Monday, August 25, 2014

Behind the Shutter Vol 1, Issue 8



August 18 -Puppy on a Pile - So I made the puppies beds to match our new bedroom...and then I found Diesel on top of a pile of dirty close IN THE HAMPER!! I guess we know what he thinks of their new beds...

August 19 - Bringing home Dinner - Ryan is the cutest darn Pizza boy on the Planet! Thats all I have to say about the matter!

August 20 - IKEA Shopping - I found some cute bed side tables on line at Ikea's Website.  Ryan in all of his amazing manliness not only shopped with me but put the tables together! This is how he loves me!

August 21 - Guest Room Prep - My Mom has this really wonderful habit of leaving water and snacks in her guest rooms at home. I took to pinterest and some of my favorite blogs and found expanded ideas for guest preparations like Guest Baskets, and Towels and Lamps.  Ryan's Brother and his Wife and Kids arrive tomorrow and we are super excited to have them!

August 22 - We are all horrible People - After our guests arrived and we grubbed on some super yummy Pulled Pork from our old faithful crockpot we decided to sit down for a game of Cards Against Humanity. We are huge fans of Apples to Apples around here, and CAH is a similar game, but an Adult Version.  We had a wonderfully awkward time playing with my Mother in Law! There was lots of laughter and blushing going on!

August 23 -Jello Jiggler Fun - I found USC Jello Jigglers at the market and decided that we should make some for my Brother in Law Erik as he is a huge USC fan! My great niece Bella was hanging out with me, and was a wonderful helper! She is so lovely on the inside an out at 5 years old! She knocks my socks off!

August 24 - True Blood Finale Girls - This is my niece Meagann, she jumped in and surprised us when she road tripped with her Mom out to see us! We shared a special evening with Blankets, Pizza, her cousin, best friend and the True Blood Series Finale. I think we will be in shock for days, Bill dying, Missing Lafayette, and wondering who Sookie's Baby Daddy is.... Oh it was a terrible finale...just terrible...ill be crying in my pillow if you need me!

Monday, August 18, 2014

Behind the Shutter Vol 1, Issue 7


August 11 - Burger Grubbing - With all of the projects we have going on at our house, we have been eating out way too much! When we got home from work, nothing sounding good to eat for dinner so I ended up at a little hole in the wall place called Jim's Burgers  It was pretty Yummo!

August 12 - Cheesecake and Giggles - while shopping for end tables, lamps, and birthday gifts we took a few moments and enjoyed an early in the week date night at the Cheesecake Factory  It was so wonderful to stop and take a breath and a bite together. Having a few moments together really solidifies our relationship and the love that we have! Its good stuff!!

August 13 - Happy Birthday Dad - We celebrated my Dad's Happy Birthday with Shepherds Pie and carrot cake from scratch! My Mom does such a great job loving my Dad! We are so very thankful and blessed to have another year with Him!! He is such a wonderful man!

August 14 - Some days you just have to smile, and wear pink lipstick - I woke up with a scratched eye, I mean who does That in their sleep? This girl does. It was terribly aggravating to deal with all day and I had to remind myself to smile! On the other hand, this incredible cute hair cut I'm sporting totally makes me smile! 

August 15 - Catalina Fun - I spent the day on Catalina Island with my work. We go there once a year as an employee appreciation event. The island is where I met Ryan 10 + years ago, it holds a special place in my heart. I spent much of the day watching many of my co-workers enjoy libations a bit to much, and well as having a few drinks on my own! Its a great time, and one of the things that I love about the company I work for!

August 16 - Snookie Sitting - We watched our niece's Boston terrier Snookie. She is 7 weeks old, and is so sticking adorable! We had to keep her separated from our boys, because she does have all of her shots which made everyone sad! Her sweet puppy breath and and noises made us reminisce about our boys as puppies. We are certainly crazy dog people!

August 17 - August Family Birthdays - We celebrated the August Birthdays in my family here at my house! We grilled kabobs and I made a Vanilla Cake from Scratch! It was so amazing having multiple generations of my family in my home! Its making all of this hard work worth it!

Monday, August 11, 2014

Behind the Shutter Vol 1,Issue 6



August 4 - Slats Slats Slats - Ryan is the king of removing extra slats from blinds. I don't think there is a more complicated process on the planet! Oh how I love how handy he has become! I couldn't help myself, and spent most of this time running around singing "Slats Slats Slats" to that Shot Shot Shot...song...Im hopeless...

August 5 -Hanging Pictures - We are working on finishing up our room and I picked up four mushy love prints to frame and hang. Thats right ladies and gentlemen, I hammered and hung them perfectly centered and in alignment! Putting two generations of carpenters genes to use!

