Sugar Cookie Showdown

Today my friend Sylvia, whose fiance lives on our floor, was trying out some sugar cookie recipes to decide which to make for a wedding favor. She is a pastry chef and makes some delicious desserts, so I was excited to "help" her out. We made the dough in my apartment, then baked them down at Jack and Chris' place. Of course, Alex and I liked the opposite cookies; I preferred the sweeter/chewier one, naturally. It was fun to bake and learn the secrets of a pro! However, I think I ate too many and now have a little stomach ache...oh well, it was worth it:)

Anniversary Sale

Friday morning at 7:10am, I made it to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. This was the first time I have ever done that as a "normal" customer, and it was fun. The store wasn't too packed yet, but the good sizes were getting picked fast. I just went by myself to Union Square and spent more than I am accustomed to, with the thought of I better get it now but can return it if I don't want it. I even got Alex some shoes so he was included. Thankfully, he liked the stuff I got so I think I'll keep it all; and the buyers remorse is gone.

I think my favorite purchase was the Juicy wallet. I have nothing Juicy and thought it was so cute. Their logo on some of the merch is a Westie dog so I have a small weakness for the brand. I've had my old wallet for 5 years and it is trashed so it was time. But, I couldn't justify the matching purse....maybe one day, but then this wallet will be old by then.

My new do

Yesterday after I did my solo Anniversary Sale run (pics later), Katie Shelley picked me up to go to the Bauer's in the Presidio for a mini hairdo get together. Katie's husband is a 3rd year and they moved to San Rafael, so she made the trip for Jodie and me. She does a great job and I love my new style, and so does Alex! If we ever have a baby here, I would love to live in the Presidio, it's so peaceful there.

When uploading this picture, I noticed I have so many freckles right now. I guess I've been in the sun a bit too much....oops.

Let's Go Fly a Kite....

Eryn & Paul with their dragon

Sunday in the late afternoon, we went down to Crissy Field in the Marina and flew kites with the Rogers', the Black's and the McDounough's. It was a lot of fun. The guys put together the longest kite string that I had ever seen by tying all the other kites' strings to one and letting it go. I didn't know if we would ever get it all reeled back in, it was way out there. Then, we played a round of Bocce-congrats to Brian & Becca on the win!

Me enjoying the windy afternoon

White Coat Ceremony

Alex's white coat ceremony was Wednesday at the Veterans' Building downtown. My mom and sister, Andrea, came out for it and stayed through the week; we had a great time together (I forgot to get Andrea's pics of all our adventures before they left since I don't carry our new camera around much and mostly used hers...)

At the beginning of their 2nd year, the dental students at UOP get their white coats to celebrate the start of working in the clinic on patients. It was a really fun time, the reception was upstairs and we had a perfect view of city hall outside, and lots of fun pictures with friends! It is tough adjusting to life in the clinic, but Alex is excited to get drilling those teeth.

Alex's bathroom project

So after Alex finished his externship in Seattle, he decided to help my parents out with their deteriorated bathroom. It was pretty bad, as you can see up above-major leaking and some rotting. Alex actually enjoys these kinds of things, so he went to town and did as much as he could, including removing the siding on the house and installing a window and learning all about plumbing. The finishing touches are still getting worked on, but he did a fantastic job and we can't wait to try it out the next time we are visiting! I'm just glad he is getting all this practice for one day when we have a house that needs some improvement.....

1st Fourth in Washington

This was Alex and my first Fourth of July together in WA, it was fantastic. Last year we had just moved to SF, and the ones before that were mostly in Vegas.

The morning was filled with working on my parents' bathroom (pics are coming), which had been Alex's week-long project that he almost finished before we left yesterday. At noon, we went to my grandma's in Lakewood to bbq with the relatives. Uncle Larry, Aunt Susan, Alyssa & Erika brought their new puppy, Sofie, the cutest little thing! It was great to relax and see everyone who we usually just see not often enough. Uncle Ron & Aunt Yoyi brought some yummy carne asada...so good. Later that night, we went back to Federal Way to Celebration Park for fireworks. I hadn't gone to that before and it was better than I expected. Perfect weather, good music and a traditional 4th of July atmosphere.