VOTE!

Matt here again. With the presidential election coming up here shortly just a reminder to register to vote, and vote for who YOU think will lead our country in the right direction. Here is a quick video that is pretty cool and I think has a pretty good message to it: http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/popup/media_gallery_video.jsp?OPTION=SAR&assetid=31914

Update

This is matt again, this is just to update on my friend who was hit by a car while cycling to work Sept. 12th. Like was mentioned in my previous post the person who hit him has no insurance so a fund has been created to help with the thousands of dollars of debt he will likely be facing when he is released from the hospital. Here is the website, and please donate if you can: http://www.andychapmanfund.com/

ketchup

So the other day I was showing my dad our blog, and he was completely baffled that I maintain a site documenting the things Matt and I do. As he mulled over why he would check our blog when he already knows what's going on in our lives, it got me thinking why I blog too. I guess I enjoy it. It's nice to see pictures and thoughts from family and friends I don't see as often as I'd like. With that said, I am dedicating this post to my dad...like he'll ever read it!

First thing's first. We got our bed!!! Matt and I bit the bullet and ordered a bed from Four Chairs a couple months ago. After a long wait we had it delivered last Friday.

It's a little big in our current bedroom, but not as bad as you may think. And, it's so worth it. I'm mildly ashamed to say that it's the first piece of furniture we've had to buy since we've been married; we got really lucky in that my parents and Matt's parents hooked us up with the basics, so we really can't complain. I love it.

Our first night sleeping in it was postponed due to the celebration of Matt's grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary. We partied at the Noni gardens (beautiful), ate, had some pictures, and listened to their kids share memories of their parents--which happens to be my personal fav.

Here are some pictures of the night:

Camden

making a grass angel

cole. appeased with a cracker aunt merilee had in her purse.

Louis scaling the wall...he's quite the climber.

grandma and grandpa olsen (my in-laws) and all the grand kids.

all the cousins (my nieces & nephews)

camo eating...bare chested and ketchup covered.

the happy couple

matt & halle

giddy up!

And, last but not least, the zucchini bread I made with the club sized zucchini from Merilee's garden (she asked for proof that I baked):

Of course I substituted the suggested nuts for chocolate chips. Go figure.

Your attention, please

This is matt again, back for more. I don't post often on this blog (or any blog for that matter) but I am today because I have some news. As everyone knows I am a pretty active person and like doing just about everything, one of those is biking. I love riding in the dirt as well as on the road and have been pretty lucky thus far to avoid any serious injuries. Well, this past friday morning one of my climbing/biking buddies (and fellow REI empolyee) was riding his bike to work (he is an art teacher at an elementary school in Lindon) and was hit by a car in American Fork. His bike was crushed, as was his shoulder and face. He was taken to the A.F. hospital and then was transfered to the Utah Valley hospital via life flight. I just got back from visiting him this morning and I am pretty shaken up about it. He should be back to a fairly normal state in about 6 months. The man driving the vehicle was 78 years old with no insurance. So not only is he stuck with the medical bills but the cost of replacing his $2500 bike. KSL did a story on it and here is the link if anyone is interested: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=4273717
I know that cyclists can be annoying and sometimes they make you go really slow for a mile or so, but my message is to be patient and please be aware of folks on bikes. Sorry this post has a somber feel to it, but please be aware while driving, it will be much appreciated.

tagged

i was tagged by kristy to list 6 quirky things about me.  hold on tight.

1.) i suppose you'd call it manners, but what it boils down to is how people consume their food.  if you smack, slurp, suck, lick, or taste your food wrong, you'll drive me crazy.  if you eat your food too loud, i'll kill you.  kidding, but it drives me crazy (matt can attest to this...i once made him eat his nachos in the laundry room because i was trying to sleep but was getting too annoyed by his chewing).  i'm ruthless

2.) chalk.  i can hardly stand to touch it let alone use it.  and chalkboards.  don't even get me started.

3.) whiskers in my sink.  not that i don't love a nice, smooth face...but c'mon.  it actually only bugs me when i've just cleaned the sink.  which, of course, seems like the only time matt shaves.  he's usually a bearded wonder.

4.) when i'm really nervous i get physically sick.  i'll spare you the details.

5.) i'm DEATHLY afraid of spiders but am too chicken to kill one.

6.) i refuse flannel sheets because they snag my heels.  maybe this is a good excuse to get weekly pedicures...

now that you think i'm crazy and are probably afraid to consume anything in front of me, i'll go.  

