This Sky Where We Live

how to.

2012-02-03T21:39:00.000-08:00

How to get ready for church.

Our little Cheeky.

2012-01-26T09:59:00.001-08:00

Theodore and his raccoon at 2 mo.

cuddles.

thinking about smiling.

done done done with pictures mom!

Tomorrow is January 27th. Our little cheeky will be 2 months old. Time is flying.

Theodore can coo, grunt, and smile. He is a champion when it comes to raising his head. He has big bright eyes that are still dark blue. Peach fuzz is ever so slowly growing into a hairline. His eyelashes are long and curly like Dad. He is up every three hours at night to eat and say hello. He toots like an adult man. He has a very gentle and observant nature. He loves our wall clock, our bed canopy, and anything else with light or high contrast. In fact we're pretty sure he thinks the wall clock is his third parent. He talks to it frequently.

Hooray for two month Teddy!

you live in a zoo.

2012-01-24T17:00:00.001-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

YOU LIVE IN A ZOO

YOU LOOK LIKE A MONKEY

AND YOU SMELL LIKE ONE TOO

Happy birthday to my very best friend and husband Phil. He's practically perfect in every way (like Mary Poppins says). He is a dedicated and incredible husband, father, and son. I love him with all of my heart.

dar luz.

2012-01-12T10:41:00.000-08:00

Here comes the birth story.

Phil taught me that in Mexico giving birth translates as "to give light." I think I almost cried when I learned that. (I was pregnant! I almost cried at anything slightly laced with emotion.) What a beautiful way of looking at birth. A woman goes through an indescribable physical gauntlet to push a new shining light out into the world. My little ball of light is asleep in my room with one sock on and one sock off. He has completely wiggled from his swaddle and has spit out his pacifier. While he's sprawled in slumber let me tell you a little about his birth story.

(*editors note: after typing above paragraph it took me almost a week to finish this post. Mommy time management problems.)

November 24th was Thanksgiving. I started having random contractions. I thought the baby might be coming sooner rather than later but Phil assured me that they must be braxton hicks contractions. They can go on for weeks. With Phil about to start his 2nd year law school finals that MUST be the case. Baby couldn't come early.

November 25th was Black Friday. I did in fact shop at 5 am while my body prepared to go into labor. Can't beat the deals.

November 26th we went with my O'C fam to the Christmas tree farm to cut down a tree. As I waddled around the little forest I had a few more cramps and baby felt low and heavy. That night Phil and I went with father in law Jim and SIL Camille to the Oakland Temple Christmas Lighting Pageant. During the performance I had two more big contractions. Jim told me I could have the baby that night. I thought that sounded like a good idea. So did baby Theodore.

At 2 am that night my contractions became regular but manageable. I woke Phil up to let him know he would be canceling his talk in church the next morning and we would instead be having a babe. Then in what will forever give me "good wife points" I let him go back to sleep. For the next 6 hours I labored at home. I watched Flight of the Concords, read, scanned over new Pinterest pins, sat on a yoga ball, and napped. All the while I timed my contractions. They were always close together but just not long enough.

Finally that morning (November 27th) at about 8 am we decided it was time. My mom came over to meet us and we headed for the hospital. I wasn't sure if I would even be admitted so I was surprised when they told me I was already 5cm. Maybe it was that reality that made the pain start. I felt like every birth video I'd ever seen. I wailed. GET. ME. AN EPIDURAL. After the longest 40 minutes of my life they did just that. The epidural itself was nothing to write home about. I have no fear of needles. It was heavenly. The rest of my labor was really pretty dare I say fun. Phil was so encouraging and stayed with me the whole time. The cord was over Theo's shoulder like a backpack strap so pushing took a while. Finally he was freed and delivered after 6 hours in the hospital.

Out came Teddy with his eyes wide open. That moment was slow motion for me. My tiny baby staring right at me as he came up into my arms. Phil cut the cord and welcomed Theodore Maxwell into the world.

So that's the birth. And now our family of two is a family of three. We love our Theodore.

baby new year.

2012-01-05T15:33:00.001-08:00

What could be better on New Years Day than a brand new baby's blessing? Everything is new for baby.

Theodore was blessed January 1st in the Alamo 1st Ward by his proud father Phil. We are so thankful to have little Teddy in our lives.

This new year is already full of new things:

new smiles

new record breaking diapers

new eyes seeing the world from a stroller

new shows to watch in the middle of the night

new messes all over the apartment

new tiny fingers to hold

new lessons learned every hour

Happy New Year!

must be santa.

2011-12-28T11:59:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

with love from Phil, Aubrey, Theodore, and Santa too!

happy birthday teddy.

2011-12-04T22:09:00.000-08:00

Sweet Teddy at 1 week old.

Theodore Maxwell Greenan

born Sunday November 27, 2011

6 lbs. 4 oz.

Happy one week birthday to our Teddy bear!

He is our treasure. He is the most marvelous blessing. We didn't know our hearts could hold this much love. More on the birth, the name, and the tender babe to come. I'm off to adore, feed, burp, and marvel at every miniature piece of him.

full term.

2011-11-22T11:11:00.000-08:00

This is me great with child.

As the hubby begins studying for finals I find myself at a place and time I never thought would come! I'm full term at only 3 weeks away from my due date. Baby is working on his chubs and running out of room in the womb-room. What were once kicks are now the stretch of his foot into my ribs or the pushing of his bum out to the left of my belly button. Oh how I love to hold his little bum in my hand! He's so close! Phil and I marvel over the fact that he is always here with us and only inches under my tummy skin. It's hard to wrap your mind around.

Moving in has been a whirlwind. My nesting instincts are comical. Everything is a project. We love our humble abode and soon I will take pictures and post them. I love to sit in baby's room and just stare at everything. Yes I am insane.

Our new ward is a perfect fit for us. THIS is where all the people our age have been hiding in the East Bay! Our baby will be (I believe) the 18th born this year. He will be one of only two boys and he really likes those odds.

We're living right in downtown Walnut Creek, a stones throw from the mall on one side and the trail on the other. We're enjoying taking walks to rent movies at the library and watch other non-pregnant people ice skate at the outdoor rink.

I have been generously showered twice (in our old and new wards) and I feel so indebted to everyone who was a part of those events. Baby boy says thank you! We feel so loved and supported. We are a lucky brood.

My face is getting really round and I think my spirit animal is definitely morphing from squirrel to chipmunk. I waddle around like a goose and I wake up at night regularly. Still pregnancy has been incredibly good to me thus far. I'm thankful for that.

