stephanie & trent

12.8.10

July and Early August: Music, Family, Music, Work, Music!

Well it certainly has been a while since I've updated the blog. The past few weeks have been the best part of the summer too!

The following weekend, after our six month anniversary, we went to Herman Outdoor Theatre in downtown Houston. They have 5 star performances free to the public. This particular performance was Little Shop of Horrors! I had such a great time reminiscing over my high school production my junior year.

That night I got food poisoning. BLAH! I think I must be somewhat intolerate to greasy ground beef because I always get sick after it. Tacos, lasagna, Dick's Hamburgers, empinadas= no me gusta. But enough of gross talk.

That Sunday I flew on an airplane to Denver Colorado for the Rockygrass Academy. My BYU folk ensemble was funded by the school to go to it! Needless to say it was one of my favorite trips I've ever taken. I learned so much about songwriting, jamming and the bluegrass genre. I still cannot believe BYU paid for me to have that much fun! I did miss Trent a ton, but it was an experience I'll never forget. Here are some pictures of the trip.

The members of my band entered a "band scramble." It's essentially just how it sounds: the members of bands are put into scrambled up groups and perform in a competition. It was way way fun! My band performed Old Home Place and I'll Follow You Into the Dark. Alex, one of my band members, and his band got 2nd place in the competition! We were so proud.

All hands in from the songwriting class. Did I mention the camp was incredibly hippie influenced?

All the songs written by the song writing team.

The songwriting team.

Me with songwriting teacher Sarah Siskind. She's written songs for Alison Krauss!

Excited friends on our last day

The following weekend, Trent and I went to Park City to meet up with my immediate family, their adorable children, my cousin Amy, my Aunt Darcy, and Grandma. We did what my family does best: catch up, take pictures, and eat! Unfortunately I didn't bring my camera so I'll have to update with those pictures once I get them from my mom. One morning, Miranda led a Pilates class! It was so fun to have the whole family doing it (yes even Trent!). We ate out at Grappa's and Goldener Hirsch. DELICIOUS. I'm so excited to go back there in a couple weeks!!!

All the kids at Grappa

Just thought this was a funny picture that popped up when I Google searched Goldener Hirsch...

This past weekend, Trent and I went to Galveston one last time. You know how people say "oh the water is like bath water!" and you laughingly nod and secretly don't believe them? Well this water was. It was! And I wish there were a way to proud it to you. Trent and I were astounded! So I've finally learned there really is no place in the Houston area to cool off outside. I just thank God for air conditioning in my prayers every night.

This whole week I have not had work because my nanny family are on a vacation. Instead I have stayed at home working on new songs and recording them. For those of you who don't know, I made a goal to write 12 songs this summer and record them all. I've written 10 so far and have recorded 7. It sure has been a time consuming project. I've loved every moment of it and hope it will help in my audition to the Media Music program at BYU. I put the new songs on my OLD myspace that I have not updated but you can check the songs out here.

This weekend we're going to Austin, TX! We're planning to swim in Barton Springs (a 1,000 foot spring fed pool in downtown, Austin), seeing the musical Annie at their outdoor Theatre, eating at the Salt Lick (recommended by our friend Christian from school) and tasting ice cream at their Ice Cream festival on Saturday! Our move back to Provo (t-9 days!)

5.7.10

celebrating aniversaries of love and liberty

Beautiful aren't they? Trent bought them for me on July, 2nd: our six month anniversary! Can you believe it's been six months already? Trent and I are as happy as ever and so grateful and blessed to be on this fun adventure together in Texas. Since being married we have gotten through one of the toughest BYU semesters, cruised through the Caribbean, and temporarily moved to a new state. It certainly been the best time of our life and we're feel so lucky to have each other during these fun times.

In remembrance of that very special day, I made a cute collage of favorite pictures. If you click on it you can see a larger version.

Went out to dinner at a Tex- Italian restaurant called cavatore. It was so unique and tasty!

Mozzarella. I LOVE CHEESE!

Fourth of July at Eleanor Tinsley park was the best. They have live performances from very famous country bands. This year it was Cowboy Mouth, Little Big Town, and Pat Green. I thought this "lost kids" sign was pretty funny.

Remember that post of the festival of colors? Well a small group of Hindus came to the Fourth of July festival singing Hare Krishna. It was pretty neat to hear that same song in Texas!

My favorite of the bands, Little Big Town! They are absolutely amazing! My band, The Lucky Crickets, covers their big song, Boondocks. This concert was free with the donation of one canned good. I was ecstatic that we were able to see them!

This father was rocking his little boy during the concert. It was hilarious to me that the boy could actually sleep. The music was rockin loud!

Tinsley Park prides itself with the largest land-based fireworks display. Needless to say, it was AWESOME! Happy fourth everyone and God Bless America!

27.6.10

98 Degrees and Rising

Hello friends and family! I know it's been a while but I thought it would be nice to update you all with some pictures and memories over the past three weeks. Trent and I have refrained from our excursions as much as we can. For the past couple of weekends we've relaxed in and around our town. We worked out, headed to the Woodlands for the Cheesecake Factory (which was a nice, familiar treat), played with toy helicopters and walked around a car show. I even had the opportunity of getting my eyebrows threaded!

We also have made friends with families and couples in our church ward and have eaten dinner with one a few times. I am so glad we have the church all around the world to make friend in. This ward is especially sweet; they gave me a calling to be the Laurel assistant adviser (16-17 year old young women). It's really helpful to have something to do in church.

Last Wednesday, Trent received free tickets to the Houston Astros vs. Giants game. It was so fun to go to a baseball game. But what I was most excited for was the garlic fries :) Here are some pictures of our day.

I saw another cute girl doing this and had to copy her :)

showing off my awesome zoom on my camera. There shoes are pretty need huh?

me and my hubby

yummy garlic fries

As we drove to the game we passed these founding father sculptures. They're really beautiful but were put in a really slummy and random part of town.

This weekend we went out to the zoo with another couple from BYU who are here selling pest control. Coinsodentally, I know Melissa from Washington and from modern dance class at BYU. Small world huh?

Like our matching shirts (Trent planned this one)

Me and Melissa posing in passe with with the fuschia flamingos

Komodo dragon (and the giant lizard to the left)

After our zoo adventure we drove to the Kemah Boardwalk. It was such as cool place! But it was hot as heck! We were upset it was just a boardwalk and the water was a little to brown to jump in.

They have a lot of these "cool zones" around amusement areas. So opposite of Utah's warming lanterns.

These nasty fish ache are just jumping for anything you throw into the water.

funny little chocolate bars!

I almost forgot to mention. Amidst all our fun, I've made cooking a real priority. I've made some really great breads, pastas and entrees and am considering creating another blog on the recipes I create and try out online. What do you think? Just today I made a Cafe Rio sweet pork recipe. IT WAS SO SO DELICIOUS!!!!!!!

7.6.10

Galveston

Last weekend we drove southeast to Galveston waterfront. We were surprised how close it was to our house and hope to make a trip out there again! The mother I work for, Tanya, suggested we go more south to less crowded part where we can drive on the sand to claim our own little piece of beach. Talk about some great advice!

We dug a massive hole to lay in. Trent likes digging holes.

I gave Trent a mud "massage" while he dug.

After we relaxed on the beach, we drove to the popular part of Galveston. Tanya informed me there was a sand castle competition is weekend that we would not want to miss. Good thing too! We found some amazing sculptures. Here are a few of our favorites!