Zoo Day

I think this may be the last of our vacation photos that I have left to share, but that doesn't necessarily mean that I'm ready to stop talking about it haha. Can we take another vacation right now please? Or even a stay cation? Responsibility is overrated. 

Anyway, the zoo is one of Keith and I's favorite places to go together, and holds a special place in our hearts because we had our first date at a zoo, and even celebrated our first anniversary at the zoo. It's just the best! So when we woke up with not much to do last Saturday and a zoo in walking distance, we knew where we would be headed! We stopped at Chipotle on the way and then walked until our legs just couldn't go any further. We got to see lots of awesome animals and exhibits and spend some quality time with Anna. Here are some pictures from our day: 

Picnic time

We were SO hungry at this moment haha

Zoo time!

Fancy tiger

We love zoo masks

It's kind of a tradition

Crazy little electric jellies in the invertebrate house

Sleepy gorilla baby

Frandsssss

Anna anteater

Dead panda?

Hungry panda!

Red pandas were sleeping so I had to settle for a photo with the statue

SLOTH BEAR

Sloth bears are my favorite

Cheese balls :)

Laboring

I'm about to tap out for the rest of the weekend because these lovely ladies made the drive from Washington DC last night to visit Keith and I and we could not be more excited! Here's to a 3 day weekend full of friends and amazingly fun times :)

Also, if you're looking for a good laugh, take a look at this picture Anna took of Theo this morning. It's definitely a keeper hahahaha.

Hello September!

So we celebrated the first of September with a quick trip in the Nation's Capital. Our time in DC is always too short, but it's definitely worthwhile to spend time with good friends. Marty made the drive SOOO easily! Last night when we were coming home I hardly even noticed the trip. Keith and I never even turned on the music, and spent our whole drive just talking, and before we knew it we were 10 minutes from home. I'm pretty excited to take some longer road trips in the future. Cleveland? Boston? Florida? Lets do it!

Before we left on Tuesday I spent the afternoon at school with our friend Darlene. She is a 5th grade teacher, and I've been helping her to get her classroom ready for school to start next week. I've spent a couple days in her room helping to make bulletin boards, hang posters, and generally organize all of her things. I also painted a large lighthouse mural that we hung in the corner of her room that is dedicated to her reading library. It turned out MUCH better than I thought it would... I haven't painted anything in years haha but there are still a few things that I want to tweek the next time I go and visit her room. I was a little rushed getting out of there Tuesday afternoon since I needed to pick up Keith to get on the road.


Thankfully, Darlene was happy with the final product.



After I finished and hung my masterpiece, I got Keith and we hit the road to test out our new car and our new GPS. Since it was about 4:30 when we started driving and Philly/DC are known for terrible traffic we set the GPS to avoid toll roads in hopes of avoiding some of the major traffic on 95. We ended up making great time, tolls or not and the traffic wasn't an issue. Once we arrived in DC we put Andi, Kate and Kirby into our car and immediately drove to Good Stuff to feed our very hungry bellies. Yum yum yum, we're obsessed with their burgers, rosemary fries, chipotle mayo, and amazing milkshakes.

I stole a taste or two of Kate's shake.

Andi loves fries.

This was Kirby's first taste of Good Stuff, but this definitely looks like the face of a happy customer.

Thank you husband for being weird in pictures, always haha

After eating way too much to be comfortable we went back to their house and hung on the couch looking at the disposable camera photos from our wedding reception that I brought to share. (Hopefully I'll have the motivation to scan some of those soon, there are some definite gems haha). Wednesday we woke up pretty early and Keith and Andi made Anna Kate and I a fabulous breakfast. French toast, bacon, cheesy eggs, sausage, OJ and coffee... so good. We lounged around for most of the day watching America's Next Top Model, and then Anchor Man. Our original lunch plan had to be changed due to the hostage situation at the Discovery Channel building (grumble grumble... all we wanted was Chick-fil-a!) so after much deliberation we ended up at Chipotle, which definitely hit the spot.

Walking to the restaurant from the car.

