One New Years Resolution - Check

So as promised in my last post, we finished our first house project of the year! I wanted to decorate our guest bedroom and when I first started out I wanted a pieced-together, eclectic, cottage look. Well I changed my mind before I really finished the first idea, realizing that really wasn't the look I wanted for that room. After searching the inner depths of my soul, I decided I wanted a more traditional yet cozy decor. It took us three weeks from start to finish and we learned how to install wainscoting, chair rail, crown molding, and case in a window - we could practically work at Home Depot now :)



BEFORE






AFTER

It's A Small World After All

So the other day, my sister, Wendy, calls and tells me about this piano she found on craigslist and that she wanted me and Jeff to come with her after work to check it out (ok mostly she just wanted Jeff to go since he has "The Ear"). So we drive to Mesa and knock on the door. You will never guess who answers the door...my friend Mary, who is a friend from BYU Nauvoo! Seriously, what are the chances of my sister finding a piano on craigslist AND her asking me to come with her AND it just happens to be an awesome, somewhat long-lost, friend! Such a small world! Anyway, it totally made my day.

On a side note, I'm really excited... we've been working on a house project this last week, which I am determined to get done before Jeff starts school next week and I am a "single wife" again. Anyway, hopefully I will unveil it's completion on my next post :)

Candy Canes and a Cozy Christmas

So I have made a New Year's resolution to post once a month, and I am so motivated I even posted about Thanksgiving as well (which I have quite sneakily backdated- hehe)! Christmas was so wonderful, I can't think of anything that would have made it better. We all headed over to my parents and kicked off Christmas Eve afternoon by making gingerbread houses.







Note that our house has a landing strip for Santa :)






Then Chris and Esther arrived with my newest, little nephew, Matthew Robert Gordon, born December 21, 2009. He is so adorable and his sister, Lily, kept saying she wanted to hold "baby Jesus".






After that, most everyone went to play Frisbee golf while, me and Mom got dinner ready. After dinner we acted out the Christmas story, Jeff, Amber and I were shepherds (although I thought we looked like we were at the spa) and Molly, spiritedly, was our little sheep. Then it was time for the kids to go to bed, and they were quite adamant that we not light a fire in the fireplace so Santa would not get burned - I told them he had a fire resistant suit so no worries! The adults played a fun round of white elephant (I got an awesome new hot pink purse!)



In the morning we woke up to sizzling bacon, eggs and apple rolls. We had a great time opening presents and Jeff has not been separated from his Ipod Touch since- only in death (or most likely a newer/ better device) will they part. Oh and a wonderful Christmas surprise was that on of my roommates, Carissa, is coming out to visit me in March! This was such a wonderful Christmas and I can hardly wait for the New year and all it will bring. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Turkey in the Midwest

So for Thanksgiving we went back to Iowa where Jeff's family all met up at Bob and Kristina's. While we were there we went and saw New Moon, which I think has irreversibly made me a "Team Jacob" fan. While we were there we played lots of games and I found time to read The Lost Symbol (entertaining read- but extremely similar to all the rest of Dan Brown's books, just different location and a new love interest for Langdon). Here's us with some of our nieces and nephews.

Then we headed off to Macomb, Jeff's hometown, for my first time ever. On our drive I noticed that every farm house had an accompanying red barn. I loved it! Do you wanna know why there is a tradition of red barns? Red used to be the cheapest to paint to buy. Anyway, Jeff showed me all around his old stomping grounds: where he was born, his high school, Dairy Queen, Western Illinois University, downtown Macomb, Journey- his favorite childhood card shop, and of course, his lovely childhood house. We had a great time and it was so fun to see where Jeff grew up.


While we were there we were able to make a quick trip over to Nauvoo to visit my friend, Amanda - recently home from her mission, and some of the Nauvoo sights. I just love Nauvoo. I spent a semester there while I was in college, and going back felt like putting on an old sweater - so cozy and familiar. Here we are in John Taylor's home, right near the famous little rocking horse.



We had a great trip and it was so fun to see all of Jeff's family!

Announcing the Arrival Of...

Wurli! Our new Piano! He already enjoys being the life of the party and here is some of my family jamming out with him.




(To my sisters who are dying for us to have a baby, I'm sorry- I just couldn't resist on the title) Anyway, we are looking forward to being able to tickle the keys of our little piano.

