The Indigo Girls

About 3 years ago, Steve took me to an Indigo Girls concert at Red Butte Garden, as a celebration of the one year anniversary of our first date. I know it sounds a little silly, but, that is an important day in our lives. Four years ago on July 9, 2005, both of our lives changed, for the better. Well on Tuesday of this week the 7th of July, the Indigo Girls came back to Red Butte Gardens. I actually didn't know they were coming until a co-worker mentioned that she was going up to the concert with a friend. So I did some quick searching and found some tickets being sold for less than face value on KSL.Com. I quickly called, gave them my credit card number and hoped that when we arrived at Red Butte two hours later, there would be tickets at will call, rather than the realization that I had been taken. We got there, right about the time the concert started and it was a great night. While they probably aren't my favorite band, I do enjoy just listening to them. There is something about their music that you just get caught up in. Steve and I both share a love for live music, and what could be better than enjoying it outside on a beautiful summer night.

4th of July

I hope that everyone had a very Happy 4th of July. We had a great weekend.

I love long summer weekends, let's be honest I love long weekends no matter the season. This weekend started with a short hike in Mueller Park Friday morning, some shopping and lunch at Costco, followed by a date night with Steve, we went to CPK and then to the see the movie The Proposal.



Saturday, we went up to my Grandma Johnson's and I swam for a bit with my cousins, and Mark. We had some great fried chicken (thanks Grandma), and enjoyed good company.

Then we headed over to Steve's folks for a BBQ and fireworks with Steve's parents and Kim and Dave and the Boys.




Here's to more summer weekends !!!

Taylorsville Dayzz

This past weekend was Taylorsville Dayzz, which is a pretty awesome celebration, held each year one weekend before the 4th of July.

On Friday night Steve and I had come down to Salt Lake to take my parents to dinner for Fathers Day. Well if you don't already know my dad is a die hard when it comes to Taylorsville Dayzz. The celebrations include three nights of concerts and fireworks, the biggest night being Saturday. Well Friday, Mark and I went over with him for the concert, even though the weather was looking pretty iffy. Steve and my Mom showed better judgement and stayed at my folks house to watch a movie. Below, is the picture of my dad trying to get his pancho on before the torrential downpour. It was hilarious, he looked like a little kid playing in a plastic bag and Mark and I were laughing so hard we couldn't help.



Saturday night we tried again, with a much bigger group. My parents invited their friends Andy and Judy. Andy got a little excited during the Jay White "Neil Diamond" performance.

Steve and I were joined by his parents, and Kim and Dave and the boys, and then Mark and CJ came as well.

All in all it was a great night, with good music and incredible fireworks... can't wait until next year!!!

Miami

So after my work conference, Steve flew down to join me in Miami for the weekend.

We had a great time, starting with the Miami Zoo, dinner at the Rusty Pelican, Driving through the Florida Keys, Key West, The Everglades, and Key Biscayne. The one part that was not fun, was the humidity 92 degrees, plus humidity and afternoon thunderstorms led to some very hot days.

I Met Lynn Swann

For those of you who don't know who Lynn is, below is a short bio

Personal life
Swann was born in Alcoa, Tennessee. As a youth, Swann was raised in Foster City and attended Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo, California where in addition to playing football he was a track star, leaping 24' 10" in the long jump. He later attended the University of Southern California, and completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Relations from the USC Annenberg School for Communication in 1974.

Swann is married to Charena Swann, a psychologist, and they have two sons. Charena's sister is married to Sherman Douglas of Syracuse University fame.


College career
Swann was an All-American at the University of Southern California, and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 21st pick of the first round in the 1974 NFL Draft. He spent his entire NFL career with the Steelers and wore the number 88. He was part of what is considered one of the best drafts in NFL History with Hall of Famers John Stallworth, Mike Webster, and Jack Lambert all selected in the same year.


Class of 2001
Wide Receiver >>> 5-11, 180
(Southern California)
1974-1982 Pittsburgh Steelers

Lynn Curtis Swann. . .Steelers’ first-round draft pick, 1974. . .Caught game-winning touchdown in AFC championship as rookie. . .Became starting receiver second season, led NFL with 11 touchdown receptions. . . MVP, Super Bowl X. . . Graceful moves, tremendous leaping ability led to superlative catches that highlighted career. . .Career record: 336 receptions, 5,462 yards, 51 touchdowns. . .All-Pro, 1975, 1977, 1978. . .Played in three Pro Bowls. . . Born March 7, 1952, in Alcoa, Tennessee.
Link to more information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_Swann

What isn't mentioned on either of these sites is that he is also on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Board of Directors, and tonight he hosted the annual meeting banquet. Well I have seen him host at three events and always wanted to meet him, tonight I mentioned that to my good buddy Suzanne and of course she said well let's go meet him. It is always good to have someone around that pushes you out of your comfort zone. Thanks Suzanne.

It has been a good week, four of us from my office flew down to Miami on Sunday for our National Conference, Steve is meeting me Thursday and we are going to spend the weekend. The week has been filled with lots of meeting and good learnings, along with a little bit of fun.

Pam and I playing the drums at Bongo's a local Cuban Restaurant (who knew that I would like Cuban food?)

Great Weekend

Two weekends ago, Steve and I both had pretty bad colds, and had spent most of Friday just lying around watching movies, trying to feel better. Saturday morning my dad called and asked if we would like to join him and my mom for the air show. We thought sure, that would be a nice way to spend a couple of hours this Saturday, it shouldn't involve much work, just relaxation.

Well, it was a little more work than we thought, who knew that over 200,000 people (according to the SL Tribune) would have the same idea for a Saturday afternoon. I remember going to the air show as a little kid, and it being a much simpler experience. Well to make a long story short, we went, we saw a lot of flying including the Thunderbirds pictured above, we waited in some very long lines (1+ hour to get through security), and we got some sunburns. But, all in all it was a great way to spend an afternoon.

That weekend we also watched 5 movies including: 1) Taken 2) Paul Blart Mall Cop 3) He's Just Not that into You 4) New in Town and 5) Two Weeks Notice. I believe it may have been a dream come true for Steve :)

Cleveland Rocks!!!

As Jill mentioned in her previous post, the two of us took a short trip to Cleveland, OH over the Memorial Day holiday. Why Cleveland? Well, the main purpose was to see one of my favorite musicians, Donnie Iris & The Cruisers, perform in concert. Donnie and the band were performing with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra. What a great show it was!!! We had so much fun. (You can click on this link to see a video of part of the concert.)

Other highlights from the trip include:

1) Going to Amish country to gawk at the Amish.

2) Visiting the first LDS Temple in Kirtland, OH.

3) Going to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

4) Driving up to Niagra Falls, NY and riding the Maid Of The Myst.

5) Visiting The William McKinley Presidential Library & Museum in Canton, OH.

and, 6) Visiting the NFL Hall of Fame (just the gift shop, we were a bit tired that day).

This was our second trip to the Cleveland area, and I'm pretty sure Jill would agree when I say that Cleveland Rocks! It really has become a place that we've grown to quite enjoy. I'm sure we'll be traveling there again at some point in the future.