Abbie Fest

HEAVY is performing this weekend at the 19th Annual Abbie Hoffman Festival...aka. Abbie Fest. See us at 9:20 p.m. this Saturday!

City Gone Wild

This city is just crazy right now. I don't know if it's the fact that the airshow is going on this weekend or that the Cubs are actually doing good this year, but the fact remains that people are just nuts! Suddenly people have forgotten how to drive, how to use crosswalks, and how to do normal things like chew with their mouths closed. I'm almost scared to go anywhere tonight. Janell's mom is in town and is taking us somewhere delicious for dinner so I think I'll risk it. I'll do almost anything for a good meal.

It's been a really really long week at work and with my personal life. I'm so glad it's Friday. And what am I going to do now that So You Think You Can Dance is over? I asked Jessie the other day who would win if we had a So You Think You Can Dance competition between the girls in our apartment. Honestly, I think it would be me. I don't mean to brag but... Then I said that she would win if we had a So You Think You Can Sew contest and Janell would definitely walk away with the title of champion if we had a So You Think You Can Cook competition. Lately I'd also win for the So You Think You Can Ignore Your Alarm and Sleep In Instead of Running Off Those Cookies You Ate Last Night contest.

Go Trojans!

One sixth of the girls from my graduating class got together this past weekend to enjoy good food, adult libations and memories of the past. To view all the pictures of us gorgeous women from the entire weekend you can click here.

Friday night we ate ourselves sick on Sushi and rolled ourselves home. Seriously, no pun intended. Okay, maybe a little pun. Then we began the slumber party festivities.

We braided each others hair and polished each others toes while having a pillow fight. Not really. Instead we put in our senior year video. Let me just say that big hot-rolled hair was in! I didn't think hair could get much bigger than it did in the 80's. I was wrong. Early 90's style was just bad. Oh so bad. We laughed and shared a few moments of "whatever happened to so and so." By the end we had a few moments of extreme nostalgia. We really had it good.

Saturday we ate again. We actually did this three times in one day. Amazing, I know. We decided to rent bikes up by Foster Beach and Tiffany led us on a lakefront tour. No one crashed or burned....well, Courtney did sunburn, but that doesn't count.

Have you ever been to the Chicago Oven-Grinders pizza? DELISH! One must try this unique dining experience. But be sure to get there 10 hours in advance for a table. You think I'm kidding. Tre' popular!

It was so hard to see everyone leave. The best part was just seeing how wonderfully everyone is doing. The best part is that the insecurities and competition from high school has indeed remained something that happened in high school. It's great to see people who truly care about one another and want the best for each other. That's what I call success.

Bad News, Good News

Bad News: My favorite pair of summer shoes are starting to STINK. I thought somebody elses feet were smelling terrible. Turns out that rancid smell belongs to me. Good bye cute yellow wedges. We had so many good times together.

Good News: Oreo McFlurry for afternoon snack time. This could turn into bad news later.

Chicago Loves Me!

Chicago has sprinkled me with it's love over the past four years but Saturday morning, the city gave me the ultimate gift of love: My car was towed. I love you too Chicago! Someday I'll give back this great love you have shown me.

Marissa and Chris have a parking place behind their building. Their landlord said it would be okay for someone to park in their spot if there's a note from Chris & Marissa stating the car belongs to someone staying with them. I had a brief hopeful thought that perhaps my car had been stolen. I honestly don't want my car stolen. I love it and the trunk is full of my favorite Christmas decorations. So I don't know why I had that thought.

The towing company said they did indeed have my car. I asked if there was a note on the windshield. Perhaps someone had taken it off as a gesture of neighborly love and a good ole fun prank! Nope, the note was there, but "we don't look at notes, only at permits." Aha! So it was the towing company that goes around looking for cars to tow so they can make their money. Don't look at notes!? PULEEEZ! And when I pulled up to rescue my car, yep, the note was right where I left it. The man didn't even look me in the eyes. He knew he was guilty. I know it. He knows it. Everyone who has ever had their car towed knows it! I decided to take a few breaths and to not fight the city on this one. My friends were in town and it was better to just pay it off and burn off a little steam while we peddled rented bikes along the lake. That and eat a bomb pop. Oh bomb pops, you are summer to me!

