And THIS my friends, is Jackson Trent Ewing

Check out that hair! And the adorable face! Now that I have pictures and stats, I will give them:

Weight: 7lbs.11oz.
Height: 19''
Time of Arrival: 5:20PM
Birthday: August 27, 2008

This is the Story of a Boy and a Girl...

**Do the pictures upload now? For some reason, it wasn't working before. Let me know!**

Setting: Especially for Youth
Year: Summer 2006
Subject: Love


So, we have these EFY friends that had an idea when Brandon and I worked together. They were coordinators as well, and they wanted to do a "spoof" on EFY-dating for one of the trainings for counselors.
Conveniently, Brandon and I were the perfect "actors" to do the job.

We didn't want anybody to know that we were dating while we were co-coordinators during the summer. And, despite my attempt to hide my "adoring eyes" from my partner, I'd like to think many people had NO idea that we were secretly dating.

And now...I present to you: Act ONE

Do we look like naturals? OH! That's because we have secretly been holding hands for SIX MONTHS!
And, I hope we don't look like Naturals here. Because, this was the first time we had ever done that....er....or second.

Not quite sure what scene we were trying to create here, but I'm pretty sure I was just trying to keep my eyes closed so that the passersby didn't catch me in my googly-eyes towards my co-worker!Seriously, do you see his body language? He totally wants me. (and, let's not pretend that I didn't have my lips puckered up for no reason here, folks!)

This scene ironically became far-too-familiar for Brandon, as he would sit on occasion and think, "Why is she so emotional?" The 'director' was trying to create a break-up picture. Pretty sure Brandon didn't have to pretend on this one...poor guy. Another reason why I love him. He loves me and my emotions (well, that may be going a little too far)

"Just pretend like you like each other! Hold hands!" yelled the director, as I secretly couldn't help but think we were actually locking pinkies ::note the way we are holding hands:: ::sigh::

I actually remember seeing this picture and asking if I could have it. And then, my better instincts retracted when I realized that the 'others' would be even MORE suspicious on why I would want a picture of Brandon giving me a flower... ALL to myself.

I don't think I'll ever understand why my prop-of-choice was a garbage can. Memory lapse from 2 years ago should lead me to believe that I was forced to sit on that dirty, ketchup-stained, black garb.

And, as if SITTING on the garbage can wasn't enough for posterity, we now have a forever collection of "Grandma and Grandpa Wilkinson" looking into the future through a trash can. By no means, symbolizing anything.


And, I'm almost too weary to put this picture in because it clearly exposes me as an angry wife. But, come on folks...it's called 'Acting'!

Another break-up scene. And a peek at my tempting cleavage

**Thank you to the beautiful, and always resourceful Megs, for actually HAVING these pictures and forwarding them to me. I think it's safe to assume, now that we're married, that I would want ALL of these pictures...gems, really.

Snips Snails and Puppy Dog Tails...

We have now added a new addition to the Wilkinson-side of the family! Kimberly and TJ Ewing had their baby boy yesterday, August 27th!
I don't have a cute picture yet of him, because when we saw him he was being weighed in the nursery room. But, he sure has a full head of dark hair! The nurse even gave him a faux-hawk!

More to come on the little angel we like to call: Jackson Trent Ewing

The ol' saying

So, I was reading this and realized that the ol saying still goes:

MODEST IS HOTTEST


And, as cheesy as I may sound by actually repeating the three worded, ridiculously cheesy, LDS phrase...I do have to say...it's starting to catch on.

I never thought my layered Shade shirts, and spandex pants would ever look so good.

Now I'm finally right up there with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. So glad that the article points out that girls follow the "trends in media", and not their conscience or dignity, or even faith for that matter. No! Heaven forbid...we must follow the trends in the media.

Thank you, Miley Cyrus for finally putting a cardigan on so I could have a reason to dress modest.

Lunch Hour

So, Brandon is at Youth Conference as the one-and-only Male leader up there. I know...good man. He went up with two Young Women leaders and 25 boys and girls. And I really do believe the ol' saying of "Distance makes the heart grow fonder." Because I wake up missing him, I sit at working thinking about him, and I go to bed missing him. (You can trust me that I am not as pathetic as I sound). So, in lieu of his presence I thought I would give you a little dose of one of our conversations (Thanks, Allison Riley...always thinkin!) that happened during my lunch break.

