Gobble, Gobble!

 This year, Derek and I were lucky enough to be in the beautiful Bay Area for Thanksgiving. Our good friends invited us over for Thanksgiving dinner, and if their excellent cooking wasn't enough, sweet baby Ruby's smile was more then enough to get us to the house. Both Stephanie & Brad did an excellent job on everything from the turkey to the pie and the eclectic table setting. Derek had to go in to the hospital the whole weekend, but we still packed it full of fun and relaxation (on his part). We ended up walking through crunching leaves, eating at yummy local favorites, and reading from our thankful jar. We might have eaten more than we ever thought possible, but isn't that what Thanksgiving is all about?!

{just kidding}

Thankful Hearts & Hands

Hurricane Sandy Helping Hands

With it being Thanksgiving & all of us gathering with family and friends, we wanted to make sure we realize how thankful and blessed we truly are. This video is a great reminder of the blessings we are all granted with and how everyone can give a little bit to those in need. 

Rexburg Surprise

 Before Hurricane Sandy rolled in, Derek planned to visit a residency program in Pittsburgh.  I decided that if he was going to be out of town, I should drive up and surprise my sister in Rexburg! After checking our e-mails every hour and finally realizing that his flight was canceled, we decided that just because Derek's trip was canceled, mine didn't have to be. My friend Courtney lives up there as well and she was the master-mind in planning the surprise. She told Rachel she would pick her up to have her babysit, and when she got in the car, I was there! It was so funny to see the look on her face! We went to lunch and just hung out. I got a tour of the campus because it's totally unrecognizable to me and enjoyed the fall weather and leaves at the park. It was a very short trip, but well worth it to see both my sister and best friend! 

Park City Weekend

Our Park City trip with the Smith family were the fastest two days ever. We spent most of our time outside enjoying both Olympic Park and Main Street. We all agreed that touring the park was probably our favorite thing, and watching some timed trials for the skeleton was intense. I think we might have screamed louder than any other group of people when the first athlete flew by at 80 mph. The cool and crisp air mixed with the little bit of snow left on the mountains made it extra cozy at night when we ran as fast as we could to the Jacuzzi and then back up to the room for hot chocolate and warming by the fire. It was a great weekend and a great little vacation for us all to rejuvenate and charge up before the holidays.

Living Like Eloise

Who else remembers Eloise? The little girl living the high life in a New York City hotel and all her adventures? Well, that's us right now, except we are in San Francisco. Derek started his clerkship here today and I have already walked my little legs to the dry cleaners, pharmacy, and even grabbed some hot chocolate. The weather is beautiful and it's even more of a treat that I am able to stay with Derek this month. We might not have a usual and traditional lifestyle right now, but we are over half way done with clerkships and by Christmas we will be back to our somewhat normal life. In the meantime, we will just be happy and grateful for this month together.