Happy belated Birthday America!

On the Fourth Zach said he wanted to name our future child Merica. He thinks he's so funny. Also a year from that day, the fourth, Zach asked me for my number. I don't know what took him so long thinking back on that, I was already hanging out with him for a month at that point, what a noob. But it all went by so fast, I love it! For fourth of July morning we went to a neighborhood breakfast. It was pretty cool. It's been a fifteen year tradition that the whole neighborhood meets on one of our neighbors lawn for some activities and being able to visit with one another. There were old cars lined up on the lawn to "ooo and aaah" at, a pancake breakfast was served with eggs, sausage, bacon, and fruit, and games for the kids were set up. I loved it. Zach and I had signed up to be in charge of the fishing game. We got whacked in the head a few times when they would swing their fishing line over, but then we would tug on their ropes and they would struggle to get their catch. It was fun to say the least. Later on for lunch we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Walton's for a BBQ. It was nice to be around the Walton family, the few that were there at least. In the evening Bill and Wendy came over to hang out for the night. Mom made dinner and after dinner her and Lauren went to pick my dad up from the airport, he was flying in from the Bahamas (work related). He was supposed to be here the night before the fourth at 7:30om, but it was delayed until 7:30pm on the fourth, and then luckily it was switched to him being here at 4:30pm instead. That of course fell through so long story short my dad got to my home at MIDNIGHT. While Lauren and mom were gone waiting for my Dad the rest of us played games and ate cookies and ice cream. For the fireworks we went on our roof and watched all the shows in the valley. It was really something to see. I loved being surrounded by the fireworks. While we were up on the roof and looking in the sky we saw exactly one plane going by. About five minutes later I got a call saying Dad landed. I'm definitely pretty sure, maybe, that that was the plane my dad was on.



NOW..
Let me rewind, because news flash I have been absent for about a week. But absence does not mean laziness. I have been working hard left and right. Last week I was able to be a second shooter at a wedding. It was HOT! I nearly drowned in my own sweat that day. Just hours before heading up to the Timponogas Temple I got a letter in the mail from Marriott. It was my congratulations and blah blah blahs, but also my new dress code information. And slacks was on the list of acceptable to wear. So Zach and I went shopping and spent the last of our wedding gift cards at target for some professional attire for me. I ended up wearing those thick pants to the photo shoot to look a little bit more put together then usual and the result of that was dying in heat. It's different from California heat, I'm telling you it's bad. Anyways the shoot went well, I learned a lot from observing and being there listening and helping out. I just felt so bad for the poor bride wearing that heavy heavy long layered think dress. Poor gal.

After the shoot I headed home and mom arrived shortly after. She drove grandpa's van up, which always means business. Right when we had finished unpacking everything and settling in to our new place, another van load of random junk pulls in and gets unloaded to the space that was shortly clean and organized. I was bummed. It's always nice to have mom here though. Dad gets in tonight as well! We are all so excited.

Saturday was the best day. It was SavvyDay! Zach and I love and adore our niece Savannah. Especially when she refers to us as Zachlena, that's us with no specification. We are as one and that's how she likes it. We had planned ahead of all the fun activities we would do with her. So once her mom and dad dropped her off we headed to the Gateway Mall to play in the water. Well Savvy wasn't digging the idea so much once we got there. She was excited when she saw it, but didn't like the idea of being in it as much. I can't blame her though, the water would shoot up about twenty feet above her head, it seems terrifying. At one point Zach stood in the middle of the water and all of a sudden the water shot up around him making him disappear, that's when Savvy started crying in fear that her uncle was gone. It the sweetest thing. Once Zach got out she wanted him to hold her and this was them after that happened.

But it only got better from there, because we had to redeem ourselves...this did it for her.

And all was well. She loves her Uncle!

We had a great day there. Once we got back home we hung out and played some more with our niece. Alisha and Mike came back over and I went with Alisha to a photo shoot she was doing. She let me second shoot with her and get some more practice in. She's helped me so much with learning my camera and answering my questions. The shoot went well and the whole day overall was loads of fun.

This past week on Tuesday and Wednesday I started my new job. And so far it's pretty great. I've sat in a class room for hours both days, and the questions I answered right I got candy for. So it's not bad at all. Also the pizza party on Wednesday still left me with no complaints. After both those days my brain was pretty tired and I slept for hours once I got home, pretty pathetic I know. But in all seriousness the people are great and talk very highly of their job, and I'm definitely ready to get out of the food industry and try something new with a different level of profession. I start training full time on Monday, those will be long and exhausting days. And one more thing, my GM asked me to transfer with him to a different five guys store, so today was my last day in South Towne and I will be in American Fork next week. Great changes happening for my work-life.

Since then I have been back at work and just enjoying every second I can with my family, both the Lacayo's and Walton's. I have the best family. I married into a wonderful family and I can not wait to get to be around them for the next few years here in Utah. That's all and Happy Friday!