Memorial Day

The rain didn't put a damper on our Memorial Day plans. We got up early and headed over to one of our favorite restaurants, Ruth's Diner. Ruth's is one of Dan's best discoveries. This little gem, located in the mountains up Immigration Canyon (about 5 min from U of U campus), has some very delicious food. The biscuits are to die for and the hamburgers are some of the best Dan and I have ever eaten. It's usually pretty crowded, especially in the mornings, but well worth the wait.

Death Cab for Cutie concert:

Later that night we went to see Death Cab for Cutie with some of Dan's old college buddies, at an outdoor concert at Thanksgiving Point. It was very cold, rainy and windy, and we waited in line for over 2 hours to see them. I remember loving stuff like that when I was a teenager, but as I get older, it's just not as fun anymore. We were some of the oldest people there and half the kids were wearing sandals, shorts and short sleeves. WHAAA?!? it was windy, raining and 30 degrees outside for crying out loud. (Man, I know I must be getting old to sacrifice fashion for comfort.) Dan probably got sick of my complaining about the cold, but when the concert finally started I wasn't disappointed and felt bad for being so pessimistic. So here's to Death Cab and making crazy memories with my sweetie!

Todd and Tara Forever

The happy family.

Uncle Steve, Aunt Suz and little Christian.

The cousins, Steve, Jenny, and me.

My mom and Jordan. Can ya tell they are related? Jordan looks like he could be your kid, mom, (or your brother ;)

I can't think of anything more romantic than being with your eternal partner in the temple sealing room. Sometimes the concept of forever can be a little intimidating, but it really is so wonderful! Today Todd and Tara and their 4 little angels were sealed for time and all eternity. The ceremony was beautiful.

I almost missed the whole thing. I swear I am the blonde of the family. I went to the wrong temple, who does that? I was all proud of myself 'cause I got there 1/2 hour early and was waiting and waiting. After no one showed up for a while I started figuring it out. I called my mom and sure enough, I was at the wrong temple. Sheesh...so I headed over to the right place and luckily made it just in time. Tara and the girls looked beautiful, and it was great to see all the fam.

This time it's for real

Ok, so I'm sure you all have been checking your computers daily, sitting on the edge of your seats, waiting with anticipation to find out where the Walkers are moving. Well today is your lucky day, we have FINALLY made our decision and this time there is no turning back. We have turned down all the other schools and officially accepted UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas! We leave the last weekend in July. We are so excited and ready for the new adventures of medical school!

Mother's Day

Dan's mom and us.

Our cute little nephew Matthew and his daddy Mark.

Dan HATES getting his picture taken. Can ya tell?

So does Autumn...

Linds, Dan's sister

The whole crew, Mother's Day celebration dinner at La Vigna's.

My Mom and me.

My mom, Grandma, Ashley, and Capri. 4 generations, cool, huh?

Photographs done by Tammy Thornton Photography

This Mother's Day I have given a lot of thought to all the mother's in my life. I am so grateful for my own mom and her friendship. I am grateful for my mother-in-law for taking me into her family and treating me like her own daughter. I am grateful for my sister and sister-in-law, for being new mother's, they have done such a great job raising their little families. And all you mother's out there, I don't know how you do it! You are multi-talented, some with your own businesses, some have to work, but you do this all while being great mom's. You are my inspiration and one day, when I grow up, I want to be just like you.

Tagged

Tagged by my cute Aunt Debbie. Normally I don't do tags to avoid people falling asleep at their computers, 'cause I'm just not that interesting. But I have been tagged a lot, so I better do one....

4 things you may not know about me:
1. My feet are always ice cold, so cold in fact that they turn purple. I know, cute huh? I sleep with socks on every night (even in the summer). In the winter I always sleep with at least 2, sometimes 3 pairs of socks.
2. I have extreme anxiety about having kids.
3. I love gum but can't stand chewing it, so I put it in my mouth and chew it for only about five minutes.
4. My best skin care secret is Vaseline (just around the eye area) and toothpaste on zits. I have tried all kinds of expensive eye lotions and creams, but in the end, I always end up using Vaseline around my eyes. It helps with dryness and wrinkles better than anything else I have found. And toothpaste works the best in drying out those awful red pimples. Poor Dan, picture what a royal mess I am hopping into bed with greasy eyes and tooth paste all over my face!

4 places I go over and over:
1. Busy Biddy, The Gatehouse, and a couple other home decorating stores. What can I say, I love to decorate my house.
2. House of Bread- yummiest turkey avocado sandwiches.
3. Checking others' blogs, and my own, it's so much fun to see what everyone is up to.
4. Target, I love that place.

4 of my favorite foods:
1. CHOCOLATE and more chocolate please.
2. Sushi
3. Lasagna
4. Cafe Rio pork burritos.

4 places I'd rather be right now:
1. The beach.
2. New York city shopping with my mom and sister, (or Vegas baby, in 2 months!!!!)
3. Mesa, Arizona with Ashley.
4. I'm with Debbie on this one too, I really love just being at home hangin' out with Dan.

4 movies I watch over and over again:
This is a hard one, I don't think I have watched the same movie twice in about ten years. But a couple movies I love are Enchanted, Shaw Shank Redemption (edited), Garden State (edited) and V for Vendetta (edited).

4. Tag five other people- Anyone who wants to do this.

Then and Now

Since we have no cute babies to blog about, you have to hear about us. I know, exciting right? May is probably one of the best months of the year. I have always loved the month of May, and this May is a little bit more memorable. It is exactly one year from when Dan started his weight loss plan and he has since lost 60 lbs! He has followed a strict diet and has never once cheated. The "Dan diet", as many family and friends have dubbed it, is NOT so easy to keep. To many of you who knew Dan in high school, this might be a bit unbelievable, if not comical, to think that he is on a diet. But it is true and it is working. Many times I have tried to do the "Dan diet" with my husband and I have not once made it through one day. My lack of self control when it comes to cookies and ice cream probably has something to do with my unsuccessful attempts, but it is hard to give up my love of good food, (good food = fattening food). In fact, the"Dan diet" has worked so well that on many occasions when he has tried to withdraw money from the bank they give him a hard time because he looks so different from his picture on his driver's license. Hahaha. Dan follows this strict diet 6 days a week and then on Saturday he can eat whatever he wants, (you should see the list of treats, Taco Bell, See's Chocolates, and Little Debbies he consumes on one Saturday, but that I will save for another post.)

Oh how we both look forward to Saturday's. We are such nerds, each week we plan our Saturday date all around good food. After we tried out the Melting Pot for our Anniversary, I am truly addicted and want to go every weekend for dessert. We went tonight and got the s'more chocolate fondue. A-MAZ-ING. I recommend it to all you chocolated lovers out there.

Not only does Dan follow this super-hero diet but he also runs 4 to 5 miles a day 6 days a week! I am so proud of my sweety for all his hard work and dedication, he accomplishes everything he sets his mind too. No matter what, he will always look good to me. Here are some pictures to show off his progress. And no, just in case you were gettin' worried about a big uproar over at the Walker residence, he is not mad at me for posting this old picture of him.

Then . . . . . . . and . . . . . . Now

Were one to venture into the Walker kitchen, all they would find is whole wheat bread, wheaties, brown rice, vegetables, skim milk, fruit, and an assortment of beans. Since Dan has been on his diet, this commercial sums up my daily struggle with the food situation in our home. Check it out, it's funny: