Kevin is a hot and cold kind of guy.  Let me explain.  If he believes in something, he is over-the-top, head-over-heels into that thing; on the other hand, if he isn't crazy about something he's like a beached whale: stubborn and unwilling to move.  And to be honest I don't blame him because sometimes I get these wild ideas in my head that are unrealistic.  He usually grounds me with said beached-whale-ness.

I've had this vision for a piece for our living room that would be a stand for our TV.  We had been searching high and low for such a piece since we moved here, but to no avail. However, during mission: get our house in order fall break last week, I coerced Kevin into going to the thrift store with me (his most dreaded errand) and low and behold, there it was! Right in the front of the store waiting for us. But we didn't know it at the time.  We looked at it on our way in and went on to scour the rest of the store.  It wasn't until after we checked out and were on our way out that we stopped again to look at it.  I took out my tape measure to make sure the dimensions were right and pulled up my inspiration board via Pinterest to try and sell it to Kevin (he's a visual learner).  To my surprise, he was easily convinced and all for it (sweet). So we bought it. And from that point on it became Kevin's baby. He made several trips to Home Depot to pick up supplies and was hard at work for two days straight.  

Another thing about Kevin is that when he does something and does it well he is not ashamed to sing its praises.  Even if its just a turkey sandwich.  Upon the first bites he can be found saying "Do you taste this? This is awesome! That's right." So you can imagine his reaction to this masterpiece:

He took several iphone pictures and texted it to everyone.  He even shared the news with our distant neighbors who were all but enthused. But it didn't even phase him.  

All this to say that I am 100% behind his self-aggrandizement because it is pretty spectacular! I love his quirky ways. 

Instas: Fall Break

I can't remember the last time we had a couple of days to spend together without a single plan or commitment, and for that reason alone, fall break was a blast!  Not to mention that Kevin slept in until at least 8am everyday which is enough to prove that things were pretty chill around here.  These past couple of days have reminded me how much fun we have together.

From R to L: 

1. Louie's new do... I hate the way he looks after a fresh cut 2. Louie plays fetch 3. Cinnamon roll pumpkin pancakes for Kevin's birthday 4. A coupon-inspired lunch at Popeyes (never again!) 5. Me and Louie at the airfield at Reagan airport (more on that later) 6. Our Kevin's little painting project 7. airfield again 8. Sushi dinner for Kevin's birthday.

In just a few days our tree has turned a new leaf and decided to change color

Kevin is on fall break so we are livin' it up at home together this week.  I couldn't be more happy to have him around to do my daily routine with me.  And by routine I mean watch Ellen as we organize and build furniture on the floor in our living room.

I'm realizing that I don't just move from one place to another, unpack, and be done with it.  We have been here for two months and our apartment still isn't completely unpacked.  I am one of those people who has to live with bare walls and minimal furniture for a while before I can decide where things should go.  This fall break has been dedicated to mission: get our house in order.

Then & Now: Louie

Yesterday when I was uploading some photos from our camera I came across a recent photo of Louie that reminded me of a picture we took a few days after we got him. Can you believe how how different he looks? He sure is a cutie. 

Autumn Awareness

The fall color scheme is making its way into town and I find myself being more aware than ever before of the changes going on.  Most noticeably, the air is more crisp and breezy and the colors more vibrant. Like in any change in season, I feel like a broken record, commenting every five minutes about how pretty it is outside.

Being the California native that I am (or maybe it comes with age?), I have never really slowed down to notice the beautiful changes that happen around this time of year because, lets be honest, California doesn't experience the drastic changes of the four seasons.  But I've heard that the DC falls and springs are to-die-for and I don't want to miss it!

So,  in an effort to capture the beautiful changes that are going on outside, I have decided to document the transformations.  It should be an incredible sight to see!  This is the first (hence the numero uno) of the fall eye candy going on in our neck of the woods.

Thinking of Home

Before yesterday most people around the country had never heard of our beloved Seal Beach.  But today, the tragedy that rocked Seal Beach resonates everywhere.  My most sincere thoughts and prayers are with those who are grieving the loss of loved ones.  If nothing else, I will more readily cherish the people in my life.  

We Miss Our People

Minus the Millers and Longs

I'm long overdue for some commentary around these parts. I'm back.

We've been in DC for almost two months and things are pretty fantastic,  but we miss our friends terribly.  More than they probably know.  Not to say that we don't love the people we've met here but it's just different.  We don't live the care-free, spend-every-night-of-the-week-with-our-friends, Provo lifestyle anymore.  There's no more texting my besties every late afternoon with "what are we doing tonight?" "your house or mine?"

And it doesn't help that the local Top 40 radio station plays this song every time I'm in the car.

I get nostalgic thinking of the night we blasted the anthem music video at Drew and Kerri's while we idiotically tried to teach each other the shuffle.  Needless to say, none of us had enough swag to really look cool.  Dare I say that the only "cool" one was the person who decided to sit on the sideline and watch (he will remain nameless).

I miss the Provo life.

Georgetown Cupcake

One thing I realized about my dad while my parents were here is that he loves cupcakes-- all week he kept asking for "DC Cupcake" and by that he meant Georgetown Cupcake.  Every time we've ever driven by, the line is out the door and at least 50 people long, so we had to try it.

Turns out neither Kevin nor I love cupcakes as much as my dad.  He approved 100 percent but we think there was way too much frosting.       

Cone of Shame

Poor Louie got neutered yesterday and has to sport this cone for 10 days.  

Talk about robbing him of his manhood.  

Home is Wherever I'm With You

We have yet to receive the truck that has all of our stuff... the moving company has assured us that it is in route and should be here by Wednesday.  We're trying to be patient but sleeping on a mattress on the floor with an empty living room is getting old.  I'm tired of sitting on the floor and don't even get me started on how frustrating it is to not have a single item to cook with. Actually, I take that back... we bought a pot and a pan to use but you get the idea.

We have officially been here for two weeks, it's crazy how fast the time has gone by.  I thought moving here would be a life changer for us-- a new city, 2000+ miles away from home, and husband in law school seemed like enough to make me think that my life would be one hundred percent different.  But the truth is things have never felt more normal.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that home and my level of comfort is wherever Kevin and Louie are.  It sounds funny to include Louie, but he really has made this place feel more like home.