Christmas Card Extravaganza

Hello! Yeah, I remember how to blog. It has sure been awhile. I could list off plenty of excuses for why I haven't blogged lately: no photos, nothing exciting happening in my life, blah blah blah. Mostly I am being lazy.

So, if you know me, you know that I love to do paper crafts. Mainly make cards. I found some awesome Christmas paper and have been going to town making Christmas cards the past couple weekends. I love the tan, paper-bag look of the cards. It matches the old world Christmas paper perfectly. Now I don't pretend to be awesome at making cards, I am still a beginner, but I do love it. Not to mention it entertains me for hours and hours so Doug can actually get his homework done. So here is what I have been up to lately. Let me know which one is your favorite.

Date Night: Korean Food and Forts

I have been so behind on blogging. Lost my moment I guess you could say. Work has been busier than ever and blogging has been the last thing on my mind. But no matter, we are doing it now!

About a month ago Doug and I had a fun Friday date. We were feeling tired of our usual restaurant places and decided we wanted to try something new. We chose Korean food and went to Spicy Corea on University Ave. It was a Friday night, so we were expecting it to be crowded and for there to be a wait. We walked in and there was only 1 other person there eating. Score! No wait! We both ordered the beef bulgogi which was very delicious. It is beef that has been marinated in a sweet juice, then cooked with onions and carrots. You eat it with rice, and the rice was purple! The meal overall we would give an 7.5/10. Good food, good service, but a little expensive for our poor income. Ha not that it was an expensive place, it was just more than our usual run to Costa Vida...

After dinner we perused the library for some flicks. The library always has interesting movies that we have never heard of before. And some we realize, we haven't heard of for a reason...When we got back to our apartment I was feeling a little restless and not quite ready to bunker down in my over-sized basketball shorts on the couch for the rest of the night. We had the brilliant idea to make a fort! Yes, we are 5 years old. Building a fort in our tiny apartment, with limited furniture to use as props is no small feet. But with some help from some tape we got a passable fort. We then enjoyed an evening of Julia Roberts in "My Best Friend's Wedding" and pazookies- my first one ever. Made the fort 10 times better.

Throwback Thursday #2

Throwback Thursday. Who started this thing? And why? I mean I guess it is fun to look back and reflect on past memories and good times. I haven't been alive that long, so my throwback only takes me to pictures filled with awkward teenage years, silly high school dress-up days, ugly 90's glasses, and bad haircuts. I suppose if I really try, Throwback Thursday can be quite therapeutic in a way. I get to reflect back and look at how much I've matured (I hope), not to mention how much better my hair looks now. Its fun to remember those carefree days with no bills, no stressful jobs, and really no other worries but if your first name sounds good paired with the cute guy from 4th period's last name. (Such a real worry by the way.)

You are in a for a treat today. Prepare yourself for what I have dubbed Transformation Throwback. I have chosen to share with you my picture from freshman year of high school, and my picture from senior year. Nothing like a transformation photo to remind you how blissful it is to know you never have to go back to being between the ages of 12-14 again. At least by the time I got to high school I was braces-free. Thank you Dr. Haslam for taking those off 8 days before that terrifying first day of high school.

July: Start to Finish

This has been such a busy summer so far. I can't believe we are already into August. Doug and I have both been working full time. Keeps us pretty busy. As usual, I have been horrible at taking pictures. I really should change that up.

July has been great though. Started the month off right with Fourth of July. We made the most of the holiday. Went and saw "Now You See Me." A very good movie I must say. Then we went to my parent's house for a BBQ. And ended the night by going to the Stadium of Fire! Kelly Clarkson! The tickets were my graduation present from Doug. It was so fun.

Kelly Clarkson is down on that stage, I promise! 

July has been filled with mini-golf, swimming at the water park, BBQs, games, and friends.

Last week we went on a vacation with my family. Every year we go to a lake in Washington. We spend all week relaxing by the lake, wakeboarding, skiing, eating ice cream cones, playing volleyball, swimming, and playing games. What a nice break it was from work. Hehe no internet and no cell service. I took a total of like 4 pictures the whole week. I know, I'm awful.

