Happy Birthday Mike!!

Today I was overwhelmed with the feeling I should blog about my brother for his birthday. Let me start by saying my brother Mike is one of the most inspirational people I know. I have never met a man with more work ethic and dedication to his family then my brother. The guy works his ass of night after night, much more then the average man should, and he has never complained once. Whenever I think I am overwhelmed in life I look at what my brother has to deal with that week feel you get the recognition you deserve. I don't say this enough, I love you and you deseve 3 cheers sir

hip hip hurray!!!

When My Eyes Finally Opened

I think everyone has that time when they realize things have changed, and due to this you couldn't be happier. The time when you notice that all the things you have been working on your whole life are finally starting to take shape and make sense. I was overwhelmed by this the other night on my way home from work. The girl i have known since 5th grade is the same girl i currently call my best friend, and will soon call my wife. This woman is the last piece that has finally made life make sense for me. Since the day Rachel and i started dating, i have found a much better job, i have given my career a direction, I have focused on a degree, and plan on graduating this summer. She is also the woman that has got me back into skiing, something i love. Their is no question she has made me a better person and their is no question she was the final piece to my life puzzle. She has helped me make sense of life and has given me more direction then ever, and due to this i have never been more happy.

Cornflake Christmas Wreaths

So yes, I am posting a recipe. I think these are the bestest things in the whole world and they are so cute looking as well. Call me a homemaker I don't care because they are that delicious.
Cornflake Wreath Cookies
1/2 cup butter
3 cups miniature marshmallows
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp green food color
4 cups corn flakes
red hot candies
silver dragées

Melt butter, add marshmallows, stirring until all marshmallows are melted. Add extracts and food coloring; stir until it is a uniform green color. When mixture is smooth, add corn flakes; mix well but gently so as not to crush the cornflakes. Form into wreath shapes on sheets of waxed paper, decorate with red cinnamon candies and silver dragées. Let cool.

Pre-Husband Tag

I found this survey and thought it was super cute, so I'm doing it about Evan!
1. Where did you meet?
Technically the first place we met was in elementary school, but we "re-connected" through...yes drum roll please...FACEBOOK!
2. How long did you date before you got married?
We have been dating for 14 months now, and get married in one more month!
3. How long have you been married?
Not married yet
4. What does he do that surprises you?
Takes me places that I know he hates, ex. New Moon, Mexican food, dealing with me being cold after one run of skiing.
5. What is your favorite feature of his?
His beautiful baby blues!
6. What is your favorite quality of his?
He is so caring and so generous. You know when you go somewhere and they ask if you want to donate to Primary Children's or Operation Smile with the rest of your purchase? Well Evan is the guy that always donates.
7. Does he have a nickname for you?
Bub, Bubby
8. What is his favorite color?
Dodger blue!
9. What is his favorite food?
Toast and beans, (ew) and ribs.
10. What is his favorite sport?
Baseball, and anything football (college and NFL)
11. When and where was your first kiss?
On my couch after like two weeks
12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
Anything outside, boating, skiing, we don't hike much but I'm sure we will start getting into that as well.
13. Do you have any children?
No, no and no
14. Does he have a hidden talent?
He plays the guitar and constantly finds the cutest songs and sings to me in the car :)
15. How old is he?
24
16. Who said "I love you" first?
Me, and anyone that knows the story...yeah it's awkward.
17. What is his favorite type of music?
Chill music, Owl City, John Mayer, Jack Johnson, the list continues...
18. What do you admire most about him?
How hard he works. He works 40 hours weeks, on top of going to school full time and helping me with tons of wedding stuff and keeping me calm when I stress out about everything. He is so wonderful and loving and is always the first one to offer to help. He is my best friend and I have become a better person because of him.
19. Do you think he will read this?
Most likely

