The Funderburks Make a Visit

Andy's parents drove in from Amarillo, Texas to visit and here's what has happened so far:

1. We got to take them to church with us. This is the pretty building where we get to attend church - the historical Old Rock Church. After church we grilled kabobs on the grill.


2. Brenda and I went to get some cold drinks for everyone and when we returned we couldn't find the guys in the family room where we left them watching TV. I couldn't imagine where else they would be! We found them all piled up on our bed, of course watching TV.


3. Kevin, Andy and I have been dying to take Gary and Brenda to our favorite restaurant in St. George - Benja Thai and Sushi. It was a treat for us to share this charming place with them. The food was delicious and I think they even liked it a little bit!


4. Brenda and I took a "girl's afternoon" and went shopping since neither of us will ever turn down an afternoon of shopping! We had some luscious salads at 25 Main and hit up all the favorite shops in St. George.

Best of all, Brenda drug me to Cedar City's darling new knit and quilt boutique called Sew Swanky. I have actually been wanting to check it out for months now. They have incredible yarns and lots of Amy Butler fabrics which Brenda has introduced me to. She diagnosed my taste in fabrics and was right on. I am pretty excited for the Amy Butler trunk show Sew Swanky is doing this August and the class where I am going to make a purse! Now, I just need a sewing machine.... Any suggestions?

5. We were able to see a play at the Tony Award Winning Utah Shakespearean Festival. We saw The Two Gentlemen of Verona in the Adams Shakespearean Theater which is one of the closest existing replicas of Shakespeare's Globe Theater (sorry if I sound like I am giving a campus tour). The play was very well done and the atmosphere was magical.


We had to get a picture with one of the famous tart ladies.

6. Brenda made her famous Brisket and was it ever delicious! All hail to Claudes!

7. Groovefest is going on in Cedar City and the band Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl played their pre-show at The Grind Coffee Shop. I wanted to check it out because the couple is related to one of the girls from my graduate program. We really enjoyed it and even bought one of their cd's. They are great performers.


8. The only thing Andy's dad wanted to do here in Cedar City was go to work with Andy and that is exactly what he has done every day!

9. Gary and Brenda's Mountaineer broke down while they were here which was really unfortunate for them. But fortunately, Andy has all the right connections for them to be able to get it fixed quickly and affordably.

10. Their visit has been a lot of fun so far and isn't over yet!

Glorious Hair Product

This stuff is amazing. I discovered it in those bins while you are waiting in line at Sephora. It makes your hair look all shiny and sexy like. Check it out. A little pricey, but worth every penny because it is very potent and you only need a dab.

Giddy Up

What is summer without a rodeo? Andy and I had to go check out the rodeo last night. I was craving a rodeo burger cause there is just something about eating a hamburger at a rodeo. However, the burgers we had didn't hold a candle to the Rich County Lions Club rodeo burgers I grew up with (thank you Ralph Johnson). Nonetheless, it was a good time and they even had buffalo doing tricks!

My family makes me happy

Some of my family members were passing through town last night and so they stopped to eat dinner with us. Andy made sushi and steak and it was delicious. Mostly, it was fun to see these DARLING kids I haven't seen for so long. Mylee is such a character and the pictures prove it.

I survived Girl's Camp

I was called as assistant camp director for our ward. The theme was "Young women all over the world steadfast and immovable." Each ward had a different country and we were Canada!

This is most of our group with one of the crafts we did. They are cute wood blocks with metal letters of their first name attached.

There was a last minute change of plans on our location because of a snow storm a couple of weeks ago. We ended up staying on the property of one of the members of our stake presidency. This was our view from camp - beautiful! That is Kolob.

Our skit (with the lovely porta-potty in the background).

This is one of the handouts I made for the girls for testimony meeting night. We did all of our handouts in English and French since both languages are the official languages of Canada. The girls' testimonies were so special and made all of the hard work so worth it!

I missed being away from my comfortable bed, my sweet husband, and my luxurious bathroom. But I am already looking forward to next year!

Pink Bouquet

The other day Andy and I came home from lunch and I looked out the kitchen window and saw this beautiful bouquet of pink flowers sitting on the patio table. I knew it was my neighbor and my heart just melted! She is such a doll and a green thumb. Aren't they beautiful? Are they peonies? I want to plant some.


This is the same neighbor whose 8 and 10-year old boys just showed up at our house on more than one occasion this winter to shovel our walks. They're great people.

Brenda wipes out in Dallas

This is Andy's mom, Brenda. She was recently in Dallas visiting a friend. They were walking down the sidewalk and after going through an intersection, she missed the step up back onto the sidewalk and fell. Her face took the brunt of it. Fortunately nothing is broken. It could have been much worse and we are so grateful she is alright.




But, from the looks of these pictures she is in need of some sympathy! We love you, Brenda!!

Girl's Getaway in Las Vegas

My mom, myself, and all of my sisters, including my sister-in-law Laurie and our close friend Michelle, had a Girl's Getaway in Las Vegas. The agenda included lounging by the pool, shopping at our favorite places, pedicures, lot's of good food, and The Phantom of the Opera at The Venetian! It was a fun couple of days.

This was my view from my pool chair:

Yep, paradise. This is Laurie and Brie floating down the "lazy river" and getting all the men to flirt with them:

This is mom and Brie taking a break from shopping:

This is Brie and Nicole doing the same:

This is before we got pedicures:

This is while we were getting pedicures (don't ask about the fact that I actually kind of fell while getting down from that bench and cut my heel - funny story):

This is after our pedicures - much better! Can you tell whose feet are whose?

This is some of the shopping damage. I needed this therapy. I have been depriving myself of shopping for a couple of months and I was ready to let loose. Let's just say living in Cedar City has been a good cure for curbing my shopping habits.


This is The Cupcakery. Don't ever go there. You'll hate it.

All that moist, red velvet cake and cream cheese frosting. Totally gross.

Who am I kidding? It was heavenly.

And finally, this is all the girls after The Phantom of the Opera, which I highly recommend. The music was great and I can't get it out of my head. The lighting and fire effects were also stunning and very Las Vegas.


It was a fabulous time to be with my best friends and girls I love most. Hanging out with 6 other beautiful ladies doing exactly what we all love to to do was such a treat!

BBQ at The Funderburks

Saturday night we had a group of friends over for a BBQ, I promise. I took some pictures before they showed up but completely forgot about my camera once they arrived because we were having so much fun. I wanted you to see the outdoor buffet and patio in use... even if it is just Andy kickin' it.


And Saturday morning we planted a few things in the back yard. I can't wait to see it all grow. I know, I know the shed needs painted - maybe next summer 'cause I'm pooped!