Happy Holidays 2012 from the Durrants!

I know ... it's a Christmas Miracle! An actual, legitimate blog post from the once overly prolific Jenn!

So very very much has happened over the past two years that it would take FOREVER to update, so here are the quick highlights:

* Married to Steve on 11/20/10
* Moved to Payson on 1/1/11
* Commuter craziness
* Laid off from Gibbs Smith on 5/13/11 (Stupid Friday the 13th!)
* Unemployed for way too long, managed to find freelance work and help with Steve's firewood and landscaping businesses.
* 1st Anniversary spent in Park City -- Not the idyllic getaway. In fact we ended up sleeping in separate, horribly uncomfortable beds! Ahhh ... memories!
* Found a short-term job in March 2012 working as a PR Manager for a software company specializing in the Bed & Breakfast industry. Perks = AMAZING 2-night stay at Johnson Mill in Midway, UT. (More than made up for our Park City anniversary.)
* Decided I missed newspapers too much and found a great job as the Marketing Editor for The Daily Herald in Sept. 2012. Having a great time.
* Helping build Steve's business -- Spring Lake Mountain Landscape where we sell firewood in the winter and topsoil, gravel, rock, and do landscaping during the spring, summer and fall.
* Said a very sad, incredibly tearful goodbye to my crazy Riley dog. My sweet pup was a fun, snaggle-toothed companion for 13 years.
* The day after we said goodbye to Ry Ry we welcomed a super spunky Slinky. Our 4-year-old Daschund is full of ball-fetching energy and has been a fun addition.

Of course these are really only the very brief highlights, with lots of craziness that only 4 teens can bring!

Loving Life!

Amazing Update!

Last month I had the biggest, most amazing surprise of my life...

Just an average day, I was really longing for a nap after a pretty sleepless night, but I decided to do a little shopping. So off to Old Navy I went.

While walking into the dressing room, loaded down with potential wardrobe updates, I got a phone call from my incredible boyfriend. Just calling to see what I was up to. "At Old Navy doing some shopping," I said. "Is that the Old Navy by the Mall?" he asked. "Ummm, yeah. Over near Target," I answered, only a little skeptically.

So after some chatting, I hung up and began the fashion show, trying on my dressing room full of clothes. Gathering my approved selections, about 15 minutes after hanging up the phone, I walked out of the dressing room and began looking at a rack of shirts.

All of a sudden, I could feel someone blowing on my neck. What the Wha??

Turning around, I was overjoyed to see my sweetie behind me! He had decided to drive up, all the way from Payson, to surprise me.

After teasing me about how long I was in the dressing room, we continued our shopping, bought our selections and then walked out to our cars, talking about where we should go to dinner.

At his car, he got the door for me, but before I could sit down he had to remove a few things from the front seat. I then sat down and waited for him to shut my door, noticing that he seemed to be stalling a bit, but I certainly didn't think much of it.

Then ... he suddenly got on one knee and popped open a black velvet ring box and asked if I would marry him!

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?" I exclaimed. "ARE YOU SERIOUS? OH MY GOSH!" I continued to exclaim while we both fumbled around trying to put the beautiful ring on my finger! I was so excited that I forgot to actually answer him for, probably what seemed to him, to be 30 minutes! "OF COURSE I WILL MARRY YOU!"

So in the parking lot of Old Navy on Thursday, August 26, rock digging into his knee, Steve proposed to me!!!

We are getting married November 20 and we couldn't be any happier! I have waited a VERY long time to find someone so completely amazing. Steve was completely worth the wait!

Finally, finally, finally

I know. I'm a Bad Blogger!

I'll forgo all the lame excuses and just mention a few of the highlights of the past few weeks/months:

* Lava Hot Springs -- Last minute getaway was pure relaxation. Soothing, healing steamy waters! Perfect.

* Lagoon -- Beautiful Spring day turned into a pretty cold adventure after a panic-attack ride on the water-soaking Cliffhanger. (I do not like that ride!)

* Yard work -- Green thumb has been discovered. OK, actually, it's more like my roommate has been using her green thumb in the garden. I'm just working on perfecting my green lawn and flower bed! (Topsy Turvy tomatoes will be planted soon!)