After lunch we went back to the house and Keith and I packed the car up to head home. Before we left we took this awesome "family photo" though.

And then they tried to chase after our car as we drove away haha

I'm so excited for all that September has to offer for us. There is a lot of uncertainty in our life right now, but for once I'm not stressed or anxious about any of it. I cannot wait to see where this month will lead us, and we're enjoying everything that comes our way.

Mom was in town!

This past week/weekend was pretty crazzzzyyyy. I had a presentation on Thursday afternoon, mom got to Philly in the evening, I stayed up all night writing a presentation that I gave friday morning and things didn't slow down from there haha

After my presentation on Friday, mom and Keith picked me up from school, we grabbed some lunch and then headed over to the Barnes Collection for a few hours of looking at art. Mom had never been before and we really enjoyed our afternoon away from the loud city.

After we left the Barnes, we went straight to Ikea. Keith and I have been saving forever for a new bedroom set for awhile now and with our tax returns, coupons and gift certificates we were finally able to go and pick it out. Here's Keith looking over joyed at the store... I should have taken a photo of us after we hauled everything up the stairs to our apartment because there were not such big smiles haha

After Ikea the three of us went out to dinner to celebrate Keith's upcoming birthday (it's on Wednesday, you should call him ;)) We had a few beers and just relaxed a little bit and once we got home I completely passed out.
At 6am mom and I got up so that we could head to Chinatown and catch a bus to DC. Some of my moms college friends were getting together to see one of their sons play lacrosse at the University of Maryland and since we were so close we headed down for the day. Our trip took much longer than we had planned but we eventually made it to the stadium to check out the second half of the game.

Here is Cathy (who's son we were there to watch) my mom and Kathy.

Here is Dan playing... Maryland won the game, which made it lots of fun.

Turtle.

Beth, Cathy, Kathy and Mom.

After the game we all went to a large tailgate party for the team and ate lots of food. We went back to Kathy's house relaxed and then set up for another mega feast. Mmmm food.

THEN! I got to hang out with two of my favorite people! It wouldn't be a trip to Maryland without some hangout time with Andi and Katelyn. I also got to meet their super awesome new roommate Anna (she's on the left). We headed into the city and went to a party with some of their friends. Very nice to get a chance to not be stressed about school.



FINALLLLYYYYY.... since Keith couldn't get off of work to come to DC with us yesterday he worked very hard to build our new bedroom set! Here is my new dresser (he hasn't built his yet, that's next)

and here is our new bed with pull out headboard deal... love it. We're very excited about finally having furniture that is our own and not hand-me-downs from who knows where. Also, when we were at Ikea Mom got us some wall sconce lights which I did want really badly :) Now we just need to get something to put on the wall to decorate haha (sorry for the crooked picture, I promise the lights on the wall are straight haha)

Adventures in Washington DC

Things I learned this weekend:

• Snow makes people crazy
• Don't get too caught up in your own plans, everything is going to happen in it's own time
• I get way too excited about the Olympics haha
• Ikea is great until you really need to use the restroom and you're lost in a maze of never ending bedroom sets and fake kitchens
• Boy cats don't get along well :(
• You don't need to try on millions of dresses to find the perfect one
• Traffic makes everyone cranky
• There are still people in this world that are willing to lend a hand to total strangers
• Our cat loves riding in the car

To elaborate on those points some more I have a bunch of pictures and stories to share from our latest long weekend trip to visit Andi and Katelyn in DC (well.. Hyattsville, MD to be specific). On Thursday evening Keith and I packed up our favorite little cat Theo and headed a couple hours south despite the lackluster weather and huge piles of snow and ice. Like I mentioned in my list, Theo seemed to greatly enjoy his ride in the car. He spent the first half hour staring out the window and then settled into a warm cuddly spot in my arms. Unfortunately he didn't get along with Andi and Kate's cat Spooky as well as we all had hoped. After a treacherous fight between them it was decided that we needed to keep them separate for the rest of the weekend, which caused a little bit of stress but Keith are I were both happy we didn't have to leave Theo home alone.

