Welcome to the good life.

So Long, 2011.

Wow. 2011 is almost officially over. And what a year it has been.

• Rung in the year with friends in Long Beach

• Started a new job.
• Got the iPhone (finally!)
• Spent lots of time with family
• Enjoyed champagne brunch and weekends away

• Worked out. Well, sort of. 
• Enjoyed living in our dream neighborhood.
• Spent many nights at our favorite place, just us. Even became wine club members.

• Osama Bin Laden was killed. Victory for the U.S.A.

• Wore boots all winter long.
• Went to Vegas. Twice. May (G's birthday) and November (UNLV football). Too many laughs and drinks with the family.

 

• Celebrated our 1 year anniversary.
• Had major surgery.
• Paid for major surgery bills.
• Was asked to be a Matron of Honor

• Took a wine class
• Went for a challenging/beautiful hike
• Spent lots of time with very good friends

• Got a new car. Finally.

• Scrapbooked more
• Went to church more. And loved it.
• Spent lots of time reading and watching TV in bed.
• USC beat Oregon...pure bliss
• Booked our Bahama's trip for May 2012

2011 has had its difficulties and uncertainties. We've laughed, cried, screamed, and listened. So long, 2011. And hello to 2012!

Happy New Year, friends!

 

Just What We Need

With the craziness of Christmas, we decided to take this week to relax. No errands at night. No complicated dinners or chores. Just mellowing out on the couch.

Watching the many college bowl games. Hoping to get around to watching Hangover 2 and Bottleshock.

And we are doing some reading. Jon is working on "Sex, Lies, and Handle Bar Tape" and "Tour De Lance". Both are cycling books. I'm reading via Nook "The 4 Hour Work Week" (I wish!) and "The Twelfth Imam". Next on my Nook list is "The Tehran Initiative". Love reading before bed.

With two glasses of mulled wine, flannel pajamas and a Christmas candle. Just perfect.

Christmas. In Pictures.

Christmas consisted of lots of family, driving, laughing, wine, snapping pictures, reminiscing and much more. We drove approximately 300+ miles starting on Thursday. Very busy. And very happy. I'd have it no other way.

Hope you had a Merry Christmas too.

<3

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

 ⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

 ⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

 ¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

 ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.    -Luke 2:4-19

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve Currents.

• listening: to my Phil Wickham Christmas CD. Love his voice singing my favorite Christmas songs.
• eating: my individual brie squares with wheat thins. My ritual for this time of the morning.
• drinking: water. And vanilla cream coffee from our new Keurig. Addicting.
• wearing: new black boots and a scarf. Its going to be a comfy day.
• feeling: excited to spend time with my family.
• weather: perfect. 57 degrees.
• wanting: a day to stay in bed so I can get caught up on Teen Mom 2.
• needing: more coffee. And to start eating better.
• thinking: of my dad, today is his birthday. Happy birthday dad!
• enjoying: time watching Christmas with the Kranks on the couch with Jon.
• thankful: for a new day.

(taken from the awesome Amy Tan)

Wine Wednesday

Happy Wine Wednesday, friends! I can't believe today is only Wednesday...what a slow week.

This week's wine is unknown, due to a very blurry iPhone photo. It was an old world Italian wine from 2009. What was the name of this wine...I have no idea. I know that it was good. And it cost $11.99. Sometimes you just have to enjoy!

Cheers!

Pretty Things That Sparkle

I've been noticing a serious increase in sparkle...and I LOVE it! Everything is better with a little sparkle! What a perfect way to start off 2012!

Love the displays at Forever 21. And Express. So sparkly and so pretty.

My Pinterest has been exceptionally sparkly lately. Sparkly shirts, dresses, and shoes...oh my!

And I finally found my New Year's Eve dress. Perfect for spending the night at my favorite place+my favorite people+celebrating the start of the New Year.

Newport Beach Boat Parade

We spent last night at the Newport Beach Boat Parade...a tradition I look forward to every year! We were almost forced to go home, due to the random rainstorm. Luckily, the weather improved and it ended up being a clear and chilly night. Perfect for sipping hot coffee and walking hand in hand.

My iPhone pictures won't do the night justice...I did my best. Love looking at the beautiful houses and boats. This year we even took the ferry across, which was awesome because we had an amazing view of the channel. It was filled with boats and lights. So very lovely.

 

Wine Wednesday

Happy Wine Wednesday! Enjoy!