Ben and Elaine's Spring Break

Ben and Elaine and Lorna and Ethan decided to spend their Spring Break down in sunny California. Margo also came down and spent most of the week as well. It was great. These are pictures of their room at the Todd House. They're not intended to make you jealous, just to cause you to check your schedule and book a trip soon! Notice the Temple outside the window.

Early on in the week Ben and Elaine got to visit the beach at Point Reyes National Seashore and experience some whale watching. They also spent some time with us in Alameda, seeing an apartment we hope to rent, as well as eating dinner at Ole's Waffle Shop. The main activities involving Margo and I kicked off Wednesday with going to see the play WICKED at the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco. Once again, it was spectacular.

Next up, on Thursday, was a full day of activities in San Francisco. First, a stop by Lombard Street, the curviest section of road in the United States.

We then took one of the old-fashioned cable cars from the wharf over to china town. I wasn't terribly excited about the cable car, but it actually was pretty cool. The best part is you feel like a movie star because everyone is taking pictures of you (or the cable car) as you go down the street.

China Town was definitely like walking into China or at least another world. We wanted to try some food so we chose a restaurant. The waiters and waitresses were really pushy (definitely authentic) and the food was really good.

We stopped at Ghirardelli Square for free chocolate samples and bought some ice cream. Definitely a high point for Lorna.We then walked down along the wharf, stopping to see interesting street vendors, on our way to Pier 39.

Lorna loved the carousel on the pier. There were also some good views from the end of the pier. You can see Alcatraz Island in the background.

We had to stop for sourdough bread. The Boudin bakery is amazing, selling all types of bread. Ben and I agreed it's the closest bread to bakeries in Eastern Europe that we've had. In addition to the taste, they also had all sorts of shapes.

As evening approached, we headed over to Golden Gate National Park, which is located along the wharf just below the bridge. Beautiful views to be had all around.

Margo and I enjoyed some parks around the Temple on Friday. The area is so beautiful and so many great places are nearby.

It was a great week with Ben, Elaine, Lorna and Ethan.

Ben's Birthday

We got to celebrate Ben's birthday while I was home for an extended weekend for Valentine's. Great to see the little guy Ethan. He likes me a lot, despite the fact he make look a little freaked out in some of these pictures.

This last picture is a pretty happy Tim and Margo. At the end of the weekend, Margo dropped me off at the Airport on Monday evening. I walked in to check into my flight and found out it had been delayed 4 hours. BEST DELAY EVER! So I ran back out and caught Margo and we got another 4 hours together. Pretty awesome.

Are you ready?

You know you are ready to be done with school when...

You go to study for/take an EXAM and...

This is your first time in the library all semester...

You  don't have any paper.

You don't have a pencil to take the test.

In fact you don't have ANY writing utensils.

You consider not taking the exam and...

Instead of studying... you blog about studying.

I am READY!

 (Mom and Dad will be happy to know I'm not "done enough" that I actually wouldn't take my exam.)

One Week!

My Love- I'll be with you in a one week!

Waiting anxiously,
Me

Fauxhawk... or maybe not

Okay some back tracking... because I never get around to downloading pictures.

Back in January I enjoyed a visit from Megan and Little P. Oh how I love them and loved spending time with them! Parker is such a cool little guy and is always a joy to have around! One morning while Megs was getting ready I decided to dress Parker and do his hair… I thought oh a fauxhawk would be fun...
Let’s just sat there was NO faux in this hawk!

Yep it’s the real deal!

And we had a party going on in the back!

Really quite the rocking style!

Party in the front and back!

Even if I am biased everyone has to agree this little guy is the cutest thing!

He is so sweet, smart, handsome, and funny. I sure do love Parker P.

Megs and Perry- Thanks for sharing your little guy with me! I love you all and can hardly wait to see you again. Come play with me... we’ll go bowling at Fat Cats… or better yet we’ll get a bite at Spark!

Missing

I miss this face.

and this one too...

I'M MISSING HIM!

He's there,

I'm here,

and we don't like it.

Yes, it stinks. No, the phone is not the same or as good as sitting on the couch together. Yes, there is such a thing as video chat... and it does help, but it is also not the same and could never be as good. No, weekends are not as fun, exciting, relaxing, or worthwhile without him. Yes, I love him and want to be with him. Yes, I'm counting the days until I see him again... Yes, I'm trying not to count the days until April 20th- when I will be with him and
never part again.

