Memory

I got this from Jodi's (Wiberg McDonald) blog...

Here is a fun little game... leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time or a long time, anything that you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It is pretty funny to read the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you are playing and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. On your mark... get set... blog those memories!

Overnighter at Mike's Cabin

Jeremy's sister Angie's fiance, Mike, had Jeremy's family up to his family's "cabin" for an overnighter Monday night. It is located about 20 miles outside of Oakley/Kamas in the Uinta Mtns and was absolutely gorgeous! We enjoyed steak & salmon for dinner, a dip in the hot tub under a star-filled sky, and each others' company. It was way too short. Then we went to Park City and rode the Alpine Coaster (FUN!). A fun day and a half, but Jeremy and I concluded that taking a Tuesday off work really sucks. We should've planned ahead and had a 4-day weekend!

Overnighter at Mike's Cabin

Utah Symphony at Deer Valley

I love summer concerts...can you tell? We love to go up to Deer Valley Ski Resort during the summer and see a concert with the Utah Symphony. Our good friends, Stephanie & Aaron, invited us to go up on the 18th for the 1812 Overture. We were so excited! Plus, Shauna & Rob happened to be in town from Sun Valley and were able to come too! It was so fun to hang out with them. The symphony sounded great, but my favorite part is just hanging out on blanket, eating snacks (and yummy DV food!), and enjoying the summer night air (which is much cooler than in SLC) with my sweetie and our buddies.

American Idol - Live!!

So I've been a huge American Idol fan the last few seasons, and this season did not disappoint!! Jeremy wasn't too keen on paying $60 to see them live (though he was great to watch it with me every week), so my friend FUN CORY came up from Provo and we went together. We had had such a fun time at the Kelly Clarkson/Clay Aiken concert a few years ago, I knew he was the perfect "concert buddy" for this show. He screamed like a little girl (just to entertain me, really)!

The concert was entertaining - each of the Top 10 winners sang 3 songs each, ending with David Cook, the winner of American Idol. The top 2 ("the Davids") sang a few extra songs, then all 10 did a song or two. This Salt Lake crowd was out of control!!! They screamed and cheered SO loud, several of the singers commented "wow, you guys are loud!!" David Archuleta, our hometown hero, sounded great and the fans just loved him. He even got a little emotional at all the love shown. LOL - Personally, I think it's rude to scream when a performer is singing. When s/he is done, hey, scream all you want - let 'em know you love their talent; but when they're singing, shut up and listen!! I assume this comes with maturity....who knows. Anyway, that's my two cents. It took our ears an hour or so to recover afterwards, but what a great concert. Good times!

Mara's Mommy Vacation at Sherrie's

Mara came to Utah (from the Tri-Cities, WA) to visit Saturday morning and stayed until Monday evening. She got a break from being a busy mom of 4 active kids, and I got a great visit with a great friend.

We hung out at the pool, ate yummy salads at Rumbi Island Grill and Bajio Grill, talked, shopped at local home decor stores (Rod Works, Interior Elements, Taipan Trading, and IKEA), talked, made some great CD mixes, got pedicures, talked, saw the chick-flick Made of Honor, and talked some more! It was way fun, and I'm sure she'll be a better mommy and her kids + hubby will appreciate her more because of her 3-day break. Thanks for sending her, Nate!! We loved all the catch-up time together!!!

Journey / Heart / Cheap Trick Concert

Friday night was one of those great summer nights at USANA Amphitheatre, where Journey headlined the concert tour with Heart and Cheap Trick. Journey's new lead singer is a Filipino named Arnel Pineda who was discovered on YouTube. What a great Cinderella story! This guy is totally livin' the dream!!! He has an amazing, beautiful voice!! We loved it. Heart was great too, tho' they didn't "rock" as much as they used to. The band was there, but they kept things more "acoustic" sounding.

Waiting for the show to begin

Arnel, doing his thang
Sherrie & Jeremy, rockin' out to Journey!!

Mara Kraus is Comin'.... to Town!!!

I'm so excited - my good friend since I was 6, Mara Kraus, is leaving her 4 adorable children to come have a relaxing weekend at my house (the Burt Hotel). She got a killer deal from Delta and jumped on it. Yeah, Mara gets a Mommy vacation!! We're looking forward to hangin' by the pool, shopping, talking, and eating - all without interruption!! Have fun kids, and go easy on your dad!

Celebrating Father's Day with Jeremy's Dad

Last week we finally coordinated schedules with Jeremy's Dad & Brenda to take him out for Father's Day. His restaurant of choice was Taggart's, up near Morgan. It was a beautiful night up in the mountains, and the restaurant's grounds were beautiful.

Thank you, Mark, for being such a wonderful Father to all of your children and for always being so upbeat and generous. You're a hard man to treat, but we love you!!!

Introducing the combined family of Angie & Dave Davidson!

A long-time friend of mine (since middle school) got remarried this weekend to a guy she met online 6 months ago who lives here in Salt Lake City. So she's moving from the Tri-Cities (WA) to Sandy, Utah, with two out of three of her kids. Kyson is choosing to stay behind and live with his dad, and Jesalan & Rylan are staying with their mom.

The wedding was beautiful and everyone was very happy. Lotsa smiles. And though it was about 95 degrees out, it was great to be there and connect with old friends.

Yay for Karaoke!!!

Last night my friend Candy & I went to sing some karaoke at our good buddy Mark's place. His beautiful dining room has been converted into a Karaoke Lounge, complete with big-screen TV, a huge karaoke selection (all contained on a laptop computer), huge speakers, and some comfy seating. It's great for any bachelor pad and creates fun for hours. Kimi D joined us and while she wouldn't hold a microphone, she sang along with us to all these great songs. Mark & I love to sing duets together (it all started with Endless Love on the singles cruise in 2001), so we are always looking for great duets.

Our selections last night included As Long as You're Mine (from Wicked), I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You (from Zorro), Dress You Up (by Madonna), The Boy from New York City, Tell Him (by Babs & Celine), I'll Be Seeing You (Linda Eder's version), The Crazy Bull (Candy & Mark knocked it out in Espanol!), Come What May (from Moulin Rouge), and many more.

Jeremy missed out - he was rocking out with his buddies at the Stone Temple Pilots concert.

It's always a good time at Mark's. Thanks for hosting!!