Rise and shout...

...the cougars are out! This was Jim's first BYU football game and he really got into it. Thank goodness we won!

Catching up: Boston

We finally made it to Provo and are beginning to get settled in. After a very long trek across the country (11 days total), we're happy to not be driving multiple hours each day. I know I have a lot to catch up on, but MBA Orientation is this week and we already have a bunch of readings to do. The fun has begun!

I did want to share a few pictures from our Boston trip from a few weeks ago. Jim and I had such a good time in Boston! In fact, we both decided that it's now a top contender for "cities to intern in" next summer. It's SUCH a cool town, with so much history and lots to see and do. Our trip started out with a tour of Fenway Park on Monday...

On Tuesday, we spent the entire day doing the Freedom Trail.We went backwards, starting at the Battle of Bunker Hill monument (per guidance from our AMAZINGLY helpful Boston trip planner - Alisa Crowell) and made our way back to our hotel on foot.

Bunker Hill Monument

 

And then hit the USS Constitution,  our country's oldest commissioned warship. As you can see, they did not have high ceilings in the ship decks. Jim definitely would not have made it as a sailor! We then continued on to Paul Revere's house and through the North End.

Paul Revere's House

 Stopped at Mike's Pastry for some cannolis in the North End!

 Yes, it is indeed a random giant macaroni noodle in the middle of Quincy Market. I think Yankee Doodle stuck a feather in his cap and called it macaroni after he went to town on a pony.

The best part about Boston is that it's so walkable. We probably walked about 6-8 miles a day because we just loved seeing all of the sites. It did make for some tired feet, so after we finished up walking the Freedom Trail, we headed back to the hotel and crashed. The next morning we did a Duck Tour, which was highly entertaining.

 This was our original "Duck" - The Boston Redsox

..and we were really excited to go see the highlights in Boston--by land and by sea...

...but our Duck was sick and he was making bad noises as we entered the water. Consequently, our driver had to call for back-up.

 ..which meant we had to wait for another Duck to come pick us up!

 So we got Pink Penelope instead...

...and although the Pink Penelope was not the most manly of Ducks, Jim took a turn driving her on the Charles River. 

After the Duck Tour, we headed up to Harvard Square to see the university and grab some lunch.

 In front of Harvard Business School
(almost as superior as BYU's Business School)

What I would probably study if I went to HBS...

Later that night, we went to a free concert downtown, put on by the Boston Pops. They played mostly swing songs and lots of people got up to dance. It was really fun to watch.

On our last day in Boston, we took a tour to Lexington and Concord. Unfortunately I didn't take many pictures, but here is one at Lexington, where the battle took place.

And our very final stop of the day was at the Cheers Bar, and ironically, everybody knew our name...

To recap: We loved Boston. A lot. Can't wait to go back soon (hopefully). :)

Basketball Gals

Two and half years ago we all signed up to play church basketball. Who would have guessed we would become such good friends!?

Jane, Janine, KA

Cortne, Meg, MJ

I don't think I've laughed so much in my life than when we'd play together. Some games we would completely dominate and other games we'd get creamed. From Jane getting her technical foul and getting kicked out of the game, to KA's awesome baskets (and subsequent cheering after), and everything in between---I have such sweet (and hilarious) memories with these girls and I will miss them tremendously.

Let's have a reunion game in a few years, eh?

And remember: winning is fun!

Unemployment Week 1: Road Trip

Because we have a lot more free time on our hands these days, we've decided to take advantage of it by seeing the sites on the east coast. We started our journey last Sunday by driving up to Philadelphia where we had dinner with Stephanie (Sonntag) Jensen, her husband Ben, and Danelle. Although Danelle missed the dinner portion (per usual), she did make it just in time for dessert! I really can't throw Danelle under the bus, however, because she was kind enough to let Jim and I stay at her cute little row house in the heart of Philadelphia.

That's Danelle in her compact car. Good thing it's small because parking in Philly is a joke!

Our first stop Monday morning was the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Although I had been to Philadelphia before when I interned in DC six years ago, this was Jim's first time and he was excited to see everything.

 Waiting in line for the Liberty Bell

In front of Independence Hall

Meg and Danelle

Danelle took us to the Reading Terminal Market for a traditional Philly cheesesteak. It was delicious (although the picture might not depict that!).

We then hit the Museum of Art, probably known more for the "Rocky" run than the art inside. We (Jim) figured we better run it just like Rocky did...although it was at least 97 degrees and 80% humidity at this point...and post Philly cheesesteak lunch. Not the ideal situation!

...But we were successful!

The Legend

We stopped at Love Park...

...and found a place downtown with random game pieces. SORRY was one of my very favorite games growing up. Mom and I would play it all of the time. We're going to have to buy it when we get to Provo.

After a sad goodbye to Danelle, we left Philadelphia Tuesday morning and drove to Palmyra, New York to see some Church history sites. Our first stop was the Peter Whitmer farm, where much of the translation of the Book of Mormon occurred. The Latter-day Saint Church was also founded on April 6, 1830 here in this log home.

 Peter Whitmer Farm

Peter Whitmer Farm Visitor's Center

We then drove to the Hill Cumorah to watch the Pageant that night. Here we are waiting for it to begin. I had pretty much written off the Pageant because it was pouring rain while we were driving to it. However, the sky cleared and it ended up being a beautiful night.

Jim and I spent the night in the lovely town of Canandaigua, New York at the Super 8. Yep, we go classy! The next morning we drove back to the Hill Cumorah to go walk the grounds. We then stopped off at the Sacred Grove and the Joseph Smith Farm, rounding out the top sites in Palmyra.

 

  Hill Cumorah

Joseph Smith Farm

Sacred Grove

After lunch we hopped in our car and drove west to see Niagara Falls. It was absolutely amazing. We had SO much fun on the Maid of the Mist (the boat that takes you in to see the falls close up). I highly recommend the $13 boat ride...although be prepared to get soaked!

Niagara Falls

Jim getting a little nervous to get on the boat

Close up!

Really wet!

Although we only spent a couple of hours at Niagara Falls, it was well worth it. We then drove 4.5 hours to my dad's house in State College, Pennsylvania to spend the night. It was so nice to have a place to stay! I love living close to Dad and will miss being only 3.5 hours away from him (and Nancy and the dogs)! 

The next morning we woke up, stopped at an Amish market (because that's what you do when you're in Amish country), bought some peaches, and ate breakfast with my dad. Our last stop on our road trip was Gettysburg.

Gettysburg opened a new visitor's center about a year and a half ago and it was absolutely fantastic. Jim and I walked through the museum, which had great exhibits, and then took a drive through the battlefield. It's unbelievable to think about all that happened on those grounds.

The fields

Gettysburg Visitor Center

Honest Abe

Phew! Four days and 1000 miles later, we made it back home to Arlington Thursday night. It sure was a lot of driving, but we were fortunate to get to see so many great places. Tomorrow morning we head for Boston. Can't wait!