Our trip to Boston: Part 1

So this whole post about our trip to Boston will be mostly pictures, sorry, not sorry. We had so much fun taking off from work and celebrating our anniversary and also taking our first summer vacation. It gave us something to look forward to for months and was completely worth it!

We flew out on Tuesday night with the red-eye to Boston. We had a connection in North Carolina and had fun walking around the airport. If it wasn't 4 am (our time) I would have eaten some Carolina BBQ! We made it to Boston and had lunch with Steve and Carlie and checked into our hotel. Nick let them know it was our anniversary and they upgraded our room. The hotel was really nice and we felt a little out-of-place in our shorts and sneakers. But it was fun to be spoiled for a few days. :)

The day we got there we spent the afternoon walking around the city near our hotel, learning the subway system, and orienting ourselves. Then we took a much-needed nap and ate hors 'douevres with our fancy friends in the hotel. Just kidding, it was just Nick and I eating chips and salsa and a bunch of rich ladies at a table by us. We got food at a little market by our hotel and ate dinner and walked around exploring a little bit.

Our view of the South side of the city from our room on the 15th floor.

Funny story - Nick was in the bathroom and I heard a knock on the door, when I answered it a Room Service lady brought in this tray. I wasn't expecting it, so I totally forgot to tip her and was caught completely off-guard. It was the compliments of the hotel since we were celebrating our anniversary. Upon closer inspection, it was a bottle of champagne... I felt so awkward calling Room Service to send it back, saying, "That was really nice of you, but we don't drink alcohol, do you have any Martinelli's?" The lady thought I was crazy sending back a free bottle of booze! They were super nice though and brought us some bottled water to toast with in our champagne glasses.

On Thursday, Nick's family came down from Maine to hang out with us. We visited the Boston Science Museum and spent about 6 hours there. There were a lot of little kids, but I felt a lot like a kid, too. We saw a lightning show, laid on a nail of beds, played with Pixar animation, all sorts of stuff. After that we went to Faneuil Hall, walked part of the Freedom Trail, and ate dinner at Quincy Market. I really liked Quincy Market because they had so many things there, but it was CHAOTIC. We watched street performers and bought some New England swag at one of the sports shops. 

             

Eating at Quincy Market

The next day we got up and walked Newbury street down to Fenway Park. We made a pit stop at one of my favorite clothing stores - Johnny Cupcakes! I've followed them online since high school and loved going into their bake shop themed store. We picked up some stickers - Nick thought the Big Papi one was pretty funny.

We also walked through Niketown and stopped at a store where the whole front display was made of vintage sewing machines - there were hundreds!

The swoosh is made up of  sneakers!

Next stop was Fenway Park. It was awesome! We walked around Yawkey Way and the team store and Nick rattled off his years of Red Sox stats and facts for me. Just seeing how old the park was is so amazing, and I especially like learning about how cool Ted Williams is.

...and my eyes are closed.

Then later that night we drove out to Foxborough to hit up Patriot Place and see a Patriots pre-season game! We were spoiled and got second row seats behind the Buccaneers; sideline. I've never been to an NFL game, and it was crazy! There were so many people there, and it was cool to see the players in person that I've watched on television.

We were some of the first people into the stadium to watch the players warm up!

Oh hey there, Tim Tebow.

Oh hey there, Tom Brady.

A Journey of Firsts (The Story of How I Met Your Mother)

I thought it would be fun to remember and celebrate several firsts in our relationship on our first anniversary so here it is.

I remember well the first time I met Kristi.  It was soon after Steve, Sam and I drove all the way across the country and arrived in Provo. It was a typical sunny Utah Sunday morning and the three of us were leaving to go to church.  As we got into the car, Kristi and two of her roommates came out to the parking lot and one of my brothers offered them a ride. I wasn't super excited with the idea because I had just returned from my mission three weeks before and was still terrified of girls. Luckily I was sitting shotgun and didn't have to squeeze in with them in the back. I don’t remember if I even made eye contact with Kristi and I doubt I said more than “Hi, I’m Nick”.  It wasn't much but that was the first time I met my sweet wife.