Background: Brandon grew up watching "Matlock" with his family, and he even tries to go over to his Mom's house on occassion to watch the reruns at 1:00PM every weekday. He still tries to watch it every single day he is home during the lunch hour, so some days I try to make it home during that time. I have heard Brandon say, in all seriousness, "Matlock is so smart". Let me just mention that Brandon LOVES Matlock. And, I never even knew what it was about until last year.

Lunch Conversation (with Matlock playing in the background).

E: Why is Matlock defending the real killer? (Yes, this is how much I don't know about the show)
B: He's not. He is the prosecution. He is defending the innocent guy.
E: Oh...well, the episode made it look like he was defending the bad guy.
B: Dude, Ben knows his stuff. He is always quick and always doing the right things.
E: Ben?
B: Yeah...B-Dizzle. Matlock?
E: So, you're on a first name basis?
B: Yeah, he's my man. Ben keeps me company when you're at work.
E: Babe, you need to get out more.

Where I Been

Yes...I am alive. And the only reason I haven't been blogging is because I just can't keep my eyes off of the Television! I know...I thought I'd never say this one. But, I LOVE THE OLYMPICS! And, many of you who know me will remember just how much I love the Olympics.

I hate to toot my own horn, but allow me to toot away (I'll keep it appropriate...no real toots, here...sickos). My sisters, Lindsay and Krista were head honchos of the SLOC (Salt Lake Olympic Committee), and Krista even worked close enough with Mitt Romney that I'm pretty sure she heard him drop the "F" bomb (Fetchin'). And, to make it even better...my Mom and Dad were Olympic Torch Bearers in Montana. So, we have...count it...three 2002 Olympic Torches within our family. I know none of these cool facts have any direct relation to me. But, we're blood. Contrary to the idea that my sister's used to taunt me that I was adopted...these are my kin. And by glamorous design, I may ride on the coattails of their Olympic coolness.

So, if you're wondering where I am at. I will be sitting with my wonderful, willing husband...in front of the tube...cheering on Team USA. And, in my downtime, I will be trying to track down the real age of the Chinese gymnasts.

Your Highland Idol

With the weekend fast approaching (read: 7 hours away), I thought I would hurry and post our happenings from last weekend. What with the Olympics and Brandon's cousin's wedding tomorrow, I knew I would be bound to get behind. And, although you may or may not think our last weekend was even blogworthy, I feel the need to make mention of a few things for posterity's sake.

I have always loved to sing. Most of you may know that. Many of you probably had no idea. My family always made it a point to seek out the best Karaoke bar on any family vacation. And I'm pretty sure I had every single local Karaoke night penciled in. So, as to not put my karaokeing days behind....I signed up to perform in the Highland Idol.
You had to be a resident of Highland Idol, so luckily my Rainman skills helped me regurgitate the address my sister had three years ago when she lived in Highland.

Fast forward to Friday night. I don't think I ate all day. I kept telling myself, "Come on, self. You used to do this all the time in high school...and you even had to DANCE while you sang!" Well, that just made it worse. With quite possibly the largest fan club at the Idol competition (thank you, Family!), I got up on stage and sang like a lamb. I would like to compare it to the actual sound a lamb would make if you were to pick it up in a frenzy. And, because I was singing a faster-esque song...I decided to throw in some movements. Bad idea.

So, needless to say, I didn't take the competition. But I am pretty sure I came in a close 4th place. And, Brandon recorded my "efforts", so while I was re-watching it I noticed that I noticed that I actually threw the Two-Step into my stage routine. Seriously? The two-step? I'm pretty sure that only works for Dolly Parton. Actually, it doesn't even work for her!

Here is my wonderful fan club. Seriously, thank you for coming to support me!

And, here is my #1 Fan (after my husband, of course!). Tiff had been so excited for me that she even made a sign. I felt like a celebrity. Thanks, Tiff!