My friends are great and are always quick to step in and help. They each threw a $20 bill at me to help contribute to the Rescue the 4Runner fund. They saved me some serious money by helping the girl out. So I am indeed loved!

Blast from the Past

Any minute now five friends of mine from my childhood should be arriving in Chicago! Whitney, Tiffany, Megan, Bunny and Courtney are making their way up here to have a mini-reunion with me and Marissa. Most of us have known each other since we were in third grade. When I lived in Dallas after college we would all try and get together once a month. As far as I know, they still try and keep that tradition alive. I'm going to try and convince as many of them as possible to move to Chicago.

I'm sure the weekend will involve eating, laughing, eating, drinking, eating and some more eating. God give me strength!

I'll be sure to post pictures soon.

The 411

So what has been going on the past few days that has refrained me from posting? Good question!

1) Red Eye: Note to self - avoid taking the Red Eye flight from Los Angeles to Chicago at all costs when you have to go straight to work. It hurt so bad y'all. Fortunately I had an empty seat next to me in a 3 seat section. But for some reason the guy by the window took the liberty of using two of the seats. I "wake up" from my nap to find that his head is right by my hip. I didn't even know his name! I mean, he did offer me gum, and that's nice and all, but this situation was a little intimate if you ask me. Have you ever thought about how intimate it is to sleep on a plane next to a total stranger? I mean, if you turn your heads and they are facing each other, you're basically breathing on them...and vice versa. There was that one time on a flight to Montana that I kept bobbing my head all over the place. The guy next to me woke me up and said, "you might want to put your seat back, it will help you to stay in one place." Was I embarrassed? No, I was too tired. I mumbled something like "Yeah, okay. Thanks" and went right back to sleep. I was a zombie on Monday. I went home and slept for two hours before I had to be at a late rehearsal. LATE rehearsal. What am I doing to myself?!

2) Gas Leak: At 11:45 am yesterday our meeting was interrupted by Firemen banging on our office door. They yelled at us to leave the building immediately. There was a carbon monoxide leak in the basement of the building. So grabbing our purses (can't live without it) we ran downstairs. There was a news crew there and everything. Which makes me wonder how a news crew heard about this before we even were asked to leave the building... I'm glad they found us! So as we exited the building a fireman looked each of us in the eye to ask if we were okay. I should have said no because one of our co-workers said, "I think so" and was wisked away for further observation by hot firemen. I should have been more on my game! We were told to return in an hour and a half. I hit up Nordstrom and it hit me right back with a cute pair of shorts and a skirt. We came back to the office and next thing we know, they're sending us home! Ah glorious gas leak! 'Tis an answer to prayer! In case any of you are concerned, I'm fine, we're fine, we're living to tell the tale. And I'm sitting back in my cube again.

FYI: Carbon monoxide is BAD. Go to http://www.carbonmonoxidekills.com/ to learn more about the symptoms. Good to know! Nausea, dizziness, headache, confusion....basically how I felt after taking the Red Eye.

X-Games: Super Moto, Moto X Freestyle and Moto X Race

This was an exciting day! The sun was warm, the air was cool, and my shorts were sweaty from the hot seats. No seriously, they were. I had to stand up one time to go buy a hot dog and soft pretzel (basically I ate a loaf of bread) and realized I looked like I didn't make it to the bathroom in time. But again, that's neither here nor there...

My favorite event of the night was the Moto X Freestyle competition. It was similar to the Big Air competition but they did about 1,000 more jumps and tricks. More than once I grabbed onto Andrew's arm and screamed. I'm happy to report that there were a few crashes but everyone was able to walk away.

Here are a few pictures.

Today we are going to explore the beach again. Did I mention I have a farmer's tan from two days ago? I do. I need to get rid of it before I go home. Then we'll go to Hollywood or something. Who knows! We are taking the red eye flight home so we have the whole day ahead of us.

