Weekend

This past weekend we stayed local, but busy. Ben played in two soccer games, we hiked Battle Creek Falls with Tiff, Jade, and Alex, our friends hosted a fun BBQ, watched a few late night movies, and got some sun. Summer is finally approaching so we try to spend as much time as we can outside; and whether or not we are outside we try to include Jade. She is perfect! This summer is already off to a great start with family, great weather and a new niece born to Jenny last week. Can't wait to meet baby Demery at the end of this month.

San Francisco & Two Years Together

The cyclist gang in the picture above were naked wearing the sign, "Less gas more .... "

Dolores Park

    SF holds a special place in my heart. Growing up it was my favorite city: my dad and grandparents would take me there in the summers, I have great memories with my closest friends, and it is the city that sparked mine and Ben’s dating. I have been wanting to go back ever since Ben worked there in 2010, So while Ben was in Paraguay for three weeks I had to plan something and conveniently our anniversary was a couple weeks later.
    Saturday was eventful. We took the BART into the city, walked around Fisherman’s Warf, Ghirardelli, ate at Boudin Bakery, and Ben had the excellent idea to rent bikes for the afternoon. This was a superb way to see the sights because you can cover so much ground. We went all over the city and crossed the Golden Gate bridge when the BEST surprise whizzed past me – KYLIE! I could not believe in all of SF we would be able to run into each other. Lucky for us she recognized Ben and yelled, “Tash! Tash!”  It was music to my ears and a short, fun reunion. After riding bikes we headed to Union square. For the first time I was too tired to shop. After one store, I gave up in the dressing room, grabbed Ben and we split a hot dog on the street. Later that evening we met up with Michelle and Matt and at a Turkish restaurant, A La Turk. The food was great, the neighborhood was a different story. I am NOT a fan of Tenderloin. Ben can handle the area,  he just doesn’t enjoy the name.

     Sunday we got a slow start, I was exhausted from riding and walking until 11:00 pm the night before. We checked out of the hotel and headed towards the Mission District. I wanted to spend the afternoon eating at every restaurant, all the food looked and smelled wonderful. We met up with Jaime and ate at Gracias Madre, a vegetarian/vegan Mexican restaurant. Deee-li-cious! After catching up we headed to Dolores Park to enjoy the sun and people watch. There we so many characters: nakedness, professional whip artists, slack-lining, cute dogs, pot, and more. After relaxing we headed to our last meal in SF, pizza by the slice and ice cream. Again, simple meals make my day and I could use a slice right about now. That meal was our good-bye to SF and we made our way to the airport.

     Thankfully, I was reminded this year why anniversaries are special. A little back story, typically things/events that are expected I don’t think need celebrating. For example, graduating, I wanted to throw away my diplomas. I was expected to graduate, why so much fuss? I choose to get married, why celebrate making it a measly two years? I should be clear I always want an excuse to do something special with Ben, but I felt like it was the expectation to make it this far, to be leading a successful marriage. I received a lovely card this year and it dawned on me that it was immature to think of milestones and benchmarks as succeeding, but more of a celebration of hard work and doing my best. Marriage is trying, and also rewarding and blissful. I mean, who doesn't love, love? The experiences we have gone through are almost binding. Life has been unpredictable and gratifying, and I love how all of it has brought us so much closer. Commemorating two years is more about celebrating our honest and best efforts in trying to become the best person for one another. Ben is perfect for me; he is hilarious, incredibly patient, and brings happiness into our marriage I am grateful for his positive influence and that everyday he finds a way to make me happy. 

Joe's Valley

After we all finished the V5

 

Last week we climbed quite a bit. Wednesday we went up to American Fork Canyon, huge fail. I think Ben and Rusty might have enjoyed themselves more, but it was freezing. Leading climbing isn’t easy for me, even though I have been climbing for a few years now, the first lead climb of the season makes me nervous. I got into the sport to get over my fear of heights, but those first few times outside the gym and I am at square one. On Friday we made plans to camp and climb/boulder at Joe’s Valley. This is my place. I realized I love bouldering and sandstone. Can't wait to go again, this is the beginning of many trips. 

