3.26.2012

Playing Ketchup

Okay...Okay...I am horrible at keeping up with this blog.  So I am playing ketchup! Life just doesn't seem that exciting since our move to a stationary LOVE SHACK. However, I haven't updated the blog since January so there are a few things to note.

First off- we love Battle Mountain.  I'll be the first to admit I was skeptical about moving to Battle Mountain- seeing it was dubbed "the armpit of America."  Even when we first arrived I may have had a few tears well up but I'm so glad I'm open minded about most things.   We have fallen for this town- it's not a place I want to live and die but I'll be just fine here for the next 5 years or so.  We've met and made great friends already and I know that when it comes time to leave it will be hard.

Thinking back to our exciting lives in February....

It REALLY snowed here, like actually accumulated so that we could make snow sculptures.  We decided a traditional snowman was a little elementary for us, so we went for the peace sign.  How did we do?




I also took the Greyhound to Denver.  It wasn't that bad, but definitely not my preferable mode of transportation.  My girl Nik is getting married in June and I'm the Maid of Honor...how special is that? I made the trek to Denver to do one of my favorite things ever....get fitted!!!! Ish....but the dress is HOT and very forgiving- so I am thankful for that!

I had never met Derek (her fiance) before so it was nice spending time with them and finally meeting him.  It also happened to be her brother, Taylor's, girlfriend's birthday while I was in town and her family invited me to attend.  The part-ay was at Le Grand Bistro & Oyster Bar.  The menu was unique and Derek feasted on bone marrow- you know I had nothing to do with that...ish!  She seriously has such a fabulous family!  Her brother Lee was my stand-in date, he just didn't know it until he got there, good thing he was a good sport!






























I also had the opportunity to reconnect with my JWU loves!  Dennis Taylor is such an amazing friend! He drove clear across Denver to pick me up and take me to one of the new hot spots in Denver, lingers.  We didn't have reservations, the place was packed, but D knows people.  The food was delicious - we had duck, lamb, scallops, and poppers that were served with cheese curds.  If you ever get to Denver- you have to check this place out there are fabulous views of the Denver skyline!  D is fabulous though- truly a great friend with a huge heart! (I want to kick myself for not taking one stinking picture with D.  Below is a picture from my graduation)

It's a picture of a picture...But you get how handsome he is!
I also checked out The Berkshire for Brunch with a few of my favorite dudes; Joshua, John and Wes.  They are super fun, motivated, smart dudes.  It was great to ketchup with them and hear how they're kicking butt at life. (I didn't take a picture at brunch either-I am awful! So I stole this from FB)

JWU Represent
I stopped in at Comedy Works to see my ol' pal Jay.  It was actually my first time seeing the club complete!  I was there when the building was first constructed and the concrete had just been poured but this was way cool.  Jay was my internship supervisor and mentor.  I helped him write the business plan to secure the loan to open the second location.  The best part about visiting was remembering all the schematics of the restaurant, lounge, and showroom areas and finally seeing them in the flesh.  



Denver was fabulous!  It also snowed over a foot while I was there!  No big deal Nik and I shoveled the driveway, took walks with her pups, and enjoyed the hot tub!  I had a great time hanging out with Nik, talking about her lovely wedding plans, and playing ketchup with old friends.


About a week after I got back E had training in Salt Lake City so of course Loaf and I tagged along!

Since we were in SLC, we had to check out the Mormon temple square.  It was interesting to say the least.  The visitor's center was very well done, the interpretive displays were short, to the point, and engaging.  I was surprised by how many people were out on a Thursday to take in the tabernacle choir.  Not being Mormons ourselves we of course do not get to go in the temple- alright by me I think we spent way too much time there.



We enjoy our little breaks to civilization- the convenience of everything is nice!  We walked all over downtown and enjoyed a fabulous place called Red Rocks (twice), they brew their own beer, and have delicious food!  I strongly recommend the Prosciutto Wrapped Tomatoes & Fresh Mozzarella.

We turned his 2-day training into a 5-day stay, using the long President's Day weekend for ourselves.  E picked out a hotel in Lehi for the 3-day personal stay.  Guess why he picked Lehi....that's where the Cabela's is located.  Yet another Cabela's checked off the list and our least favorite store to date.



Another fabulous plus to our SLC visit was having breakfast with the one and only Kellie Mieremet.  Another one of my JWU peeps who I had the pleasure of working with while I was at the Community Leadership Institute in Denver.  She has such good energy- I just love being around her.  I miss working with her-she is an awesome mentor and fabulous friend. (Of course i didn't think to snap a picture here either)

We try to plan an "outdoor" day when we go on our little trips these days.  While in Salt Lake we checked out the Uinta National Forest.  The city itself is not for me- I have never seen so many Costco's in a 30 mile radius- crazy!  But the place is beautiful, the mountains are phenomenal and I would love to go back specifically for the outdoor scene.  It had snowed throughout the night and into the morning but by the time we were done with breakfast the weather made for beautiful day. 

Loaf loves to go but his feet get too cold after awhile

We had the perfect view of Mt. Timpanogos the entire hike.  The beauty of the place was magical.  Look at my handsome love looking all GQ on our hike!


We had such a great time in the mountains.  And hopefully we'll be back during the summer season to get another stamp in our NPS passport at Timpanogos Cave.


I think that's about all I had to Ketchup on....

Until next time,

E, J & Loaf