Miracle of Life

Courtney and Josh are parents! Yesterday Courtney delivered their first baby girl, 6lb 13oz! We are so happy for them & are so sad we couldn't be there. This little angel is beautiful! I love how much hair she has too!

Congratulations to the new family! We couldn't be more happy for you. We can't wait to meet our new little niece!

R.I.P. Ruby

"Ruby Ruby Ruby Ruby Soho"....have you heard this song by Rancid? I'm not entirely sure I've even heard the entire song, but I used to sing this line when referring to my lovely ride.

Ruby. A not-so-red-not-so-much-pink-either automobile. Aptly named this when first purchased in High School (because everyone knows you name your car in high school...) The very first car that I purchased all on my own. She was a 2 door stick shiftin' warrior. Or survivor. Depending on your opinion of my driving.

1 year ago today, she was taken from us. In the middle of the night. A miraculous occurrence considering she had been rather moody (not starting whenever she felt like it). It was tragic, shocking, hilarious, and a godsend.

Our first thought....Really? My car?? Apparently her worn state and inconsistent behavior didn't bother her kidnappers one bit. They wanted her for her parts, I call it "Dexter-style death".

True, she was a little ugly. A little worn out. But she was the car that I drove when I ditched class to go shopping, the car that taught me to drive a stick shift, the place for my best musical performances, the taxi for my friends, the car that took endless trips up and down the canyon to longboard, see the leaves,etc. She was the car that took me to some of my most memorable concerts, to the places I probably shouldn't have been going to eat at 1am, and the car I packed up and moved out of my parents house in. She was the car that moved me from my single life in little Orem, UT--to the exciting and scary land of big California.


RIP Ruby, you were a good little car.

.............BUT, I'll admit....

I love my new ride more! Thanks for being stolen & making it possible!

IN MEMORY OF RUBY, THE HONDA CIVIC THAT COULD.
1996-2009

Sundace

Chris & I celebrated our 4th Anniversary in a cozy little cabin in beautiful Sundance! We had an amazing time. We napped, read, hiked, slept in, played horseshoes, and most importantly we had ZERO interruption from the blackberry! HALLELUJAH!! Spending time in the mountains is probably our #1 favorite thing to do together--from the trees & fresh air to the hot cocoa & slippers...ahhh I wanna go back already! Needless to say, it was a much needed & much appreciated time away.

Lucky little me flew in a little early to spend some quality time with the family. I wasn't exceptional with the photo taking, only because I was having so much fun! I felt lucky to see a few of my amazing friends while in town and it always makes me even more homesick...I wish I could hang out with them all of the time! 

I know I don't have kids of my own, so I won't fully understand this feeling until then..BUT..I can't stand how fast my nieces & nephews are growing up! It's so hard for me to miss so much of their lives...ugh, I only see them (most of them) 1-2times per year...NOT ENOUGH! They are the cutest ever.

Isn't family the greatest? I wish Chris' family & my family lived in the same state, so we could see everyone all of the time! I am so grateful for the time we had up there, it really recharged our batteries and gave us the boost we have been needing.

'Til next time Sundance, you were a dream!

Zooey

Tonight Chris is working. I'm spending far too much money on iTunes..& I just can't get over how much I love Zooey Deschanel. I know she was all the buzz when 500 Days of Summer came out, but I am still buzzin'. I love her music {She & Him}, her style, her bangs....she makes me want bangs like it's nobody's business. The Twilight concert series going on back home in SLC is seriously amazing and  She & Him are on tonight, so wish I could be there...

Summer is ending. Next week Sundance to celebrate 4years, then returning to full time work combined with starting school again. I'm happily welcoming fall & all of it's busy distractions. Anyway, you should download some She & Him, good stuff.

So Long Summer...

I can't believe Summer is almost over! How very sad! Although our summer has been all work no play (our first summer where we haven't gone on a trip! boo!)  it's just sad to see it go.  But I have to admit, I am already excited for Christmas. What?? Yup, Christmas. Anyhow, back to August...I registered for school! Wohoo, look at me!  I am equally happy as I am unhappy about this fact. Happy because I have been wanting to complete my associates degree (I know, it's almost too embarrassing to admit that I don't even have that done) for some time now & unhappy because well...homework! I am taking a few classes, including French! Eeek! So excited to learn another language! Classes start beginning of September. 

Chris is currently exhausted, never home, working. Ahem, in other words he is making the term 'single wife life' into something entirely new. I am being understanding &; supportive, but man oh man do I miss him. Lucky for us we get to have a little rendezvous for our 4th anniversary the 1st week of September...I am considering banning his Blackberry from this, not sure how he'll take that tho... 

So it's Back To School time for me! I guess this means I need to have some new back to school outfits, darn! ;)

Baby Shower & Beach Goers

This past week Chris' entire family (aunts, cousins, parents, siblings, etc.) all came down to spend a week here in Newport. I, of course, requested the week off & was ready to play! We started the week off with a baby shower for Courtney (I feel like her pregnancy has flown by!)--Lindsay, Ashley, Linda, and I threw the shower. We always have so much fun throwing showers, but tend to get a little crazy (as you can see below!). 

THE SHOWER

The next day, everyone headed south! The week was full of beach, pool, yummy meals, laughing and just enjoying each other. The problem was, Chris was not able to join. Like, at all. He spent like 15 min one night and caught a dinner with us on the next. That's it. No beach, no sunshine, no nothin'! I had a great time this week, but I couldn't shake how guilty I felt. Chris has been working 8am-11pm roughly each day for the past 10days...he hasn't had a day off (yes, he works weekends). He looks tired and worn out. I know this past week would have been just what the doctor ordered...but no such luck.  So here I am, enjoying his family and playing in the sun everyday...while he is working his butt off at this job. I missed having him there and I hated having fun without him. :(Ah, it was the worst!! 

The week was full of nice, beautiful weather.  I love LOVE LOVE where I live, and I love it even more when family comes into town to enjoy it with us!

NEWPORT 2010

4th of July Weekend

Chris didn't have to work!!! (well, not until Monday) We went to the beach together for the first time in ages, which was fantastic. We soaked up the sun, went to a friend's pool party, & just enjoyed not having to work. Newport has amazing fireworks over the water, so we set up a blanket & had ourselves a little picnic under the fireworks. They were beautiful ( fireworks make me so happy!) and watching them over the harbor made us both feel so blessed to live where we do (and that Chris was finally able to enjoy it!). We are both so grateful for this beautiful country, for all of those who serve, and for the freedoms we enjoy. It was our first 4th of July without either of our families, it felt weird but we still had a great weekend. Our summer is flying by, we can't believe we have already lived here 9.5months! Now we are just crossing our fingers that Chris gets a few more weekends like this one soon!