I'm sure Geneva has better photos than mine, but I wanted everyone to see sweet Caroline on her Baptism day, surrounded by her great family. It was so fun to be in California to share it with her, and see the participation of her family....complete with Claire's singing and Ollie trying to join the men in the confirmation circle.

I didn't disappear

Hello
I will surface again...even though I am still swimming through boxes. I love my new apartment. Mom was truly inspired. Work is going better at 24 Hour, but I am still seeking any potential opportunities at the same time. My life seems to still be funneling me toward more schooling. I would gladly welcome it...Anyone have any sugar daddy they could line me up with?
by the way, could everyone stop having medical emergencies! I love you all.
Caroline, I am proud of you for making the decision to get baptized- wish I could be there.

A Deerhead Miracle

Driving recently from Baltimore to NYC, I avoided the Del Mem Bridge in favor of lunch nirvana - Deerhead. At 6:03PM, I veered off 95 and onto 141 North. Interesting that the exit off 141 is under construction and it seems like it has been since I was 8. I quickly move past Ferris and memories of playing JV football with the Juvies, down the hill past Barley Mill, and into the Cannery. Into Deerhead - which has lost its charm in a recent remodel - and the guy says they are closed. I reach over the counter and grab his grease tattered Deerhead shirt and demand he put a double with everything on the grill or so help me. Apparently, the computers are down at Deerhead and he needs to close. Computers! Who needs computers?! 'It's the sauce' I tell him and he finally obliges, but forces me to eat outside and locks the door behind me while several other Wilmington veterans are turned away. It was a Deerhead Miracle.

Dan's Recommend

Hello Family!!

Happy Birthday to Matt and Sarah. We need pictures and updates on how the big days went.

As for us, the highlight of the week was the golf tournament Dan played in on Tuesday. It started out as a low key day of golf with some guys from the ward, and then evolved into trophies, personalized shirts, a pre-round to determine teams and trash talking emails. (Don't worry Dan didn't respond to the emails. I did, however, the day of the tournament slash their tires. What?)

Anyway, after 45 holes of golf in one day, (which started at 5:30 in the morning) Dan finally returned home at 9 at night. We met at our favorite local taco place called Holy Guacamole (which includes a rough rendition of God touching Adam from the Sistine Chapel - however, this time God is handing Adam a taco) to go over the marathon day. When Dan got dropped off he called out to his friend, "Better luck next time." I instantly kicked into consoling mode and walked up to Dan to give him a hug. He then said, "I just didn't play that well." Again, I started in to how good of an attorney he is. He then dumped his stuff into my trunk and what falls out...but, a trophy for first place.

Good news: Dan took a day off of work and came home a winner. Bad news: Dan beat the 1st counselor in the Stake presidency and needs to get his temple recommend. I don't think we'll be going to the temple anytime soon.

Have a good week.

We're back from our leisurely drive through the unsurpassed southern Utah scenery, and interesting little towns in between. Of course, we found unexpected restaurant delights.....you can be sure that your dad still has a nose for such things! We encountered interesting people who choose to live in these remote areas, and with that have what seems to be a much different life style that us "city slickers." A highlight for me was in Blanding when I felt like I was back at Davis High School, as we observed the "big" little town event of a football game.....complete with all the super pride/spirit the close knit community expressed. The poor opposing team was from Kanab, and I almost felt like we should cheer for them as they had driven four hours just to get to the game!
The enjoyable time away seemed to be good for your dad, and as you can see from the photo, he's feeling his oats again. We're grateful for the medical procedure which went so well for him, and count on good heart health ahead.
We're spending a few more days back in St. George. It's hot, but still relaxing here.
Wishing all those school kids a good start AND 2nd week of their new year. We love you all!

Some pictures from the first day of school...

The gals were properly celebrated after school with some yummy treats!

Hick Round-Up

Hello everyone! Happy belated birthday Ollie and congratulations to Mom and Dad for 43 years of marriage!!

It's been a busy couple of weeks for Dan and I so here's some highlights. First of all, the restaurant is still rockin'. I swear everyday we get busier and busier. The other day we had a line out the door and who walks in, but Elton Brand. (For those of you who don't know who Elton Brand is - he played at Duke my freshmen year, then got drafted to the Bulls, then to the Clippers and now he plays for the Sixers.) As he was standing in line I could tell that people were recognizing him. We made eye contact and I started to debate if I should introduce myself beccause it's been at least 12 years since we were freshmen together at Duke. Finally, he made his way to my register and I took his order. After I finished the transaction, I said, "You probably don't remember me, but we were freshmen together at Duke." Immediately he responded, "I knew you looked familiar," and then reached over to give me a hug. Yeah, a hug. It was priceless to watch the line behind him and my co-workers. He then gave me his card and told me that if I ever wanted tickets or whatever to give him a call.

Now, as cool as it was to be remembered by a NBA star and to receive all the "Man, you are cool Kate" nods from other people I have to admit all I could think was this: Brand went to Duke for one year. I graduated. He could buy the restaurant that I work at 100 times over. Sort of made me laugh.

Other star sightings this week include Patrick Fishchler from Mad Men, Lost and Copland (not that I watch all those shows...) and Brian Benben (Private Practice) who is married to Madeleine Stowe (Last Mohicans).

As for Dan, he's now officially the top hours guy in his department. Great for him, sort of hard for us actually seeing each other. I would go in depth about what he's been working on, but let's be honest, I don't really understand it, and I've been sworn to secrecy.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and please stay on this blog!!