A little game of Catch up

So yes, I have been a complete slacker when it comes to posting. I have forgotten to take my camera places and I have not made time to post the pictures that I have taken. Time passes and then something exciting happens but I don't feel like I can post it because I have stuff backing up. I know it's crazy and I know I don't have to blog about EVERYTHING . . . but I like to. For that very reason I am going to catch you up on a few fun things that have happened here lately.

A few weeks ago, I packed up my things and drove out to once again attended our big ward camp out. It was too cold for canoes, archery was missing, and the absence of my dear friend and old roommate Juliet was tragic. Despite all that though I still had a great time.

I learned how to play Rook (which I'm GREAT at by the way), roasted marshmallows, listened to extremely talented people sing their hearts out by the lake, and got to bunk with my two favorite people, Anna and Chen Ying.

Oh, I also got to use my new camping gear. I got a camping lantern from Kristin and Kenley that hung from the top of the tent. It was fantastic! I honestly don't know how I ever camped without it. I was also finally able to use the sleeping bag Kenley grabbed for me at the REI garage sale. It's a -20 degree mummy bag and I absolutely loved it. I wasn't cold at all! Okay, maybe my nose got a little cold but that thing cinched up around my face so well that it was warm again in no time. I may look a little funny in there but I was comfy!

Now, on to the concerts. For a long, long time I have had a list accumulating in my head of bands I want to see before I die (or they die). A few weeks ago I was able to cross yet another one off that list. U2!!!

It was such a pain and I almost didn't even go because of all the hassle. Let me just summarize what happened prior to the show.

30 second Summary: I heard they were coming, got excited and bought pretty good seats for the Sunday show. The band then announced a Monday show. The concert was coming up fast and I still had Sunday night tickets. I put the tickets on Craigs list to either sell them or trade someone for Monday. I had a lot of almost sells which was frustrating. The day before I was suppose to go to the concert someone called who had similar seats to mine for the Monday show. Hurray! We traded. Then our luck really kicked in. We drove out to Gillette Stadium, took a back way and parked in someones yard for $20 (you have to pay $40 in the parking lot at the stadium). After the show was over we zipped right out of there and I was home in an hour. People who parked in the lot didn't get home until 2 or 3 in the morning!

After all of the hassle though, the concert was amazing. Snow Patrol opened for them which made it THAT much better. If you don't know who they are, check them out. Now.

U2 put on a great show and had one of the most amazing stages I've ever seen. It was all spaceship themed (kind of weird), had a huge screen that went around the entire thing so you could see them, and had lights shooting out in all directions. They played all my favorite songs and the sound was great. At one point in the show Bono grabbed a girl from the audience and made her carry him across the stage. He's a complete weirdo but he sure knows how to entertain.

(It looks like we're really far away, but it really was a great place to be sitting. We could see everything perfectly)

Last but certainly not least, BRANDI CARLILE! (not Belinda Carlile . . . mom) :)

I cannot even tell you how much I love, love, love Brandi Carlile! I've seen her live 3 times now and I'm amazed by her every time. When I lived in Boise, I would jump in the car quite frequently and go for really long drives, blaring her music and singing my heart out. Seeing her in concert this time took me back to those days and really made me miss it.

She's one of my all time favorite artists. If you've never heard of her, stop what you're doing now and go check her out. You wont regret it.

p.s. Her new cd came out on Tuesday and I'm in Heaven listening to it.

The Discovery of Something Grand

Matt and I jumped in the car two Saturdays ago (I'm behind, I know) and drove and drove and drove, all the way to Western Massachusetts. We are both from the west and were looking for a little outdoor fun away from the city and boy did we ever find it.

First stop was at a pizza place for lunch. We couldn't believe every table had their own personal TV. I've never seen anything like this before and it just had to be documented.

Next we stopped at this little cemetery by the side of the road because I LOVE cemeteries.

This one was particularly good and had so much character. I'm not sure if people had come through and vandalized or what but a lot of the headstones were broken and turned and really, really dirty. This one was probably my favorite as it had been put back together. I also love that his name was Ezra.

Next we drove to the summit of Mt. Greylock. It's the highest point in all of Massachusetts and would have shown a great view had it not been so cloudy. We were right up in the clouds so it was nothing but fog all the way around. Guess we'll just have to go back. :)

We drove through some pretty awesome little towns on our way to our next destination . . .

