Young Women Activities

The summer has been so busy that I felt like I really didn't get to spend that much time with the girls. Luckily we got to celebrate the end of summer by doing two fun activities in one week! For mutual we went over to Key Biscayne and walked on the beach. We got to watch the sunset and get a little exercise in at the same time. It was really fun to get out with everyone!

That weekend we had our end of summer sleepover. The girls all came over to my house as well as the leaders Kim and Andrea. We missed you Marisabel! The girls decided that they wanted to go swimming that night so we got to hang out outside and enjoy a perfect summer night. When we came back in, some of the girls wanted to learn the "Cups" song. I learned it at camp when I was a teenager and so we got lots of practice in. I think some of the girls actually learned it! After, the girls watched "It", the 1980's Steven King movie. Apparently it wasnt as scary to them as it was to me when I was younger because the girls found it pretty funny. 

The next morning we all woke up a little late and made breakfast. We had pancakes and eggs and chowed down. After we went swimming and laid out. I think the girls had a really good time... I know I did! Sadly, we didn't get a group shot but I am so happy so many girls could come. We will miss Melanie and Alejandra as they move on to Relief Society. Love you girls! 

Sanibel Island 4th of July

I love the West Coast of Florida. If you want to go to an incredibly gorgeous and peaceful place and not leave the US, go to the West Coast. Sanibel Island is particularly amazing and a gem of a vacation spot. If you haven't been there and have the choice, GO! My Mom was amazing and got a condo on the island so we could all get together for the 4th of July. Luckily Mike came down from Chicago, Dillon could join us, Sarah and Ryan got work off and Derek and I came for the weekend. It was truly perfect. We relaxed, enjoyed the ocean and beach, fished, etc, etc. I collected some shells for our house, showed Derek what real sand dollars look like and got to be with family. On top of that, we had some awesome fireworks on the island and celebrated the 4th with a bang. I wish every day was a vacation like this. Big thanks to Mom for organizing the trip :) Hope we can do it again soon!

Perfect views

Sunset

So many shells! It hurt to walk down the beach because there were so many. 

Comet came too and loved hanging out on the beach with us. 

Getting ready for fireworks. Derek can never keep a straight face. 

Happy 4th!

Sunrise on the beach 

There was a lot of laying around too

I just love him! 

We went fishing and the boys had a great time... but didnt catch anything :(

Sibling love (and Derek's butt)

Finally got some DQ

Relaxing like pros

Daddy and Mikey

Leaving the island... so sad for it to be over!

Catch Up

Wow! The last month has just flown by! I cant believe it is already July 1st. Sometimes I wish I could grab time and make it sit still. The last month has been full of fun and friends. Derek finished his first year of medical school (YEAH!!). We are 1/4 of the way to Residency and I am so proud of the hard worker Derek is. Sometimes I cant believe that we have been in Miami for over a year and that our lives are so embedded here now. It seems like we still have a long time to go before we are done with medical school, but I know time is going to fly by (or at least I keep saying that to myself when I feel like we have forever to go).

Since Derek is on summer break, we have had more time to just relax and enjoy each other's company. Derek has been helping me with projects around the house and just got back from a trip to DC. Dustin and his family are moving from Washington state to Washington DC and Derek went up to help him unpack. I am so excited to have all the nieces on the East Coast, especially since Carrie is due in September with baby #3. We cant wait to meet her and I am hoping we can make a weekend trip to DC this fall to see the city and the girls.

We also celebrated the Miami Heat's win with friends (post to come), enjoyed the pool, watched too much TV, ate a lot of good food and genuinely relaxed. This week we are heading to Sanibel Island to spend the 4th with my family (Mike included!) and soak up some Florida sun. I wish that summer time was just reality and I didn't have to work and we could just hang out all the time together. I think they call that retirement, but I am ready for that now! Anyone else feel the same?

I hope everyone is having an awesome summer! More posts and pictures to come in the next few weeks :)