2008 Year in Review....in 50 words or less (not including the months)

January~ Unpacking
February~ HAWAII
March~ wishing we were in Hawaii
April~ still wishing we were in Hawaii :)
May~ Florida (Brianna is born)
June~US OPEN at Torrey Pines
July~ Palm Springs Marriage Retreat
August~ Birthday Bashes and New Jobs!!
September~ Mom's 6oth in MI
October~ Jack Sprat's series of unfortunate bee events
November~ Julian Apples (Yummy)
December~ 3rd Anniversary
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM US TO YOU!

The US Grant during Christmas...

In front of the NBC studio tree in Downtown San Diego
In the lobby at the hotel
In front of our hotel
Jack looking out the window. (our dog loves hotels and traveling)



For Christmas our family stayed at the US Grant. All three of us had a relaxing time and enjoyed a very Merry Christmas! It was nice to not have to think about cooking or anything else. We just enjoyed time with each other, opened gifts, and had a great time celebrating Christmas! On our drive home we ended up chasing a rainbow!

Merry Christmas!

Construction in our house

So since we have construction going in our house we thought we would construct a gingerbread house! how appropriate! It only took us two days to finish it! The first two pictures of the gingerbread house are Luciano's construction and mine are the last two. I went a little crazy with the sprinkles! :) Enjoy this holiday with family and friends! Merry Christmas Eve!

Christmas Lights with no snow?

Living in So Cal has one disadvantage during Christmas....there is no snow when looking at Christmas lights. As we were driving around last night looking at lights my husband who is born and raised in California said "You know what would be nice... snow on the ground while we are looking at Christmas lights....It just makes it seem like Christmas that way" (Look of confusion on my face) Then I remembered his grandma is from Michigan and they have gone back for Christmas a time or two. I grew up in the Midwest and went to college in Minnesota so I have experienced a white Christmas or two with the occasional ice storm, blizzard, wind chill that takes your breath away. Well at least we had rain :) I do have to admit that it did seem as though something was missing as we drove around. All in all we had a great time, and Jack loved sticking his head out the window as we drove past all the houses! Merry Christmas!

Dancing with the Stars on Tour....(don't laugh to hard)

Here is how my husband and I celebrated our anniversary. We went to see Dancing with the Stars on Tour. (insert laugh here) Our original plans were to just have a relaxing day at home and probably go out for a nice dinner. Then a few days ago my friend Kylee sent me a text asking if we were doing anything on Dec 17th because she had free tickets from work. We thought it would be something different and if anything we would laugh alot and pick up a few new moves :) The way I would describe the tour would be shameless promotions of the "stars" and cheesy! :) We did laugh alot and had a great time! Here are a few pics from the day! Thanks Kylee & Steven!

Happy Anniversary!!

Three years ago today I married LGP. It seems like so many things have happened since we met, but yet sometimes it seems like we are just getting to know each other. I love that we were married so close to Christmas because it is the most wonderful time of the year! I love the lights and decorated trees and the spirit of giving! Each year it makes our anniversary seem more magical! Happy Anniversary Fishy Lips!! I love you!

The Hussle and Bustle of Christmas.....

Merry Christmas to all and to all a GOOD-NIGHT!
This past weekend was a crazy but fun weekend! We had 2 Christmas Parties, 2 Work Events, A Christmas Play, ice skating with our married group, and a 5K! So all in all we attended 7 events in a weekend! Here are a few pictures to highlight our fun times! We spent quite a bit of time in the car, so enjoy our car moments as well :)

Family Traditions and Treats!

Being that it is the most wonderful time of the year, I thought I would blog about one of the traditions that I grew up with. My mom would decorate a tree (we had a few trees throughout our house)and under one of the tree (usually the one in the kitchen) she would put christmas tins with "treats" in them. So in honor of my mom I have started this tradition in my own home. We have Christmas tins with treats and I couldn't leave our buddy Jack out, so I bought him some doggy cookies that are decorated in festive Christmas colors! Make a new tradition this year with your families! Oh and the other picture is just a cute one of Jack after he got his muddy paws rinsed off! :) Happy Holidays!!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas...

The Creepy Snow Bunny (aka Luciano at the snowboard shop)
Jack snuggling with his new friend Mr. Grinch
I crazy glued my fingers together trying to fix an ornament that broke. Nail Polish Remover to the rescue! There goes my manicure! If you look in the left hand corner of the picture you will notice my little buddy is making sure I am ok. :)
Luciano is decorating our kitchen with lights! He is so funny!!


We had a great Thanksgiving weekend! We enjoyed some great food and we even unpacked all of our Christmas stuff and put it up! We did a bit of shopping and had a great dinner with friends at Cheescake Factory on Friday! Now onto the finishing touches of our Christmas Cards!

Edible Arrangements

So my husband surprised me on saturday with a bouquet of fruit! Strawberries, Pineapple and Grapes! My favorite was the pineapple because they were cut in the shape of a heart! So tasty! What a great guy!

Time to snuggle up with a good book....

So my husband and I are reading a book together called 'every man's marriage'. My husband works hard at everything he does. He is the best husband, friend, son, financial advisor, etc. that he can be. He continues to improve himself in all of these areas daily. We were reading one section of the book and I thought I would share the insights I have received as well. "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers" (1 Peter 3:7) I always had a problem with the scripture because every woman I know is far from weak. We continued reading and the author went on to describe this verse further. The Greek term for "weaker partner" can also be translated "fine china", which I think is a better translation within this discussion of marriage. How do you handle fine china? With respect, as you tenderly appreciate and even display its finest points. You don't slam fine china around or put it through the blast of the diswasher. Each woman is a piece of God's finest china, lovely in His sight. Since we are God's finest china let us respond with femininity and Godly character to those around us. For a practical application go enjoy some tea in a fine china tea cup!

Fall is Finally Here!!...we only had to go to Julian to find it!

The fog was rolling in and it was a frigid 65 degrees. The sun was not shining so it was chilly.


On the way home the sun started to come out


Jack & Luciano warming up in the car! Jack was so cold he was shivering


One of our favorite bakeries in is in the background


Jack was so sleepy on the way home.

We had a fun time and now have apple pie, apple cider, caramel apples with just caramel and with nuts, cookies made with cinnamon and pie crust, and of course we couldn't leace Julian without picking up some apple butter. I think we are all stocked up on apple treats for quite awhile!