Seeing Sean

Let's face it, this guy can pull off glasses.

He's been wearing only glasses for weeks in preparation for corrective eye surgery.  I have great eyes and can't imagine being dependent on contacts/glasses like Sean (and lots of people are).  A few months back I told him 'if it were me, I would have already had surgery'. So we started looking into it. 

Two days before surgery Sean had his eyes dilated again. We learned Sean was a better candidate for PRK - not LASIK. There are advantages/disadvantages to both. Unfortunately, PRK has a nasty recovery time. PRK's other big difference (which explains the pain) is scrapping off the top layer of your eye before the lazer-ing begins. Surgery only took about 15 minutes. 

Sean claimed he wasn't tired, but the Valium was really slowing him down.

As soon as we got home, he said he didn't want to nap. He wanted me to put in the movie "Hitch" (he claimed all the dialogue would help him listen.) 5 mins in and he was totally knocked out.

He's been wearing sunglasses 24/7. Because he's drugged and always closing his eyes, he tends to fall asleep a lot. Everywhere.

At one point he was awake and said he'd like sushi. I was happy to get out the house too. Unfortunately, he's not too much fun to take anywhere right now. 

Sunglasses everywhere. He sleeps with them on too.

In tradition of eating taco's at our reception a year ago, we went out for Mexican.

We only went to one hour of church today. We sat in the back row.

We head back to the doctors this Tuesday. Until then, he has contact lenses in his eyes to help with the healing. The contacts make things blurry. Poor guy still can't drive. (He's not feeling up to it anyways). Fingers crossed he'll be back to 'better-than-normal' soon.

Stacey + Tommy's Wedding in Malibu

Boy do my friends know how to throw a wedding. I have known Stacey Hunter since elementary school. We started cheering together in 7th grade and have been best friends since. I wish you could all know the Hunters. NO ONE parties like the Hunters. NO ONE. They've provided many, many fun nights and memories. I was lucky enough to be apart of Stacey's wedding. Stacey has had the smoothest engagement (ok, maybe she only makes wedding planning look easy...she never complained, screamed, or cried once). Her attention to detail was amazing.

Although Stacey has been living in LA since college, the Malibu wedding was a 'destination' wedding for family and friends. I'm NOT complaining! I love any reason to visit CA, certainly Malibu. We all stayed at a rad hotel (Lady Gaga was there!). For the big night, we were bused up a HUGE hill (I got car sick...) to the venue. The road was worth it, because look at this view...

Photo Credit: Ryan Weeger

Enough of me telling you about it, I'll let the pretty pictures do the talking.

Photo: Ryan Weeger

From L to R: Talli! (Stacey's Sister in Law and my 8th grade cheer coach!, Gina Cazale (my other bestie), me, Stacey Hunter, Carrie (Stacey's sister), Hannah & Cassie (Stac's college friends/roommates). Photo credit: Ryan Weeger 

PS: HUGE SHOUT OUT to my Aunt Barbara! This was an insanely difficult dress to edit. She rocked the sleeves.

With Gina & Stacey. Cheer leading brought us together...and 10 years after graduating (AHHH 10?!) I'm so happy to still call them best friends.

Pictures of every guest listed the table assignment to sit at. Super cute. Photo: Ryan Weeger

Stacey's Mom, Georgia, is one of the craftiest/most creative people I know. She did all the flowers! Photo: Ryan Weeger

Her new hubby, Tommy, is one of the greatest guys I've met. So fun to hang out with.

Oh, the Hunters did it again!

 I had been looking forward to this wedding for a year.  Now what?

Back to CA, Daddy Lamb turns 50!

A few days after I got back it Utah, Sean & I drove to CA... (again- we'll take any reason to go home).

Sean's so great at driving long distances while I sleep. I'm grateful :)

We got in on Friday and went straight to Sean's Dad's office to surprise him! Scott turned the big 5-0. The surprises were just getting started... Sean and I stalled before we headed home for a big 60's themed suprise bash.

Biggest.cake.ever. Sean's mom ordered the same cake we served at our wedding. yummy! (if you're in Costa Mesa, stop by Susie's Bakery for some celebration cake!) The details to the party were amazing - everyone dressed up, authentic 60's decor everywhere, and an amazing taco cart for dinner.

