My Valentine

Dave spoiled me (yet again). On Valentine's Day, I was able to leave work early & Dave took me to the Gateway. We shopped around for awhile and then met up with our friends Jeff & CharLee for dinner at CPK. As we were getting ready to leave and I was grabbing my box of leftover pizza, Dave took the pizza box out of my hand and said, "Sorry but I don't think you can take that with us." And why is that? Because we had tickets to LADY ANTEBELLUM! You have no idea how excited I was. I had been trying to win tickets every morning from the radio for the last week because the show was sold out! Jeff & CharLee had tickets as well so we all got to go to the concert together!

Darius Rucker opened the show and now I have a new little crush on him.  He played a few of his old Hootie & the Blowfish songs which was really fun.  

And then Lady A! They sounded so incredible live. 

I am so lucky to be married to my forever Valentine. Dave is the kindest person I know, always looks for the positive in everything and everyone and never fails to make me laugh every single day. He makes me a better person and I love him more and more with every day. I'm one lucky girl. 

Evening Shoes

For that special evening on an Italian cruise.

Haha! Happy Friday!

Jimmer Time!

Dave had been talking about this weekend and the dilemma for a few weeks.  Should we see the BYU vs. St. Mary's game? OR Should we go watch the Jazz play the Kings and have a chance to watch The Jimmer in person again!? Well, I decided to surprise Dave with tickets to the Jazz game in a suite where we could watch the BYU game on TV while watching Jimmer in person! 

Every time Jimmer touched the ball the crowd would scream like crazy! You could definitely tell who the hater Ute fans were. Not to worry, there were WAY more Jimmer fans to drown out the lame-Os.  

I have to admit, I was totally cheering for the Kings to win.  I know, really weird to cheer against the Jazz, but since Jerry Sloan left the team it's just not the same Jazz team anymore. Jimmer almost had the game winning shot, but Earl Watson decided he would latch onto Jimmer's arm while he was taking the shot. And the refs somehow missed this.  Boo.

I guess we will have to visit Sacramento soon to watch The Jimmer again. I'm not sure who has the bigger crush on him...Dave or ME!!!!??

Laughing Till It Hurts

On Thursday we went to Brian Regan in Salt Lake.  It was 2 hours of non-stop laughter.  We had awesome seats-- like close enough to see his sweat! 

Our favorite joke was probably the one about the lottery ticket! I can't find any good recordings of it. So, if you happened to go to his show in Salt Lake this week, you totally know what I'm talking about.  If not, here is one of my old favorites that still makes me laugh.

Auld Lang Syne

Happy New Year!

A few days late...looks like I've already failed at one of my resolutions (# 7-  Update blog more frequently).  

We celebrated New Year's Eve by going out to dinner  at Cocolito's with a few friends. As we were driving home, we randomly decided to go bowling! Yes, we are kind of big time nerds.

We had unlimited bowling all night long and it was a blast.  We were able to watch Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve show while bowling.  We had so  much fun together & I loved celebrating the New Year with my babe.

Here's to 2012 and all the exciting adventures awaiting us!

Holiday Happenings

One of my favorite holiday festivities is walking around Temple Square and looking at all the pretty lights. I'm always reminded of the first year when Dave & I were dating...He took me to see the lights and right in front of the tabernacle, Dave kissed me and then yelled, and I mean YELLED, "She kissed me!! SHE KISSED ME!" Everybody around turned to look at us and all I could do was laugh.  

Dave's work Christmas party was held at the Gallavin Center this year.  We met up at the Marriott for hot chocolate, cookies and a Jolly Saint Nick (perhaps a little too much egg nog for the old man, I swear he was drunk). Then we headed out to the ice rink and attempted ice skating! Dave was a natural, of course. Me, not so much.

Holly Jolly Christmas

I was a little late getting our tree up for Christmas this year, but here is proof that it DID happen. 

Dave's family invited us to get a permit and go cut down our own real Christmas tree with them this year. It took us about .5 seconds to decline.  Later that night we headed to Tai Pan and picked up this tree. Pre-lit and fits perfect in the back of my Mazda. 

Dave makes fun of me because he thinks my wrapping looks a little too Martha Stewart... but I know I'm not the only one who does this....right?! 

Christmas Eve was spent with family, great food and lots of laughter. Look at all that food! Mmmmm.

Dave was so excited on Christmas morning. 

My favorite gift I gave to Dave...

You're thinking....what is so cool about car flags of the  Ducks, the Buffalos, the Cougars, the Bears, the Wildcats, the Trojans....noticing a trend yet? Yep, these are ALL pac 12 teams minus the Utes.  Now, anytime the Utes play these teams he can fly the opposing teams flag! Go Cougars! (Yes, I think I'm pretty funny!) 

