Snapshot #85: Model Student

August 31, 2010.  Provo, Utah.  The nationally ranked Marriott School of Management has chosen Dave to represent their program.  He did a photo shoot and was interviewed to create a student profile that is one in a handful on their website.  To view his handsome profile, go to their website then click on his picture.

Snapshot #84: Tanner Building

August 30, 2010.  Provo, Utah.  Today Dave started classes for his final year of the MBA program.  If it's anything like last year, he will be spending more time in the Tanner Building than he will be spending in our apartment.  I'm proud of my hard-working hubby.     

Snapshot #83: El Salvador San Salvador West Mission

 August 29, 2010.  Orem, Utah.  Today I ran into an old mission friend, causing me to remember some of my mission souvenirs (native currency pictured above) and reflect on a previous chapter of my life--the 18 months I lived as a proselyting missionary in El Salvador for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  It has been 8 years since my return from Central America.  At times it feels like a lifetime ago...but running into a fellow missionary today brought me back like it was yesterday.  I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.    

Snapshot #82: Celebrate Color

August 28, 2010.  Orem, Utah.  I have enjoyed re-discovering our home decor after leaving it in storage for 3 months.  I didn't miss the TV so much, nor the large mirror, not even the piano...but I did miss our colorful throw pillows! 

Snapshot #81: I Heart Wal-Mart

 August 27, 2010. Orem, Utah. 
So our new apartment complex threw a Tenant party. 
Dave said we should go. 
Keri said No. 
Dave said we should go. 
Keri said no. 
Dave said we should THINK about going.
she said she'd THINK about going.
Dave said GO! 
She said 'okay' and we went.


And then we won a $30 Wal-Mart gift card in a raffle. say it....say it....
you were right, honey... =)

Snapshot #80: Box Jungle

August 26, 2010.  Orem, Utah.  Last evening with the help of my cousins, father-in-law, and even the downstairs neighbors, we got all of our possessions into the new apartment.  We are now living in a jungle of boxes and made great progress today...as seen in the photo above...a good number of boxes were unpacked today.

Exploring Utah: Snapshot #79: Brighton in the Summer

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August 25, 2010.  Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah.  This morning I enjoyed a beautiful hike with my mother-in-law at the Brighton Ski Resort nestled in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  It was a short hike--starting at the resort parking lot, working our way around Silver Lake, and then on up to a damned lake rumored to be twin lakes with lower waters--only a mile up and another mile back down...but well worth the escape. 

Snapshot #78: Handy Husband

August 24, 2010.  South Jordan, Utah.  Today Dave replaced the battery in our 'Z'.  What is it about pulling out the tool box that gives men a buzz of manliness?  

Snapshot #77: Moving, Moving

August 23, 2010.  Salt Lake City, Utah.  By the time Dave graduates with his MBA we will have moved more times than I had previously thought possible.  We're gearing up for another 3 days of moving stuff around the valley...sigh.  However, EXTREMELY grateful to our many family and friends who have aided us with use of their homes, vehicles, and brawn.   

Snapshot #76: Sunday Times

August 22, 2010.  South Jordan, Utah.  Sunday night Debbie treated us to a delicious dinner of Tilapia showered with a fiesta salad, followed by homemade peach pie, followed by a game of Telestrations, followed by a game of Dominoes Mexican Train, followed by a game of Dominoes Chicken Foot.  Fun times were had by all!   

Snapshot #75: Mountain Picnic

August 21, 2010.  South Jordan, Utah.  Today we enjoyed a beautiful picnic up Little Cottonwood Canyon with my in-laws.  We play lots of games any time we get together...today I was the proud winner of one round of Idiot's Delight.

Snapshot #74: Thunder Storm

August 19, 2010.  South Jordan, Utah.  Dave's Dad and his wife have--over the past 2 years--turned their backyard into a beautiful garden of eden.  This morning Dave and I were relaxing in the garden when an ominous storm broke loose and I was able to catch this video.

Snapshot #73: Donner Lake

August 18, 2010.  Donner Lake, California.  We are on the road today...headed to Salt Lake City.  This is the view of Donner Lake from I-80...it's a beautiful drive.

Snapshot #72: Empty Apartment

August 17, 2010.  San Jose, California.  We are getting really good at this moving thing.  Sayonara to San Jose...for now.

Exploring California: Snapshot #71: Carmel-By-The-Sea

August 16, 2010.  Carmel, California.  Our last trip before we return to Utah, Dave and I explored Point Lobos Natural Reserve and then had dinner in Carmel-By-The-Sea...a quaint and charming little place!

