Grand Haven=Heaven

A few weeks ago, I decided I was going a bit crazy. Job hunting, waiting, more job hunting, etc gets old and frustrating and I had apparently reached my threshold. I've also decided needing to "get out" is a fun curse that my travel jobs have bestowed upon me. I think it's normal to visit different places as often as possible. Or I like to make it normal. Anyway, my mind was made up, and my mind quickly thought about how incredibly cold Lake Michigan was when we last visited and how beautiful many people have said it is in the summer. I shared my idea* with Nate and because he's nice, or felt similar, he agreed-so we headed for the lake!

*by the time it's an idea, my mind is very much set on something

See? Look how happy it made him.

We arrived in the afternoon and wandered through an Indie music fest, found someone's camera, handed said camera over to the police, then made our way to the water. This cool sunset was our reward.

We'd left our suits at the hotel because it had been a bit cooler, but by the time we arrived, we regretted our swimsuit-less apparel. We settled for feet bathing and people watching.

Nothing special about this picture, but I think it's a good representation of what look I give Nate if he's said something I deem embarrassing/inappropriate. For the record, I don't think he actually had said anything in those categories, it was just a lucky shot, I guess.

The next day we returned prepared. The weather was beautiful, the water was lovely to swim in (even for me!) and somewhere along the way, I started to feel okay again.

We had to make it a quick trip, but I'm so glad we did! By the time we got home, I was full of tranquility, satisfaction...and sand.

Speaking of beautiful, if anyone is looking for a creep-y hotel...be sure to check out Dad's Inn the next time you are passing through Northwest Michigan; it's sure to delight.

Bye, bye REC

Way back in the day when we were in the YMCA's good graces, I never would've imagined I would need to be associated with UT's (University of Toledo) REC center in order to work out. The first YMCA was dumpy, not really air conditioned, and full of wannabe meat heads/sports lovers. It would make me crazy to hear (even over my too loud headphones): "DO YOU THINK T.O. IS GOING TO BEAT BLAH BLAH?!?"

I know people care about sports, I just will never care enough to be that loud about it. Anyway, last fall...we got a YMCA upgrade; they built a new facility and it is lovely. Bigger workout rooms, air conditioning, private tvs on all the machines; their upgrades made it so I could ignore Zumba guy, coffee guy, Johnny Tremain guy, and skanky girl (that actually said, and I quote "will this exercise work my boobs??" Sorry, but it happened) more effectively. I was in heaven!

Then we were denied our "scholarship" renewal. Yes, yes, we are poor, so they were helping us out. And then they weren't. I felt more rejected than is probably normal, but working out is one thing that has, at times, kept me sane while we've been in Ohio. Nate remembered that UT has a REC facility that he could work out for free as a student, and I was required to pay a bit; but averaging both of us paying, it came out to be about the same price as the YMCA before. So we suited up, paid for me, and entered into the undergraduate zone. I couldn't shake the thought that I was one of very few real paying customers, so my expectation was higher (and/or dashed more quickly) than theirs. As opposed to the YMCA guys, these weight room guys were legitimate steroid users, they legitimately used nasty boy language, so I legitimately avoided that area. I stuck to the cardio machines where I learned I can workout and still benefit, even if my closest workout companion smells like dinner sweat, even if I have to watch "the Shore" or "The Real World", even if I see an older gentlemen doing questionable hip exercises, and even if a guy comes up to me and tells me "you can do it! (running)" when indeed I already was doing it. (Is this what flirting has come to?)

When I told Nate last night that it was our last night to go to the REC, he cheered. I'm sad I'll have to be more creative about working out for the rest of our Toledo stay, but I'm happy to be free of our time there. Will I miss being stopped in the parking lot and asked to judge who out of two friends is taller (they were adults, if anyone is wondering)? No, indeed I won't.

The Third

Recently, both Nathan and I read "Ender's Game". In the story, Ender is "The Third" (born) in his family, which normally meant that he wasn't really good for much, yet he ends up proving everyone wrong. This year, because the Fouth of July was on a Sunday, I didn't think the Third would be good for much...yet it ended up proving me wrong...get it??