Favorite gift from Dave...

My red KitchenAid! I've been wanting one of these since we got married. Now I have to learn to bake some things, or that's going to be an expensive kitchen decoration. 

Watching baby Nash on Christmas morning was so fun.  He was so cute and happy. 

It was a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Apple of My Eye

It's been 4 months since my last post. I suck. We've been back in Utah for 2 1/2 months now and I never thought I'd say this, but I kinda miss living in New York.  I don't miss the people, because I think they are kinda cranky and have a stick up their butt,  nor the traffic and the high cost of living; but I miss the scenery, the proximity to the ocean, shopping at Roosevelt Field, broadway shows, the Hamptons, Grandma's Pizza, crab shacks on the side of the road, shopping on fifth ave., the beautiful craftsman style houses, Fire Island and did I mention the shopping?! Sigh.

Chinatown

Holy-freakin-shady-ness! Can this really be the United States? We (Meg & I) took the subway to Canal Street and I felt like I was suddenly in another country.

Talk about sketchy! We're inside a store standing by the check-out and suddenly the wall flips open, we're rushed through the wall/door which leads outside and down into this creepy basement.  A man standing at the bottom of the stairs utters something like "won ton soup" and I have no idea what he means, but then he opened the door behind him and I suddenly felt relieved....AMERICANS! Oh ya,  and purses....Lots and lots of purses!

Guess what I paid for all of this? 2 scarves, a watch and a Coach wallet for a grand total of..... $33.  Bow-chica-wow-wow! Ya!

Montauk Lighthouse

Oldest lighthouse in New York. 

Fourth oldest active lighthouse in the U.S.  

Located on the most eastern point of Long Island. 

And only in New York would they charge $9.00 just to take a tour to see a lighthouse. 

We took the more adventurous and FREE route of walking along the rocky beach behind the lighthouse.  More fun and way better pictures! 

A Day in the City

Dave's parents and sister came to visit so this past week my little 2 bedroom New York apartment has turned into the Madsen Family Inn. It has been so fun to have a full house! On Sunday morning, the boys woke up early and drove to West Point.  The girls + Spencer slept in and took the train into the city. Spencer served his mission in New York so he was our human GPS and it was fantastic!
Walking around Times Square we ran into the famous "Naked Cowboy."  Ummmm..... I have no words.

Spencer & Meg...A.K.A   The oh-so-ewey-gooey-mushy-gushy couple. 

And again in Central Park. 

I loooooove people watching.....especially in NewYork. And this one, well I just couldn't resist posting this. Thank you, tall shirtless butt-crack cowboy man, you made me chuckle.

Next stop: SERENDIPITY

For some reason, we all thought they had really good cupcakes there....but they didn't.  When I asked the hostess about their dessert he looked at me like I was crazy.  So we left. 

And went here instead. Fantastic flavor....but I don't like the texture of the rice. Me picky? Never! 

Final Destination: DASH. 

I am secretly, or rather NOT so secretly obsessed with the Kardashian sisters. I think Khloe and I would be good friends. 

I was desperately hoping to turn the corner and see Khloe or Kim sitting at the counter, but all we saw were these posters. 

The End.   

Banana Bob

Semi-trucks converted into roller coaster rides. Fried twinkies. Oversized stuffed animal prizes. Oh how I   love the local carnival!  Dave was determined to win the basketball toss....and that is just what he did!

Do you think they will let me take him as my "personal item" on my plane ride back to Utah?

13.1

I did it! 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 1 minute. Next time I want to be faster, but for now...I am completely happy with the fact that I FINISHED!

My in-laws came to support me. Janessa and her sister came to watch me cross the finish line as well!

June 9, 2012 --- FULL MARATHON! Who's with me!??!

Big City, Bright Lights

Last week Meg came to visit ME in Long Island.  Ok, not really just me, her fiance Spencer is out here too, so she may have come to visit him also.

We were brave & decided to drive to Manhattan. Two out-of-town girls driving in the big apple....Yikes! Let me just tell you, NYC is a chaotic mess of traffic and pedestrians. I don't know how I managed to not hit another car or person, but luckily we survived and made it to Time Square.

I loved seeing all the jumbo screens & looking at all the billboards of broadways I hope to see one day.
And the SHOPPING. Oh the shopping! 34th Street, Broadway, Fashion Ave, 5th Ave....glorious.
We also walked over to the Rockefeller Plaza.

And I made friends with these nice ladies from Korea.

After non-stop shopping, walking and eating some amazing pizza, we headed back to the car. We walked several blocks in the wrong direction but finally made it to the truck just as the sun was setting. Here we are braving the crazy city night traffic. We survived. But next time I go to the city, I'm making Dave drive!