Hot Wheels!

Landon's faster transportation these days.  I thought it was pretty high quality with the steering and all...

Tamarinski

If you click on it you can see it closer up. Sweet sledding hill!

We were being like the hippos at the zoo

It's my sister's birthday today, so I thought that since I was thinking about her (and she's so far away) I would post some of my thoughts.  I feel that if I had to choose someone that is the most like me, Tami would be it.  Maybe that's because she was 8 years older than me, so I thought everything she did was cool and I followed in her footsteps.  Some sisters might find that annoying, or even become bitter.  Especially when her little sister got birthday parties instead of her (with birthdays two days apart), or when she had to babysit me all the time because I didn't like to go to anyone else.  But Tami has always been an amazing example and support.  She taught me a lot about music and sports.  I could go to her when I had to change schools for different classes, or apply for specific programs because she had already done them.  

I think some older sisters might find it great to get out of the house and be crazy and independent in college. But Tami invited each of us to spend a week individually with her in Seattle, so that we would  stay close.  My parents willingly sent us because they trusted her so much.  I still remember her sending me post cards, which made me feel important.  Even now, I've learned so much about being a mom from her because I have been around to watch her learn as she goes.  God did a great job deciding which of us should come first.

As I've gotten older she's still a role model, but also a friend.  With sisters, things are just easier.  We laugh at the same things and react the same to ideas and opinions.  We both love to curl up to a movie while eating warm cookies, or dress up for a night out to see a symphony and feel "high-rollin".  We both hate losing at card games and expect each other to "play to win".  I can go running with her because we have the same genes and go about the same pace.  I can joke about her quirks and she knows I love her because of them (I hope).  We can even give each other hair tips, and heaven knows there are very few people who have experience with my kind of hair.  There are lots of reasons why I love her as a sister and a friend, but I just wanted to write today and say that I think she has lived a fabulous life to this point. Happy Birthday Tami, and have another great year!

Independence Day n' stuff

Angie and I have been doing all the crazy activities that I have said I want to do while in Utah, but never had time for. So, this week we were on a waterfall hiking craze.  We started with a short hike outside of pleasant grove to Battle Creek's waterfall.

And we even climbed down behind the waterfall a bit.  When you stand right at the bottom, it's overwhelming how powerful those are!

On Friday, some of the couples in our ward needed more girls to play in their softball game with the city league.  So we played and it was a blast.  I haven't played in so long!  They put me in left field, which is new for me.  But since it was slow-pitch, I think I got most of the balls.  I got a few sweet catches, and Angie was representing at third base :)  I was on first when the guy behind me hit a sweet shot to left field.  I got on my horse, and sprinted around third.  I could see the catcher getting ready for the throw, and I heard it hit his glove just as I was approaching, so I slid on instinct--something I am now regretting.  I was safe! But they tell me he actually didn't catch it, the ball just hit off his mit.  So I didn't have to slide, and now I'm paying for it. Apparently you shouldn't slide in shorts without sliding shorts on under.  I have a pretty huge strawberry on my leg that I have had to keep bandaged up with lots of gauze and neosporin.  Luckily, it is getting a lot better after about a week.

Then I took a second stab at Stewart Falls.  It's a little bit longer than the other hike, but worth it!

I had to wear "stretchy pants" (you have to say that like Nacho Libre) because of my sliding wound :)

Crazy, but with the 90 degree weather, there was still snow-pack
 at the bottom of the waterfall where we were standing.

From a little further away you could actually see two waterfalls.  

We also took part in lots of the Independence Day festivities.  The Stadium of Fire was pretty great, with dancers, a local version of American Idol, David Archuletta, Brad Paisley, and some amazing fireworks. Our seats weren't amazing, but Brad Paisley was as awesome as ever, and the fireworks were very impressive.  Definitely the longest show I've ever seen. Whitney went with us, and we hit up the dance party on the street for a little bit afterwards.

Dancers in the shape of the liberty bell

David Archuletta

When they say "Stadium of Fire" they aren't kiddin'

On Monday morning, we also went to the awesome parade, and around the Freedom Festival booths.

Not sure how the Llamas always end up in Utah activities, but I had to get a picture.

