friday favorites

1. After Provo's Baskin Robbins stopped offering "Tuesday Dollar Night" we lost a lot of interest in B&R. It was an especially sad moment for Anne Marie and me. Well, Ben and I stopped by our local Baskin Robbins this week . . it happened to be on Tuesday . . and it was dollar night! What blessings. :)

2. When Ben leaves every morning, I think to myself "Man, he looks handsome in his business work clothes!!"

3. We could not have moved into a kinder and more welcoming ward!!

4. This area is beautiful. I love driving around on different errands - it is just so great to look around and be in this beautiful place.

getting settled

Although Ben & I hauled all of our stuff into our apartment a few weeks ago, due to a long training in NYC for him and some time at home for me, we are just now finally starting to feel settled. Ben has had a great first 4 days at work! I am so proud of him. I have been playing housewife all week and am hoping to find a job soon! I told Ben that if I can't find a job then I need a dog or a baby.

Here are a few apartment highlites.

I love my cute piggy bank - Ben got it for my last birthday.

Something from Pinterest I've actually made.. paintchip art.

We've finally got all the dress pillows for our bed and the twinkles add a fun touch!

It is so nice to be in an apartment that feels like a real home instead of an apartment built of cinder block!

belated

Everybody loves things that are belated, i.e. belated birthdays, belated Christmas presents, belated Thanksgiving dinners, etc. And we're all in luck because this post is a belated Christmas Break Adventures post!

Christmas Cookie decorating at the Myers'

Christmas Eve dinner - PIZZA - a new tradition for me. Yummy!

Christmas Eve PJs. Adorbs.

On our last night in Indy, the fam threw us a graduation celebration complete with a tunnel, a dip kiss, and a delicious meal!

New Years Eve back in California. I think I have been up for almost 24 hours at this point.

Mom & Dad took Ben & me to a Kings game to see Jimmer. Ben caught these Harlem Globetrotter sweat bands; sweet.

And bowling.

it's official!

a picc line

A few months ago Dad had to undergo an unexpected back surgery. Unfortunately, it ended up being more than he bargained for as the incision site became infected, he had to undergo surgery once more, and then have a line of antibiotics running from his upper arm to his heart for six weeks. . . . Oh yeah, and he was called as bishop at the same time!

Yesterday was a day of celebration as he had the antibiotic delivering tube - a "picc line" - removed. The tube was way long and Mom captured a video . . . enjoy!

To read a little bit more from Mom's blog, click here.

farewell to provo

A post that is obviously out of order, but important nonetheless.

During our last week in Provo . .

We took our last final exams. I had to take a picture of the waiting area for results because it is both classic and humorous. I am here waiting for the result of my very last BYU final.

We went to J-Dawg's. Did you know that J-Dawg's is rated #1 on Yelp for Provo restaurants? True fact. Ben is requesting a J-Dawg's t-shirt for his birthday in a few months.

J-Dawg's will never cease to be a beautiful thing in our mouths.

We packed our apartment into a pod. Awesome, huh? Blue and Sami happened to be in town our last day there so we solicited Blue's help and then went to lunch together.

And then, we drove to California - our new home! As we drove through Provo we recounted memories of everything we passed and said "farewell."

Provo, you have been good to us and you will be missed. :)

Carmel Christmas Highlites

A house full of family and children that we love!

Playing games and chatting at night with the adults!

Decorating and eating sugar cookies!

Duckpin bowling and arcade games!

Ben playing basketball with his dad!

Pizza for dinner on Christmas Eve!

Christmas Day . . and only the men going to Church! Haha.

A date with Ben to Bub's!

Christmas lights!

Men's night out to St. Elmo's!

Girls' afternoon - Cheesecake Factory and Fashion Mall shopping!

Carmel High School basketball game!

Butler University basketball game - and catching a mini bball thrown to the audience!

Going out to lunch with Randy & Sandra!

Watching BYU's bowl game win!

Popcorn!