A natural marble dam.

At the same location there were these naturally made "Pot Holes" and a natural bridge. It was so beautiful. I couldn't believe all the cool colors.

On our way back to Boston we stopped in Shelburne Falls to see the Flower Bridge. We were starving at that point so we stopping in a little pub. The only seating they had was out on the patio, so we gladly took it.

We were enjoying the view when we looked over and there it was . . . the flower bridge!

It's a little walk way along the bridge with flowers on both sides. We didn't finish dinner early enough to walk through during daylight hours and my camera decided to stop working for a bit. These pictures just don't do it justice. It was unbelievably cute.

Some of the flowers were as big as my head!

Oh how I love exploring New England.

Minnesota!

(this is long over due)

Yes, I am still alive and yes, I did make it to Minnesota! I went for Labor day weekend and had an absolute blast catching up with my best friend Jana, meeting the rest of her family and discovering beautiful Minnesota.

As soon as I hopped off the plane, Jana rushed me over to the Mall of America where we rode on the rides at Nickelodeon Universe and shopped our hearts out.

Jana had me laughing so hard that I really thought I was going to die. It's one thing I can count on every time I see her. She is the funniest person ever.

We took a short break to have lunch at the Rain Forest Cafe. I had never been there and was fascinated by all of the animals and rain storms that accompanied our meal.

Then it was back to the rides and the shopping! This ride was by far the scariest of them all. It was a GIANT skateboard! Jana and I were screaming our hearts out and every time the ride would turn so we could see the other passengers, this little girl would laugh hysterically at us. I think we were the only ones screaming in the entire place. I just don't get it!

After all the shopping and thrill rides we went and picked up these two (below). I hadn't seen Jonathan since Christmas and Justin since he left on his mission almost 2 1/2 years ago. They were on a road trip and just happened to be in Minnesota at the same time as me.

We played games, ate pizza, made smores, went hot tubing and laughed 'till our sides hurt.

(seriously, he wouldn't look normal for any pictures!)

Jana's boyfriend James joined us for the evening as well. He was such a great guy and truly fits with Jana so perfectly.

The next day we went to a sculpture garden where the Minnesota spoon and cherry live (first picture). I didn't know about the spoon and cherry before arriving in Minnesota I'm sad to say but Jana swears it's in text books somewhere.

We came across these awesome flowers in the green house (mom this picture's for you), as well as this hilarious quote on a bench. It says, "After dark it is a relief to see a girl walking toward or behind you then you are much less likely to be assaulted." WHAT!

Honestly, I could live in Minnesota and be very, very happy. It was so beautiful. The picture below is of one of the many lakes there.

For some reason it reminded me of home. I'm sure it had something to do with Jonathan and Justin being there for part of the trip but I think the majority of it had to do with Jana and her family.

(Marla and Jana)

They are the most amazing family and I love them like they're my own. I can't believe I didn't get any pictures of them to share. Marla is the only one I captured besides Jana. Next time . . .

Date Night in the North End

Have you ever heard of Professional Administrative day? Well, there is such a thing and it is celebrated in our office each year with a gift card to some great restaurant. This year I was thrilled to receive a $75 gift card for a great restaurant in the North End called Trattoria Il Panino. With a new hair cut and St. Anthony's feast going on, this weekend proved to be the perfect time to go.

Despite the rain and really cold weather (seriously, it felt like it could snow) we were able to sit outside. The area was covered and heated and the atmosphere was perfect. We were served bottled water in wine glasses and I couldn't have been happier. I absolutely love drinking out of cool glasses.

We started with Calamari which interestingly enough came in a brown paper bag on a long white plate. Kind of crazy presentation, but really, really good.

After looking at the menu for quite some time we finally made our decisions. I went with the Lobster Ravioli . . .

. . . and Matt decided on the Veal. To say we were not disappointed is a serious understatement. The food was delicious!

We had a bit of an awkward moment while we waited for our check though. Our waiter came by after picking up our plates and dropped off two little yellow cups.

Not knowing what they were, we flagged down our waiter to ask. He probably thought we were crazy as he explained that it was lemon sorbet, compliments of the house. How cool is that!

After dinner as we walked out and onto Hanover Street, I heard a familiar sound. There was a band parading down the street, playing one of my favorite songs.

We finished off the night with a Cannoli from Mike's pastry and an episode of Psych. It was Perfect!