I hate leaving...

Wouldn't you hate to leave this?

Eloise V. Malley - this picture is worth ONE MILLION DOLLARS to Reyna Malley

Bennett R. Malley plans his trajectory

Lincoln S. Malley - salty old sea dog...

Capt. Seth D. Malley - modeling a new nursing shield that I sewed whilst in Layton

Reyna L. Malley - modeling a blanket I sewed during my stay.

Lounging in Layton...

The final leg of my post-graduation trip has brought me to Layton and the Malleys. I sure love being here with sweet babies and good friends.

We've taken naps, eaten great food, and met a beautiful golden lab puppy, named Bella.We're working on some sewing projects and we've gotten pedicures and tomorrow we're headed to Cherry Hill to play at the water park before I fly home.

It's amazing how fast the days fly by when I visit the Malleys.

Did I tell you about...

I forgot one of the major highlights of my post-hooding dinner at Bleu. Somehow they were out of grenadine for my Cherry Coke. Sad. But our crazy waitress, Sarah came up with a strawberry puree that was...in a word...life changing. I thought I loved grenadine in my Coke. But now - if it's not a fresh strawberry puree - then I'll just suffer through an actual Cherry Coke. Sigh.

Real time note: I'm at the Boise airport and there don't seem to be tons of folks on my flight, which is good. I hate Southwest to start with - but a full Southwest flight? I'd rather have broken wrists and be forced to play Guitar Hero.

Playing mind games...

While here in Boise I got to learn a new game, and play one of my favorites. The first is Guitar Hero. Click on the link to learn more about the game...I'm too tired to try and explain it.

Here is the Mrs. schooling me in Guitar Hero.

The Mrs. plays much better than she thinks...

I look like an idiot - and play like one too!

My cousin Brent is really good - but is willing to pose for me!

The classic fave (and sadly, the season finale was tonight) was National Bingo Night!! The Commissioner was in fine form - and even had some special spirit fingers when he said, "NO BINGO!" But the best part was that all the Bergs played along, too!! It was a whole lot of merrymaking.

These are my feet and my losing Red Cards - but with the White Cards -
I was ONE AWAY!! So close...until next time Commissioner...

Brent is so excited!! Will he be a winner?

The Crockpot is either having really great time - or a really awful time. You be the judge.

The Crockpot checks Reagan's card for a Bingo

A really great Friday!

Being in Boise!

I'm staying with the Crockpot and the Mrs. here in Boise...and we are having such a good time. The Mrs. is involved in a torture program where she hurts you with good food - and you can't stop eating it. Painful. Save yourselves!! I'll be here - taking one for the team...

On Thursday afternoon, The Mrs. picked me up from the airport - and then we came back to the house and enjoyed my newest obsession - Guitar Hero. If you haven't played - figure out a way to do it. It is so much fun - and it's hard without being frustrating. My kind of challenge.

Today we ran errands and visited with Brent and MaryKate and their new little girl, Reagan. CUTE CUTE CUTE. Then, after some nappage - it was off to the Caldwell Auction. It's really hard to describe what it's like. But I really had a great time people watching and enjoying the human drama unfolding around us.All the boys in the "front room" at the Caldwell Auction: Wes, Steve, the Writing Guy, Dennis, and Rex

The Crockpot with some of his new "stuff"

The Mrs. and the folks in the "front room"

The Mrs. scored me some gorgeous dishes - this whole set - was $15.00!! She is amazing! This camera phone picture doesn't do justice to these blueish greenish set of dishes.

Once the Crockpot was done bidding, we (meaning they) loaded the "stuff" and then we "tailgated" for quite a while. Talk about fun!!

Celebrity sighting...sort of...

To confirm my super nerdiness, I submit:

As Kathy and I sat down to enjoy Uncle Vanya last night - I noticed a couple walking in...Don and Carolyn Heinz - FROM COLONIAL HOUSE! And yes, I totally went down and talked with them. They were very nice and a little embarrassed to be noticed. It was awesome.

In Seattle!

So I started my post-graduation trip yesterday - taking the train to the Tacoma train station and meeting my friend Kathy DeHeide. We then drove to Seattle and here's what we did:I got on the train in Portland at Union Station

Getting on the train - and may I recommend the business class? Yes.

