November 2011

At the beginning of November Jason and I went to Arizona.  We took the camera.  We did not take a single picture and by the time I realized it we were on the way to the airport to go home.  Lame!  But, we had a wonderful time anyhow.  In Arizona, we FINALLY found the perfect gray blazer we've been looking for.  

Jason is happy about the purchase.

The other exciting thing in November was, of course, Thanksgiving!  We drove to Michigan to spend it with Adam, Kristin, and Braxton.  We extended our trip as long as possible because we were having such a nice time.  

Here's some shots of us at Michigan Lake beach.  Unfortunately there isn't one of all of us together, but at least there are pictures!

You walk through the tunnel to get to the beach.  The wind had blown sand all through the tunnel. I thought it was pretty neat looking.

While in Michigan we ate a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, talked, played games, watched movies, went out to eat, shopped, and....went to Craig's Cruisers!

Adam, Jason and I got to drive both the indoor and outdoor go-carts which were a blast.

Also, Braxton was fun to see.  He's talking a ton and Jason and I have fun quoting him.  "James (toy train) happy. Mommy, daddy happy.  Firetruck. School bus.  Wheel come off.  Uncle Tom, Uncle Jason computer." That's a typical monologue of Braxton.  Fun kid.

Lastly, the cooler weather has helped me venture into a new world of soup making.  I've never really  made soup before, but have tried a few kinds and found I really enjoy it.  They are pretty simple and make for great leftovers.  The trick is making a meal that satisfies Jason.  This one I made Jason was so impressed with he photographed it.  Menu: Greens with Roasted Balsamic Pears, Fabulous Fall Roots soup with Creme Fraiche, and French Bread.  

Jason was full :).

October 2011

October was wonderfully more fall than last month, and I gobbled it up as much as possible.  I truly think fall makes me a happier person, or more alive, or something else along those lines.  Despite the sweater weather, though not too cold, Jason and I used our ice cream maker for the first time.  This wonderful gift from our friends, Alexson Jepsen (yes, that is two people), was put to great use in October.  Here I am with the machine and recipe I used...Rocky Road Ice Cream.

 Here's the completed product.  A deliciously cocoa ice cream with marshmallows and toasted pecans folded in after.  Excuse my unpleasantly shiny face... I just had to show the ice cream.

Also this month, I ran a 15k, with my friend Tawnya again.  I was pretty happy overall with my time, and the weather turned out beautiful.  There weren't nearly as many runners as my last race, which was nice, and they fed us a ton of food!

Yes, now you can all go calculate my mile average.  Don't judge.

I couldn't help but take some pictures of the pretty colors.  Boy, do I love seasons.

Do you think this sign is funny?  Does it make you want to complete the phrase?

We sure thought it was great!

Dave's hot and juicy...french fries! Chicken nuggets!  Drive-thru attendant!  You get the idea...

September 2011

I don't think I can express my intense love of autumn.  It's our favorite season, and Iowa City has not failed to please us, especially after that summer!  The leaves have started changing and the air is cooler and it is just so wonderfully glorious.  I just can't get enough.  We've heard that once all the leaves change that they fall off really fast, so I'm enjoying it while it lasts.

On September 10th, I ran my second half marathon ever with my running buddy Tawnya, and her brother. Unfortunately, I was sick for this one too.  What luck, huh?  I still managed to run the thing and had a pretty darn good pace for most of it, until the last three miles where I practically died.  I was sick to my stomach the rest of the day, but I finished without walking!  I was bummed with being sick, but I'm still running; it hasn't ruined me for life.  Jas was a great support and took good care of me.  Unfortunately, I got him sick too and we were both pretty miserable for about a week.  But we're much better now!

Also, to celebrate Jason passing his test, we bought him a guitar!  Let's just say that he is in love, second to me, of course.  I have to remind myself of that sometimes, but it so fun to watch him play and sing.  He's learned some fun songs that we'll be singing together soon.

Last, but not least, my spice rack finally has a home on the wall!  I've had this thing, and been using it for a year or two now, but never had it hung.  With Jason's help, it is hung in our kitchen and I love it.

August 2011

August was awesome.  We were able to see both of our families and a bunch of other people.  I was able to attend the Coming Family Reunion in Casper, WY just like old times and Jason and I joined up at his parent's home to spend some time with them.  We were able to visit lots of friends while in Utah and also attend some of the Bell family reunion as well.  All in all we had a great trip, and it was also great to get back home to our own beds!

Other exciting news of the month...Jason passed his Qualifier's!  'Twas a truly joyous day of celebration to say the least.  There's been a boost in Jason's confidence that I really, really like to see.  Oh, happy day.

