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!