Santa Monica: Day 2

Andrew and I enjoyed the beach on our second day in Santa Monica. We worked out (a true vacation miracle) and then rented bikes and rode from one end of the bike path all the way to the other. We rode a roller coaster, drank fresh squeezed lemonade, and walked/people watched along Venice Beach. Venice Beach = interesting sights.

That night we found our way to the Promenade in Marina Del Ray and saw Bourne Ultimatum. Two thumbs up from us! We saw it in the "Directors Hall." That means that there are comfy leather seats, better sound, assigned seating and a pricier ticket. Who cares! It was great!

Here are a few pictures from the day.

Oh and I bought some skinny jeans on sale from Nordstrom Rack. Why? Why would I do that? Skinny jeans = spandex (on me). I think I was overwhelmed by the skinnyness of the jeans here in California. When will I EVER wear these back home?

X-Games: Big Air Finals

We're in L.A.!! Andrew and I drove our tiny red Volkswagen to the Staples Center yesterday for the Skateboard and Moto X Big Air Finals. Let me just say that more than once my heart jumped out of my throat and I buried my head in my hands while in disbelief. These guys are INSANE! I now have a whole new vocabulary. I know the names Twitch, Travis Pastrana, Kyle Loza (gold medalist), Todd Potter, Brian Deegan and the Metal Mulisha. It's a whole new world and I loved it!

We saw men doing flips, sometimes even two, while on a motorcross bike. We even saw a guy, Jake Brown, free-fall in the air after pushing too far away from the wall after flying on his skateboard. I know they keep replaying it on ESPN. I seriously thought he broke his neck. You can see it here:

Can you believe that he walked away?

Here are a few pictures from last night. We are heading to the beach to ride bikes.

X-Games 2007

In exactly 20 hours I will be in L.A.! Not that I'm counting. Tonight I'm going to spend a couple of hours preparing for my trip: packing, cleaning, making lists, researching Santa Monica, getting a tattoo, self-made pedicure... Whoa! Did I just say tattoo? Yes, yes I did. I mean, I want to fit in with the crowd at the X-Games. Am I right or am I right?

I once had a dream that I got a white tattoo. It was some sort of white script written on my inner forearm. What does that mean? It means I was watching Miami Ink before bed. As if there is such a thing. I love that show. I know this may come as a surprise, but I occasionally cry during emotional episodes. It also may be prompted by me asking Becky, "Okay, if you had to get a tattoo or you would be killed, what would you get?" I always ask deep and insightful questions like, "Okay, if you could have anyone walk into the room right now at this exact moment, who would it be?"

I'll try to update from the road.

Meanwhile, here's a picture of Andrew doing his thing!

Snooze

It was one of those mornings when my alarm went off and all I could think was "I can't wait until tonight so I can go back to sleep." I had visions of myself crawling under my desk to take a mid-morning nap. Come to think of it, that sounds really good about now.

For the past few days my mom mentions how tired I sound everytime she talks to me. At first I thought it was mostly because I was trying to keep my voice low because I was at work. But now I think she's right. I've been playing too hard and having too much fun. There are worse reasons to be tired: Carb-coma, Mono, depression, boredom, PMS, etc. So I really can't complain.

I don't see myself stopping anytime soon. Andrew and I are heading to L.A. for a long weekend to witness the 2007 X-Games. He love motorcross so we'll spend most of our time watching people do crazy tricks and possibly breaking their necks. I can't wait! No seriously, I can't wait! Five full days with my little brother and a nice hotel near the beach? Couldn't be better!

So yeah, whoa is me for being a little sleepy this morning. Remember, I want to EMBRACE opportunity! There's no time to sleep!

The Simpsons

This is for my beautiful sister, Erin. She loves The Simpsons more than any television show that has ever graced the small screen. Well, she does have that recent obsession with Scrubs. But who cares! It pales in comparison to her life long dedication to The Simpsons.

Enjoy the lists!

Jammin' at the Zoo

Friday night I went to the Lincoln Park Zoo with Kristen and enjoyed a 90's flashback while watching Toad the Wet Sprocket. This was definitely the singles event of the season. Who knew? I must admit that the one that stole my heart was a 10 month old who was up way past his bedtime and had better dance moves than me. He totally checked me out. I saw it. YESSSS!