July 2011

This month was the most humid month I have ever experienced in my life.  Marseilles was pretty humid when I was there a few summers ago, but it was not like Iowa.  I'm sure the heat wave had something to do with it, but my goodness, I'm an Arizona girl that's for sure.  Bring on the dry heat!

Aside from that, Jason and I had a good month.  We survived youth conference, my job, Jason's studying and the weather.  We also finally made it to the Bike Library in downtown Iowa City and both of us were able to rent bikes!  We got there at about 7:45 am one Saturday morning (the only day they rent and it is first come first serve) and we were the 2nd and 3rd people in line.  We met and talked to Linda (a student from China) while we waited for 10:00 to roll around.  Luckily, there was an awning in front of the store as well to shield us from the rain.  It was a great experience, and now we can bike ride all we want!  We paid down payments on each bike and if we return the bikes in 6 months, we get the money back.  If not, the bikes are ours to keep and the money is their's to keep.  Road bikes are great fun.  Now I know why all those people were passing me in that triathlon when I was on a mountain bike!

June 2011

Well, I'm a little late getting this up, and I don't even have all the pictures, but I figured I'd move ahead anyhow.  Let's see...first off, we went to Chicago again and got some pictures this time.  We met our friends Dave and Abby Tensmeyer there and had a great time.

Outside the Field Museum.  We learned about whales, horses, and totem poles.

We liked this view a lot.

Navy Pier (not that cool, at least when it's swarming with people...)

In Millenium Park...

And here's the whole gang.

Our other big event of June was going to Arizona for Gavin's farewell.  What a time we had, complete with jet skiing, dropping Gav off at the airport, seeing my dad's current work project, and just hanging out with the fam.  10 days of home sweet home.  I'm grateful for my flexible husband and family. Also, pictures forthcoming....

And here's the pictures.  The whole family after his farewell, at the airport and him waving goodbye.

He loved the group hug...

Also, here's Jason and I in our pharmaceutical attire in the facility my dad designed.  I'm glad I don't have to wear this everyday. Not attractive!  But still fun.

Working the softgel machine.

Awesome shoe cover/booties.

May 2011

April showers bring May flowers.  Well, this is the first springtime of my whole life where I really felt that to be true.  Utah has flowers, but Iowa was bursting!  I loved it.  We had a good time with spring baseball at the university.  Someone in our ward plays on the team so I could get in for free and Jas used his student id card.  Not a bad deal.

We also got to visit my cousin Tiffany and her family in Waverly and had a blast.  Such fun kids!  Also, one Sunday evening, the day of the tornado warning, Jason comes to me in the kitchen and says, "Hey Whit, you wanna do something hilarious? And fun?"  "Of course!" I responded.  He proceeded to come up with something on the spot, because he hadn't actually thought of anything and this is what it was:  "Let's eat ice cream...with knives!"  Oh boy!  Here's us doing it.  So fun and so hilarious.

At the end of the month, I got to go to Utah for Allison's wedding. A nice reason to go see the fam too!  Too bad Jas couldn't come :(  Allison looked beautiful.  I'm so happy for her.

Here is my adorable niece, Ember.  I just had to share.  I could just eat her up!

April 2011

Wow, another one gone.  Time flies when you are having fun, and basically any time I'm with Jason, I'm having fun.  You know what that equals? Me having a blast!  Anyhow, April was a good month kicked off by General Conference. We LOVED General Conference.  The next weekend included lots of babysitting combined with a birthday celebration of sorts...for me. Meet the Gleason children.  Also, note that each has their own flavor of ice cream.  These children are...special!

I made a chocolate chip cookie pie, which was super easy and quite delicious.  As great as the Gleason children are, I'll be honest, it wasn't my ideal way to spend my birthday.  Fortunately, Adam and Kristin invited us to meet up with them in Chicago the following weekend.  We had a fantastic time and were happy to be able to be around some family.  It was quite rainy and cold the whole day we were together, but we got to experience the Magnificent Mile, Gino's East deep dish pizza, and the Sky Deck.  You wanna know what else?  We don't have a single good picture!  We accidentally left our camera in the car which was in 24 hour parking and we weren't nearby.  Needless to say, this is what I got on our way back home leaving Chicago.

Ha! Oh well...Guess that just means we'll have to go back.  Last, but not least, we celebrated Easter.  I cooked Easter dinner for just the two of us.  Ham, roasted fingerling potatoes and asparagus, and lemon meringue pie.  I'll admit, it was pretty good.  Here's us with the pie, using our awesome leaf pie server for the first time.  You like how we match?

Hmmm, I'm just now realizing that two main events of April revolved around pie.  Ah well, who doesn't like pie?!

PS - This is what we are gonna tell our children the Easter Bunny looks like so they won't want to believe in him...