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.

Jay & Kanye

Last week Steve & I went to the Jay-Z and Kanye West concert here in DC.

Although I was slightly skeptical before we went
(not a big Jay fan, but definitely a Kanye fan),

I ended up loving the show. 

It's always a good time seeing two incredible musicians perform together.

Steve was in heaven the whole time - a huge fan of both acts.

Now only if Beyonce had been there..... I. Would. Have. Died.

my newly engaged brother

I haven't stopped smiling since I heard the news last night about Mckay & Brooke's engagement. 

 After 5 years of on and off dating they are getting married December 27th in Denver, Colorado.

I couldn't be more excited for them and for our family,

Brookie is the missing piece to the puzzle of our family & we can't wait to celebrate!

I could go on for hours about how perfect they are together...

but, I will refrain - they already know how much I love them.

scenes from our week

I don't think it's possible for our weeks to fly by any quicker. Between 40+ hour work weeks, Steve's grad school classes on Monday and Tuesday nights, projects around the house, the usual errands, Wednesday night basketball and trying to live up our weekends - time seems to fly by.

Reason #57894 to love Washington, DC - amazing food at the food trucks.

Exhibit A:

It's been so rainy this week - well it's always rainy.

That is one thing I didn't know about DC before moving here -

when it's not super humid and hot it is humid and raining.

Lesson learned: it is always humid - I'm still getting used to it.

Which leads to Exhibit B:

It's only natural to listen to Ryan Adams on vinyl on a rainy evening.

 Friday night has become soup & breadsticks night.

AKA: call my parents for one of their many soup recipes I should have mastered before moving across country night.

I love that Steve & I love to cook together.

 The one thing we don't make together are fajitas.

Steve prefers to make those alone.
He's a master.

Tuesday night was chaotic.

Not for us. But for the city of DC.

It was bizarre.

I left work at 5:30 and usually pick up dinner for us then meet up with Steve when he gets to Foggy Bottom at 6:30 for a quick dinner/half hour before his classes start at 7. Well, Tuesday night the city was pandemonium. Various streets were blocked with cop cars and fire trucks, sirens going off everywhere. And on top of that someone was hit by a metro car earlier that day as well so the metro was running slow. It was crazy. Well, even with all the craziness I happend to find a parking spot right on Penn (busiest street for anyone that knows DC during rush hour) to run in and pick up dinner AND the best part of it all.... this was my first try pulling into the parking spot. I was so proud - I had to prove this miracle by taking a picture for Steve.

Why I Love Skype...

So I can watch T make hilarious glasses out of pipe cleaners

So I can see little Kiki's newest teeth

Why are Southern California & Washington, DC so far apart?

Utah weekend

This past weekend we made a quick trip to Utah to spend time with family and friends. 

Although we will be going back in a few short months for Christmas, 

we couldn't pass up the beautiful DRY weather in Utah this time of year.

The weekend was full of eating, eating & eating, haircuts, running errands, shopping, 

morning walks with my parents, BYU football (we love it, even though they got killed),

Olympus High School football, spending time with my sweet grandparents

and meeting up with incredible friends from high school & college.

Although I wish there were a few less states between Utah & Washington, D.C.,

the long flight is certainly worth the visit! 

 Sunday dinner at my parents house - It was so good to see McKay & Brookie

One of my best friends from high school is having her baby in less than a month - 

AND just bought the house (behind us) - so excited for Mia & Devin.

It was so good to see my grandpa while we were in town. 

My grandma passed away since we moved, but grandpa is still as feisty as ever!

It was so good to see our Provo friends this weekend, 

on Friday night they joined us in Salt Lake for high school football & 

on Saturday we went to our favorite, Mountain West Burrito, before the BYU game.

 Terrible game - but still good to be back at Cougar Stadium

 

We had such a fun weekend & can't wait to visit soon!

Thank you mom & dad for a fun weekend!

Who would have guessed?

Six years ago today Steve & I started dating during our freshman year at BYU. 

Every year when August/September roll around we always say,

"who would have guessed ____ years ago that we would still be together?"

If you had told me the night we met - August 26, 2005,
or the first time we kissed, September 21, 2005

that we would be where we are today I would have thought you were crazy.

It just goes to show what a college, years apart during a mission and life experiences do to you.

We love reflecting back to the beginning of our relationship this time of year, 

and although we aren't in Provo anymore - we both still remember it like it was yesterday.

It is incredible that no matter how many times we retell our side of our story,

it's always like it is the first time the story is being told. 

I am grateful for such a hardworking, compassionate, and admirable best friend & husband.

He makes me incredibly proud everyday.

And you better believe Steve makes sure we celebrate 9/21 each year -
that just goes to show the romantic he is :)

First photo we took together - 
After our intramural soccer game Fall 2005.

