Our Trip to Buffalo

BUFFALO, NY - Burke and I spent July 4th weekend in Buffalo with the Preeces. We had a lot of fun and saw many awesome sights. But best of all was just getting to spend time with Adam, Marci, and the boys.

So we arrived in Buffalo on Thursday night and despite having already eaten dinner, Burke and Adam made a late-night run for some buffalo wings (for those that don't know, buffalo wings were invented in Buffalo, hence the name). By all accounts these were the best wings ever - even surpassing those from the wing-inventing Anchor Bar, which we tried our last night in Buffalo. It felt like we ate a lot over the weekend. Adam even inspired a new verb related to eating - to "McGriddle." You'll have to ask him for the definition.

On the Fourth, we went to the Amherst fireworks at the University of Buffalo. The show was amazing (see picture below) but ended about 4 minutes too soon. Henry was so excited for the fireworks to start ("Come on fireWORKS"), but became so scared that he finished the show curled up underneath a blanket. As we prepared to leave the fireworks, Marci somehow spotted Adam's car keys, which had fallen out of his pocket, laying in the grass. Had she not found them we might still be at the park.

PALMYRA, NY - We went to Palmyra ("The Queen of the Erie Canal Towns") and toured the Church history sites. We went to the temple, the Smith family farm, the Sacred Grove, the Book of Mormon printing shop, and the Hill Cumorah. It was an amazing experience to see so many sacred places.

NIAGARA FALLS, CANADA - We decided to go to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls because we heard that it was better than the U.S. side (plus, Burke wanted to go back home). It was a blast - we walked the board walk and rode the Maid of the Mist. When we left Niagara, Marci took us on a "short-cut" back to the U.S. (a lot of the scenery looked familiar).

Thanks again Preeces! See you in September.

Burke and Kenny

Burke here (writing as Burke). I wanted to make a post about my experience at this year's Memorial Golf Tournament because so many people hated on my encounter with Phil at last year's tournament.

For those of you who don't know, Kenny Perry won the Memorial this year. Now, I don't want to take ALL the credit for his win ... but he was the only golfer who had his picture taken with me prior this year's tournament. Coincidence? Maybe - but I also gave him a few pointers on slowing down his backswing and keeping his left arm straight. Regardless, I'm sure Kenny (and probably several other golfers) will be looking for me at next year's Memorial Tournament for a photo opportunity and some swing advice. Congratulations, Kenny and good luck at the Ryder Cup!

Also at this year's Memorial Tournament, I had another encounter with Phil Mickelson while we were following his group on Sunday. On Hole #2, Phil sprayed his drive across a creek into some deep rough. Somehow he managed to advance the ball down near the green and then proceded to get up and down for par. As he walked off the green to make his way to the #3 tee box, I was standing right against the ropes. I said, "Nice par-save Phil." He looked me straight in the eye, gave me a solid nod and said, "Thank you."

Although I didn't get this on video (cameras aren't permitted Thursday-Sunday), I did have two witnesses that will corroborate my story - one of who was the biggest skeptic of my last encounter.

The Big Apple

NEW YORK CITY - So Burke and I went to NYC a couple of weeks ago and I am just now getting around to making a post. Bryce and Shae were nice enough to play host for the weekend and also acted as tour guides - thanks guys!

We packed a lot into four days but managed to see everything that we wanted to. In addition to the sights pictured below, we went to the following: the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, China Town, Little Italy, Soho, Greenwich Village, Fifth Avenue, Central Park, the Manhattan Temple, Grand Central Station, the United Nations, Radio City Music Hall, Ground Zero, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.




BROOKLYN HEIGHTS PROMENADE - This walkway is across the East River from Manhattan and offers great views of the skyline. It leads to the Brooklyn Bridge, which we walked across into the City. We also saw John Lithgow strolling along the promenade. Below is a picture of us with Bryce and Shae .

DOWNTOWN SKYLINE - This is a picture of the skyline taken from Bryce and Shae's apartment rooftop in Brooklyn - an amazing view!


UPTOWN SKYLINE - Here is a view of the skyline taken from the Brooklyn Bridge. The Empire State Building is on the left and the Chrysler Building is on the right.


STATUE OF LIBERTY - I'm not sure this picture needs much of an explanation. It was taken from the Staten Island Ferry.

