Our love story

Our love story has been quite a whirlwind.  As most would say who know us, its been fast, breath taking, up, down and well, the best thing that's happened to us (yes, I can speak for him here too, after all that's what us wives often do :))!

Nathan and I met in March of 2009.  We met online on a site called OkCupid.  Yes it's true and not really unheard of these days but I don't think either of us would have thought we'd end up here.  I was working two jobs, finishing my Master's program and so over the typical dating scene.  A girl needs variety right?! I started exploring my options and with my busy schedule online dating seemed to fit right in.  SO after a number of blind dates as I like to call them (really catastrophes and hilarious stories to share with my friends), I came across a very handsome fellow.  I even made the first move…that's right, after reading his profile and seeing his pictures I sent him a 'wink.'  Ha ha…I can't help but laugh thinking about it.  Well I'll spare you the details but one message lead to multiple messages, daily, then a phone call, then a large phone bill and then our first date.

Our first date was at Macaroni Grill.  I told Nathan I loved Italian food on one of our many long phone calls and he listened (much like they all do in those first phone calls :)).  I had my girls outside and ready just in case, just a phone call away, and headed into what was the one of the first of many wonderful nights with this man!!  

Nearly 3 years later…we have become the best little family!

He's my husband, my best friend, my supporter…my forever valentine!  He makes me happy, laugh like crazy, frustrated and even mad but all of that is what makes him my better half!!

I Love You Babe!

Look who's TWO!

My BABY girl!

I'm so lucky that this sweet, funny, smart and caring little girl calls me Mommy!

She says 'bless you' when someone sneezes…

Asks to 'cuddle cuddle'…

Says her prayers…

Loves her sissy and wants to be a big girl just like her…

Never stops talking (like her momma)…

Loves to color, paint and be creative…

Feeds her puppy (with help from sissy)…

and warms every heart she meets!

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY EMERY!

Hey there twenty nine!

That's right, twenty nine.  Looks different when you type it out like that; but yes, I just turned 29.

I had such an amazing birthday this year, surrounded by my closest friends and family.  Although I'm another year older all I can think of is how lucky I am to be a daughter, wife and a mother (among many other titles of course!).

I had a wonderful night with Emery and the hubby.  

They spoiled me with cake and presents!

And my parents spoiled me too, even though they couldn't be here (I miss them so much terribly!!)

 Then on the weekend Nathan planned a wonderful Sushi dinner with all of our friends and a night out!  

Oh how I needed this!!  

My lovely ladies!

and my love <3

I'm such a lucky girl!  Happy Birthday to me!

What day is it?

I can't believe it's only Wednesday!!  This week has been is so long already.  Do you ever have a week where you've planned things ahead of time…errands, appointments, dinners, and even crafting time (for Emery's party of course) and NOTHING goes as planned.  Well this is one of those weeks.   And yes, it's still a work week for me! 

Poor Emery ended the weekend/ started the week off with a stomach bug.  I am not great at handling vomit so boy was I glad that this one lasted less than 24 hours!!

This was Sunday...

We stayed home Monday to recover.  And by the looks of things we were on our way back to my perfectly planned week…

Tuesday consisted of taking Emery to daycare, work, dinner and then…SICK!  Poor baby woke up in the middle of the night with a high fever and couldn't fall back asleep.

So here we are on Wednesday, 104 temp and headed to urgent care.  :/  Luckily Daddy was home and went with us.  

Of course urgent care wasn't very urgent and we didn't learn anything about her illness we weren't already expecting.  I ended up calling grandma and we came up with a more likely prognosis that I plan on having her pediatrician look into tomorrow.

 Still Wednesday but after tylenol, motrin and a cool bath!  Jamba juice, goldfish and a donut hole!  Don't judge us, it was all she would eat.  

Here's hoping that Thursday is a much better day!  

Almost TWO party prep!

 It's almost party time! Our little sunshine is almost TWO!  I just can't believe it.

But before I can get too teary eyed the planning has to take place!

All this little girl can think of right now is Minnie Mouse so a minnie party she will get!

I started this weekend with the banner.  I got my idea from Pinterest (of course!) and the creativity spun out of control from there.

Here's the banner that gave me the idea:

And here is my finished product!

I'm beyond happy with it!  And of course we had to hang it up because it's too pretty to just fold up until the party! :)

Here's how I made it:

I got black and pink solid card stock and a few 8 1/2 X11 patterned sheets that reminded me of Minnie Mouse.  I started by cutting hearts with an old Creative Memories cutting system I have. 

I cut them in both the pink card stock and patterned paper.

Then I found a canister in my house that was the circle width large enough to fit the heart within the circle.  I didn't have a stencil large enough.

 I then glued the hearts in the middle of the circles with craft glue.

Next I set out letters spelling 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMERY.'  I wasn't feeling like I wanted to hand make each of the letters so I found these cute letters at Joann's.  They were inexpensive and just the perfect size for the banner.

Then I used the craft glue to adhere each of the letter into the hearts.

Next I took two different types of 1/8 thick ribbon and cut 2" inch pieces.  I then took a single hole punch and put a hole on each side of each circle.  Then I began to tie each letter to the next.

Lastly for the Minnie Mouse heads I used a large circle and cut out two smaller ones to make a template.  I then traced it on black card stock to make one solid piece.  I used the same ribbon that I tied each letter together and created a small bow which I then glued on.  Finally I attached a Minnie at each end and in the middle.  The banner was quite long so I decided to attach her name under happy birthday and it actually makes the banner lay flat and even when it hangs.

Yea for Pinterest! Yea for being crafty this weekend and YEA for Emery's party!

(more details to follow ;))

Welcome 2012

 Nathan and I rung in the new year with our last date night of 2011 and our first one of 2012!!  Let's just say we were excited to spend this night without the little ones and enjoy a festive adult night out! (We love you little ones, but this was way over due! :))

 After dinner we headed to the lovely Jessica's casa.  One of my best friends and wbff (work bff :)).

Then we headed to George and Mandy's for the countdown.

Is it just me or did 12pm come so quickly?  We were having so much fun I couldn't believe how the night flew!

I'm lucky to be able to kiss this man each and every new year of my life!

 The ladies!

WELCOME 2012!

2011 was a good year for us but we are excited for a new year!  We will be focussing on our family and the love we have for each other.  Of course this goes along with my other goals to be healthy, happy and organized! :)

Arizona Christmas

When we left Arizona to head to California we left our tree looking like this...

 and when we returned home after a few days with Grandma and Grandpa, we found this!

Santa definitely didn't forget that we were away and visited our house too!  He even left some messy footprints for Mommy to clean up! ;)  That's okay Santa, this is the exact reason I invested in a dirt buster!

Even though it was quite late, the kiddos couldn't go to bed without opening the gifts Santa had left under their own tree.  Roxy too!!

First we opened stockings...

 And then the gifts!!

 As you can tell we were pooped out from our long drive!  The girls were excited to open their gifts but the fun didn't really set in until the next day.

 Phew,  2 Christmas' down, 1 to go…we still have to visit Nana and Papa! We'll save those pics for another day!