Salt Lake Visit

One of the members of the Sinful Six, Chris Hatch, and his family were in Ogden from Texas and asked us to come up so we could all get together. Before we left, I put together a little backpack for Jenna that is for use on the airplane only. It has a dry erase board, a coloring book and crayons, 2 sets of Disney flashcards; colors and numbers,  shoelaces and Cherrios to make necklaces, and 3 books. It was a huge hit and she didn't even use the iPad either direction. Ms. Independent is adamant that she carry her own backpack and suitcase. Which beside being the cutest thing ever, is actually incredibly helpful! There are silver linings to her getting so old! 

We had a great time at dinner with the Sinful Six. 5 of the 6 members and their wives (and a few of the kids) were able to make it. And it was so much fun! The kids all got along great as the boys. They have such a funny banter and way of giving each other a hard time. It was funny watching how they almost went around the table and took turns teasing each member in turn. I really have the best time when I am with them. Their intelligent sense of humors make for endless laughter! 

Sinful Six Generation 2

SS: Joe Dallimore, Jason Langeveld, Mike Crowton, Casey, and Chris Hatch

 That night we went down and spent the night at Grandma Lor's and then spent the day Sunday with her. On our way to Grandma's I was able to catch Jenna's maniacal version of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star...enjoy! 

She and Jenna are so cute together. Casey left for Baltimore for the week on Sunday afternoon and Jenna and I headed up to my mom's for a couple of days. 

I figured might as well hang with my Motherhead for a couple days then sit around the house missing Casey. Unfortunately, Jenna got really is Monday morning and spent the morning vomiting. It has to be one of the worst feelings not to be able to help your kid with they are in pain. I think is the third time Jenna has ever been sick and she just doesn't understand what's happening. She kept crying that she wanted to take the "wairpwane" to Jenna's house. I would have considered it if I hadn't been so worried about her throwing up all over the plane. Gratefully it didn't last long and after she took a long nap that afternoon, she woke up feeling and acting much better. So we finished out the trip helping my Mom with some of her house projects; painting, glazing, and installing baseboards, hanging curtains, arranging furniture, cleaning, listing, and selling her old dining room table, and getting her a little more settled. I know the transition from San Diego isn't going to be easy for her, especially adjusting to being single again. But all I want is for her to be happy and anything I can do to get her there quicker I'll do. I was a good trip overall and it I am reminded once again how grateful I am for Casey's flight benefits that allow us these opportunity. 

Sick girl just waking up. 

On our way home.

She loved the Cherrios necklace making. We had to work hard on not eating them immediately after stringing them though. 

USA v. Canada

A few months ago my friend, Nancye Rahn asked if I wanted to see the US Women's Soccer team play a game against Canada. It was their last game before they head off to the Olympics and they were playing in SL Reals stadium in Sandy. Um, duh, of course! The game was this last weekend, and like we always do, we made a weekend out of it. 

Jenna and I started with a BBQ with the local wives/kids of Sinful Six family. The Crowtons hosted us at their new home and it was such a good time. Annie Crowton is the absolute cutest and totally took Jenna under her wing. What a fabulous little mother she is going to be. 

Annie & PK & Phoebe Dallimore

Rafe Crowton and Skyler Langeveld. I swear they could be brothers. And check out Annie taking aim! Fantastic.  

Wendy Dallimore & Emily Crowton. Wish we had grabbed a shot before Jamie had to leave. 

The obligatory shot of the cutest daddy and daughter ever! 

 Let the games begin! 

 What an incredibly fun game. It was my first live soccer game and I had the best time. Of course, US won {as it should be} 2-1. And I now have a crush on Megan Rapinoe. She was so incredible to watch and I loved her exuberance and joy out there on the field. I cannot wait to see them play again and am so glad the Olympics are just around though corner. Though, now that I've seen them live it's going to be hard to go back to TV. 

On Sunday, the Caziers and Klunkers came over to Lorrie's house for a little lunch and swimming. Lorrie bought J this giant pool toy and she loved! 

Bayliegh and J Rose

 For a few weeks now, off and on Jenna has been talking about Baby Karen. A lot. I could not figure out who she was talking about and I was beginning to think she had an imaginary friend. And then we the Klunkers get there Jenna ran up to Cameron and said "Hi, baby Karen" and everything fell into place! Baby Karen = Baby Cameron. Clarity! Though I think he will be known as Karen from now on. 

Jenna and I stayed through yesterday and we went down to my Aunt Janice's house to try and finalize our plans for the decorations for the Malan Family Reunion coming up in a few weeks. We did get the posters done. And decided on the centerpieces. Janice had to run an errand while we were there and so Jenna and I went and played in her backyard for a minute. Thought you would like a glimpse at the energy of a two year old. 

Divide and conquer!

Casey and I had separate events this weekend. He had a boys trip planned. Casey, along with Brad Larson, Mike Crowton, and Joe Dallimore, started their trip in Chicago where they hit an afternoon Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves game at Wrigley Field. With Brad being a Cubs fan and Casey being a Braves supported it was bound to get a little messy. The Cubs led by quite a margin for most of the game, but when the brought their closer in, he pissed it away. The ended up losing 5-3. Needless to say the Cubs crowd was none to pleased and voiced their issues quite vocally. The boys enjoyed getting an authentic Wrigley experience.

Then they drove to Milwaukee to hit a Brewers v. Padres game that night. Where the bastard Brewers ended up winning 6-5. Don't get me wrong, I've got love for Milwaukee having lived there, but not when they are playing my Pads.