Wedding dress drama

For all who have been following the epic journey of my wedding dress it has been a disaster. I bought it from this lady in Park City who sells out her house, Joan. Well here is a helpful tip for everyone who is shopping for a wedding dress, DO NOT GO TO HER!!!! She claimed that ANYTHING could be done to a dress, whether that means making it strapless, changing the neck line etc. Well in case anyone doesn't take sewing 5500, those who are clueless and believe this, don't. You CAN'T do anything to a dress. Dresses are made the way they are made. And unless major changes are done when it is made, good luck changing it after the fact. Long story short, my dress took a month and a half to get altered, it still is not right. There are bunches of fabric from it being folded over and cut and brought in and the neckline is too low because, as I stated before, certain dresses are not made to do certain things. All in all, my dress is a walking disaster. Are my parents being amazing and going dress shopping again? Yes, and I'm extremely thankful. My note for everyone out there, do not go to this Joan lady. I'm being dead serious, it was a mess and something I would never wish upon anyone. This is supposed to be the one thing that is perfect and this has turned into a nightmare. If you are going to go to someone who is "claiming" that anything can be done, bring a seamstress so she/he can back you up. It's too risky and too expensive of a purchase to screw up. Are we going to go Utah style and try to find a dress in a month, yes. Hopefully we find something that doesn't have to be basically remade.

The Townhouse Blues

Rachel and I have been looking for a townhouse for the past few months, and it has been the biggest joke I’ve ever witnessed. We find house after house and it turns to crap every time. The first house we found, our loan lady went nuts on us, and is most likely locked in a padded room at the moment. The second one we had an inspection done, and were told the chances of our dream house of the week collapsing if the wind blows too hard were very high. After months of let downs and disappointments we have found yet another dream home that we feel might be the one. Our fingers are crossed wish us luck.

45 Days!

Not sure if anyone is keeping a countdown like I am, but we are currently at 45 days until we get married at Tuscany at 10:30 a.m. on Januray 9th. How exciting!!

That Thing You Do

As people may not know, we both love the movie That Thing You Do. Now if you haven't seen this movie, the name of our blog makes no sense to you. If you have seen this movie our blog name is hilarious. Anyway I just wanted to give a shout out to That Thing You Do and Lenny who is my all time favorite character from any movie. And Evan, you are hot just like Shades in the movie. Here are the best quotes ever for your reading pleasure:

Mr. White: Next, this "Oneders", with the O-N-E, it doesn't work. It's confusing. From now on, you boys'll just be... simply The Wonders.
Lenny: As in, I *wonder* what happened to the O'Needers?

Lenny: Are you crazy? A man in a really nice camper wants to put our song on the radio! Gimme a pen, I'm signin'! You're signin'! We're all signin'!

Lenny Haise: You see, we're not "The Wonders" right now. We're "Cap'n Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters".

If you guys do not think these quotes are funny, I will let it slide but this is HILARIOUS people!!

Ski Day

If you know Rachel and I, you know we are avid skiers, and skiing is an activity we love doing together. So this weekend we went for the first time this season, and also for the first time as an engaged couple. A nice relaxing day on the slopes turned into an uproar of profanities and laughter. I was following Rachel down, and at the very bottom i had a bit more speed then her. While pulling into the lift line, i safely went around her thinking I left her with plenty of room to stop before shooting into a garden of sharp rocks. While waiting for her to pull in next to me and discuss the high and lows of that particular run. I heard what sounded like cats getting thrown on a chalk board. I turn around to find my soon to be wife crawling back, saying words you would never let your mother hear. It took me off guard, and even more when i found out they were directed at me. (She may have even flipped me off). “Apparently” i cut her off a bit when i passed her and didn’t leave her enough room to stop. That dreadful notice I later found out were her brand new skis gliding over fresh uncovered rocks. Needless to say behind my hysterical laughing i felt truly terrible and still have plenty of kissing up to do.

Engagement

I think everyone would like to know how lovey dovey Evan is, even though he pretends he's not. We have been dating since October of 2008. It was our 10 month anniversary and I was sick that whole day and Evan had told me we had dinner plans that night. From previous embarrassing experiences, Valentines Day for anyone that knows the story, I made sure to get the dress code down correctly. So he picks me up, looking very dashing, and we went to the Steak Pit up at Snowbird. Had an amazing dinner and started heading back down the canyon. We passed our elementary school and decided to drive in and walk around. As we came around a corner at the school there was a table with candles and roses set up, me being completely in the dark commented on how random and cute that was. He walked me over and long story short had the cutest proposal ever invented. I was too excited to listen to half of it, so he had to propose twice. After the ordeal, or Moms were both sneaking around the corner watching the whole thing. Overall, a great night. Here are some pictures!

The time has come.

Well we have given in, yes it's true. Water is dumping in over the sides and it looks like our boat might sink into the blog world. We have yelled out mayday with no reply. Our bailout bucket isn't big enough for the peer pressure we have received. Wish us luck, our eyes are closed and noses plugged. here we go...