* Outdoor adventures: Welcoming spring with fun 4-wheeling excursions and target practice. More fun to come ... fishing, camping, boating, and more.

* Visiting with friends and meeting new babies.

* New MacBookPro! Wahoo!! New laptop = Very happy Jennifer.

* St. George Art Festival Weekend -- Wonderful visit with friends, great deals at the fest, not-so-great luck in Mesquite.

* And look! I updated my blog!

I'm sure there will be more posts to come ... eventually.

Color Fest with the Hare Krishnas in Spanish Fork

This is what Steve and I did this last Saturday. Just us and about 19,999 other, extremely colorful people! (I think it was about 1/2 the entire BYU campus). We had a BLAST ... as you can see by the photo! Be sure and check out this video. Crazy!

Star Wars according to a 3-year-old

This is just TOO CUTE!!!

Bad Blogger

I am clearly a horrible blogger. I haven't even checked out my friends blogs for weeks and weeks!

I have quite a few good excuses, though ... Promise!

But for now I'll have to make this a quick post and hopefully find time to blog much more in the coming days and weeks.

Reflections on birthdays past...

I'm not ashamed to admit that I love my birthdays! I don't necessarily love getting older, but I do love celebrating the day of my birth ... and I've had some pretty fantastic celebrations! Just last night I was relating a few of my favorite birthdays to a friend and thought it would be fun to jot them down. 

"The Puker"

OK, I had a couple of b-days that were less than perfect. The most memorable, from my earlier years (maybe I was 10 or so) began with a fun birthday dress shopping trip to ZCMI. Looking through the racks, I started to not feel so good... Running outside into the rain, I puked in the gutter, my sister chasing after me to see if I was ok. 

That afternoon, sleeping on the couch, puke bowl at the ready, I awoke to a cuddly, stuffed unicorn tucked in with me and a beautiful black and white checked dress with red embellishments ... a Marie Osmond-brand dress (it was the coolest dress and yes, I went through a unicorn and pegasus phase).

"Holly Hobby"

I want to say it was my 8th birthday and my Uncle Allen was staying with us, in town from Oregon for LDS General Confer

ence. It was pouring rain, again, but my mom didn't let that hamper the family party which included a scavenger hunt! My final gift, which I had to retrieve outside in the milk delivery box (what are those things called anyway?). 

Rushing out into the rain I grabbed the gift-wrapped box and hurried back inside to reveal one of my favorite childhood gifts ... a Holly Hobby Wristwatch! I wish I still had that watch ... it was so cool! 

"It's Where Fun Is"

Lagoon. My birthday when I was in 6th grade was spent at Lagoon! We loaded up all my grade-school friends in the car and enjoyed a great amusement par

k day!

"24"

My 24th birthday was incredible. Simply put, the boy I had crushed on for years and dated for a few months, sent me 6 long-stemmed red roses with a card that read: "You're the grooviest chic since Marcia Brady! -- Gary" That was a great day!

"Dancing the Night Away"

What better way to celebrate getting older, my final year in my 20s, than to gather up ALL of your friends and get your groove on at a dance club? Birthday cake and surprise, completely unexpected birthday presents made for a fantastic night! 

"I *HEART* NY"

I've always tried to extend my birthday for as long as possi

ble and

 my 30th birthday was the ultimate in a 3-week-long celebration. 

Here's the quick rundown:

* Pampering massage

* Flight to see best friend and her husband in New Jersey!

* 3-day trip to NYC

* Surprise dinner at Tavern on the Green 

* City sites like Empire State Building, The Met Museum, Battery Park, Little Italy, Financial District, Times Square and more (enormous blister TOTALLY worth it!).

* Surprise  Broadway play: Aida featuring Toni Braxton 

* Weekend trip to DC area including Colonial Williamsburg, Renaissance Faire, Toby Keith concert and scenic drive past Washington DC Temple.

* Atlantic City evening

* Day-trip to pristine Amish Country's Lancaster County

* Loads of amazing quality time with the bestest friends ever! 

* Flew home to celebrate my birthday again with family and friends. 

So far it's been 35, almost 36, years of fantastic, memory-filled celebrations! I can't wait for the many more parties to come! 

