A Great Weekend

Brandon and I had a great weekend...I keep forgetting my camera though!

Since this was my first weekend off (and only the 2nd and 3rd day I've had off since I started), we decided to take it easy and relax! Columbus was having "Restaurant Week" up until Friday - which meant some of the really nice restaurants were having great specials - three course menus for only about $30 per person. Friday night, we took advantage and went to a really nice steak restaurant. It was SO YUMMY!!! We probably sat there close to 2 hours and it was really fun!

After sleeping in on Saturday and running errands all morning, we took it easy the rest of the day. We were planning on going to the Clippers game (Double A baseball team), but rainy weather kept us away. Instead, we enjoyed watching Lord of the Rings on our couch! We've been watching small bits of the trilogy since Wednesday...as I have never seen any of them. The trilogy is one of Brandon's favorites...and it has been fun enjoying them with him!

Today we went to church, out to lunch, and then back home so Brandon could pack. He is in a wedding later this week for his college roommate.....back in Knoxville. So, he decided to go a few days early so he could enjoy some time home and stop by his home office. I'm heading there this Friday...and am looking forward to another wonderful weekend!

4th of July

Hello, hello...from Ohio!!!

We've been doing really well and enjoying our new home. B hasn't had to travel for the past 1 1/2 weeks...it is nice to have him around. I enjoy coming home from work and getting to see him (since he works from home).

Residency has started out okay. Please see my other blog if you'd like to read more. Unfortunately, I drew the short straw and had to work this past weekend during the 4th of July...but it only meant I had to go in for rounds in the morning, which only lasted 2-3 hours. It still meant I had to be up by 5:30am though! YUCK! Darn orthopedic surgeons!

Friday, the 3rd, was the start of the holiday at the hospital - meaning that there were no scheduled surgeries for the day - only add-on's. So, even though it was only my 3rd day of residency, I was told I could leave at 8:15am! WOO HOO! Don't get that opportunity too often during residency....

So, since I got home by 8:30am, I decided I would make some lasagna. That's right.....making lasagna at 8:45am. (New recipe...it was AWESOME! I froze a 2nd dish for another meal sometime too!) Isn't that one awesome wife??? Brandon was still sleeping...he had the day off of work...and I got to cook! It was a relaxing morning and the sleep-wave didn't hit me until afternoon when I had to take a 2 hour nap! Ahhhhhhh.....

On to the 4th of July.....we won't even mention waking up at 5:30am each morning.....because that was a bummer!

My family tradition during the 4th of July is going to Lamoni, Iowa....it has always been one of my favorite holidays there. Nothing beats a small-town 4th! I've been in the parade more times than I can count...and I haven't missed the fireworks show in quite some time! Brandon is used to cooking out with family and enjoying some relaxation.

We tried to re-create our traditions....but nothing is quite the same as being home with family. Since B and I live in a suburb with small-town traditions, I decided we ought to go to the town square where everything was happening. We got there only to find face-painting stations, clowns on stilts, and jewelry stands. Nothing too fun for two 27 year olds. No pool with swim races going on....no parade with candy being thrown....no band on a stage to dance to......just tents with local merchants trying to sell cheap stuff. (AKA...I MISSED LAMONI!)

Not to mention that it was a cloudy, 60-degree day....on the 4th of JULY! What the heck!

The drizzles were threatening the fireworks....so B and I decided to have a cook out, just the 2 of us, at our place. It turned out to be a really nice evening! We even watched a couple of movies!

B was in charge of cooking the steaks on the panini maker (we can't have a grill) and they turned out awesome!

And since I'm an Iowa girl, of course I had to have some corn-on-the-cob for the 4th! Can't imagine a 4th without it!

We enjoyed our meal on our porch...but had to wear sweatpants!

And in other news, I have been trying to grow some cilantro that was given to me as a wedding gift in this cute MacKenzie Childs pot! Look what sprouted this weekend!!!