We were invited to a big party on Saturday at the Reagan's house...we had a great time!

Kristin's very cute bbq cupcakes. My favorite part was that they were actually brownies...I may have eaten at least 1.5 of these...



When someone throws you a fedora, you have to take advantage of that gift.

Nate showing me who's boss.

Katie, Lisa, Karen and me. Some of my very favorite people in the ward, I'm so glad they were all there!

Me with my favorite person.

The Reagan's even passed out glow sticks (glue sticks, Tom?).

Maybe it's because I'm too cheap to really ever buy those on my own, but they made us feel lots more festive. Well, that and the Neil Diamond playing...

Practicing with our fireworks setting.

I love this one cause it's so palm treeish...maybe Jamaica is trying to call us back??

Since I can't take pictures in church, here's Mal and I being festive on the actual Fourth. It was a lot more low key, but you can tell, she's way excited.

It was a neat experience to have the Fourth of July on a Sunday; it allowed me to actually think about why the holiday exists and I am so grateful for where we live and the freedoms that we enjoy. Happy Third/Fourth of July!

They say it's your birthday

If it was my birthday again, that would mean I'd passed out for six months or just a lot older than Nate...silly. Nate's birthday was last Tuesday! I was able to get off work at 2:30, so we had some additional birthday celebration time. I couldn't help but remember that last year's birthday was overly Liz centered with all that car accident business. I'm happy to report Nate drove me around all of the 22nd, and whether it was just the lack of people finding flies on their leg whilst driving, or just the fact that I wasn't driving, I'm happy to report we are both safe, sound, and a bit older. After I got off work, we had a late lunch at Chili's. We had a gift certificate and the place practically to ourselves; it was very nice.

Festivities at home:

Party goers

More party goers

The guest of honor lighting his cake...that he made. We had run out of eggs, so he ran to the store, then finished the job while I was working on one of his presents in another room.

I did pick up the cake mix and frosting, however...

Taken seconds before the cats were shoved away so we could consume our cake and ice cream.

Birthday Nate! Doesn't his new haircut look cute?

Nate showing off how much he doesn't need the new weights he received.

The after party show...

Jamaican Me Crazy

If we hadn't gotten married prior to our first Jamaica trip, I would say that Nate married me for Jamaica. I'm kind of kidding. We had a great trip on our honeymoon, and Jamaica has served as a sun drenched carrot for Nate during law school. I am happy to report that we both found said carrot just as lovely as the last time.

See? Look how happy we look!

A few items:

We checked out sunscreen application. Nathan and I will never be called anything other than: ghost legs, pasty, "you look ill"...actually that's my list. We'll never tan and we've stopped trying. We used tons of sunscreen and we got away with only a nasty heat rash (heat rash belonged to me...think of Bermuda and my burn victim face, Ruth).

I learned/remembered that snorkeling will always scare me to some degree. It's not the being in the water, it's the my face being in the water. I get incredibly claustrophobic and took a good 5-10 minutes to calm down. Oh wait! I also learned that people that announce they hail from Ft. Lauderdale....Florida (as if that explains why they have no need for fins or a life vest) really bother me. This couple also kept getting in the way, but it's not a vacation unless I can find someone to get bothered by, right? :) P.S. One of the intelligent questions from Ft. Lauderdale's mouth to another honeymooning couple was "Did you get a lot of good presents??". Ya, skip that boring "how did you meet" story...we want to know what blender you got.

I also learned that I smile when I have fire placed near my face. Even after seeing this guy not shove the fire down several people's throats, when he stopped at me and went for it, I had a silent panic attack that looked a little like the picture above.

We learned that Nate's facial hair grows like a WEED in Jamaica. Okay, it really grows like Spanish Moss that feels very much like a loofah. Nate took it home to try out the natural alternative in the shower, but chickened out seeing as he had no idea what was living in the moss.