I nannied my last day last week. It was bittersweet. I'm ready for a little rest but it's hard to say goodbye to such cute faces. I'm continuing to teach voice lessons until I pop. I'm trying to really treasure sleeping in and relaxation. I know things are just about to change!

There's a lot of wonderful going on right now and our baby coming soon just makes everything sweeter (and also more swollen!). Phil's Mom is about to open Annie at the Danville Theater, our two beloved little sisters are coming home from UW and BYU, pie making and subsequent American Eat-a-thon Thanksgiving is right around the corner, dear friends are coming home for the holidays, Christmas tree cutting will follow, black friday shopping is imminent, and did I mention our little guy is coming SOON?! (Unless he's late...ahhhhhh)

and because I wrote this two days ago and was then too lazy to add a picture and post ... HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

the great pumpkin.

2011-10-19T20:15:00.000-07:00

I am the great pumpkin. Please note the stain on my shirt. My stomach is a pro at catching all of the food I drop. How helpful!

I am humongous. It's kind of awesome and amazing. It looks like I've swallowed a watermelon or to be more October-appropriate a pumpkin. One of those prize winning types of pumpkins.

I had another doctors appointment today (32 weeks!) and found out that the baby is in the head down position. For some reason this really threw me for a loop. I've been imagining baby boy still lying in my stomach horizontally like he's lounging in a cabana hammock when in reality he's preparing for the gauntlet ahead upside down and raring to go. After the doctor poked him to feel how he was oriented he wiggled around all hot and bothered and it was really adorable. This lady is in LOVE.

We have great news of another big variety to report. After some toil and worry we found an apartment that perfectly fits our little needs at a price we couldn't have hoped for. For those of you who don't know, for Phil's first year and a half of law school we were incredibly blessed to live rent free with my grandparents in Alamo. (Yes, we owe them BIG time.) Phil commutes into SF via bart and we have been able to save. Now with a baby on the way we need a bit more space and a place to start our own brood. We're moving into an apartment in Walnut Creek and I couldn't be more excited. Baby and I will get to spend our days close to our 5,000 immediate family members and Phil will be within walking distance of bart making his school commute about as dreamy as a thing can be when it includes the words "school" and "commute." I count the whole chain of events leading us to our apartment as a blessing from God and an answer to prayer. Sigh of pregnant relief and gratitude!!! We move in on friday. We will be reunited with all of our lovely apartment things that have been jailed in storage. I will nest like a mother bird.

Phil and I went to our first childbirth class and it was fascinating. I especially loved the "stages of labor" diagram that included pictures of mommy turning from excited to completely enraged as labor progresses. Awesome. It was fun to be in a room full of pregnant women and their husbands. (Then again if you've ever been in a married-student ward in Provo you know exactly how that feels already!)

In other news I'm dying to go to a corn maze. Annnnnd goodnight!

fall and husband shirts.

2011-10-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

Happy crispy delicious fall day!

Have you been able to fight the urge for starbucks salted caramel hot chocolate lately? I have not.

Here I am this past week, welcoming fall in Phil's button up. He is a nice husband and takes lots of pictures of me and the babe... and let's me wear his shirts.

Sometimes if I try really hard I can see my feet.

Yosemite.

2011-10-08T09:32:00.000-07:00

"I must return to the mountains—to Yosemite. I am told that the winter storms there will not be easily borne, but I am bewitched, enchanted, and tomorrow I must start for the great temple to listen to the winter songs and sermons preached and sung only there." -John Muir

Yosemite is one of those most-beautiful-place-on-earth places. We loved soaking in the scenery, listening to the rushing water, and spending time with the fam. Baby and I even made it up to the top of Vernal falls with it's over 600 granite steps! There were generous breaks and lots of water chugged.

Thank you to Jim and Pam for making it possible for all of us to enjoy it!

Here's some of the film pics (While they were developing I ate almost every sample in Costco; quesadilla, meatball, fruit chew, broccoli cheddar soup, chicken and chips. Two hips and a hooray for free lunch!)

week 30: the invisible baby

2011-10-04T11:24:00.000-07:00

Meet our invisible baby! Isn't he precious?!

Mustache Fabric for the inside of his crib bumper from Spoonflower. ADORABLE red striped pants from Dani. Thank you SO much for thinking of us, that package melted our hearts and made our entire week!!

Hat GAP, shirt H&M, Giraffe lovie from Angel Dear.

Photo taken on my laptop. RIP camera.

I'm alive! I haven't been blogging because a tiny grain of sand scurried into our digital camera at the beach and killed it. No pictures, no motivation. Currently shopping for a new camera, suggestions? I want something small but powerful so I can take lots of pretty pictures of baby boy.

Here's to week 30! 10 more to go!

- My belly looks to me fully pregnant. I think this means I'm going to be one of those little people you can't believe is standing by the end of the third trimester.

-My hips don't lie. They are loosening like barbie legs. You all know what I mean, because you all played with naked barbie once you lost her clothes, right? Her legs are astonishing. She can go way beyond scissor kicks.

-Apartment hunting in the SF bay area when your husband is a law student and you are great with child is interesting. I miss Utah rent. Prayers welcome. It'll work itself out and patience is an illusive virtue. We're increasingly grateful for all of the love, help, and support we have received from family and loved ones thus far in the law school journey.

- Baby boy is feisty. Our kick count card reads 10 minutes across the board. Maybe I feed him too much juice (yes our baby is juiced up) or maybe he's just a fireball as we expect. Time will tell.

-My bum is also pregnant with triplets.

- Remember how we went to Yosemite? I will post pictures someday but for that I must develop film like people did in the olden days. Yes, drive to Costco and write on one of those big envelopes, then wait an hour while fighting the temptation to buy and consume all 24 rolls in a Costco dinner roll bag.

- Wasn't conference great? We had in our charge the five adorable blonde children I nanny this weekend. It was busy and crazy and fun. They were fantastically behaved and I gained new perspectives on what sleeplessness means (twin babies). Oh what the future of motherhood holds!

- Fall is in the air. Best feeling on earth.

That's all for now! I'm off to debate whether to sew my own crib skirt. Necessity is the mother of invention. So is a budgeted life and a picky wife!

moments that matter most.

2011-09-07T12:12:00.000-07:00

I love this message. Watch it on full screen because apparently my layout is too tiny for videos. So beautiful. Enjoy, and happy Wed-nes-day!

(The most absurdly spelled day of the week!)

Coming soon: our Labor Day Weekend Yosemite Trip!

6.

2011-08-31T12:48:00.000-07:00

6 months is like this.

My hair feels so luscious I never want pregnancy to end. I swear it holds a curl better. (Maybe this is just in grand comparison to how dastardly thin my hair usually is.) My hands are getting a little pudgy and my face is rounding out along with my body. No stretch marks yet, Huzzah!

