the move

Our move did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. Even though Quinn's company was paying for movers, we still ran into our fair share of problems and headaches. I overestimated my abilities to get everything done while suffering from constant all-day pregnancy sickness and absolute exhaustion. So Friday night, with our moved scheduled for Saturday morning, I of course had a freak out moment that we were never going to get everything done. Finally I gave up trying and just went to bed because I was so tired.

Saturday morning we drove down to the new apartment paid our money and got the keys. Then we drove back up to the old apartment to finish packing and wait for the movers. They called to say they were running behind schedule so it would be later afternoon when they got there. Fine with me, I took a nap. Finally around four o'clock we got another call saying the team that was suppose to move us got in an accident on the highway and one of the guys got hurt and had to go to the hospital. The basic point of the phone call was to inform us they weren't going to be able to move us that day. Our bed was already disassembled and wrapped up for moving. Quinn and I moved some of the more fragile valuable stuff ourselves that night. We had discussed just sleeping on the couch and the floor of our apartment, but I was able to talk Quinn into getting a motel because as usual I was exhausted and needed sleep.

We went to the Motel Six. I should have known something was amiss when the guy let me pay in cash and never asked for a credit card. The room was falling apart around us. I slept fine, because I have the talent to be able to sleep anywhere, anytime and through anything. Quinn however did not sleep very well. But he made good use of his sleeplessness and watched the gold medal game for USA basketball.

We woke up in the morning to housekeeping banging on our door. There were absolutely no toiletries in the motel, no shampoo, no lotion, just bar soap. So I washed my hair with bar soap. Hello, does that even sound like me? I was desperate. We got dressed in our random assortment of clothing that we could find and went to wait for the movers. They finally showed up and man those guys worked hard. They hauled every piece of furniture and box we had out of our second story apartment and loaded it onto the truck, then unloaded all the same stuff and delivered it to our third story apartment (with the help of the elevator). I was exhausted just watching them.

So we finally got moved. Yesterday, I got our bedroom, living room, and the bathrooms set up before I collapsed with exhaustion. I still have the kitchen and the extra bedroom to go. Wish me luck!

seven

I packed seven boxes today and I'm tired. I hate packing and moving. I just feel so lucky that all I have to do is pack and that I don't actual have to lift and move things.

worst kept secret

I had been making plans for a big announcement. My brother-in-law Ryan was going to help me out. How many of you have seen the Conan O'Brien skit "If They Mated"? For those of you who haven't it goes something like this (for some reason I can't find an actual video of the skit anywhere on the internet), they take pictures of two celebrities rumored to be dating...



and then use their photoshop magic to see what their offspring would look like...



but, alas I slacked and never got Ryan the pics he needed, but take my word for it, it would have been hilarious. But now, basically the secret is out, so without further ado, for those few people who don't already know...

Quinn and I are expecting our first child. I haven't been to the doctor yet, but I think I am due somewhere around March 21st. We are both very excited and can't wait to start a family. And for the record, our baby will be much better looking than A-Rod's and Madonna's.

accepted!

Quinn accepted a job offer today! Congratulations! He has worked so hard. He starts on Wednesday.

This means we will be staying in the Dallas area. So please come and visit!

yawning

Question:

When you yawn do you stick your tongue out? Over the last few days I've noticed that Quinn does that. I don't think I do. Does anyone else do this? It is a new discovery that is amusing me to no end.

graduation in pictures

Quinn graduated this weekend. I'm so proud of him. He worked so hard for so long. Quinn's parents, his brothers Jason and Miles, and my parents were able to come into town to help us celebrate. I have about 500 hundred pictures to choose from so I'll try to narrow it down.


The boys.


After eating Thai food.


Walking into the exhibition while Jason documents.


The "byramid"


Quinn's team and game photo.


Checking out the game.


The credits


Pop-pop enjoying himself at the exhibition.


A happy moment post-exhibition.


Arriving at graduation.


Walking into the ceremony.


A very proud wife and graduate.


