Getting Crafty

As promised, I am going to share with you some of the crafts that I have been working on lately since I finally got some of them finished.

My first project to share is this pot holder. I didn't have a pattern for this but it was easy enough. The hardest part was putting the edging on but I'm still happy with it.

Here we have this bath rug that I knitted. This was such a fun one to make! I bought the cheap sheets at Ikea, ripped them into long pieces and put them together to make a big ball of "yarn". I want to make another one that is a little bit bigger and maybe dye the sheets a different color.

This is a bag that I sewed. I LOVE the fabric but the pattern I found online was a little confusing at the beginning. I definitely want to make it again with a little bit longer bag and a skinnier strap.

The inside is a yellow polka dot and it has a pocket.

 This is still in the making, but it is a scarf I have been knitting. It is taking a while, so hopefully it will be done by next winter.

 The other side.

And this is the one I am most excited about! It is a makeup bag and I LOVE the fabric I picked for it. It was so easy to make and fits my makeup perfectly.

 The best part is the inside fabric!

 A closer look at the lining fabric.

So that's it for now. I am having so much fun with my new sewing machine and I am continuing to love knitting!



Home for Alysse and Cody's Wedding

This weekend we headed up to the Bay Area for Alysse and Cody's wedding and celebrations! It was so nice to be home and to see so many wonderful friends.

I flew in on Thursday night. Jaicy picked me up from the airport and we headed straight to San Francisco to meet up with Alysse and friends for her bachelorette party. We went to a restaurant called E' Tutto Qua for some Italian food. It was fun to see Alysse before her big day for a fun night out. I was also so excited to see Mareike who I hadn't seen in almost two years! We got to chat, eat some delicious food and be entertained by the waiters as they attempted to entertain the big bachelorette party taking place in their restaurant.

Friday was such a busy day. It started with Alysse's bridal shower brunch at Katherine's house. I then went to visit my grandparents, had lunch with Jaicy, Rachel and Todd at Domenicos (of course), spent some quality time over at the Selland's, caught up with my parents, went to dinner at Chow with Jenn, hung out at the Andersen's, then went to Katie Pruchas house for smores with Katie, her boyfriend Eric, Defrisc, and Kirsten. Feeeew. By the end of the night I felt like Alysse's shower happened three days before. Nevertheless, it was a GREAT day.

Then of course was the big day! In the morning I picked up Jeff, Caisa and Melanie from the airport. We headed back to my parents for a last minute family BBQ with my grandparents, aunt and some cousins. As always my dad made some fabulous tri tip.

Then it was off to the city. It was the most beautiful day in San Francisco. We started off our touristy adventure with a trip to see the Painted Ladies (aka the Full House house).

We walked around Alamo Square Park for a little bit, taking in the perfect weather. Then we went over to Crissy Field to take some pictures in front of my all time favorite bridge.

Jeff and Caisa obviously had to have their traditional handstand contest with each other at some point during the visit. With this scenic view of the Golden Gate Bridge, it seemed like the perfect location for the challenge.

The Palace of Fine Arts was our next stop. It is so beautiful over there and just as we were enjoying it, Melanie, Caisa and I were showered with bird poop. Somehow there was NONE on Jeff. How in the world did this happen? No one will ever know.

Luckily Emily and Dustin had just moved into an apartment right there in the marina. We went over to their place to change for the wedding and visit with them. Their apartment is so cute and I can't wait to visit them in the city everytime we come home now!

We then rushed over to Sutro Heights Park for the wedding. I couldn't believe how amazing this place that Alysse and Cody found was. It was completely separate from the rest of the park and had THE MOST BEAUTIFUL view of the Pacific Ocean. We ate some yummy appetizers, then they were married right at sunset.

After the ceremony we grabbed some salt water taffy and made sure to take plenty of pictures.

Doesn't this picture look like we are the cast of a new TV show? I really think it does. We are so great.

Jeff and I are SO happy for Alysse and Cody. When I think about how far the four of us have come together I can't believe we are all married now. Alysse and I met Jeff and Cody in September 2008 and we basically haven't been able to keep them away from us ever since. The four of us have had so many good times together and I am so glad that we will continue to make more memories over the years.

The bride and groom cut their blue velvet cake, tossed the bouquet and garter and listened to their loved one's speeches just as the sun set. It was such a nice evening.

After the wedding, a group of us headed to Little Italy for dinner. We chowed down on pizza and said our final goodbyes.

