Memorial Day Memories

{a} A sunny (almost rare!) day at the beach. P.S. Sorry about Derek's creepy stache.

{b} Sandy toes and perfect boogie boarding waves. Could've done without the seaweed though. Eww!

{c} Off to get yummy Mexican food in Old Town, San Diego.

{d} Showing off my tan.. or burn? Forgot to wear sunblock. Woops!

{e} Driving around in Dad's sweet BMW 6 series. 0-60 mph in 3 seconds? Derek was in heaven!

{f} "Becca! Stop taking pictures and look over there!"

{g) A perfect sunset to a perfect weekend.

Wardrobe Wednesday: Air Dry

Hat: American Eagle; Shirt and Vest: Old Navy; Watch- Besty Johnson}

This summer, I am air-drying my hair. {Except for special occasions like church or weddings.} I mean, after all, wind blown waves and curls are in, right? This is my hair after a shower- with only a little amount of product added. Now, the hat is hiding quite a few pesky fly-a-ways, and some frizz, but those will all work themselves out by mid-morning. If you're one of the "lucky" girls out there who has perfectly straight hair, I envy you. And will envy you my entire life. At least it's dry and hot here in Phoenix. I don't know what I'll do if we move somewhere humid. Oh wait, I'll run and hide because my hair needs it's own zip code in places like that. Remind me to post a picture after a tropical vacation. So, jump on the bandwagon! Give into the peer pressure! Why don't you all join me?

26 Years Young

We spent Derek's birthday with a very fun evening filled with a trip to Cheesecake Factory, Antrhopologie {HUGE sale! We scored some kitchen stuff for $3.50 a piece with original prices of $30.00!}, opening presents from family {Money, clothes, top siders, and diamond backs tickets}, and blowing out the candle on top of a birthday frozen yogurt with all of his favorites. It was the perfect way to spend our first Saturday after finals.

Can I Ask You a Question?

{San Diego SNOW- February 2011}Okay. So a LOT of readers and friends have been asking me really great questions. I'm thinking a fun way to answer might be to record them and post it as a video on my blog! Yes? No? Maybe so? Also, feel free to ask Mr. Derek questions too--- you WON'T be disappointed by his answers. Behind that medical student face and brain packed with information, he's quite hilarious.

So, go on, ask away!
And, yes. I will NOT be using the word "vlog". I just don't really like it.
Happy Weekend!

Wardrobe Wednesday: Summer Weather & A Birthday

{Shirt-Old Navy; Shorts-Citizens of Humanity; Shoes-Ross; Earrings-F21; Bracelets-Mexico}

For those of you who don't know, Arizona summers are rough. Last summer, when debating on getting married in Mesa or San Diego, weather was a HUGE topic of discussion. When we finally settled on San Diego, it was mostly because of weather and a better reception location- which by the way, was outdoors. So, instead of being a little damp from sweat that morning at the temple, our guests were damp with a morning dew that lingered into the late hours of the morning. But, with May almost half way done (P.S. It's Derek's birthday today! 26 baby!) things are starting to warm up a bit here. We're still getting morning and afternoon breezes, but I'm just bracing myself for the days where the sun is hot and the pavement gets to 115 degrees. So, let's get used to seeing me in shorts and a t-shirt, because there really isn't anything else I'd rather be wearing. Well, maybe my swimsuit.
Now, for my husband who has 2 more finals to go- Happy Birthday! I'm now going to be incredibly lame and share 26 very cheesy and lovey-dovey things I love about you. Readers, feel free to advert your eyes. {Ha ha}.
1. Your laugh 2. Your work ethic 3. Your testimony 4. Your kindness toward friends 5. Your smile 6. Your BBQ-ing skills 7. Your hugs 8. Your strength 9. Your morals & values 10. Your love for family 11. How helpful you are 12. Your kisses 13. The way you listen 14. How supportive you are 15. Your willingness to serve others 16. How excited you get when you learn 17. How you remind us to pray every night 18. Your ability to make me smile 19. When you surprise me 20. Your stories 21. Your back rubs 22. Your ability to see the positive in everything 23. Your cute bum 24. Your knowledge 25. Your love of the gospel 26. That you love me with all my shortcomings and quirks

May Grey in Carlsbad

{Pretty Carlsbad sunset}

It's been pretty cool and cloudy all weekend for me. My Dad has been laughing at me with my long sleeves, chunky sweaters, and cozy socks. It's always fun to visit your "home" ward when you go home. {Minus answering all the same questions- he he!} I held a cute little baby all 3 hours. It was super fun. But, I was totally, 100% fine handing it back over to her Mom after the block. {Reassurance of not having a baby for a while? My Mom was sad.} My cousins came over for dinner tonight and the night was filled with eating, laughing, and lots of Macbook pictures. We ended the night with this goregous sunset, and quick round of xBox 360 racing games {Dallin dominated}, and running and slidding in our pajamas across the sleek wood floor.