Saturday we went boating with Kelby and Nicole Koop. Kelby and Brandon are BFF from high school, so when they get out on the tubes together...it's havoc. They were switching tubes, jumping on each other, kicking each other. Honestly, I am surprised they didn't get hurt. We had quite an eventful day on the Lake. We went to Utah Lake, quite famous for crappy water apparently. So, it was PERFECTLY choppy for tubing. The waves were so huge that we had a lot of things happen: Kelby ripped the handle, and the entire cover off of his tube, Nicole lost her swim bottoms, and....let's just say that I am a little bitter that the most careful, cautious person gets hurt....


When I got out on the tube, Kelby told Brandon to drive the boat because he didn't want to be "responsible for hurting me". So, Brandon took the wheel and jokingly taunted me that I would have the "ride of my life". Well, the ride was actually quite smooth and slow...just the way I like it. Until, after going seriously 5MPH I saw a wave coming toward me that was literally 5 ft. tall. I slammed onto it, but wanted to hang on to the tube, so when I landed my nose must have smashed into my fingernail. Just glad Utah Lake doesn't have sharks, because there was blood EVERYWHERE.

Here are the boys about ready to do some serious damage.

The Koops

And on that note....

Oh the humanity. (Don't zoom in too close. I am already hesitant posting a picture that makes me look like an orphan)

Sorry for the blood and gore...but, as I was getting back in the boat I asked for some tissue and Brandon said, "Wait, you have to grab the Camera!" My wonderful husband did feel really bad about it though, even though it wasn't his fault. So, even after 6 days, I am still trying to milk it. (::not::)

Letters

Thought now would be a good time for another round of 'Notes to People'....and this has nothing to do with the fact that I haven't had time to download the sweet pictures we have from our events last weekend. So, allow me to indulge:

- Dear 15-year-old-boy: I walked passed you in the mall and I noticed that you had a Bluetooth device in your ear while you were standing in line at Orange Julius. What could you possibly be busy enough in your 15 years of life that would require you to attach a perma-phone to your ear? Unless you are the author of "Eragon," you need to remove that silly looking device.

-Dear 8-year-old-boy: I saw you talking on a cell phone as you walked into "Pac Sun". You should NOT have a cell phone. Please speak to the 15-year-old boy.

-Dear Amanda Dickson: Every morning when I hear your voice on KSL Radio, I cringe and immediately change the station. I have enjoyed not hearing your voice for the last several days because you have been on vacation. Come to find out, you are one of the KSL Reporters for the 2008 Olympics. And, I LOVE the Olympics. Please don't be offended if I tune into any OTHER station broadcasting the Olympics. I truly cannot STAND your voice. But, this is not about you.

Dear America First Online Checking Account: this service is a great feature which enables me to continually check our account and ensure we have enough money. When your webpage says "Temporarily Experiencing Technical Difficulties", I panic. Please stop that.

Beautiful Vacay

So, I suppose that when I tell you that I will be gone for "6" days, and then don't write on my blog for 12 days...one may start to wonder. The common response to this query should just be, "She's not that good at Math". But, to most of your surprise, I just haven't had a minute to blog about the trip that we got back from 6 days ago! (Sorry Meg, my loyal reader that commented TWICE to get me back on the blogosphere).

And, as always...if any of you are interested, there is a slide show below. I am just trying to post good pictures of me, because Brandon got ahold of a picture of me from 1994, and he thinks that I look like a Polygamist's wife. So, these pictures of Erica circa 2008 are in direct relation to me trying to prove something.

So, for a quick recap, I thought I would give you a list (I am starting to love lists) on "What I have Learned by spending a week in Whitefish, Montana":

- That when we tell Krista and Tim that we will be ready to leave Tuesday @ 12PM, it really means that we will be ready to leave OUR house (50 minutes away from them) Tuesday @ 12PM. And, we will not be "on our way" out until 2PM.

- Joni's Deli in SLC is actually delicious, despite the fact that it's themed sandwich is called a "Dagwood and Blondie" (seriously? I know).

- That 12 long hours driving in a Tahoe can be easily remedied by a built-in DVD player, and "Batman Begins"

- That I was the only one who knew what I was talking about when I said that we weren't sleeping in Grandma and Grandpa's bed because their room is "haunted". (wishing right now that I would've taken a picture of the creepy ghost-like picture that is still hanging in their room).

- When we have to park 1 mile from the lake-house because our car/boat won't fit through the narrow dirt road, and then WALK (at 1 AM) to the home....that I shouldn't have packed so many things.

