2 Days

I can't believe that its 2 days before Christmas! I honestly can't believe how fast this year has gone by.

Things that I am looking forward to...

Tomorrow I'm making our families famous Christmas cookies. I have been eating them every Christmas for my whole life and I'm still not sick of them. Its going to be my first time making them on my own. Excited. I have the cutest cutter to make them with.

Kolby and I both have the next two days off. A weekend together is very rare so it going to be treasured for sure. I'm thinking watching movies, wrapping presents, and drinking hot beverages. Perfect.

Christmas Eve night. Kolby and I carry the tradition of getting to open one present before bed. Yay!

Christmas Day. A full day filled with present, eating, drinking, and most importantly family and friends.

Snow

I want some snow....

Winter Weather

Winter weather has stuck Arizona. Its been raining on and off, and its been pretty dang cold too. I'm glad that its feeling like Christmas time. One week my friends.

Oh Christmas Tree

I love having a glowing, beautiful tree in my house.

Ugly Sweaters

 This Christmas our friends Nate and Tia are going to be having an Ugly Sweater Party! I'm am really excited because I think its a great event and I have never been to one. I can't wait to get together with my friends and look silly while drinking hot coco. Splendid if I do say so myself. So now I need to get an "ugly" sweater. I think that a bold holiday sweater will do just find if I don't find a cheap ugly one somewhere.

While looking around a came across some awesome deer sweaters. I don't find them "ugly" at all. I think they are goofy, but cute. I think for a holiday sweater party, they would be great!

late but...

Thanksgiving '11

Kolby and I, hosted our second Thanksgiving at our place this year. It was my second time around cooking everything so I think this year was much smoother. Also, Kolby fried, yes fried, our turkey this year so that was one less thing to take up the oven. I was scared to fry the bird but it went off pretty well he said. I didn't get to see it done cause he did it down the street at his families house. (we couldn't do it on our balcony... we probably would have burned the place down.) But Kolby showed up, right after my parents did with this beautiful, golden, crunchy, turkey. None of us had tried it before that night. It was a crowd pleaser that's for sure. Kolby did a fantastic job. I even had a few bites. It was so nice. Comfort food, pear cider, and cheesecake. Come one, you can't beat that. Plus being able to cook and host for my parents is so nice. They did it for all of us for so long. Its nice to do it for them.

We technically had two Thanksgivings. My parents came over the night before Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Eve if you will. Then on Thanksgiving Day, we went to his families. His dad made these awesome sweet potatoes. It was nice to have a day for each family really. Its hard trying to fit both in one day. I say, two Thanksgivings every year! (I think I my belly typed that last part...)

Look how snazzy my mister looks! Pretty cute huh? I love me a vest.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I know I did.

Happy Birthday Dad

Living the good life

My Dad also had his Birthday. On November 12th. He spent it at the Grand Canyon with my Mom and my brother Mike, and his family. He hasn't been there since he was a kid and I'm glad that he went back. It was my Moms first time so I'm glad they got to go together.

In all honestly, my Dad is one of the coolest people around. I'm so lucky that I have a good amazing relationship with him. He is the world to me and I am so proud of him in so many ways. I love you so much Dad. I hope you had a great birthday.  XOXOX

This is how we do it

Zoo Birthday

The Saturday after my birthday, My parents and I went to the Phoenix Zoo. I had never been there and it was actually pretty awesome. We spent all day at the zoo, then we ate a Cooper Town, and then had ice cream at Mary Coyle. My dad actually used to eat there with his folks when he was a kid. I plan on caring the tradition if I can. I was a perfect day to walk around the zoo. It was a bit chilly at first, but with the walking and the sunshine, it became the perfect temperature. Thanks for a wonderful day Mom and Dad!

Galapagos Turtles

Horrible picture but if you look close, its an fennic fox.

Lioness laying on a rock

Dad with a goat, and a goat...

Rhino chowing

Behind.

I know its been a month and I'm sorry about my lack of posting. I think I need to make a resolution to blog more this up coming year.

So lets start where I left you last. November 2nd.

Believe it or not, that was my birthday. My 22nd birthday to be exact. I spent it by eating lots of sweets, cuddling with Kolby, and playing video games. I know, pretty boring but there was so many parties leading up to my birthday, that the last thing I wanted to do was party. So I did a lazy birthday, and let me tell you, it was great.

 

I have the sweetest girlies in my ASL class. They made these for me.

 

The lovely Tia make this beautiful (and tasty) cake for me

                             And Kolby got this awesome ice cream cake for me. I told you, a lot of sweets.

The rest of the night pretty much looked like this. It was great. Someday I have that crazy birthday, but I'm glad that it wasn't this one cause nothing can beat this right here. So here's to being 2. Hooray.

Día de Muertos

Mr. Thomas

My Dear friend Thomas is moving to Connecticut on Friday. I have been friends with him basically since I moved here. Him and I have weekly "dates" and I'm going to miss him so much. A bunch of us got together on Saturday to wish him adieu. Even though he will be on the other side of the US, I know that him and I will always stay close. I hope he comes home for the Holidays! I'll Miss you Tom Tom!

