Pizza Hut Layoff Party

A lot of people were laid off from Pizza Hut at the same time. All of us coming from QuikOrder. It was a lot to process. A lot of emotions. A lot of shock. We’d grown close over the years and cared about each other. Jeremiah hosted a small get-together at his house. It was so cathartic. Even thought it was frowned upon to gather, it was needed for mental health. We were outside (except to use the bathroom) and I know was risky, but when Jeremiah gave me a good long hug, it was worth it! Nice to see his wife Emily and daughter Grace too!

A few days later we had a virtual layoff happy hour with a bigger group: 

Pizza Hut Connect Holiday Party ON A BOAT!


Andrew

Samantha

This year our Pizza Hut Connect Holiday party was on a river boat. But not just any boat, this boat had glass walls and a glass ceiling so you could take in all of the views as you floated around the Chicago River. I heard it was so new that it had been on less than two dozen voyages so far! Dallas went to the Cowboys vs. Bears game, so Kristin came along as my +1.

Chris, Esther

A bunch of the leadership team flew in from Plano and spoke briefly. Artie is the CEO of Pizza Hut and Carol is the CTO of Pizza Hut.

A lot of recognition awards were given out by different leaders. This is Laura, our HR Director, recognizing someone.

To my surprise, I was recognized by my boss’s boss, Chuck. I was literally taking a bite of my salmon, when I looked up and was like “uh, he’s talking about my team.” A few seconds later he called out my name to come to the front.

Steve, Chad, Jatan, Jerry, Mayur

Jatan, Sampath

Chris, Esther

Jeremiah and his wife, Emily

Umesh, Kishore, Vinay, Elric, Tanya, Tanya’s husband, Kishore

Samantha and her husband

Janet and her husband

Savannah and Carol

Marc and Jeremiah

Madhan and his wife


Madhan and his wife

LaShunda and Umesh

Jess’s friend, Casey, Allison, Jess

After dinner there was a lot of dancing! Members of my team, especially Kishore, pulled me out onto the dance floor! Jim, the owner of Quikorder, attended the party and he even got pulled out onto the dance floor!

 Umesh, Jessica

 Umesh, Vinay

Back: Jeremiah, Madhan, Kishore, Chris, Fred, Sampath, Peter, Sheena, Harish, Jatan, Tanya
Front: Vinay, Umesh, Kishore, Mayur, Esther
Back: Jeremiah, Madhan, Kishore, Chris, Fred, Sampath, Peter, Mayur, Harish, Jatan, Tanya
Front: Vinay, Umesh, Kishore, Esther

 Savannah, Andrew, Carol, Umesh

 Susan, Jerry, Carlos

Casey and her husband


Allison, Carlos, Jessica, Susan

Susan, Me, Esther, Guadalupe

Catherine, Casey, Susan

Jeff, Samantha, Tom

Fred and his wife, Kerri, and Peter

Erin, LaShunda, Chuck, Sampath, Kishore

Fred, Kerri, Baby #3

Vinay, Jatan, Sampath, Kishore, and Kishore

After our 3-hour boat ride, everyone got off the boat and walked into River North to go out some more. I walked with them for a bit, but then got a ride home to relieve the babysitter (Ms. Lauren). Great time. So much fun hanging out with everyone outside of work. I wished I could have stayed out longer.. but then the next day I heard some people were out until the sun came up, so I was actually kind of glad for an excuse to go home!

Judging the Salad Contest

Our support team held a salad contest and they asked me to be one of the judges. Don’t mind if I do!

 All of the salads were good, but after the voting, Lupe won with her ceviche and HOT salsa. It was great!

Second place was a tie! Eric made this delicious Thai vegetable salad with peanut sauce.

Also in second place was Max’s chicken, brussels sprouts and kale salad. This one was my personal favorite! I had seconds!

 We also sampled Peter’s citrus, kale and avocado salad and Janet’s potato salad.
The scorecard was super official! I had a fun time. I’d be down to judge any more upcoming food competitions!

Family Reunion in Neenah, WI

Dallas had to work, but Makai and I headed to Wisconsin on a Friday afternoon. On Saturday we had a big family reunion. My mom and dad spearheaded it and reserved a pavillion at Schildt Park. They made the meat and everyone else brought sides and desserts. It turned out great and everyone had a fun time!

