That one time we went on a date.

Historically, Paul and I are big fat failures when it comes to weekly date night. Like, instead of once we week we go like once a year. Whoops. We keep telling ourselves we'll get better and I keep hoping we actually mean it. Whether or not we come through, this date was a success.

We made our way to Millennium Park and rented a tandem kayak. I was pouting about Paul sitting in the back until my arms got tired and I quit. Then I was quite glad he was in the power seat! For the first half hour we were pretty speedy. For the rest of the time we just soaked up the sun, talked without being interrupted, took selfies like high school girls, and tried to sneak in a kiss or two without falling out of the boat. I love my dreamboat of a man.

Free Date Night!

Friday date night was/still is a non-negotiable part of my parents' schedule. Without fail, they would take off and leave the seven of us at home to eat leftovers and watch a movie. I asked my mom when they started consistently going on dates. My jaw about hit the floor when she nonchalantly explained they had been going out since they joined the church in the 70's.

Paul and I have been married for over 3.5 years and have gone on a handful of dates since tying the knot. Of course we would have movie night at home or play board games, but getting a baby-sitter and hitting the town for the night is a rarity for us.

When I discovered the Y-Ball that BYU was holding for married or engaged couples I was interested. When I discovered the Ball was free, I was sold. Paul's parents were game for watching the kids, so we dressed up, dropped of the kiddos, met three other couples at the complimentary dinner, danced for half a song, and then ditched the scene. Instead, we grabbed some ice cream from the creamery and enjoyed this rare, kid-free time. Odd though, that most of the time apart from our kids was spent talking about them. I guess we just love them, or something.

Cornbelly's.

One of the happiest moments of every year is jumping on an over sized, super inflated, cornbelly. The thought alone reduces to me a fit of giggles. The first year I went to Cornbelly's was in 2009 with my Brittany roommates. Since then I've returned almost every year [it got away from us last year because Vince was still so little].

Marlee and Ashley are pure genius and had the idea to reunite the Brittany gals at Cornbelly's this year. Although this time it was a little different, seeings as two are now RM's, two are now married and we have a baby! Regardless, it was blast to be reunited with some of my favorites for the first time in 3 years!

Date Night.

Since Vince joined the family, our dates have mostly consisted of going out to dinner because we can easily take him with us. While I love trying new foods and enjoying old favorites, it was time to get back to legitimate hubby and wife dates. My mom readily volunteered to watch our little nugget on Saturday so we could escape out into the cool, brisk night.

A few months ago I would have spent the entire evening fretting about Vincent:
Do you think he's okay?
I hope he's not in too much pain from teething.
I wonder if he woke up after we left?!

I must be a new woman because none of those worries plagued me. It was liberating to go out Country Swing Dancing with my hot husband! We were absolutely dreadful, but we still managed to learn new line dances and swing moves. Paul successfully dipped, tossed and held me while I kicked my legs up in the air. We'll definitely practice before we go back so we don't look like the goofiest couple on the block.

Moral of the Story: It totally pays off to get a baby-sitter, come up with creative dates and have fun as a couple.

"Life needs frosting"

Sometimes you need to indulge.

This weekend it was:

colored jeans

bright, chunky, knit sweaters

a thai lunch special

and cinnabon.

Oh Happy Day!

I am so giddy right now. Why? Because I already know that this week is going to be awesome:

1. Yesterday Paul and I set some really good goals for ourselves. I always feel motivated and ready to conquer the world after I set goals.
2. I only have to do ONE 12-hour clinical this week. Hallelujah! It will be so nice not to do multiple clinicals this week.
3. Warren Miller on Wednesday = Cheap ski tickets for Paul (Skiing is horrifying and I currently refuse to do it).
4. A date with the hubs on Thursday! This will no doubt be the highlight of my week. We're doing the Halloween Full-Moon Lift Ride at Sundance. We'll be bundled up, sipping Ghirardelli hot chocolate from a thermos, enjoying the moon, trees, mountains and the time alone (sorry Vince...)!
5. Carving Pumpkins with Kait and Garen on Saturday. Last time we did this I was pregnant. This time Kait's pregnant :)
6. The ward Trunk-or-Treat party on Saturday night. My sister, Ruth, is letting us borrow a bee costume for Vince. It's size 0-3 mo. He'll almost be 6 mo on Halloween. Alas, he's a little boy and the costume fits like a glove. Pictures to come.

