Gold Spandex

If you're reading this blog right now, do as I say: Click on Brookie's blog (see the link to the right?) for the scariest, yet most moving, music video you've ever seen. Then tell me if you feel that gold spandex pants should be standard issue to all citizens of the United States, young and old alike. Go on....click on it. You won't be sorry.

bloggercising...ugh...

I say that because lately that's what it feels like.

I say that mostly because it's something that makes me feel guilty if I don't do it.

Just kidding. That makes it sound so depressing. Really there hasn't been much news. Oh, except for the fact that we're moving across the country in two weeks. wait what?! After much prayer and thought, The Brauns have decided to hoof it to DC. We're hoping that our good looks and charm get us something nice in the way of work and housing. If that fails (which it just might) I guess we'll break down and find real, honest work and make it happen. wish us luck!

With that said and done, I just wanted to post a few pictures of the fun things we've been up to this summer. July has been pretty low key, but we have had some fun friends come into town: Erika Lock (one of our best friends from London) and the Torrie family (Seth's best friend Stan and fam). Seeing them again reminded us that we DO have friends and that our friends are really cool and fun.

I also had the pleasure (and totally rocking time) to hang out with some of the sister missionaries from way back when. ahhh...the days. My friend and old comp, Jen, is getting married in 4.2 days so the rest of us had to get her pumped for the festivities and (in particular) the wedding night. The "don't forgets" and "I remember when..." were way too funny and I was glad it was just us girls. Yikes!!! If our husbands only knew! (we're keeping that on the DL....the WAY DL....wink, wink!)

Anyway....I'm still figuring things out with this blogging thing. I know there are links I still need to get on there (yeah, abbie, I know), but I promise I'm making it happen. Thanks for reading and commenting. We love hearing from all of you, you know. Until the next time....blog on.

Fourth of July Fev-ah!

In case you're curious as to the exact definition of "fev-ah" you might be surprised to know that it's already a word you are familiar with: fever. interesting. My version is just said with a bit more pizazz...or even a British accent. you choose.

So, Independence Day. Generally one of the best loved holidays of the year. Fanatics and pyros alike share their obsession by dressing ridiculously and getting away with playing with fire and explosives. I, too, relish in these activities. I mean, it's not everyday that you can match your entire family without attracting strange stares (unless you're the Lawrences) in one united color scheme (no pun intended). Well, let me just make one thing clear about MY family. Tillie and I dressed up. Seth was lucky he was wearing blue (very LIGHT blue) and a red, sweaty baseball cap. The family photo op had great potential, but lucky for us, there is also Pioneer Day, which is like 4th of july-etta. (roughly translated: little fourth of July). We'll all be matching then, too.

The day passed like a dream. Everyone in the city without a boat ended up at the pool with us so that was pretty fun. We shared a beautiful square of grass and had a picnic and then stood shoulder to shoulder in the pool with the rest of the gang. Swimming laps was a bit out of the question but who exercises on the 4th of July, anyway?

We went to a BBQ at the Smith's house where Tillie soaked her clothes and then managed to stay bone dry when i finally put her swimsuit on. miraculous, I tell you. As bold and adventurous as she is, she definitely could do without the fireworks show. Her first 4th was spent at the Stadium of Fire. I thought that the modest curbside tribute would be much more enjoyable. 'fraid not, folks. 'fraid not. This is a child begging for silence.

Now that we're an old couple and practically the most boring people ever (gosh!) we just went home and skipped out on the rest of the big city fireworks. but....i guess you could say we managed to create a few fireworks of our own (sheesh, is it hot in here or what? booo...get a room!!!)

And....i'm done. enjoy the pics.