I'm such a slacker!

I can't believe how long it's been since my last post! YIKES! 

I guess it's proof that my summer has been "action packed." Or at least something like that. 

Time for a quick recap, I guess:

JUNE

* Roomies moved out. Jeff, Juline, Adi and Kohen moved into a cute little apartment and I'm sure they are once again enjoying their own space. But boy do I miss those kids! (sniff sniff!) Good thing they are still close ... just up the road from me!

* Dating a pretty great guy. 

JULY

* Roomie moved in! And her name ... Riley! So pretty comical when yelling at Riley (the dog) when he's naughty! haha

* Looking for another new roomie. I have the room ... why not!  

* Weekend adventures including camping at Lava Hot Springs, May family reunion in Baker City, Ore., overnighter in Sun Valley where I hob-nobbed with pulitzer prizing winning columnist Dave Barry and best-selling author Mitch Albom! (WOW), and another camping trip up Big Cottonwood Canyon in unusually chilly weather. (PHOTOS TO COME)

* Twitter, Facebook and Blogging for work work work = Avoidance of all social networking sites.

* Dental pain! This King got her first crown and has never felt so much tooth pain in her life! Not even headgear during the braces era was as painful as when the numbness wore off! 

It's been a pretty great summer with another few weeks to go which will include family birthday parties (Grandma King turns 95 on Aug. 16) and a Japanese friend coming for a visit which might mean a road trip to Vegas and Zion National Park! 

Vacay month continued!

From the "Mexican Riviera" (almost) to the Land of the Midnight Sun ... 

I took a fabulous, Memorial Weekend, sleep-deprived trip to Anchorage, Wasilla and Denali National Park and had a completely amazing time! 

Not the typical destination for 3-day weekend jaunt, I actually was invited to visit the nation's largest state for a first date! And a blind date, at that. I had an incredible time! Too bad he lives in Alaska! 

It was an event-filled weekend and Mr. Alaska was a great tour guide. Right after getting off the plane, killing time in Anchorage for 2 hours in the wee hours of the morning, we retrieved my luggage from "lockup" (first time my luggage has ever been lost!) and hit the road around 6 a.m. Saturday, heading up directly to Denali National Park. 

Arriving at Denali we checked into the hotel, grabbed some lunch and took a short nap! Ahhhh.... Then we embarked on a Jet Boat Safari where we sped along one of the rivers, seeking out wildlife and admiring the snowtopped peaks of the overwhelmingly majestic mountains. Taking a break we were introduced to a full-time fur trapper who showed off his wares ... wolf, fox, lynx, beaver and more. Then we were off to pan for gold! Only looking like simple flecks, it was fun to discover our little treasure. 

That evening, after another short nap, we enjoyed a fun dinner-theater event, feasting on ribs, salmon and all the fixin's while learning about Denali's early adventurers. 

After a quick count, I figure that with the exception of a few naps, nothing more than about an hour or so, I was awake for 42 hours from Friday morning until finally going to sleep at 11 p.m. Saturday. Complete exhaustion, but so much fun! 

The next day we woke up early for breakfast and our bus tour through Denali.  

Me and Mt. McKinley in the background. Beautiful! The nation's highest peak! 

Gorgeous Mt. McKinley, different day but little bit better view. Can you make out the peak through the clouds?

Entering Denali National Park. We took a 6-hour bus tour through the park, seeking wildlife. We did see grizzly bears, caribou and doll sheep (below). Photo opps were not so great because everything was from such a long distance, but we had a great time! 

At one of the stops on our bus tour through Denali. So beautiful! 

After our drive through Denali, we headed back to Wasilla for a relaxing night. Monday was filled with a picnic lunch, outstandingly scenic drive and a visit to a Musk Ox Farm. Heading back into Anchorage, we ate dinner at an "authentic Alaskan restaurant" called Gwennie's and then it was back to the airport for the long trek back home (6-hour late-night layover in Seattle). WHEW!!

It was an incredible adventure, but I'm excited to enjoy a few weeks travel-free! 

