Amanda's Birthday Tribute

Allison has always looked up to her big sister and they have spent every birthday together the last 25 years (because it's on the same day). This year it wasn't possible to be together on the big day so we looked through some old pictures in memory of her and this helped Allison feel better. Here are some of the highlights. Happy Birthday Amanda, see you soon.

Real life Facebook - it's a good laugh

Those funny Brits click here (props to Jon L. for the link)

or watch here

Weekend Update with Ty and Al

So just because we haven't updated the blog for a while it is not because we don't have anything to write about. In fact, we have been busier than ever. Allison is into her second month of work and is enjoying every second of it (note the sarcasm in my voice). She's doing good work but hates the long hours and getting up early. I say, welcome to my world.

Regardless, we have still managed to jam a lot into our weekends. Here we are at the Kreeger Museum, home of the former GEICO chairman. The home houses their private art collection and is now a full time museum. It was part of Museum Week in DC so went and checked it out. We even talked Al's brother Kevin in to coming along; the culture was good for him.

CROM-E-O-Oh-O.  Just last weekend we went to the 930 Club to see Cromeo in concert. Talk about two turn tables and a microphone, these guys know how to put on an entertaining show. DJ Treasure Fingers was the opening act and did a good job of warming up the crowd.  Once again Kevin joined us for more culture, DC style. What up yo!

Just this week we went to the opera at the Kennedy Center.  We were joined by our friend, Beau, in seeing Verdi's La Traviata.  It wasn't our favorite opera but we really enjoyed some of the middle Acts.   This is us front of the Kennedy Center.  We are lucky enough to have tickets to two more operas this season so look for our reviews.

And just this week we found a new place in DC that looked interesting.  It's called Coco Sala and it's billed as Chocolate Bar - how could you pass that up, right?  So we tried it out and would probably give it a B- overall.  They had small topas style dishes and then tons of chocolate platters.  Here is the Allison looking at the prices on the menu.

Weekend with the Vanderbilts

Oh, sorry, you didn't get the invite to weekend with the Vanderbilts at their little cottage in Newport, RI? (Hopefully you can join us next year)

Here is Al on the lawn of The Breakers.

We took in a polo match (my new thing).

Had fried clams at Evelyn's Drive-in in Tiverton.

Took a water taxi to Fort Adams across Newport harbor.

And so much more...


We had a wonderful weekend and next to perfect weather to see the town. We took a walking tour of the mansions along the cliff walk, visited two mansions (the Breakers and the Elms) and saw the town from the air. That's right, we went on a helicopter ride. Video to be posted later.

Happy birthday T.O.

Since Al and I were going to be in Newport, RH, on my birthday, we decided to have cake a day earlier. That happened to be 8.8.08 which was also the opening ceremonies for the Olympics.



That meant we had to fit in the singing, cake and ice-cream, and presents during commercial breaks.



I'll admit it, the Olympics are probably the only thing on earth that is more exciting than my birthday - barely.

Who says I can't grow hair on my head?

(It just happens to be on my face)

This is what happens when it gets into the dog days of summer.

Handle Bars

Mustache and flavor saver

Straight flavor saver

Mike and Nellie - Congrats on your big day!

This last weekend we went to the wedding of our friends Mike and Nellie Sanders. It was a beautiful wedding held in southern Maryland near the town of Port Tobacco. It rained during dinner but was great weather later in the day. We're very happy for them.

Not just any birthday - It's Lynne's b-day

Thank goodness it was Lynne's birthday - there's nothing better than the gift of a free meal. . . for us. John really went above and beyond by reserving a private booth at McCormick and Schmick's.


He even got a personalized menu with her name on it rolled up like a scroll - nice touch big guy!

We went back to the house to open presents where she got another great gift - books on designing the perfect beach house. . . another gift that keeps on giving.

Navy vs St. Johns - intense athletic competition

Apparently Annapolis is known for being the home of the Naval Academy, a fine institution with a long and storied history. But little did I know that right across the street is one of the oldest colleges in Maryland, or the east coast for that matter. St. John's is a small liberal arts school that isn't exactly known for its athletic programs - except for the croquet team. And I'm not even joking. They hired a coach - in fact they both have hired coaches. They have uniforms, kind of.

One Sunday each year the two schools have a serious match one four croquet fields set up on the main lawn of St. Johns. The crowd is right of the polo catalog - and from what I gathered it's better to be over dressed than under. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

BYU Management Society Gala 2008

The year we had another fun time at the BYU Management Society Gala dinner. At the John Toskovich sponsored table we had inlaws Matt and Noelle and our favorite adopted family, Mitch and Breena Grimes, and his parents Larry and Peggy.

Allison and I helped pick out the food at a tasting dinner earlier in the month so we knew we were going to like it (although some of Al's choices didn't get picked by the tasting committee and she let everyone know). The best part was the dessert that included an amazing chocolate pyramid.

About 700 people showed up to hear the guest of honor, Elder M. Russell Ballard, speak for about 45 mins on how the Church was handling recent press coverage and what we can do to help out. It was really interesting to hear an apostle speak outside of conference.


It was a fun night and a great reason to get dressed up. Plus, who doesn't love networking???

Dayne and Myhoa's Wedding

Click here to see pictures of the Orlando Trip - Dayne/Myhoa Wedding

What's better than going to Florida in February? How about going to Florida in Feb for a nice wedding. This being a leap year and all, what could be better than getting married on the 29th - you just have to remember your anniversary ever 4 years! So, Allison and I went to Orlando and met up with Howard (sans Ramona who was suffering from morning sickness - way to go Howie) and other friends to see our good friends Dayne (everyone calls him Dwyane) and Myhoa get married.

Friday morning we got to see my sister Jen, her husband Darin, and their son Gavin, who were there on vacation also. It was a short but enjoyable visit.

Friday was their marriage in the Orlando Temple with dinner afterwards at the Samba Room. We hit downtown Disney afterwards to play arcade games till midnight. Howard and Patrick were like little kids in a candy store.

Saturday we drove to Vero Beach, helped set up for the reception, then got ready and took some pictures at the beach. Around sunset the ring ceremony started and Dayne and Myhoa exchanged vows (I've never seen a guy cry so fast). There was a nice dinner, some more crying, and then fireworks. It was pretty amazing.

Sunday through Wednesday we played in Orlando. The Monday was St. Petersburg, Eckerd College, and the beach. Tuesday was our anniversary, so we went to a Braves spring training game, a tour of the town of Celebration, massages at a Disney Spa, all topped off by a sushi dinner.

All in all we had a great time and can't wait to go back.

Court side at the Verizon Center

What's better than sitting court side with your friends watching the Wizards play the Jazz? How about a win. Come On WIZ!!! Oh, and thanks for taking us Dayne and Mehoa.

Out with the old, in with the new...

We have been talking about getting a new car for a while now but it was this last weekend, on a whim, that we stopped by the VW dealership to check out the new Jetta. When we left a couple hours later we drove home this great new car. We are very excited (someone is more nervous really) about driving the new car. We will miss the old one but probably not for long.

The Far East on the East Coast

This week the Kennedy Center is hosting an exhibit featuring Japan. Along with performance from Japanese artists, they featured other types of art, such as the yellow room with objects covered in black polk-a-dots. I bet you're wondering if there was another room that was all black with yellow dots - yes there was but it kind of hurt your eyes and made you dizzy. We were there to see a modern dance performance that left us at a loss for words. It was a fun night and a good excuse to get out of the house.