End of the Summer Update

Well...again I have to apologize for being so awful about blogging! Although, I can partly blame it on the fact that the past months have been extremely busy for us.

I am officially back home after living in Wichita for the summer! :) Bryant & I did a good job of visiting each other every weekend and talking lots on the phone, but it's still so good to be home! I spent the first week back getting some much needed house cleaning done...Bryant & Belly turned our house into quite the bachelor pad while I was away. Yuck! I didn't enjoy Wichita as much as I had hoped to, but a job is a job...otherwise getting the experience I now have was great!

I start classes on Aug. 27 and this entire week I have been in interview after interview...for NEXT summer! I can't believe we have already started the interviewing process for next summer when I just finished this summer! I am doing about 3-5 interviews a day this entire week, with a total of 18...so hopefully I get at least a few call-backs! (And hopefully for some firms in Kansas City!)

Bryant has been busy at work as usual...he got news yesterday that Hurricane Bill may hit the East Coast soon...if it does, he may be deployed depending on the volume of the claims. I'm crossing my fingers he doesn't have to go! He had a blow-out on his work car yesterday on interstate...luckily it all turned out okay (aside from the search for the spare tire!) Apparently in mini-vans the spare tire is hidden under the console between the front seats...brilliant. I also had some car issues in the last few weeks. We traded my 4Runner in and got a Jeep Commander...3 days later I hit a HUGE buzzard and shattered my windshield! Don't get too close...my luck might rub off on you!

Last week we went back to Stockton for the Rooks County Fair! We were able to go for the entire week and then some. I finally got to see Julie's engagement ring...and in case I haven't blogged about that...Nate & Julie are engaged! They are getting married next year and are having a destination wedding in Jamaica! :) We're so happy for them and really looking forward to another beach wedding! We're so lucky that our best friends are getting married to each other!

During the fair we went to motorcycles races, watched Nate race, went to the demos, saw Heidi Newfield and Jayme Johnson at the concert, AND ate a ridiculous amount of fried food! Sunday after the fair, Julie & I hosted a baby shower for Kinsey which was alot of fun! She got so much cute (tiny) stuff! She's due on Sept. 14 and they don't know what she's having yet...always something to look forward to! We will be back in town right after she's due for my brother Jamie's wedding, which happens to be on my mom's birthday!

During fair week we were able to see so many friends & family! Shaun, Whitney & Lyla were home all week too so we got in plenty of Lyla time! She is just perfect...lots of smiles (mostly for mom & dad) but there were lots for us too! Everybody fell in love with her at the fair...as if you couldn't! :) We got to spend lots of time with Jamie & Jill, Joey, and Hannah too (when she wasn't texting!) Seriously...she can text, instant message, facebook, listen to her iPod and download music ALL at the same time! (She's 12) We took turns staying at Ruthie & Verl's and my mom & dad's house, so we were able to see both of our parents alot too! Someday we'll live closer & we won't have to split the time up so much! :) I also got to go to Rock Haven Spa with Whitney, Kayla, Lindsey, LeAnn, and Laura the Friday of the fair...heaven! I can't wait to go back again! Bryant had some fun too...he spent some time out at the farm riding motorcycles and shooting guns with Shaun and went golfing on Men's Night with Verl, Brad & Shaun and another night with Jesse Stithem. Belly had a great time at my parent's house chasing cats and pretending like he is a farm dog! He got in the trash one night and ate several corn cobs (whole). He didn't feel so hot the next day...maybe he learned a lesson about eating out of the trash!

Looking forward to football season, Bryant got us season tickets! Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Now I have to apologize again for writing so much! Sorry. :)

Until next time,
Bryant, Danielle & Belly

Mid-Summer Update

Well June is officially in the books. With Danielle spending the weeks in Wichita for her summer clerkship and me being pretty busy at work, it has been pretty dull. Highlights so far: Schmidt wedding in Daytona Beach, 311 concert at City Market, Fridays meeting Danielle in Lawrence for dinner and cocktails, golfing with Shaun on Tuesday nights, and of course getting to spend time with the getting-cuter-every-day niece of mine Lyla. The Kansas Basketball recruiting thing has been wild, but getting old. Excited for football to start.

Went to the driving range with Danielle the other day. She has already got some experience by playing with her firm in a scramble. She plays again tomorrow so we'll see if our day on the range helps any. She seems reluctant to take instruction from me.....

My XBox suffered from the Red Ring of Death, which means that it doesn't work and I have to send it in to get it fixed. Danielle took the Wii to Wichita and doesn't even use it. So I've mostly been watching a bunch of crappy movies and reading in my free time. I am currently reading 3 books, which I don't normally do, just having a hard time sticking with any one of them (except Harry Potter for some reason).

Belly seems increasingly bored with me. Danielle thought he looked fat last time she was home. I admit that neither one of us is getting enough exercise, just too hot. Also, he's a bulldog....and I'm lazy.

