For Jamyn

What would we do without our best friends? For one, this blog would not exist (seriously) if weren't for my beautiful sis-in-law Jessica Bailey, and it would never get updated (and seldom as that is) if it weren't for my bff Jamyn. So ladies, this one's for you.





When we last left off, Chris and I were just about to fly out to Utah for his Grandpa's funeral. It was beautiful—a wonderful celebration of a life worth celebrating. To read more about it, see Laur and Jeff's amazing tribute.

During this time, MEGAN AND ANDY GOT ENGAGED!!! We're so happy for these two little love birds. They're perfect for eachother. For those of you who don't know Andy, we call him "Andy Bear" [pause: Before andy left on his mission, I happened to walk in on the two of them cuddling on the love sac in our basement. Megan was cooing... yes, I said cooing, like a small child, "I leewwwve you Andy Bear. Yes, I leeewwve you." Let's just say they'll never live it down]. Anyway, here's little Andy Bear in a nutshell: our backdoor neighbor, our family's hometeacher, a member of the US ski team, an Olympic hopeful, a returned Norwegian missionary, and a great match for my lil' sis. They're so perfect together—like Barbie and Ken perfect—and I can't wait to see they're beautiful blonde babies.





Upon returning to NYC after the funeral, we had five days before leaving on a much needed, week-long vacation in Newport Beach, CA with my family. It was HEAVENLY, but way too short. We spent time lounging on the beach, eating donuts, jogging on the boardwalk, eating delicious food, playing games, building sand castles and eating more delicious, butt-widening food (aka Balboa bars). Chris and Macie—yes, just the two of them— even spent a whole day at Disneyland and California Adventure. They'd been planning it for months and enjoyed every second of it. I was so sad to leave my fam and the beach and head back to New York, but we're already counting the days until next year!

[Side note: Any time I sit down to read/write, Chris decides to pester me with ridiculous questions. So as I write this lovely blog, please, enjoy.

Chris asks: Would you rather be a toad or a rabbit?

Mike: A toad.

Chris: Why do you say that? You don't like rabbits? They're so nice and fluffy.]

Over Labor Day weekend we were so happy to have a visit from Mitch, Colleen, Laur and Jeff. They went on a baseball tour (Colleen and Laur, you two are saints!) that included at least 3 different cities and ended in NYC. It was so wonderful to see them. Laur and I had much needed girl time and Chris and Jeff worked on some manly bonding. Please come visit us again soon!!

And now, here we are. We are healthy, we are happy, and life is oh-so-good. I'm finishing my last two (for real this time) courses at Hunter right now: Multi-Ethnic American Lit and Shakespeare Survey. As of Dec. 14, I'll be "officially" graduated. Thank you BYU for being so amazing and helping me finish my degree. Without the patience and endless help of the wonderful Humanities counselor Ron Spotts, it never would have happend. He is heaven-sent. Seriously.

Also, not to make any of you jealous, but I have the. best. job. ever. I absolutely love my job. We just wrapped the December issue and received the November issue in the office: if you're not a subscriber to Dance Spirit, DO IT NOW!! The winner of SYTYCD Season 7, the lovely Lauren Froderman graces our cover wearing an adorable unitard by Jo + Jax. I had a blast styling her shoot and hanging out with her. Then, last week when the SYTYCD tour was at Radio City Music Hall, I had the chance to interview the entire cast. Boy, that's a high-energy bunch! It was crazy madness, but a total blast. Look for my video interview on dancespirit.com.

[Chris: Singing, "Oh my lovely, oh my lovely, oh my lovely mike the toad.... Why are you laughing at me?

Mike: Muha ha ha ha... thinking, "you have no idea this is making our blog."]

Well, that brings us to the end. My mom and dad and Macie are coming to visit this week and we're SO STOKED! My dad has never been to NYC, so... party time! We'll blog about. Probably in three months. After Jamyn calls. :)

Chris and I are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. Thank you to each of you who make such a difference in our lives. We love you. Now come visit us. The end.