Ben's Birthday Continued...

Here is the Demmy, we all know and love! Well at least I do.

I have to take a moment to brag about this cake I made for Ben's birthday. It was fantastic! The perfect FALL treat! For the recipe go to our family's recipe share blog, Dinner-Belles.

Last Days of Summer

Ben and I spent a few days in Salt Lake last week, it was a nice way to wrap up our summer! We were able to spend a lot of time with our nieces and nephews which is always a blessing. Ben was able to spend an extra 5 days, after the 5 that we were both there. He was really grateful that his summer school schedule allowed for this time. It's probably the longest amount of time he's been in Salt Lake since he moved in 2005. Ben's brother, Adam and wife Carolina, just bought a house out in Eagle Mountain. We drove out to see the knew place and Ben was able to practicar hablado espaNol con mama y papa de Carolina.

Adam marched for the Governor during the annual Review of the Troops in the University of Utah's Stadium.

These are the planes that Adam works on...

Adam what are they called?

Air Guard, Adam's in there somewhere!

Cristina and I climbed around the army vehicles and helicopters after the ceremony. Here we are emerging from a tanker!

Cristina "driving" a helicopter. She looked at me and said, "It's not turning... oh well, it must be broken!"

Cristina and Mikey put on many rock concerts for me and Ben while we were visiting!

They occasionally let us get in on the action!

Cute Claire! Thanks for a great visit! We had a wonderful time and can't wait until "next time." Christopher we didn't get any photo's of you this time, sorry! We loved seeing you and wish we would've gotten a photo of your cute Pompadour hair style!

If You Like Then You Should've Put a Ring On It.

I LOVE GLEE! 

(I know, this is my second plug for this show.  Sorry.  I simply love it.)

Ben and I have been out of town so we're just getting around to watching all the new fall shows recorded on our DVR. This episode of Glee is great!  The opening scene reminded me of something I saw on the Bonnie Hunt Show last winter... take a look!

Shane Mercado on the Bonnie Hunt Show.

Spot On

Today I saw The Informant! with my friend Curt. While watching the movie and seeing the events unfold I kept repeating the exclamation "Unbelievable". I must have said it 15 times. As I was leaving the movie theatre I walked past the poster for the film. I had never seen the poster before and guess what it said...?

I guess this whole film studies thing is working out for me.

Y Muchos Mas...

Fall? Autumn?

Remember the post I made a few days ago about Fall being just around the corner?  

The trees and leaves look like fall is here but the weather has a mind of it's own.  

89 degrees yesterday and 85-ish today!  

Happy Birthday!

BeN........................DEmMy.....................BeNJeR!

Hoping you have had a great birthday! I love you!

You are the salt to my fries and the fizz in my Coke! :)

Love your,

Mames

Purple Haze

Ben had an exciting day yesterday, his Huskies beat last year's Rose Bowl Champions in a close game. Final score 16-13! Ben had to wait until 10PM to watch the game because we're in Salt Lake visiting his family and we were busy earlier in the day. When the game started I took away his phone so he wouldn't be tempted to check any text messages or phone calls. It was a good thing I did because he received 13 text messages and 4 phone calls re: the game! Pictured below is Ben giving his team a "High 5" when he finally got a chance to sit down and watch the game.Unfortunately, I didn't have the same restraint and found out about the win as it happened. Since I knew the results were exciting I thought I'd try to candidly film Ben and catch his reaction. He was a little more mellow than I thought he'd be because we had 2 kids snoozing in the next room at the time and he quickly saw the camera. Ben's pacing lasted the entire second half of the game, I don't think he sat down once. Enjoy the video, I think it's pretty funny!

Go Dawgs! (I'll use the W :-)

Clear Eyes! Full Hearts! Sometimes Win!

