Long overdue shout out

MB+ME

They'll be carrying on the Small tradition of frigid December weddings on December 17th, 2011

We couldn't be more excited to welcome Mr. Matthew Edwards into the family! 

(But you'll need to genuinely start loving the Patriots and Red Sox, Matty boy)

CONGRATS!

 We love you both!

Sox and Hawks

Serendipitous that the Red Sox were playing the Mariners the weekend of my summer break...

Naturally, we had to be there.

On the extremely long and traffic laden way up to Seattle, we made a stop at the Seahawks practice facility to drop off a custom 3/4 pant to Marshawn Lynch.

No. Big. Deal.

No pictures allowed... except in the parking lot.

The team was practicing, so we didn't really meet anyone cool, but we did get to wander through the locker room. Which is sweet. 

Did I mention the facility is on the banks of the river? It's like practicing in heaven.

But on to better teams...

Believe it or not, this is one of the few games the Sox won all season.

The best part? There was a 2:1 ratio of Sox fans to Mariners fans in Safeco Field

And we absolutely all stood up and sang "Sweet Caroline" before the bottom of the 8th.

My, don't I feel legit!

In celebration of the completion of our first semester in PA school, they gave us coats!

I think it's because our classrooms are always so cold... 

::Kidding of course but really, they keep us refrigerated in there::

My group and advisor. They're super smarties.

In non-kidding terms, we had our White Coat Ceremony.

We had our practionerhood bestowed upon us symbolically as we take on the role and mindset.

No pressure or anything...

Kelly and Heidi, best study buds of all time.

The ever supportive husband!

One semester down, six to go. 

Still alive, 

Still loving it, 

Still torturing anyone who will listen with my new medical know-how!

A Healthy Dose of Humiliation

Nike's Bowerman Athletic Club put on a 5K, we signed up for it.

How traumatic can a 5K be? It's 3.1 miles...

Little did we know that this was some kind of qualifying race for elite and ubercompetitive runners. 

Even children's competitive running clubs (which I didn't know existed) were there as well as several college cross country teams. 

 I'm fairly confident we were the only non-professionals there.

When they introduced the US Olympic Team athletes that would be running with us, 

I almost turned around and just ran home instead.

These people "warmed up" for the race by running the entire course... twice. 

Nice farmer's tan!

In the end, we both ran well and I even PRed!

But we were both beaten by the elderly (over 70) and some young ones (under 10).

 Geez.

My apologies...

... for my lack of updating.

Really, we are interesting people who do cool things,

there is just one itty-bitty thing getting in the way of me and my blog.

Now, imagine that child is a chihuahua and it's drinking from a fire hose at it's highest setting...

... and then that would be an accurate description of PA school.

It's a weirdly masochistic feeling; I'm drowning in drugs and disease, but I absolutely love it.

Coolest things I've learned so far? (because I know you're dying to hear this)

- Women can be genetic mosaics.

- Acetaminophen is actually pretty toxic

- You cannot get the Flu from the Flu shot

There are millions of other things that I think are amazing, buuuut I doubt you care.

I say this because Parker literally falls asleep when I talk to him about cool things I learn.

Movin' Up in the World

 Great news: Parker has gone into the NFL and got a killer signing bonus and I got a record deal... 

so we've upgraded our living arrangements!

Okay, so 2/3 of the above statements are entirely false.

But would you believe me if I told you we are really living here?

It was an incredible blessing when we found out that a wonderful couple from a neighboring ward was heading out to serve a mission and needed housesitters for a year and a half.

We are so grateful for the Bleaks and we're taking good care of this gorgeous home in their absence!

NOW who wants to come visit?

:)

Kitty First Aid

So this one time... I rescued a kitten left in a shoe box in the parking lot of a mini golf course.

Poor little guy had green goo coming out of one eye and I'm fairly confident the other eye was blind. 

Don't get me started on who would ever leave a poor helpless kitten in a PARKING LOT...

We named him Jack, gave him a bath, fed him soy milk from a dropper, and put him to bed.

When we brought him to the shelter the next morning they said 

"If you pay $10 we'll euthanize him for you!" 

