The Walkers

Brad's friend Jason owns a boating company (charters/rentals/etc.), and treated us to a quick outing on Utah Lake yesterday morning. I think my highlight was when Brady said, "Go ahead and open your eyes under water, Jason. That's a good way to get an infection. Or a superpower." (Anyone who has wiped slime from his/her body after swimming in Utah Lake gets me here, right?) Then there was a pretty animated discussion involving what Utah Lake Man's powers would be, including shooting sludge from his fingertips. Ya, we're dorks. Anyway - I forgot to bring my real camera, so this is the most decent shot I could get with my phone camera. Brad is seriously hilarious on the air chair. I don't think I've ever seen anyone more giddy out on the water. I was too intimidated to attempt it, but I do have a pretty wicked sunburn that proves that I was there.

I've been spending the last few days introducing Kaiya to my favorite old musicals. Friday was Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and today was The Sound of Music. I had forgotten how good this movie is! Yes, the kids hop up and down steps while singing their respective dos res and mis, and Liesl does exclaim "WEEE" after kissing Ralph. (And while I point out these scenes' cheesiness I admit that they are some of my favorite parts.) But alongside all that cheese is a really heartbreaking story about a family in the midst of Nazi takover. I guess as a kid I didn't really pick up on the serious undertones... I was too focused on trying to sound grown up while singing Liesl's part in the "Edelweiss" duet. Anyway - I can't stop thinking about the captain's face when he sings about his homeland in "Edelweiss". This is such a pivotal scene. Not only does it show his soft side toward his children, but it creates such sympathy for his ...

Brad's turning 30 on Tuesday. To commemorate, I'm making you look at some of my favorite pictures of my amazing husband. I love this guy. What a good lookin' guy!

I'm kind of cold-hearted when it comes to domesticated animals. The nature/nurture debate double whammied me at a young age. Nature: I'm allergic to anything with fur. (Bunnies, doggies, Brad Walker.) Scott likes to tell the story about how I hid under my Aunt Lara's bed in a game of hide and seek and my eyes were nearly swollen shut when I emerged. Apparently that's where the kitties slept. Nurture: Both of my parents grew up with animals, decided against inflicting the accompanying duties on themselves as adults, and coerced us into "liking" fish as pets. I vividly remember watching my mom kick a stray cat. That's right. DeAnn Lee kicked a stray cat circa 1992. Call PETA. I (usually) don't have anything against other people's animals. I admit to liking Sasha, Frank, and Bronx. I just don't want my own animal. I'll use my allergies as an excuse when Kaiya is begging for a puppy in a few years, but really, I just don't see the point in ...