I hate leaving my friends, but luckily there are about 300 more weddings this summer so it won't be too long until we are reunited once again.

A Quick Update

Since my trip to Utah, we haven't had any major events going on in our lives, but it still seems like we have been pretty busy lately. Here's what we have been up to:

--We spent a weekend babysitting for a family in our ward with three boys under the age of 6. It was definitely a nice little glimpse into what the life of a mom is like!

--I got my haircut. I realized that I haven't told any of my friends or family this yet but I did! It feels sooo nice to have it short again especially with summer getting closer.

--We have been playing on a coed outdoor soccer team. It feels so good to be playing soccer again and OUTSIDE! Fun fact: Two weeks ago we lost our game 3-2 BUT Jeff scored both of our goals and I assisted both of them!

--I had a fun girls night with some girls in the ward. Always good to have some girl time.

--I bought a sewing machine!! With that new toy and my knitting I have been working on lots of crafts. Someday I'll actually finish something and show you all what I have been making.

--We spent Easter up at the Thompson's house egg hunting and enjoying a delicious ham dinner.

--I have been really enjoying being in the nursery at church. It is usually pretty overwhelming since we have about 12 two year olds every Sunday (and that is only half of the nursery!). But I feel like I am learning a lot and the kids are just so cute.

That's about it for now. This weekend we head to the Bay Area for Alysse and Cody's wedding. Then Jeff has finals and will be done with his first year of law school mid-May! I don't think I have ever been this excited for summer and I am not even in school anymore. I just can't wait to actually spend time together on a regular basis.

And I promise I'll have more interesting posts soon...

Weekend Away

As always, my weekend in Provo was such a fun time with such great friends!

Thursday, March 31

Jeff took me to the airport for my flight that was at 10:00am. My flights went well and Emily was kind enough to pick me up from the airport in Salt Lake.

Emily took me to a restaurant called Sammy's in Provo where I met up with some friends from San Diego, Caisa and Melanie. It is always so good to see those girls! We all got some really yummy milk shakes and loved catching up. Then I went with them to go watch Caisa's sister's water polo game.

That night there was a big Danville reunion at Brick Oven. Every year the Danville Stake President comes to Provo and invites anyone from the stake and I was so happy I was in town this time! There were so many people there and lots of food.

Jaicy and me at Brick Oven

Friday, April 1

For lunch on Friday, Jaicy, Melanie, Caisa and I went to Cafe Rio (a Provo fav).

I then went and met up with Emily and we headed over to Chelsea's house to meet her son Beck!! He is so adorable and Chelsea is already the perfect mom. It was so surreal, the three of us sitting in a house holding a baby that belongs to one of us. I still feel like we're 15 and should have been getting ready for a church dance.

Isn't he just adorable??

I just love him!

After our wonderful visit with Chelsea and Beck, we went shooting to celebrate Dustin's birthday! It was so crazy how different Utah is from California. We drove across the lake and literally pulled to the side of the road where there were quite a few groups shooting away at the hillsides just a few feet from the road. haha. It was pretty cool though!

Me, Lindsey, Erin and Emily. Love these ladies!

Neither of us had shot a gun before, so I was glad Lindsey was there to learn with me!

It was a little scary at first, but we got the hang of it. Someday I'll be as good as Emily. (She beat all of the boys in a shooting game!! Woo!!)

Once the sun was setting we drove back to Provo and had dinner at Outback. yummmmm.

Saturday, April 2

This was the day of Rachel's bridal shower! Jaicy and Mollie had spent hours planning and on Saturday we put it all together. We spent all day baking, running last minute errands, and trying to listen to General Conference. We made so much food. There were cookies, brownies, peanut butter bites, cheesecakes, cupcakes, spinach dip, fruit salad, and veggies.

The spread.

Jaicy and Mollie planned such a fun shower and a bunch of Rachel's friends were able to make it. We played some great games and ate as much sour dough bread as we could.

Some of the ladies at the shower.

After the shower, we were all exhausted from being in the kitchen all day. Jaicy, Rachel, Mollie and I sat on Jaicy's couch and had some great girl talk. I seriously love those girls. I am so happy for Rachel and Todd and can't wait for their amazing wedding in August!

Sunday morning we had breakfast and watched some of Conference before I had to head back to the airport. It was such a fun weekend with people I love! Also, a big thank you to Jaicy and Evrhet for letting me stay in their beautiful house one last time before they move.