Mom and graduate


DelHoyos with the soon to be graduate.


Me and the parents anticipating graduation.


The moment of graduation.


Celebratory cake, yum!!!

4th of july weekend

This is my last weekend in Utah and it was definitely a good one.

Danny was able to come in this week for a visit from Alabama. It was good to have him back for a week.



Cameron also came into town for the weekend.



For the 4th of July, we met Dana and Lindsay for breakfast after their 10K race. Way to go girls!

Later that day we bbq'd, did fireworks, drove the "F-150" and had all sorts of fun.





This morning we all headed up to Sundance for some outdoor fun. We rode the ski lift to the top of the mountain, hiked a bit, ate some sandwiches, and then rode the lift back down.









We followed up the day with a sibling dinner at Happy Sumo. Such a great day!

I think Quinn has had a good weekend as well. Most of his big projects are done and he was finally able to get a little rest and hopefully some relaxation in this weekend. Heaven knows he deserves it. I talked to him this afternoon and he had just taken a nap. I was very happy. The last few weeks were killer for him. But in one week from today he graduates! I can't wait!

my dream

Apparently I blog in my dreams.

I had one of those weird dreams last night. I don't remember all the details but I do remember that for some reason I went on a last minute trip to Ecuador.

I remember debating in my dream how I would blog about this.

I debated between two options.

Title 1: did i mention...

Title 2: btw...

Post: I'm in Ecuador!!!

How weird am I?

Oh, and btw...did i mention...

I'm in Texas!!!

almost famous

Check it out! Points for anyone who can spot Quinn in the video.

Click here to watch. I keep trying to embed the video in my blog but the code isn't working.

p.s. Quinn is the producer for the second game featured, The Color of Doom.

my new obsession

Grilled fruit. I can not explain how delicious this is. I've grilled up some peaches twice this week. I looked at tons of variations and finally came up with this creation.



Halve the peaches. Sprinkle generously with sugar. Let them sit for a bit while the sugar dissolves. Grill the peaches flesh side down for about 2 to 3 minutes. Then turn over and grill for about 1-2 minutes more. Take them off the grill and then drizzle with molasses. Serve with crème fraîche. I don't think I had really ever had crème fraîche before as it is not widely available and because of the cost is mainly used in high end cooking. So I decided to make some of my own. It is sort of a lighter tastier version of sour cream. It was totally worth it. I was the perfect compliment to the grilled fruit.

Crème Fraîche

To make your own is very easy. Using a glass container, start out with heavy cream (i actually just used regular whipping cream and it was fine). Then add buttermilk.

I added 2 tablespoons of buttermilk to my one cup of cream. I stirred it up a bit covered it with plastic and then let it sit overnight at room temperature. Everything I read assured me this is perfectly safe and that the good bacteria cultures in the buttermilk help stave off the bad ones. About 16 hours later it was a thick delicious cream.

I plan on making it all the time now. I plan on trying this with nectarines, plums and apricots. Yum, yum!

finally finished!

My task for the last three days has been to go through a list of around 200 game development studios, find there website and find out if they are hiring. I didn't think it would take me this long but it did. That was one time consuming process. But I'm happy to say, I just finished and mailed the list off to Quinn!

road trip: day 3

Day 3 consisted of 23 Arnetts making a pilgrimage to Blythe, CA and Cibola, AZ to see where it all began. It was really such a special and memorable trip. I know that I will never forget the memories we made that day as we braved the 112 degree heat as a family and learned more about my Grandpa Howard and Grandma Ethel and what truly amazing people they were and how lucky we are all to be there descendants.

Let the pictures begin. I know many are already posted on other people's blogs but I want them on mine too!


Now who wouldn't want to grow up in a town that has an establishment like this? Let's just say "Steaks and Cakes" is now our family chant.


This was my Mom's old haunt. She use to ride her bicycle here to get delicious treats as a child. I made my mom go in and see if they had any Coke Zero which, unfortunately, they did not. Apparently, it is a rare commodity in Blythe.