How cute is my family?

On Saturday Makenzie, Delaney & I ran up to LA for a celebrity home tour.  I have been on many, many celebrity home tours, but every tour I see something new.

I didn't recognize this at first... but remember the end of Pretty Woman? Julia's prince charming gets out of his limo and up the fire escape? Yep!!

An ice cream truck serving Choco Taco's made our day.

That night ended with Kenzie and I meeting up with Huntington friends at Roscoe's.

Oh boy, I miss these ladies A LOT.

Girls Weekend in Palm Springs

I'm still playing catch up with the blog...

The weekend after cinco de mayo I flew off to Palm Springs, CA for Stacey's Bachlorette party! Stacey was one of my best friends in high school. Gina, Stacey & I have managed to stay close the past (eeek!) 10 years since we graduated high school.  The three of us went different directions in college and haven't all lived in the same city since.  Luckily, I have met most of Stacey's college friends over the years and count them as some of my friends.  I was looking forward to seeing everyone, but honestly, I love any excuse for a trip to California :)

Recognize this lobby? Home to Saved By the Bell's Jessie's Dad's wedding.

ohhh, send me back.  My fair skin enjoyed the shade all day.

This very cheesy photo is a tradition. We randomly did this pose the last day of school our freshman year and repeated it every year. Why stop?

I forgot to mention our big night out was 80s themed. Most of my closet is 80s - so it was easy for me.  Stacey was an amazing Madonna!

It was an amazing weekend.  These girls are some of the most fun you could imagine. Can't wait to see them all at the wedding in July!  

Cinco de Mayo

So to catch up on blogging, I will need to rewind quite a bit. Typically Sean and I don't really have anything 'blog-worthy' in my opinion.  I guess only posting the good stuff is a bit of a misrepresentation of our quiet lives in Utah.  So far every weekend in May has been pretty blog worthy. 

Allow me to rewind to the first weekend in May...

Sean is challenged (by me) to creatively think of one place to take me out every week. I see things and dream up 'themed' activities for date nights quite a bit.  I'm trying to teach Sean (for my benefit) to think of cool places to take me.  Although I truthfully LOVE the dollar movie theater...it just doesn't meet the whole point of my challenge: to think. I recently started to complain about our weekly movie date.  Then Sean knocked my socks off and taught me to never complain about a movie date again. 

How? SALSA DANCING. ahhhhhhh. 

Earlier that week Sean asked me what I was hanging up in the house. "Flags!! Don't tell me you forgot cinch de mayo weekend!?!" I LIVE for themes and was ticked he didn't remember.

He quickly got his act together and threw together a themed night.

First, tacos at El Mexiquense. A local hole-in-the-wall that serves tacos exactly like the one's at our wedding. Yummy.

Then onto the dreaded part... Salsa Dancing. I really do love to dance...socially. To hip hop. Salsa is just a different breed of people. It definitely took me out of my comfort zone.

We had a 40 min lesson (we were the ONLY beginners) and then "Club Salsa" warmed up. It was 10:30pm in Salt Lake - when the experts come out.  This was their social hour and I felt like I didn't belong in the middle of their play ground. 

Sean and I are glad to say we've done it, but have no intention of doing it again. Just not our thing. I think the biggest accomplishment: I haven't begged Sean to take me out since!

Miss me, miss me, now ya gotta read my NYC blog!

Soooo....I haven't posted in MONTHS. Not sure I remember how to do this. You haven't missed much, unless you're dying to hear where the Easter bunny hid Sean's basket. 

Buckle up, today's post is long.

Last week I was lucky enough to visit one of my favorite places: NEW YORK CITY! And also  lucky enough to go with my mom and sister. This trip has been almost a year in the making. We wanted to go last April for my sister's 30th birthday. Her little baby Elle was too little to leave at home so we postponed a year. Sean had a week of finals so I thought I would support him best from far away!

My mom and I flew out of SLC at midnight. Maybe I'm getting older but I struggled to hit the ground running. We wasted no time though. Kari landed at about the same time. I've been to NYC a few times and feel pretty confident with the subway system. So we took the subway from JFK into Manhattan. It's not the easiest mode of travel with luggage, but I only had carry on. It would have been easier if we didn't have to run straight to 30 Rock to stand in line for Jimmy Fallon stand-by tickets. (Multiple lines and hours later we found out a few of the stand by ticket holders got in...but not us.) On to Harlem!

