Showered with Surprises

My plans for this past Saturday were spending the morning at Ikea furniture shopping and taking maternity photos in the evening. Those things both happened, but something else happened too. 

After returning home from Ikea, Will tried to open the door without his keys, which I thought was odd. Then he pulled out his keys, only to realize, "Oh my gosh, my apartment key is missing. It must have fallen off?" So, a bit concerned I pulled out my keys and unlocked the apartment. Walking in the front door, I saw our friend Daniel standing in our kitchen.

When Dan and Will were in college, sometimes Dan would break into Will's apartment for a joke. So, naturally, my first thought was "oh my gosh, he broke a window." My next thought was "did he steal Will's key?" Then, moving down the hallway, the living room came into view, covered in Baby Boy themed decorations and full of people. Will's Mom had planned a surprise baby shower!

The Food Spread

Will's Mom decorated this cake! So cute.

It was a great shower with fun games and fabulous people. It was also great to see friends and family who came from as far away as Baltimore! Thanks to everyone. Especially to Will's Mom for pulling it all off! A special shout out to Will for keeping me in the dark on this, as he has done on so many things in the past. What a guy.

Baby is due this month. Counting down the days!

Theme Song: Haven't Met You Yet, Michael Buble

On the Road Again

Road trips can be a bit rough. But this one was actually pretty excellent! Four good friends, four licensed drivers, and some of us traveled through states we had never been to before. I'm becoming a very seasoned road tripper.

Wyoming's State Animal: The Great American Jackalope

Instead of going through South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, this time we went through Nebraska and Iowa. Nick and Sara recently moved to Iowa because Nick is doing his PhD at Iowa State. We got a free place to stay the night, and it was so excellent being able to catch up with Nick and Sara! And we saw Tristan and baby Aramis.

Lily took a look in Caitie's bag while we were at Nick and Sara's

The plains of America are all corn and windmills

Matt being the first one into Indiana. Unless Caitie pointed her toes far enough to beat him in. When we reached Ohio, Will discretely snuck up from the back seat and lunged across the dashboard, trying to be the first one in. We are so mature.

This was my first time sitting in the back seat of the Honda. Will and I even got to sleep despite continuing to cross state lines. Road trips are more fun with good buddies. And no illness this time around. A little preventative maintenance kept Will's pain tolerable for most of the trip. His back and driving across America simply do not agree.

Theme Song: On the Road Again, Willie Nelson

On Holiday

BYU does not have a spring break. This didn't really factor into my pro/con list when I was deciding what university I would attend. Even if I had thought about it, spring break would not have been a huge factor, but there was a small pang of longing each year when friends at schools across the country got a week break during a difficult semester.

As a student teacher I do not follow the schedule of BYU, but that of my cooperating school district. Therefore, for the first time since high school--this year I had a spring break.

In exactly 22 days, Will and I will leave the state of Utah for a more permanent home in the East. Therefore, Will wanted one more extended visit to California to visit his mission before we left for the opposite side of the country. In more ways than one, a week without school less than a month before graduation was a big blessing.

In the Antelope Valley, Burbank, Downtown LA, and Malibu we enjoyed an excellent vacation. Pictures and details to follow.

Theme Song: Vacation, Vitamin C

Good-bye Summer

Halfway through my freshman year I got a job in the BYU catering kitchens. I have never made it a secret that this was not my favorite job. But, last Friday was finally my last day! YAY!!

To celebrate this momentous occasion and to give a proper sendoff to the summer, we decided to roast marshmallows up the canyon. And while we were at it, we thought we may as well roast my work shoes too.

So Saturday night we found ourselves up Provo Canyon at South Fork, at the same fire pit that I had come to with some friends at the end of last summer. Jared and Will got the fire going quickly:

Meghan and I married some manly men

And then we had some s'mores, Meghan and I each tried our first roasted starburst, and we even tried reese's peanut butter cups on s'mores. Good, but not my favorite. Will, on the other hand, loved them.

The Provo River, just beyond our chosen fire pit

Will's Jacket protecting the tunes from intermittent rain

Roasted Watermelon: not recommended. Tasted like warm water (go figure).

As we were finishing up the eating portion of the evening, a man in a black jacket with a flashlight strolled up to our fire and just stood there. Finally he said hello (by which time Meghan had planned an escape route via the Provo River in case he turned out to be a murderer) and that fire restrictions were still in place and that he was going to have to ask us to leave, and and by the way we weren't even using a real fire pit. Whoops.

We began to gather our stuff, and I threw my shoes on the fire anyway. Even if it was only for a brief moment, those shoes had to burn! For those who don't know burning rubber reeks! I knew that. And it was still horrible. We returned to the car with half burned shoes and an air of illegality. As we pulled out of the parking lot, we noticed two very large signs stating that no fires were allowed at this time. Again, whoops.

Too much excitement--it's time for school and Fall.

Assessing the damage back at home

Theme Song: Boys of Summer, Don Henley (or the Ataris)

Cheers, Mate

Will's best friend Matt recently returned from his mission to London, England (South)--soooooo jealous--and moved out to Utah. So naturally we went to Trafalgar. And were really mature.

Missed an easy putt :(

We thought about going swimming...maybe next time.

Theme Song: Pinball Wizard, The Who/Elton John (air hockey and pinball are interchangeable...right?)