 Aunt Connie + Riverlyn

 Juniper, Mom, Aunt Connie

 Riverlyn + Margo

 Riverlyn + Makai

 Riverlyn

Annaleigha + Riverlynn

Annaleigha

 Margo, Makai, Riverlynn

 Pat + Kelly

 Collin, Sabrina, Richard, Jill, Keegan

 Riverlynn, Katrina, Mom

 Uncle Rich + Ella

 Aunt Deb + Erica

 Uncle Steve, Kacey, Sierra

 Aunt Wanda, Aunt Connie, Molly

 Phil + Amanda

 Dawn, Annaleigha, Miranda

 Peter, Uncle Dave, Juniper

 Dad, Kelly, Mark

 Riverlynn, Katrina, Ciara, Skyonna, Juniper

 Phil, Amanda, Bethany, Brianne

 Peter, Juniper, Dakota

 Makai

 Cousins! Amanda, Bethany, Kacey, Sabrina, me, Dawn, Erica, Richard

 Jeff, Tessa, Charlotte

 Mom, Aunt Connie, Aunt Wanda

Mom, Aunt Connie, Aunt Wanda

 Me + Makai

Cousins! Kelly, Katrina, Richard, Sabrina, Molly, Me, Dawn, Pat

From Tessa:

Kamehameha Class of ’94 Reunion

On Friday night, each Kamehameha class that was in town for reunion activities had a class party at a different location. Class of ’94 was celebrating at Gordon Biersch on the harbor at Aloha Towers. We were outside, on the water, a local band called Kapena was playing and Dallas was reconnecting with all his old friends. It was so great to see him back with a lot of people who meant so much to him growing up and still mean a lot now. I feel like we have a whole new set of very close friends. And everyone was so nice and welcoming to me. I didn’t feel much like an outsider at all. We had such an awesome time that the night just flew by and before we knew it the band stopped playing and Gordon Biersch was closing.

Here are my many photos from the Class of ’94 Kamehameha Schools reunion (for a good laugh, don’t overlook Dallas’s yearbook photo!):

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3772137848_o
Alan

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771335167_o
Alan, Kekoa. Lisa, Brian, Kuai

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771334731_o
Alika, Sheri, Nalani

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771332383_o
BJ, Keoni, Brian, Dallas, Alika, Hoku

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771332353_o
Dallas, Aaron

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771333553_o
Dallas, Dave, Joe

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3772138914_o
Dallas, Joe, Kilo

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771332487_o
Dallas, Nalani, Jacquie, Maile, Brandy, Kilo

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3772140376_o
Yearbook!

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3772138292_o
Dallas, Shane, Rachelle

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3772140304_o
Hoku & Keoni dancing.

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3772140150_o
Nalani & Sheri dancing.

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3772137724_o
Dave, Dallas, Joe, BJ, Keoni, Hoku

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3772137924_o
Donovan, Jay, Dallas

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3772139338_o
Faye, Kamu

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771334771_o
Faye, Melissa, Keoni

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3772139574_o
Hoku, Keoni, Alika

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3772137874_o
Jay, Hoku, Kamu, Dallas, Joe, Chris

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771332617_o
Joe, Dallas

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771333147_o
Dave, Dallas, BJ, Sheri, Donna

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771333079_o
Joe, Dallas, BJ, Pam, Sheri, Donna

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3772138620_o
Joe, Dallas, BJ, Sheri, Donna, Alyson

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771332867_o
Kavet, Kelaula, Alan, Shana, Shane, Kanani, Dallas, Peter

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771332537_o
Laura, Dallas, Keoni

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3772137986_o
Laura, Dallas, Keoni, BJ

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771334563_o
Maile, Kirah, Jacquie, Roxanne, Brandy

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3772139154_o
Monte

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771333719_o
Sheri

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771334235_o
Nalani & Donovan

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771334457_o
Pam & BJ

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771333967_o
Party

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771334173_o
Rachelle

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3772138696_o
Rachelle & Dallas

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3772139204_o
Rachelle & Monte

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771332759_o
Shane & Dallas

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771334663_o
Sheri & Nalani

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3771334517_o
Sheri

Kamehameha Class of 94 Reunion_3772139742_o
Sheri

Dad’s 60th Birthday Party

bowden_family
Amanda, Richard, Jessica, Mom, Dad, Stephanie, Rachelle, Dallas :: Waupaca, WI

This weekend we went to Wisconsin for my dad’s 60th birthday party. It was nice to visit at my parent’s house and to see many people that I hadn’t seen for so long. Aunts and uncles and cousins, old neighbors from where we grew up, lots of family friends and newer friends that my parents have made. I made four kinds of cookies for the party (more on that later) and took many photos that I will link to when I get through them. I’ve been extra crazy busy lately even with yesterday off. For now, here’s a family photo of us. Jess is the only one not looking at the camera and smiling, but it still captures her perfectly at this point in her life!

