Streuss Waffles and Potties on the Wall (Oh, and a Red Bird)

One of my favorite European treats is streuss waffles. I think I must have eaten pounds of them. It always surprised me that I like them so much because A- there is no chocolate and B- there is carmel (something I typically don't care for). When I saw mini-waffles at the grocery store today I had to buy them. Not bad for imports!
Many people may know that Tyler works for a light fixture company. I can't imagine how business could be down when they sell products like this! Yes, thats the night-light Tyler brought home for me today.

And ... I took this picture when we were getting snowed on. I just thought it was perfect. Too bad its so small on the blog.

Best Relief Society Activity Ever

Hey Everyone-

So, a while ago I was put on the 'Enrichment Activity Planning Committee' ... or something along those lines. I have yet to take part in said calling. I think they expect me to have some fresh ideas at our next meeting (my first). So, in my willingness to not disappoint ... does anyone remember a great enrichment they attended? Any and all ideas will be appreciated!

My Sister's Visit

Up until the last couple weeks NC had ranged in temperature from the 50s-70s. My sister came to visit and I kept teasing her that she brought Idaho weather with her. She never got to experience our warm, humid weather. We still went to the Outer Banks though. We went all the way up to the northernmost lighthouse, Currituck, which may be my favorite. The Outer Banks just gets a lot 'cuter' up there.

Currituck

Bodie
(I really like this picture even though its sideways and you can see the roof of my car).

This is Tryon Palace in New Bern. The guides are dressed like people from the 1700s and you can tour other historical homes. I got to play the harpsichord (fulfilling a life-long dream inspired by Encarta '95). I thought it was pretty cool.
It was fun to see her and get beat by her at all of the most ridiculous card games.

A little more about the weather here. It snows like every 15 years. Luckily, today is that day. It is hilarious though. Stores close and school gets cancelled just because of the chance of snow. So many people were stocking up on groceries to get them through this little spell last night that a friend who works at a grocery store got called in to work. My boss called everyone who worked today to tell them they might want to bring extra clothes to work because they might have to stay over for a while if it snowed. REALLY?

Busy, Buys, Busy ...

So, our anniversary was actually on the 5th. I, personally, celebrated by leaving Tyler here in Greenville on the 6th and going to DC to visit my long, lost, best-friend, Wendy. She had just moved there, and now I wish I had just moved there. Every time I go there I just like it more and more.

This is the train I took to get there. (Well ... I did take a train. Loved it).

This is Megan, Wendy, me and Jamie. We all lived in the same place our freshman year and part of sophmore year (until I moved) at BYU. It was really fun to get together and hear about what everyone was up to. It made me remember how awesome those girls are. Oh ... somehow I have a knack for finding free frozen yogurt, even in foreign cities.

My face ... I don't know how to say cheese. But we went to dinner at a chic pizza place. 2$ per bite of tortellini.

While Wendy was in class I spent my days roving the art galleries of DC. She texted me when she finished the first day to ask where I was. At that point I had been lost inside the National Gallery for a couple hours already so I replied that I thought I was at the Louvre. I even had to go back the next day, and I still never made it to the east building. Anyway, I loved it. This spider-thing is outside the Hirshhorn. I really wanted Kimber to be at this one with me. I think she would have had some comments to make it even better.

When I found art that I thought Tyler might appreciate I wanted to show it to him in hopes that someday he would go to an art museum with me and not feel like he is being punished. Ironically, another form of art we found was in the form of an NBA game. I don't think he would mind me dragging him to one of those. This is Wendy, me, and her new roommates Kristen and Carolyn (sp?). Oh, and they all are student teacing and get to live in a sweet pent-house in Crystal City. Does that not sound awesome? By the way, the wizards are not very good.

We also went to a free concert one night at the Kennedy Center. It was pretty awesome. We decided that this was the black version of Wendy's boyfriend. Cute, right?

Last, but not least, I will shame myself for a moment. I was really worn out by the end of one day and I was walking toward the Library of Congress when I noticed I could go in this greenhouse-y building. Turns out it was like my most favorite national museum ever. I think I took 70 pictures of cool flowers and 5 of my friends the entire trip. Another point to add to my shame is that I have spent a few days away from Tyler twice in our whole year of marriage. To Wendy's credit, they were both to see her. I had fun both times, but I really missed the little guy. To anyone who has seen or read The Golden Compass, I describe it as having my soul cut off. Its like I'm only half me when he isn't around. Sweet, huh? Well ... It has been a wonderful year even if I go on fun trips without him sometimes. And that was the synopsis of my really busy, but really fun trip to DC.