No lie, I burst into tears and made very sure they knew I didn't save him so they could kill him...  

"How can you call yourselves a humane society?!?!"

Once I was somewhat composed and I clarified for the the confused woman why I was bawling over a stray and very sick kitten, (I just have a special place in my heart for baby anythings and in my field of medicine we fix rather than kill the sick ones) she gave me the name of an animal hospital that attempts to save the sick little guys like Jack.

 We technically don't know what became of him...

But based on my fragile kitty-related emotions, Parker assures me that he's since recovered, been adopted, and thriving in his new home!

JE in OR

This lovely lady came to visit us in May!

There's nothing better than being reunited with your other half,

staying up all night talking, watching Friends, laughing about nothing, and eating chocolate.

 It was GREAT to see her and we enjoyed the highlights of the way-cooler-than-Provo P-town...

Nike, duh.

It's not a trip to Oregon without a campus tour and mucho money spent at the Employee Store!

Tillamook Cheese Factory

Road Rage

Squeaky Cheese!

Clearly, we had a blast AND it was sunny ::almost:: the whole time!

I'm not sure that Ness is convinced to move here, but I'm definitely hoping she'll come back to visit!

BOOM Squad

Nothing like Nike's Spring Flag Football Intramurals to make for exciting Tuesday nights.

This is about 1/4 of our team right after we became 3rd Place Champs!

We'll be back and vying for the #1 spot this fall... watch out.

A Mother's Day Bouquet, Parker Style

That is what I call true love, right there.

And just think... I'm not even a mother yet!

Nothing like the lovely pastels of the latest sample sale to make a girl feel appreciated.

Thank you husband!

I should be a guest star on Grey's Anatomy

MY WHITE COAT!

I feel all-powerful in this little number.

That is why it's safely stowed away in my closet until I actually know enough to wear it...

 

Though it hasn't been officially bestowed upon me yet...

But on August 11, 2011 it will be.

(Pending I survive my first semester)

 

Speaking of which...

25 days!

 

**Special thanks to the wonderful office of Dr. William F. McBride for this amazing parting gift!**

 

Birthdays, Bangs, & Bunnies

April rocks.

Partially because it contains my birthday, partially because the sun usually makes an appearance.

But this April was even more above average than normal...

My birthday was fabulous. 

I got to perform a minor surgery (YAY), got a whole bunch of Nike gifts, ate a delicious dinner downtown (including bottomless diet coke), had my door decorated by the awesome Monsons,

AND got an iPhone!

My birthday celebration at work! Love them!

SauceBox. Delcious.

Key Lime Birthday Bliss.

Oh yeah, I have bangs. See?

Several days later we landed in Salt Lake for a dual-family Easter extravaganza!

Small-Mangum Reunion!

::Thank you Sarah for bringing some height to the Small side of the photo::

The Easter bunny brought us a LOT of goodies. 

(Some of which are still being hidden from Parker. He can't be trusted with chocolate.)

Since the iPhone acquisition, I've become a "Words With Friends" addict. 

126 points. Life Achievement right there.

How did I EVER live without a smartphone before?!

Blue Blood of a Cougar

CONGRATS!

This rock star is officially going to be the next BYU QB to make history.

Tanner, we are SO EXCITED for you!

One extremely talented, brilliant, good-looking Cougar, coming in 2014!

::For those of you who may need some college football education...

Google Tanner Mangum and you'll not only see his highlights, 

but about 50 bazillion articles, blogs, TV segments and tweets about how incredible he is::

What really happened in Vegas

Aside from the delicious food, we actually had a much better purpose for going to Sin City.

Two reasons actually...

Jimmer

and 

Girls/Boys weekend!

Even though they make me look oh so pale, I love the Tuscanos!

SO good to be reunited after far too many months.

 

 We spent day light hours absorbing much needed Vitamin D...

 

...and early evening hours enjoying the Jimmer show. All 52 points of it.

 

We also did the quintessential Las Vegas Blvd thing after the games.

I've never been more proud to walk down the strip with "I LOVE BYU" on my shirt.

I even think the drunk casino-goers actually meant it when they said "Go Cougars!"