We seemed to spend a lot of time eating, watching the Winter Olympics and sitting in traffic haha but despite a few set backs it was wonderful to get out of town for a few days and to spend time with good friends.

So I guess it needs to be mentioned... I got a wedding dress!! I feel like that puts us a step closer to the big day (which is exactly 6 months away!) Unfortunately I'm starting to learn that nothing regarding wedding planning comes without the potential for a slight headache and dress shopping was no stranger. I had an appointment to try on dresses at Jcrew on Friday night, but after sitting in traffic for 2 hours (only trying to drive 8 miles) and walking 12 blocks through snow and ice on unshoveled sidewalks and streets, Katelyn and I were brought to tears (ok, I was the only one crying boo hoo) to find out that the store was closed and we had missed my appointment by about 45 minutes. When it felt like all hope was lost, it surely was not.. we were able to reschedule for Saturday afternoon and there was no need for stress. Even though the day was saved, everyone involved was exhausted and in need of some food and alcohol. While I was supposed to be dress shopping Keith had made plans to hang out with his friend Cooper who recently relocated to DC from Nashville. We all met up and went to a pizza joint for some cocktails, beers, food and Winter games opening ceremony. Over all the night turned out to be a lot of fun and we all learned a lesson in trusting that everything will work itself out in the long run.

So for my Saturday appointment, there was no question that we would be taking the Metro instead of trying to get into the city with the car again. We made it there with plenty of time and I was able to actually relax and make a decision on a dress without feeling rushed. I only tried on two before I knew which one would be perfect. I'm by no means an expert on weddings and really know nothing about fancy dresses so I wasn't sure if this is an occasion that you're supposed to make a split decision. Personally I think I would have a panic attack walking into a David's Bridal type dress store, but are you supposed to try on a certain number of other dresses before you take your pick? The bridal specialist, Katelyn and Andi all agreed that I just needed to go with my gut, find something that made me happy and was comfortable and beautiful. Well this fit all of those requirements so I just went for it, PLUS! Jcrew has a very sneaky 15% student discount that they don't advertise but since I'm a student I'm obviously eligible... what a deal haha I couldn't be happier with my decision, and can't wait to wear it!

Kate and Andi got a chance to try on some bridesmaid dresses afterwards and then we headed to grab some dinner with Keith, Cooper and Andi's sister Susie who came to town Saturday. It was SOOO good to see her, because I don't think Susie and I have seen each other in more than a year, yikes!

Something else that I could add to my list of things I learned this weekend: After you've eating a big hamburger a milkshake tastes really awesome, but you're always going to be too full to finish it. While everyone else went and got shakes for dessert Keith and I debated getting our own, first because we didn't really want to wait in line and we were both bursting at the seams. After about 10 minutes Keith and I ended up with everyone else's shakes in front of us because they were too full haha good things come to those who wait!

I'm very glad that Keith and I have gotten more in the routine of documenting our lives through photos. It was something that I did almost naturally up until a couple years ago when I just fell out of the habit. Many thanks to those of you who have actually read this far.

While we had a wonderful time hanging with friends, all three of us (Theo included!) were very happy to get home last night. Unfortunately we did experience our first real winter hardship before we could truly relax, and that's where we learned that there are still some people out there that are willing to lend a hand to total strangers. While we were gone the street that we live on never got plowed. After a weekend of melting and refreezing, our street is a solid 6 inches of ice just waiting to trap unsuspecting cars. Of course we got stuck, and with just the two of us working to get the car out we weren't getting very far. Thankfully some strapping young college boys from across the street heard us struggling and came out to help (which seriously almost brought tears to my eyes because I'm not sure if I could take getting sprayed with freezing mud much longer ugh) It took them about an hour to get the car out, and we payed them kindly in beer; little things like that give me hope for our generation. After our terrible ice experience Keith helped two other cars get freed from the same spot so hopefully some winter karma will be sent our way.

Now, back to work for Keith and back to school for me...