Finals Week

Derek has finals for the next two weeks- 2 this week, 4 next week. It's always such a crazy, busy, and hectic time of the school year. The best part? He gets to start all over again after a short 2 week break of mostly studying for the Board exam in July. You see, his class is extra lucky. All the other colleges (D.O., Physical Therapy, and P.A.) don't have class in the summer. They are done in May and don't start up again until August- pretty sweet right?! Most take time to be interns, shadow at hospitals, volunteer, or as a 2nd year, study for the Boards! Well, since Derek is in classes from August-May with D.O.'s, all his Podiatry classes are in those few summer months- and this summer, along with their first Board exam. So, it's an exciting but stressful time for him right now! Sometimes the best thing I can do is just do my own thing while he does his. Exactly why a quick trip to Carlsbad is in store for me this long weekend. Pedicures with my Mom, discussing hilarious TV antics with my Dad, and bracing myself as my little brother drives us around will be exactly what I need!

Apartment: Before & After

When I first moved into our place, it was a full blown bachelor pad- which was totally 100% fine! Derek had lived there an entire year by himself. Luckily, we were able to score awesome furniture pieces from his parents which as been fabulous! Over the past few months, I have slowly been pulling together the apartment. I have put together a short "Before and After" of trying to get this apartment together, and I think I've got it! We went for a clean look full of color that flowed from room to room since we're in such a small space. I think it has worked out nicely and definitely makes our apartment a "home".

{Small bulletin board is a canvas I ended up not using for a project. Covered it in a cute fabric, and pin up weekly recipes, a calendar, and wedding announcements for the summer. Also made the pennant banner and topiary in here!}
{New kitchen table, a color coded book case with monograms, and a home-made chalk board spice up our dining area!} {A monogram red S and fun fabrics tie the colors from the rug in with the rest of the room. A fun free printable eye-chart gives it a "Future Doctor" feel. Our National Geographic magazines and antique lantern remind us of our hopeful future travels of the world!}
{Fun painted chevron art, simply elegant lamps, and a clean, crisp white bed have an inviting feel every night we snuggle in.}

{A clean desk with a fun personal feel.}

A Day for Mom(s)

"I believe that it is by divine design that the role of motherhood emphasizes the nurturing and teaching of the next generation."

-L. Tom Perry

Cinco de Mayo!

I absolutely LOVE Cinco de Mayo. Maybe it started back when my parents would have parties with yummy, yummy Mexican food and tons of friends over. Maybe it started while in YW and I was subbing a Primary class with my best friends, and the president asked, "Who knows what is happening this month?!", wanting them to say Mother's Day. Instead, a loud "CINCO DE MAYOO!" came out. Of course, we couldn't hold the laughter in, and still share that story all the time.So, yes, I love the holiday. We've been celebrating all week so far, and with crazy work/school schedules, we've been a little naughty and eaten out the past couple nights... woops! But they were all "Cinco de Mayo" approved; Chipolte and Rubios. Tonight and Thursday we'll feast on tacos, complete with hand fried shells. We'll round the week out with a party with friends where I'm bringing a yummy salsa! So, get out and celebrate! It's really fun!

Pop! Goes the Tire

{Shirt- H&M; White Jeans- Citizens of Humanity}Yes. I changed a tire today. Okay, okay, so I had some help, but let's just say that I did a LOT of the work. :) My friend Rachel and I had a fun afternoon, including an impromptu tire pop on her sweet mini-van. We pulled off, and got to work. I couldn't have worn a more perfect shirt to get down and dirty. I felt like I could have fit in with any old "greaser" down at the shop. So, yes. My plaid shirt did come in handy today for wiping some grease and gook all over it, but my white jeans... not so much.