My brain is completely taken over by pregnancy instincts and hormones. One word: Nesting. I am quite the nester in everyday life. I love projects, decorating, fantasizing about setting up a room, but now I'm on overdrive. There is an entire apartment building full of well furnished nurseries in my mind. I only think in HGTV. It's a little bit psychotic and a lot bit fun.

With a few months to go I'm finally breaking down and preparing myself to buy a few maternity items. I've coasted along thus far with a few borrowed bottoms, tops, and some flowing shirts from my own closet. Did I always look pregnant in these big shirts?! My best friends these days are leggings. I love them. So soft and un-rubby on baby. Jeans make me feel like an abusive mother.

I'm obsessed with baby boy and love to feel him kick. It is the best. I bought him yellow linen pants and they make me want to cry every time I see them. I talk to him each time I drive to work like a crazy person.

My midnight snacks have calmed down but I'm still off to de-and-rehydrate frequently through the witching hours. For the first time ever I'm hot and Phil is cold in our room. He's sneaking blankets.

So that's pregnancy in a tiny nutshell for me as of late. This is starting to feel like a run on sentence. Maybe it has something to do with the glucose test I took a few hours ago? (Where you drink the sugar-drink that tastes like concentrated fanta.) Yes, maybe that is it. On to the latest bump-a-bump pictures!

my life is.

2011-08-24T16:47:00.000-07:00

Excuse my camping hair. Baby boy and I!

camping with family

rooting for the giants

growing a tummy

watching people get hitched

refinishing some furniture

hunting for an apartment

planning for baby

working

feeling and now SEEing baby boy kick!

playing with friends

saying goodbye to Tara (She's off to University of Washington!)

rooting for Phil who just finished up his internships and headed back for year two of law school

and of course... waking up to snack:)

last night, I had a dream.

2011-08-03T13:14:00.000-07:00

Every night of my new pregnant life I do three things; scurry to the restroom, switch sides I'm slumbering on, and dream wild and crazy dreams. Many nights there is a fourth element to my nocturnal existence. You may know it by the acronym PBJ. That's right, the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Many a midnight I wake up desperately hungry. It's like a 3 alarm fire of urgency. I run upstairs, make a PB with or without the J, run downstairs, scarf, and fall back into a pregnant coma.

Last night was one of those fateful, hungry nights. I could hardly get the peanut butter onto the bread fast enough. Then came a slathering of raspberry jam. I was eating like a fat kid sneaking candy. All was well until it came time to clean up. Peanut butter and bread back in the pantry, dishes in the dishwasher, and then jam... Where was the jam lid? I looked in the dishwasher, in the sink, in the pantry, on the floor. The kitchen was pristine. WHERE WAS THE JAR's LID?? I gave up and went to bed.

Cut to this morning when PG came into the room smirking. Here's our dialogue...

PG: "I have a question for you... when was the last time you made a sandwich?"

guiltily I responded "1 am last night..."

PG: "Were you missing anything?"

AG: "Where was the jelly lid?!!"

{laughter}

PG: "In the peanut butter jar."

IN THE PEANUT BUTTER JAR MY FRIENDS, IN THE PEANUT BUTTER JAR! I dropped the jelly lid into the peanut butter jar with my own hands. It makes perfect sense... I'm losing my marbles.

pescadero.

2011-07-22T10:55:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we packed up the little wagon, headed to our ultrasound appointment, and then zoomed off to a great little campground off highway 1. The resort errs on the side of GLAMping with an onsite restaurant, barbeque tent, live music on the weekends, massages, and saunas. Still it definitely has all of the rustic fun of family camp with accommodations for everyone from the lodge goer to the motor home crowd. You can glam it up or keep it simple. We chose to stay in the camp's tent cabins which are fabulously affordable and keep you bright and warm with electricity, heated mattresses, and cute rustic furnishings. It was a quick walk to the "comfort stations" which had more hot water than I have ever experienced at a campground. I give it five billion stars. (Mind you I am always in love with wherever we go.)

Check it out for yourself here.

Just south of SF. The area has all of the rugged beachy beauty of Monterey Bay with about 10 percent of the people. We spent our days hiking foggy beach trails, exploring the tiny town of Pescadero, and touring the local Goat Dairy which boasts world renown cheese that I couldn't eat while pregnant. I made Phil describe every flavor to me just to torture myself. "Is it really that good?" "I'm so sorry but yes, it really really is..." was along the lines of our conversation.

We stopped into Pescadero on just the right weekend. The tiny town was having a barn sale (big flea market) and I was almost relieved we didn't bring the truck because I could have done some serious financial damage. We did come away with a frame that will be going gold and a large glass jug. Why do those jugs make me swoon so?! We ate some tamales and looked at all the crazy crud people shlepped out of their homes.

From the goat dairy to the tamales this trip was all about the food. I'm a very sensory person and I feel really passionately about food; chocolate, bread, spices. I think the right food could make me cry for joy. I got very close at Pigeon Point lighthouse. We brought a bag of goodies from the local market which included THE MOST INCREDIBLE MADE-BY-THE-HEAVENS artichoke bread (still hot, and stuffed with yummy artichokes) and a beautiful sun dried tomato cream cheese. There is nothing like eating true California fare on the California coast. Yum, yum, double yum. In addition to killer artichoke carbs the area is famous for their berries and pies. I am still dreaming about the Olallieberry pie we had at Duarte's tavern. I think I died for a second while eating it (maybe just a mild stroke?).

But enough with the pregnant lady talking about food. The best part of the trip was being with my PG and sharing in the excitement and glee baby boy is bringing into our lives. I love traveling with my guy because we both love to have fun, love to learn (in a nerdy, read every plaque, go on a tour of a goat dairy sort of way), and love to explore. I can't wait for our next adventure!

The beach trail.

fake sleeping.

Our abode.

the bump.

pigeon point.

the bread.

seal spotting.

our goat friend.

p.s. Have you ever heard an elephant seal? It's worth the drive if only to hear it.

little yogi.

2011-07-18T20:43:00.000-07:00

We're back from the coast! ( Actually we've been back, but sleep beat blogging every night this week.) We had a fantastic weekend getaway made so much sweeter by the news that we are expecting a baby boy.

We fell even more in love with him during his big ultrasound. It took over an hour because he is quite the busy body. He was flipping and rolling and flexing so much he had the ultrasound tech very amused. (We told him to show off.) We saw him suck his thumb and move every which way around my tummy. He's already our everything.

Please enjoy his yoga pose. At one point his knees kissed his face.