And...
Yes, we are learning and growing from this. Yes, we are blessed. Yes, we talk to each other every day. Yes, he supports me beyond my own strength. Yes, I couldn't do this without him... because he is still there for me. No, we don't want to do this again. No, we're not going to give up. Yes, we watch movies and Lost together. Yes, it's going to be okay... and YES it is going to end!

Valentine's Day

Valentine's was extra special this year, seeing as it was during one of our monthly trips to see each other. Margo always goes all out with breakfast. I never knew so many things could be in the shape of hearts. As you might guess, breakfast was absolutely fabulous. And the tradition continues, gifting a favorite Disney movie.

Spring is here... in some places

This isn't a post meant to brag, simply to show that in some places it's spring already!!! These pictures were taken today, February 17th.

I left my heart in San Francisco...

I left my heart in San Francisco wearing these super cool glasses:

It's okay though because the good lookin guy on the right is taking care of it!

AH! I can hardly wait to get to San Francisco and just be there! We've already had such a great time exploring our new home. This is going to be another exciting chapter in our life! Here are some of the adventures we had during our second week in San Fran...

Surprise Alameda Date:
I planned a surprise date for Timothy John in Alameda. I had some help from on of my marketing professors who used to live in Alameda. I gave Tim tickets to the following events:

Two Tickets: Tucker's Ice Cream- Amazing ice cream... we'd love to take you some day.
One Ticket: Dinner for two at Asena- Mediterranean fine dining
Two Tickets: AVATAR (3D) at the historic Alameda Theater! Super cool!

Tim asked why we were going to get ice cream first and well it was because we had the movie to go to, but that was a surprise for later. Luckily for me Tucker's has a fabulous motto: Life is Uncertain, Eat Dessert First! So that was my excuse for going for ice cream first, what a perfect reason.

Next on the agenda was dinner at a recommended restaurant- Asena... I love sitting with Tim and talking about anything! I love looking in his eyes. I love after dinner when he goes through the details of the restaurant- everything from food to decor- and tells me what he liked and what he would change.

The main event was going to AVATAR.
We really enjoyed the movie and definitely recommend watching it. I think it is made for the theater and would say it is worth seeing it there. What added to the entire evening was the Alameda theater itself- awesome! We just don't make movie
theaters like this any more.

Other explorations took us to the pier where we got sourdough bread... yummy!
San Francisco shopping district- Crate & Barrel, Anthropologie, Bloomingdales, Martin & Osa.
Ghirardelli Square... just for the chocolate! Who can pass up chocolate? I can't!
Fun shopping area in Emeryville, with new found home design store: West Elm. New favorite? Possibly.

What's there to love in San Francisco?
Timothy John

Green, green, green (in January!)

Warm weather

Sourdough bread

Red woods

Anthropologie

My Love

Golden Gate Bridge

Tim

Chocolate

Wicked

Timothy John Abbott!

And that's why I left my heart.

I left my heart in San Francisco
High on a hill, it calls to me
To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars
The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care

My love waits there in San Francisco
Above the blue and windy sea
When I come home to you, San Francisco
Your golden sun will shine for me

I want you for forever!

Two years ago today the most incredible man asked if I wanted him for forever... and now I'm with him for forever! Remembering that night brings smiles, butterflies, and giggles- it was perfect!

All dressed up for dinner at the Melting Pot, the surprise symphony (I really just wanted to look at the sculpture!), going to get his credit card (someone had his mind on a ring and left the card at dinner), talking at our spot overlooking the city, being completely sure I would marry him (but not sure when he would ask), driving home- just happy to be in his life, taking the scenic route (something we often do), being on top of the world when he asked if I would be his for forever, absolute giddiness when told me to look in my pocket, the perfect ring he picked out himself, the incredible feeling when he got on one knee and asked me to marry him, driving to the temple where we would be sealed for time and all eternity, getting lost in his eyes!Love- It's incredible to be married to you and to share our journey that will last for forever! That night I knew this adventure would be amazing, but I had no idea it would be this wonderful! Two years ago I thought I couldn't be happier, but it only gets better!

I love you Timothy John and will always want you for forever!