Birthday Fun in Savannah

Still trying to get into the whole blogging thing, I wish I could promise that I'll be more regular on the posts but I doubt that will happen. SO since Jon and my birthday are less than a month apart we decided that we would go to Savannah GA which is only about 2 1/2 hours away to stay for the weekend since we had never been. We had a Marriot gift card burning a hole in our pocket that we couldn't wait to spend. It was incredible, seriously such a pretty place, it reminds me a lot of downtown Charleston. We left Friday after work and got there about 8:30 so we were able to watch TV! A luxury that you people with television take for granted! The next morning we ate breakfast at the Hotel, and headed out, since our hotel was in the historic district I we were able to just spend the day walking around. Like I said, it's a lot like Charleston except the houses are different than the row houses here where a lot of them are broken up into apartments a door a flight up, and then a door at ground level. Plus there were a lot of cobblestone streets which were amazing. 

We ate lunch at Paula Dean's restaurant, and if you haven't been you must go! It was hilarious, it's three floors and we had to take an elevator to the third floor where we would be dining. The food was pretty good, but what we really enjoyed was her store next door which was various souvenier's in the shape of butter. Seriously a crack up looking at all of the butter ornaments and salt and pepper shakers etc. Afterwards we went to Leopolds ice cream. And let me tell you that it was THE BEST ice cream I have ever eaten. If you know me at all you realize that this is a bold statement. I love ice cream and I am here to say that this particular ice cream was life changing. We weren't the only one's that felt that way seeing as there was a 45 minute line to get into the store. Worth every minute. 

Afterwards, we decided to go to Tybee Island to see the lighthouse there. We were able to buy a pass and tour the couple of museums surrounding the lighthouse which is right up Jon's alley, afterwards we made our way to the lighthouse for the climb. It was 200ish steps and let's just say that we were pretty winded by the time we got to the top. I was carrying my usual 30 lb purse equipped with water bottles, medicine, extra change of clothes, an iron you name it; and the lighthouse keeper lady suggested I put it in the office since it was quite the hike, I assured her I would be fine and we made our way up. Once on top there was a little railing around the top of the lighthouse which was pretty spectacular. It was for those that would dare venture out which I was not. So Jon went out and hung out for awhile snapping pictures while I stayed safely inside and watched out the window. I honestly tried to step out and could not make myself do it. I had visions of myself passing out from fear and toppling off to my death. Plus I was convinced the lighthouse was swaying and was not going to take the chance. 

Afterwards we made our way back to the historic district and ate at a local bar that was supposed to have great food and ordered ourselves a Shirley temple which I had never tried before and it was delish. Afterwards we went back to the hotel and turned in for the night. Now about 3:00 a.m. I woke up to go to the bathroom and when I tried to get up I completely collapsed back on the bed. I was having major back spasms from lugging my bag up the 3,000 steps in the lighthouse. Jon had to literally push me off the bed and lower me back in when I was done, my back hasn't been the same since, it was a pretty bad choice and I have since lightened my load and switched over to a light weight tote thanks to my friend Carly Van T who gave it to me for my birthday. Thanks Carly!!! The next morning we ate breakfast and headed out, stopping in at a Tanger Outlet on the way out for a little birthday shopping. The perfect end to the perfect weekend!

My actual birthday was great! It landed on a Sunday and I got a bunch of great gifts from friends and family. My mom and dad got me the new Celine Dion CD as well as some new work out gear and a TJ Maxx gift card and my in laws got me a great card with birthday money. Jon made me a nice birthday dinner and a fun fetti cake. Thanks to my friend Madi who sent the fun fetti frosting all the way from Utah since SC is lame and doesn't have fun fetti frosting. Unbelievable. All in all it was a fabulous birthday and 24 is going to be a great year! Here are some photos from Jon's birthday/Savannah

 Checking out the new earrings that I purchased while Jon was parking the car, got a steal of a deal!

 Forget waiting for trains, here we have to wait for the barges to go through which can take eternity.

We watched this asian photo shoot for like 10 minutes, very entertaining.

Utah Trip

I can't believe it has been nearly two months since I last posted. The Summer just seemed to fly by and here we are already into fall. This last month has been extremely eventful! Jon decided to run for office at school, he was running for the Secretary/ Treasurer. I was excited for him when he told me but had forgotten about it until he came home one Friday telling me that he had clearly also forgotten about it! He got to school to find fellow classmates passing out treats, setting up power points getting ready for their speeches which he also had to prepare. Now if I had been in the situation I would have thrown in the towel no questions asked, I don't do public speaking on a whim. There MUST be preparation involved or I crash and burn. Jon however wasn't phased and got up to give his speech anyway. I was blown away that he was still able to do so and turns out he WON! He's super excited and I'm excited for him! Wahoo Jon!


