First Family Photo

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

Brandon and I would like to introduce Wrigley Holyfield Wright as the newest member of our family!!!

A Heinz 57 mutt that we adopted from the human society, she has brought many laughs and smiles to our household! Born in June, she lived on the streets for the first couple months of her life - getting a chomp out of her ear along the way. Adopted by us at the end of August she has become "our little girl."

To all our family and friends - come visit us in Ohio anytime! ALL of us will be happy to see you!

The month of August has been super busy for us!!! But, we've had a GREAT TIME!!!

A few weeks back, my sister, Kasey, came to visit Brandon and I here in Columbus. We went out to eat at some excellent restaurants, shopped a little (a lotta) bit, and visited the Columbus Zoo!

Kasey and Brandon were the zoo explorers....checking out the maps.

They were also the ones to pet the snake. YUCK!

AND the baby alligator!

I was so excited to capture this elephant taking a bath!

And we got to the zoo just in time to see the baby elephant with it's mom!

Because it was so hot, this King of the Jungle was taking a nap. I love lions!

But the monkeys were my favorite!!! Look at them playing around!

Thanks for visiting Kasey!!! We had a GREAT time with you and would love for you to visit any time!

Last weekend, we had another set of visitors....my family!!! More restaurants and shopping.....and a trip to The Ohio State football stadium!

Brandon had to show his support for HIS favorite team! ROLL TIDE!!!

But he still let me get a picture with him at the gates of the field. Unfortunately, we couldn't get into the stadium that day!

Here is Taylor and B modeling their new purchases! Looking good!

We had an AWESOME time with my family! Thanks for coming out to see us! Come back any time!!!

Last night was Brandon's first softball game of the season....Co-Ed. They were pitiful.

Here is where B started....ON THE BENCH! The idiots had the only college baseball player sitting pine at the beginning of the game. He only played 2 innings the first game!!! Luckily he played the whole 2nd game and was 3 for 3. Co-Ed rec league or not....he should have been playing the whole time!!!

And here he is out on the field.....

Sorry it has taken so long to update this...we have been so busy!

To any other people that would like to visit, let us know! We've got plenty of room and lots of beds to share!

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!!!

First Date Night in Ohio!

What a perfect night!!!

After a not-so-perfect night last night - waiting for B to arrive after many airport delays and cancelled flights - we finally got to have our first Date Night in Ohio!

Brandon and I were huge fans of the first Transformers movie, so we thought the perfect start to the night was to see the sequel. Let me say one word: AWESOME! It was SO GOOD! We LOVED it! Totally worth the theater cost in our opinion!!!

Afterwards, we went out to dinner compliments of my sister's boyfriend - Sam gave us a gift certificate to one of our favorite restaurants! WOO HOO! We even have 1/2 the certificate left over - enough for another dinner out. Thanks so much Sam! It was AWESOME!!!

When we pulled back into our driveway tonight, I was proud of the lights I had put up today! This is random....but doesn't our porch look pretty sweet at night?

I was so happy to have B back home! He's got to go on another business trip on Monday - but this time for only 2 days...not as bad! We had a wonderful date tonight - and plan to make this a weekly occurrence!

Tomorrow we are having a cook-out with my fellow ER residents at a local park. That should be fun...I'm anxious for B to meet all the people I will be working with for the next 4 years.

Father / Daughter Dance

If you didn't get a chance to see our Father/Daughter dance, check this out! It gets really good around 1:25!!! Special thanks to Mara!!!

Finally...His Flight Leaves!

As you can see from the above picture, B's flight has FINALLY left Newark tonight - 5 HOURS LATE!!! Don't they know he is my new husband and I really want to see him? I have missed him all week long!

As you can ALSO see, he is not flying into the correct city. He's going to land and still have a 2 1/2 hour drive home! (At least there was someone on his flight who only lives 5 minutes from us - and he scored a ride!! Woo hoo!)

We've moved our date night to tomorrow night instead!!!

I can't wait to see him!

Hubbie in a DELAY!

So here is the bummer for the day:

Today is our 3rd week anniversary...and B had to leave last Sunday for a business trip! I have been anxiously awaiting his return ALL WEEK LONG! We had a date planned for this evening....dinner and a movie.....it was going to be so much fun.

AND....

Continental RUINED our plans!

B has been stuck in the Newark, NJ airport all day long - and is STILL waiting to leave. He keeps getting delayed even more!

As of now, he is still scheduled to get in tonight...but, geez, what a bummer!!! I really hope he gets in tonight! I REALLY MISS HIM!!!

Our AWESOME Reception!

Below are a few of my favorite pictures taken at our reception. Very special thank you, to my friend Aaron, for taking such great pictures and capturing the moment! You really did a great job...I LOVED all the family pictures you got!

We've Moved In!!!

We're heeerrrreeee......

After a WHIRLWIND of a wedding and reception, Brandon and I packed up and moved to our new place...3 states away for me, 2 for him. 10 hours from my family, 7 for him. We have loved our first 5 days here....but, man, unpacking everything is A LOT of work!

Here is our moving truck prior to leaving. It was only 1/3 to 1/2 full at this point. Can't believe all the stuff I had....Riley, my family dog, tried helping too.

Brandon "took one for the team" by driving the big Penske truck. I drove my own car. He said it was loud in there...and he could feel every single bump in the road. He was SO HAPPY to finally get to our place!

And after 5 days of unpacking, here is what we've got....

This is our front entrance after coming up the stairs....

Our sweet dining room/kitchen table.....(we've replaced the rope lights since then...)

Here is the view when you immediately turn the corner coming up the stairs.

And here is looking through our kitchen.

Brandon's family brought all his stuff up on Friday and they were such a help to get everything done!! We really appreciated them helping us out!!!

Unfortunately, Brandon had to go on a business trip today for the rest of the week. I've never cried to say goodbye until today.....somehow it hit me that I had only been married 2 weeks, I was in a brand new city - in a brand new place, and he had to leave for a week. I cried when I left him at the airport today. But, we've already got a date all set up for Friday when he returns...and I can't wait!!!

We miss all our friends and family back home...but we are "spreading our wings"..... So far, we have loved every minute of our new place!