Quick Trip to Boise

Zack and I spent a quick weekend in Boise for a concert. And this wasn't any concert, this was a BIG DEAL concert to Zack; his favorite artist since he was in high school who recently resurfaced to tour. This was Jeff Mangum, of Neutral Milk Hotel, an indie folk band from the late 1990s.  When Zack heard about the concert a few months ago, he emailed me immediately and said we must go to the concert.  AND tickets were going on sale that day!  So, being the dutiful awesome wife I am, I waited until the tickets went on sale and snatched up two of them for us. 

As the date got closer and closer, I decided to make this trip extra special for Zack, since he did describe this concert as a 'bucket list item' for him.  I wanted to make sure we did what he wanted, had food and music he liked and to make the weekend as memorable as possible.  I had a fun time planning the music, food and ideas for the trip.  After we had gotten everything ready, dropped off Penny in Albion, I told Zack to sit back, relax and enjoy the trip.  We had a nice drive down, the trip took about 6 hours.  And it's a really pretty drive!  It was nice to have some time just to ourselves, and have discussions and conversations about almost everything. 

Dropping off Penny--her head is in my lap, she can't stay away from me sometimes...

McCall, ID

We only had a few hours before the concert by the time we arrived in Boise (even with ALL of my prep work, I had forgotten that Boise is on MST than PST, so we lost an hour!), so we quickly scoped out downtown Boise and got dinner at a place called Fork.  Everything was really delicious and it was so nice to walk down the block to the theater! 

Pretty for dinner!

Lest you forget how silly Zak is..

It was weird explaining to the waitress that we were here for a concert, not an anniversary?

Zak's delicious BLAT sandwich & salad

This was my face the entire time I ate my dish of salmon with pasta and a basil/caper sauce.

As one might imagine, the line was 99% your typical hipster 20-something college aged kids.  I felt a little out of place, because it seemed like everyone there had the same obsession and intensity about the concert like Zack.  I just did my best to make the night enjoyable for both of us.  The theater was this really neat Egyptian-themed theater.  And when I said themed, I mean the entire stage and columns were covered in Egyptian-style scenes of people, activities, animals.  It was pretty cool! 

Before the line formed

!

Awesome, right?

I loved these pillars

The opener act was ok, but very slow and quiet.  I took a mini-nap in the seat (nice movie theater ones, even)  By the time Jeff Mangum took the stage, the excitement in the room was noticeable.  He put on a very excellent show and encouraged the audience to sing along.  I hadn't listened to him that much previously (mostly when Zack had it on in the house), and it's not really my taste of music but I was thoroughly impressed with the concert.  He is very talented and passionate about his music.  I'm pretty sure Zack was singing along to every song.  I even sang along to the ones I knew!  It was an excellent concert and I'm really glad we were able to make it.  We weren't allowed to take any pictures, but I did manage to record the encore on a voice memo for memories.

Proof we were there. And unsure of where to look for the picture.

Really wish we could've taken off with a poster, but it wasn't an option.

The next morning we didn't have to leave immediately, so we had a leisure-filled morning of watching Rambo on the hotel tv and eating breakfast.  Once we checked out, we briefly explored the Gem & Mining Museum and then got back on the road. 

ROCKS AND THE LIKE.

Definitely 'not touching' the mining explosive thing..

Where I would've been sent in the early days of Idaho history...

Black-light room

 

Drive home

Spring Is Coming!

It's hard to believe it's already March!  The time is flying by.  Our lives have been very busy these past few months.  Now that Zack is into his final push with school (estimated graduation date: spring 2014), his workload has increased a considerable amount.  But he's doing well, surviving and enjoying his classes for the most part.  He has spring break coming up and couldn't be happier about it!  It'll be nice for him to unwind and relax for a week.

Finally got a new computer! The MacBook he got in '06 is still working, but he really needed a better one...so we used his educational bonds to make it happen!

We have now had Penny for 3+ months and are finally settling into routines and the like.  She is getting bigger, healthier and smarter.  We are constantly amazed and amused by the things she does.  It's been really exciting and fun for us to teach her things.  She knows the words 'treat', 'chewie' (those rawhide sticks), 'potty', 'food', 'bed/gotobed'.  She's gotten good at sitting, then laying down for a treat.  When we play catch, I tell her to 'drop' the ball, then have her sit and then I throw the ball down the hall.  If we want her to catch something in her mouth, we say 'catch' before throwing it into the air.  She's pretty accurate when there is food involved!

playing in the yard

'look what I found!'

Zack sent some pictures to me at work to cheer me up

 

Yes, we are becoming those kind of people, who talk about their dog often.  And take lots of pictures.  We are aware of that.

