tis the season

Its christmas! It has been such a wonderful 2011, and very soon a whole new crazy year will be here! i cant wait~ This may sound a bit sad, but me and caleb were talking and discovered i havent had a christmas tree in 12 years, and he hasnt in 19!! so this year we got us a tree. Luckily, i have been gathering ornaments and getting some every year from aunt karen and granny- so we had a collection ready to go. we went with a real tree and i couldnt be more pleased. we miss everyone so much and hate we arent able to get to north la this year for christmas. we wish yall the merriest of days and a very happy new year!

first 20 weeks

Wanted to give everyone an update on baby Ella. Everything so far is going great! We went for our 20 week ultrasound a month ago and caught her playing with her toes. It was adorable! We have been getting her room ready slowly but surely!! Im growing fast and peeing literally every 30 minutes-- not complaining though-- this experience is incredible! I feel her moving around all the time, and Caleb has been able to feel her a couple of times too! Here are some pics of the first 20 weeks.

Thankful

This thanksgiving I have so much to be thankful for.
- Caleb, the most incredible husband any girl could have.
- Our little bambino, being pregnant and getting ready to start our own family has been the most awe inspiring experience
- Lucy, unconditional love from a dog is irreplaceable
- Mine and calebs family, neither of us would be who we are without this amazing group of people
- Friends, we have the BEST friends-- the BEST!!
- Health, so easy to take for granted-- but so important
- Our jobs, these days especially
- Our freedom, so thankful for those fighting for our beautiful country

We are so blessed. Happy Thanksgiving

fall

fall is finally arriving which means alot more outdoor activities! wanted to show yall a pic of our patio and how the flower bed has been thriving

We are gonna be a mom and dad!!!!!!

Well... We've made a baby!! We are so thrilled to announce that we we soon have another member to add to our family. Baby girl guillory is expected to be here April 3rd according to our dr--- but I have calculated march 28th- so we'll see!! I am now 17 weeks and getting bigger by the minute it feels like. We have been to a couple ultrasounds so far and seen her jumping all around- which is so awesome. as far as the pregnancy goes I have only felt exhaustion - no real nausea - major blessing! We can't wait for her to get here - in the meantime we will keep y'all posted

To make someone feel special ...

This past weekend was my Papa's would be birthday, and man how we all miss him! Our family got together to celebrate by doing his favorite-- a fish fry! Since then, have been thinking more and more about him and how he made all of us feel special, and I think I've decided " it's all in the name". Papa has 10 grandchildren; everyone of those 10 have their own special nickname that papa has given them. Looking back, that special name that only you and him shared meant the world! He never forgot it, he never called you by your birthname,and he always made a point to use it. It's funny noone else picked uP on the names- it was something only the two of you shared. As we gathered together to celebrate his life, I know was and is smiling down on all of us: sweetie pie, blondie, nubin, bubba, sassafras, beaucifus, buddy, ms. Aster, Putter pants, and peanut! So, here's to my papa- the best grandfather you could want. we love you and we miss you

Mason jars

I've always thought mason jars were adorable, especially the vintage blue ones- but my fondness for the antique jars keeps growing!! Luckily, it seems I will never run out of uses for them!
My obession started with our wedding when I used them for hanging vases going down our aisle and lighting on the front patio. I also use them around our house for vases, our toothbrush holder, or cups when I make lemonade, or other "fun" drinks; My friend, Kate, also gave me an awesome birthday gift last year-- solar light mason jars that she made. I have hung on our back patio, and I love them!! I have also found afew other ideas that I want to try. --terrariums, candles, and a soap dispenser to match the toothbrush holder

This summer Caleb and I took my favorite vacation yet! We traveled pacific coast hwy in California from san diego to san fran. It was breathtaking! We flew into San Diego where we stayed with Paul and Meghan in Encinitas at their adorable beach side cottage. While in that area, we went to coronando island, la jolla, and even drove to tiawana. Paul and meghan showed us a wonderful time. The first night we jumped to 2 or 3 italian resturaunts and had a awesome progressive dinner, we toured some beautiful gardens and enjoyed getting to know their town. Next,we drove to santa barbra where we had lunch,and strolled through an art market. That night we stayed in san luis obispo at the peachtree inn; we ate at a litte irish pub that some some great firestone dba beer on tap. We toured bubble gum alley, and it smelled horrible. We left that morning and stopped at morro bay where we ate at giovanni's, a small walk up shack, where we had yummy crab salad sandwiches. Our next stop was big sur-- my favorite! On the way there we probably stopped every 5 minutes to check out the spectacular views. We stayed at big sur campsite and cabins, where we stayed in an adorable little cabin on the big sur river in the midst of giant redwoods. We hiked all day for 2 days taking in all the sites.The redwoods are unexplainably magnificent. We went to julia pfiffer where we saw beautiful waterfalls and more redwwods. We also hiked around molara park where we waded across the river to hit a private beach that was covered with driftwood huts that people had made. Luckily, we were the only two on the beach so we were able to get out of the wind in one of the huts and enjoy the sunset while sharing a bottle of wine. So romantic. Both nights at the cabin we brushed up on our scrabble skills and enjoyed oreos and milk. On the way out of town we ate at rocky point restaurant for breakfast. The view was incredible, and the food delish! Next was point lobos where we hiked more; sea otters and sea lions were everywhere. That night we stayed in pacific grove in an oceanfront spot. We drove the 17 mile road, saw pebble beach golf course, and the "lone cypress". That night we ate at this place called fishwife-- YUM!, after dinner we walked to beach for another sunset, and yet another bottle of wine ( we seemed to have ALOT of wine on this trip ). The next day we went to the Monterey bay aquaruim where we saw some really cool exhibits.-- sea otters, jellyfish, and seahorses. Next stop- napa. We went to darioush winery and jessup cellars where we bought some great wine. We stayed at a B&B in yountville called maison dufrene ( so sweet ) and ate at bistro jeanty that had the best french food ever. The next morning we went to muir woods where we walked amongst giant sequoias! spectacular!! Then-- our last stop of this amazing vacation was san fran! this city had the best energy. Paul and Meghan flew up to hang with us again. We stayed at the sir francis drake in union square. We went shopping (awesome), toured chinatown, and the wharf, and ate at some pretty fantastic restaurants-- the stinking rose (a garlic restaurant ) and rioko sushi, and some place in chinatown. We also found this awesome dive bar in chinatown where we spent a good portion of our last night listening to janet jackon and drinking mia tias. I hated to see this trip end. The landscape of California was the most beautiful Ive seen. I loved the succulents and flowers that grew like weeds everywhere we went, I loved the weather, the wine, the drive, the ocean, the rivers, the mountains, the giant trees, and most importantly I LOVED experiencing it with Caleb. We had a blast! Here are afew of our favorite pics. enjoy!