As much as falling into water (especially with my nose unplugged) doesn't agree with me, our tubing adventure taught me that: falling into really clear, non-chlorinated water with a life vest and a Jamaican guide to pull me in the right direction is just fine. In fact, I was happy about the whole thing.

Early into our stay we learned that the ownership of this hotel would be switching from Sandals to someone else...never said who. We were sad to hear it; Dunn's River is a great property and I'm so glad we got a chance to stay there before someone else takes over.

We learned that Kathryn and Mal sort of missed us. Or our luggage. If the world was covered in canvas, magazines, food, and blankets, the cats would be more than okay with it.

D.C. is Deelightful

A recent long weekend gave us the opportunity to visit Washington D.C.! Neither of us had been before, and we wanted to squeeze it in while we had the chance. So squeeze we did.

Wednesday night, after a long day at work, a long (er than we expected) night of packing, we were finally on our way to Pittsburgh (our halfway point). Apparently getting to Pittsburgh takes even longer if you leave much later than you expected to. Apparently McDonald's shakes are gross enough to warrant a visit to the side of the road...for one of us at least.

After a long night of traveling, a short night of sleeping, and a bit more driving, we'd made it! The first night we stayed in and made pizza; our room had a kitchen so we took advantage of it. And...HGTV. :)

Our first day:




We went through the National Archives. This place is so cool. So cool that the line was tremendously long. So much that elementary school children seemed like the enemy. It was very exciting to see the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights (faded as they are), with a surprise of one of the last remaining copies of the Magna Carta. This visit took a long time, but I'm glad we stopped in.

Nate is glad that the Onion is offered free in the D.C. area. Here he is showing his love for his country and his newspaper.

Our next day we ventured out on foot. Our first stop was the Capitol Building. The Capitol is such a dramatic landmark (among many) in the area and it was exciting to walk around and experience a bit closer.

Nate and the Supreme Court building. Yes, he had a few nerd moments, but why not? He's fallen in love with reading these judges' opinions, why not get excited about seeing the building where they hang out?

Nate and I in front of the White House. This is monumental because it's the White House...and someone offered to take a picture of us together!

At the Natural History Museum. Honestly, this visit was a bit of a low point...this picture represents one of a few embarrassing moments. I was getting hungry (therefore mean) and wouldn't pose by this rock. There's a sign that clearly indicates you can touch said rock. Nate, unaware of the sign, went ahead and reprimanded a few annoying boys for touching the rock. For some reason, I was incredibly embarrassed by this and wanted said rock to swallow me. Frankly, Nate didn't care either way, but I made up for it by caring too much. :)

Speaking of caring too much, my policies are strict, but I get results.

This guy on the other hand...was only elected for his commanding presence and voice quality...

Iwo Jima Memorial. James, our expert tour guide (and friend) took us around to some monuments at night. This is one of my favorite pictures; so thanks to Nate and James.

Speaking of friends, we had a chance to spend Sunday with Nate's cousin, Bret, his wife Erin, and the cute Spencer. It was lots of fun to catch up with them and to meet the fair Spencer.

Our last day, we spent the morning at Arlington Cemetery. We arrive at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier(s) just in time for a changing of the guard. I was surprised how seriously the guards take their position, but I thought it was refreshing to see an individual show such respect for something so fully.

Arlington was one of my favorite places we visited. It was overwhelming to be there because it brought many things to life that I've only read about. It was a great place to experience, especially right before Memorial Day.

Looking out from the Lincoln Monument.

Vietnam War Memorial. This was another moment for us that was overwhelming. It's a beautiful memorial, but it was sobering to realize all of the names on the wall belong to someone's family.

Speaking of family...our last (and very late stop) was the Washington D.C. temple. Our camera was almost dead and we were ensuring ourselves a very late night home, but the quick visit was well worth it. It's a beautiful temple and it was yet another reminder of how blessed we are to live where we do.

I know I say this after every trip we take, but we really did love D.C. We loved visiting our friends and family, and we loved being able to learn and visit so much history all in one stop. One stop shopping. I love shopping.