Summer Sup

Two years old and he finally got his first hair cut. The lady at Petsmart said she would "taper" his head and tail--little did I know that taper actually means "leave his head and tail like it is." So now Sup is running around with a butt that looks like a feather duster and ears to match. Good times. He seems to be much more comfortable though, which was the point of all this. The only sad thing is that he and Nic no longer have matching hair-dos.

More Mater

Anyone who thinks owning your own company is great because you can work your own hours and be your own boss might want to think again--just ask Nic. Sure, he sets his own hours, but those hours usually end up starting at 7 a.m. and ending well after dark. Poor guy. Any time I work extra I'm showered with gift cards and multiple days off. (I'm pretty sure he's secretly jealous.) I suppose that's what he gets for not wanting a boss.

Anyway, remember Mater and how cute he was? Well, check him out now: Just four tires and a rusty frame. This is how he's been living for the past month or so while Nic's schedule has been out of control. But there is hope on the horizon for Nic and his neglected hobby. He picked up the metal to build a new frame last week and is going to order new tires next week. Now if he can just find time to put it all back together again, maybe Mater (and Nic) won't look so sad anymore.


(Oh, and one of the things I love about Nic is that when he took Mater all apart and saw how much rust and damage the frame had, it didn't even phase him. He just said, 'Huh, I guess I'll build my own frame from scratch.' Who does that?)

Up close and personal

Nic picked up my second camera lens the other day. It zooms in ridiculously close.

Different side of Moab

I'm back from another week spent neglecting Nic and my blog. But at least this time there was fun involved.

My big brother, Josh, and his wife, Jessica, came to visit for the week. Since we only see them about once a year, the week they come is usually pretty full of movies, cards, and random adventures. Last week road tripped to Moab and spent a day whitewater rafting. It's the first time I've been to Moab without a Jeep since like 1989.


Here's the Wilcox girls (me, my Mom, Jessica, and Alexi) at Mesa Arch in Canyonlands.

And here is Josh's first appearance on my blog. Welcome Josh. Hopefully we'll get to go to Maine next spring where you're sure to appear in another posting.

And here's Colman and I being brave on top of the arch. I didn't realize that the two of us are almost the same size now. Scary.

Surprized

After a few days of staying in Salt Lake to work at my company's yearly convention, I was feeling pretty run down (to put it lightly). Then Nic came to the rescue Friday night and totally made my whole month! I've been wanting a Nikon D60 something fierce--and this was probably the best time he could have ever picked to surprise me with it. I love it. Now I just have to learn how to use it.

It works out well for Nic too. Now I can't give him any grief when he buys tires for Mater.

Been there, tasted that

These days my family has been traveling to more and more exotic locations. As a cinematographer, my dad has been going to crazy places for work as long as I can remember--but in the past year or two, the two rugrats who are still living at home have got to tag along with him. Which sometimes leaves me thinking: What gives?

Case in point: This March, my mom and little brother, Colman, chillaxed on various Hawaiian islands while my dad was filming a documentary there. Then in April, my mom and little sister, Alexi, accompanied my dad on a shoot all over the Middle East. Totally awesome for them. Heaps of jealousy for me.

But the greatest thing about all their travels, for me at least, is the recipes my mom comes home with--and the fact that she is an amazing cook and is always willing to share the bounty. Their recent Middle East trip was especially beneficial. A month or so after they got home, my mom prepared the most amazing Israeli feast evar. Here's a brief sampling of the tasty goodness, custom-made welcome sign--courtesy Alexi--included:

Alexi's welcome was one of my favorite parts of the evening.

Hummus: A must-have for any true Israeli feast.

Israeli salad: Eat it alone or with your falafel--either way equals tasty.

Shishuk and falafel: Just like the sign said--it's all yummy.

So even though it seems like now is the opportune time to be living with my traveling parents--Colman and Alexi had better count their blessings--I'm glad I get a sampling of their wanderings. They show no signs of slowing down either, which gives me hope that I will join them for a few trips. Right now I've got my sights set on Budapest--keep your fingers crossed!

Cute overload

Raindrops on roses? Whiskers on kittens? Nope. My favorite thing is puppies. So much so that I still refer to my seventy-pound dogs as puppies and I'll take any chance I can get to go see my brother-in-law's six American bulldog pups. I mean really, there's nothing cuter than a real live doggie pile.

My favorite is the upside-down one.

They are always tired. Silly dogs.

I know, I know. You can tell he loves me right?

We went over the other day and my six-year-old niece asked me why I always came over just to see the puppies. I didn't know what to say so I told her I was there to see her too. Lies, lies. Just give me the puppies!

Cemented

It only took us two years, but last week the north side of our back yard went from this:

To this:

Now if we could only get the dogs to stop ruining the lawn, it'd be perfect. But really, I'm just happy that the barbecue is no longer on the front porch.