- Sleeping in the attic/loft of Gma and Gpa's home is scary, creepy, dusty, and I am pretty sure I heard a bear outside in the middle of the night.

- That the life-size doll of Grandma, sitting in a rocking chair, holding a baby, is not as fun to play with anymore...compared to how much I LOVED to play with "her" when I was 7.

- Whitefish Lake really is the most beautiful place I have ever been. And Brandon felt the same way.

- That the new "queen sized" water-tube (which can hold 4 people comfortably) is only fun when I rode on it with my 10-and-7 year old neices (boat speed: 5 MPH)...and it is NOT fun when I am squished in between Brandon and Mike. (I still have scrapes and bruises to prove it).

- That crossing the wake on a wakeboard looks MUCH easier when I am watching someone do it.

- That the wake looks like it is 10 feet tall when I am the one wakeboarding.

- That Brandon can seriously do anything. And he almost landed a 'tantrum' after only trying it once...and luckily did NOT blow out his knee...but got close.

- That Krista and Tim are extremely generous.

-We shouldn't invite the neighbor girls over to learn how to wakeboard...because then it takes 3 hours, and they use all of the good, glass water.

- That we slept much more comfortably when the rest of the Rowles family showed up, which allowed us to move to a condo built in 2000...instead of 1953.

- That I love it when our family is together (but I missed Rebecca and Mom)

- That there really isn't a rope swing on the other side of the lake

- That I shouldn't tell my Aunts and Uncles that I am NOT voting for Barack Obama

- That I should not go running with Krista in the morning...because she actually LIKES to run

- That eating lunch in the "town" is fun with Rachelle and Danny, but that we should have just stayed at the River Pizza Restaurant. (We left because we hadn't even been talked to by a waiter for at least 15 minutes...but then ended up walking for 30 minutes finding another place to eat).

- That going to Dairy Queen with Lindsay and Mike feels like a double-date

- That my Dad, albeit that he's almost 58, is the coolest, most in-shape Dad ever (proven by the fact that he wakeboarded AND tubed).

- That Sophie is the cutest, most flexible, most lovable, 8 1/2 month old baby I know (and, trust me...I know a few).

- That Rachelle will only get in the lake when it is the "hottest" part of the day. And even then, she will only stay in for 3 minutes.

- That huckleberry shakes are better than I remember them when I was a kid

- That it MUCH more fun going to Whitefish with my husband, than it was when I was a kid and got made fun of for having "cleavage" at the age of 9.

- That when we watch home videos of us at the lake when I was 8, I am annoying, have a squeaky voice, and like to get in front of the camera.

- That the sun sets at 10PM, and they are absolutely gorgeous.

- That I am always sad to leave Whitefish, and look forward to going back every year.

Hiatus

If there are any of you out there, and I mean ANY of you out there that will be checking our blog in the next week and wondering, "Why hasn't she posted?", it is because we will be spending the next 6 Days boating, waverunning (not a word, i know Microsoft spell-check...), eating, swimming, and tanning HERE:
And if there are ANY of you people who don't read this blog...then I would think it safe to assume you just don't care.

Enjoy yourselves.

One Year Already?

Today Brandon and I celebrated one year of marriage!Sweet Sweet Love


Bright sun. Pretty colors.

Rated PG-13
I've always like this shot. Maybe it's because I am holding my dress like a Princess would.
Not the best profile shots. But, I liked the colors
My Prince.
My Prince with major Hops.

Here is what we have celebrated today:

93 degrees on our wedding day

27 miles we had to drive before we got to our hotel on our wedding night

18 hours it took for us to finally arrive in Florida on our honeymoon

294 hours we spent on our honeymoon in Florida

4 tractors bought from KSL

6 tractor engines

4 job interviews before I landed ONE sweet job

366 wedded blissful days since we were sealed

2,397 miles we drove from Florida to Utah in our new VW Beetle

10 minutes Brandon usually has to wait for me everytime we have to leave somewhere

3 car accidents; 2 of them my fault.

164 days of snow.

2 Birthday celebrations

1 new computer with a built-in Television set

4 PRCA Rodeos we have been to

1 new surround sound

10,000 miles we have put on the Beetle in the last year!