I’m a little embarrassed about the story of our first date. Kristi was hanging out with me and my roommates watching TV in our apartment at the Riviera when my roommates decided that they wanted to go watch “Just Go With It” at the dollar theater. Kristi decided that she wanted to come and I wasn't sure if she would like that movie.  I decided to take a peek at what other movies were playing in the dollar theater a saw that “Tangled” was also playing.  I decided that instead of going to see “Just Go With It” with my roommates I was going to sneak off with Kristi and watch “Tangled” instead.  My plan worked and I paid for her ticket so this was our “first date” even though I didn't really ask her out, it just kind of happened.  Kristi and I had gotten to know each other well and I liked her quite a bit at this point. During the movie I wanted to hold her hand but I got close and chickened out several times but that is part of another story. So that was our first “date”, if you can call it that, but it was enough to start us on our journey together.

Since we didn't hold hands on our first date the next step in my relationship with Kristi actually happened later that same night. Kristi had come over to our apartment to watch “24” with me and some of my roommates. I think we were in the third season already and that was always my excuse to see Kristi.  Whenever I wanted to see her I would just suggest that we watch “24” and then one of my brothers would text Kristi (I didn't have her number, pathetic I know) and tell her that we were going to watch some “24” and she would come on over.  Whenever this happened I always made sure I was sitting somewhere with a seat next to me so Kristi would have to sit next to me (a classic technique we implemented many times at the HMC).  I did the same that night and Kristi ended up sitting next to me on the small couch.  Our apartment was usually cold and that night was no different so we were sharing a blanket (another classic technique of the HMC). We were sitting real close and our arms were touching and I grabbed Kristi’s hand (If you ask Kristi this story might be a little different).  We held hands the rest of the night and often did so while we watched the addictive “24”.

The next stop on the train ride that is our relationship was the first kiss.  If you didn't already know this about me I have never been super comfortable around girls and there was nothing more nerve racking than trying to kiss a girl. Our first kiss came about three weeks after we started dating.  I had tried to kiss Kristi once when saying goodbye to her (a classic peck and run situation) but she had given me the cheek which discouraged me. With some convincing from some friends (especially a certain friend who threatened at one point that I had one week to kiss Kristi or I would be beaten) I was ready to try again.  Once again this story might be a little different if Kristi was telling it, but she isn't, so I will take some artistic license.  One night Kristi and I were cuddling on the love sac watching “24” (big surprise there) with my roommates. Kristi and I both fell asleep watching and when I woke up my roommates had gone to bed.  Kristi was cuddled up to me resting her head on my shoulder and I could tell that she wasn't asleep either. We kept moving slightly closer to each other until we kissed, and to spare you the details it was great and it was definitely me who initiated it.

The next big step in our relationship was the big “I love you”. Kristi was the first to say it and so this is her story.  One of our favorite activities was to go on walks around BYU’s campus at night. It was a time we could be alone and we could talk about everything from our childhoods to BYU football.  This time we decided to go on a walk up around the Administration building and sit on the benches out front.  It was a nice place to sit because they had nice flower gardens and it was usually pretty quiet and it was quiet that night except for a couple on a tandem bike that rode around for a minute.  We were sitting there talking and I could tell there was something that Kristi wanted to tell me.  She just had that look in her eyes that she was going to tell me something and I was pretty sure I knew what it was. I could tell that she loved me by the way she treated me and the way she looked at me (and to be honest what’s not to love). I was nervous because I wasn't ready to tell her the same, not that she isn't great but I had some things I needed to work through first, but I did want to hear that she loved me so I kept prodding. She finally said “I love you” and even though I knew it was coming I was not ready for that. I gave her a kiss and a big hug while I collected my thoughts and then I said “I love being with you too”.  Let’s overlook for now that I was the lamest boyfriend ever and just appreciate this first in our relationship.