After spending the night in Madison, WI, they headed to Minnesota and Target Field for a Twins v. Anaheim Angels. Minnesota won 4-0.

While Casey was enjoying his time on the road, Jenna and I hit the road and headed to San Diego for my niece, Chloe's second birthday. It was a great time. Chloe, as always, was too cute for words. She is such a talker and has a great vocabulary. My favorite though may be when she calls Jenna, "Baby Yenna". It's fantastic. Or maybe it's when I ask Chloe guess what and she replies, "I love you, Aunt Katie". Melts me! (***A special thanks to Kim Henrie for helping me make Chloe's princess dress!)


The decor turned out so fun. My Dad and Holly made a castle for the entry into the living room. The draw bridge was AWESOME!

We swagged tulle from the ceiling and the hung some cut outs every so often when princess sayings. i.e. "Once Upon A Time", "A Wish Come True", "Happily Ever After", etc. It was really cute.

The kids played "Put the Crown on Chloe"

And then the cotton ball game. Where you have to be blind folded and scoop cotton balls from on bowl to another.

And Chloe opened presents. This is from her Grandma and Grandpa Quarders. You try riding a big wheel in and flowing princess gown...she was very graceful.

The food turned out to not only be cute, but was delicious also! I'll be honest, the cupcakes Sara made looked so good that I got in a little trouble for eating one before we sang happy birthday. Oops!

It was so nice to get some time with my family. My sister, Jose, and niece Kylie.

Kylie, and my niece Shiloh.

My SIL Jen and Shiloh. (Don't you love the crowns Sara got for the little girls?)

Grandma Holly wanted to try and get a picture with all the grandchildren for Facebook...it didn't go so well...lots of crying...

Jenna did better one on one, as you can see.

Although, we did try for one shot with all the cousins. It was rough going and this is the best we got.

NYC with the Sinful Six

September 19-22 we enjoyed a four day weekend with our dear friends, Mike & Emily Crowton and Joe & Wendy Dallimore. We had an incredible time! Quite possibly one of my most favorite trips we have ever been on. We did it all...the boys did a Yankee game on the second to last game in the old stadium while the girls took in Hairspray, shopping, dinner in Little Italy, Wicked, the Staton Island Ferry...the list goes on and on and on. I have included a re-cap courtesy of Joe, who has a way with words...enjoy...

Friends, to me, there is nothing better after a wonderful trip to do a quick recap via e-mail, so everyone can weigh in. For our recently completed NYC adventure, I'd like to present some awards:

• Poorest Dental Hygiene Award: the lady selling ½ priced tickets in front of the Marriott Marquis. It was like a train wreck and not even the non-dentists could look away. When homeless people have better teeth than you do, it may be time to give up on the theater scene and try something else…something that Casey astutely noted by declaring peddling discount tickets to morons from the Midwest would likely be his least favorite occupation in the entire world.
• The Perfect Night Award: for the brilliant insight of all involved parties in sending the women to the theater and the boys to the ballpark, preceded by large amounts of pasta. Does life get better than that?
• The You Can't Escape Who You Are Award: Casey Madsen for finding obscure Weber State personnel in the deep recesses of the Newark airport, flying standby of course, which is about right for our athletic department.
• The "Did You Think To Bathe Today?" Award: Mulberry Street, lower Manhattan. I haven't seen that many people packed into one place since the football field filming scene for 3 o'clock High in '87. I think I've seen my last San Gennaro festival. I'll award myself a runner up here since I actually didn't bathe 2 of the 4 days we were there.
• Most Memorable Yankees Fan Award: the Marlboro Man with respect to Jockey Boy. The pot-belly, the 70's hair, the homemade t-shirt. Runner up goes to the bitter guy sitting behind us for his obvious jealousy of said Marlboro Man ("What's he doing now!?! He's taking a victory lap!! He's just a loos-ah, living in his muthas basement"…after he said that the tenth time, I wanted to ask him: where do you live sir? Even money he lived in his mutha's basement as well).
• Beached Whale Award. To our shirtless friend on the rock in the Park. If that was his final destination, we may never know, but whether he lived or died, he appeared to be a man of healthy appetites who was enjoying/enjoyed the journey (sort of like when Kramer correctly identified George as a portly fellow who craved .
• Biggest Understatement Award: Michael Crowton for the statement, "I don't really like musicals"
• Most Memorable Dance: Wendy H. Dallimore for her reinacting of wrist-flipping George Wendt in Hairspray. Runner Up: George Wendt for the actual dance.
• Most Surreal Moment Award: 6 Train (green line), 2 a.m., Saturday morning. When do these flipping New Yorkers sleep. 99% of West Haven is asleep by 10 p.m. The only people up at that hour where we come from are the farmers who are starting their day.
• Most Misguided Food Decision: Joe Dallimore and the do-it-yourself popcorn. The power of the butter should not be put in the hands of the people. Luckily, like with every other ailment faced, Emily had pharma supplies to help. Runner up: Mike's decision to purchase the boxed donuts. Runner, runner up: carrying milk through the streets of New York in the middle of the night, not only did it probably look ridiculous (grown men carrying milk in a cup), it was probably a health hazard of some kind.
• Best Named Retail Establishment: Shoegasm. Dr. Crowton nearly had a couple of shoegasms himself on this trip.

There would have been several other awards given, but I didn't have all the specifics (e.g. The New Yorker Award would go to Katie for her brusque conduct toward cabbies, but I had no first-hand knowledge of said event or a good quote)….I'll look to you people to help me finalize the list. I welcome all contradictions, additions and subtractions. Great times my friends. Can't wait for next year! Joe