Just another day at the beach...with the Evans!

Latin Festival

So this weekend at the Oceanfront was the Latin Festival. I wasn't sure how it was going to be. For the most part, there arn't very many "Latins" in Virginia Beach. We decided to go with our good friends Mike & Dana. We went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant called "Cancun Fiesta." Do you have any idea how hard it is to find decent Mexican food? Super hard! It was pretty good. I had carnitas and Joe had Pollo Yucateco. After we walked down the boardwalk and saw a free Latin concert. They were really good. We had lots of fun. I was sooooo surprised to see how many hispanics there are here. I flet like I was home :)

Our Date Day!

It is VERY rare that Joe and I have a day off together. His days off are Sundays and a one weekday, and mine very from week to week. This past Thursday, we both had the day off. A miracle!!! We both slept in together, and at around 9am we were trying to decide what to do on our "date" day. Joe suggested on going to Busch Gardens. I am a planner. I'm not good at doing things spontaneously. I really had to think about it. All these questions started popping in my mind, "Is it too late to go? Is it too hot? Do we have enough money to go?" Finally I said, "Let's go!" I hurried and got ready and we left by 10:15am.

We got to the park a little after 11:00. It was the perfect day to go. The park was practically empty. We didn't have to wait in any lines and we got on everything twice. Joe finally convinced me to get on the "Griffin." Holy moly was that scary!!!! The weather wasn't too bad and we were able to do everything in 2 1/2 hours. We left at 1:30. On the way home we stopped at Bass Pro Shops (Joe's favorite store ever!). Joe doesn't go very often because it is sometimes a pain to cross the tunnel.

Before we went home, we decided to visit the Evans family. Joe usually only gets to play with the kids at church (I on the other hand play with them almost everyday). We had fun talking to Kirstynn and playing with baby Smith (Nora was fixated on her Barbie princess movie). After, Joe and I had dinner at 501 City Grill, his favorite.

It was a wonderful day! It was really nice to spend the entire day together. We really need to do it more often! Love you babe!!!

My Birthday Weekend!!!

As many people know, I love my birthday!!!! Every year I start counting down once Christmas is over. My poor husband has to listen to my "only _______ days till my birthday," every single day. He is very relieved that it is over and done with so he doesn't have to to hear me talk about it all the time.

There was only one thing I wanted for my birthday this year, and that was for Joe to take me to Busch Gardens. We hadn't been to a theme park with roller coasters since before we started dating, 4years ago (I'm not counting Disneyland). I was very anxious to go. We planned on going on Friday the 21st because the park was only open on the weekend. We invited our good friends, the Wheelers, to go with us.

My birthday was on Thursday the 20th. I didn't really have any plans that day. I didn't have work and Joe was working most of the day (from 12pm-9pm). So to keep myself busy, I decided I was just going to do some laundry and house work. I know, totally boring!!! At around 11am, my great friend Dana called and asked if I wanted to go to the beach with her. I said, "Heck yes! That's way better than laundry!" We went to the beach for a few hours. It was so nice and relaxing (the way your birthday is supposed to be). She then went to work for a couple of hours while I did some laundry. Since she knoew Joe was working late, she invited me over for dinner. We ate yummy chicken and rice (my favorite) and she even had some ice cream for me with a candle on it. Mike and Dana sang happy birthday to me. It was awesome. She really made my birthday special. Thanks Dana!!!!

On Friday we were all set to go to Busch Gardens! We had an awesome time together. It wasn't too hot and the lines weren't too long. Though, I think it was the first time I actualyl felt a little old. Those rides were kind of intimidating. 10 years ago, I could practically get on anything over and over again and not feel a thing. This was a little different. I did go on most of the rides (the Griffen looked way too scary for me) and by the end of the day, I had the biggest headache! It was a long day. Super fun, but really long! Can't wait until we can go again!!!On Sunday, Joe's family threw me a birthday luau. It was really fun! Erin picked out all the decorations and Kristan and Trina made me a yummy strawberry cake. Larry grilled terriaki chicken and corn on the cob. Yum yum!!! We were planning on swiming, but it started to rain :( Overall, I had the best birthday weekend! Thanks to everyone for making it so special!!! Can't wait for next year!