It is always good to come back to my husband who I missed dearly though. Luckily I'll see these ladies again in less than a month for Alysse and Cody's wedding in San Francisco. Can't wait!

Can't Get Enough

Provo, Utah, for some reason I can't get enough of you. Here are a few reasons why:

Fall 2007

Jaicy's Bridal Shower

Shmike's Farewell Trip up to Rachel's parent's house in Huntsville

Fall 2008 Soulmate at the park Rooney Concert

Winter 2009 I couldn't find any pictures but there was a lot of snow!

Fall 2009 Haunted Trails Sundance Moonlight Lift Ride

Fall 2010 Emily's Bridal Shower

And I just can't stay away. I am heading back on Thursday and couldn't be more excited!

Weekend Review

Last week Jeff had spring break. He continued to study hard all week leaving us more time to spend together on the weekend. It was so nice to have a whole weekend together doing such fun things!

• Jeff and his brothers were supposed to go surfing Friday morning. Plans were changed when there was a tsunami warning and beaches were closed.
• After being bummed about not going surfing, Jeff's brother got a phone call offering him two free tickets to go to a luncheon with the LA Galaxy soccer team. Suddenly Jeff was giddy again.
• I drove down to Seal Beach around 1:30 where Angie (Johnny's wife) and I waited for the boys to get back from their lunch with the team.
• We all went to the beach to have a picnic.
• I snapped this picture to remind my sister how great the West Coast is. (She lives in Florida). (no tsunami in Seal Beach)

• Went back to Johnny and Angie's.
• Angie and I went to her friend's house for girls night and a dinner party.
• Jeff and I decided to spend the night so that the boys could try surfing Saturday morning.
• Saturday morning their surf wishes were granted.
• Angie, Ellie, Paige and I headed to the animal shelter to look at the dogs. Ellie and Paige's dog wishes were not granted.
• Got home Saturday afternoon. Jeff went to school for a few hours. I relaxed.
• I'm surprised with a new skirt in the mail from my mom!

(Love it!)

• Jeff and I went to dinner, got some ice cream and watched a movie together.
• Sunday morning, we were late for church thanks to the time change and my alarm not going off. WOOPS.
• Got there just in time for my new calling: NURSERY. (I actually think I am going to like it despite what I have heard from others)
• Sunday night, dinner with our friends Mike and Lindsey and their cute girls Lily and Sophie.

It was such a nice weekend with family, friends, and each other. Now back to law school's slave and babysitting an 83 year old we go!

Is it summer yet?

Hobbies

Since moving to Rancho Cucamonga, I have had so much free time on my hands. Jeff stays at the library until it closes at 11:30 almost every night so I have found many new hobbies. It has been nice to try all these new things that I previously never had time for. These are the new hobbies I've tried that have really stuck:

COOKING

I LOVE cooking! It is so fun to search through cookbooks and the internet for new and exciting recipes. Although Jeff isn't home for dinner I try to make things that he can take for lunch the next day and I always cook a big meal on Sundays. One of my favorite gifts I got for our wedding was a recipe box that one of my bridesmaids, Mollie made me. She had all of my bridesmaids give her recipes and she put them all together in this box. I seriously have so many good recipes in there, I love it! The other place I love to get recipes from is http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/. Seriously if you haven't looked at her website before GO NOW. She is amazing and I love cooking her food because she has a picture on her website of every step!

KNITTING

I never thought I would love to knit, but I do. My grandma gave me some knitting supplies for Christmas and a great video to get me started and I am hooked! It is so relaxing and I love trying all of the stitches. I need to work on my patience though because I keep starting something then stopping because I want to try something else.

READING THE ENSIGN

We had a lesson in church recently that made me realize that I really should read the words of our current prophet more often. I had never really read the Ensign too much, especially moving around in college all the time I guess I never thought to get a subscription. I am so glad that I did. It is so uplifting and I always learn so much.

(The Ensign is a magazine that our church publishes once a month. It has stories and messages written by members of our church all over the world. You can check it out at www.lds.org/ensign)

NETFLIX

This might not really be a hobby but I am counting it as one. My wonderful sister-in-law, Jenny and her husband Damon got Jeff and I a Netflix subscription for Christmas. It is the best thing that ever happened to me! Ok, maybe not, but I LOVE IT! I love to knit while watching a movie on my computer, or sprinting to the mail box after work when I know that the next movie from my queue is waiting for me.

If you have any hobbies you love, let me know! I have loved trying all of these new things!