Snapshot #70: Despicable Me

August 14, 2010.  San Jose, California.  This movie, actually, was quite entertaining.  Now why is it that Dave and I are consistently stumbling onto movies about adoption?!  On the mind, I guess.  Today, in fact, we received a call from our social worker and we are approved to start the home inspections--as soon as we are settled into our Utah apartment that is. 

Snapshot #69: The Finished Top, for Baby Girl Quilt #3

August 13, 2010.  San Jose, California.  I am pleased to report that I have completed my summer goal of creating the tops for 3 baby quilts for my hope chest.

Snapshot #68: Pear Gorgonzola Pizza

August 13, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Today is Dave's last day at work.  In celebration, last night he took me out to eat at California Pizza Kitchen.  Apparently, the Pear Gorgonzola Pizza is still on the menu in California...hip hip hooray!

Snapshot #67: Feeling Somewhat Lost

August 11, 2010.  San Jose, California.  My brother, T.J., has taken over as chauffeur for Mom...allowing me to return to San Jose and my husband.  Dave is at work...I am sitting in our empty apartment with the cat.  I already miss my family.   Here's to hoping I find my rhythm here again quickly because we only get seven more days until we move back to Utah together.   

Keri Snapshot #66: Wendell, Idaho

August 10, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  This picturesque barn is one of my reminders of home; I grew up a few fields away, and it has always been within view of our front window.  Today I drive back to my husband in San Jose.  Mom is healing a little more each day--she tires easily, struggles with driving and lifting heavy objects, she's emotional and sensitive to what's going on around her, but she is starting to return to some of her normal duties...although still needing lots of support from her family.  I am headed over to wash her hair now.

Keri Snapshot #65: Painting the Breezeway

August 9, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  Dad has decided that he wants to paint the breezeway green; so today T.J. and I started with the primer.  Why do I always end up with paint in my hair?  

Keri Snapshot #64: A Cow

August 7, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  Friday Dad picked up JiYeong from the airport.  She is from South Korea and will be living in my parents home as a foreign exchange student for the next 9 months.  Saturday I asked her what is the first thing she wants to see in our town.  JiYeong said, "A Cow."  Needless to say, we didn't have to go far.

Dave Snapshot #63: Action Shot

August 6, 2010.  Dave: San Jose, California.  In honor of Lindsey's birthday, I thought I would do a cat shot. I wish I could also say it was an action shot. But getting a picture like this is not hard since it's Zazu's favorite sleeping position.

Keri Snapshot #62: Mom & Dad's Garden

August 6, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  All around them things grow.  Ever since I can remember, Mom and Dad have kept a garden.  My ambition to do the same is one reason I am itching to buy a home.

Dave Snapshot #61: An Hour with Kris Snow

Kristine A. Snow

President, Cisco Capital

Kristine (Kris) A. Snow is President of Cisco Capital and leads the company's global captive finance company, which includes lease and loan products, Channel Financing, and Remarketing. Snow balances sales enablement for Cisco with overall lease and loan portfolio risk to drive profitability for Cisco Capital.

August 4, 2010. Dave: Kris Snow's Office, San Jose, California.  I was able to spend an hour with one of Cisco's SVP's in a delightful conversation. She was engaging, thought-provoking and sincere in her interest of one of the company's interns. I got some excellent career advice, book recommendations and some ideas for future Finance Rotations if I get the job. I was ultimately energized, motivated and impressed. Bravo!

Keri Snapshot #60: Flowers for Mother

August 3, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  These flowers sent to Mom are from my sister, Jana, and her family in Wales. 

Dave Snapshot #59 : Nice People from France

August 2, 2010. Dave: San Jose, California and Paris, France.  No I didn't go to France, but Cisco Telepresence lets me to talk to folks way over there. And it's cooler than it looks:  It's real time, no fuzz, perfect audio and video.

Dave Snapshot #58: Yummy Breakfast

July 31, 2010.  Dave: San Jose, California.  To celebrate the end of July, I hereby make one of my favorite-est breakfast foods ever. Eggs. The perfect sandwich.

Dave Snapshot #57: Walking to Work

July 30, 2010.  Dave: Cisco Way, San Jose, California.  Take a look at the temperature meter at the top right hand of the blog. Chances are, weather here is better than wherever you happen to be. Yup. It's simplee perfecto.

Keri Snapshot #59: Settlers of Catan

August 1, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  I won the game tonight.  Fun Times.