More Fun with Aaron and Brooke

Before we headed off to see the Church sites and the wonders of Illinois, Nate and I took Aaron and Brooke on a whirlwind tour of Kansas City. It truly was a whirlwind because we had only one day in which to see as much of the city as we possibly could and show it off so that Brooke and Aaron will come back again to visit.

First we took them to Hallmark to see Nate's office. But we didn't make it to the Visitor's Center before it closed - so that is just one more guest who has not seen the Visitor's Center! I think the only person that ever got there was Val (and I only have Nate and Val's word for it because I was at school.)


Then we toured the Crown Center. We ate lunch there. We stopped at Union Station and looked at the bullet holes near the front doors.


We hiked up to the World War I monument and museum. One of my favorite sites in town.


We rode the elevator up to the top of the monument and gazed at the city below. It was awesome. They had the steam on so we were occasionally showered with a cool mist.



Then we went to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. I gave everyone a lecture on Abstract Expressionism in the new Bloch building. And Nate and I took the opportunity to get a photo with one of the Shuttlecocks.



Then we took Aaron and Brooke to the T-Rex, which is probably the craziest restaurant I've ever been to. We sat underneath this giant squid.


To cap off the day we went to Dave and Buster's where Aaron earned TONS of tickets playing the trivia game. We bought a Chief's football for Aaron and Brooke to take home with them as a souvenir! It was a busy day. My favorite Fall Break so far!

Vampires

This past month my ward's book club read Stephenie Meyer's Twilight.


And we are crazy about the three (soon to be four) book series! Silly as it might sound, these books about Bella, a clumsy ordinary girl, and Edward, a vampire who doesn't want to be a killer, are extremely compelling. I think it must be the perfect combination of danger and romance.

The night of the book club Karen, Shannon, and Kim all showed up in Edward Cullen t-shirts. We all had a good laugh. They told us that they were going to wear the t-shirts to the Trunk or Treat that Saturday and invited the rest of us to do the same.

Here are 4 of the Twilight fans:


Kim's shirt says: "Edward Cullen" and on the back "Got Blood?"
My shirt says: "Vampire Girl la tua cantante"
Leiann's shirt says: "Bite Me" and on the back "I love Edward Cullen"
Karen's shirt says: "Edward Cullen not human, definitely man"

I guess you'll just have to read the books to find out what all the fuss is about.

Aaron and Brooke

Aaron and Brooke came to visit us last week. Among other things, we made the pilgrimage out to Nauvoo. We had a fabulous time. Thanks for coming, guys!

JoLee and Brooke at Adam Ondi Ahman.

Aaron and Brooke at Adam Ondi Ahman.

Aaron on the banks of the Mississippi.

Aaron and Nate at the Kansas City Airport.

Jess and Eric's Wedding

This post is all about my friend Jessica. Jessica and I have known each other for about 15 years now, ever since 6th grade when her family moved to Colorado Springs. Jess and I were in the Children's Chorale together. We were locker partners for 3 years in high school (a fact I'm sure she would want documented here).

Here we are getting ready to graduate from high school.


After graduation Jess and I went off to BYU together. We lived together our freshman year in the dorms.


We were both at BYU for 7 years working on our bachelors degrees and then masters (me) and law (Jess) degrees. In that time we were roommates for 3 years (3 seems to be our number). Below we are celebrating graduating from college.


This week Jess and I were reunited once again. On Thursday morning I flew to Atlanta so that I could be at Jessica's wedding on Friday.


I met up in Atlanta with another friend from middle school, high school, and chorale, Erika. Erika and I hung out all weekend and shared a hotel room. It was really fun to see her again.

Jess wasn't exactly on time for the wedding, but technically, I guess a bride can't be late. So while we were waiting for the festivities to begin, Erika and I sneaked into the Bride's Room to hang out with her two hilarious sisters, Andrea and Sarah, and wait for Jessica to arrive.



When Jess arrived, Andrea and I laced up the back of her dress, and it looked awesome, if I do say so myself. I was very pleased with my small contribution to the event.




And then the moment had arrived. Here's the setting before all the guests took their seats.

The adorable flower girl. The best part was that when she got to the front of the aisle she turned over her basket and dumped out the remaining petals.

The bride and groom.

Cutting the cake. Jess and Eric had a really delicious wedding cake!

Congratulations to the happy couple! I'm looking forward to the next 15 years.