Here’s the rest of the photos. Some are mine and some are photos Sue took:

Birthday Cake_3288713245_o
Birthday Cake

Richard, Dallas, Uncle Doug, Dad_3288713351_o
Richard, Dallas, Uncle Doug, Dad

Dominic, Aunt Connie, Katie, Matt_3289530798_o
Dominic, Aunt Connie, Katie, Matt

Uncle Mike, Kelly_3289530854_o
Uncle Mike, Kelly

Amanda, Uncle Doug, Aunt Deb, Melissa, Mom, Uncle Morrie_3289531002_o
Amanda, Uncle Mike, Aunt Deb, Melissa, Mom, Uncle Morrie

Dad & Running Friend Doug_3289531140_o
Dad and his running friend, Doug

Logan & Stephanie_3289531634_o
Stephanie and Logan

Aunt Deb, Dad_3288714837_o
Aunt Deb and Dad

Logan_3288715073_o
Logan

Richard, Dallas, Amanda_3288715379_o
Richard, Dallas, Amanda

Gary & Dad_3288715699_o
Gary and Dad

Uncle Doug, Aunt Deb, Dad_3289513308_o
Uncle Doug, Aunt Deb, Dad

Uncle Doug, Richard, Dallas, Rachelle_3288695113_o
Uncle Doug, Richard, Dallas, Rachelle

Dominic, Aunt Connie, Kelly, Matt_3289512328_o
Dominic, Aunt Connie, Kelly, Matt

Katie_3289512358_o
Katie

Uncle Mike_3288695213_o
Uncle Mike

Uncle Morrie_3288695305_o
Uncle Morrie

Aunt Deb, Uncle Morrie, Melissa_3289512526_o
Aunt Deb, Uncle Morrie, Melissa

Joe, Donna, Dad_3288716281_o
Joe, Donna and Dad

Amanda_3289512550_o
Amanda

Aunt Connie & Mom_3289512580_o
Aunt Connie and Mom

Lots of Food_3289535048_o
Lots of Food!

Marsha, x, Paul_3289530950_o
Marsha, xx, Paul

Uncle Morrie_3289512622_o
Uncle Morrie

Mom & Uncle Morrie_3288695481_o
Mom and Uncle Morrie

Uncle Morrie & Mom_3288695507_o
Uncle Morrie and Mom

Aunt Connie, Doug, Jessica, Katie_3288695681_o
Aunt Connie, Doug, Jessica, Katie

Dad_3288695571_o
Dad

Mom & Dad_3288695727_o
Mom and Dad

Jessica_3289513006_o
Jessica

Stephanie, Aunt Ali, Aunt Connie, Uncle Morrie, Melissa_3288695823_o
Stephanie, Aunt Ali, Aunt Connie, Uncle Morrie and Melissa

Uncle Morrie & Aunt Deb_3289513106_o
Uncle Morrie and Aunt Deb

Aunt Sue & Ciara_3288695959_o
Aunt Sue and Ciara

Peter & Ciara_3288695995_o
Peter and Ciara

Uncle Dave & Uncle Morrie_3289533908_o
Uncle Dave and Uncle Morrie

Maureen &_3289513214_o
Maureen

Uncle Doug, Aunt Deb, Dad_3289533448_o
Uncle Doug, Aunt Deb and Dad

Uncle Doug, Aunt Deb_3289513340_o
Uncle Doug and Aunt Deb

Aunt Ali_3289513398_o
Aunt Ali

Peter & Ciara_3289513442_o
Peter and Ciara

Mom & Friends_3288716837_o
Mom and Friends

Skyonna & Stephanie_3288717097_o
Skyonna and Stephanie

Jessica & Rachelle_3288717217_o
Jessica and Rachelle

George, Gary, Dad's Neighbor, Dad_3288717825_o
George, Gary, Dad’s neighbor, Dad

Dad Cutting the Cake_3288714575_o
Dad cutting his cake.