Saturday night I found my way back to the Holiday Club with Lindsay and Fernando. Here's our self portrait. It's a keeper.

I don't really have much to write. I just wanted to post the pictures from the weekend.

Sheffield Quigley

Sheffield Quigley is a little bit of myspace gold. My friend, Sam, sent it to me. She's friends with this guy. It's like six degrees to Sheffield Quigley.

Enjoy!

Sheffield Quigley - Professional Myspace Photographer

Add to My Profile More Videos

Can You Hear Me?

Last night at our Heavy rehearsal we found our way into a recording studio. We've finally found a key that works for me and I am no longer straining to hit the notes. Watch out Kelly Clarkson, here I come.

We also worked on turning one of our scenes into a full voice over scene. We were crying laughing at the taping so hopefully it will translate nicely on the stage.

As musical jokes abounded last night there was one that stuck out. "You know Katy, she's sharp...and flat." Thanks. Thanks a lot.

Dear Diary...

I started a new journal last night. I finished the final pages last week of a journal made by the hands of Nepalese women who were rescued from human trafficking. Where does one go from there? It took me a while to pick out a new journal. I don't want to spend too much because no one will ever read it other than me (until they make a movie out of my life). But I also want it to speak to me. This one has drawings of happy frogs on it. I'm not really sure what that says to me or about me.

I love starting a new journal. It's almost like you get to start over in life. Empty pages await a story written by me about my life. Some entries are about the day to day happenings of my life. "Today I had rehearsal and tore my hamstring...." Others are about my hopes, prayers, and desires. Then there are those entries where I am really honest with myself. "I am so mad, frustrated, hurt, and disappointed..." or "I'm eating like I'm a high school football player in the middle of two-a-days; except I work in a cube and am therefore going to bust out of my pants if I don't get a grip."

It reminds me that I need to look at my goals that I set back around New Years. How am I doing with those? Some good, some not so good. I need to have goals, vision, and dreams or I will shrivel up and end up on the couch watching terrible reruns of reality television shows.

Last night I wrote out some ways I want to live my life:

Dream Big
Take Risks
Love Openly & Passionately
Embrace Opportunity
Speak Truthfully
Pursue Adventure
Leap Outside of My Comfort Zone
Leave Room for Spontenaeity
Surprise Myself
Stop Being Afraid

Dust Bunnies

I can't stop staring at the rug in my bedroom and thinking about how badly I need to vacuum it. It's time to bust out the Oreck. It misses me and I miss it. And I need to stop living like a college boy. When did I become someone who stacks clothes on the trunk in her room, doesn't make her bed, and is starting a dust bunny collection? Maybe I'll start a line of clothing made from dust bunnies. They're cheap and abundant. Maybe it's something about living in older apartments with wood floors. They just keep multiplying...like real bunnies.

Okay, I have to go. So You Think You Can Dance just started and I'm addicted...like I am with all things dancing.

Paraglide Skiing

My brother, Patrick, wants to do this on our next family vacation. I think I'd crap my pants. It would be a good crap in the pants, but I'd still crap my pants.

Gina's Birthday

Happy Birthday to Gina! We went out and celebrated at Tango Sur Saturday night. Let me just say that I absolutely LOVE this restaurant. Big chunks of meat and sides of buttery mashed potatoes. Can it get any better? I submit that it cannot! Our Johnny Depp look-a-like server with a huge chip on his shoulder was a nice added bonus.

Enjoy a couple of pictures from the night.

Single...and Loving It! part 32

A friend: "When I was younger some people thought I was a lesbian because I rarely dated anyone."

Me: "No, that's called being a single Christian woman. They're easily confused."

Growing up in the southern region of the ol' USofA everyone was practically married before they even left the womb. Sometimes there's a stigma associated with being single...a single woman...a single woman over the age of 30! THE HORROR! Some people start wondering if there's something wrong with you. Then you begin to think to yourself "There must be something wrong with me!" Thank God for Ben and Jerry's and Sex and the City reruns. They really know how to snap a girl back to reality.

More Montana Pictures

What's Your Color?

