As usual I'm a little late in posting current family news...we've moved to Nevada folks! The high points? I get to see my sister and her family all the time-since they only live a block away! Brandon gets to attend med school, and Calvin and I get to swim in the Bellagio fountains to the tune of modern classics every day (just kidding-that would be dangerous, but we do get to ride the white siberian tigers at the Mirage every other week).

Brandon and I recently celebrated our 3rd anniversary on Las Vegas Blvd-keeping it low key with dinner and some meandering around the Bellagio Hotel and fountains. We had a great time!

Below-a picture of us on our honeymoon, and our three year follow up!

The good news-we're even happier now, even though we look a lot older (remind me to grow my hair out again-and yes, Brandon is wearing the same hypnotic hawaiian shirt).

The challenges of living in Nevada are that Brandon and I really have to schedule family time, and I miss my other family members in Utah-a lot. I also really miss the smells of the outdoors in Utah, since the only things I typically smell outdoors here are dirt and my own deodorant. Yes, it is so sizzzzzzzling hot that I'm ready to take my next vacation here:

This is called the Icehotel in Sweden which is one of many up-and-coming hotels providing what they call "cold accommodations". The entire hotel is made of ice, even the beds! There are many more stunning pictures on the hotels websites (below) if you're in the mood to wander through bedazzlingly magestic, ice sculpted hallways via your computer. There are a few ice resorts in Europe and Canada, and at least one in Alaska. I never thought I would be excited to have a cold adventure-but here I am pining over dog sledding, ice sculptures, moose tracking on horseback, and sleigh rides beneath the northern lights. Brrrrr!!! www.icehotel-canada.com/ www.icehotel.com/ www.ongajok.no/icehotel.html

Last but not least, because I too feel like I'm living on a lava planet- a rendition from Jimmy Falon as Aniken Skywalker on his HOT new residenc: (viewer warning, PG-13 language contained in this clip)

Confessions of a Devoted Andy Griffith Fan

Ever been to Bicknell? Loa? Torrey? While driving through these quaint towns in Central Utah, we discovered that small populations, low speed limits, and cows aren't the only thing they have in common. They also share...this guy. It was tricky to get a great picture, but if you look closely you can tell that this sheriff parked on the road, ihibiting your speed, is a sham!

That weathered looking skin is paper mache my friends, the moutache-horse hair! But dutifully residing on half a dozen roads in these little towns, "Officer Moustache" does his job well! We've seen him several times over the years, and always forget that he isn't ever going issue a ticket (except in the Wizard of OZ). Instead we slam on the breaks and slow down just in time to glimpse his false stare, and to realize we've been had once again. Bravo to the creativity of local law enforcement tactics in small town Utah--you've out-witted your savvy city folk neighbors again!

While we're on the subject of small town law enforcement, I might as well confess that I am a full fledged Andy Griffith enthusiast. Some may call the antics of Bernard P. Fife and Sheriff Taylor corney, sappy, or even lame. But I find them hilliarious and refreshingly moral. In fact, each episode actually has a moral which is a completely different mode of entertainment than the usuall inane reality crapola we are bombarded with on the tube. Here are a few clips just to wet your appetite (There are so many more episodes that are even funnier!). The Andy Griffith Show is also chalked full of banjo pickin', blue grass melodies that inspire me to spend more time on the porch in the cool of the evening, chewing the fat and listening to the crickets. The last two clips contain such musical samples. Enjoy, and don't forget to pause my music-you don't want to miss this!

Cal's Pal

Calvin has developed a strong attachment to our vacuum. He has always liked the growly machine, but of the last 4-5 months Cal has decided it's his best buddy in the world. He loves to pat it, and help me hold the handle.

Cal's buddy lives in our pantry, which we try to keep closed, because if Cal catches a glimpse of the vacuum, he wants it to come out and play (you'd think we were nutty if you knew how many times we've vacuumed in a day). Cracks me up every time! Arms, legs, and voice go crazy for his pal! The result? -Our floors are clean, and my arms are beefy since Calvin made best friends with our vacuum. Lately, this old theme song keeps coming to mind when Cal and V are together...

“My Buddy, My Buddy... Wherever he goes, I'm gonna go!

My Buddy, My Buddy,
I’ll teach him everything that I know…

My Buddy, My Buddy
My Buddy and Meeeee!”

Maui Wowie

Sometimes I just want to eat dessert first! Which is why it wasn't too difficult for Brandon to convince me that it would be a great time for us to take a fantastic and unbeatable trip to Hawaii before our 6+ year expedition into the training portion of Brandon's medical career. We thought that perhaps this trip should be postponed as reward after the long haul of boards, rotations, and residency...like a bowl of ice cream after a healthy supper. But with some screamin' hot, totally unbelievable deals we got bidding on Price Line we agreed that dessert had to come first.

Calvin's highlights: playing in the pool, in the sand, being outside from morning til' night w/his mom and pop, and being waved & cooed at be every passerby.

Brandon's highlights: snorkling to his heart's content with sea turtles, eating 15 ft from the shore during 70% of our meals (his obsession) whale watching, and luxuriating in the perfect Maui temperatures.

