[lately]

not working in the restaurant world on valentines day is the best invention ever. i have a new found love for the holiday. steve went above and beyond [again] this year, and his valentines tradition [previously mentioned HERE and HERE] did not disappoint. on top of that, he always asks exactly what i want to do for the day and plans just that. although he would rather eat at a really amazing restaurant it's just not my style. i would feel so bad for the employees while i was there.

my love for adele was rekindled during the anderson cooper 60 minutes interview

steve has been super busy at work focusing solely on the man that we call grimmies at home - see HERE and HERE which lead to this. although still a press boy at heart, steve has become quite the researcher. 

although we'd much rater spend the upcoming long weekend traveling, it is going to be spent catching up on everything else in our lives, doing our taxes, spring cleaning and [hopefully] re-decorating the bathroom. i just need to find a killer shower curtain.

i don't know how we survived before we had a cafe rio 5 miles from our home.

i am hoping it stays relatively warm and sunny this weekend so we can walk embassy row.

making exciting plans for this summer, i am certainly hoping this involves a trip to disneyland with some of our nieces, i seriously love the tea cups.

date to the art museum

saturday dates to the art museum are always the best. especially when they are followed by a trip to cafe rio. i'm fairly confident in the fact that i have the best husband around for taking time out of his busy schedule to take me out :)

christmas break

Better late than never, right?

Our Christmas this year was perfect. Too perfect that it was really hard to come home after 10 days of no work and quality time with family and friends. Between gaining the most-amazing sister-in-law ever, late night Mario Kart tournaments, 3-day road trip with the two of the cutest kids ever, dying and cutting my sister's hair, eating, eating and eating, the annual Pollei Family bowling night, meeting up with some of my best high school friends, and quality time with family, I think it's safe to say it was a much-needed break.

Christmas Eve nativity & pinata, so funny to see Kiki dive for the candy

I don't know who loved who more... Kiki didn't leave Steve's side all break, 

then again, neither did Steve.

Trip to Temple Square to see the lights. Always incredible.

The kids loved tracking Santa on Google Maps on Christmas Eve!

 

Until next year!

The month of December in Washington, D.C.

We have had a lot of fun lately.

Nothing out of the ordinary. 

But this place is really starting to feel like home. 

We feel so blessed to have the jobs we do, 

for Steve's opportunity to go to the school that he does,

and to live in such a beautiful city.

This doesn't mean it wasn't terribly hard to leave Salt Lake last weekend,

but it means we are really starting to feel settled.

Spending our first holiday season in the District was very fun.

Although Steve's 1st semester of finals kept us from enjoying the first half of the month,

we certainly did a lot the week before we went to Utah for the holiday.

We went to the DC temple to see the lights and festivities, 

window shopping around Georgetown, 

visited the Botanical Gardens (absolutely AMAZING - so many poinsettias!),

checked out the White House tree and walked historic neighborhoods,

enjoyed festive baking, eating out, listening to Christmas music, 

and celebrating our Christmas on December 21st before heading to Utah.

the car wash

Friday, May 6, 2011 - After traveling for 3+ days across the country Steve and I arrived in Washington, D.C. With bugs, birds and who knows what else on our car we decided to familiarize ourselves with our new home and find a nearby self-serve car wash to clean our car. Easy right? Wrong.

After nearly 3 hours of searching for a car wash there wasn't a single one to be found. We were so confused and thought this was the most bizarre thing. After scouring the web for the answer to this bizarre question we read that car washes don't exist in Northern VA. Something about harming the Potomac..? Who knew. Anyway, this has become quite the joke with Steve & I due to my impatience with a dirty car (inside or out).

So guess what was at the top of our "to-do over Thanksgiving in Nashville list"?

Visit a self-serve car wash of course.

This Thanksgiving we were thankful for the simple things...

Saturday in Philadelphia

A few weeks ago we went up to Philadelphia to see some of my best friends from high school. Rachel Brubaker was the best host and tour guide, and it was so good to catch up with Cameron who was in town for work.  

Of course we started the day with cheesesteaks, ended the day with a walk along the Schuylkill River to the Rocky statue and steps. Yes Brubaker was played the rocky theme on her phone as she dared Steve to run up and down the steps, like Rocky. 

It was comical. 

We also stopped by Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, Rachel's amazing work (Anthropologie), drove around the city and admired the amazing architecture. 

There's something about the industrial feel to Philly that is incredible.

We can't wait to visit again! It's so great to have close friends just 2 hours away!

 The real cheesesteak test - Pats vs. Geno's

Cameron & Steve had to try half of each.

 

Rachel gave us a tour of the incredible Urban campus. 

This photo is of the apparel part of Anthropologie.

I have to say the Anthro home area was amazing!

 

The Urban campus is on an old navy yard...

Steve was in love with all the old aircraft carriers.

 This whole idea of east coast in the fall is really gaining a special place in my heart :)

In the past 7 days....

As Steve & I continue to make more of an effort to be grateful for the simple things, 

I can't help but reflect back over the past week and think about 10 simple acts that I am thankful for:

1. Our walk with one of my closest friends along the Schuylkill River last Saturday afternoon before we left Philadelphia to head home. Oh how beautiful the east coast is in the fall.

2. The incredible people I get to work with. 

Including my newest professor - who survived Auschwitz as a child.

So incredible.

3. A cute husband answering the question, 

"If you went into a store and tried to shop for me, what is 5 items you would buy?" 

His answer was hysterical. He is very observant.

4. Our super cute nursery kids and the hilarious things they say.

5. Almost buying an English Bulldog yesterday then deciding it's not quite our time yet.

6. Still being able to eat on the patio at restaurants - would not be possible in Utah.

7. Walking through Old Town Alexandria and peeking into all the beautiful homes windows.

8. Listening to Christmas music - not it isn't too early.

9. No traffic to and from work on Veteran's Day 

(because no one else in DC works on holidays).

10. Waking up in the morning to find a sleeping husband with his laptop still on top of him. 

Does he ever take a break? No. 

He is such a hard worker. 

Photo from our trip to PA last weekend.