Ground Zero - Ten Years Later

The weekend of 9/11 Steve was in Queens for his NY-09 election 

so I joined some girlfriends in NYC as well for the weekend. 

We ate at some great restaurants, made new friends, went to Jersey Boys (amazing!), 

saw famous people on the streets and had the best time.

After working 12-16 hour days all week Steve was able to meet up with us late Saturday night!

Since Sunday was the 10 year anniversary we found it only fitting to stop by Ground Zero 

and reflect on what happened 10 years ago.
We reminisced where we were when we first heard the news
and how our country has dramatically changed in the last ten years.

It was incredible to see so many people willing to fight the crowds and visit the site 

to remember those that lost their lives that day. 

It was an amazing experience I will always remember.

"...Looking forward to the weekend"

Because we are so busy during the week, especially Steve, with long work days and classes at night we have really started to cherish our weekends. 

Here's what we've been up to the past few weekends!

 

Sunday evening walks around the memorials - 

last weekend we went to the new MLK one and to the FDR memorial for the first time.

Pictures above with FDR and Eleanor

Hot breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday since it rarely never happens during the work week.

We love spending time with our Nursery kids on Sunday!

Day trips to different cities within driving distance - last weekend was to Annapolis, MD to see the Naval Academy & the charming shops and houses in Annapolis.

Trips to Costco - but never without getting a churro too.

Nationals baseball games.

Eating out at some of our favorite places, as well as cooking together at home!

Visiting other local attractions whenever possible - like the National Cathedral.


This weekend I am off to New York City with some girlfriends while Steve works around the clock helping with the ground game for his special election on Tuesday (I say his because he has worked so incredibly hard for this one) in New York as well! Although we won't be more than 15 miles away from each other we are hoping we can meet up at least for a little bit of the weekend and spend time together!

Where did August go?

We are still trying to figure out where August went at the Pierce House,

oh yeah...

We survived an earthquake AND hurricane in the same week. Pure chaos.

We finally found a rug for our living room that we love! (Thank you again Caryn)

We enjoyed the end of summer with evening walks to the memorials around the district.

We are already making plans with friends to attend the best high school football games in our area. Yes, the girls are hoping there is a Riggins on one of the teams.

We are being reminded of what election season is like (long hours). I don't think I will ever get used to elections.

We endured a rain delay Nationals v. Phillies game to see the Nats win in the bottom of the 9th, tie game, bases loaded, full count at bat, HOME RUN!..... you know, just like in the movies... did I mention it was 1am when this happened because of the rain delay?

We He fixed the Play Station and is now offering to fix anything around the house.

We watch way to many U.S. Open matches considering it is only the first round.

We have adjusted to a graduate student in the house. Books purchased and tuition is paid.

We are anticipating the BYU season opener this weekend!

We have been growing out our hair - Jessie on her head, Steve on his face.

We bought airfare to Utah for Christmas, we are extremely excited for this holiday season.


We are preparing for an even busier month of September...

Steve will be spending a lot of time in Queens for the NY-09 special election. Remember that one time when Anthony Weiner resigned...

I am making the trek to NY the weekend before the election. We are already planning to go to the U.S. Open and will be there over September 11th which should be pretty crazy. Sad I can't be there for the actual election night. Election parties are the best part of the election.

We can't wait to visit Utah and spend time with family & friends, eat at our favorite restaurants and go to the BYU/Utah game.


We feel so blessed everyday to live where we do, to have the jobs we do and love the stage of life we are in right now!

Danny's DC visit

Our good friend from Freshman year at BYU came to visit us a few weekends ago. He was our first visitor so I wanted to make sure he had a fun time doing all the touristy things DC has to offer. We actually spent a majority of our time at sporting events so by the time we got home at night we didn't feel like turning around and going out again to see the memorials or anything else. In a little over 2 days we managed to go to a pro tennis tournament, Nationals baseball game, Manchester United/Barcelona soccer game (the main reason for the visit), eat at some really great restaurants, do a few touristy things around the city, watch a lot of X-games at night and catch up about everything going on in Utah since we left! 

You know it's a good weekend when you are still tired on Monday morning!

On Friday night the boys met at my work and we walked four blocks to see the White House. 

I love working so close to the National Mall.

 At the first round of the Legg Mason Tennis tournament. 

It was the first time any of us had seen a pro tennis match.

 

At the United/Barca game at Fed Ex Field (where the Redskins play). The crowd was wild.

 

At the Nationals game. 

Somehow with the 100F+ temperatures all weekend we managed to sit in the shade at every game and survived the humidity. I think we almost have Danny convinced he needs to move here!