For an update on my broken husband--Landon went to the doctor yesterday and they gave him a stylin' shoe that he can wear and start putting pressure on his foot soon. He will still be using crutches for a couple weeks, but they said it was healing nicely. If I remember right, he got his stitches out too, so he's just waiting for it to heal.  The cut on his foot was in the shape of a Y, so he will forever be a loyal Cougar fan :)

Roller Coaster

This last week has been crazy.  It was eventful, happy, sad, scary, fun, and all sorts of emotions wrapped into one. First,  we took a trip home to Washington to drop Landon off for the summer :(  He will be working on the farm through the harvest while I stay here and work.  The highlight was that we got to see our baby nephew, who has changed a lot since the last time we saw him.  Michael said he told the baby to make sure and be really happy because he only had two days to convince us of how cute he is, ha.  The family was all nice enough to let us hold him most of the two days, and he is one fun and happy baby!

We also got to play some family soccer and volleyball.  I'm sure you can see the intensity from this picture :) These are our ready positions.

We just arrived from a 10 hour car ride,
so don't judge the look.

I stole this from Angie's camera, but it was way too cute.

We also got to play some family football with the Rowleys. Unfortunately, Landon broke his toe on the heel of my foot.  You can see the nastiness below. We found out that he needed surgery, and is now in bed most of the time with his foot elevated, trying to heal.  But, he has received lots of help and well wishes from family.  Landon said that he was going to post about his week, which also included a near-death experience.  So, I will let him tell that whole story from his point of view.  I'll just note that I received a call at work that he almost died, was on his way to the hospital in an ambulance, and they would call me when they knew more.  It was horrible!  

Cards and presents from the Cutlers!

Angie and I have been trying to keep busy while Landon has been gone.  We got to see our friend Karina Wiberg for the first time in about 6 years.  She is the greatest, and we laughed a lot just catching up.

 I got my braces off!!! Angie caught me looking at my teeth in the car mirror, ha

For Angie's birthday, we did some shopping, and went to a Parachute concert in Salt Lake.  Whitney informed us of the FREE concert, so we decided to join her.  Whitney said it was her first real concert, and it was a blast!  I tried to  help them both find a "concert boyfriend", but they weren't havin' it.

We went to PF Chang's for birthday dessert.  The experience was just enhanced by our oh so pleasant waiter.  He kept hinting at the wine list and gave us a bit of attitude when we only ordered water.  We knew we were in for it, because we still hadn't even told him that we only wanted dessert.  He put the candle on my dessert instead of Angie's, (but she blew it out anyway) and gave her about half the size of the normal dessert.  Whitney and I exchanged a laughing glance when we heard the lady being seated in the booth next to us order water...

How's he gonna expect all of his customers to get expensive alcoholic drinks when he's in Salt Lake?  Honestly. 

And we finished up the week with the Lehi rodeo.

This Sunday I went to something kinda creative.  A bunch of couples in our ward get together to have an ingredient dinner. This time, they picked lemon. So we all had to make a drink, dessert, or dish that included lemon.  You can't tell anyone what you are bringing, so sometimes you get all desserts, but this time was great.  There were 3 main dishes, 3 desserts, and a nice drink.  Then you vote on your favorite, and the winner hosts the next one and gets to pick the ingredient.  It was fun to get to sit and talk with some friends!

Last Saturday!

I suppose the title may be a bit ominous.  It's not the last Saturday ever, but it is the last one where I will see Landon here in Provo for possibly two months.  So we decided to live it up.  We went on a hike that I found and have wanted to see.  It has a couple of waterfalls, and some hot springs where you can swim.  I thought it was really pretty, and we had a lot of fun.  

This guy was just chillin in the middle of the trail.  Landon told me "Hold on, just a minute" and ran off. He comes back with a huge boulder and chucks it at the snake.  It was uncanny aim, because from that far away he still hit it straight on the cranium!  It recoiled a bit, and then seemed pretty disoriented, because it tried to slither away, but kept backing up and going different directions. It reminded me of that drunk snake on Disney's Robin Hood.  Landon held me back until he deemed it safe to cross.  That's what I keep him around for--to handle the scary snakes.

We even climbed up in that hole behind the waterfall which was pretty fun.  Landon thought I was crazy, but I talked him into it.