Yep, he's doing this...

Namaste.

Tomorrow, news on our adventuring away!

IT'S-IT

2011-07-15T17:31:00.000-07:00

It's a Boy!!!!!!!!! We are so happy and excited!!!!! More news to come! We're off to celebrate on a little mini vacation!!

hitched.

2011-07-13T12:15:00.000-07:00

Photos pilfered from Lauren T's FB

and Melanie Z of Me and Mr.

Saturday July 9th my beautiful sister Courtney and my wonderful new brother PJ sealed the deal and got hitched at the Oakland Temple. The weather was a miraculous 85 degrees. The wedding party included some lovely ladies and gents who all (might I say it) looked fantastic in yellow and blue. The brides wildflower bouquet complimented her to die for ruffled dress and long blond tresses perfectly. She was a picture of loveliness.

A ring ceremony and reception followed at the One Room Schoolhouse (circa 1890somethin') on Finley Road. A schoolbus shuttled guests to the location that was full of rustic charm from the flowers to the hand-sewn pennant flags. Picnic fare, sweet desserts, and a night full of dancing made for an enchanting summer evening. Family, friends, and loved ones worked, crafted, and contributed to make the day special for the bride and groom. We are so grateful for every pair of hands that played a part in making the wedding what it was. C and PJ road off into the dusk on a yellow bicycle built for two. How fitting!

It was a fairy tale day.

I love my sister and our new PJ. I couldn't be more proud of them and the decision they've made to start their own life and family together. They are both truly good to the core. What a perfect day it was to celebrate the two lovebirds!

late-iversary.

2011-07-01T11:35:00.000-07:00

Phil and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary this week. 2 years! Where has time gone?! (All of the marriage veterans may roll their eyes now.) But truly it's been both a lifetime and one blink of an eye rolled into one.

I'm so glad I married PG. I'm grateful I was struck with if only that one lightning bolt of excellent decision making. I'd like to thank the PG for being fantastic, for teaching me about calmly responding to life, for being an example of diligence and obedience, for sharing my love of good humor and family, and for dancing with me at every wedding since our own.

We celebrated with frighteningly cheap massages and really fatty mexican food. Ole!

We spilled the beans.

2011-06-09T19:07:00.000-07:00

Or rather we spilled one tiny bean on Monday night.

As you must know by now, PG is a big league surpriser. Naturally he was the brains behind our big reveal.

The Ingredients:

1. white t-shirts

2. ultrasound pictures

3. iron on transfer paper and a whole lot of trail and error

4. a family dinner from my loving mother

First we made our shirts. This was a two day nightmare. I highly un-reccommend trying to attack the complexity of transfer paper with a pregnant brain. Here's how it went down:

We bought the T's and paper and took it to Kinkos to print our ultrasound image. It jammed and almost broke their machine. We tried to go to another printing press place and it was closed. We went back to the craft store and bought the type of paper for our home printer. We went back home and printed them. Phew! Finally something went right! We ironed paper one onto shirt one. We realized the writing was backwards. One shirt trashed. One of many. You get the idea. It was painful. I even learned how to write backwards. Finally everything came together just minutes before we drove over to do the big ta-da!

We asked the whole family over to my parents house for dinner (both sides). Everyone believed it to be a normal fam-gathering. The house was packed and eating and chatting ensued. Kids were playing all over. My stomach was doing flips (and it wasn't the tender babe). I'm always ready to give up a secret or tell the punch line of a joke too early. I'm not big on suspense. So I left it up to Phil to initiate THE surprise.

At Phil's family dinners everyone goes around the table to share highlights so Phil suggested we share. Since it was his idea he was asked to start first. He said to the big fam, "Well my highlight is, Aubrey and I got these really cool shirts from Richard's."

We stood up and unzipped our sweatshirts to reveal matching T's with a blown up picture of baby and a message that read, "Coming December 2011." Everyone screamed and carried on and hugged and shared shocked faces.

I may not love the stress of a big surprise but oh how I love the outcome! It was so fun to share the news and finally be able to talk baby with the clan.

The kids reactions were some of my favorite. Sylvie asked to see my tummy and Fiona said she had enough cousins already and "they're annoying." ha!

I'm so relieved to have the cat out of the bag. After the party subsided I had trouble staying awake! My body was completely and finally relaxed. The next day my tummy started to pop out. I guess my brain told my body I didn't have to hide anymore.

My jeans are already getting just a tiny bit pushed down around the waist and I'm scared this means I'm going to look like a hamster ball by December. (Although I also kind of like the idea of being gigantic!) Time will tell!

Rizzo's Got a Bun in the Oven.

2011-06-07T20:44:00.000-07:00

Phil and I are thrilled and delighted to announce that we are pregnant!

(13.5 wks along to be exact!)

Baby Greenan

will be coming to you on December 12, 2011.

(Unless baby decides to be an early bird or fashionably late like mama!)

More to come soon on:

*How we found out

*How we told the family

*Pregnancy so far

*What the future holds

Thank you for sharing in our joy!

the anti-hoarder.

2011-05-27T14:32:00.000-07:00

If you can't throw out your birthday balloon...

PG and I have been doing some spring cleaning.

May I just say I love throwing things away? It's exhilarating!

With every old pair of jeans I toss in the big black trash bag I feel lighter. It is a near spiritual experience for me. I think it reminds me how unimportant all of this junk is.

Every box I empty can serve a new use. I feel like we're clearing my mind while we clear our space.

I know some people have a lot of trouble lightening their load of possessions a la Hoarders. On a smaller scale I know it can be difficult to ditch that old Senior Class of '04 T-shirt or that gift you got that you never liked from a person you do like. So how do you feel during spring cleaning season? Is it a liberating purge or an emotional parting? Any tips for what to keep and what to bag?

R.I.P. La Ultima.

2011-05-05T18:39:00.000-07:00

When I was a little freckled tot my parents would take me and my siblings to La Ultima.

La Ultima is a mexican restaurant and a Danville staple. When we were younger our family would go there almost weekly. It was our go-to dinner spot because as my parents put it, "they don't make a fuss if the kids spill all over the table." We spilled all over the table at every meal so it was a match made in heaven. Most of the appeal for Court, T, and I came in the form of a small tin side dish of red jello with whipped cream that accompanied every kids meal. The other highlights for a burgeoning foodie included pinata candy at the end of the night as well as crushed chips topping your house salad. It was a family place.

That's right I said was. (Are you shocked?! No, because you are perceptive and the title is more than a heavy foreshadow.)

It happened that Phil and I were hungry on Saturday and chose to eat at the family mexican joint. It also happened to be the restaurants last. day. I think I cried a tiny bit.