You are the best thing that's ever been mine

For my birthday in April Steve got us tickets to Taylor Swift for the Washington, DC show of her Speak Now Tour. I have been super excited and the months of waiting were worth it!
Last night was the show and I loved every minute of it. I think Steve did too :) She was a much better performer than I thought she'd be. Although being 5'11" made her look incredibly lanky at certain points and I wish she had played a few more songs off her first album, she exceeded all expectations. The stage fireworks, costume changes and aerial acrobats were pretty awesome. The shrill screaming 15 year old girls were pretty comical too. I think they might have topped the screaming we heard at the Jonas Brothers a few years ago.

Thank you Steve for the incredible tickets and fun night:)

 

 

The last bucket list concert I on my list: Justin Bieber.

Instagram Update

Although it has been incredibly hot over the last week or so, we are still alive and doing well. We don't go out much, and certainly feel bad for the tourists that are traipsing around the District. Even though the humidity is less-than-pleasant, it hasn't been completely horrible. This is only because when I was in Utah I would sweat (I have always been a more-than-normal sweaty person.. TMI...) and I was the only one that did, BUT on the east coast everyone is always sweating so I fit right in. I have spent most of my free-time doing laundry and ironing because everything has to be washed between every wear.

Here is an Instagram update of our DC life:

I went and visited Steve at work for the first time. 

It looks just like Ryan Reynolds office in Definitely, Maybe. 

I was sure it was filmed in his office, until Steve reminded me that every campaign office looks the same.

So cramped and unorganized. Oh the life of political campaigns.

Steve loves his job and we are so blessed to have gotten this job out of college.

It is always fun to hear about his workday, 

how his colleagues make fun of him for brown-bagging a lunch, 

think he's too young to be married, 

and about his districts in the Northeast up for re-election next November.

Sometimes at dinner he just starts in about a congressman in New Hampshire-2 or New York-9 and I have to ask him specifically what cities are in those districts so I can maybe-kind of-possibly make sense of what he is talking about.

I have officially mastered the Metro to the point where I know what most stops are by. 

Last week I was on the train alone and a lady asked me where a certain museum was located along the route. I was so surprised that I could actually answer her questions.

We are loving our time in Nursery every other Sunday. 

Steve loves plucking Primary songs out on the kids piano. 

I think we might even take his guitar next week so he can play some songs for the kids. 

We just love how cute they are and the things they say.

I realized that Steve's graduate program is located right across the street from my work. 

I'm sure I will be extremely grateful for this convenience come fall semester when the only time I will see him during the work week will be from 6-7pm each night (after we both get off work and he has class at 7).
 

What happens when a bunch of BYU kids realize they all live in DC together? 

Drive 45 minutes to the nearest Cafe Rio!

It was so fun to meet new people who we have a million mutual friends with,

and see other friends we hadn't seen very much since moving out here.

That is one great thing about this area - there are a million members of the church & BYU graduates.

I think this is going to become a monthly tradition.

 

Grateful that the heat index this weekend is only 105F instead of 120F because our good friend from Salt Lake is in town and it's going to be a busy weekend of great food and lots of sporting events. Between the United/Barcelona game, Nationals baseball game, a professional tennis tournament and the usual touristy stops at the National Mall, Georgetown and Smithsonian Museums we are going to be outside a lot this weekend.

Top Ten

This week's Top Ten -

10. Finding a mouse in our apartment (gross),
but now moving to a bigger (2 bedroom!) and better apartment!

9. Eastern Market every Saturday - I can't get enough of that place.

8. Starting Friday Night Lights over again. Seriously love that show.
If you haven't seen it... huge mistake.
Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can't lose.

7. Visitors! Danny Duke is coming to visit next weekend.
Nationals game & United/Barca game

6. Having our favorite missionary over for dinner before he was transferred
(he is now a Zone Leader!)
We love finally having missionaries in our ward!
(that doesn't happen in Provo)

5. My handsome husband in his new work clothes
(A shirt/tie 6 days a week is rough!)

4. Chinese food & shopping for cowboy boots for FHE.

3. Long phone calls with my sister.
How is it that sister's always know exactly what to say?

2. Harry Potter with new friends!
We LOVED the movie.

1. Praying the debt ceiling is raised before August 2nd
so Steve can go to Taylor Swift that night with me!

tickets booked!

Steve & I bought our tickets yesterday for our trip to Utah in September!

We are excited to see our family and friends in Salt Lake and Provo

AND go to the BYU vs. Utah game!

The agenda is already filling up between Steve's favorite "spag napa" at my old work,

hosting my best friend's baby shower with my mom,

Friday night football at Olympus High,

snocones at my brother's shack,

and (hopefully) a visit from my California sister and her little girls.

If there is one thing I love about Utah, it is the fall weather,

hopefully the leaves in the mountains will be changing by the time we get there.

(taken last fall up Provo Canyon)