Expelliarmus!

Okay, that was nerdy of me, I know. But, it goes perfectly with the topic of this post--our night at the premiere of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! We went to a midnight showing with our friends, the other Garlocks, and I personally loved every minute of it. Apart from a few key scenes left out, the movie was fantastic. It was funny, frightening, and fabulous! ha. So here is some footage from our night out. Warning: there were some extreme fans out that night! It was pretty classic.

Mitch & Gloria enthusiastically casting spells while waiting.

Elyse casting spells enthusiastically, and Andrew not-so-enthusiastically, while waiting as well.

The Flip.

So, for our birthdays we got a handy little video camera called "The Flip". It's nice and small, so I can carry it around in my purse! Which means I've been taking random videos of stuff all over the place. Here is a sampling--a video of us at this cool little waffles & fries cafe in Salt Lake with Mitch & Gloria.

And here's the Flip:

Happy Birthday, Dad!

I love my dad SO much--for his Taco Bell and Diet Coke addictions, his love of James Bond & 24, his sense of humor, and for his ever-increasing sentimental side. And Sunday was his birthday!

So, Happy Birthday to the best dad, husband, grandpa, father-in-law, bishop, and guy in the world.

Gotta love the US of A.

Riding the Trolley at The Grove...with all the cute nieces and nephew + Bryan

We spent the fourth of July weekend in California--yay!--and had just a lovely time. The weather was beautiful, the beach was sunny, and the family was cute as ever. Not to mention some tasty food and good shopping thrown in there :) It was great to take a break from work and just be lazy and have fun! We need to do it more often.

Katie and her little stud, Beck, enjoying the beach. I LOVE this kid!

Haven and Berkley were in a 4th of July parade in their neighborhood and drove their Jeep! Haven was busy waving and almost took some people out--but it was worth it to look so cute.

Andrew and I spent a night at the Sawdust Festival in Laguna, looking at local art and people watching.

We went to Ketchup for dinner to celebrate Summer and I's birthdays--she's looking great as ever, and almost nine months pregnant! I don't know how she does it.

Andrew and I went to San Diego to see the Bodyworlds exhibit at a museum in Balboa Park. It was so pretty! I love San Diego. And in a strange turn of events we ended up at the Mexican border on our way there! Darn Mapquest...

The pretty fireworks at Three Arch Bay.

Nope, that's not our little family. We're pretty cute, though! This was watching fireworks with Haven and Reese (aka Katie's little twin.)

So, there's the skinny on our trip. So much fun, and we can't wait to go back--we came home to 100 degree heat!

Zoo Fun.

After much urging on my part, we went to the Hogle Zoo up in SLC. I don't know why I've always wanted to go--frankly, I'm pretty terrified of most animals! But, it was extra fun because my sister Kristin and her kids came, as well as my mom and brother, Brennan. It was HOT, but really fun to see the kiddos get hyped up about the critters. Ashlyn was the most enthusiastic, and as you can see above, gave each animal a kind "wave" of hello.

Braxton looked curiously, yet cautiously, at most of the animals. He loved the fighting bears and the giraffes in particular.

These bears started fighting and drew quite a crowd--including us, of course.

Andrew and I meddled through the gift shop and found "Asian hats", and therefore, had to pose like this.

Penguins crack me up. They just waddle everywhere and it's hilarious! Even stranger--penguins in the desert of Utah. Who knew?

Countdown.

Andrew has come to learn throughout our courtship and marriage that my heart also belongs to something else--Harry Potter! I don't care how nerdy I am. I embrace it! The books changed my life, and the movies are pretty bloody great as well (they speak in British accents in the books and movies...I like to imitate).

I have gotten Andrew to watch all 5 movies with me (getting him to read the books would be a feat) because he's such a wonderful husband, and now we're all ready for the sixth movie, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, which comes out in a mere five days. The countdown has begun. And I promised Andrew and our friends Mitch& Gloria that I will only slightly dress up for opening night :)

California Dreaming

We are going to California in TWO days! We are so excited and ready for a much needed break from work and rather monotonous life--and our hot house! We're going to work on our tans, relax, celebrate the fourth, and have fun with family. So, please let Thursday afternoon come quick!

Love him.

Andrew and I have really been into Late Night with Jimmy Fallon recently. He is absolutely hilarious! From a spoof on The Hills called "7th Floor West" to Slow Jamming the News with his great band (the Roots), Jimmy always delivers a laugh. Too bad it's on so late! Let's just say we've had to adjust out schedules a bit to accommodate.

I Love Fathers.

Will one day be the best dad ever :)

My wonderful dad--love him so so much!

The Dana (father-in-law of the year)

Happy Fathers' Day to all the amazing dads in my life!

Happy 23rd.

I just wanted to wish Elyse a Happy Birthday! Hope you have the best day! Sorry it's not sunny out today.

I don't remember when I took this picture, but I definitely caught her off guard when I did--hope she doesn't mind I put it up.

Aw, Nuts.

I have always hated raw nuts--unless they have chocolate around them, I won't eat them. However, within the last couple of months I have come to adore raw almonds. I had some at work (while no one was watching) and decided I actually love them!

Not to mention they're very healthy--lot's of fiber and omega-3 (good) fats! I keep 'em in my purse and they hold me over through the day.

Where the heck is Wisconsin?

So, I spent the last weekend in Madison, Wisconsin attending the American Holistic Nurses Association conference (I'm in a holistic nursing class this spring--hence, the trip).

Before, during, and after the trip I had one question plaguing my mind: where is Wisconsin? Anyone who knows me well knows I'm absolutely clueless when it comes to geography. However, after asking at least four people at the conference, I realized nobody really knows where Wisconsin is! I got answers like, "um, I think it's like by the big lakes...", and "the midwest". I finally looked at a map when I got back, and for your info the great state of Wisconsin is by Minnesota and Michigan.

Anyway, the conference was interesting, to say the least. Holistic nurses often practice "complimentary" healing techniques that involve auras and chakras. So, you can guess the kind of people that were there! However, holistic nurses also emphasize stress relief, self-care, and relaxation, and for that I was grateful!

Most of all though I was SO SO happy to come home to this cute guy :)

With my classmates outside the capitol.

Wisconsin is famous for its cheese, cream, dairy products, etc. I found this sign in an ice cream shop and thought it was pretty hilarious.

My pal Whitney and I by a lake we walked to...pretty picture!

Flowers at the Farmer's Market downtown.

Getting down at the drum circle night! ha

A Hundred Dollars?

I could buy a three legged dog from Victorville. Sorry, inside joke for my sister Katie and any others who were on that Mead trip in '01.

No we haven't joined the club yet, but we were further coaxed since the 3G is now only $99--hello! Anyways, once they're available on Verizon, consider the switch made.

P.P.P.S. Elyse really didn't react that crazy when I shaved my head. I might've embellished the story a little bit just to tease her.

Buzz, etc.

I just want to add that I really am not as shallow as that post made me sound! I still love my husband and think he is adorable :) So, please, don't judge too harsh.

Buzz.

Andrew here. So last week I shaved my head after months of Elyse begging me not to. The initial shock lead to a period of silence on her part, but now she loves it. Elyse however, made me promise to never do it again because she loves my curls too much.

Was I the only one to see the potential for a striking resemblance to Christian Bale or David Beckham? Except that I'm still working on the growth of facial hair.

Addendum by Elyse: I never said I "love" it. But, he's still cute of course.

Addendum by Andrew: She loves it.