This is Captain Thomas

Andy, Kevin, RC

Anthony, Nate, Thomas

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! I hope you had a blast getting all dressed up and eating massive amounts of sweets. Normally, Kolby and go to a party that our friends have, but sadly this year they didn't have one and Kolby worked all weekend anyways. So I went alone to a party that was being thrown by my Friends Jenny and Krystal. It was a lot of fun. I was dresses up as Alice in Wonderland ( I know, cliché but I really liked the costume I found online!) 

Me and Chantelle

Krystal and me

I dressed up as an Owl for work on Monday and won our costume contest! I made my mask and wings. I didn't take a picture of the whole outfit, but my mom did so If I get them, I'll show you. This was the mask

Elle wants to eat the Owl

I know its a year away, but I already know what I'm going to be next year. Its going to be epic. I think its going to blow my favorite costume out of the water. Whats my favorite costume you ask? When I was Alex from A Clockwork Orange in 09. yeah I know hes a boy, and a totally horrible dude, but he sure is a snappy dresser.

Me as Alex and Kolby as Mort Rainey from Secret Window

21!

My good Friend Krystal turned 21 on Thursday! Ever since I turned 21 last year, we have been waiting to celebrate hers. We went out on Wednesday at midnight (so technically Thursday) and went dancing. Then on Thursday night, a bunch of us went out to celebrate. It was a blast. Happy Birthday Krystal!!!

Friday!

Its been a while, but I couldn't help but play because of the fall theme... Join the fun over at Laurens blog the little things we do.

1.   Nothing says fall like     crispness. Felling that perfect crisp day or biting into a crisp apple, thats fall to me.

2.   My favorite autumnal tradition is   Carving pumpkins, and pumpkin patches. I haven't been to one since I moved here, but I really want to go this year.

 

3.  My favorite fall treat is  Cider. yummy

4. Fall makes me think of   Oregon     because   fall just isn't the same here in AZ. I need some colorful leaves and rain to make that "fall air smell."

5.  Autumn free form word association, go!   red, orange, tasty, brisk, wonderful!

6.  My go-to outfit in the fall is    Well, its still pretty warm here, but soon dresses with leggins, scarfs, and boots and my pea coat.

7.  My favorite fall holiday is (Halloween or Thanksgiving)   Hmmm... Well, I love both because each has a different part for me. Halloween is a friend holiday, plus you get to dress up. Then Thanksgiving is a family holiday, plus you get to eat tons of great food for like a week.  Both good in my mind.

Geek Out

Last week,  Kolby and I went on one of the best dates that I think I have ever had. We went to the Lord of the Rings in Concert! If you didn't know, Kolby and I love the movies, and the books. For his 22nd birthday, we spent it eating fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, in our PJ's, watching the movies. Also, I had got him the books one year as a gift too.  So naturally, when we heard this was coming, we wanted to go. I told him about it and he just gave me his card so I could buy them right away. We ended up getting AMAZING seats. Row 3 off to the right a bit from the middle. I'm glad we were not in the very middle cause the conductor would have been blocking us a bit.

So if you are wondering how the show works, (we had no idea until after we got there) it works like this. They play the whole movie with subtitles, but instead of the movie having music playing like it would at the theater, it has a live orchestra and choir to play/sing that part. The actors voices are still there, just the soundtrack is live. Here is a short video to help explain. This video also shows a bit of the amazing soloist Kaitlyn Lusk.

Kolby played the violin growing up, and I sang my whole life, so this was so much fun for us to bond over. We ate dinner and had coffee before the show, then we grabbed a drink after.  I'll tell you what, we can't wait for it to come with the second movie next year.  If you get a chance, go. It wont disappoint.

When we were walking down to our seats

From our seats

Life size Uruk-hai from the film. Much bigger than it looks.

List

 I'm a list person. I like making shopping list, to-do list, and basically any list that makes my life more organized. I'll admit, I'm not as organized as I'd like to be but I have been trying to get my act together. I saw this 21 day organization list on Pinterest and thought that it was a simple way to get your house de-cluttered without ruining a whole day by cleaning. I don't really look at it like a challenge (like her blog says), more of a helpful tool to help remind me that just because its a drawer and I can close it, doesn't mean it should be unsightly. So I'm going to give it a try. Here is the list and just in time to get my house ready for the holidays.

 

 

 

21 DAY ORGANIZING CHALLENGE

• Join the Challenge (at any time)
• Day 1 - Junk Drawer
• Day 2 - Computer Desk
• Day 3 - Tupperware Cabinet
• Day 4 - Linen Closet ( We don't have so I'm changing to entertainment center)
• Day 5 - Under kitchen sink
• Day 6 - Dresser Drawers
• Day 7 - The Pantry
• Day 8 - Coat Closet
• Day 9 - Toy organization ( I'm changing to Books)
• Day 10 - Laundry Room
• Day 11 - The Freezer
• Day 12 - Spice Cabinet
• Day 13 - Medicine Cabinet (We don't have this either so I'm doing bathroom drawers.)
• Day 14 - Under bathroom sink
• Day 15 - Medicine/Vitamin Storage
• Day 16 - The Fridge
• Day 17 - The Mail
• Day 18 - Keepsakes
• Day 19 - Master Closet
• Day 20 - Photos
• Day 21 - You pick!