Our family on the bridge over the Colorado River.


This is the Bishop's house. I learned that it was home to a brother and sister duo who lived as recluses and shunned almost everyone except my Grandpa. According to all to my dad and uncles who apparently had many meals here, it has only changed about 10% from how it use to be back in the day.


A picture of what use to be my Grandpa Arnett's farm in Cibola.


The canal my Grandpa built.


The family gathered at the site of the plane crash. It was here that my Grandpa watched as two of his brothers died in a plane crash. Not long after, he lost the farm that he had spent 20 years of his life building. What an amazing man! My Grandpa Howard died when I was 16 and my Grandma Ethel died when I was 11. This trip made me feel closer to them than I have in a very long time. Thanks Jeff for making it all possible.

Lest you think the pictures are over, never fear, I have more. My mother also grew up in Blythe and we visited her landmarks as well.


What's left of my Grandpa Mortensen's feed lot and office.


My mom really enjoyed reliving her job of working the scales. If you look hard you can see her through the window.


The house my mom grew up in.

I also want to post links to two posts that give more justice to what was truly a once in a lifetime experience, Chea and Lacy. They both captured the experience far better than I ever could.

***UPDATE: Ok, all the posts about this are so good that I have to post all of them.***

Wendy
Heidi
Jeff
Lindsay
HB

road trip: day 2

We started the day with an early lunch at The Cheesecake Factory. I got some great shots of Jo and Sadie indulging in some oreo cheesecake. I only wish I could have captured Jaxson enjoying his plate of whip cream.






Look how happy being at The Cheesecake Factory makes us?

Afterwards the girls headed out to shop and pick up the catering for the evenings event. I managed to pick up a cute summer skirt and top at Target with some birthday money. Then we all headed back to the house to swim and begin preparations for that evening.


Stacey relaxing in the pool.

Cameron had his ordination that evening. So many family members were there it would be impossible to name them all. But it was such an amazing evening with a very powerful sweet spirit present.



Mishka, I'm so proud of you! I love you very much and I'm so happy I got to spend the last few days with you.

road trip: day 1

I just returned today from a 6 day road trip with my family. It was such a fantastic time! Dad, Mom, Ryan, Dana, Stacey, Mallory, Joseph, Jaxson, Sadie and I all headed out bright and early Sunday morning for Gilbert, AZ to visit Cameron. Danny and Quinn were greatly missed.

We began our trek extremely early Sunday morning. Dana, Ryan and kids showed up at 5 am.



How cute are these kids? All hooked up with their headphones, blankets and neck pillows and ready to go at 5 am.



Here is a self-portrait during the drive. Don't you love my sunglasses? They are courtesy of Ryan who has two pair of what we call the "old man sunglasses" that go over your real glasses.

We made it to Arizona and had a great reunion with Jeff, Pam and of course Cameron (aka Mishka).

Stay tuned for detailed accounts of day 2 through 6. The action really picks up on day 2 and 3 especially.

congratulations

Congratulations to my amazing sister Dana and my equally as amazing cousin Lacy who ran 26.2 miles today in the Ogden City Marathon. As spectators, we had a fantastic day as well. We caught our first glimpse of the running duo around mile 18 up in the canyon around 10:50 am.

Here are a few pics.


Notice my uncle HB running along side catching it all on film.


Dana at mile 18 looking fresh as a daisy.


Jaxson at mile 18.

After a quick pit stop at the gas station for some treats we trekked into Ogden. Here are some pics of the big finish.


View of the finish line


My mom, Mallory and Me waiting with our signs at the finish line.


Here they come, seconds away from finishing!


Lacy--tired.


Enjoying what I'm sure was a delicious post-race creamsicle.

I also have a picture of a post-race blister on Dana's foot, but I'll spare you that.

Anyway, it was such a fun day and I am so proud of my super athletic sister and cousin. You guys rock!

Check Dana and Lacy's blog soon for a detailed account and pictures.