Heading in to Pike's Street Market

It's hard to get a picture of them throwing the fish - but they did. Take my word for it.

Kathy in front of a novelty experience I'm not sure - but it sure was funny...There are all kinds of fancy, arty pigs - this is one of them.

...it sure is.

After our time at the markets we went to the Seattle Center and sat by the International Fountain. It's choreographed to music that plays - and kids play in the fountain - delightful.

Kathy and I saw Uncle Vanya at the Intiman Theater

And then - we were hungry after the show - so we went to Ivar's Fish Bar - yummy!

A vintage computer...

I cannot believe how creative and clever some people are! But the Steampunk Workshop
has created a computer keyboard and monitor that would look ideal in a Victorian home. Check it out...


Picture from the Steampunk Workshop website

Ocean's 13

Babysitting used to be so much fun...

Mom is enjoying her licorice - I hope.

Dad - I'm not sure why he's so surprised...

This is the display for the new Simpson's movie in the lobby. I can't take them anywhere.

For the record - Ocean's 13 is just a delightful film - and you should see it!

Playing with my Dad...

Father's Day was pretty mellow - but my Dad had sure shown what an amazing Dad he really is - half man - half MacGyver - in getting my party ready. I love him so much! Today we dropped Aunt Karen off at the airport and then went to see about exchanging the present I gave him for Father's Day:

I've ordered the right size and they should be here on Wednesday!

Then we stopped at Cost Plus World Market to look for more paper lanterns for our backyard. And then as a special treat we had some Boylan Vintage Creme Soda and Root Beer. It's made with real cane sugar. So we are all hopped up on sugar and having a riot this afternoon - just me and my Dad. Tonight - we're meeting Mom at the moo-vie thee-ayter to see Ocean's 13. What a great day.

Are there open container laws in Oregon?

They are just so tasty!

Chanel on the porch, enjoying her treat.

Graduation Day!

Graduation Day was awesome. I loved it! I mean I already love ceremonies - so I was in heaven! But the best part was that my family could stay home and watch all the proceedings on TV and see me far better than if they'd fought traffic to get to the Rose Garden Arena, sat in less than comfy chairs, etc - and it's on our TiVo so we can watch it again and again.

For those of you who don't know I planned my graduation party as a garden party - in our backyard - outside - in Portland, Oregon. Our family has been religious in watching the weather reports - and things looked "okay" for Saturday, June 16. Not great, not hot, but okay for a garden party. So you must know how heartbroken I was when I walked out of graduation (15 minutes early, I might add) and it started to rain...hard. I called the folks at home and said that "we were moving inside, huh?" But Mom told me that it was clear at our house - and we were still on for the outdoor event. I drove home - and just as I pulled into the driveway - it started to sprinkle. And this is at the same time as the canopy of pink pom-poms was being hoisted into place. Imagine tissue paper pom-poms in the rain. Yeah. About this same time our ward's missionaries arrived. **As a complete side note: we had a new missionary because Elder Humphries, a recent transfer into our ward, was sent home due to his allergies/asthma. Elder Meyers was new in our ward on Saturday and he and Elder Devaney were going to go and meet folks in the ward.** Elder Devaney asked what they could do to help and my Mother asked them to pray for the rain to stop - and they did. And while they were praying - it did stop raining. And then it started again - raining harder. So we started making Plan B and working the house around to have the party indoors. But my Mom and Dad kept at the outdoor plans - knowing that it would stop raining. And it did. The missionaries ran around wiping off the tables and chairs and putting out tablecloths.

And we had one beautiful party. I had such a great time - and I think I got a little bit of a sunburn on my cheeks! YEAH!

MacGyver gets the final canopy string in place
Just after the rain...
Elder Meyers and me getting table cloths in place
Setting everything out - look at the sun!!
Kristy Giles and me enjoying the sun! A Christmas miracle!!
My dear friend, Tammy Gomez, made me an elegant cake for my party
This cake has coconut and fresh strawberry and the top is champagne cake
Mom on the porch - greeting our guests...
So many beautiful people at the party
The party winds down and we put our feet up!
My portrait and the lovely, generous gifts from friends
The hardest working party crew this side of the Mississippi - AMAZING
All done table cloths - and yes, that sky is beautiful!
The after glow of the party - what a delightful success!!