A little jaunt to Utah

Two weeks ago (you can see I am not a very active blogger) Justin and I used his single weekend off in September to travel to Utah for Justin to run in the Top of Utah Marathon. Justin had been working nights during the week leading up to our trip. He came home Friday morning, slept for two hours, and then we boarded our plane to Salt Lake City. After a short flight (with no nap) my three sisters picked us up in SLC. We swung by Pat's BBQ for lunch, an award winning/somewhat shady BBQ joint in south Salt Lake. The number of goatee-sporting, chunky middle aged men attested to the fact that this was a legitimate meat-lover's destination. Probably not the greatest pre-race meal for Justin, but he insisted that meat has been helping people run fast for centuries.

After a whirlwind tour of Ashley and Caitlin's new house/apartment (respectively) and spending some quality time cuddling with Kevin the Cat, we were off to Logan. Along with everyone else in the greater SLC area it seemed, given the maddening afternoon traffic. We finally made it to Logan, snagged Justin's race packet on our way through town, then we were off to the Wheeler homestead in Hyde Park. We ate a traditional marathoner's last meal: spaghetti. Then Justin was in bed by 10 pm so he could get up again at 4:30. Even with so little sleep Justin did amazingly well in his race.

Here's Justin's short description of the race: "It was wet. And long. And I got tired at the end. But I did pretty good. I'm glad I was wearing Band-aids, or my nipples would be really sore."

Here's Justin's long description of the race (if you are not a runner you can just skip this part): It was around 40 or 45 F at the starting line when the bus pulled in at 6:15. It started pouring rain about five minutes before the race began. Just enough to get everyone good and wet. The starting guns fired, and within a few minutes the rain stopped. I ran with the 3 hour pace team. Right around mile 8 when we were starting to dry off, the heavens opened again. By mile 14 when I emerged from Blacksmith Fork Canyon, it had started to hail along with the rain. (It was exciting for me (Brianna) to see the runners splashing down the road, especially since Justin was among the first few groups.) I stuck with the 3 hour pacers until mile 18, when I "bonked". I think the lack of sleep caught up with me. I slowed down a bit, but soldiered on and ended up finishing around 3:08. I had been hoping to get under 3:05 so I could qualify for Boston again, but was still pleased with my time.

It was good enough for a cute little moose trophy for placing 4th (or was it 5th?) in his age division. He finished 53 overall out of almost 2000 runners.

Anyway, it was a fun weekend. We loved seeing Justin's parents and my sisters. Logan is beautiful in the Fall, even when it's raining. Justin is already scheming about running another marathon so he can get back to Boston. Runners really are different.

Summer in Phoenix

While other places are starting to cool down and feel more like fall, here in Phoenix summer is still in full swing. We have been enjoying the constant sunshine and the occasional crazy dust storm, but I think we are ready for the temperature to drop below 80, even if it is only at night. With all the heat, here are a couple of things we have been doing to stay cool.

Drink lots of water.

Go out to dinner (or breakfast). We went to a yummy Mexican place for breakfast on our anniversary. Justin was working nights so it was my breakfast and his dinner.

Float the Salt river. The water is cool and refreshing.

Take a cake decorating class (air conditioned). This was my first cake.

Go on vacation somewhere cooler. I got to spend a long weekend in LA hanging out with two of my old roommates from college. I love these girls.

Afterwards, I meet up with my family to spend a week in a house on Newport Beach. It was fun to be together and Justin even got the week off.

If you do go outside, go really early. Lance came to visit and Justin hauled him up Camelback Mountain at dawn. The sunrise and view were amazing.

Do indoor activities. We spent an afternoon in the cool science center. If you live in the Phoenix area check out culture passes.

Go to the mountains. Justin and I have been up to Payson, Arizona twice this summer to go camping. It is great to escape to cooler and greener areas. Most recently we camped on the rim.

Justin is preparing to run a marathon and he did his 20 mile run the morning we were there. He did a great job especially since he was running 5,000 feet higher than he is used to.

Happy Fall and stay cool!

A Peek at the New Place

Official Stats: 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, 2 Floor Townhouse with a big fun pool.
Most importantly: Vacant Guest Bedroom.

And now, a quick tour:

View from living room window

Living Room


Prof Plum. In the Kitchen. With the red toaster oven.

1/2 Bath on Main Floor

Dining Room

Master Bedroom

Please note the shower curtain.
No more nasty sliding glass shower door!


