February Update

Wow. Where have I been? Not blogging or looking at blogs- that's for sure. Thank you instagram and pinterest! Man, I told myself I wouldn't do either of those, and now I am an avid contributor to both applications. Whatever, sometimes you just gotta move with the trends.

We have been staying busy.
-Drew with his Scrabble set. You can read about it here- but basically we will be selling a $200 set in stores by Christmas, and a $50 set in stores by Christmas. Isn't that amazing? Not just small business stores. But stores like Neiman Marcus & Barnes & Noble. So cool.
-Selling more wreaths and having so much fun at it. I'll be selling them at a craft fair at the end of March in San Clemente. Can't wait!
-Drews been surfing Creek almost everyday (not the last 2 days, he's been busy)- and it's so fun for him. When we were in Utah, exercise wasn't a word we used regularly. It feels good to be outside a lot.
-Lady has been eating sticks and then pooping them out. It makes me sad because she also isn't eating. I'm thinking she's teething, but who really knows. She doesn't chew on anything else! SO I have banned her from her favorite dog park because it's full of only wood chips & sticks, no grass.
-Our Capo 1st Ward split into two wards- joined with the monarch beach ward (now called Dana Point Ward). It was a big change for everyone in the Capo 1 ward- because everyone was separated, but we are embracing the change because that means we get to become friends with new people! I am very sad I'm away from sunbeams that I taught for a few months. They really were so sweet to me. I totally get now why people want to teach these little humans- as real jobs. Before, I couldn't understand!
-I've been called as the YW Secretary. Exciting/scary/new/old/stressful at times, but I think I'll get the hang of it. It's weird to be back in the same building that I grew up in until I turned 14. So the YW room, I totally know it. And they need new carpet.
-Can't get enough of Salt & Vinegar chips. I could eat a bag a day.
-Spent Valentine's Day weekend and day, shopping, eating, picnicing, hiking and spoiling Lady. It was a great one!
-Counting down the days we get to see Drew's family family in Palm Springs for a week! It's going to be fun and kinda like camping- sleeping in one room together. :)
-I've eaten a bagel every day for the last week. Trader Joes started supplying Rudi's bagels, and man they are BETTER than any other bagel I've ever had. Yum yum yum.
-My dear Dad turned 56- I will post photos of that soon. Finally got film developed so you'll see many a photo of a lot of stuff comin up!
-The above shot was taken just a few days ago with a tripod- with other images that's going to be in a feature we will be in soon.

Christmas & New Years 2011

I should probably post about our holidays before another holiday comes, then another one..and so on. And I'm sorry it's an overload of instagram pictures, but that's what seems to be happening in my life, more than blogging. Whoops!

We started the celebrating off the Sunday we left for Utah. We had a Christmas breakfast at my parents, and opened a few presents. I was bummed I'd be without my little Asher man for Christmas, so I had to take a few photos with him before we left. We tried getting the perfect one, but I thought each one was perfect because he's SO DANG CUTE! I mean look at his baby blues!

Then off to Redlands that day to be with Drew's Dad's side of the family for a Christmas dinner and sleep-over before we were off to Utah for 10 days! This is Lady just before leaving Dana Point. She was a little anxious because all of her belongings were in the back of the car! Not even a photo can explain how crazy the back of the car was. Boxes upon boxes were falling on her. We had all of the gifts for friends, family and gifts from grandma & grandpa from Redlands, and a huge trash bag full of driftwood, suitcases, her crate & toys and nasty food and everything you can ever think of. We really could have just started somewhere new with what we had in the car. 

Mocha Mousse Pudding- one of my MIL's recipes that I made while there. Love it so much. can't wait to make it with anyone that wants to eat it (with my new kitchen aid) !

Loving my new $10 scarf that seriously kept me SO WARM the entire trip. Driving into Orem when I took this photo. That wasn't very pleasant, but atleast I had my new scarf!

Love Hazey! She was about to go sledding with Abby on the golf course. Don't you wish you owned that same outfit?

The ribbon (minus the owls) that I bought at this awesome American Craft warehouse sale in AF. Only in Utah does things like this happen. So I had to spend $$. Just this one time. I bought much much more than that. Shoot.

Cookies Jessie & Abby made. So creative! Wish I could have nibbled on the fox. I love them.

While the family dispersed for a night, we spent the evening with our great friends! SO HAPPY! 

Lady & Buckley played (kinda) all night while we were catching-up, eating and playing nerts. We'll see how they play next time. Hopefully Lady won't dominate him again :/

Abby, so cute. On Christmas Eve. I dread the day Christmas isn't as magical for her as it was those few days leading up to it. Dread.

Meeting up with these cats again (and Kaneischa!) to say hello. Asher's parents live so close to Drew's parents. Fabulous!

Brotherly love! Right before church on Christmas morning. I loved that we got to walk to church.

Haha! This photo makes me laugh so hard when I see it because it sums up the trip for Lady. She didn't like being outside (you can only imagine why!) and (unless to play tug-o-war with Lucy) and the whole, waiting at the door til someone comes and gets me was a new thing. AND she and Lucy were always by eachother's side. So happy they played well together, otherwise it would have been a rough 10 days! 

