Big Bear

Tanner and I took a weekend trip up to Big Bear for a Valentine's Day surprise.  I had asked Tanner a few weeks before Valentine's if he could be the planner for that night because it's pretty much a woman's holiday.  He went far above my expectations and booked us a cabin in Big Bear! Tanner took me skiing for my second time ever and I stuck to the bunny hill and loved every bit of it.

 Having breakfast at The Lumberjack Cafe

 The weather could not have been more perfect.  We skied in long sleeves and no gloves(except the hill I attempted that was supposed to be an easy ride.  I fell more than I could count and almost just took off my ski's to walk down, but I eventually made it to the bottom.

Big Bear has a cute town with a lot of shops to walk through.  Of course the only thing we purchased was a caramel apple from the candy shop.

Our apartment

 Tanner and I moved into our first apartment the end of November.  I figured it's better late than never to post some pictures.  It's been so fun decorating our own place and to start accumulating some of our own furniture.  Both Tanner and I were so ready so have our own space and we are loving it! 

The living room

Kitchen

Dining room(if you can call it that, it's more like just our dining room table)

Our bedroom

 Bathroom

Valentine's Day

My whole dating life I have hated the idea of celebrating Valentine's Day.  It seemed to mushy romantic and I felt too young to celebrate the holiday.  Now that I'm married it has become my second favorite holiday!  I love everything about it, I love spending special time with the Tanner. I love going to the grocery store or driving by a flower shop and seeing men lined up out the door buying flowers.  It's just such a happy day!  Tanner surprised me for lunch by coming home with Cafe Rio and gorgeous flowers, we went to a park close to our house and ate lunch together.  Then for dinner we went and picked up takeout and Ho Sum Bistro and ate it at the beach at sunset.  It was absolutely perfect!    I told Tanner a month ago if he could plan something romantic for Valentine's day, since in my head it's kind of a woman's holiday. :)  I would have been fine with dinner reservations, but of course Tanner planned something WAY more romantic.  Tanner booked a weekend in Big Bear!  He got a cute little cabin and we are going to attempt to ski for my second time! 

A couple weeks ago we had some friends in town.  We spent the day down in Doheny because they have good beginner waves for people learning how to surf.  Tanner is such a great teacher!  This was our second surfing attempt.  The first time Tanner and I went out was about a month ago here in Newport.  My arms were seriously dead after paddling through a couple waves and Tanner ended up towing me out after that.  I just held on to his leash that was attached to his ankle and he would paddle for the both of us. :) What a great husband right?  Newport wasn't very lucky for me, I got up for about 2 seconds and quickly fell of my board.  Doheny was great though!  Tanner didn't have to tow me out and I actually stood up on multiple waves! After a year of having major anxiety over surfing, I have finally overcome my fear.

 I can't believe the summer has come and gone so quickly!  We have tried to take full advantage of living in such a fun area where there is so much to do.  Back in April, Tanner and I joined an outrigging Recreational team.  It was great finding something that Tanner and I could do together and it was quite the workout.  We paddled for a few months and decided that our excitement for outrigging had come and gone, so we cut it short.  But we have some great memories to keep with us!

Banana bread

I HATE making banana bread! Who ever thought that it was so hard to make.  I have made probably 6 loaves(3 different recipes) and NONE of them have ever turned out.  I hate it!  I will never make banana bread ever again. Such a waste of all my ingredients.  Boo.

Welcoming Summer

As bummed as I am about my summer being consumed with work and school, I am definitely excited that it's finally here.  I love barbecuing in the summer time! Tanner and I had ourselves our own little barbecue the other night.  It definitely lifted my spirits and made me think of all the things that I am 

 looking forward to this summer.

Swimming

Saturday Beach Days

Bike rides

Wearing my new bathing suit

Lake Powell

And of course barbecuing

  I have been so spoiled up to this point.  This is my very first summer ever working and my first semester of summer school.  Luckily I know this will be the last summer I ever have to take school so I think I can handle it.  It's probably a blessing that I am always so busy because on my down time I get pretty homesick for my family.  Everyone tells me that it gets easier, I'm crossing my fingers that it will.