I went on my first walk with Penny a few weekends ago.  Previously, Zack had taken her when he got home from school.  By the time I got home from work, it was too cold or dark to go on a walk.  I had a great time!  She was so happy to be walking with BOTH of us outside, I bet it was like a dream for her.  We've also been able to play out in the yard with her more.  She's getting good at catch, her favorite toy is green rubber circle thing Zack got for her.  It's great because it rolls really well, which makes her chase it around the yard frantically.  And then she'll walk back to us, trying to swing it up on her head.  It's seriously so cute.

napping in the sun

'LET'S GO, DAD!!'

look how curious the puppy is!

I've been having some success with my new food/exercising routine!  I've lost a few pounds in the past few weeks and that feels really good.  It's nice to have success, because it keeps me excited and motivated that I might be able to do this!  I've been having lots of fun cooking new recipes or experimenting with some of our favorites.  I thought eating healthier would be harder, but it's actually gone really well!  I've been creative with different smoothies, snacks and meals for us.  It's been so much fun for me, turns out I'm pretty good at cooking.  Something that I want to work on is making some of my favorite recipes a bit healthier.  I've had success with recipes from the internet, but I'm curious how adapting some of my family's recipes would go.  For the record, my version of healthy isn't exclusive, per say, I know I could be doing even more to be super healthy.  But for now it's a start and I fully believe that gradually change will be more beneficial to us in the long run.

Zack and I had a pretty low-key Valentine's Day.  Our lives have been so hectic and we've been working hard to budget better that we decided to put our money and energy into future trips (like going to see Zack's favorite band, Neutral Milk Hotel, in Boise next month).  I was just thrilled to have the night together, as neither of us had to work that night.  Zack got me some very pretty red roses and a sweet card, which is all I wanted.  I got him some chocolate and a leather wallet I meant to get for him for Christmas but it completely slipped my mind.  We got bagels and spent the night together, relaxing.

my gift to Zack

pretty roses

:)

I don't think we have ever been this consistently busy.  There were a few weeks where we only had a few hours together and poor Penny hardly got to be with both of us at the same time.  We've had to really work together to make sure everything gets taken care of.  Adding Penny into the mix has been slightly more difficult, as we can't leave her in her crate all day nor outside just yet.  But we've made it work.  And it sounds silly, but planning to spend time together on the weekends, making just 'us' time has really helped our lives stay balanced and happy.  But it might be good practice for the summer, as I've been preparing to have Zack gone all summer.  Since we still aren't sure what he'll be doing and where he'll be, I'm just preparing to be all by myself. 

Speaking of, Zack has had some interviews for the jobs he's been applying for.  There have been so many jobs and interviews and places running around in my head that I can't keep them straight.  He knows what he's doing and I know he'll find something.  He's smart and talented and interested in this stuff, so he'll be great, even if his experience isn't as high as other candidates.  I know he'll find something! Once we hear back and make the decision, we'll be sure to inform everyone.  I know it's been hard to not have any stable answer about summer plans, but it's just as difficult for us.  We really hope that both of us will be able to attend the weddings this summer. 

Zack's hair has gotten really long; it's the longest I've ever seen it in real life.  I'm surprised how much I like it.  He's been growing it out for awhile, since he'll have to eventually cut it for work.  It's really nice, thick and shiny.  One day he asked me to try to put it in a ponytail.  This happened:

GIANT HAIR

right before I gathered his hair up

almost all of it

twinsies

 
Overall, we are still enjoying life and making it happen!  Here are some more pictures!

Zack took some picture with Penny & sent them to me while I was at work...they're too funny together.

'Can I have that please?'

'I want that ball, Dad!!'

this one cracks me up, her cute little facing looking at him!

Every time we go anywhere, she automatically sits in the driver's seat like she will drive us around. It's hysterical.

pretty normal

Sometimes she looks at me with such disdain I can't help but laugh; you'd think I never gave her ANY attention or any bonus little treats! Heaven forbid I want 20 minutes to read!

we like trying to get her to walk on her hind legs. it's so goofy

now she's a fan of Zack's guitar playing (when we first got her, it freaked her out)

This is a common sight around the house. She will slip her paw under the door if I'm in the second bedroom exercising or we put her in the hallway while we eat.  It's so funny to see her little paw, and then when we touch it, she gets so excited ('OMG HUMAN INTERACTION!')

we went shooting one day, I like this picture because it makes me seem pretty cool

She adores me, she is always licking ... everywhere on me. She gives me hugs, which are my favorite.

She loves being picked up and cuddled

goofing around at Hasting's one day

Rugby attire + goofy attitude

Penny-back ride

Penny's friend, Bella (the neighbor's dog). They freak out when they're both outside at the same time, it's so silly. We love that she has 'dog friends'.

 

So we put this Spongebob blanket I got a decade ago in her crate (it's soft, thought she'd like it). Little did we know she'd been eating it. Zack found evidence while on 'doodie duty'. Goodbye, Spongebob blanket!

I had flour on my hands when she came into the kitchen, so I chased her around and got her 'floured'.