Mandarin, my favorite restaurant EVER! With JJ, Halen & Asher. Again, fun night!

Drive home, still in Utah. Thinking in my head (please snow, don't let us see eachother again until next year! PLEASE!)

Not in Utah anymore. Probably in Ca. Lady was loving the sun. We got a lot of good laughs from neighboring cars. She look so big and strong in this picture!

Sunset in Corona, driving back alone because I dropped off Lady & Drew in Redlands so he could spend time with his Dad. I had a wedding to photograph the next day in SD. I had a lot of fun grocrey shopping before I got home so I'd have milk & cereal for the morning.. and then unpacking the entire trip AND suitcases so I could get back into the swing of things. (could you sense my sarcasm?) It was alright. I fell right asleep the second I laid my head down and the wedding turned out awesome! Good ending to a good Christmas vacation.

I photographed Chase & Amy's wedding in SLC..but sadly didn't get one photo with them, because I was the one taking the photos! Anyways- I snagged one with them at their CA reception. So happy for you two! 

Onto New Years Eve. We always do the olympic-minute-to-win-it games and this year, we were Indonesia. I wanted to make our outfits this year (since I am the ultimate seamstress..) and they actually turned out pretty fun! I was originally going to have Drew wear the pants that I was making, but since he was in Redlands for most of the day, he wasn't there to try them on. So I scratched that plan (even though I had already sewn them to his sizes) and made them for me. I knew he wouldn't want to wear the ceremonial skirt & shirt.. SO I made a tank top for him :) Haha! He's such a good sport and we looked like a team! 2012, we are going to win. I know it. Get ready Mitch & Lindsay! The title will soon be ours!

The "hand-game". It's been a favorite for the 4 years we've done the olympics! Annnnd...

Drew WON! He was just as shocked as everyone else. So happy he won, and was still wearing his headband AND tank. Thanks babe.

Cute Jade. Asleep before midnight.

Midnight! Standing in our usual spot! 

New Years night with Dane & Chelsea playing a fun new game! Glad they could come see us for a few hours and catch up.

And the night got better because Heather & Tay showed up! Thanks Tay for hangin in there when you were so tired! We miss you all!

Laying on the beach at T-Street while Drew was out. Love where we live and wish everyone we love in Utah could live here with us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2012 is our year!

We were not able to get our Holiday card out to every single family member or friend (or even good friends!), so I thought I'd post it on here just in case. And for memories sake in case it gets lost over the years.

Thank you to my dear friend Amanda for generously taking these photos for us, seriously last minute. We love you and appreciate it! It was an insane few weeks before we left for Utah and we weren't even going to take them. But I gotta keep the tradition up! We loved this photo because Lady was looking right at Amanda. (The whole time she was eating the fennel leaves around us..it was extreme black licorice smelling..)

Happy New Year everyone! This year could either be really eventful for our family of 3, or really boring. Hopefully eventful. We also hope to make more friends and keep the old ones tight to us. Love you all!

December Update

Not quite sure who really is even reading this blog anymore, so hello if you are. To be honest, I never read blogs anymore. Like ever. Sometimes I will click on a few links on my side bar. Half the time, they haven't updated or there is just too much happening on it I just click out of it. But I definitely have my go-to's.

Anyways.

This last middle of November- now has been the craziest busy I have ever been. Even while in school. I love being busy, but not during the holidays! All I want to do is snuggle and play and sleep in. Guess that's what grown-ups do, is be busy during the holidays right? Shoot.

We are here in Utah (finally!) after months of anticipating Christmas here. Not too snow-y, but definitely very cold. And we have our Lady here! We are excited for games, skiing and lots of quality time. We need a break from everything and it will be nice to just hang out.

Speaking of skiing, we just did a weekend trip in Big Bear with my family, as sort of our Christmas since we wouldn't be there. We spent half a day snowboarding. I finally got to see Drew's mad skills and he was really good! I'm sure he's even better in Utah snow. We also celebrated Micah's 6th birthday. We played a few christmas "minute-to-win-it" games and did a silly game that I'm not supposed to blog about. :) Here are some photos I took from the 3 days:

Half-Birthday

Today is our little Lady's half birthday. We are in Big Bear right now, and she is at a friend's house for the weekend. So sad we aren't with her but know that she's probably having a good day.. because her days are usually good if she's not getting her face chewed off by some German Shephard at the dog park. Anyways- little Lady- happy 1/2 birthday! We love you!

(Her birthday- June 10, 2011)

Drew snagged this photo during her morning nap while I was at work one day. We had only had her for a couple days.

Kinfolk

 

Have you heard of Kinfolk? Go check it out here. And see this video on their website, love watching it. Drew was just hired by them to do some web stuff and needed a simple photo of him to go on their website- to add to their collection of designers, photographers, marketers.. etc. It's really cool. While I've been a busy elf in our office doing my etsy stuff, Drew's been doing Kinfolk work. Right after we took the photos today, one of their books was sent to us! So exciting! Drew immediately thought to give it to my dear sister in law for a gift, but sorry, I love it too much! It says "A Guide for Small Gatherings". Hello. Totally me. Not too big, but not too small of a gathering is my kinda gathering. So we will definitely be admiring this on our coffee table and at our bedtime readings. 

