Rachel's trip to California

A couple weeks ago Nathan had to take comprehensive exams (comps) for his graduate program. Comps are brutal exams that require tedious amounts of work and no distractions. Nathan and I decided that it would be best if ALL distractions were eliminated during comps week--me being the biggest (and cutest) one of course.

So I packed my bags and went to visit my family in California which was a nice change of weather and scenery. Despite being sick like my last visit, I did still get to do lots of things.

I got to eat at some of my favorite places.

I got to visit with my grandparents.

I got to see my sister with her new Harley Davidson.

I got to feed the ducks with my mom. And one of the ducks snipped at me. Greedy little duck! Where are your manners?

I got to visit with my in-laws.

I got to visit with my former co-workers.

I got to work on my Granddaddy's family history with my mom.

I got to go bowling with my family. Our scores were pretty pathetic--no one broke 100. I won the game with a whopping score of 94 points!

But the best part--I got to visit with my family.

Our Valentine's Day

We are a couple that typically does not make a big deal out of Valentine's Day. In the past we have decided that instead of going out to dinner with everyone else in the world, we would just go places and spend time together for the entire day (i.e., a zoo, Disneyland, etc.).

Well this year was different for many reasons:

1. Nathan had just finished his BRUTAL comprehensive exams (aka comps).

2. I had just arrived back from California in the late afternoon on the 13th and we didn't really plan anything (I'll post about California later).

3. Valentine's Day was on a Sunday and we wanted to honor the Sabbath Day by not going out to dinner.

4. It's Iowa--there are no zoos or Disneyland's in Iowa!

This year however, I really wanted show my appreciation and do something for Nathan because he has worked SO HARD for his comps. At first I was just going to make his favorite cookies, but then I took it a little farther and managed to whip up a dinner and surprise him with it. I say surprise because Nathan was napping the entire time I made the cookies and dinner! I couldn't believe it.

This picture of Nathan coming out of our bedroom is not posed! I love it. This was his real facial expression when he realized what was going on. He cracks me up!

We had gnocchi with creamy pesto sauce, asparagus, garlic bread, salad, and raspberry shortbread thumbprint cookies. Granted, it was not an extravagant meal...but it's the thought that counts right?

And the best part about the dinner--we ate it in our sweats! How classy is that?

Valentine's tips for Romeos

When I was visiting my parents last week, there was an ad in the newspaper from the 99 cents store giving Valentine's tips for Romeos. Definitely blog worthy!

It was so blog worthy that I even mailed the ad into the Jay Leno show for headlines. We'll see if it makes it.

Click on the photo to enlarge it so that you can read all the tips and enjoy!

A blast from the past

As I have been visiting my parents this week I have had the opportunity of looking at some old photos. Let's just say that I have found some real treasures.

This is a picture of my first day of school--probably 2nd grade.

Halloween with siblings in 1989.Me and my little sister with our faces painted.Me watering plants at my grandparents house in South Carolina in 1993.
Halloween with 2 of my dearest friends.
And my personal favorite
Goofing around at my dad's office. What a nerd!