One Year

Can you not see the early-morning bliss radiating from our faces?

UpdateS

I have a confession: I'm internally torn about blogging. I like looking at everyone else's blogs, but I often feel like I should be doing more constructive things with my time. And then there is the fact that we don't have kids ... and its pictures of people's kids that are always the most exciting, so I feel a little silly. But my mom told me to update. I can't say 'no' to my mom. So ... here is a list of updates as of late:

First: Christmas. We both had a few days off and it was a big debate as to what we should do. Between weather, money, timing, etc we could come up with no clear answer. My dad says "indecision+time=decision." We ended up staying around here. But it was pretty great. 3 families from our ward had us over for dinner right in a row. Plus, on Christmas the Lehr's set up their projector screen so Tyler could watch the Lakers game with a real sized Kobe. We were very grateful for everyone that fed and pampered us. (they really did)

Second: We are turning in to old people. I got awesome craft stuff for Christmas and Tyler was thrilled about his gifts that will be helpful when he has to "live off the land." (and his nose hair trimmers)

Third: I know our house looks sparce. My mom sent us some Christmas decorations and I made a few, but I actually loved having a very simple Christmas.

Fourth: The week prior to Christmas I was 'a little under the weather' to say the least. I hadn't felt that bad in years. Anyway, I now think I am caught up on every non-rated-R redbox possible. Who doesn't love redbox?

Did I mention it was 70 degrees on Christmas? One reason I wanted to move out here is because I wanted to be warm. Sunday was in the 80s. I'm lovin' it!

Fifth: Continuing with the last post. I have been reading quite a bit. My sister-in-law, Jenn, recommended "Marley and Me." So, I read it (actually listened to it), and then Tyler and I went to see it last Saturday. Caution: its about nothing. Its about a life kind of like any of ours (referring to people I think may read this) and I loved it. (the book more than the movie of course). But if you like action ... its not for you. If you could love a movie where there is no climax of conflict and you like dogs ... this one is for you. (By the way, I couldn't help but think of my Holly-dog, making everything all the sweeter ... except she was a very GOOD dog)

Sixth: We do not have a TV. I really enjoy it actually. Tyler REALLY wanted to watch the Ponsietta Bowl. We decided to go to Buffalo Wild Wings (40 cents on Tuesday nights) to watch the game. The wait was longer than that little boy could handle. I thought I saw tears brimming in his little Robin-hood eyes. So ... we broke in to our friends' house and reaped the benefits of their TV and cable. Really ... yanked their screen out, climbed through a little window and over the furniture. (Thanks Marina and Steve) And BSU didn't even come through for us. :)

Okay ... last ... (are you bored yet? maybe I SHOULD post more often): We went to Raleigh for the day. We have only been to Raleigh for the airport and the temple so we haven't really seen it. Its pretty awesome! The capitol area has its own little smithsonians. Free ... and really impressive. We went to the natural history one. It was pretty incredible. They have huge fossil whale/shark dinosaurs hanging up, and one of those butterfly rooms that even had a sloth in it, and big snakes and the works. And the dead sea scrolls. I think those things follow me around. It seems like wherever I travel to they happen to be in that city. And I've still never paid to see them. They were in seattle last time I was there, I think they were in NY when I was there. Just strange. We also went to an old farm plantation place and a giant mall. One thing I love about this area is all the cool old houses. This one is less impressive than some, but it is the one from the farm.

Thanks everyone who made Christmas great (we were spoiled).

down time

so ... this week i worked 2 whole days. thats right ... 2. tyler has started to bug me about picking up more hours. i will ... eventually. anyway, my classes ended last week and tyler actually DID work a lot so i found myself with quite a bit of 'down time.' the downtown library here is a pretty rad place. as far as architecture and buildings go. i got myself a card and i managed to fly through 2 novels already. knowing that i will have more down time coming up over the next month and a half at least i need some recommendations for 'best books ever.' i just finished 'persuasion' by jane austen (rice family- aren't you proud of me?) and ' forgotten fire' by adam bagdasarian (historical fiction about the holocaust ... a topic i find fascinating). anyway, i know i have plenty of blogging friends with opinions on books. let me know some of your favorites!