Ariel's Visit

Me, Ariel, and Kirstynn

I have been sooooo blessed to have family come and visit me since I've moved here to Virginia Beach. Last year my mom was able to visit me on my birthday, last month Jackie came to Williamsburg, and this month Ariel came. It was wonderful to have my family see where I live and to reassure them that I am happy and well here in Virginia Beach. Hopefully the rest of my family will be able to come soon. I would love to show them around.

Ariel stuffing her face at Five Guys

Ariel flew in on Thursday, May 13th at 5pm. We went straight from the airport to my favorite hamburger joint EVER, Five Guys. She loved it!!! Right away she says, "This is WAY better than In-N-Out!" Sorry In-N-Out lovers, I have converted another person to Five Guys. After dinner we went home and slept. We were both exhausted, Ariel form traveling all day, and me from working 3, 11 hour work days in a row. On Friday morning we made yummy egg and ham burritos and relaxed a bit. Later went to the mall and did a little shopping and saw "Letters to Juliet." Cute, typical, chick flick movie. I enjoyed it :) For dinner Ariel made yummy terriaki chicken (Jimma's recipe), steamed rice, and corn on the cob. We ate it at Kirsynn's house. Thanks Kirstynn!

Our day at the beach!

Ariel loved Five Guys soooooo much that she wanted to go one last time before she went home the next day. So, for lunch we went to Five Guys again. Yum! After, Joe and I took her to the beach and we walked awhile on the boardwalk. We treated her to Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard. A must have in Virginia Beach. For dinner Kirstynn invited us over for homemade Lasagna. Double yum!!! The girls then ditched the boys and went to Cheesecake Factory for some Cheececake. So, we pretty much stuffed our faces all weekend long. My kind of vacation :)

Girls night at Cheesecake Factory

Ariel left bright and early Sunday morning. We had such a great weekend with her. I only wish she stayed a little longer. My goal is to get all my siblings to visit me. 2 down, 4 to go! Who will be next?

Better late then never...

This post is a little late. I probably should have posted it last month. Oh well, better late than never!
My little sister Jackie had an awesome opportunity to visit Virginia last month. Her best friend Laurel works for a company that puts together festivals for high schools around the country. Laurel had emailed some friends to ask for volunteers to work festivals, all expense paid. Jackie saw that one festival was going to be in Williamsburg during her spring break. It was perfect!!! I was so excited when she told me. Because of her wired schedule for the festival, she wasn't able to come to Virginia Beach. So, I went to her, Joe and I actually went together on Thursday, April 8th and did some shopping with her and went to dinner. That night we took a ghost tour in Colonial Williamsburg. It was really neat, though not very scary. On Friday, Jackie had to work the festival all day. I drove up on Saturday morning (joe had to work) and spent the day with Jackie and Laurel. It was such a relaxing day. We hung out in their hotel room and talked, we put our feet in the hotel jacuzzi for awhile and talked, and we went to lunch together and talked. It was great catching up with both of them. The best part of the entire trip was when she told me she is PREGNANT!!! I know she is going to be a great mom. Thank you Jack for coming!!! I had an amazing time with you.

New Calling!!!

So, I've been in primary since we've moved into our ward here in Virginia Beach. First, as the CTR 8 teacher, then as the 1st councilor in the presidency. I loved being in primary. We have great kids in our ward and I got to work with some amazing women. A few weeks ago the Young Women presidency was released. I didn't really think that I might be called into the new presidency. After all, I've only been in the primary presidency since August. Then, a couple weeks ago, Joe and I were walking into sacrament and Bishop was at the door and asked to speak to both of us. I didn't really know why he wanted to speak to both of us. He pulled us in some random room. I started to get nervous. He said that he actually really wanted to talk to me. I immediately knew he was going to call me into the Young Womens presidency. He asked me to be the 1st councilor. I immediately started to cry. Bishop and Joe just stared at me. I felt so embarrassed. Bishop asked if I was okay. I just said (in crying voice), "I just really love my calling!" I of course said yes to the calling. I explained to him that I wasn't crying because I was going to be in Young Womens, I was just sad that I wasn't going to be in Primary anymore.

As many people know, I'm not really good with change. I know being in Young Womens will be great. I'm really excited, yet soooooo nervous. It's been 9 years since I've been in Young Womens. Being in this calling will allow me to spend more time with Joe at church because he's in Young Mens. This will be good for me... right?