You should see the looks on people's faces when we told them we were staying in Harlem. I've stayed with friends in Harlem in the past and didn't mind it. I had heard about Aloft Hotels and wanted to try it. I recommend the hotel to anyone. They are a fun hotel appealing to a younger crowd. Kari and I meant to hit up the pool table and party lounge but we hardly spent any time there.

Where we did spend some quality time? On the subway! Hand me my unlimited ticket and I can get anywhere.

Day 1 started on the double decker tour bus. This was my 3rd bus tour around NYC. And the 3rd time I sported the yellow poncho :) I still enjoy the bus ride and learn new things. No shame in being a tourist!

First stop off the bus is ALWAYS Shake Shack in Madison Square Park-- my favorite location. Eating an amazing burger (I rarely eat burgers) in a historic park in front of the Flatiron Bldg just makes me happy. (Top picture was my last stop of the trip: Shake Shake on the upper west side.)

We wasted no time getting our shopping on. We Scotts love China Town. It is personally a treat for me because the smells and scenery remind me of my mission in Taiwan. No, my chinese doesn't help us negotiate prices at all. We still managed. I think we all averaged about 5 new purses. I love my new Louie hand bag and wallet, plus three Tory Burch purses. Gracious (top left) risked his life (or just jail) selling me the Louie V purse. Hit me up if you're looking for safe,  name brand purse hunting locations around Canal Street.

We walked a few blocks to Little Italy for Lombardi's. (Another NYC eatery I recommend.) We met up with Lyle Schofield (family friend from Granite Bay) and his cute little family for lunch. Bummed we forgot to take pictures!

Next stop, Wall Street! We Occupied Wall street for a few minutes. Mainly we were there to hit up 14 Wall St: a sweet TJ Maxx in the basement.

Next up, a little Times Square fun. I don't particually love Times Square, but it's a necessary stop. Ok, ok, Morgan Freeman was a wax figure-- but we look good together, right?

Kari and I started an early morning jogging through Central Park. Truthfully it was exhausting!

We toured 30 Rock NBC studio's. Sadly we couldn't take any pictures. It was great to see the Jimmy Fallon and SNL studios.  No, I didn't get discovered yet :( We went to "Top of the Rock" for some amazing views. 

The trip wasn't all fun. My mom and sister were very patient as work followed me to NYC. I'm grateful to have a job that is incredibly flexible and allows me to take off quite a bit. It was sure tough to have business calls on noisy New York streets but my boss was amazing and got my work done.

We had tickets to the new 9/11 Memorial site. The new waterfall memorial was unbelievable. The 9/11 Preview Memorial across the street is still one of my favorite spots to visit in the city.

MMMMM Serendipity! Call it a routine but I go to Serendipity every visit. It just so happens Kanye and Kim K ate there a few days before we did. Yes, we did order real food but the dessert is what they are famous for. 

We tried our luck in another stand by line for Wicked. Wicked has a lottery system for tickets a few hours before every show. There was a bit of drama not getting our names into the first lottery so we went back for a second lottery drawing. My name was called first!!!! I won 2 FRONT ROW tickets! I was bummed I didn't win enough for all of us. My mom had no problem bowing out and heading back early. Kari and I really enjoyed it. Super impressive. We're not huge musical fans but Wicked deserves all the hype. (Confession, I think I saw Wizard of Oz once when I was little...Kari had to whisper tons of explanations...)

The good luck didn't end at Wicked. We were in the back ground of the Today show earlier in the week. For one finale hurrah, Kari and I got up REALLY early on our last day and stood in line for Live with Kelly. Somehow we managed to sit on the front row and got our selves on TV. They are a very camera friendly studio. Yes, Kelly is as gorgeous and tiny in person as you can imagine.

A final shot of the upper west side. I already miss my mom, sister & New York. I covet any time I get to spend with them. Mom sure knows how to spoil me. (Thanks again for EVERYTHING Mommy!) It was good to get back to Sean John though. Can't wait for my next vaca - hopefully with Sean!

I already miss subway crawling with you two!