Isn't it so bittersweet when things change? It made me feel old. Growing up in a true hometown I've seen a lot of changes. Storefronts and buildings come and go, new neighborhoods pop up in what was once a no mans land of cow fields. New schools are built and daily the cycling community seems to multiply. It's not until something really comfortable and familiar is gone that you realize how much has changed. I'm married and have a few wrinkles and bills and responsibilities. When did I grow up? Have you ever said goodbye to a childhood favorite place? Have you ever experienced this "Where did all the time go" feeling? Tell me about it.

Then tell me where I'm supposed to get a nice house salad with chips on top now...

my forsaken blog.

2011-05-03T18:31:00.000-07:00

It's been over a month since last I blogged.

I am ashamed. I loath the fickle blogger, mostly because I give up following after a few post-less weeks. After enough time passes it's like your dead pet goldfish, you can't even remember a name nor do you care, most likely you flushed it down the toilet... I've flushed my blog down the toilet and forgotten about it. You've probably forgotten too. Here's where I beg you to come back and read... beg!

OK moving on.

taking some bows in Hairspray!

First I was really busy. I was working, rehearsing, and performing in Hairspray. It was a beautiful non-stop energy draining and completely fulfilling experience. I'm still astounded by the talent of everyone who surrounded me. I really wasn't expecting the level of excellence I found. We put on a great show. I made a bajillion wonderful new friends. I wasn't expecting that either. It was such a warm and genuine cast. I didn't realize how much I missed show people or what a show person I am. I felt at home on stage. I reached a new level of physical stamina for which I am very grateful. I have trouble trusting my own strength and being pushed towards new physical challenges really gave me confidence. I danced my booty off. I was so thankful for the support of family and friends who came to see me. The whole cast started to wonder how many people were in my family when most nights I would say "I have so and so here!"

Me sick on Easter in my jammies right before I gave up, crawled upstairs and slept in Camille's bed.

I think I actually look grey.

Second I was really sick. I crashed after the production. Haven't I been sick enough this year? In fact my entire family has been passing around viruses since December. It's like "Sisterhood of the Traveling Vomit Train." Courtney and I are both around slews of kids, she student teaching, and me teaching music. It might have a little something to do with it.

Now I'm going to blog, actually be home for more than a shower, and enjoy my husband who after one more final is MINEEEEE for the summer. That is until he begins working, and law clinic-ing. I suppose I will also have to share him with the Giants. It's a three part relationship in the summer.

don't forget me like a goldfish, or any other not fully realized analogy...

ponderable.

2011-03-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

determination.

“There is no chance, no fate, no destiny that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.”

Elder Quentin L. Cook

night-ner and the secret stash.

2011-03-02T10:33:00.000-08:00

Lego Candy

Dancing everyday until my little rabbit heart is thump-thumping out of my chest is:

1. exhilarating

2. sweaty

3. muscle blasting

4. hunger inducing

Today I address #4.

I'M STARVING!

I've always felt passionately towards food (Red meat, rich chocolate cake, pasta, icecream, mexican cuisine... Food speaks to me and I talk back lovingly in mmmmms and yummmms.) but now I NEED it. I'm just plain hungry.

The hunger is especially intense after rehearsal. I get home about 11 pm. It's at that glorious hour that night-ner commences. Think of it as my second dinner. It's usually a hodge-podge of soup, pb toast, left over CPK, brown rice, or any other goody in the fridge.

Last night my menu included many of the aforementioned items. I was feeling just nearly satisfied but I wanted a little dessert in the form of peanut butter m&ms. Unfortunately for me it seemed that there was no candy in the cupboard. I was all frowny faces until Phil chimed in...

"What if I have some Reese's?"

What? Is that a hypothetical question? What is he getting at?

"They're in my secret stash."

What??!!! A secret stash? How could it be? How did I never sniff them out?!

"With my cokes... actually I just finished those this week."

WHATTT???

So my husband has a snack stash. So sneaky.

He led me down to his office area ie his study cave and slowly opened a drawer. There was the glistening orange package filled with chocolate goodness.

I now feel the need to snoop through every drawer, nook, and cranny. What else could he be hiding?! Hopefully Kitkats!

as per request: my rave of faves.

2011-02-17T23:15:00.000-08:00

An audience member blessed to be on Oprah's coveted Oprah's Favorite Things episode, where the Queen Mother of daytime TV gifts people cars and peanut brittle and cashmere.

I ain't giving you no minivan.

Let me preface this post by saying "stuff" is not important. In fact even the word "stuff" is poo-pooed by most high school english teachers. That being said, there is still some "stuff" that is my favorite, and I would like to "stuff" my post with such "stuff." In fact this post about "stuff" was really a blast to write, I feel "stuffed" with giddiness over my "stuff" sharing. (I started to have a little too much fun with the stuff-train, I'll now disembark and get down to business.)

This post is hereby dedicated to my most beloved products, sparkles, and widgets. Read on.

1. Bare Minerals: My tiny pores squeal a billion tiny exclamations of gratitude over the makers of the most fantastical cosmetics on earth. My skin is infinitely better and happier with mineral makeup and it makes your skin look so makeup-less.

2. Glitter Nail Polish: Sometimes you just need a little Ke$ha-esque spice in your day and for me that has come in the form of glitter polish. I have one from Claire's via SIL Cam and it is just entrancingly glittery. As I paint my digits I try to figure out a way to gracefully insert a dollar sign into my name. Aubr$y? A$B? too many vowels not enough "S"...

3. Bumble and Bumble's Creme De Coco Conditioner: I haven't purchased this in many a moon because its' cost is about equal to gold per ounce, but for good reason... IT IS LIKE PURE GOLD FOR THE HAIR! Nothing softens my tresses quite like it and it smells like sweet breezes from heaven.

4. Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate: No caramel should ever be unsalted again. I don't think I need to say any more than that.

5. Eloise Tanks @ Anthropologie: these tank tops are the perfect undershirt. They're spandexy and feel like a nice leotard. They hold all business in place and come in darling colors. They also market them as reversible (v and scoop neck) although they do have a tag, so I've never been sure about that.

6. Proactive Sulfur Mask- Put it on a trouble spot at night and it works so very hard while you sleep. You can buy it on amazon or at the mall from a kiosk that is hopefully not manned by one of those creepily flirtatious (hedging on molesty) european dudes.

7. Make Up Forever- I love this line sold at Sephora (the mother ship of beauty stores). I especially dig the under-eye concealer and the Mist and Fix face spray which literally seals your makeup to your face and protects it from the elements and pollution and all of that la-di-da.

