Ode to Me and Andrew

You know how people like to take pictures of "family groups" on vacations? Well, Andrew and I don't have a family group so we usually end up in pictures. Or if one of us is trying to take a picture of another at one of the sites, a polite person will come up and say, "Let me take a picture of the both of you." "Um, yeah, sure, okay." So basically, we have a ton of pictures of just the two of us. Finally, after we mountain biked, Andrew said, "And here we have finally completed all of our honeymoon activities." Can you tell which picture is the most honeymoon of all? Yes, so can we. That's when we stopped taking the pictures. I promised him that when I get married, he can still be in all our photos.

Click here for his account of the trip.

Teton Village & Mountain Biking

The day started with us taking the gondola to the top of Teton Village ski area. We took pictures, threw snow balls at each other, it was great. Then Andrew and I decided that we wanted to go mountain biking. The second we walk into the rental place, the guy said, "Well, you are aware that a biker was just charged by a grizzly?" "YOU'RE KIDDING?!" "Why would I kid?" "It's an expression! GEESH!" "Just say 'hey bear' and talk a lot. You'll be fine." "Where was the bear last seen?" "Bears move." "Yes, fully aware, thank you. Just tell me!"

We went for it any way and mostly tried to stay out of the trees. We chatted nervously as I lead Andrew onto a black diamond run accidentally and spent a few sickeningly nervous minutes in the trees. "HEEEEEY BEEEEEAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR!" Right away I feLl and scraped my leg. I only cussed once, though Andrew says differently.

We lived to tell the tale. Fear did not stop us! That or stupidity kept us going.

Day at Yellowstone

Note to self: Take at least two to three days to spend in Yellowstone. Otherwise, you may start to feel pissy towards the six other people in your car...no matter how much you love them! Okay, so I wasn't that pissy. I mean, we didn't get back from the Park until 11:00 p.m. We were hungry, cold and a bit claustrophobic. But Yellowstone was worth every minute of the drive!

We saw Old Faithful, Geiser Park, Buffalo, Elk, two waterfalls and our favorite, the Canyons. Oh, and do yourself a favor when you visit Old Faithful: take a peek at the Old Faithful Inn. It's gorgeous!

Fly-Fishing Day 2

Dad and I took to the river together on our second day of fly-fishing. Last time we fished together he stole all my fish because he was in the front of the boat. He was much better at sharing this time around. I think I caught around 20 fish! That's a record for me. Again I caught another 17 inch trout. Dad caught a 19 inch brown trout. We were very impressed!

Excitement of the day: Chris and Andrew were stripping in a fish when they heard loud flapping noises. The look up and a bald eagle can swooping down three feet from them. Apparently he wanted the fish too. They claim that there was a seven foot wingspan. I'll choose to believe it.

Quote of the day: "Katy, can I take your sunscreen with me on my boat." "Um, no, I need it." "But I have more to preserve." "What do you need to preserve?" "I need to preserve my sexiness!" "Of course you do."

South Fork River

Today was our first day on the river. Ten of us floated the South Fork river in Idaho. I thought Idaho was all fields of potatoes. Turns out I was wrong. It was beautiful. My mom and I fished together today and we each caught around a dozen or so. It was a very lucrative day on the river! We were proud of ourselves for not losing too many flies or catching each other too many times. I can't wait to get back on the river tomorrow morning!

More from the Grand Tetons

Todays hike was to Taggert Lake in the Tetons. It was a beautiful easy three mile hike through the meadows. This is the way to get your exercise! Then I follow up that exercise with the practice of eating everything in sight. I need to get a grip.

Our first day of fly-fishing is tomorrow! Dad just told us that we need to be "in the car and rolling" at 6:30 a.m. Ugh! I'm already tired just thinking of it. But a day on the river beats a day in the cubicle any day.

Greetings from the Grand Tetons!

We are having a blast in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It's been one outdoor adventure after another. Here's a little sneak peek of the sites.

Jess & Jay

Here's an updated picture of Jess & Jay after the engagement. You can see her gorgeous ring in this one!

We all were home later Tuesday night and had our own roommate toast with champagne for Jessie and Jay. It made for a fun workout the next morning. Read: not so much.

Aren't these two just adorable?

Dream Weaver

It's interesting that my little brother, Andrew, just wrote this blog about thinking. I am an avid thinker and day-dreamer. I'm probably more of a day-dreamer than a thinker. Sometimes it can be good: Day-dreaming about scenes, acting success, athletic acheivement, what to wear with my patton-leather red wedges (my cute new navy suit, of course!). And sometimes it can be bad: Dreaming about the man of my dreams. Seriously, who could ever live up to that? So I am resigned to do my darndest to live my life instead of day-dream it.

I'm sure my thoughts will still consist of wonderful nuggets like, "Sometimes I want to take a straw and my Oreck and give myself homemade liposuction."