So weird how you take a 45 question personality test and it basically hit the nail on the head. My Color Code is White.

Congratulations. You are WHITE.

WHITES are motivated by PEACE. They seek independence and require kindness. They resist confrontation at all costs. To them, feeling good is more important than being good. They are typically quiet by nature, process things very deeply and objectively with great clarity. Of all the colors, WHITES are the best listeners. They respect people who are direct but recoil from perceived hostility or verbal battle.

WHITES need their "alone time" and refuse to be controlled by others. WHITES want to do things their own way and in their own time. They ask little of others and resent others demanding much of them. WHITES are much stronger than people think, but are not often seen for their strength because they don't easily reveal their feelings. WHITES are even-tempered, diplomatic, and the voice of reason; but can also be indecisive, unexpressive, and silently stubborn. When others interact with you, as a WHITE you respond to them best if they are kind, accepting and supporting of your individuality, and if they look for non-verbal clues to understand your feelings.

Understand that no two WHITES are exactly alike. Although you share the same core motivation as many others, your personality is still unique to you alone.

You can take your own here.

Adrienne

Check out my friend Adrienne Diaz on FOXSports Best Damn Sports Show Period. You may remember her as my friend who ran the Indy Mini-Marathon with me in May.


Scroll down to where it says "Leinart Bowls with the Stars." It's next to the girl with the BIG...white teeth?? It won't be up there for long so check it out now!

Stranger Danger

Why is the thought of a complete stranger walking up to you and asking you out sometimes deliciously romantic, but then when it actually does happen it's kind of creepy?

And yes, I had on Spanx. Thanks Spanx!

7 in 7

Last night I had an audition for 7 in 7. Basically it's seven plays in seven days. They audition, cast, rehearse and perform the plays seven days later. I was cast to play opposite Zach (you may remember him from Heavy) in an original play by Nick Izzo called "Everything in 150 Pages." I play a college girl, Rachel (YESSS! I still look young enough to play a college-aged girl) and Zach plays my best friend. Basically it's revealed that we've both liked each other for a long time. We give each other a big on-stage smooch. Glad my dad won't be there, otherwise you would hear a big "GEEEEEEZZZZZZ Kathryn!" from the audience.

What: 7 in 7
When: Monday, July 23
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Where: Live Bait Theater 3914 N. Clark St.
Cost: $7

Dad

I love this picture of my dad.

Deep Thoughts by Andrew

One of the reasons I love my little brother. He is so much deeper than me. Don't get me wrong y'all, I AM deep. I'm so deep that it's not safe to go swimming in my thoughts without a life vest...or a GPS device. I just don't write about it on my blog. But I love the fact that he's not afraid to write about his life and his fears. I write about my fears...my fear of having to go down another cup size in my bra!

Millennium Park: Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Friday could not have been a more gorgeous day or night. Look at the pictures. I have on a light jacket! In mid-July!

Marissa and I headed to Millennium Park to meet up with some friends and enjoy the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. It sounds so cultured and sophisticated. Truth be told, I was more interested in the wheel of Brie that Marissa brought with her than I was in the beautiful music (I think it was beautiful. I wasn't listening). I consumed and ungodly amount of cheese that night.

We had our blankets out with our coolers and glasses of wine. I looked around and noticed that other people were pros at this. They had miniature tables topped with real glasses, china and candles. I thought I was above standards by even remembering to bring napkins and a wine opener.

You know what I love? The feel of cold, soft grass on bare feet. I was jealous of the little kids running around and chasing each other after the concert. I would have done the same thing but I was suffering from a cheese coma.

The next morning I was regretting friday night's binge fest because I had to throw on a bikini and head to the beach. We played beach volleyball for most of the morning. That was my first time to play beach volleyball since I moved to Chicago almost four years ago. I love volleyball, I love the beach, but I hate the sand that comes with it. It finds it's way into places I never knew existed. Sunscreen, sweat and a dive into the sand to make a game-saving dig makes for great skin exfoliation.

