (which, coincidentally, has an
amazing quilt shop that is going to get me
in lots of trouble!)