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.

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.       

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.

3 years + a jolt

Yesterday we celebrated our third year of marriage with a night out at what will be our go-to Italian restaurant.  We're new around here so we don't really know what places are good, but Tagolio just so happened to be a jackpot. I ordered a pizza with fresh mozzarella cheese, spinach, garlic, sausage, and pepperoni, and Kevin ordered Daniel's Spaghetti with Meatballs.

Everyone sitting on the patio around us was discussing the earthquake that jolted the east coast earlier in the day.  It was kind of funny to hear people talk about it.  For most, it was their first experience in an earthquake, ever!

At the end of our meal the waiter brought out a little celebratory dessert for us and we indulged! Afterward, we headed home so Kevin could get back to his reading.

It was a simple but sweet.   Here's to the first three years of our marriage spent in Provo and to the next three (maybe more) here in DC.

Weekend Instas: Tourists

My parents are here to help us get settled and to see the Washington DC area for the first time.  On Saturday we set out to conquer the National Mall and on Sunday we spent the day at home lounging in our sweats. 

1. Lincoln Memorial

2. mile-high escalator at the Dupont Circle Metro stop

3. flags surrounding the Washington Monument

4. Lincoln Memorial Parthenon 

5. me

6. homemade pizookies

7. Turkey, bacon, avocado sandwiches and soup after church on a stormy sunday afternoon

8. mom and dad + the Washington Monument

not pictured: Louie's first time to a DC dog park (it was incredible!)

All in a Weeks Time

A week ago, yesterday, we walked in the BYU graduation exercises with the class of 2011 to round out our undergraduate careers.  

And yesterday (one week later) Kevin started his first day of law school at George Washington.  Words cannot express how blessed we feel to be here.

Washington DC

I thought the day would never come when I'd say we're here; Washington DC is officially our home.  We flew in late Saturday night with 4 large suitcases, two carry-ons, a dog, and a whole lot of naivety.  The past few days have been all but a walk in the park.  Washington DC is a convoluted city with little mercy for green drivers like us. The grid system in Utah is heavenly.

Besides spending way too much time lost, we have spent the past couple of days shopping for essentials, assembling IKEA furniture, unpacking our clothes, and site seeing. Our apartment stands completely empty until our truck arrives sometime next week (fingers crossed) so we have yet to completely settle in.  

We have, however, been to the Shake Shack twice this week.  My friend Lia told me that it was the In N Out of the East coast, better even (if you can believe that).  We were not disappointed. 

Tomorrow Kevin starts 1L orientation.  This is so surreal.