Thank you for asking.

Question: Candace, are you excited for tax season to be over soon?

Answer: YES!! I can't wait for more of this:

Q: What will you name your child??
A: We have always loved the names William and Lucy...and when we moved into The Village and met these two folks (Bill and Lucy), we knew we were meant to be friends.  When most people ask the gender of a child they usually say, "are you having a boy or a girl?" Well, when they asked us our baby's gender it was: "Is it a Bill or a Lucy?" We don't know what we're naming our child. But there's at least two or three votes out there for Lucy. And everyone knows voting is the absolute best way to name a child.

Q:Have you been making anything delicious in the kitchen lately?
A: Why yes, yes I have! Conference Sunday brought this lovely pizza along with it. And I made myself another one tonight because of the miracle of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day.

Q: Is this your sister?
A: No. This is my cousin cheesin' it up for the camera because she just got engaged. She also has the red hair I've always wanted. Thanks for reminding me.

roses are red. and yellow.

This year, C1 really pulled through for the V-day thing. I can't wait to hang this print in my new creativity room! We had some delicious Crown Burger, too--something I think we should make a tradition!

I loved making these valentines last year and decided to do some more. I've told you all to paint before. But really, I mean it. It's so much fun.

Here are some of my favorites from this year's bunch:

For someone who LOVES giving high-fives.

For someone who had a decision to make (he chose Utah!! yay!!)

For someone who drinks diet Dr. Pepper--like a lot.

For someone who found out we're having a baby girl in August!

One Year Older

Most people celebrate three holidays in the winter time...we celebrate four (Thanksgiving, Christian's Birthday, Christmas, New Years). It's just one more time when I'm reminded that we are indeed getting older. But also a time to celebrate my No.1.

I am so proud of C1. He has done a lot in his 25th year. Here are few biggies...listed in no particular order, of course:

1. He let us buy a house where we get to have people over and they get to sit on real couches. And have real conversation. And drink real gourmet ginger ale.

2. He's been taking CPA exams like crazy. And passing them too! With pretty good scores, I might add. It's always a good day when you find out you married a genius. Isn't he a handsome CPA-to-be? I wouldn't mind him working in my office.

3. He's been fixing up the new house like a regular handyman. I knew all along I married one of those.

4. He graduated--which is a HUGE deal. Sometimes I forget about how important it is and definitely take it for granted. He also went to the Notre Dame game where he saw his Utes lose and he's seen many other sad losses as well...So I thought he might like a U of U red and white cake. I special-ordered some red food coloring. Unfortunately it didn't show up until the day AFTER I made this cake from last year. That's ok, I'm sure there will be other cakes to try it out on.

5. The biggest accomplishment of all is, that he put up with me for a whole 'nother year. Really, I'm nice to almost everyone but him. I hope he gets his wish, he deserves it!

We Can't Wait...

to sign the papers

and have a place of our very very very own,

where we can do things like fly the U flag on game days.

We can't wait to hang stockings at Christmas time,

we can't wait to eat our first meal here,

we can't wait for kids to fill up these rooms,

to finally feel like we're "settling down,"

to make cookies for the neighbors,

and we can't wait to pay off the mortgage (in 100 years).

I love Fall

JT knows just how to say it

etsy artist

Well, the sun's not so hot in the sky today
And you know I can see summertime slipping on away
A few more geese are gone, a few more leaves turning red
But the grass is as soft as a feather in a featherbed
So I'll be king and you'll be queen
Our kingdom's gonna be this little patch of green

Oh, september grass is the sweetest kind
It goes down easy like apple wine
Hope you don't mind if I pour you some
Made that much sweeter by the winter to come

catching up...

so i know it's been...oh...2 months since graduation, but I just recently downloaded the pictures...and remembered how totally awesome it was/is to NOT be the "most educated" one out of the two of us. I am so proud of my Master of Accountancy. Of course the BBQ after was way more fun than the actual ceremony...so we'll start with those pictures first!

my parents' lovely back patio

caprese skewers

Hires blue cheese dressing and Crown Burger fry sauce for the bacon burgers.

Also on the menu: chips, salsa & guacamole, A & W root beer and

ice cream with chocolate fudge sauce...CWL's favorites.

and a hand-painted sign--wow, how classy is that?

U U U U U U U

on the to the commencement ceremony

Honestly,

I cried the night before C1 started his new/first "real" job. This is how it went:

C1: why are you so sad?

me: I'm not sad.

C1: then why are you crying?

me: I'm not crying.

C1: why are you crying?

me: I just don't want to grow up.

C1: well then how about I just grow up and you don't?

me: OK!

But tonight, since the grandparents are out of town, C1 snuck upstairs and played the piano. I mean he really played it. And the music sounded so nice. And sooo much better than the sound doing homework makes (ummm...no sound at all?). I honestly can't remember the last time he did that.

And then I decided. OK. It's kinda fun to grow up. As long as it means there's more time for piano.

congrat U lations

Homecoming 2002

a football game
a friendly face
a familiar ache
a heart to take

a grassy ground
a happy sound
a white cap found
a dream unwound

a bit of sass
a flirty trap
a smile to last
a future and past

a little white truck
a hope untucked
with fate and luck
in love I'm stuck

A Quarter Century

that does sound old. happy birthday CWL!!

Here are some of my favorite moments of this past year...

Make a Smilebox slideshow