8. Neutrogena's Grapefruit Line- The scrubby face wash is by far the best face wash I have ever tried and it smells like zesty citrus. Do not eat. For a super-extra-magnificent cleansing, put it on a Wave vibrating face scrubber and power polish your mug.

9. Joe's Jeans- They must be made in Santa's workshop because they are always exactly what you dreamt they would be. Perfect fits, washes, styles, and adorably flattering BUM POCKETS. I only buy them on sale. It can be done if your determined enough to search and be patient, they must be marked up like 200%, so don't be a sucker.

10. Paper Source- I have a crush on this store. Pens, stamps, boxes, cards, wrapping paper, kitschy office stuff, moleskine journals. It's just a delightful place. Their buyers are complete trend-geniuses.

... And while I'm at it let me share one last tip.... search your local discount places (a la ROSS) for good hair products on the cheap. This new discovery just made me the happy owner of some Big Healthy Hair Conditioning Pumpkin spray... for 2 bucks. I paid in change like a hobo person.

As I was writing this post, I giggled inside myself a lot. Have you seen that 30 Rock (speaking of favorite things!) episode where Liz Lemon thinks that Oprah is on her flight because the Lemon has taken too many sleeping pills? No? Well Oprah tells Liz all of her "Oprah's favorite things" including salt water taffy from Rhode Island and sweater capes and paisley. It's really hilarious and I think I just lost my audience with that tangent but I feel like Oprah and I have something in common now... we share our favorites.

feels so good.

2011-02-09T13:08:00.000-08:00

The Consul, Carnegie Mellon 2008. Look at that baby fat on my young face!

feels

so so

so so so

so so so so

so so so so so

good

to be a part of a show again.

come see me in March and April!

request it.

2011-02-06T14:12:00.000-08:00

Imagine that these are real cupcakes, not picture-cupcakes. They are sitting in front of you glistening with all of their sugary decadence. You can smell the cream cheese frosting, the fresh raspberry folded into the batter, the caramel injected into the center of a soft chocolate cake.

Now pretend that I'll let you eat one of those cakes if you give me a blog-prompt.

Sounds like a good trade huh?

{Is that blog-bribery??!}

Now GIMME some prompts.

I welcome any themes, topics, or questions.

Happy Sunday!

A Quarter Century PG.

2011-02-04T10:13:00.000-08:00

Phil turned 25.

We went to the city.

I gave him present cash and took him to a surprise location; Nike Town.

He purchased the new Kobe's in black and yellow. They are flashy and covered in snakeskin material. He marveled over their lightness, which is apparently a highly sought after quality in b-ball shoes.

We took a tour of PG's school.

We wandered around a street market.

We took a ferry to Sausilito. It was romantic and I fell in love with San Francisco just a little bit more. Is that even possible?

The sunset was gasp-worthy.

In Sausilito, we celebrated at Poggio's. We filled our bellies to the brim, then took the ferry home with tired feet and happy drunk-on-good-food smiles.

Phil is a great man and a great husband. I hope we reach 100 together so I can see the grumpy, cane wielding "UP"-like character he has promised me he will become.

THE END.

post it.

2011-02-04T10:04:00.000-08:00

A map made of post it notes. Both clever and comically tedious.

via artnewsblog.com

It seems I go through some sort of binge and purge cycle with blogging. No consistency. Well I think I just need to "post it" even if it's fast/short/pointless. Perhaps some nuggets of funny and interesting will make their way through. Ya dig?

ici berkeley.

2011-01-08T17:57:00.000-08:00

I'm not big on the fro-yo-fad. I indulge in "the yo" mostly for the cookie dough and heath bar I can dump on top of the quasi healthy vehicle for my candy. I'm an ice cream girl to the core. Gelato and ice cream are two of my top love languages along with heavy reassurance and cuddling. After my study abroad in Italy I had a series of dreams comprised of ordering different gelato combos. I can now say my neck of the woods has a creamery which will steal your heart, as it did mine: ICI. Let me break it down for you...

burnt caramel.

candied blood orange.

pear.

AND MORE.

The smell of fresh waffle cone DRIPS out the door of the most adorable boutique-y ice cream joint on College Avenue.

I want to weep for the tastiness.

{That's the scoop.}

Nativity and Gingerbread.

2011-01-05T21:19:00.000-08:00

Chapter Two: "The Eve's of Christmas." Otherwise titled "I'm milking this for all it's worth."

Did you know we do two Christmases? and two Christmas eves?

Well we do. It's labor intensive and when we have kids we'll give up and switch year by year but for now, hey, we just don't like missing out on any little part of it! Our parents live 3 minutes driving distance apart. We'd be crazy not to.

So this Dec. 24th we spent the eve in two parts. First a yummy feast and a Nativity scene by the adorable niece-nephew collective and then... another yummy feast and some gingerbread candy creations at mi casa with the Andersen Fam (who by the way are going to be fam. thanks to Courtney and PJ's marriage this summer. Yes we are intentionally taking over Danville by marriage. It's like the mafia.)

Pictoras! (please note the final picture. Tara always makes her gingerbread house hilariously morbid. Look for the gummy bear slaying the mother's animal cookie.)

merry late-mas.

2010-12-29T15:44:00.000-08:00

Christmas was too busy to include any bloggery, so please excuse me as I stretch the holiday cheer through past new years!

Chapter 1 of Christma-cheer: For your viewing pleasure, "the O'Connor Family gets netted." This was exhilarating. Nothing like being hoisted through a tree-netter by a nice and burly high school student.

WARNING: We say "oh my gosh" a little too much in this family.

handy dandy.

2010-12-03T21:50:00.000-08:00

OK, just a few things about this jewel of a gem...

1. I found this on a FB friendie's wall and as he put it, "After I watched this video I wanted to light this woman's hands on fire." so appropriately put.

2. What did Katie Couric ever do to deserve this interview?!

3. Hand models are real??? Zoolander has changed forever for me.

4. I will never again look at a nail polish ad without cringing.

buckle your seat belts and watch on brave bloggers...

grateful.

2010-11-25T00:20:00.000-08:00

Whenever Phil and I are trying express thanks we have this little running joke. We say "And the beast was grateful" in a funny voice. It's a Sandlot quote and it always makes us laugh.

I love and adore Thanksgiving because eating and remembering to be thankful all day (paired with a good hearty nap) is exactly my idea of ecstasy.

I wanted to share this video. It was filmed on the streets of NYC. Everyone has someone to be thankful for, different as we all may seem. Gratitude warms the heart.

11 days.

2010-11-18T12:31:00.000-08:00

best thing to happen lately is definitely Otto James.