 

::Parker spent the weekend with his previous roommates, but in true boy style...

there are no photos to prove that. 

He proceeded to crash the end of girls weekend::

It was excellent to become reacquainted with that thing in the sky you non-Oregonians call sun,

even better to watch Jimmer make history,

and best of all, having much needed Anjuli time!

Here begins my career as a food critic.

My qualifications? I'm Italian and (ironically) enjoy most tomato-less cuisine.

To begin, I'd like to recap my recent foodie escapades in Las Vegas...

Stephano's Mediterranean Bistro

A very solid start to a weekend of heart disease inducing incredible meals.

That is a to-die-for Gyro

Max Brenner's in Ceasar's Palace

Found this little gem on a Food Network Special.

::This may or may not have been the real reason for our entire trip to Las Vegas in the first place::

 

Beakers of chocolate. And a PIZZA of chocolate.

Each menu item featured inspirational quotes that coerce people like us to buy their decadent desserts and not feel the slightest bit guilty about it. 

I still dream about that Belgian goodness.

Sammy's L.A. Pastrami

How, you ask, can a shack next to a deserted car dealership make this A-list?

The Food Network doesn't lie and neither does Urban Spoon.

If you want a sandwich that will end change your life, go to Sammy's.

We became friends with Bryan, the founder. Drop our names and you'll get the royal treatment.

Serendipity 3 on Las Vegas Blvd

I'm sure you've seen the scenes from the NYC version of this cafe in about 18 movies.

"Can't Say No" Sundae filled in the holes in our hearts left after BYU's loss in the MWC Championship.

Cugino's Italian Deli

 When you walk into a deli and the language of choice is Italian, you know you picked a good one.

Imported cheeses and meat hanging from the ceiling included. This place was legit.

That's an authentic Mozzarella Ball and Speck Panino. Italy? Is that you?

   AND... that was all in three days. Now it's back to the veggies and balanced meals.

I'd be remiss if I did not thank the developers of the Urban Spoon App for allowing me to happily gain five pounds, and

Anjuli, Mary, and Jeff Tuscano for your fine culinary taste, photography skill, and prior knowledge of Urban Spoon.

You're Lookin' At A Winner

Is it more sad that I'm about to brag about my all-time highest bowling score or
that it was achieved against a group of mostly 12-14 year old girls?..

Regardless... this was a big deal and I'm not ashamed.

I know you can't see the score, but mine reads 113. 

I know, I know, I should join a bowling league. 

I obviously have a lot of hidden talent in this sport...

Two of us in the above picture are actually "adult leaders," though nine times out of ten we are mistaken for teenagers. If you can accurately identify Kimi and myself, I'll be impressed. 

::It's a compliment that people think we look 16, right Kimi?...::

Here are a few more of the girls we get to hang out with twice a week. 

We love them in all of their teenage glory! :)

 Aren't they adorable?!

(Please excuse the poor quality of these photos... they were taken on my old and non-smart phone. Boo)

007

Now, I don't want to call into question my husband's honesty here, 

but I've recently come to suspect that he's a secret agent... or something.

Oh, I have reasons.

His day-to-day work responsibilities are becoming a bit too fantastic...

In the last seven days alone he has "spent considerable time in meetings" 

with each and every one of the following individuals:

Roger Federer

John McEnroe

Rafael Nadal

Phil Knight, Founder of Nike

David Oliver, Olympic Medalist

 

Lance Armstrong

SERIOUSLY?!

That's what I'm saying.

The story is just getting too out-there, right?

If I get one more text about which world-renowned athlete he's helping blah blah blah...

Here is the tough part, though. 

He has a cubicle and it's full of baselayer samples and paperwork (no guns or fake passports),

I still get discounts at the stores,

and I've even met his highly-unlikely-to-be-undercover-agents co-workers.

I'm not convinced.

It's got to be some elaborate cover-up.

Convenient that they're not "allowed" to take pictures with the celebrities 

and how I'm always "at work" when he's fraternizing with stardom.

UNFAIR. 

Flu symptoms and sebaceous cysts just don't quite compare.

I wouldn't be surprised if the next Matt Damon movie follows this storyline.