iPhone photos

Why is it that the best moments aren't captured with a "real" camera,

but rather a cell phone?
Like....

so many amazing breakfasts and dinners that were consumed at Communal in Provo

run ins with Tyler of Neon Trees at the Smith's in Provo. (terrible photo)
slow nights at Lugano Restaurant, with bartenders who kept it entertaining
my Grandpas tool room. maybe too organized...?
bowling with the Johnsons when O'Houlihan careers it.
winning ginormous playing cards.
laser-tagging with friends
planning every move of the last few weeks in Provo before our move
bowling with my Lugano family
attending the book exhibit at BYU -
now that is how you stack books.
documenting Steve's roadkill in Kentucky

seeing my brother's orthodontic practice for the first time
learning that this is what people in DC consider a "car wash"
my sweet husband making Sunday dinner our first week in our new apartment
viewing the famous Hope poster in the National Portrait Gallery

Ode to Kevin Durant.

Confession: I like to mother athletes.

Example #1 — At the beginning of the BYU basketball season when Steve told me all about the boys on the team this year, where they were from, their backgrounds, etc., he mentioned that Jimmer was from New York. As the season started, I felt bad for him that his family didn't get to come see him play much, that he had no family around to support him and certainly no family Sunday dinners. It was heartbreaking to see other players filling the family section of the stands with extended family and spouses while some players didn't have family in attendance

(or not that I knew of).

Example #2 — When rumors began circulating last year that the reason why O'Neill Chambers was kicked off the BYU football team was for hazing freshman quarterback Jake Heaps, I felt so bad for Jake Heaps. Poor kid, a freshman in college, away from home for the first time, eating in the Cannon Center. That poor kid. I was sure he needed someone to take care of him.

Example #3 — Kevin Durant's super skinny legs always have me worried he's going to collapse one of these days after a hard foul or jumpshot. He has acne that could use a little help, and he's just so young I seem to be worried about him anytime he plays.

I feel like he needs someone to stand up for him.

I never realized I mother athletes until Steve pointed it out recently.

I don't find my interest in sports to be about teams' records and successes,

but more about the players' lives, accomplishments and families.

Then I form an emotional connection with the teams.

This article certainly made my emotional connection to Kevin Durant and the Thunder even stronger.

Such a good article, definitely worth the read.

Steve loved the article too.

And actually when he first came across the article and read it out loud to me,

he even began to tear up.

Subsequently, the Pierce Family takes their Oklahoma City Thunder basketball very seriously these days. Steve has been a fan since they were the Seattle SuperSonics and, with the great players on the team now, it's impossible not to be a fan!

I seriously don't see how anyone can cheer against Kevin Durant.

He is such an incredible person,

still lives at home with his mom,

hangs out with the little kids in his neighborhood.

We could all learn a thing or two from him.

(except Lindsay, she's the only person who is allowed to cheer for the Mavs!)

Goodbye Utah

It has been a month like no other.

I will spare you the details because I'm still in the
tear-up-every-time-I-think-about-Utah-or-my-friends-or-family phase.
But since we finally got wireless internet
(Dad, THANK YOU for your help!)
I can now update the blog with what the Pierce Family
has been up to over the last month.

I'm slowly adjusting to our new place.
It's slowly starting feeling like home.
Steve had the area figured out the first day we were here
but it's taken me a little longer.
I did successfully drive to and from Capitol Hill alone
not just twice but three times this weekend
to pick up Steve from events going on up there.
Granted it's only 4.8 miles from our house
(that's pretty cool if you ask me)
but I did successfully take the freeway
which goes through underground tunnels to get there.
And I didn't even get lost!

The district in and of its self is a little confusing.
I haven't branched out that far yet,
but I can get in and out if necessary,
which I consider a success.

I will post updates about our new area,
but I have so many photos to post of our last few weeks in Utah first!

My birthday was two weeks before we moved!
Of course Steve out did himself again this year!
We had a wonderful morning,
went to the driving range in the afternoon
and made the perfect dinner at home.
My favorite kind of day :)

Steve surprised me with an "S" charm for my necklace,
new spring clothes and shoes and
TAYLOR SWIFT TICKETS for her show in D.C. later this summer.
I was in shock....
#1 because those tickets are impossible to get and
#2 he bought them in February and kept it a secret the whole time!
That night we went to "Keys on Main" a piano dueling bar in Salt Lake!

GRADUATION WEEKEND at BYU!
Our parents and Brookie & Mckay
came and supported us at graduation.
Such a great feeling to be done with school at BYU,
but we are certainly going to miss that place!

We sold both of our cars and bought a new car
with the help of Steve's parents while they were in town.
I haven't taken a photo of the new car yet,
but we had to get a photo with our car salesman.

Next up -
the Second Annual Egg Roll Tournament.
1st place: Steve
Winner of the losers bracket: Jessie
Rumors of shady actions to gain a home court advantage circulated, none of which are true.
First you decorate your egg and give it a name or theme
Steve's egg was #ThunderUp (OKC Thunder anyone?)
My egg was Kung-Fu Panda

Danny's egg was pretty violent.
Nearly killed Jake's egg here,
but really did kill Ben's egg next
(below)
Lindsay & Steve competing in the finals....
Everyone post tournament.
Danny was so proud of his egg.

MOVING DAY!
So many friends were so helpful as they came
and helped us pack our (small) pod.
We had to ditch the couch,
but at least we got everything else to fit!
Sushi with our friends one last time before some move to other cities
and some stay in Provo for a little while longer.

One last picture at Timpanogos Apartments -
this complex will always hold a special place in our heart,
it's where we spent the first 2 years of our marriage,
we are certainly missing it already!
Farewell Provo, you were good to us.
We will miss you but will be back soon!

On the Road

It's been a rough week or so...
packing, cleaning, moving, selling furniture, working, saying goodbyes
and driving across the country has been harder than I anticipated.

We drove from SLC to Lincoln, NE on Monday. NE to Nashville on Tuesday.
Spent today with my brother and his adorable family.
And leaving in the morning for our new home state of Virginia
(even though we don't get our keys until Saturday)

Only a few more days on the road until we will be in our new home.
Although I still can't look at a my Google maps on my phone
or I tear up realizing how far away I am from Utah,
I am certainly hoping the move gets better once we get to our new apartment.

(Photo update coming soon with all our adventures!)