Well one more day of work, then off to Stockton for an extended weekend. Pretty excited to be home and see the fam and friends. Danielle's parent bought a camper, and then told us to bring the tent home, so we'll see if we make the camper roster or are delegated to the tent. Whit and Shaun promised they would be bringing Lyla home despite just being there for a week and a half and just getting back to KC on Sunday, so we are very excited to see her some more. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be able to teach her to say "Uncle Bryant" for her first words. She's pretty close, but sounds more like a squeal/cry right now.

Well Danielle just called and apparantly I'm supposed to be packing so I can be ready to leave tomorrow. Slight chance of thunderstorms for the drive home. Better put the top up :(

All for now...told you it was dull.

-Bryant (Danielle & Belly)

Recent Pictures!

Life As We Know It!

Well it has officially been TOO long since we last blogged. I was reading the last post and so much stuff has happened I don't know where to begin. I'll try to keep it as short and informative as possible, using bullet points. (That's what the supervising attorneys at work tell me to do in my research assignments!) Here we go...

• I finished my first year of law school! I am officially a 2L and 1/3 of a lawyer...scaaarrry.
  
• I moved to Wichita in the middle of May and began my summer career as a law clerk for the law firm of Martin Pringle. At first I was extremely homesick, missing Bryant, Belly and our home, but now feel a little more comfortable in my new surroundings. The firm is great! I really enjoy all of the attorneys I work with and even like doing the crazy research projects that they give me. It's still hard for me to believe that I'm dealing with "real" clients with "real" legal issues. They have been keeping me incredibly busy with work, social events, and lawyer league softball. (16 different law firms in Wichita get together every Tuesday night...play softball, drink beer, and then go to a bar for more beer following the games.) Luckily it's only semi-competitive. :)
  
• Lyla Blake Fuller arrived on May 18, 2009! As you all already know by now, Whitney & Shaun had their first baby girl almost 3 weeks ago...an early surprise! She was born the day after I left for Wichita...apparently she didn't hear me when I told Whitney to make sure she had her on the weekend so I could be there for her arrival! :) She is perfect! :) She is doing great, and is at home with her mom & dad who have already gotten this parenting thing down! Bryant has gotten to see her a few times and I have only gotten to see her once...he keeps rubbing it in too! He has been bragging about her to everyone we know...I know of at least 3 guys that are already wrapped around her tiny little finger! Whitney & Shaun are doing great! They are glad to be home with Lyla and I'm sure Bentley is equally pleased.
• Bryant & I were able to go back home for Memorial Day weekend. It was, as always, a great time! We hung out with family & friends on the newly created sand beach at the cabin and enjoyed the jet-ski and boat! Verl took the boat out and Bryant skied...luckily Verl was nice and Bryant didn't end up too sore! ;) Belly loved being at the lake too! He was pretty excited to swim around and of course bring us any and all sticks that he could find in the water. We also got to see my parents a few times for some food and laughs! We drove Bryant's Jeep Wrangler home with the top down which was alot of fun! I learned how to drive a stick-shift! Turns out it's not that bad-Bryant's a pretty good teacher...it takes alot of patience to teach me! We even got to take the Jeep through the river!
  
• Our friends John & Laura are officially Mr. & Mrs. Schmidt! Bryant & I went to their wedding in Daytona Beach, Florida a little over a week ago. It was perfect and so much fun! We were able to go Thursday to Monday so we had plenty of time hanging out on the beach with some of our favorite people! Everything was amazing...we ate, drank, laughed, and played in the sun & sand. I'll let Bryant blog more about stories from the trip! :)
  
• After getting back from Florida we were able to stop in and see Lyla, Whitney, Shaun & Ruthie. I finally got to hold her...she really is just perfect! I was thinking about taking her home with me, but I'm pretty sure Bentley wouldn't have let me get within 5 feet of the door with her! :) He seemed a little nervous when I picked her up out of the crib...he's keeping a good eye on her! Whitney looks amazing and definitely does not look like she was pregnant less than 3 weeks ago! I'm really looking forward to seeing Lyla again this coming weekend, although I'm sure Bryant will try to see her earlier this week...lucky! :)
• This past week has been great! After getting back from Florida, Farmers sent Bryant to Wichita to help out with claims...which meant that we got to be together this whole week! We were both pretty busy during the week with work, but we managed to make it to the firm's softball game where we both played. I was awful...and managed to strike out...TWICE! Bryant did a great job and I was able to introduce him to several of the attorneys I work with. The next day they all told me what a great guy I had...as if I didn't already know! :) They also said that he is more than welcome to come back and play on our team anytime!
• Finally...this weekend we stayed in Wichita and got to know the area a little better. There really is alot to do here! We had some really great dinners and went out on Saturday night with my friend Alicia, Bryant's cousin Carver and Carver's brother-in-law Austin. Carver's wife Cherina was out of town, so we didn't get to see her...guess we'll all just have to go out again soon! :) We had alot of drinks and alot of fun! It was sad to send Bryant & Belly home today, but I will get to see them again this weekend for Bryant's birthday! I think we are planning on going to a concert or a Royals game...should be a great weekend with lots of stories to blog about!
  