Vacation Roundup

April showers bring May flowers, but what do May flowers bring? For me ... LOTS of travel plans! First traveling buddy Brent and I headed off to a "Mexican" cruise, but because of some over-blown Swine Flu, we were rerouted to the California coast. So instead of Cabo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, we hit Santa Barbara, San Diego and San Francisco. 

It was a great escape, even if we didn't get that Mexican sun and we had to deal with fog, cold winds, excursion-delaying fog and rough waters. 

Brent and I on the Sapphire Princess just as we were leaving port.

Our first port was Santa Barbara. Some amazingly beautiful architecture! Love the bar-tile Spanish-influence rooftops.

Sunburn!

On to San Diego the next day where we explored Balboa Park with lots of museums. 

We also saw the Body Worlds exhibit.

Our last port was San Francisco!! My favorite day on the cruise, by far. It was FILLED with fun. First stop = Alcatraz! 

Beautiful view from the boat on our way back from Alcatraz. 

The we ate lunch {Clam Chowder in Sourdough Bread Bowl ... what could be more SF than that?} at Fisherman's Warf, did some shopping and watch the Sea Lions. 

With lots of time in San Fran, we took a Trolley Tour of the city and then took a taxi down Lombard Street and then over to Golden Gate Park where we explored the Japanese Garden and a Botanical Garden. 

Back on the ship, we headed up to the deck to enjoy the amazing SF skyline 

and the incredible path of our ship under the Golden Gate Bridge. Stunning! 

Next stop in May's travelogue: ALASKA! 

Easter Eve

About this time every year throughout my childhood, Easter Eve, while my sister and I slept, dreaming of jelly beans and white chocolate bunnies, my mother would be burning the midnight oil, sewing machine whirring away for hours at a time rapidly trying to meet a Sunday morning deadline.  

Her two daughters needed Easter Dresses. Nothing was going to prevent her little girls from looking their best in gingham, floral or stripped dresses. 

Amid dreams of Easter Bunny gifts and jelly bean hunts, Mom would come and nudge me awake and in my sleepy state I would gingerly try on the dresses in various stages of completion. "Watch the pins," she would warn as I would pull the dress over my head, inevitably getting poked with a pin or two. Then returning to bed I would begin dreaming of the finished dress.

Waking up Easter morning, after discovering the basket of sweet loot, Mom would return to the sewing machine to finish the hems, button holes, zippers and then affix the adornments of bows and buttons. New tights and shoes, possibly left by EB himself, would complete the outfit. 

I need to find the photos of these midnight clothing creations to post, but I remember a long, patchwork gingham dress in pinks, yellows and blues. Then there was the green sailor-style dropped waist dress with little red ladybugs in the pattern. Then even in junior high I remember a blue pin-stripped pinafore style dress.  

I have no idea just how many dresses Mom made through the years, but I know there were always two very excited girls prancing and twirling their way into church each Easter Sunday! Thanks Mom! 

Happy Easter to everyone! 

All for the love of vampires!

Ohhh the pain!

Last week I couldn't move my arms! 

I didn't fall and suffer some catastrophic double-arm break. I didn't mangle them in some industrial accident. 

No, I hired a personal trainer! 

The good news is that after 5 days, I had finally regained my normal arm function ... only to relinquish the use of my legs to a torturous lower body workout. 

Never has pain and misery been so invigorating!

Girl's Weekend

It was a fabulous Girl's Weekend when Alicia flew in from Tacoma for a long weekend! 

The fun started out with a delicious, decadent dinner at Cheesecake Factory, continued on to a day filled with shopping at Tai Pan and The Gateway and a laser U2 show at the Clark Planetarium. Oh, and don't forget a couple of Ben's Cookies and a sumptuous dinner a Biaggi's. 

The shopping continued on Saturday, this time in Park City at the outlets! That night we headed into Ogden for some great laughs at WiseGuys comedy club. The bass-playing bald comedian who competed in Last Comic Standing was the headliner and he was freakin' hilarious! 

Sunday was a relaxing, rainy day with a great breakfast, a fun movie, delicious leftovers and a cookie-baking session. 

Clearly it was three days full of all the essential Girl's Weekend elements -- shopping, eating, shopping, baking, movies and great laughs. 

Thanks for all the fantastic memories, Alicia! 