On Sept 12th I flew out to Utah for my sister in law Katie's wedding. That day was a big day for me seeing as I had never flown alone before. My layover was only an hour and my connecting flight was in Atlanta. If anyone has been to the Atlanta airport you can appreciate the fear that I was experiencing seeing as every time I've been there it has been a mad dash on the train trying to make my connecting flight. Heavenly Father was looking out for me because as it turns out, my gate was only three gates down!That NEVER happens, It was such a relief, and I was able to make it to Utah! Jon had to come out later because he had a test on Thur, Fri and Mon. That night I was able to go to Katie's and Brian's open house, they are the cutest couple! I'm so glad I was able to come out and celebrate with them. It was great to see family and friends! On Friday my my mom and I went out to Fashion place mall and did a little shopping, afterwards I was able to visit my bff Carly who also happened to be in town from Portland the same weekend for her brothers wedding! Even though we only got to see each other for a couple of hours it made my weekend to be able to see her. You're the best Car! Later that night I picked up Jon from the airport just in time for the big day!

Saturday I was able to wake up and go on a run with running buddy Megan! We have gone on Saturday morning runs nearly every Saturday for three years! This is one of the things I miss most about Utah! We always have such a great time and it's something that I looked forward to being able to do once I came back. Afterwards it was a quick rush to get ready and get up to Logan for the wedding. It was a beautiful day and I wish I would have taken pictures! Dang it! Katie and Brian looked fabulous and the reception luncheon after was wonderful. I'm so glad that we were able to make it in for their big day. Congrats Katie and Brian!!! 

Sunday was church and dinner with the grandparents, then Monday I was able to wake up and go on a hike up to Keaton's rock pile with my dad and Frank. My dad has put a rock on Keaton's pile for every day he has been on his mission as a surprise for when he gets home. Later in the day my mom and I were able to continue our fall tradition and head to Gardner village to see the witches and shop! I got a couple of darling Halloween decorations which are already up and really making our apartment festive. 

 We had a great time in Utah and are looking forward to going back on December 19th so mark your calendars!

White Coat Faux Pas

Sorry that I haven't written in awhile we have had a crazy last couple of weeks! Now for a couple of updates: 

• Jon got a new calling at church. He will be the 11 and 12 year old scout master. He's pretty excited about the calling and will do a great job.  
• We spoke last week in church, I spoke on Ruth and Jon spoke on Love at Home. We were pretty relieved when that was behind us only to find out that I needed to teach in YW this week. Although it turned out to be totally fine and thanks to the four year old primary class I taught in our last ward I think I'm finally getting more comfortable with teaching. It's always been a weakness of mine not so much speaking or talking in front of people because that doesn't bother me.It has more been an issue of being able to convey what I'm feeling while teaching and being able to take the lesson wherever it needs to go I felt like I've really grown which is such a relief! 
• We drove up to North Carolina and Virginia two weekends ago to visit Jon's grandparents. We spent Saturday and then went to church Sunday with them and it was good for Jon to get to see them. It's been raining like crazy down here and that weekend was no exception so unfortunately I didn't get a chance to take any pictures. 

Now on to the big news of the week, JON STARTED PHARMACY SCHOOL!!! This has been SO long in the making and has taken years to get here so he was so excited to finally get into it. 

Jon on his first day of Pharmacy School. 

On Wednesday they held a White Coat Ceremony for Jon's class of 2017. I got off work early at we headed into Charleston. The whole thing was really nice they started out by listening to the Dean and the president of the Pharmacy School and the speeches really weren't that bad. What was painful was the next hour of watching every single member of his class. 80 in all. Walk up on stage one by one as their names were called, sign the honor code, and then get their coat ceremonially put on by the president of the Pharmacy School, as well as get a picture taken with him. Only one person was on stage at a time....It was a total snooze fest. But it was worth getting to see Jon on stage I was probably more excited than he was. Here are the photos of Jon's moment to shine. 

 They will wear these coats as well as dress clothes one day a week while they do their labs for the next four years. So Jon had his coat since Monday, and he had tried it on and it just never looked right to me. Jon has really broad shoulders, and his coat cut in quite a bit and the sleeves and bottom just seemed really short to me. He insisted that it wast just how lab coats fit but as I was watching every. single. person. get their coats put on them I was noticing that their coats seemed to fit a lot better. While I was making this observation, Jon and another boy in line made the connection. Jon's buttons were on the opposite side of his coat... while turning around and comparing to a girls coat he realized right before he went on stage that he was in fact given a women's coat accidentally. Whoops! He still looked great but got his coat swapped out later on in the week for the appropriate gender. We had a good laugh about it afterwards. Here are some photos from the event:

I am so proud of him for getting to this point! He is going to do a great job and is looking forward to getting started. We are further convinced every day that we spend in SC that it is where we are supposed to be and are loving every minute!