I am sitting behind the vendors’ tables at the Cedar Rapids 2009 Bridal Show at the US Cellular Center in downtown Cedar Rapids. I am here helping Kate set up and tear down since the store was only alloted one person to run the show this time around. Now I am just killing time until the show is over in order to tear down.

We were able to spend a week with the Allen family at a cabin in Woodland Park, Colorado. We had a blast! (minus just about everyone getting the flu). There is never enough time to spend with family; we look forward to the next time we can all get together, hopefully this time without any viruses. After Allen family we planned on just spending one day with Kate’s parents, but then the flu hit me pretty hard. I ended up spending an extra day in bed. yay? I was feeling much better so we left the following day, but about half way there the flu bug returned with a vengeance. That stuff just isn’t any fun!

UIowa still has two more weeks of vacation, so I am using that time to get back in shape chopwise and just enjoying not having to transcribe medieval manuscripts. I really didn’t enjoy that!

Today marks four years since Kate and I were married. Time goes by so fast!
Happy Anniversary Kate!

Earlier this week Kate and I got to meet our newest nephew, Shaden. Christopher and Ixchelle came over to Holly and Kevin’s house; we had dinner and just chatted for a long time. Here is a picture I took of Shaden with a stuffed panda from Build a Bear.



Last night we all went to Denver to watch a Rockies game. Unfortunately the Rockies lost, but we had a great time and enjoyed some Rockie Dogs!

I only remembered to take pictures of the drive from Iowa to Colorado a few times. Here they are:

Why So Serious?


You Know You Are in Colorado When......


The authorities list hackey sack on the list of things not to do indoors.

We are having a good time. More pics to come.

This was taken on the path just east of the Voxman Music Building on the University of Iowa campus. It is wonderful to have so many colors surrounding us!

Kate has strep throat this week, so that hasn't been fun for her. Poor Kate!

This past Saturday was so beautiful we just had to go for a walk! One of our favorite places to walk is over across the Iowa River where there is a dog park. Kate likes to ogle the puppies! It's a nice little walk and it really calming to walk by the river (until all the bugs infest it during the summer).



Taken with my iPhone.

Last night Kate and I went to HuHot, Mongolian BBQ. I have always been a fan of Mongolian (even though some freinds from Mongolia couldn't recognize in the least bit what the food is since they eat rodent and things - not kidding). The premise for the restaurant is all you can eat: you pick your meat, noodles, vegetables, and sauces. Then the cooks fry it up on the huge cooking stone (which is not stone at all). Seconds later, your food is done. Eat! (repeat...x2 or x3)

Two weeks ago, Kate and I went to Chicago to visit Kim and Chris in their new home. We stopped in Dixon, Iowa to get some lunch and we came across Ronald Reagan's boyhood home! We had to stop for a picture!

We had a great Christmas in Colorado Springs with Kate's parents. Here is the best picture of the week. It's Kevin with his "Thrill My Grillz" that Adam slipped into his stocking. Not appearing in the picture is the money clip with a $ on it - sweet!!

More details later!

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

Every one has their own traditions for each holiday whether it be Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, 4th of July, Oktoberfest, whatever. For the Allen family the Fourth of July means to generally watch a parade (which I was unable to watch due to work this morning), then have some BBQ, eat some birthday cake for Christopher, watch 1776, then watch some fireworks. I am happy to report that we did all of these! It was a great time today. Tons of fun and now it is past midnight and we are tired! Who would have known that little Coralville, Iowa would have such a big fireworks display!

We had a great trip to Colorado Springs to visit Kate's parents and a great visit in Albuquerque to visit my parents. This was the first time in almost two years that our entire family was together. We had a great time and laughed all four days we were there.

Now, back to the grindstone....

Today was kind of a down day. When Kate and I woke up this morning she was feeling really sick. She has had some health problems in the past, so we didn't want to risk it. We went the IHC InstaCare here in Salt Lake. Several hours later we find out that she was ok. huh. Unfortunately I had to miss Orchestra and Wind Ensemble today. I especially bad since we have a concert tomorrow night. There is still one more rehearsal tomorrow, but still.