Jenn and Alicia at The Gateway ... SHOPPING!

Hanging out on "Mars" at the Clark Planetarium.

Park City ... enjoying the snow!

He's Just Not That Into You

OK, this is hilarious! Can't wait to see this movie!


ICYMI - 10 Chick Flick Cliches That Are Not In "He's Just Not That Into You" @ Yahoo! Video

Facelift

It was time. 

I've been thinking about it for a while now. 

Just a little nip here. 

A little tweak there. 

A bit of Botox there. 

Don't I look FABULOUS!?!

Jenn's Journal is so bright and refreshed with a whole new look! 

All thanks to my sister in law, Juline! Who needs a plastic surgeon and thousands of dollars when you've got a creative family member!! 

{Thanks Juline ... it looks fabulous!}

Remarkably Jane

Over the past few years my appreciation for all things Jane Austen has just continued to bloom. And last year was a pinnacle as all of her works were made and re-made into Masterpiece Theater movies! And then there was my indulgence in a Jane Austen doll I blogged about here.

Now I have an even more significant reason to delight in all things Jane. I am the publicist for a great new spring book titled Remarkably Jane.

The author, an amazingly talented writer and editor, and great co-worker, has compiled dozens of quotes on this classic author. Some laude her as the greatest writer in history, while others still shake disagree with all the acclaim. In fact, one of the quotes is particularly hilarious:

Every time I ready Pride and Prejudice I want to dig her up and hit her over the skull with her own shin-bone.
-- Mark Twain,1898

The book launches in March and I hope you all rush out and get copies to send to your friends, family and fellow Janeites!

Boogers

Lovely Christmas program in church today. Everyone dressed in their holiday best. One particularly adorable Nursery toddler dressed in a sparkly new skirt and sweater. Sitting on her mom's lap ... digging for gold! 

What is the fascination with little noses? Why must little fingers venture upward? And then ... pulling out a "prize," quickly suck it up in one quick lick. 

Maybe she's being environmentally conscious ... saving forests one Kleenex at a time. 

Ahh ... the joys of childhood. 

Starbuck's Santa

I was at the Starbuck's drive thru yesterday morning, ready to hand my debit card over to the cashier when he startled me.

"High 5," he said.

Ummm, OK.

"The lady in the car ahead of you wanted to wish you

a Merry Christmas and your order is on her!"

"What? Are you serious?"

"Yep ... enjoy your breakfast!" he said.

What a simple, thoughtful act of service and giving during this holiday season. I had a grin a mile wide, shaking my head in disbelief and glee all the way to work.

The best part? I'm officially inspired! Not only did that just brighten my day, but I now can't wait to do something similar.

I encourage each of you reading this to follow in Ms. Honda Pilot's generous footsteps and make someone's day with a small, simple act of kindness. And why not carry this into the New Year. Creatively wish someone a "Merry Monday" one of these days or "Happy Groundhog Day!"

The Power of Three ... Tagged

What are the last three things you purchased (aside from groceries)?

* Tile and scrapbook paper for craft projects

* Holiday scented candles

* Dinner at Bajio's

What are the last three songs you downloaded to your iPod?
* A remix of "Defying Gravity" from Wicked

* "Let it Rock" from Kevin Rudolf

* Newest Xtina Aguliera song

What are three of your favorite movies?
* Addams Family Values

* Army of Darkness

* My Big Fat Greek Wedding

What are three things you have not done yet?
* Skydiving

* Played in the Atlantic Ocean

* Gone snow skiing

What are three things you can't live without?
* iPod

* Propel water

* Curel lotion

What are your three favorite dishes?
* Lasagna

* Lobster

* Salad with everything on it

What are three of your favorite tv shows?
* Monk

* Gray's Anatomy

* The Office

What are three of your favorite desserts?

* Cheesecake

* Apple Crisp

* Costco White Cake with Vanilla Mousse Filling

What are the last three places you traveled to that are more than 100 miles away?
* St. George

* Seattle

* New Jersey

What are three things you'd buy if money weren't an issue?

* Dyson Vacuum

* iMac

* Acura TL

I now tag anyone who reads this. Share your top 3s.