Virginia is for Lovers

Day 1:I took the train all by myself
(I was quite proud of this adventure considering I have never been on a train before)
and Allie picked me up from Union Station in DC.
OBSESSED with this station by the way.
We quickly drove over to the airport where James was arriving.
I had been so sneaky and was surprising James by coming a day early.
He had NO idea.
When he walked around the corner he just stood there in shock.
And then he was so excited!
At this point we hadn't seen each other for a months so we were pretty stinkin excited.
Allie snapped this photo for us!
We both look pretty haggard from traveling.
Day 2:
Church.
It was my first time in James' ward and I loved it!
His Mom (Ann Barker) is the ultimate Relief Society queen.
Everyone adores her.
As do I.
I am going to have the best in laws!
Day 3:
Absolutely nothing.
And we loved every minute.
We talked weddings.
We looked at James' scrapbooks.
We laid around.
We went on a walk.
We stayed in our pajamas all day.
And then went to a nice French Steakhouse for dinner.
James and I were both pooped from our Spring adventures.
So it was a much needed rest day.

Day 4:

Jim and Ann were nice enough to send us to Bethany Beach for the day.
(or at least somewhere near there)
it was a blast!
We had one of those huge road maps and made fools out of ourselves singing and dancing in the car.
We were supposed to learn how to go sailing but at the last moment we bailed on that idea.
We opted for a little bit more relaxation while kayaking.
James loves that Haiti shirt so much.
Isn't he such a cute stinker!
We've never really dated in the summer so we were excited to finally spend some time in the warm weather together.
James LOVES road trips.
Mostly because he gets to sing like this...


This video was made on Day 6.
Day 5 was spent with Ann while the boys went golfing.
She took me to get my fingers and toes done at the cutest little shop in Great Falls.
Sharisa as we passed this shopping market I can vividly remember being in your hybrid at this market and feeling like we broke down.
It brought back great memories.
After having our nails done Ann drove me around to my dream homes!
No joke.
We were in heaven looking at these HUGE Virginia homes.
I love Virginia.
Don't know if I have mentioned that yet.
Then it was off to Tysons Corner.
I don't know if I have mentioned it yet but
I LOVE Virginia.
This mall is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.
(After James of course)
Ann and I had a blast together.
I just adore her.
Then it was off to pick up Allie the working girl.
Poor thing.
We totally lied to her and told her we had a miserable day.
Katie, Allie, and Lizzie you were all missed.
That night we endured Chipotle together as a cute little fam.
Little did I know the ring had arrived that day.
Later that night I was itching to make a treat.
It had been over two months since I had been in the kitchen and I needed it!
So we were off to the store to grab the necessities.
All we needed was some PB.
But the Barkers were running low on the DC.
The Barkers LOVE them some DC.
While most people dream of the sound of a coffee maker in the morning.
They dream of cracking open a can or bottle.
It is hilarious.
Ann loves the bottles.
Jim loves the cans.
Naturally James insisted on calculating the ounces so that we got his Mom and Dad EXACTLY the same amount of DC.
Literally down to the tenths.
This boy loves crunching numbers.
Allie and I just laugh at him.

Day 6:
Lunch with Allie at her office.
Her office is incredible!
It over looks the Potomac and Georgetown.
I loved everything about it.
Then it was off to Old Town Alexandria.
It was love at first sight.
(Please note the adorable bag - Ann made those for all of the girls. And she included me. How sweet is she?)

I am not sure why James keeps taking me to these super expensive places to live.
We will never be able to afford it but a girl can dream right?
I love being down by the water.
I am not sure James and I will end up close to Lake Powell
But I have made him promise that we can be by water somewhere somehow.
I need the water and the sun!
This man was INCREDIBLE.
James told me about him before we even saw him.
I think there are over 50 glasses on that table.
He plays every song to perfection.
It was so sad when my first thought was...
'This is a perfect feature story.
Great Nat sound to start off the piece
Great video.
Came up with a great lead.'
And then I stopped myself.
I have turned into a news junkie.
Pathetic.
But this man truly was incredible.
He said he spent 1 year just perfecting 1 song.
It was a little windy.
Don't mind the hair.
James contemplating which boat he is going to by me one day.
NOT.
Ha when I told him how much a boat costs I think he nearly pushed me overboard.
That night we headed to Georgetown to do a little window shopping and meet up with miss amy and mr mike.
Who doesn't love a little m street?
If you haven't been to Georgetown in your life - you HAVE to go.
It is probably one of my top 10 favorite places in the world.
Specifically that anthropologie.
Pictures from that night are soon to come.
James and Mike ran off quickly after dinner.
I was SO irritated at James.
Little did I know he was going to walk through the engagement.
So I guess he is off the hook.

Day 7 was the proposal.
Pictures from the engagement team to come.
I am still obsessing over our story.
I love it.

(this was the view from our table outside for dinner.
Now you can understand why I was so confused
as to why James would be rushing dinner.
It was the perfect night)

Day 8:
Spent the morning lying around,
staring at our ring,
making James call me his fiance,
James even made me the most fattening breakfast I have EVER had.
German pancakes.
Delicious.
SO not on the LGN diet.
(Look good naked diet - so far it is not going so well)

Did a little blogging.
Allie and I helped Ann prepare for her dinner group.
(Again, LOVE her)
Mike came over to entertain James.
I think he needed a little boy time after all of the girly engagement chat.
They played air hockey,
watched the U.S. Open,
and the world cup.
Ate lots.
And were happy campers.
Which was exactly our plan because our next stop was the mall.
Back to Tyson's of course!
My favorite part of the morning was when James came over to help me with dishes.
I told him he didn't need to do that and to go back and watch the game.
He told me "No, no I will always help you do the dishes....
Besides, it's half time."
Oh dear.
I have a trouble maker on my hands.
We shopped around and then headed to Toy Story 3.
Umm... No I did not shed a tear or two or three in that movie.
It was SO darling.
I loved it.
It brought the whole story full circle for me.
And we got to see it in 3D.
What could be any better?
Thanks to Mike for sharing his bestie with me.
And mostly...
Thanks to the Barkers.
From day one I have felt welcome in their family.
I think they want me to succeed in everything more than I want to.
They always make me feel like I can achieve anything.
They make me out to be better than I am.
Jim is always complementing me and making sure I feel at home.
Ann spoils me rotten and teaches me everything she knows about cooking and sewing.
Katie pushed James right along by saying enough already when are you going to marry that girl.
I owe you Katie!
Allie is kind enough to share her twin with me.
I know its a big sacrifice.
And I am so grateful that she has been so gracious about it.
Lizzie and I already have plans for the days.
Sisters only.
Shopping for Nicole, food, wedding talk, boy gossip, possible laying out.
It's all on the agenda.
Thanks for welcoming me into the clan Barkers!
Sure do love ya!

My Mom and I had a good laugh the other day.
Katie and I both married only boys - just like our brother.
I guess we just know how to pick them!
Those only boys sure do know how to treat girls.

And I must admit...
I am LOVING being engaged!

Check out these pics...


(Sorry for the kissing picture.
But I just couldn't resist making my brother and Michael squirm.
They still like to pretend I am 14.
It is all their fault they set me up with an accountant.
They knew how this was going to turn out)


Taken almost exactly 6 months ago at our most romantic spot -
The Jefferson Memorial.
And our restaurant
Farmers and Fishers.
Later that night James said I love you for the first time.
Don't worry I said it back.
Little did we know we would be getting engaged here 6 months later.
And then married almost exactly 3 months later.
Funny how things work out.