Summer with all our kids!

Logan and I are in love with all the kids in our life. We have nieces, nephews and adopted nieces and nephews. Here are some pics from DC, Utah, and California.

MLK -

Logan and I live just blocks from so much history. This weekend we visited the

 Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. It is one of those places you want to remember, but feel awkward smiling in photos taken there. These are our "respectful of the history here" faces.

 

 The Visitor's Center was incredible. In the film about MLK's life we were privileged to watch the entire actual footage of MLK's "I have a Dream" speech in Washington.

It was both moving and inspiring.

April will be busy...

 

 

 

...and a good reminder of how many people we are blessed to have in our life!

PanamaCityFL -- Where Jimmy Carter is still President.

We wanted a beach. We wanted sun. We wanted to get out of Atlanta.

 

 

 

Not too hard to fulfill these wants when you work in the airline industry AND live close to ATL. After being disappointed by spring break oversold flights to nearly every international beach destination -- Logan and I came across Panama City, Florida. Neither of us had heard of this place but decided that google was showing white sand and that turquoise water we craved so off to the airport we went! Luckily, dear friends of ours live in Tallahassee and were willing to meet us there so we had great company too!

 

 

 

We quickly were exposed to the reason for the empty flights --- it is an odd tourist destination. The "resorts" that line the whole beach are old and worn down. There is miniature golf courses (complete with fiber glass octopuses and pirate ships) that line the main drag. Discount surf shops where everything you buy is either bright neon or will assist in consuming alcohol also lined the streets. I did get Benson a hot pink (neon of course) shirt that says "LIKE A BOSS" for him to take to his summer sales job. I also indulged and got a neon Panama City Beach, FL shirt. It just seemed the proper thing to do. It was very old America family friendly with mom and pop liquor stores, ice cream shops and diners everywhere. The sand at the beaches, although white, were infested with broken glass and trash.

I am sure it was the happenin' place to be 25 years ago. But today, it survives off of retirees that couldn't afford the Everglades, Spring Breakers and Flight Attendants suffering from full flight loads to the Caribbean.

 

Amy and Vladi made the trip fun - as we decided to embrace the southern getaway. How can you go wrong with the beach, sun, great friends, great conversation and seafood???

 

Logan and I did make it home with sunburns to make sure we didn't forget our trip too soon!

S - P - R - I - N - G

I LOVE Atlanta right now! The air is crisp and everything is blossoming all around us! We moved out furniture around so that our couch faces the window -- specifically done to see the trees. This is what is in our front yard:

 

I feel slightly guilty because my mom has always wanted a tulip tree (one of her dreams) and we just happen to have one here.

Logan and I have both been very very VERY busy with work and getting some things together for projects we have coming up this year. It has been very stressful at the casa with so many things on the horizon. Logan came home with these GORGEOUS flowers the other day and wouldn't you know, all the stress seemed to fly out the window! I have them next to me while I work because they smell so good! Thank you Lord for putting flowers on the earth! It would be miserable without them! (Especially because I am not an animal person...)

 

<3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Round #8 @ the Georgia Dome

 

AMA Supercross 2013! Round 8 of 17 took place at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta this past weekend. Logan and I took MARTA (see below) to/from the event and had a fantastic time. MARTA is a few blocks from our casita here in Atlanta and this has proven to be very convenient - for airport trips especially.

 

 

 

A quick recap from ULTIMATEMOTORCYCLING.COM

 

It was a clean victory for Stewart. The Floridian took the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot, and went on to lead all 20 laps. Villipoto began the race and second, and would eventually chase down Stewart, but arrive at the finish line 1.468 seconds later.

 

 

We were not thrilled that Stewart won (he's just not our favorite) but he is really fun to watch race. Logan can be seen below advertising for his friend Darren's business:

 

 

The whole dome was freezing cold (even though it is covered) because they refused to close the doors at all entrances. I was wearig three layers under my fleece, and gloves, and a beanie, and boots....and was so uncomfortable the entire time. Because of this, I still give a blank stare when people refer to this town as "hotlanta." The only thing "HOT" about this town is the guy that lives here with me!! ;)

 

Happy Valentine's Day Logan!

 

 

 

 

Operation Southern Bell

In our new home in Atlanta --- I have made many efforts at improving  my domesticity (something I lack). It began with decorating the apartment with Craigslist finds and travel treasures and finding the brightest green paint we could stand to look at.

It has ended with my first and to date only completed Pinterest "craft" project.

 I will admit I jumped on the Chevron bandwagon...so sue me...my curtains are adorable.

 

\

(This will be up until March 17)

 

 I love our crown molding, tilted shelf, broken couch, tapestry I bought in Jerusalem, and llama pillow. My second favorite space in the casita.

(yes I take an excessive amount of Chipotle napkins every time I am there..

...McDonald's owns them, so no guilt here)

Does this kitchen scream "wear an apron or you won't go with the theme" or what?!

 

I have never been a fan of people posting pictures of their bedrooms. I always thought it was weird....like why do I care where you sleep or where you make your babies? But I want to brag about the dressers Logan bought us. I love them!!! And this was also taken before a pen leaked all over this duvet cover.....=( I still get a little upset when its brought up because I love our duvet cover. Anyway, love it with me....because it does not look like this any more.

This is our first favorite space in the casita (if I had a pic of the closet you would understand).

 Step into my office.

Pinterest project. The bottom right is the finished result. This was no task for the weak. It took a lot of patience and the first layer of skin from my fingertips.

 

This was my inspiration. How did I do? I still don't understand the plates on the wall thing...It reminds me of an antique store, so I opted for a big mirror and a tapestry instead. Plus, being LDS, there are so many givens that you have to have on your wall (Proclamation to the fam, pic of a temple, pic of the savior.....) Because of this, decor is limited in small spaces.

 

Anyway, this is our casita. We love it here. Please come visit so you can experience the green wall and find all the mistakes on my curtains. ;)