So so thankful in 2014:

A few things I'm thankful for this year:

(yes, it's halfway through December but there was no way this post was going to get written in the middle of finals week - which I survived, by the way. 

So Happy very-late Thanksgiving! Hope yours was grand.)

>>> A husband who is unbelievably supportive of me and my dreams and also equally willing and excited to plan adventures around the world or just binge-watch Game of Thrones in our apartment. 

>>> The fact that I'm somehow in medical school and learning to be a doctor! I have a moment at least weekly where I can't believe this is my life - SO GRATEFUL!

>>> My family (and especially my parents!) that not only do I love, but I love being around! I love our hilarious group chats and face-timing at midnight and how I know they've always got my back - they're my people, and I am thankful for it. 

>>> Friends - new and old - that care about my life and make me realize how wonderful people can be (and are so much fun to buy Christmas presents for!)

>>> Our little apartment that is in the perfect location and is the perfect size for me and JP - not to mention the fabulous family that is renting it to us!

And now, a few pictures from our Thanksgiving, including but not limited to matching sweaters, deep fried turkey, and black and white checkered McKenzie Child dinnerware:

The 4th Annual Pie Party!

This party is JP's baby. 

Ever since the first year we were married, he's made sure we've never missed a year. 

The premise is fairly simple - bring a homemade pie, make sure you sample all the entries, and then there's the vote - & no voting for your own pie, of course. 

The coveted pilgrim trophy has been passed down through all the generations of the pie party and this year the grand winner was a Samoan-Girl-Scout-Cookie-Pie and it was delish!!

At one count we had 14 pies entered, making this our most successful pie party ever! 

See previous years' parties HERE, HERE, and HERE!

The winning chef!!

If you're lucky enough to be at the beach, you're lucky enough:

JP and I have just returned from a fabulous week-long (and much needed) vacation at the beach!

Capistrano Beach, to be exact. In San Clemente, California. 

I've vacationed there every summer with my whole extended family since before I can remember and it's where JP proposed to me 3 years ago!

And what a fabulous week it was. As we were packing up to come back home we all agreed that we couldn't remember a week that has gone by so quickly or a vacation that was so hard to leave from. It was just such a wonderful little respite from real life!

We stayed in a beautiful beach house, right on the sand and steps away from the sea. We swam in the ocean, kayacked with dolphins (twice!), boogie-boarded for hours, read books on the sand, played games every night, laughed til we cried, and came away from it all with a renewed determination to own a beach house someday ;)

^^^me, JP, and my little brother!

^^^ There were many intense games of "Spikeball"

^^^ the house had this neon sign that we thought was pretty ironically humorous

^^^ my dad caught a 30lb tuna fish! That then got turned into the most delicious ceviche and seared tuna I have ever eaten, ever.

I am thoroughly convinced that if you're lucky enough to be at the beach, you are lucky enough.

Independence Day!

This is late! But we had a fabulous 4th of July!

 Not having internet realllllly cuts into the blogging game... we're going on a month now internet-free at our apartment... yikes.

Anyway, the festivities started at the crack of dawn by attending the annual breakfast-in-the-park (no pictures from that shindig... you don't want to see me at 7AM anyway). 

Donuts, flag raising ceremony, you know, the works. 

Actually it probably started the night before when JP and I rode vespa scooters up and down the parade route along with Eric and Kimmi (a grand tradition in Provo is to sleep out the night before the parade and "save" your spot... we didn't sleep out but we did see a lot of our friends and fireworks and enjoyed how lively everyone was even at midnight!)

After the breakfast it was off to the parade! Mostly just to chat with friends and eat more good food, but the actual parade wasn't too shabby either! Provo really knows how to celebrate the fourth right. 

Then I might have taken a little nap ;)

The evening was full of time spent with family, BBQing sliders, games on the lawn, and firework watching from the balcony! My parents live on the mountain so their view can't be beat!

Hope you had a safe and happy fourth!! Hooray for America!

A Memorable Memorial Day:

bbq.

Great friends.

warm weather.

vitamin d.

3 hours of tennis. 

winning all our matches during those 3 hours of tennis.

gallivanting in golf carts.

burgers for lunch and a steak for dinner. 

walks at sunset. 

corn on the cob. 

white dresses and seer sucker jackets. 

grilled veggies. 

nba basketball game.

falling asleep with a book on my face. 

I hope your memorial day was wonderful and relaxing and spent outside in the fabulous weather!

So thankful for those who serve our country to make the life I live possible.

See ya later BYU!!

GRADUATED!

It happened. It's official.  I am done!

This was the most packed weekend of my life, and I loved every minute of it.

From commencement to graduation lunches to convocation to buying a new car (yikes!) to a family wedding dinner then onto the full wedding day, it was nonstop and last night when JP and I finally had a second to take it all in I was exhausted and so happy. Life is so good right now!

Also, I posted my graduation announcement here and I talked about my post-grad plan here in case you missed it :)

 ^^^ Shayla and I!

^^^ Had to.

 ^^^ My brother Kiefer, me, and my dad!

^^^ Me and Shayla again.

^^^ aaand again. We were a little excited. 

 ^^^ The most supportive husband! This will be him next year except he'll be graduating from law school! Woohoo!

^^^ aaand me. Again. Anyone still scrolling through? ;)

^^^ Had to post it. Such a hilarious fail. Jumping pics are my achilles heel.