Happy organizing. 

Fall

 Technically, Friday was the first day of Fall. Even though in Arizona, we are still having days in the 100s. So obviously it doesn't really feel like fall quite yet. Hopefully soon though. I absolutely love Autumn, and can't wait for it to be a little colder. I can start baking again, wearing my pea coat, and drinking tons of hot beverages. Oh, the joy of simple things.

Whistling

Just about everyone right now is singing Foster and the Peoples "Pumped up Kicks" and rightfully so,  its a great song. Actually the whole album is amazing. I really enjoy it and can't wait to see how they progress as a band, but thats not what I came to write about today. I came to write about whistling.

Whistling? yes, whistling. I have noticed how many songs that I love have a great whistle in it, and I wanted to share a few with you.

So obviously, there is Foster and the People "Pumped up Kicks"

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros with "Home"

The Black Keys with "Tighten Up"

Peter, Bjorn & John's  "Young Folks"

Basically if you listen to Andrew Bird you will be a whistling all the time. ex-"Oh No"

And last but certainly not least, Otis Redding with "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" I figured you can't even talk about songs with a whistle without adding him to the list.

I know there are a ton more but these were just from the top of my head. What songs get you whistling?

Its Lee, Austin Lee

Happy Birthday to my Brother Austin!!! ( no "in-laws" for us.) I am so happy that you are apart of my family and I hope that I can see you soon. I have a gift for you so get ready my friend. I love you so much! Another year older, another year wiser. I wish I could say happy birthday to you in German, but uh, I think you know how that would go :/ so I'll sign it to you next time we face time. Love ya!

Sucker for Strings

Today while listening to Pandora, (the best music website ever if you didn't know already) this beautiful string quartet started playing the song "Such Great Heights" from none other than the Postal Service. The group is called The Section Quartet. I am in love with it. It's perfect music for a rainy night here in AZ. Give it a listen, and while your there, take a look at their other cover. I'm sure you will find something that catches your eye. 

Enjoy!

On the Up

Even though I'm starting to get better, I don't like being sick even a little bit. I pretty sure no one does, but hey, who knows. But to be a positive spirit, I though I would post a few things that make being sick, a little better.

Tea time! I have always loved tea. I drink it all year round but I definitely up the amount when I have a sore throat. So cheers to a big cup of soothing tea! The picture below says a chocolate biscuit, but I have been enjoying some chocolate pudding instead, not dunking it though. ;)

*via*

 Napping. I can't tell you enough about how much I love a good nap. Kolby and I are nappers and I love it. One moment we are out and about and soon after we get home, we cuddle and take a nap. Its perfect to me. Oh and cuddling is another one of my favorite things when your sick. Having someone to love on you when your down is nice. I don't want to "share" my germs, but since this time around I got my cold from Kolby, we were okay to snuggle up.

This is how it normally goes

Last but not least, having Kolby and the little ladies ( Arie and Elle of course) around. Kolby always makes sure I'm up and out of bed on time, making me tea (hes a tea drinker too- one of the many things I love about him), and even gave me a nice little massage today. Thanks Boo! You make feeling crappy way better!

Oh! and I'm not sure if ever told anyone this, but my cats are so smart! I noticed about a year ago that every time I sneeze, Arie meows or purrs at me. Its like her way of saying "bless you" I'm sure of it. I need to get a recording of it! And little Elle, she has been on her best behavior lately too. I think she knows Kolby and I are under the weather.

That's it for now, but I really want to start blogging more. Maybe have a cooking day or craft day. It will give me something to blog about. Fall is coming and I love fall food and clothes so who knows. I'll keep ya posted.

Blah

My first three day weekend I can remember in a long time and I'm spending it home sick. Awesome.


Oh and I got my Iphone back on Friday. It was gone just shy of 20 days thanks to the great crew at Best Buy. I found these ads on we heart it and I think that they sum up my experience pretty damn well, but only the exact opposite.

It says under the geek squad logo "Fixed before it gets nasty." More like, "Fixed only after writing a letter to corporate telling them how much our service sucks!" True story.

Phoneless.

I am still phoneless...honestly, just thought I would let you all know that I'm not screening calls, just getting screwed over by Best Buy. (It will be ready Saturday my ass....)

It best be here by tomorrow cause trying to wake up without an alarm clock for class sucks. Also, working out without music sucks too. Also, I miss being able to call my family and I miss my texts from Kolby when he is on break. *sigh* It's so weird to think we used to live without them. The simple, good ol' days. Times have changed.

*Via*