July

I haven't done to well with posting this month, so I'm just going to sum everything up. Independence Day was a lot of fun for Devin and me. We spent the day cooking a huge meal and had family over to share it with us. Then, we were able to go watch the fireworks at Bishop's Park. We didn't get to do this last year because Devin had to work, so I was especially excited about it. And, it ended up being amazing.

We have also spent this month perfecting our pizza making ablilities. In February we attempted to make our own pizza crust for the first time. It didn't turn out too well. But, we've made pizza four times this month and seem to be getting closer to where we need to be with the help of our great cookbook.

Also, we were able to go visit my family for a few days. The trip flew by too quickly. We spent one day hiking at Ohiopyle and visiting the waterfalls. This was actually the first time that Devin, Blue, and I posed for a family photo. Blue loved his time with my parents' dogs on this vacation and almost stayed behind when we left.

Another day, we visited a lake and spent the day canoeing, swimming, kayaking, playing volleyball, and playing with a frisbee. We picnicked bu the lake for lunch, too. After lunch, we rented a hydrobike to try, which was so much fun but more difficult than you would imagine.

Yesterday, we left my family's home to head back to Watkinsville. On the way, I received a phone call from East Central Regional Hospital in Augusta with a job offer! I am very excited because this was a job I really wanted. It is a better job than I could have ever hoped to have straight out of college. I will start working on August 3rd. Then, Devin starts med school on August 10th. Now, Devin and I are just trying to finalize everything to move there in a week!

Bubble Boy

About a month ago, Devin and I bought 2 tubes of bubbles. That night, we blew them in the backyard for a long time. Later, we had fun with them with friends. A couple nights ago, Devin grabbed a tube of them and started blowing them at Blue. Until I pretended that they were attacking me, he ignored them. Then, he started to fight back. We had so much fun. I still laugh when I watch the video of him! Unfortunately, it's too big for blogger, but you can see it on facebook!

Fixing Blue

One week ago, Blue got "fixed." We tried to talk to him about what this meant, but we don't think he understood. When he came home, he was very drugged up and spent his evening acting like the boy in David after Dentist. By the next morning he was fine, though. The only balls he ever seemed to notice missing were his tennis balls, which had been hidden in a cupboard. He also wanted to continue to play and get dirty as he had before. It was heartbreaking to watch him follow us from room to room slowly piling all his toys at our feet and begging us to rough house with him a little. After following orders for seven days, we have been celebrating since this morning. We've spent hours playing tug-of-war, chasing tennis balls, and running out back. And, Blue was finally able to be bathed again! Yay! After a day like today, I have a little puppy who crashed hours earlier than usual and will likely sleep amazingly well all night long...

New Home

Today Devin and I went to Augusta to look at a couple places to possibly rent starting in August. We had picked out a favorite and loved it even more once we saw it in person! After touring it and talking for a long time, we signed the lease!!! I am super excited to move into our adorable new home in just 8 weeks! :]

Honeymoon Cruise

For anyone who has never been on a cruise before, you need to go! For our honeymoon, Devin and I cruised on the Freedom of the Seas with Royal Caribbean. This is the largest cruise ship in the world right now.

Our first stop was in Labadee, Haiti. Here, we got to enjoy a beach barbeque on a private resort.

The next day, we went to Montego Bay, Jamaica. After arriving, we took a taxi and then a six wheel independent drive vehicle into the jungle. We were able to go on a course of five ziplines, including the longest one in the Caribbean. This day was an absolute blast.

On our last stop, we visited Georgetown, Grand Cayman. I have always wanted to visit the Cayman Islands, so this was amazing. We got to go on a three-stop snorkel excursion. The first visit was to Stingray City, where we swam with, played with, fed, and kissed (for luck) stingrays! Additionally, we were able to go snorkel the Coral Gardens and Barrier Reef. This was a great day.

However, the cruise had to end, as all good things do. So, we made our way back to Watkinsville to settle in to our new, temporary home for the summer!

Wedding Day

Two weeks ago was one of the greatest days ever imaginable. Devin and I were married in the Atlanta Georgia Temple and had a reception in Bogart afterwards.

The night before, we had a super fun barbeque/pool party for Devin’s and my families to meet for the first time. I also had a lot of time with my sisters that night.

Nearly my whole amazing family (We missed you Kate!) was able to come for it. While I am now a "Stephens," I will always be a "McCollum" as well.

I also got to join a new, wonderful family that day.

But, the best part of all was that I gained a husband and became a wife that day. Nothing could have been better that day than that.

A Sticky Situation...

I have a new favorite gum, I think: Orbit Mist Watermelon Spring. I can't wait to try the rest of the Orbit Mist line: Mango Surf and Peppermint Spray. While not accepted by the ADA to strengthen teeth like the regular Orbit gum line, it's just too cool not to try. However, I have a WARNING! If you try to blow a bubble...

You might in up in a very sticky situation!