End of Summer

Matt and I drove home to Utah over a month ago and I've slacked off on our adventures. Due to the fact that this weekend marked the "official" end of the summer I thought I'd finally document the fun we had in our final weeks back east. We are glad to be home, but I wont lie I kinda miss the craziness of life back east. Since being home Matt and I have taken a few opportunities to go boating, spend time at the Farm, and enjoy time with family. Warning, this is my LONGEST post yet!

RAVENS TRAINING CAMP

The Ravens held practice right by where Matt was working. They practice twice a day and its a big event back there. It was like going to a game with all of the concession stands and Ravens apparel.

GETTYSBURG

Not only does it have amazing history on its battle field, but quite a charming town as well.

BALTIMORE WITH THE FAMILY

Our last week in Baltimore my parents and Charlie came out to see the sites. We had a day in Baltimore then traveled up to Amish country on our way to Philadelphia. After a day in Philly we headed up the New York. Then Matt and I had to depart from the fam to drive home to Utah the very next morning.

The one day that the humidity finally kicked in, we went to our last baseball game. Yes we lost 5lbs due to sweat.

One of the many cute shops at Fells Point

I had to get my last shot of the famous ship in the Harbor

AMISH COUNTRY USA

This charming store had yummy treats you could sample as you watched how Amish jam is made. We bought some amazing salsa and veggie dips!

PHILADELPHIA

One thing I love about this city is the neat artwork on the side of buildings

Eating at Jim's, famous for their one and only Philly Cheese Steak. Um!

(ps this is a classic pic of my dad and Charlie haha)

I'm not going to lie, I though this picture was pretty sweet if I do say so myself

Independence Hall on our night walk

NEW YORK
After getting stuck in Jersey traffic, we ended up only having about 4 hours in NY. We got off the subway right by Ground Zero, and could not resist the opportunity to head into Century 21. This is a gigantic store that has designer brands for super cheap!

Filling up with gas, tired of the traffic!!!!!

My favorite part of NY, Canal Street! I got 2 purses and Matt got his knock off U-boat watch.

The pile of chairs in the background was the featured "artwork."

This is how you look after a long day of walking!
We took the bus back to Baltimore, but had to wait forever for it! It ended up being an hour late due to traffic coming into the city.

THE LONG, LONG, LONG DRIVE HOME FROM BALTIMORE TO UTAH...
you may wonder what we did to entertain our selves...two words Bubble Yum. Nothing like 36 hours straight in your car (30 hours of driving and 6 hours of sleeping at a truck stop)

One thing learned from this trip...Matt has to REALLY concentrate when blowing big bubbles...his lips are too big and get in the way ha!

THE VERY NEXT DAY- BOATING AT WILLARD

THREE DAYS AFTER THAT- BOATING AT PINEVIEW

Matt had a little to much fun tubing and split his pants. Classic!

One down, forever to go

It's crazy to think that one year ago on September 5 Matt and I were married! Boy does time fly when your having fun! I think its safe to say that we have evolved quite a bit over the last 365 days learning how to live with someone of the opposite sex, understand the opposite sex, and communicate with the opposite sex! The most important lesson we've learned through the beginning steps of our future is to "find joy in the journey." Here's a little walk down memory lane, enjoy!

Kiera's idea of a "small wedding"

Matt's idea of a "small wedding"

Our reception was held in my parents beautiful backyard the day after our wedding. For anyone getting married out there I highly recommend spreading the festivities up! It made our day MUCH less stressful and enjoyable!

It just so happens that I'm not really into "traditional" wedding traditions, and I didn't want a cake to cut...I'm lame I know, but I could honesty care less. So my mom's wonderful friends surprised us with this mini cake to put on display. They did a wonderful job, and it was hilarious to watch them assemble it!


My weakness in life is ice cream so for my "big day" ice cream had to be incorporated. Thanks to the organization of my mom and sisters we had a yummy dessert bar which included cookies, candies, brownies, and lots and lots of ice cream!

Weekend update

This past weekend Matt and I had a blast just sticking close to home. On Friday we attempted to go do a session at the Washington D.C. Temple, but right as we got there Matt realized he forgot his recommend...gotta love it! He had left his recommend back home along with his wallet-which meant our plans for doing a session and going out to breakfast was quickly put to an end. Instead we took advantage of the time we had to finally take pictures around the Temple. This Temple is simply amazing! It takes your breath away from the moment you see it bursting out of the tree tops from the highway. Another thing that I love about going to this temple is the charming neighborhood you have to drive through to get to it; with its narrow roads and old trees that cover the ground.

Saturday night Matt came home from work a little early and we joined Casey and Chanthoeun for a night out on the town. We headed down to Inner Harbor and wanted to eat at the ESPN Zone, but didn't want to wait and hour to be seated! In the end we decided to make Chanthoeun's day and tried our luck at Phillips-seafood buffet. The three of them were excited to go...myself on the other hand am not a seafood fan. But I was up for an adventure and in the mood to try new things. So after consuming more calories than one should in a week we walked around the harbor and stopped to listen to a country band playing on the square where lots of people gathered. We stood there watching a drunk homeless man trying to get a group of ladies to dance with him one by one, but the girls couldn't country dance to save them. Matt got so excited and wanted to show these "easterners" how we do things in the west...thankfully we have no pictures of what happened next. Matt loves to put on a show for others, and I got dragged along into country swing dancing with him. For the record YES I was mortified, NO I did not do it willingly, and YES it was fun (though I'll never admit that to Matt). I was super bummed afterword though because in the process of being twisted and twirled around my favorite red sandals broke...doesn't surprise me though, that's what you get when you buy $2.95 shoes at Old Navy.

The brave souls who tried new things...

Cute Chanthoeun showing off her craw fish

Thank goodness for never ending crab legs!

Sunday we had a peaceful sabbath lounging around are apartment after church. But that evening we got pumped up after a delicious dinner with Danielle and Brandon followed by lots and lots of games! The girls dominated the boys at Cranium and Apples to apples, but were defeated when it came to Scum. We had a blast hanging out with the Pezelys and are sad that we didn't take more advantage spending time with them before we head home.