:)

have you laughed today?

a few months ago, while fishing at the ass crack of dawn on 'the berry,' mama deb introduced me to cheese.  the best cheese.  laughing cow cheese.  

it looks like this:

you can get it at costco for like 9 bucks (comes with 4 containers). I'm sure you can get it at the grocery store too, but i've never checked. anyhoo...it's freaking good. matt and i eat it like crazy. one day we'll probably look like this:

you should try some.

randomness

Our room is bare. Nothing in it but a dresser and some nails on the walls. It's freshly vacuumed, base board dusted, and ready for Friday. That's right, my friends, the bed we ordered way back on July 7 is FINALLY done and will be delivered Friday morning. I can hardly wait. My bank account can, but I can't. In order to accomodate the movers and free up all possible room, our king mattress is in our family room and everything else is in here:

Not as bad as Mer and Clay's 'hell' once was, but pretty crammed nonetheless. Not to mention the family room (and yes, I did move our mattress all by my lonesome...and somebody better call a doctor because my freaking pythons are huge ). Sheesh.

In other news, I'm a freaking winner. That's right, I put my name in a raffle type thing on this scrapbooking blog I check out sometimes, and I won like 50 bucks worth of stuff...exhibit A:

paper, holiday stamps, chipboard stuff, stickers, ribbon, etc., etc., etc.

The last jaw dropping tidbit I have for all you cyber stalkers is Matt's leg hair jungle. Yes, one boring Sunday afternoon I twisted a bunch of Matt's leg hairs into little spikes. He's a good sport.

oooohhhhhhhh

aaaahhhhhhhh

i know, i know: i'm talented.

what can i say?!

Comeback Kid!

This post is actually Matt speaking, I feel the need to say that because Jess does almose all of the posting on this thing. But I read an interesting article in Velo News that said Lance Armstrong is coming out of retirement to race in 5 races next year, one of them being the Tour de France. My hunch is that Astana (his new team) is going to crush everyone. I know there aren't many cycling fans out there, but this is pretty big time and I am pumped for '09. Here is the link if anyone is interested in reading the article: http://velonews.com/article/82892/sources-lance-armstrong-coming-back

a little bit of random-ness

a funny picture i took the other night.

you think that was good...you should see the one on his hinney...

big feet. you know what that means. big shoes.

this is was a 5.5 and a 13 look like when put side by side. i suppose the only advantage of having size 13 shoes (aside from the obvious) and being just over five feet would be superb balance. other than that, just a big pile of ugly.

hmmm. this post is a bit on the raunchy side. suppose i should've posted that as a preface as opposed to my final thought.

oh well.

happiest day of my life

but i can't post about it yet.

and no, i'm not pregnant.

baby calf...

this is for you Kev

R is for romance...

I knew Matt had been planning something for our anniversary, but he wouldn't tell me what...not even a clue. When I got in my car for work this morning there was a note that told me to change my clothes after work, have two 5 dollar bills, and to wait for my next clue. The intrigue ensued. My clue led me to another clue, which led me to a text message clue, which lead me, finally, to Little Dell Reservoir, where I found a kayak and Matt cooking hamburgers (my fav). He also had Diet Dew, doughnuts, and Jalepeno chips...what a stud. After scarfing down our burgers--so as not to get attacked and murdered by the massive swarm of bees--we lugged the freaking heavy kayak down to the water and paddled around. It was lots of fun and was a total suprise. I know this is sappy and even on the cliche side of things, but I really do have the best husband in the world. He's not usually the most romantic guy I've ever met, but when he lets it out, it's pretty stinkin' good.

me and my impecable balance gondoliered our way across the reservoir...with my nice, white wunderwear hanging out...nice, i know.

i love you

waiting for matt to get our camera

P.S.
Matt & I decided to not exchange gifts--as we have a new bed coming soon and are focusing on paying for that...but I couldn't resist. I save stupid things live movie stubs, concert tickets, etc., and modged podged them on a picture frame...not bragging, cause I'm not crazy about how it turned out, but I am excited to try the whole modge podge thing again.

dum, dum, da-dum...

Nearly three years ago I married my best friend. While it would be a lie to say it's been easy, it's no stretch of the truth to say that it's been the best three years of my life. I couldn't have found a better match if I would have hand picked each separate bit and created him myself, and for that, I'll be forever grateful.

Here's to you, and many, many more years.

I love you Matt.

our first trip to Moab (2005)

Zion (2006)

engagement pic (2005)

boating (2006)

Ketchikan (2007)

anniversary inn...(2007)

jazz game (2008)

backpacking (2008)

xxoo