The Windmill

Enjoying a day off together, Eric and I checked another item off our "list"(see earlier post) by going to the windmill. It was the perfect time of year to go, because all the beautiful tulips surrounding the windmill were in bloom.

"I'm Pooped!"

This is what Rocco does after he takes long walks. Yesterday he only made it about three feet into the doorway, before plopping down!

Where Were You...

I am copying a friend's post on her blog. I thought this was a really neat tag - but don't worry I won't tag anyone at the end. But, feel free to do it if you want.

20 years ago...I was six years old and in kindergarten. To be honest I don't remember a whole lot about this age. I do remember locking myself under our stairs and reading books out loud to myself for hours. I also didn't go to school until the afternoon. So, I would spend a few days a week with my Dad and we would usually play Skip-Bo all morning long. The other days I would get babysat by a family friend. We would drink hot chocolate and do puzzles together. I had a crush on Steven Chandler, one of my brother's friends. I shared a room with my sister and we would spend hours playing barbies. In the summer, we would spend all day in our pool going round and round, in hopes of making a whirlpool.

10 years ago...I was sixteen years old. I had just barely gotten my driver's licence. I officially could date, although I had already weaseled my way into a few dates prior to turning 16. My best friend was battling ovarian cancer, so I spent a lot of my weekends just hanging out with her. I think I liked several different boys during this time.

5 years ago...I was 21 years old. I had just moved to SLC from Rexburg; I had just finished my associates degree in nursing; and I had just started my first nursing job at Primary Children's Hospital on the Infant Unit. I was hanging out with this guy Tom, who I had met in a religion class. I was still 6 months away from meeting my husband-to-be.

3 years ago...I was 23 years old. Eric and I had been married for 7 & 1/2 months. We were living in Bountiful. He was going to school at the University of Utah. And I was still working at Primary's. Eric was about to apply to dental school.

1 year ago...I was 25 years old. We were living in San Francisco and Eric had just finished his 3rd quarter of his first year in dental school. I was so happy to have my husband back after the horrible quarter (I think he had 9 finals in 3 days). I was working at my current job in the Neonatal ICU at Kaiser. I had just put down a deposit for our little bulldog to be.

So far this year... I just turned 26. I am still working at Kaiser. I love my job. Eric is almost done with his second year of dental school. Only one more year to go...YIPEE! Reality is starting to set in and we are having to think about where we want to go at the end of all of this. We are enjoying our six month old bulldog. We just love him to death!

Today...I am at work and I am bored. Thus, the blogging!

Yesterday...Eric and I just hung out and enjoyed the day off together. We took Rocco on a super long walk to the beach. We made the creamy tomitillo dressing from Cafe Rio and it tasted pretty close! I bought the game Madam Fate and played it for a long while.

ARIZONA

At the beginning of Eric's Spring Break we headed to Arizona for some warmer weather and to visit some family and friends. We stayed at my brother's house in Gilbert (thanks Chad and Ashlie) and we were welcomed by 85-90 degree weather. If only Arizona stayed like this all year long - I would move there in a heartbeat!!! We mostly did a lot of relaxing; it was just really nice to not have to worry about work or school. Since it was Spring Training, we had to go check out a Giant's game. The Giants' won, but we were disappointed when we went to get garlic fries and they were sold out!

















I was also fortunate to eat at Cafe Rio two times - I just can't get enough of their salads! We also hit up Bahama Bucks a couple times. If you have never been there, they have shaved ice, BUT they add cream and ice cream to it. It sort of reminds me of my Snow Shack days in Rexburg, but better! We also played some rock band - well, a lot of rock band! It took Eric about two minutes of being a Chad's house for him to discover my brother had it. One night we played for like three hours. Needless to say, we had some sore fingers and voices by the end of it. The night before Easter we were able to go see the Easter Pageant at the Mesa Temple. It was nice to lay out on a blanket and enjoy the warm Arizona night. It was also cool to see a pageant since I have never been to one before.


















We spent Easter Day in Arizona and Ashlie's parents were kind enough to have us for dinner and they even got us an Easter Basket. I am proud to say we also kicked everyone's butts at the Easter Egg Hunt. We had a great time in Arizona and it is definitely on the potential list of where to move after dental school.