Katie

Ben and I lucked out again! Katie is going to Salvador, Brazil on her mission and since these visas are taking their sweet ole' time, Katie's MTC assignment got changed to Provo. Ben picked her up from the airport, we ran some last minute errands, and then hit up our favorite taco shop. I was really excited to see Katie one last time; she is going to be an amazing missionary. Getting to know Katie over the years it is easy to recognize her strong desire to serve, fearless ambition, and devotedness to the gospel. She is going to to wonders in Brazil. Wonders!

Typically dropping off missionaries is tough, you give a big hug and hold back tears. Not today! I emailed Conner on his P-day informing him we would be there that afternoon to drop off Katie. I really wanted to see him because in his emails he seems to be glowing and Ben didn't get to say good-bye. When we drove into the MTC I was peering through the window, heart-pounding, hoping he would stand out and BOOM I see a blonde, young man in a white shirt running past, hands out "Tasha!" There he was, all missionaried (this is a word) out. Conner got to host Katie into the MTC! Ben mentioned how cool this was because you hate being the person who get dropped off at the curb, in a swam of people, not knowing a single person. Con and Katie looked so happy and eager. I know they both want to be on the next flight to Brazil.  I am still waiting to hear how Katie's first week in the MTC was, but at least the drop off went well. Our families are some lucky ducks to have such good examples in our lives; I've got some pretty special siblings. 

Interlagos, Brazil

Conner left on his mission and I am SO proud! He received his call last fall so leading up to his departure we all felt like it was time, by the the time we dropped him off we all had said good-bye multiple times. But when he arrived in SLC before he flew home and I thought this is the last time I will see him for two years... it became real.

Ben and I's last outing with Con was in Salt Lake City. We went to Red Iguana for dinner, walked around temple square, the conference center, and then headed back to Conner's hotel. I should note my mom calls this hotel "Arabian Nights' even though the hotel's name is the Airport Inn. We just spent time together talking about everything from chores we had growing up, to preparing for the temple, Family Guy (ya we got deep), and laughed. Saying bye was hard, don't know if I was crying because I was proud or because he was walking away. You can imagine my excitement when his MTC assignment changed to Provo. I got to see him one last time. We got Del Taco, skyped Ben, and exchanged emails. Now he is halfway done with his time at the MTC and doing awesome!

Jade

When Ben got back from Paraguay, we packed up and two days later were in Rexburg. We went up to meet and be at the blessing of our beautiful niece Jade Marie Stevens. It was a perfect day. Alex did an incredible job, we all could not contain our tears. I regret not taking more pictures on this special day. The whole fam was in town and Jade's blessing dress was jaw-dropping. It was made from Tiffany's mom's wedding dress; the time and love that went into that dress is truly special. I stole the picture above from Jenny because it is my favorite, so tiny I can't wait to hold her again. Alex, Tiff, and Jade are moving to Utah this weekend for the summer which means all of my lunch breaks will be at their place so I can hold her tight.

CA: two weekends in a row

This is my favorite pic, so sleepy I just want to squeeze him

We tried to make the most of February because we both had a lot on our plate. I was in transition of starting a new job and before I found out I got Presidents Day off we decided to create a 3-day weekend before my start date. We flew into CA on Thursday, the 7th and had a blast!  Friday night we had a BBQ in HB and caught up with Andrew and Krisen, Jenny and Steve, Dirty Dave, and our fav Jackson! That weekend I was so excited to be out of freezing temperatures we tried to stay outside all day riding bikes to Long Beach, hanging out at the beach, being bad influences on Jackson and buying him goldfish, and of course eating tons of Mexican food.

The following Monday I start my new job and Ben hit the books. On Valentine's Day (Thursday), after Ben finished taking the GMAT, he received a call from his friend inviting him to CA the next day. After the marvelous weekend before, and finding out I got President's Day off, we could not say no. Ben packed our suitcases, picked up Katie LAST minute, and us four hit the long road. Since Katie is leaving for Brazil, I really wanted to show her a good time in HB. While the guys surfed we rode our bikes downtown for some shopping, Mexican food, and sun. Later that afternoon we made the trip up to San Clemente. Jenny, Steve, and Jackson were great hosts. Jackson gave up his room for me and Katie, showed us his fish from the weekend before, and skateboarded around the house. With the Kolbs we spent most of our time catching up, enjoying the beach, fish tacos, Pitch Perfect, and surfing. I am happy we got to pack in so much time in CA with family this month. More family time next month with the arrival of a new niece, we are counting down! More babies!