The hot springs were just to the side of the stream.  We avoided the spring with the nude man and went further down to another one, ha.  I didn't notice, but Landon told me not to look.  After the hike we went swimming at home to cool off, and then got ready to pick up Whitney for 

THE OREM FAIR!

There was a fun parade with some pretty cool floats.  Landon even caught a free tie from the Missionary Mall float.  He wore it loose with his "hottie shirt", as he calls it, so he wouldn't have to hold it all night, and to look "GQ" of course.

Landon tagged along as Whitney and I stopped in all of the jewelry tents.  But how can you pass up $2 necklaces! We got some great gelati, and then got back to our blanket to watch the awesome fireworks show.

After three pictures, we decided this was the best.  The fair rides in the background kept putting crazy lights across our faces.

Landon wanted me to pick the fireworks pictures that "captured the FURY of the finale".  I did my best. Imagine some ground-shaking "BOOM"s and incredibly bright flashes.  Just so you do not err in assuming that our photography is almost professional in timing, I will admit that these are two of about 45 shots of the fireworks, ha.

Playin' Dress Up

I got some make-up that I ordered in the mail!  I was pretty excited because I haven't bought any in years, and I found some for incredibly cheap!  I thought it would be good to make sure everything was the right colors and all, so I tried about everything on at once, ha. You probably can't tell, but I had two colors of blush on, some crazy bright lipstick, and different colors of eye shadow and mascara on each eye.  But I didn't want Landon to take pics, so I didn't really let him get a good one.  

Landon also used some birthday money to get some new sandals. His are about 3 years old and about as worn as they can possibly be and still be used.  I think they are a hazard at this point.  I'm not sure if it's because Landon just doesn't like to give up his clothes (I had to hide his favorite dress shoes because he wouldn't wear the newer ones and the old ones are literally falling apart), or maybe it's just because he dislikes shopping and having to make decisions.  But he finally has some stylin new sandals, and we might have found him a belt that he will actually wear in place of the one that is in pieces on his waist.  Slowly but surely I am determined to get him to cross over to some new stuff.

Dirty Dash!

I talked Landon into doing his first race ever, and it just so happened to be the Dirty Dash.  If you've never heard of it, you should go to this website http://www.thedirtydash.com/ and for a week or so they should have a video from our race.  Scroll down and you can see the course we did.  Our secret obstacle turned out to be these rope ladder things.  It was pretty great.  

We started out going up a steep part of the mountain (a ski slope in the winter) that was complete mud, with huge sprinklers right on us.  After slipping the whole way up, I was already feeling dead and I told Landon "Just go!" so he could run ahead and not go slow just for me.  We ran on a mountain trail (lots of hills) until we had to jump over hay bails, including one that was two bails high.  After some more running there were muddy tunnels.  Keep in mind that every obstacle had a sprinkler and mud about shin deep beforehand--which can get you stuck and make it hard to jump.  Later on there were wooden walls to get over, more hills, a trail of tires to do high knees through, and Landon even saw a ginormous dead fish by the marshy lake area we ran by.  Then it was back up the mountain and the netted ladder, down a huge slip n' slide, and through the mud pool (under the flags), over the trough and to the finish line.  Harder than any 5K I've ever done, but definitely more exciting! Landon came back and went through the mud pit again so he could cross the finish line with me.  I think he just liked the mud...It was a blast! 

The "Before" shot

Behind us you can see the mud pit with the yellow flags you had to go under.  We found it was easier to just swim than try to walk through the mud.  Up the hill you can see the slip n' slide.

"After" It would be better if you could see my nasty shoes.

They were prepared with freezing cold showers to hose off.

We were lucky enough to get into the first heat, so the course was not quite as bad as later in the day, but by the end everyone was completely gross so it didn't matter. Our times were pretty bad so I'm not going to post them, ha, but I was just glad I finished.  We might get the photographer's pics that they took throughout the course, but they are not available online yet.  It was a good cause, which made me feel better about paying the entry fee.  They give most of the money to the Leukemia foundation, and then they clean off shoes and donate them to people in Ghana.  Landon was smart and wore his water shoes, so the mud and water dripped off, while mine weighed about a ton with all the mud and water by the end of the race.

If anyone ever wants to try it, they do team races in Seattle!  We should get a team together and help each other through all the obstacles.  They even do a piglets run for kids, ha.  :)