I finished off the weekend with a bbq at a friend of a friend's house. Then I ran eight miles with Jessie Sunday morning. YES! I still have it! And finally I went with Gina to a neighborhood festival. GREAT people watching. Picture this: A man in all too tight khaki shorts walking around with no t-shirt and his skin a canvas for the most random tattoos. Walking up to random women he would take his Mountain Dew can, place it between his pecs, and then let go. Chicago is a mecca for great talents.

I love this city.

Singles

Thank you to my friend Kellsey's father-in-law I've decided I should move to Austin. Chicago has too many hot single chicks. How am I supposed to stand out?

On another note, do any of you remember the movie Singles? I LOVED that movie! It's the end of the grunge era and highlights such awesomeness as Pearl Jam, Matt Dillon, plaid flannel shirts and the pre-curser to internet dating. "Hello, I'm Debbieeeee!" And I forever will lean over and unlock my dates car door.

Hermione

Find out your Harry Potter personality at LiquidGeneration!

As if there was a question.

Nevertheless

Thanks to Kelly for sharing this with me today. I've never noticed the word Nevertheless before and realize that it's about beating the odds and being transformed. We have a choice to listen to the voice that knocks us down a lonely and hurtful path or we can listen to the voice that gives us hope and a future.

July 2007 Playlist

I always like knowing what music other people like to listen to during their waking hours. Here's my latest playlist. You can see that I'm really enjoying The White Stripes, Ryan Adams, Patty Griffin and The Weepies.

1. No Bad News by Patti Griffin
2. The City by Acute
3. Say It to Me Now from the Once Soundtrack (Yes, I'm still obsessed)
4. Citywide Rodeo by The Weepies (Thanks Erin for the introduction)
5. Chocolate by Snow Patrol
6. Trapeze by Patty Griffin
7. Lilac Wine by Jeff Buckley
8. Gotta Have You by The Weepies
9. Welcome Me by the Indigo Girls
10. Dogs by Damien Rice
11. Follow by Brandi Carlile
12. Hypnotized by Ani Difranco
13. History of Us by the Indigo Girls
14. Falling Slowly from the Once Soundtrack
15. Best I Ever Had by Gary Allan
16. World Spins Madly by The Weepies
17. Everybody Knows by Ryan Adams
18. Danny's Song by Kenny Loggins (We sang this loud and clear in the suburban in Montana)
19. We're Going to Be Friends by The White Stripes
20. Who Knew by Pink (I know, but I like it)
21. Change by Tracy Chapman
22. Moon Song by Patty Griffin
23. Can I Stay by Ray LaMontagne
24. Two by Ryan Adams
25. Nobody Knows Me At All by The Weepies
26. Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Worn by The White Stripes
27. Oh My God, Whatever, Etc. by Ryan Adams
28. The Same Boy You've Always Known by The White Stripes
29. Everyone's Beautiful by Waterdeep
30. Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own by U2
31. Baby Can I Hold You by Tracy Chapman

I hope you are able to enjoy some of these song. I highly recommend all of them.

McNuggets

Remember this little video I posted to YouTube a year and a half ago? Well now it's become a national McDonald's commercial. Congratulations to Fernando and Thomas!

You can see Fernando's interview with Fox News' Neil Cavuto here. Scroll half way down the page. I don't know how long it will be up so enjoy it while you can.

Montana In Review

I was brought to tears with thankfulness Saturday night as I shared with my roommates how much I loved my family trip to Montana. I love the outdoors. I feel like God reveals Himself to me through His creation and reminds me that if He can create this beautiful world in six days, then He can definitely take care of me. I spent eight days in the sun, breathing fresh air and having it taken away by such awe-inspiring sites.
I also laughed more than I have in a long long time. My family brings it out of me. I love how we're always the first to laugh at ourselves and are excited when people join in on the fun. We laughed. We cried. It was better than CATS.

Here are some of the highlights:

1) Fishing one whole day with my little brother. Quote of the day happened as I told Andrew to put on sunscreen so he wouldn't get burned. He responded with "No Katy. I burn the sun." Dork.

2) Karl's puppy lab, Pesca. She slept most of the day right under my feet. I love dogs.

3) There was sunshine from 4:00 am to 11:00 pm. HEAVEN!

4) Laughing until I cried with my mom as we fished on the third day. Once we get started it's hard to stop.