The next obvious first was me telling Kristi that I loved her.  It took me longer than I would've liked, but the first time I said those three little words I know I meant it. I had taken Kristi to my grandparents' house several times for Sunday dinner.  Those Sunday dinners were always great and my grandmother was always asking me, Steve and Sam to bring our “special friends” so she could meet them. I love my grandparents and I am glad that they moved to Utah and we were able to spend more time with them. Of course I’m also glad I get to eat all that tasty food, yum.  So this Sunday was the second or third time that I had brought Kristi to my grandparents. We had a great time and we even played a little canasta after dinner. The whole time we were there I felt like Kristi fit in perfect and would fit in perfect as part of my family.  After we left and I was saying goodbye to Kristi I gave her a hug and whispered in her ear “I love you” and I sure did mean it.  I regret that it took me so long but I am grateful that I was finally able to say it.

The next and last big first is also an only. It is the day that I proposed to Kristi.  The day I proposed was almost exactly one year into our relationship. It would've been one year exactly, but Kristi hates secrets and had figured out that’s when I was going to propose so I did it a couple days earlier. I had this elaborate plan to take Kristi up the gazebo behind the Hinckley center, another favorite spot of ours, watch "Tangled" on my laptop, and at the part where I was going to hold her hand on our first date but chickened out I was going to ask for her hand, get down on one knee, and propose.  Unfortunately, it rained that night so I had to change my plans.  We went to the UPC, a building across the street from our apartments where they teach English as a second language, and I set up a projector in one of the classrooms.  We watched "Tangled" and at that part I asked for her hand, said some very romantic things, got down on one knee, showed her the ring and asked her to marry me.  She said yes and that made for one of the happiest moments of my life.

I love you sweetie and I am so glad that today I get to celebrate another first with you and I am excited for all the firsts we still have to come!!

-Nick

July 4th Staycation

Our first double-feature!!

The Lone Peak basketball team - National Champs in the Freedom Festival Parade!

We met sweet two-day old Penny!

Nick making Star Wars pancakes with his new Vader spatula.

A very Star Wars breakfast

We visited the set of Footloose! :) And bought some brownie mix.

Lehi Roller Mills

Moving on out!

At the end of May, we took a plunge and moved from our first married apartment in Wymount to a smaller apartment closer to campus. We will miss the 2-bedroom apartment on a quiet street next to the Provo temple. But we will not miss no A/C, the tiny kitchen, and 8 AM church. :)

We're excited to be in our new apartment. It's cheaper, nicer, and we're surrounded by awesome people our age. We also got called to be Sunday School teachers in our new ward and we're excited to do it together!

Helping me clean :)

Goodbye ancient bathroom!

We'll miss our first married apartment!

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure - Salt Lake City!

Nick and I did our first 5K the day before my birthday, in honor of my mom for Mother's Day. It was the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Salt Lake. I was brought to tears more than once seeing so many people joining together for people they loved who had been affected by breast cancer. It was the most amazing sight. The streets were filled as far as I could see with women and their families and children and grandchildren. It's hard to put into words how amazing of an experience it was, hopefully the pictures will do it some justice!

The streets of Salt Lake filled with pink!

The Parade of Survivors - the newly diagnosed.

Just some of the survivors.

April 2013

April was a busy month for us.. with finals, a wedding, work, church, and everything in between, we feel like we're just starting to catch up.

My new job at Vivint has been awesome. I'm working on more projects and less paperwork and really enjoy working in my new department. We went out to lunch at California Pizza Kitchen for Administrative Assistant's Appreciation Day (all the girls and the managers, haha).

Here's a little taste of the making of some recent organizational charts that I did for work... not gonna lie, writing on the windows was super fun.

I got free surprise tickets to the Jazz game when they were playing the Timberwolves to make it into the playoffs. A coworker had some tickets they weren't using and passed them along. We had pretty good seats and they won!

 

Steve and Carlie got married! Basically, I didn't take any pictures of them, but I have this really cute one of Nick. :) It was so awesome to be there for their wedding - I cried through the whole thing. I love those two!

My dad's proudest moment of his daughter was probably when we bought these:

Mike graduated with his Masters' degree from the U! I'm so proud of him, especially since he was working with a wife and baby Eliza while he finished school. What a champ!

And I may or may not have seen the Bond car, the Aston Martin Vanquish, in the parking lot at work. And it was impressive.