BROADWAY - We went to "Mama Mia" on Broadway. The show was amazing!


YANKEE STADIUM - This is the last year to see a baseball game at Yankee Stadium before they move to their new home next door. The Yankees lost to the Tigers 8-4.


CONEY ISLAND - We took the subway out to Coney Island and walked the boardwalk. Burke ate a "Coney Dog" from Nathan's Famous (where they hold the hot-dog-eating championship). Below is a picture of me in front of the Atlantic Ocean.

TIMES SQUARE - This place is crazy - so many people all over the place. We saw the Naked Cowboy (some random guy playing guitar in his underwear) and stood outside the TRL studio. We also ate at the ESPN Zone at Times Square. Here is a picture of Burke pretending that he's Puff Daddy.

WALL STREET - We walked all over the financial district and saw the New York Stock Exchange and the place where George Washington was sworn in as President. And of course we had to get a picture in front of the famous bull.

Spouse Tag.

We have been "tagged" by the Raymonds, so here goes...1. His full name? Burke Bevan Nazer
2. How long have you been together? It will be five years in August!
3. How long did you date? We had one of those off-again/on-again high school relationships. We also dated for about a year and a half after Burke's mission.
4. How old is he? 27.
5. Who eats more? I would have to say probably me although Burke does love his "cheese a la plate" and Coke.
6. Who said "I Love You" first? I think it was Burke but I can't remember the first time.


7. Who is taller? This is a close one, but I would have to say Burke by about a foot.
8. Who sings better? I would have to say we both stink at singing although if it is on "Rock Band" I think I have Burke beat.
9. Who is smarter? Definitely Burke.
10. Who does the laundry? Me 100%.
11. Who pays the bills? Although you might think Burke would (he graduated in Accounting), I actually pay the bills.


12. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do and probably always will. Burke likes routine and that's the routine.
13. Who mows the lawn? We don't have a lawn, but Burke would mow it if we did.
14. Who cooks dinner? I do the cooking although Burke would argue that having cold cereal is not cooking. I usually only have time to really cook on the weekends.
15. Who drives? Usually Burke.
16. Who kissed whom first? Burke did - at a Church dance on New Year's Eve. I was so embarassed because I totally missed his lips and kissed his chin. It was dark though so I have a good excuse.
17. Who's more stubborn? I would have to say me.

18. Who asked whom out first? Burke asked me out for the first time on my 16th birthday.
19. Who proposed? Burke - I knew it was coming but he surprised me earlier than I expected. I was so excited.
20. Who has more friends? Probably equal - we both have lots of good friends.
21. Who is more sensitive? Burke can be sensitive at times but you can definitely tell he was raised with only brothers.
22. Who has more siblings? Me, 1 sis and 2 bros.
23. Who wears the pants? Burke and I would disagree on this but I think we both wear the pants (Burke would say he wears the pants completely).

We tag Brandt & Shelly Nazer and Jason & Sarah Nelson.

Our Needs

We got this idea from Erin and Mandy - to type our first names into Google followed by "needs." This is what we came up with:

Hayley needs...
(1)...to join Bianca at anorexia day camp.
(2)...luvin.
(3)...to stay as she is, never change.
(4)...a break.
(5)...help.

Burke needs...
(1)...to prove he can stand the heat.
(2)...a hairstylist.
(3)...to ask forgiveness for his vanity.
(4)...to establish himself at the plate.
(5)...to be re-educated in humility and the ultimate purpose of the Church.

Blizzard of '08

We are still digging out from the Blizzard of '08. This past weekend Columbus was hit with the worst storm in the history of Ohio. It set a new record for snowfall in a day (15.4 inches) and snowfall from a single storm (20.4 inches). In addition to the snowfall, we had winds of 35 mph, which created white-out conditions. The whole city pretty much shut down and it is just barely starting to get back to normal. Luckily, the temperature is supposed to reach 50+ this week. Below is a picture taken from our front door (after Burke shoveled our walk) on Saturday. Looks like Cache Valley!

Hockey Night

Burke and I went to a Columbus Blue Jackets game last weekend. The Edmonton Oilers (Burke's favorite team) were in town so we decided to check it out. It was my first NHL game.

The Oilers were up by one point with time running out when the Blue Jackets scored with .8 seconds left. The game went into overtime where the Oilers won 2-1.