Onward to Jackson Hole, WY

First of all, how insane was Nigel last night on SYTYCD? Secondly, Mary was looking...like she popped out of the Flintstone's cartoon and had her hair crimped. Thirdly, I just love this show.

Now that that's over, let's move on...

Saturday morning I leave for Jackson Hole, Wyoming where I'll meet up with my family for a week long trip in the mountains and on the river. I CANNOT wait and am trying really hard not to think about it. It doesn't help that Patrick just called and asked if I'd be interested in camping overnight in the Grand Tetons. Ummm, yello...sign me up! I haven't researched much about Jackson Hole. I want to be surprised by it. I know it will take my breath away. People who have been there gasp when I tell them where I'm going all next week. I take that as a good sign.

Packing is always an issue. Warmer clothes during the day and a few things for the cool air at night. I asked Alicia what to pack and she responded with, "Anything that says North Face." Oh, gotcha.

I'll basically be out of blog commission next week. You may be saying, "But Katy, you've kind of been out of commission all the time lately." I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry I'm not measuring up to your incredibly high expectations! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!!! Whew! I feel better. Don't you?

I love you and I know you love me. Hugs and kisses.

Wedding Bells

I am one excited girl to be able to bring you such happy news! My cousin, Jessie, and her boyfriend, Jay, got engaged this weekend up in Door County! I am so excited to welcome Jay into the extended family. He has no idea what's ahead of him in regards to the family reunion. All I know is that I want him on my sand castle team. He'll add a little artistic touch.

I'm sad to lose Jess as a roommate. We're trying to convince Jay to move into her tiny little room. We'd be one happy family!

We wish you the best Jess & Jay!

Photobooth

Here are a couple of pictures of me, James and Cristin from Saturday night at the Town Hall Pub after our show. Photobooths really do add so much to an evening. I also attached our favorite of the four. I have never looked more creepy in my life. I love it!

So True

Quote of the day:

"The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get to the office."

That Robert Frost sure knows what he's talking about.

Show Saturday Night!

The Senate is playing tomorrow night, June 14th at The Playground. 8:00 p.m. BYOB. $10 for three great groups. Our group is incredibly talented and I love performing with them. Don't miss out!

And in other fun news...I get to go see Glen & Marketa, the peeps from Once, in concert Sunday night at the Chicago Theatre!!! I'm going to work really hard to not sing along. There's nothing worse than a tone deaf person singing next to you at a concert. One of the best things about a U2 concert is that they play so loud you can't hear anyone singing next to you. I wonder what it would sound like if they suddenly turned off the sound and you heard everyone belting out the songs.

Updated List

Living far away from your best friend sometimes forces you to update each other on your lives quickly through email. Today I made a list for Beckles and here it is:

A few things:

1. period and white pants. bad idea jeans.

2. starbucks gave me caffeinated coffee today. i was climbing the walls and freaking out about my career.

3. my scene partner last night said, "You mean that last summer you were even smaller than you already are?" I could have kissed him.

4. i went down over 5 pounds this week. PRAISE GOD! But you need to gain weight b/c you're pregnant and incubating a life!

5. I'm struggling with my talent. I know it's there but I don't trust myself or have enough confidence at the moment. Pray for me.

6. My bike got fixed and I can't wait to ride it! woohooo!

7. 8 days until I see my family. I could cry.

8. I can't believe i'm missing your shower. Know that i'll be there in spirit. My spirit will be skinny dipping while everyone eats bbq.

9. I've avoided the 10 pound chocolate bar in the kitchen for two days. I don't know how much longer I can hold out. It's like telling a two year old not to throw a fit. It just comes naturally.

10. My legs have never been so pasty white. We're talking the color of fine white linen.

That's So Punny

For a good time, read here.

10 Pounds of Chocolate

It may be time to commence the wiring shut of my jaw. Seriously. At one of our fundraising events last night, a donor bought a 10 pound bar of chocolate in an auction. He kindly (?) donated this 10 pound chocolate bar right back to us so we could eat it at our office. WHY IS GOD TESTING ME?!!!! I added it all up: The bar has 24,860 calories and 1,469 grams of fat. With all the estrogen and pregnant hormonalness going on in our office, that bar will be gone in 24 hours. I kid you not. Is there no mercy?

Happy Birthday Erin!

Happy 30th Birthday to my amazing sister, Erin! We're celebrating the love, joy, laughter and warmth she brings to everyone who knows her! Last night the family got together for a birthday dinner at my parents house. I even attended via iChat. They placed me on the table and I watched them eat delicious TexMex. I was glad just to be a part of the celebration.

I love my sister dearly and she is one of the most hilarious, fun and generous people I know. She has such a servant's heart. She'll do things for people I would never do because she's so filled with love.

So celebrate her today!