Angie's highlights: the smells! (salty sea, plumeria, sunscreen, grilled fish!), jogging the trail I've run since I was 14 in front of our resort with Brandon. Flowers, palm trees, greenery everywhere. Waking up to waves crashing and doves cooing. Watching Brandon and Calvin having the time of their lives! (Am I selling you on this people?)





Hawaii has amazing food. Really fresh fish, fruit, macadamia nut pancakes, chocolate macadamia nuts, smoothies...& this year we discovered a new gold mine at Lappert's Ice Cream. Brandon and I gorged ourselves on two flavors: creamy "Coconut Pineapple" (real bits of sweet, fresh pineapple and coconut), the other was a sorbet called "Tutu's Anniversary" (guava, passion fruit and raspberry? mix). WHOA! Definitely the BEST ice cream I've EVER had! One spoon full is instant "Aloha!". The closest "Lappert's" to Utah is in Las Vegas and there are a few in CA as well, so if you're in either proximity it's worth your while!

TOP 10 REASONS TO VISIT COSTA RICA!!

We went on an amazing family vacation to Costa Rica in the fall. Although this post is rather belated, we had such a good time together, and I thought these pictures deserved a little publicity. So without further ado, please enjoy our "Top 10 Reasons to Visit Costa Rica"!

10. Watch your grandparents out-do you!

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9.Enjoy family togetherness!

8. Swim, lounge, & golf monsoon style!

7. Ride through the jungle and the beach on horseback.

6. Get dirty!!

5. Then take a mud bath- your best look.

4. Pretend to be a Robinson...and Swiss.

3. See monkeys, be monkeys...eat their bananas.

2. It's the perfect excuse to grow that macho mustache you've always wanted.

1. Eat a civilized lunch in the shadow of an active volcano!

With Help From Arnold, Jane and Richard-Brownies Win LAST Battle

For lunch yesterday, I polished off half a pan of 3-day old brownies. Impressive-yes. But listen, those brownies were delicious! I took a little pitty bite before demoting them from the kitchen department to the waste department. Unfortunately as the sugar kicked in I struggled to intelligently ponder the consequences a defeat such as the one I was about to experience would bring. And gulp, they were gone! With a hefty dose of guilt, a hefty sugar lowwww, and "hefty" swallowing all other adjectives in my vocab...I informed the empty brownie pan that it had won its last battle.
Recognizing that the "health" sphere of my life could use a boost, I'm renewing some of the strategies that have been motivational for me in the past. Here's my list of kickstarts that usually excite me for healthful living. If YOU have useful strategies for those of us whirlpooling in comfortable holiday habits PLEASE share!!


1. I've never tried plastering my fridge w/ celebrities-but this year I couldn't resist these iconic motivators. I'm going for Arnold's abs (and or pecs), Jane's legs, and Richards glutes of course (check him out below!). Permission to borrow them anytime you lack motivation, granted.

2. WATER: Quenching my thirst w/ice cold water (instead of postponing it or substituting for soda/juice).

3. MUSIC: Vacation music always motivates me to do healthy things. I love listening to islandish music when i'm cooking, exercising...etc. Nothing says health and wellness better than Bob Marley philosophies...right?

4. EXERCISE: I usually have to get into a morning routine (before I have time to get distracted, dissuaded, busy, tired, or full). Running is the most exhilirating for me, but in the winter I've found a few other options:
-Indoor track at local community center-bring your stroller & it's cheap!
-Aerobics at home...Studio 5 has a "Holiday Boot Camp" free online video, that is supposed to burn 200 Cal/15 min. scroll down past the video clip w/3 people to "download the video" http://studio5.ksl.com/?sid=5060050&nid=56


5. FOOD: I crave sugar, cheese, and bread endlessly...so I'm listing a few of the healthier snacks that usually prove satisfying: (I'm always trying to add to the list-so please share)

-Fresh fruit in milk (w/ or instead of cereal)
-HEFTY helpings of salad or vegetables at lunch and dinner.
-My sister Bonnie makes killer fruit smoothies w/sugar free Crystal Light!
-Caprese salad (thinly sliced tomatoes & provolone cheese/basil/pepper/olive oil
-Apple slices and Smiling Cow swiss wedges
-Roasted, pureed butternut squash w/lt sour cream, parmesian, nutmeg & s/p.
-Edamame- sounds hippy but is really goood! microwave or boil w/ s/p.
-lettuce wraps (works w/ lunch meat and shredded cheese)
-Odwalla Superfood the drink (really dark green unappetitizing color, but a really refreshing taste w/a lot of good for you foods in it that are sometimes hard to work into meals-my whole family is hooked)

5. Super Foods Rx, by Pratt and Matthews (book)- details the best foods for your body, and best of all it breaks down the contents of these foods, what they do, and why they are so good for your body. Everytime I read it, I am totally excited to EAT.

6. Something I struggle to remember is brushing my teeth after breakfast and lunch, which seriously inhibits my snacking-good for more than just my teeth!

7. Visiting the health food store for ground flax seed, fresh ground peanut butter, dried fruit, raw nuts and coconut, and to sample any other crazy stuff they happen to have on hand.