11 days...that's how long I've been feeling on again/off again sick. It started with nausea and tummy ache/fever then somehow fabulously turned itself into a mean green cold. I thought I was on the edge of "better" last night... that is until I woke up this morning feeling weak and nauseous (Nor, what's the correct word usage again?)

1. I am not pregnant, and yes I'm sure. I say that because as a mormon woman who has been married over a year that disclaimer is necessary.

2. I have never been sick this long. I've still been able to work through it (as it waxes and wanes) but today I just crashed I guess.

3. The adorable babies I watch got the bug too, but even their immune systems seem to be doing a better job!

4. I'm skinny. Does that count as a plus? Yes I know I was skinny before, but maybe this bug is just making room for me to eat my heart out at thxgiving. I mean, now I have to pack on the lbs, right?! (Only pro I've got, I know I'm grasping at straws here.)

5. I have decided that this sicky has different levels. I am in the 7th ring of sick right now. I've had congestion, fever, nausea, headache, ear ouchy-ness, and runny nose. I'm running out of symptoms.

Ok so basically feel bad for me/diagnose me. Onto brighter things.

UPDATES

Phil and I are proud Uncle and Aunt to a new handsome baby boy! This is the 14th grandchild in PG's family and our 16th neph-niece (there really should be a non-gender-specific plural word for nephews and nieces). I am ofcourse sicky but eagerly awaiting a visit soooooon.

Phil is doing a fantastic job in Law School. He is a total zombie-workaholic and I am in awe of him. He just completed a legal writing assignment of doom. He is a champ.

Phil went to the World Series Game 1! He is still basking in Giants victory everyday. I'm begging him to do a guest post but so far he's been too busy and too suspicious of bloggery.

I've started nannying for a new family with twin babies (boy and girl) and three elementary school aged kiddos. I LOVE them. Work doesn't feel like work. Twin babies are challenging but they are also so cute, I die over them constantly.

I'm teaching more Kindermusik classes, now in Orinda and Danville. I feel like I'm really getting into a groove as a teacher and being surrounded by music and families is so wonderful and fulfilling! Know any kids 0-5?

I'm also teaching voice lessons and I'm crazy about it. It's such a joy to see people improve and learn healthy singing techniques. I'm finding that all of the technical struggles I faced as a singer are giving me tools to help others sing. hurrah!

I am singing a lot this holiday season. National Anthem at the Mayor's installation in Danville, O Come Emanuel at our Stake Christmas music thingy-bopper (Dec 12), Lead Kindly Light this sunday in Alamo I at 9am, and a small solo in A Day for Dancing with the local Methodist Church (Dec 5) directed by my beloved high school choir director. It feels good to be singing. Come see me!

Phil and I both have callings with the youth at church. (In our church, members are called to do certain jobs, lead in positions, or organize and carry out activities and projects. It's all volunteer work so the members really build the church through service.) He's teaching sunday school and I'm with the young women. We feel lucky. Phil bribes everyone with candy for answers so he's pretty much a favorite.

so that's our life. I'm laying in bed with PG's basket ball shorts on eating Saltines...

xoxo

meet the bluths.

2010-11-02T22:08:00.000-07:00

{First I must give a shout out to the fabulous party host-i who made our costume wearing possible.}

If you're familiar with Arrested Development (One of the most brilliantly hilarious and short-lived shows on TV) then above pictures need no explanation.

If you are not familiar, watch it. If you don't have time for Television the gist is this: Rich and equally dysfunctional family loses money and moves into model home made by their very own development company.

For halloween Phil and I opted for a Mother/Son (Creepy Creepy and awesome) duo from our most favorite show. Lucille: An old rich lush. Buster: Her disturbingly codependent, frighteningly emotionally stunted son. (Who is also enlisted in the US army and loses his hand to a seal attack... I'm telling you, you've got to see this series... comedy of the absurd!)

So with all of THAT in mind...

Here's the Halloween 5:

1. It was fun being something un-cute for halloween. Namely something old mean and fabulous.

2. Phil stayed in character 100%. I was so impressed. He had the voice and the face down pat.

3. My own mother didn't recognize me. Let me tell you, it's a strange thing to see your momma look at you like she's trying to place you.

4. Wrinkles will be a frightening reality. I'm hoping my ole' friend SCIENCE will take care of that one... heaven knows I'm not contributing any breakthroughs to the cause. Anyone excel in Chemistry?!

5. I love costumes like a fat kid likes to eat in front of the TV (watching Arrested Development...plug??) I will do anything to wear a costume. Unless it's one of those mascot ones, a la guy-with-sign-in-gorilla-suit-outside-of-radio-shack. Not so glamorous...

Happy Halloween my Ghouls and Goblins!

darla.

2010-10-28T13:36:00.000-07:00

Total heart melter.

Do you have a dream dog?

Darla the white {miniature} english bulldog is ours. Yes, we have already named her.

She's the same breed as "meaty's" tiny counterpart on MTV's Fantasy Factory.

We love her bow legs and mushy face. Isn't it so mushy smooshy and delicious?!

We don't so much like that you have to clean her rolls... We are trying to reconcile that information.

Phil is very selective when it comes to dogs. Quite frankly he strongly dislikes many dogs. There are a few exceptions, not including my own Lollie O'C.

We pre-adore our future family member, but she is sure to come in a billion years post a few kids and post house with backyard... OH a house avec backyard. Le swoon!

{If we can't deal with the rolls perhaps we'll go frenchie!}

I feel his name is Peri.

halloweekend.

2010-10-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

night with the "ghouls."

I LOVE FALL.

I wish I could soak my body in pumpkin puree and then roll in a mountain of leaves all while holding my very own trick-or-treat bag.

In the hopes of making the festivities of the season really last all month, we had an early halloweekend.

The mustached ghost. My favorite.

Event 1 was crafting with the Johnson-Spears ladies. We made stout and starchy ghosts and decorated scrumptious pumpkin muffins. I'm still refining my decorative tip skills (aka I made some funny looking muffins).

"A" is for Aubrey has dibs on that yummy.

Saturday following Kindermusik (and a LONGGGGG nap) we reunited with Chad, Randi, and Dara, for a jaunt through Livermore's corntastic corn maze.

In the "carn feld." If you've lived in UT you understand.

It's been a long time since I have marched through one of those labyrinths of veggies and it was a really a fun time. The husbands tried (successfully, and not so successfully) to scare us and I graced the world with my frighteningly uncanny "Signs" alien impersonation (I really need to work on my posture). In other a-MAZE-ing (nerdy!) news, I was loving a painted poster at the maze entrance which read: "No Throwing Corn" and I kept talking about it and the funny clown on the sign... until I was whacked in the arm with a corn-pedo (that's a corn-torpedo). I can finally say "teenagers..." in a weary sighing voice.