It has been a fun couple of weeks in old apt #104. The Huskies football team has finally shown signs of life and the results are contagious. Mandy and I (yes, she has caught the fever as well, or at least pretends to) have had a blast watching the last two UW games. It was apparent while watching the season opener against LSU that this was a team with new purpose. Towards the end when it became apparent that the Dogs ( I refuse to use the"W") were not going to win, there was a shot on the tele of five or six Huskies on the sideline with their arms linked swaying back on forth. What is this... a rally? Wow, these guys seem to have a pulse! See, my school had not won a football game since November of 2007 (think of it as the opposite of my other team, Utah, who haven't lost since October 2007...knock on wood) and the affect of that losing streak was wearing on the team as well as the fans. Last year during our perfect (losing) season I had a few classes with some of the players and every Monday I would notice that they would slouch lower in their chairs, trying to distance their association with the jinxed team. Now they are rallying? Bring it on! I have never been so excited about a loss than I was with that LSU game. The next week brought on Idaho and the possibility of our first win.
The game wasn't a blow out but it sure was fulfilling to see that W. I felt so proud of the team and their leader Locker (I'm trying to coin the nickname "The Hurt Locker", pass it on). My schools football program has seen some dark days (weeks, months...) in the past. Thankfully those days seem to be behind us and a new era has begun.
One of my favorite people is our new head coach/wunderkind Steve Sarkisian. At the end of his first game as a head coach I noticed a giant smile on his face as he was leaving the field. I think he was feeling what we were all feeling, change!

Possibly one of the reasons I seem to be so quickly taken by coach Sark is his uncanny resemblance to one of the best coach/dad/friend/husband of all time...

...coach Eric Taylor formerly head of the Dillon Panthers and now the new head coach of the (spoiler alert!) East Dillon Lions.

Good luck today guys, you're gonna need it!

Almost Famous

Ben is one step closer to becoming Cameron Crowe. :-)

Ben recently hooked up with a friend who runs a music website, Indie Rock Reviews. His friend asked if he would be interested in writing/reviewing albums and concerts for the website. Ben jumped on the opportunity because it means an early peak at albums, free concerts, and best of all experience doing something he loves.

Above is a photo of Murdoch Watson, check out his review and the album here.

3 Years Ago Today...

Ben says:

1. I was making sure my mom was up on time for the wedding.


2. I was trying to eat breakfast, with no real appetite.


3. Still hoping Mandy would say "I do."

Mandy says:

1. I was praying for sun, so our pictures would turn out nice. :)


2. I was worried about making a fool out of myself during our "first dance."


3. Excited that I found someone that would put up with all my craziness.

Fall

Pumpkin Spice Candle Burning + 

Mashed Potatoes for Dinner + 

Ben Glued to the UW (and BYU) Football Game(s) + 

Wind Blowing in Showers = 

Fall

Our house feels like fall today.  I told Ben hearing the roar of the football game on TV made it official!  I know we'll have a few more 70 degree days in Seattle, and I'm happy about that, but I am looking forward to the sweaters, hot chocolate, and crisp air that fall brings.

Just Like Heaven

First off let me say that I really am enjoying my break, probably too much.  I am working but the hours are slim so I am able to do a lot of catching up.  Like my father in law I cannot send a magazine or newspaper to the recycling bin until I have read it.  I guess you could say that I finish things I start.  But if you are cursed with this obsessive trait then you are left with stacks of reading material that can get a little dusty.  Any way I was going through a copy of Spin from last July (2008) and I came across this article about The Rock-afire Explosion reunion.  I'm sure those of us of a certain age remember going to Showbiz Pizza Place and catching a set or two by this group.  The best part was when they invited everyone to come to the dance-floor and cut loose.  Chris Thrash was able to buy and refurbish an old set on the cheap and now he lets them play more updated tunes.  I couldn't get to the computer fast enough to check out these music videos.  Check out songs from MGMT, Usher, Li'l Wayne and more!  My favorite is their rendition of Usher's "Love in This Club" but I thought I would include a classic from one of my favorite bands.  This to me is pure JOY!  I am so happy I came across it.  ENJOY!