Golfing with the Hubs

For father's day this year, among other things, I told Steve I'd take him golfing. I picked the golf course, and the one I chose was Mountain Dell. I've been golfing a handful of times and once I had been there and had a good experience, so I thought it was a good choice. Oh, and it's beautiful! It was a little hot and really sunny...being JULY, but we had a good time. Sorry no pics of me to prove I was there, but if you ask the guy we were partnered with, he'll tell you, I sure was. I apologized to him when we were done. I'm pretty sure I would be most men's nightmare...really terrible. We had lunch at the clubhouse before and Steve said, "I'm just going to say one thing...Pace of Play." Luckily, my husband is really patient, but he will certainly stick to his golf etiquette. I'm glad we went and look forward to golfing with him again next year. Ha!

Blake and Emily get MARRIED!

In June Steve's cousin Blake got married. We first met Emily last fall in California when we went to the beach and got to know her a little bit. I must say, we loved her from the start! She is such a fun girl and a great match for Blake. Steve and Blake are only 6 months apart. They grew up in the same neighborhood, went to the same schools and hung out with the same friends. I guess you could say they are close cousins:). We were thrilled to celebrate Blake settling down and finding a girl as great as Emily. They got married in an intimate ceremony in Emigration Canyon and the following week they had a "Party" rather than a formal reception. They had Joe Morley's cater, along with music and dancing. We had a fun night with the whole family!


This is Grandma Seare. She beams with pride for her grandchildren.
For the most part, it was the kids loving the dancing. Owen was no exception.
The kid has some crazy moves.


These girls were cracking me up. They were dancing away and doing lifts together. Pretty good for ages 4 and 6!


The boys hanging with Grandma Cyndee

A Night Away With the Hubs

We spent a night away "Just Because" at the Waldorf Astoria. Steve told me not to plan anything on this day a loooong time ago. Shortly after that he told me why...we were staying here! He cannot keep surprises:) There was no specific reason, but it was great to get out with out children and sleep in a little and relax. We checked in to the classy establishment, dropped off our stuff and headed to dinner at Robert Redford's "Zoom." We love to try new restaurants and we love to eat GOOD whenever we get the chance. This was no exception. It was all delicious, but the most memorable item I ate was "Broccolini." Ever heard of it? It looked like a hybrid of broccoli and asparagus. Cooked to perfection and delicious. The restaurant had a very rustic feel and there was this awesome blues guitar player/singer performing. I love it when there is music at dinner. When we got back to the hotel, the drapes were all drawn, our sheets were pulled back, and our slipper were out and ready for us to slip on. Also, a chocolate was left along with the next day's weather. How lovely!
We love hotels, and I'm really glad we got to experience this one. On top of it all, we were greeted with fresh baked cookies and a personal letter from Steve's friend that upgraded our room. How thoughtful!

Then and Now: Steve's mission reunion

(above: Steve and President and Sister Martino the day he arrived in the mission home)


(above: Steve and Elder Martino)
We had the opportunity to attend Steve's mission reunion. We hadn't been to one in a really long time. Elder Martino (Steve's mission president) was in town from Guatemala and was going to be speaking for the reunion. I felt that was definitely worth going to. I really love Pres. Martino and his wife. Great people. So we went and we saw lots of old familiar faces and had a good time, actually. Ha. I kind of hate mission reunions...
So 10 years ago this year Steve left the MTC and headed to Maracaibo Venezuela. FUN FACT: the heaviest Steve has ever been was while on the mission working in the mission office. The skinniest Steve has ever been was right at the end of his mission and right when he got home. Poor guy, his digestive system has never been the same...if your husband went to South America, perhaps you know what I mean? TMI? Ha.(above: Steve and Helgeson 2001)(above: Steve and Helgeson 2011)
It was really fun to catch up with mission comps that I have met before, particularly Helgeson and his wife, whom I met RIGHT when Steve and I first started dating...he and his wife were also dating at the time. He is hilarious and I can totally see why he and Steve got along so well. (they lived together in the MTC for 2 months) FUN FACT: Helgeson's best friend growing up is Ben Banford, who married one of my best friends. Small world.
Elder Rose. FUN FACT: I went to Dixie with Elder Rose. He lived behind me with a bunch of our friends and what a small world that he came home 6 months before Steve and lived behind me? Great to see him.

**Bakers, you were missed!