5) Losing a 23" brown trout (so Karl says) and yelling "You BASTARD!" to the fish.

6) My first drive up the Road to the Sun. I can't even begin to describe the beauty.

7) Hiking through snow and then sliding down it in a hurry to get to the bathroom. Aunt Kathy and I held hands as we threw ourselves down the mountain.

8) Lots and lots of hugging and snuggling. I needed it.

9) Eating dinner at 10:00 pm every night. It was still light out!

10) Seeing my little brother's butt shake in front of me as we tried to ride the tandem bike.

11) A 2.5 hour hike with Patrick and talking the whole time about life. What a blessing.

12) Seeing what an amazing mom my sister is to Connor.

13) Watching Patrick and Alicia and seeing how much they love each other and are infatuated with Liam.

14) Seeing Auntie push herself to try things she never would have thought to try.

15) Seeing my dad's feet! You don't understand. This man wears socks to the beach. It was almost blinding.

16) Realizing two days before we left that the couch was actually a pull out couch.

17) Porch talk.

18) Connor wanting to hold Liam's hand in the car. Tissue please.

19) Ice cream and lots of it.

20) Watching the sunrise at 4:00 am as Auntie, Carol and I drove three hours from Glacier to Missoula to catch a plane.

I'm sure I'm missing some. There are too many to remember. I am one blessed girl!

UPDATE: Here are my little brother's thoughts on the trip.

Montana Pictures

Here are a few pictures from our trip. I'll be sure to add more later. In the meantime I'll just tell you that Glacier National Park is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE I'VE EVER BEEN IN MY LIFE! You can't take a bad picture! UPDATE: Click here for an insane amount of pics.

Quick Fly-Fishing Update

This is just a quick update from Missoula, Montana. We're leaving in a few minutes to head to our favorite ice cream place, the Double Dipper. We've become regulars.

Fishing has been amazing. Four people fished for their first times this week. They're addicted and can't wait to come back next year. Today I must have caught around 20 fish and spent the rest of the time laughing to the point of tears with my mom. Did I mention I caught 20 fish?!!! And I also caught a rock, a few tree branches, my mom, myself and my own rod. Quite a day.

I can't wait to drive up to Glacier National Park tomorrow. It's supposed to be breath-taking. I will be sure to post plenty of pictures when I return.

And I want to give a shout out to my mom who used the bathroom in the woods for the first time in her life! She can finally check that one off her list of 150 things she wants to do in her life.

Pics from the Night

A little iChat with my sister and Connor and a gorgeous sunset seen from our fire escape made for a wonderful night!

Missoula, Montana

Hello friends!

I will be heading to Montana tomorrow for a week of fly-fishing, hiking, and white-water rafting with my family. We sound so athletic and adventurous. Yes, believe everything you read! I don't know if I'll have any internet access while I'm frolicking with the trout and bears. I'll be sure to update if I can.

Meanwhile you can read about my past Missoula adventures here and here.

Tonight I am preparing for the trip by treating myself to a manicure and pedicure. I like to remind myself that I'm a girl by looking down and seeing brightly polished toenails. It's what visibly distinguishes me from the men out there on the river. That and mascara.

I'll Take It

This morning the parking guy looked at me and said, "Wow. (shaking of the head) I mean. You're looking good. Whewow."

Thanks Spanx!

I'll take it. Even if it's Eric the "parking guy who tosses out compliments like they're candy."

iChat

I heart Mac...as in my computer. It's more than just a computer. It's an avenue for better communication with my family.

My sister, Erin, just got a Mac for her birthday. We decided to test out iChat to see how we liked it. WE LOVED IT! It was almost as if we were sitting face to face having a conversation, except we were staring at our computers and seeing each other at very unflattering angles. One should never take a picture of me from below eye level. It's very unattractive.

Our laptops have tiny little cameras built in and we see real time videos of each other. You just talk to the computer and it transmits it perfectly. I have no idea how it works, but it works. I was able to give Erin a tour of my new apartment and she showed me pictures of her latest ultrasound as well as her growing belly. Then I flashed her. Sometimes I can't help myself.