Cinnamon Rolls. I learned how to make cinnamon rolls! I know it is so silly, but I've always been intimidated by the whole yeast thing- I'm not sure if it's that yeast is a fungus or fermentation process or because it seems so "adult mom-like". Anyway, our ward had a bread/ cinnamon roll making class where I learned how easy it is to make bread in my (apparently) under-utilized Bosch. So that night me and my neighbor, Melanie, decided we would put our news skills to to the test while the boys watched the BYU football game. We made pizza, bread sticks, cinnamon twists, AND cinnamon rolls. Yes I think we were a little over zealous, but it was super fun and it all turned out great! Here we are with our pre-frosted cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven



Halloween. Since it was just Halloween, I can't post without at least mentioning it. We went to a block party and then enjoyed passing out candy to the little "trixters" (as I like to call them). I got to see my nieces Lily (the cutest Little Red Riding Hood you ever did see), Heidi (a pirate), and Amber (a witch- but she made sure to clarify that she was a "nice witch"). I went around with Ruth and my nieces "trick or treating" for a bit and to a couple haunted houses in our neighborhood. Let's just say I was glad to be holding the hand of a 6 year old when we went through the haunted houses because they did not try terrorize us quite so bad or pull the chain saw on us- few!

My Lovely Little .....

So I got home from work today and ran out to the backyard to see....


.....




.....




.....







.....



My Lovely Little Garden! And yes, if you look close enough you can see radishes, snap peas, green beans, lettuce, carrots, chives, cilantro, and basil popping up. Yet to make their appearance are green onions, spinach, parsley and oregano. I planted everything a week and a half ago and I just love going out each day to see what new plant has sprouted! Maybe I'll put up a photo update in a month after my green thumb has fostered the growth of flourishing, voluptuous produce that puts all the grocery stores to shame :)

Our Summer: Readers Digest Version

So here i am. It's a Wednesday evening, just got home from the gym and picking up a Quiznos sub (and it was free thanks to having a full Quiznos stamp card!) and Jeff is at school tonight so... I actually decided to post something. Since summer is coming to an end, which I finally came to that realization last night when I said goodbye to my sweet little sister, Anna (who we sometimes call Anita). So I decided to do a recap of our summer, briefly outlining the fun adventures we've had the last couple months.

Stop One: San Antonio, Texas

My cousin Ben, who I like call Benny Boo, got married April 30th to his lovely wife Elena in the San Antonio, Texas, Temple. They both looked fabulous I was so happy I could be there with Ben on his special day.


Next Stop: Orlando, Florida

My brother Chris graduated from Medical school on May 2. Jeff met me out there for the graduation and I must say it was the 1st and possibly only medical school graduation that I've ever been too. One of the things I remember about that trip was I reading Deception Point and I was laying out by the hotel pool and an employee brought around cool, wet towels and... mine smelled like fresh pears! I'm not used to having cool towels brought to me, much less ones that smell like pears, but I kinda liked it-so maybe I can train Jeff to do that for me? (hehe)

Next Stop: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Jamaica, Grand Cayman Islands

Next we went on a cruise with the whole family in celebration of Chris's graduation, and it was so fun, I didn't want to come home! First of all, I love the beach and Grand Cayman is on the top of my list of best beach places ever. While we were there we went to Stingray Island which is this shallow area just off of Cayman where there are TONS of "tame" stingray that you can walk around and touch them AND kiss one for 7 years of good luck. Needless to say I kissed one twice :)


Next Stop: Pine, Arizona

This year I got to be our ward camp director, so fun, and girls camp was at Camp LoMia May 30 - June 3. Growing up I always heard about Camp LoMia and how there were cabins and a stream and it was so beautiful and on and on, but my ward growing up never got to go there . So I was so excited when I found out I could go this year! It was so beautiful and the girls were so much fun, it really was a great time.


Next Stop: Los Angeles, California

Girls Trip! So when I found out Jeff was going on his "brocation" (to D.C.) it made it very easy to justify a girls trip at the beginning of July. Carissa (aka C-dog) willingly obliged to meet me in LA where our prego friends Julie (who I like to call Julia Bulia) and Karyna live. Julie was a very sweet host and even had enough bikes for us to ride to the beach!

P.S. I also got to ride the ferris wheel on the Santa Monica Pier - thanks to my friends for humoring me and riding with me!


Next Stop: Baby Redford

My sister Wendy had her adorable baby boy, Kyle (who I call Little Kylito- pronounced Lito Kylito), on July 10. Me and Ruth got to be in the delivery room up until she actually had the baby and it was great. We went through different names, chatted and fed her ice chips- which I'm sure she was wishing was chocolate. She was so relaxed and chill, you'd think she was there to get her toes done! It's amazing what an epidural can do!

Next Stop: San Diego, California

2 Year Anniversary on August 18th! Wow how the time has gone by so fast- it's been 2 really great years. Jeff took me to the Hotel del Coronado for a long weekend. One of my favorites of the weekend is that we rented beach cruisers (mine was pink with a basket) and rode all around the island. I love you babe!

Well that wraps things up for now. Stay tuned, we have a ward campout this weekend. Who knows what crazy stories we could have next!