Downtown - Everything's Waiting for You

One Saturday in September, we met Taylor's family and my Dad downtown to celebrate Heather's birthday at the Cheesecake Factory, where I discovered how much I like their brunch menu.  So now I love their cheesecake AND actual meals there - life might never be the same.

Something else that's not the same as it used to be?

Waiting for the bus!

(Technically, we were waiting for Trax. But you get the idea.)

The renovation of the Salt Lake Temple is scheduled to begin soon.  I keep lamenting how few pictures there will be of Temple Square so people can remember "how it used to be."  Which I find to be hilarious.  Maybe you have to have worked on Temple Square during the cell phone era (or even been to one summer wedding) to realize just how many billions of pictures are taken there every day.  Trust me on this one.  My joke is funny and I will  keep saying it until someone appreciates it.. 

Something else I think is funny is how many people assume that this is a picture of Mickey and Dahlia meeting a General Authority (ahem - Elder Ballard - ahem) but really it was a random senior missionary and I just knew how uncomfortable the kids were in this moment and had to capture it.

Loving the view from the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith Building.

Also loving that we ran into Jason's brother Tyson and his family 

while we were downtown with my family.  

Ironically, they were there for a baptism photo shoot with their photographer - Jason's sister Megan.  

Photo shoot - on Temple Square - get it.

But so glad we got to snap this gem with cousins while we were there.

And finished off the day at City Creek so Mickey could get this picture with 

THE LOUIS VUITTON SIGN.  

Jason loves to annoy Mick by pronouncing it Louise Vuitton or (worse) Old Louie.  

Which is another thing that never gets old to me.  We're so funny!

New Life Motto

I can't even put into words how much I love this.  I need one for my house, my office, my car, and an extra just in case I think of somewhere else I want one.

Home Sweet Home - Seattle Edition

Labor Day Weekend, Dad and Biz and I made a quick trip to Seattle 

to see Patsy and Hal.

Of course, we had Ivar's.

And I made roast for Sunday dinner.

We did some of this.

(If you want to take a picture of Patsy, she has to not know you're doing it.

Good thing I'm sneaky like that.)

Also, why can I not get paid to stare at the ocean all my days? 

I'm very good at it.

We drove this promenade, but next time, I'll be needing a slow, ocean stroll at sunset.

Let's go back.

Her Daddy's Girl

If you look closely, you can almost see some similarities in these two. 

Family Camping

We decided to honor a Torgerson tradition with a family campout near Kamas before school started.  Jason and his brothers are starting to understand why their Dad said he liked taking them camping and fishing - but secretly preferred to go with his brothers and leave the kids at home.  It's way less work.

Marissa loved arranging wildflowers.

Mickey complained for weeks beforehand but - don't let him fool you - 

actually enjoyed being out of cell phone range around the campfire with everyone.

This may be the least flattering picture of me ever taken - but look - I caught a fish!  And yes, I had a fishing license.  And yes, Jason did 99% of the work, but it was on my line so I got to take the credit.  I don't know why everyone asks me that.

Dalli's fish - or Jason's other catch of the day.

I married well, what can I say???

Even though we forgot a spatula - his camping breakfasts can't be beat.

Rooney and I just stayed for one night but the Dad's and kids stayed for two.  

It worked out great - for me.  I really do love the great outdoors. In moderation.  But I also love coming home to take a shower and sleeping in my warm, cozy bed.

Hello Friends

It's been brought to my attention that people worry my health is bad when I'm ignoring my blog.  The truth is - I've taken on some extra writing responsibilities at work and I just haven't felt like spending any extra time at my computer. (I'm pretty good at Instagram, but blogging from my phone is a mystery to me.) But never fear. Life is good. I'm just busy doing my "happily married, full-time plus some job, two kids in junior high, trying to do it all but actually kind of lazy and I should really do more cooking and more ministering" thing. Maybe I'll do some catch-up posts this weekend. And maybe I won't. You never can tell.

Happy Birthday Dear Dalli

Dahlia requested an old-school roller skating party at Classic Skating for her 12th birthday. We had a blast.  Mickey especially liked requesting songs from the deejay - once he realized they were free!

Theo loved "skating" with Uncle Jason.  He squealed the whole time and kept throwing his hands in the air and yelling "wow."  Theo, not Uncle Jason. Although Jason loves skating and he was having a great time too.  I went around the rink a time or two on skates - but I preferred the scooters because they don't require quite as much balance. Sigh. I'm getting old.

Speaking of people who are getting old....  As the birthday girl, Dahlia got to spend 60 seconds in the "funny money" capsule grabbing tickets.  I honestly can't remember what she redeemed her tickets for - but I'm sure it was a spectacular birthday prize.  The party ended quickly, though, when the power went out.  Note: Nothing is scarier than a pitch black roller rink and a bunch of kids on skates.  But the employees passed out free glow sticks for everyone and we were glad to show ourselves to the door.  It was fun to be able to spend the day with Dahlia on her "real" birthday this year.