Oh and Doug turned 24! Happy Birthday babe. What a great way to spend your birthday- at a lake. I am so glad that you are mine! 

So July has been quite eventful, even if I don't have the pictures to prove it. Only one more month of summer sadly.  We better make the most of it!

One Entire Year

So slow on this post! Doug and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary on June 1st. The past year went by so fast. Part of me is so surprised that I have already been married a whole year, but on the other hand I can't believe its only been a year. I am already quickly forgetting what it felt like to be single. Thank goodness.

Part 1 of the anniversary day: Waffles made by my sweetheart. 

Part 2: He let me get my hair done. Summer highlights? Don't mind if I do.

Part 3: Going to dinner at a great Italian restaurant. Had a gift card and a coupon. Score! Great food for a great price.

Part 4: Coming home from dinner to this:

My mom had been hanging on to all our extra wedding announcements for an entire year just to bomb us on our anniversary. Silly lady. But it was sure a funny surprise to come home to. We came home the next day from our outing and found our faces all over the parking lot thanks to that wind.

Part 5: Going to the dollar theater to see The Great and Terrible Oz. We spare no expense.

Part 6: Cautiously tasting the top of our wedding cake (which my mother had also saved for an entire year in the freezer). Then really enjoying the cheesecake that Doug and I had made together. 

The best part of the anniversary was spending the entire day with my best friend. The past year has been the best ever. Everybody said that the first year would be the hardest, and if that's the case then I say bring on the rest!! I can't wait for the years to come. I love you, Doug.

Just Me and My Dad

This being Father's Day I thought I would take a moment to reflect on my own father, who I love very much. I think there is a special bond between fathers and daughters that just can't be replaced. I am so grateful that I have such a loving father who taught me so much. Sure we had our battles (what daughter and father don't?) but we have had some great times together.

My dad and I are very similar. We both have similar tempers, which can usually be manageable, unless we are together, in which case if there happens to be a point of disagreement we must battle it out (very loudly), even if the issue is who left the basement lights on which is a dumb thing to fight about. We both have wide feet. We both like to be funny. We have enormous sweet tooths (sweet teeth?). We love the Oregon Coast. We like to win. We like to drive aggressively assertively. We like to give advice to others, with the best intentions of course.

"Just Me and My Dad" is a one of my favorite childhood books. Little Critter and his Dad go on a camping trip. Little Critter is too little and young to do lots of things and keeps making mistakes like knocking down the tent, and letting a bear take their freshly caught fish. But the best part of the story is that Little Critter and his dad get to spend time together, just the two of them.

Thank-you, Dad for spending time with me, just the two of us. Those are some of my favorite memories. I loved going on walks with you and talking about everything- boys, college, careers, and movies. Oh those late nights of math homework trying to explain things a different way than the teacher did and making it ten times more confusing. At least we got the right answers in the end. I loved working on the Young Women's pinewood derby car with you (which we totally won). Thanks for teaching me how to water-ski, play softball, mow the lawn, and ride a bike. Where would I be without a dad like you? Thank you for being a great dad! I am so glad I have you to turn to when I have questions about finances or computer issues. Thanks for being a great support in my life. I love you.

Giving me some last minute advice on marriage. 

Throwback Thursday #1

This is my first "Throwback Thursday" post. I kind of like the reason to reminisce. The hardest part is thinking of what part of my past I really want to throwback too! One year ago I was eagerly counting down the days till my wedding. My family was getting all packed up to drive to Oregon where the wedding was going to be. It was a good time.

But that is not what I wanted to focus on today. In celebration of the first throwback ever I wanted to go ALL the way back. I'm talking 21 years back. Back to the beginning of my life. Is that a far enough throw for ya? Plus I am pretty vain when it comes to my baby pictures. Chubby cheeks, cute smile, what's not to love?

Okay, vain moment over... Thank you for scrolling!