Catching Up: Sting Rays, Moving, and Texas

July, August, September 2016

On the 4th of July we decided to celebrate by going to the aquarium.  Not especially American, I know, but the aquarium was fairly empty and we had a great time.  We saw the cutest baby penguins, fighting otters, and my favorite - sting rays.  I love when they swim up to the top of the tank and then float down to the bottom, with their crazy little mouths opening and closing.  (Ask to see my sting ray impression sometime.)  Jenner may have admitted that he enjoyed the aquarium more than the zoo this year.  If you don't know, that is a big deal.

Jenner stopped going to work at Sutter Health (although he kept working part-time from home for awhile).  In July we mostly prepared for the Big Move.  It was stressful trying to nail down the logistics, and it was hard to pack while pregnant, but we made everything work.

And then the big day came.  Our move began by us taking a big wrong turn an hour into the trip.  We got back on track and the trip went smoothly from there on out.  Did you know there is NOTHING in New Mexico?  Well, I know that now.  But to be fair, there is Albuquerque.  We stayed at the famed Holiday Inn from Weird Al's song "Albuquerque."  (It's pretty sad that this was the highlight.)

I actually enjoyed the car ride to Texas!  It was nice to do absolutely nothing, since things were so crazy leading up to the move.  Jenner and I listened to Brandon Sanderson's "Mistborn" and that made the trip much more enjoyable.

And then we arrived in Texas.  It is HOT in Texas.  Especially when you're pregnant.  It was an uncomfortable few months.

Other than the heat (and the huge, gross roaches), Jenner and I really like Texas.  There are great people here!  And we have enjoyed some good Tex-Mex and Texas barbecue.

Jenner started his program at Texas A&M and had a very busy start between classes, applying for summer internships, and doing work for his graduate assistantship.

Fun at the aquarium

The world-famous Albuquerque Holiday Inn - "Where the towels are oh so fluffy!" If you haven't heard it then you should look it up and give it a listen!

 Eating an amazing Perry's pork chop in Houston

Going to the Houston temple

We made a strawberries and cream trifle...mmmmmmm

Jenner's first day of grad school

So fat and pregnant...

 Jenner going to a recruiting event

A random picture of Jenner...

Catching Up: The Zoo! (And other less important things)

May and June 2016

We had a big celebratory moment at our house: Jenner got Angela to eat ramen. Yep. Angela had never eaten it before! Her dad while in school lived on ramen and was still sick of it so they never had it in the house. Angela did try to make it more healthy by adding some peas, and jumped in. The verdict? She liked it!

It was my birthday in June and we continued the long standing tradition of going to the zoo for my birthday. We of course also rode the train. It’s a must.  We also went for breakfast to Ruth’s Diner. It was amazing and the biscuits are as legendary as they claim. We arrived at the zoo right when it opened and we found out that is the way to do it! The animals were more active and there was hardly any people.

We sold V. (Our Nissan Versa) It was a trusty car that was Angela’s first car that she picked out and bought for herself.  We replaced V with a Camry. 

Angela's dad also received the 2105 Maeser Distinguished Faculty Lecture Award at BYU. Angela was able to get some work off attend the event and his forum. 

Catching Up: Baby Boy Bate and Angela's Birthday

March and April 2016

We found out we were having a baby! Our little family of 2 would soon be 3! Angela had some bad morning sickness during this time and was quite the trooper!  If that wasn’t enough we also found that I had been accepted into Texas A&M’s Master of HR program. Angela’s birthday was in April and we decided to have a fun day out. We went to a fun French bakery for breakfast, toured the new church history museum, and had a fun dinner out. 

Catching Up: The Foreinger, the Provo Temple, and Curtains

January and February 2016

This was a busy time for me as I decided to return to the stage! Angela had never seen me in a production so I had to fix that!  I was in Midvale Arts production of the Foreigner. I played the foreigner Charlie and had a fantastic time. I worked some great people and was able to play a role I have always wanted to play.  Fun Fact! This was my third outing in The Foreigner! I have previously played Ellard and David in different productions.

Angela and I went the Provo Temple open house. It is a beautiful temple and we loved the different tributes in the architecture, furniture, and other things to the pioneer past of the old tabernacle. Angela particularly enjoyed it as she had often attended the Provo tabernacle for various functions and it brought back found memories. (The Provo Tabernacle burned down, and they saved the exterior of the tabernacle  and turned it into a temple.)

So I can never turn away from a call to the stage. I was asked to come be a part of the production of Curtains at Centerpoint Theatre, and I played Johnny. It was a fun experience because I was previously not acquainted with this musical. I also worked with the great Jim Christensen and some of my many friends at Centerpoint

Cast Photo of the Foreigner 

Just reviewing some lines backstage

Me singing away in Curtains

Spoiler Alert: I died!