Carport


Bob, the Bougainvillea Bush


Back Patio

My shiny graduation present is hiding under the black covering.
Thanks Mom & Dad!


So come pay us and Bob a visit! But maybe wait until October or later. You'll be less likely to permanently melt your wallet into your back pocket.

P.S. Sorry about the technical difficulties with the pictures. Problem should now be solved!

Moving and Graduation

The last several weeks have been busy and exciting for us. Justin finally finished four long years of medical school and graduated Cum Laude from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Hurray! With graduation comes the start of the next chapter of our life: Residency! So with some sadness mixed with a heaping teaspoon of excitement, I worked my last day in OSU's ophthalmology department and then joined the ranks of the unemployed as we prepared to leave Columbus. Justin's parents came out for Justin's graduation and to help with the move, and Lance and Ashley came from DC for one last reunion in Columbus. It was great to have everyone together. Once the graduation celebrations were over, we packed up our apartment and headed West to Phoenix. Here are a bunch of pics from the adventure. Enjoy!

Me on my last day of work at my desk in OSU's ophthalmology department. I will miss my wonderful co-workers and the view of the Columbus skyline from our office. However, the time off right now is pretty nice.

Justin and Brutus spend one last time reminiscing before graduation about the time Brutus almost got tackled by the Ohio University mascot.

Justin looking dapper after the med school awards ceremony.

Justin starting embarking on his new career path in a golf cart. That's about all the vehicle you can afford after 4 years of medical school tuition and fees.

Lance and Justin posing, pre-MD.

Justin being hooded by Dr. Mary McIlroy, one of his mentors in pediatrics. Thanks to Heather for the great picture!

Justin's class had a great group of LDS guys, we'll miss them and their families.

The indomitable Anatomy Group-6 (minus Viren). Hours spent dissecting cadavers together during the first year of medical school forged a wonderful friendship among this diverse group. We got together every few months for dinners through all four years, which were always entertaining. We'll miss you Ian, Andrew, Stephanie and Viren!

It was fun to have Justin's parents in Columbus for the big day.

And Ashley too, of course.

Next up was the long haul to Arizona. The 22 foot long truck pulling our Toyota on a trailer was a real fuel-guzzler. Captain Planet would not have been pleased, but you have to do what you have to do.

We made a stop in Nauvoo for a day to visit the historic LDS sites. Justin's Dad served part of his mission in Nauvoo, so it was fun to revisit his old mission grounds and hear his stories.

On a wagon ride, Nauvoo style. It was HOT and humid. The Midwest gave us a memorable weather send off.

We learned to make rope, bread, and even weave rugs.

Justin behind the wheel of the big rig. That's his game face.

After many long days on the road we finally made it to Arizona!

My parents helped us unpack. My mom came over and helped out every morning until our house was liveable. Thanks Mom!

We're finally through wading through boxes, and all moved in. Now we're ready for visitors!

Moving to Phoenix! Advice needed.

Exciting news! We are a little late in announcing this, but we will be moving to Phoenix in June! Justin matched at the Phoenix Children's Hospital for his Pediatric residency. We are excited to trade in our coats and umbrellas for year round sandals and shorts for the next three years.

Here's us on Match Day/St. Patrick's Day! It was a fun-filled and exciting day.

It has been a crazy last few weeks as we try to find a new place to live, figure out the logistics of a cross country move, and decide how to wrap up our life here in Ohio. We will be very sad to leave our great ward, friends and wonderful area that we have called home for the last four years. Justin and I got married weeks before the start of medical school, so for us Columbus is the only home we have ever known as a couple. We love new adventures, but it always hard to change.

Now that we have started looking for a place to live, we have realized how little we know about Phoenix. Despite having lived in Mesa all through high school, I've surprisingly spent very little time in Phoenix proper. So here is our official appeal for advice. We would love any and all tips about nice neighborhoods, apartments and wards to live in. We are not going to be able to see the place before we move, so we definitely need good recommendations. We would like to live as close as we can to the Phoenix Children's Hospital. It is located off the 51 just north of I-10 near downtown Phoenix.

For all you friends living or that have lived in the Valley of the Sun, or have connections living in Phoenix, please shower us with your insider information! And for everyone else, you are more than welcome to come pay us a visit when the clouds, cold, and snow descend next winter!