118 spiders killed in our apartment

4,000 passionate kisses

3 new pairs of sunglasses

1 MCAT

2 hotels we stayed at within 25 miles from our home

3 semesters at BYU

802 bowls of cereal Brandon has eaten since we were married

10 Medical Schools Brandon has applied for

3 times a week we eat lunch together on my lunch break

4 times I was worried that I was pregnant.

14 hours we spend together a day

310 square feet in our apartment

To be continued................

I LOVE YOU BRANDON!

This Guy

So, there's this hard-working, smart, intelligent, funny, dedicated, honest, hilarious, singing, dancing, teaching, skiing, motor-biking, tractoring, loving MAN I know. His name is Brandon. And, if you're wondering where you can find him: he's married. TO ME!

And, he's got this thing coming up called the MCAT.....TOMORROW! So, as much as I wish I could post some pictures of him in front of the computer, with stacks of books and flashcards all around him....I thought I would post a funny comic about Doctors...you know, to "lighten" the mood! He has been studying 24/7 for this past week! And...he finally takes this wretched test tomorrow.

So, please pray for him! He so badly wants to do well (obviously), and I so badly want him to feel like he did well! Please include him in your prayers today and tomorrow (and, everyday if you'd like, you know...free prayers are never harmful). And, if you don't pray...start now! Not for selfish reasons like, us needing your prayers, but because with prayer in your life, you will feel 100% again. (just hopped off my soapbox, don't worry).

THIS is American Idol

It's amazing to me that after 7 Seasons, this show STILL doesn't get old (Speaking for myself, that is), and it is amazing to me that it took 7 Seasons for me to GET to an actual American Idol tour concert! My mom bought tickets for the family to go to the concert, and it works in my family. Since I have five sisters, (::read-five singing, dancing, phenomenons::), and two nieces that LOVE American Idol. And, somehow, our wonderful husbands got roped into coming too.

So, the show was seriously a pretty good one. And, we had GREAT seats too. But, you wouldn't know from the pictures I took because i didn't take any pictures of the stage. I think I was too excited about making sure I got pictures of the family there, that I forgot to take pictures of the reason for our family gathering.

But, for a quick recap I will give you a list of my favorites:

1- Michael Johns singing "We Will Rock You"...seriously? An Aussie threatening to "rock" you? Does it seriously get any better than that?

2- Watching my Mom and sister seriously go CRAZY when 1) Michael Johns 2) David Archuleta and 3) David Cook were singing. I honestly did not think my mom had the "School Girl" symptom...but, she seriously jumped up and down clapping and singing. My mom rocks. (And, just for the record: my 10 and 7 year old nieces didn't hold a candle to the excitement of their cute Mom).

3- The "Stride" gum samples being passed out in the parking lot. Since Brandon and I got to the concert 15 minutes late (due to the no free parking problem), we asked the Stride employees for lots of gum. And, whoa...they delivered. So far, I have counted 32 packs of gum. Awesome. (This may or may not receive it's own personal post).

4- How sweet and humble little David Archuleta STILL is even AFTER the thousands of screaming 15 year olds. Seriously, it doesn't phase him. He still does the awkward hand motion ("catch the rainbow", Lynds?). He still does the shy head-move (you know, like when you tell someone you like them and then they hang their head down and giggle?). And, he still is sooo soft-spoken. He has an amazing singing voice, but seriously...when he speaks? Where does that powerful voice go?

5- When Carly Smithson (who is equally amazing) said that Brooke White took her downtown today to see our "Temple", and it was beautiful.

6- David Cook. Amazing. Best performer of the night (decidedly so). And, awesome that his guitar is adorned with his older brother's initials "AC". (He has a brain tumor...if you don't the story behind this...you are sooo behind!) haha. He rocks. No pun intended..okay, maybe just a little pun.

My cute Mom and Sister, Rebecca

Us with Mom, Krista and Tim

David Archuleta fans

Danny, Rachelle and girls

FYI

Just thought I'd let know that, thanks to my Mom, in 6 1/2 hours I will be in the SAME room as these fine people:







Pictures are forthcoming (just kidding. I don't even know what that means, it was just a suspenseful way of saying, "Heck yeah, I'll be posting pictures!")