Happy LATE Easter!

Thanks Rashelle for taking this adorable picture of Rocco on Easter!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIC!!!

Friday was Eric's 27th Birthday. Unfortunatley, he had to go to school and take a few tests on his birthday. But, it beat last year when he had to take finals on his birthday! So...to make up for it we spent the better part of the weekend celebrating. On Friday night, the Smith's joined us for a yummy dinner at the Buckeye Roadhouse. Eric has wanted to check this place out for awhile so his birthday was the perfect excuse. After dinner we were supposed to go see U2 in 3D at IMAX. Well, I blew that one - I had looked at the times Thursday, but they changed the times on Friday. So...on Saturday Eric did a little birthday shopping at Union Square and then we went and saw U2. We had some friends recommend it to us, but I am not that big of a U2 fan and wasn't that into going. Eric on the other hand loves U2; thus, why we went on his birthday. It actually was really good and made me want to go to one of their concerts. It was probably better than a concert in real life because you felt like you were in the front row or on stage. I would recommend everyone to go and see it! Here's a preview of it, but it doesn't really do it justice.

A Whole Lot Of Bullying...

On Saturday we took Rocco to his very first English Bulldog Meetup. This was really his first time hanging out and playing with a bunch of bulldogs. He didn't really know what to do when he came upon 25 other bullies. But, he soon figured it out. He would play with one dog then run all the way to the other side to play with another and then back again. There were quite a few bullies around his same age. All the boys took turns humping each other. It was really entertaining, especially when there was double humping going on. His favorite english bulldog was Charlotte, who is a month younger than him. He was seriously obsessed with her and kept going back to play with her. I think the best thing was for him to be able to play with dogs that like to play in the same exact way he does!

American Idol

Yes...I love American Idol. I didn't really get into it until last year. This time around I even have my husband watching it with me. My favorites this year may not have the strongest vocals...but they have unique voices and I think I would actually listen to their music if they come out with albums. First up, Brooke White...and this isn't because she is mormon or that my best friend from high school (Laura) is friends with her. I really like her and she always picks the perfect songs to sing. Here she is from last week...
My next favorite...Jason Castro. He is a little bit awkward, but I love his voice. Here is his song from this week...I loved it even though his voice cracked at the end!

Unfortunately, I don't think either one of my favorites will win. But I am positive they will get far enough to get noticed by record companies. I think David Archuleta will take the whole thing. He is really adorable and young and SUPER talented...and he is mormon too. Brooke and him have been going to church togeter. I loved him when he sang "Imagine."
And finally, a little shout out to my last year favorite...Blake Lewis. He appeared last night on American Idol. In Randy's words "it started out a little rough for me," and I didn't know if I was going to like it. But once it got to the chorus, I really liked it...and so did Eric!
Although, I was pretty happy with this weeks vote and who went home, there are still a few stragglers that need to be sent packing. Amanda Overmeyer, Chekizie and David Hernandez(and this is not only due to his nasty previous employment) to name a few!

Costco

I have a Love-Hate relationship with Costco. I love the deals I get at Costco. I love walking around and looking at all the cool stuff they have. I especially love to save even more money, using the coupons they send me in the mail. I really love getting yummy, cheap food at the end of my shopping experience! I HATE how much money I always tend to spend there - I always find myself questioning how ten items could add up to that much??? I have this same Love-Hate relationship with Target!

Why I Hate the Presidio...

Every month I write a ridiculously large check to the Presidio to live in a small, run-down apartment with mold and peeling led-based paint. Instead of using the money I pay them to improve my own apartment, they use it to spruce the surroundings up. One of their recent projects was the trail to Marshall Beach. I have taken Rocco on this trail several times. He likes the stairs and the beach at the end. I love how beautiful it is and that it wears him out. So... Eric and I thought we would take him the other day, but we were informed by BIG signs that dogs were no longer aloud to go on the trail to protect native plant life (i.e. weeds). I know I sound like a crazy dog-loving fanatic, but I have a problem with the fact that I cannot take my dog down to Marshall Beach, but all the Nudies that don't pay a dime to the Presidio can. I have issues with the fact that as tenants we have no say about where are money goes and then what rules are put in place for where that money is spent!