Okay...so maybe this wasn't short! :) I'll make Bryant do it next time...his blogs are much more entertaining! :) Hope everybody is enjoying their summer!

Until next time,
Bryant, Danielle & Belly

Wedding Weekend

Congratulations to Mrs. & Mrs. Jesse Stithem! This weekend we went back home for the wedding and had a GREAT time! :) The wedding was beautiful...lots of love, friends, family, dancing, and even a small fire! *Luckily local fireman Bill Dibble was able to put it out using only 2 cups of beer!

We were able to see our parents and even had a chance for them to get together at the wedding on Saturday...it was too much fun! I know I always say it, but it really is so nice to be able to go home and see everybody. I was finally able to see Kinsey's baby bump...she looks great and is very happy to become a mama...early September.

Speaking of soon-to-be moms...Whitney's due date is right around the corner. We are getting pretty excited about it and can't wait for the little girl to get here! :)

On the way back to Kansas City on Sunday we stopped by the Fanchon in Hays and ironed out some details for the reception and signed the contract with them. I can't believe so much is already done...but I know I've only made a small dent. Really looking forward to wedding dress shopping, but think it will have to wait until the end of the summer.

A few weeks ago Bryant bought a Jeep Wrangler and has been tinkering with it most nights...he gets pretty excited to take the top down and drive around town...I've noticed it's alot easier to get him to run errands now! :)

We have a busy couple of weeks ahead, my first final is on Saturday (I have 5 this semester) and Bryant will be heading to Chicago for Schmitty's Bachelor Party. We've got 3 birthdays in the next few weeks...Whitney's, Ruthie's & mine. Unfortunately I will still be in the middle of finals over my birthday so celebrating will have to be postponed. **Not that 24 is much to celebrate!**

All for now...I hear it's supposed to be 85 degrees this weekend...find a porch, open a beer, and think of me, as I will be in a cold, dark library studying. :(

Spring is Here...Maybe

Hello everyone! I'm going to give Bryant a break from blogging and try it again. It doesn't involve stolen vodka or photos with football stars, but bear with me...

We were able to go home last weekend for Whitney's Baby Shower and Easter. The Baby Shower was great...lots of pink stuff! Kayla & Laura did a great job and everything looked amazing. We had Easter with Bryant's family on Saturday night and went to church and had lunch with my family on Sunday. And of course we had a night out at the Duck Blind with Julie & Nate! It was great to see everyone, since we hadn't actually been back since Christmas. My only complaint is that it is just NEVER long enough. It seems like every time we go home it gets harder and harder to leave and head back to KC.

This week is going to be a long one, I am working on my Oral Argument (and FINAL assignment for Lawyering) and Bryant is busy with claims flooding in. Also, finals start in less than two weeks...I can't believe another semester is over already! Last night Bryant fertilized our lawn, so we're looking forward to green grass! Bryant went golfing with Shaun tonight, so Belly & I are hanging out together for the evening. Sounds like he did pretty good...same score as last week!

I finally found an apartment in Wichita for the summer and will be moving May 16. I'm really excited about the opportunity, but will hate being away from Bryant & Belly all week. I ran for Chief Justice of the Traffic Court at the law school and WON the election! :) This means that I get to grill first year law students as a judge during traffic court, wear a robe, carry a gavel, get a parking spot in the parking garage on campus...and it's paid! Finally a little money for all the time I spend in that building!

We are heading back to Stockton again this weekend for Jesse Stithem's wedding. It's so exciting watching our friends get married! :)

Speaking of weddings...which is ALL I have been doing for the last month...I booked our photographer! :) You can check out their stuff at: http://www.tjstudios.com. They are really great and I'm so excited to have a major part figured out. Need to set a date to do our engagement pictures, but may put that off until the end of the summer.

We have also set a date of July 31, 2010. The ceremony will be at the Catholic Church in Damar and the reception will be at The Fanchon in Hays. I have changed my mind on colors about a million times already...I think I've decided on every color from the spectrum at least once! Still working out the details on bridesmaids/groomsmen. Many more decisions and plans to make...and hopefully I can avoid bugging Bryant too much on wedding discussion! I wish the wedding were sooner, but I am sure the time will fly and before you know it will be here!

Well, that's all for now, Belly won't let me type anymore. He keeps dropping his toys on my keyboard! :)

Yes that is Todd Reesing

So this weekend we headed into KC and made our way to the Brooksider with some friends. Danielle and I were standing in a crowd of people when all of a sudden we realized we were standing next to arguably the greatest quarterback in Kansas Football history (I say arguably loosely as he holds like every single-season and career record at KU and it's not really even close). Thanks to Danielle we managed to get proof that I met him. By "I met him" of course I mean that Danielle met him, talked to him, and convinced him to take a picture with me. I managed a "thanks dude" to which he replied, "yeah." It was awesome.

-Bryant