June/July 2013

Good news everyone! I will be starting my first nursing position at Mount Vernon Hospital in Alexandria, Va on the medical/oncology unit in less than a month. I will be working nights and orienting for 3 months before I'm out on my own. Right now I am more excited than nervous. I can't wait to start taking care of my own patients. Nursing school was a long and difficult journey and at times it was hard imagining myself as an RN but I was determined and worked hard. I've reached my goal to become a nurse!!!

To explain the Milky Way chocolate bar during my senior year of high school I interned at the NICU at UVRMC and after a couple of hours of shadowing the nurses on the unit I would go to the gift shop and buy a dark chocolate Milky Way. I would sit in the lobby and observe the doctors and nurses walking by. I remember thinking to myself how much I loved being in the hospital environment and wanting to one day be the nurse walking in the halls to see her patients. So after my interview for my new job I went to the gift shop and bought myself a dark chocolate Milky Way. Now I will be the nurse walking in the hospital hallways to see my patients!

Knee Surgery

Some more good news. ;) Chris had arthroscopic left knee surgery a little less than a month ago. A piece of cartilage broke off and has been causing pain in his knee for almost 2 years now. Basically 10 years of military work, ruck marches, his deployment (wearing all that armor and carrying a heavy gun) plus running 10 miles every other day, caused a ton of pressure and damage in his knee. However now Chris can slowly get back into working out without knee pain! His knee feels great and the surgery went smoothly. 

About to head into surgery very early in the morning.

Physical Therapy

Check up with the Doc just one day after surgery.

                            Mini Vacation

         A couple of weeks ago we drove to New Jersey for the weekend for a little family reunion pool   party at Uncle Bill and Aunt Muriel's home. They live near Princeton in such a beautiful area. We love spending a few days there to get away from the city

Bill and Muriel's home 

Zions Mercantile? Nope this is an Amish store!

We went to an Amish market in New Jersey, their food is pretty tasty.
The market was run by a bunch of teenagers. 

I found a turkey feather!

Uncle Bill and Chris in charge of the grilling. 

Happy 4th!

We spent the 4th of July down the street from out apartment at a little park that provides this decent view of the National Monument. It would have been way too crazy to go into D.C. .Friends from our ward came and brought tons of food, chairs, tables, music we had the place to ourselves. The day before I went to Eastern Market and bought 20 bratwurst they were so good! I made 30 delicious wacky cake cupcakes and my Grandma May's salad. We ate well all day and had a perfect view of the fireworks that evening. Sadly I was bad and didn't take any photos of our friends. Next time I will. 

The crowds came right at sunset. 

Baking Skills! 

Random Fun

Chris picked me up after work and we randomly decided to check out the spot at Reagan airport I think is called Gravelly Point. The airplanes fly so close above you because they are preparing to land. It was so neat to see such massive things so close in the air.

Spring/Summer 2013 in D.C.

   So since I have a blog I should tell people I have one, yet I haven't gotten around to doing that... I mean the point of a blog is to let friends and family know what Chris and I have been up to here in Virginia. I hardly post anything but I think once people start reading it then I will update it more often.

   Anyways my parents came to visit during Memorial weekend. My Dad insisted on staying with us in our one bedroom apartment. He kept saying, "It will be like staying at the Lanai house!" It was a bit crowded but really not bad, it was great  having them over. My parents got to see how Chris and I live in Arlington. It was fun showing them the restaurants we love, my favorite places to shop and all the walking we do when we don't use the car. Here are some photos of the visit.

Magnolia and Muzzy

Air and Space Museum the only museum my Dad was interested in seeing, he lasted less than an hour.

Umm a famous country singer...I forget his name but he is uber tall.

We met Momma the owner of the famous Ben's Chili Bowl in D.C. The sweetest woman you could ever meet. They serve the best half smoke dogs and chili ever, and you can order the chili and half smokes on their website if you live out of state. I'm sure my dad has already ordered a bunch of half smokes for his grill.

On the metro going back to Pentagon City from Old Town Alexandria

Since I haven't updated my blog in awhile I am just going to post a bunch of photos of the activities Chris and I have been up to recently. For instance our Virginia Beach trip, Birthday, Kanani and Ryan visit and the Cherry Blossom Festival. ;)

Virginia Beach Board Walk
We decided to take a mini vacation to the beach before Chris had to start his internship for the summer. It was so great exploring Virginia and to finally go on a vacation. It was our first vacation together since we got married.

Poseidon, the guardian of Virginia Beach.

Epic custard! I never go all out with treats I just really wanted sprinkles for some reason, and of course I couldn't finish. it was way too big!

Turtle! At the Virginia Aquarium.

Totally expected this at the beach.

Norfolk mermaid, they were all over the city. 

Taking the ferry to Norfolk from Portsmouth.

                                                 

Wacky Cake! My mom would make wacky cake for our birthdays so I thought I should continue the tradition. I turned 25 this year and Chris turned 28. It's fun having the same birthday but it's a little bit of a bummer for me because I still have to share my birthday with someone. Oh well ;)

So proud of my creation. It was a big hit!

Grill! Chris loves his birthday gift, we are excited for all the grilling this summer. 

My birthday gift from Chris, he got me a willow tree figurine that plays music. It came with a sweet quote, apparently Chris thought really hard on which figurine to get me. He chose very well.

I love my sun hat!

The National Cherry Blossom Parade!

Kanani and Ryan Wilkinson came to Arlington for Ryan's grandmother's burial at Arlington Cemetery. It was so fun to hang out with friends! 

In front of the National Archives, Kanani, Sarah Wilkinson (Ryan's sister) and  me. ;)

Mount Vernon, George Washington's home over looking the Potomac.

White Squirrel! He was pretty popular among the tourists. Squirrels are hilarious I want to have one as a pet to hold and squeeze...

I love D.C.!