Now can you understand why I'm so excited for this week? I bet you're even starting to feel giddy for me!

Oh, and I'll be DONE with clinical in less than 3 weeks. Boo yeah!

Rewind.

I feel like I do this every month... 

but here is a quick review of some of the things I failed to blog about LAST month.

(At least I'm finishing February before April gets here, right?)

We decided to celebrate Valentine's a few days early so we could avoid the packed restaurants. 

We found a cute place called Pagoda in SLC, where Paul could enjoy some seafood while I got my fill of Chinese food! It was my first time trying fried wantons and I LOVED them.

Sushi for Paul, wantons for me!

February had it's creepy moments, including a text from... no one?

We were lucky enough to have my mom in Utah for a couple of weeks. Whenever she comes, she spoils us rotten! This time around, she gave us delicious honey baked ham and the ingredients we needed to make a Caprese salad.

Our "happy" meal.

The night before my mom flew home, the Utah Clan got together for a fabulous dinner. We had lasagna, garlic bread, caprese salad, asparagus and a tasty dessert.

Allie and her Nana

Angel food cake, ice cream, fresh berries, hot fudge and whipped cream.

Toward the end of February, the Nursing program threw a skating party with the Accounting program. We braved the ice with our great friends, Kait and Garen. I was a little nervous about ice skating at 29 weeks pregnant, but Paul held my hand and ensured I didn't fall. 

They're practically Olympic caliber.

It was an action packed evening.

February 28th is National Pancake Day.

This is the only day of the year that I EVER go to IHOP.

Why?

Free pancakes.

Paul enjoying the Strawberry syrup.

And do you remember when I told you about Shadows over Camelot? 

Paul and I lost the first time we played it... 

but won the second time!!

Our winning board

We also played it a third time with Kait and Garen.

Despite cheating, we lost.

That game is hard!

And now you're caught up on February!

... maybe I'll blog about March toward the end of April.

It's Game Time.

I come from a family of very sore losers.

I inherited that competitive gene which makes being a sore loser so easy.

Since we all hate losing so much, Griffioen's don't play games very often.

Paul, on the other hand, comes from a family that LOVES games.

I don't know how he does it... but he doesn't get upset when he loses!

He just likes to play games for fun-- win or lose.

He has been working on me over the past year.

(With some progress, I might add).

Although I still hate losing, I'm getting to the point where I can accept that I had fun playing the game EVEN if I lose. It's tough stuff... but I'm getting better.

Lately, I have been on an absolute game kick.

We have played "Bohnanza" almost every night the past week or so.

It's a game centered around planting and harvesting beans.

Riveting, right?

It seriously is a lot of fun though.

I think Paul has grown tired of our nightly Bean game, so for our date tonight, we tried a new one.

Shadows over Camelot is unique because you play against the game-- not the other players.

It's an especially good game because you all win or lose together.

(no hard feelings!)

Apparently the game almost always wins though.

...At least it did tonight.

Maybe next time!

Instead of studying.

I did a lot of schoolwork today.

Now it is time to celebrate those moments when I'm NOT doing schoolwork.

A few weeks ago Paul and I had a date day.

This is similar to a date night... but it lasts all day.

We went to an estate sale, shopped around Macy's, ate at Terra Mia, perused furniture at RC Willey for our "future home", bought a gallon of ice cream and painted with watercolors.

It was an awesome date.

The painting we bought at the Estate Sale

More recently, we drove up to SLC and ate dinner at Biaggi's. 

I ALWAYS get the butternut squash ravioli... it's so good!

Then, we went to a goodbye/birthday party for Brynna.

We're gonna miss her!

When we're not out and about, Paul and I try our best to stay warm in our basement apartment.

(The heat down here is pretty much non-existent.) 

When we can find the time, we enjoy watching HGTV and the DIY network.

We really want a home so we can put our renovation knowledge to the test!

Paul has been busy looking for jobs so we can weigh out all of our options,

and I am busy growing a baby!

26 Weeks

Tonight Paul and I finally got to hang out with some friends in our ward!

Since I'm in primary, I NEVER get to know anyone but the little kidlings.

It was really nice to catch up with Trent and Sheena.

AND

I bowled the best game of my life!

My new high score is 180!

And that has been life outside of school.

Now back to my homework...