August 6 - Dressing a room - After shopping at multiple stores, Bed Bath and Beyond with their wonderful  coupons and selection saved two of my guest rooms! I found these amazing twin comforter sets that match our Facebook blue room! I am super excited to see how these rooms are coming together!

August 7 - Monkey Madness - We went to the Angel's Game with the 30's Group from our Church  My parents are the leaders of the group, and we always feel special when they include us in their plans. We were not however, excited that our Angels lost to our cross city rivals the Dodgers. The freeway series failure has all the rally monkeys out in force! My Mom....is a a little crazy with her navy blue monkey. 

August 8 - Hobby Lobby Problems - Have you heard about this place called Hobby Lobby  Yeah its a problem for me. All of the amazing ideas and creative goodness under one roof is just an anxiety inducing hysteria for me. I can't get out in under 2 hours or with less than $100 spent.  And they have their CHRISTMAS stuff out already. Oh my, Hobby Lobby Problems you all!  This is a pink glass that I was sure I just had to have. Let me tell you my homemade chai latte is just amazing in this glass!

August 9 - Happy Birthday Becky - We celebrated my sister in laws birthday at Outback Steak House as is our tradition! Good steak and amazing dessert, how can you go wrong! We celebrate sharing another year of life with this sweet Woman, and we are thankful to have her in our family!

August 10 - Puppy Pillows - I completed a quick DIY project and made Puppy Pillow Beds for our Bedroom. Joann's had a sale on the Pillow filler and I bought fabric that coordinated with the fabric we used on our head board. The  jury is still out on if they like them. I think Opie feels a bit like the Princess and the Pea, he is refusing to share with Diesel. Silly dogs!

Monday, August 4, 2014

Behind the Shutter Vol. 1, Issue 5



July 28 - Sonic Nerd Yummyness
I'm having a summer love affair with drinks at Sonic. Or in this case, lunch and drink...a drink full of nerds for that matter. Sonic offered its slushy drinks with nerds this summer, and I just couldn't wait to try it.  I cant say that I was totally thrilled with the experience, no nerds for me next time. Something about crunchy candy in my soda straw that just didn't sit right with me. I have texture issues...what can I say. Like that time I tried that boba stuff that was all the rage with the cool kids a few years ago....No I don't want slimy balls of goo in my drink, thank you very much!

July 29 - Dinner with good ole Friends
We had dinner with a friend of Ryan's from junior high who lives in Montana now. He was down visiting with his wife and daughter and we had a wonderful time grabbing some dinner with them. I so enjoy meeting people from other parts of the United States. Their experiences and day to day lives are so very different from ours. They had difficulties conceiving as well, and openly shared their story ending with a successful round of IVF. This was the first opportunity I have had to ask my questions and hear face to face thoughts and experiences about IVF. I was so very blessed by their willingness to share their story and their sweet baby girl with us. She is just a bundle of wonderful!

July 30 - Silly Puppy Love
Oh Diesel, what are we going to do with you, and all of your cuteness. We are starting to notice that he is settling down, and is fully out of his young puppy ways. In my heart I was hoping that he might always have the crazy energy and wild playtime, but this more "mature" version is just as wonderful!

July 31 - Shakespeare in the Park
There is an acting troop called Shakespeare by the Sea that performs plays during the summer at local parks in Southern California. We attended "A Midsummer's Night Dream" at a park in Santa Ana with my parents and their "30's" Bible Study Group. It was a wonderful time, even with a local flock of wild parrots adding background music for us. I was completely blown away by the actors and their skill. I just adore being around people living out their dreams, their passion, their talent! Its a reminder that gets my heard pumping a little faster to live mine!

August 1 - They said I do..
I was the photographer at the wedding for a friend at works son and soon to be daughter in law. This cute sweet couple created a day full of laughter and love! I was so excited to have captured their day!! I just love, Love.

August 2 - We love Jesus
My friend Michele and I went to a women's retreat at her church, for the The Ruth Experience by Patty Bivens. I didn't really know what we were in for, and was so very glad that we went! We learned so much about Ruth and her journey with lots of life lessons and take away's. Especially knowing the difference between mashed garlic and mashed potatoes! We ended our time together with a fun craft of creating prayers boxes. I so treasure having friends that love my Jesus. Michele is such a wonderful support, and our shared faith helps to grow and keep our friendship solid.

August 3- Portillos
We the help of my Mom and Dad we conquered hanging our DIY tufted head board and celebrated with Beef Dip Sandwiches at Portillos . Some close friends said that they were the yummiest in town, and boy were they delicious. Great way to end a Sunday afternoon of hard work!