Lately with Lady

Lately, life has been nothing short of BUSY. I feel like my old self again, while at school I mean. When we first moved here, all I did was sleep in, go to the beach, come home, take a nap, and do it all again before bed time. I was a little worried that that was my new life. Now, I wake up at 7 sharp, we switch off mornings of taking Lady out, and the etsy shop-making stuff making begins. Or I get called into Anthro. All I want to do is wrap all the presents we've bought for our family and friends (yes, we are totally done now!) and drink hot cocoa and catch up on old shows and blog. I am loving this etsy stuff though. I've purchased a lot, yet sold a lot, so I feel like I'm justified in shopping online.

Thanks to my lovely Drew, our fake tree is up and I decided this year to not put any ornaments on it because I think it's so pretty just plain. He said he thinks that's the German way of decorating trees. THEN, I saw the "holiday" box in the garage, and saw all the ornaments Drew's bought for me in the past. We bought one in Bali (it's a mermaid, I love mermaids!) and he usually each Christmas, buys us a snowflake ornament. I now have a Swedish one and a wood one. I love them. So, our tree is no longer simple and pretty, it's cluttered with only about 8 collected-over-time ornaments. And, our tree is also in a basket because we have no idea where the bottom went. Go us!

Did I mention that our house has never looked so bad. And I haven't made a meal in probably 3 weeks besides simple bruschetta pasta. Then I have a few family shoots to edit. I want to do it all, but there is just not enough time in one day! The best part is, Lady loves to be near me, always. She switches off though. If I'm not home during the day for a good three days straight (black friday week at Anthro), she becomes very attached to Drew. But otherwise she is at my feet or lap.

Right now, Lady is snoring below my feet on a pillow, in the sun. I have to be very quiet and I'm using the day today to CLEAN. I can't wait, except I can't make any noise or she wakes up and follows me. She is so tired that she gets anxious, because she needs to be by me always! I'm sounding very redundant, right? I feel like this is what it would be like to have a newborn. They need all your attention, always. And when they're napping, it's the only time to get stuff done, like really get stuff done, unless someone else was paying attention to her. But man that dishwasher needs to be emptied so my sink can be emptied, but those dang dishes make so much noise there is just no way. All I can do right now is make the bed because it's quiet.

Here I go. Wish me luck!

I'm in a much need for a vacation in the sun (because I never see it anymore) and with lots sleeping.

(Sorry, there was really no point in writing all this, other than to get it out of my head and listen to my Lady snore. She falls asleep when I'm sitting at the desk.)

Who knew?

I feel like I've been neglecting my journal by not writing on my blog as frequently as I want. We've been really busy. With puppy and all, life seemed to just got a lot more hectic than it needed to. Who knew that having a dog is probably a lot more stressful than a child? Well, maybe not true, but she's our child, until we have one of our own (which could be centuries from now!) so for now, she is all we talk or think about. I never thought I'd be one of those people, but oh well. Such is life.

I've been selling these burlap stockings on Etsy and had no anticipation of them actually selling. Who knew? So it's been consuming my every moment when I'm not working at Anthro. Ya? You forgot I work there? It's really fun (and I'm still saying this after I worked all day today at black friday), but who knew retail would be so much work? I have a lot more appreciation for employees at the stores I frequent and will forever hang up the clothes neatly on the hangers, hand them my "go-back" clothes, and make sure when I'm on the floor, I will pick up clothes that accidentally fall off the hangers. The list goes on, but those are the main ones that cause my back to ache.

I haven't surfed in weeks. It's killing me and I need to get my body wet real soon before I freak. Then I think about my wetsuit and how it's just not as thick as I'd like. Shoot.

We just visited Utah for an entire week. It was a lot of catching up with family and friends, and a little music here and there. I loved being there and seeing everyone, but I realized a lot more of how much our lives have really changed since we moved, and how our lives are here now, not there. It was weird. I felt like I had gone on vacation for 6 months and was back. Then I had to shake it out of my head and remember our address and our new lives. We missed Lady and never want to leave her again!

Thanksgiving yesterday was really nice. I slept in (well kinda) and I went to feed the homeless with some family while Drew surfed with my brothers. The church that organized the feeding, didn't organize very well, and we weren't needed. So we left. Then I went home and showered and did some more stockings for my etsy peeps, then we headed over to my parents where I continued making stockings, while we watched Ellen and ate junk food. Then over to the Devines for some of G's glorious cooking! I always love spending time there I'm so grateful they're our family!!

Until next time blog..until next time.

Halloween 2011 Part 3

We spent actual Halloween night with my brother's family in San Clemente. I loved all their costumes, especially little Asher man- an owl! So cute! And by the way- it's much more fun tricker treating with them than waiting & hoping for hours for kids in Dana Point to come to our dumpy little house. It's not dumpy, but I mean come on. You want to go to the nice houses with manicured lawns for candy, or duplexes after duplexes ? That's what I thought.

All photos taken with Sensia 100-expired film