Husband mischief.

Sunday night we watched Hocus Pocus with sister Court and friends to bookend the halloweenie-ness of our days. I would like to nominate that movie for an Academy Award in the catagory of quintessential holiday films, thank you very much!

I am officially swept up in the season.

I want to wear a woolly sweater (purrr-fectly prep')

read a book with good smelling pages (currently reading this one)

chug apple cider (this would also do)

...and maybe refine the glory that will be PG and my halloween costume... Just you wait! Mwahahahaha!! (Read as Thriller laugh.)

matchy match.

2010-10-05T21:26:00.001-07:00

My sister T.

My husband P.

Separated at birth?

pumpkin muffins: the essence of fall.

2010-10-01T14:17:00.000-07:00

picture of ecstasy via foodbeam.com

Warm burnt orange like the leaves off the trees

Sharp tang of cream cheese like that crisp dry breeze

Pumpkin muffins are the stuff of fall

Blended and baked down into a handful of bliss

{No wonder I'm craving them madly as the winds change}

remembering.

2010-09-29T21:04:00.000-07:00

remembering a most excellent fort we built for family home evening back in UT

in the booth.

2010-09-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

2008

2010

this is my dream house.

2010-09-20T14:45:00.001-07:00

I mean... my headband matches the garden motif. Made for each other.

My dream house...

The historic Shuey-Podva house, right smack dab on Hartz Ave (Danville's main St.)

Every time I drive by the building I sigh. It is the most perfect shade of grey with delicate white trim and simple black lanterns guarding the entry. It has a sensibly sized front porch and a widow's walk on the rooftop. The bottom of the building is framed with old brick. I love thinking about the history of the house and the family that once filled its walls in simpler times... I WANT THAT HOUSE.

built in 1890ish. how cool is that?!

Has my hometown love gone too far? Is it crazy to want to live on main street and have a darling shop in the white farmhouse attached to this heart-breakingly beautiful grey victorian?

(Am I delusional or hopeful? You can vote. Phil says delusional.)

If I can't have it, maybe we can build a replica someday? Then we could have a giant backyard on a quiet street. (Please tell me someone else spends this much time dreaming.)

Me and the dream.

As I come back down to earth I realize that I really just hope we can afford lots of children (like a litter) and the money to feed and clothe them. To me, truly, a home is where love is. Home is a place where safety, faith, learning, peace, and a little dash of mayhem all reside.

When I think of "home" I'm reminded of one of my favorite songs; Bernstein's"Build My House"...

Will you build me a house

a house that really will be mine

then let me give you my design a simple scheme of the house i dream of

Build my house of wood build my house of stone build my house of brick and mortar

make the ceiling strong strong against the storm shelter when the days grow shorter

but build my house of love and paint my house with trusting and warm it with the warmth of your heart

make the floor of faith

make the walls of truth

put a roof of peace above

only build my house of love

when I see it I hear a choir of angels singing

"aaaaaaaaaaaahhh"

Tell me about your dream home.

What makes a house a home for you?

hairspray.

2010-09-17T14:42:00.000-07:00

My first rusty audition in 2 years... My first dance call in a very long time... about 450 audition-ees... 1 pair of character shoes... a leotard that *hallelujah* still fits after my stage sabbatical...

and...

I'm gonna be in HAIRSPRAY with this east bay company.

Ensemble.

Excited!!!!!!!!! x a mil'

SO so SO excited for...

getting back into "dance-shape" which is the BEST kind of shape.

singing all of the songs we love, while doing WHAT I love to do.

teasing my weave out of control big.

costumes... yum yum.

buy tickets and see me.

mwah!

workin' at the carwash and a super-tuesday.

2010-09-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

Chapter I: Workin' at the Carwash

The other day I decided the multi-layer bird poop collage that was starting to dominate the hood of my car needed to go. Now usually I would scrub this off myself with a little dawn and some elbow grease but sometimes dirty can just reach a level that requires machinery.

I drove down to the drive through gas station wash, punched in my five digit code and drove in for "the works." They make it sound like so much for under 10 bucks.

As the familiar sound of grinding metal, shooting suds, and man-made rain filled the small garage, I was struck by this thought...

This is still AWESOME.

When I was little the car wash (along with going to the party supply store, eating a rare happy meal, wearing nail polish, having a friend over for playtime, and being one of the few preschoolers with pierced ears) was not just fun, it was MAGNIFICENT, magical, and a real treat.

I mused to myself about my "grown up perks" like how many cookies I can eat now without asking (perhaps not in my best interest, but sooo good), how I can play with friends whenever I choose, how I stay up way past my bedtime on a fairly regular basis... I even drive a car! (Actually, when I was little I used to have nightmares about being in the drivers seat of my mom's van as it rolled through town at alarming speeds, but that's another story.) Being a grownup is fun, if you remember how precious all the little things are.

The car wash is one of those things.

Now they even have multi-colored soap, how cool is that?!

Chapter II: A Super-Tuesday

So, Why was my Tuesday so super, you ask? Because my wonderful mother-in-law gave us her two 4th row tickets to Dream Girls in S.F. (!!!!!!!)

I took the bart in and met Phil who awaited me with a big cheeseburger which I gracefully downed before we ran into the theater five minutes later. (This post is making me sound really unhealthy, other times I eat brown rice and put wheat germ in my cereal so don't judge people.)

The show was brilliant! The entire production was just drenched in talent, with only one weak link in the cast. The lights, the music, and the voices all shined. OH the voices, let me tell you something. I was teary. It was such a feel good and lively performance. Also, all of the costumes were steeped in glitter...

...and you KNOW I dig the sparkle.

There is so much worth in live performance, I challenge thee to go and watch something live this month. That is my challenge, take it or leave it.

Riding home on bart, I realized how far the husband has to sojourn every day, poor pilgrim that he is. That also made me quite thankful. He's a keeper.

Truly a super-tuesday!

life at the beach.

2010-09-08T13:38:00.000-07:00

Photo via this site.

We went to Santa Cruz AGAIN!

This time with Phil's Pham.

We spent Sunday to Labor Day in a crazy old house with lots of...

boogie boarders

gargantuan marshmallows

hot tub splashers

and...

sand eaters! (We're talking sandy baby mouths people.)

To me a good place is one where you are in walking distance of both delectable mexican food and toasty beaches. Santa Cruz is one of those places.

I am again reminded why I adore being a California native.

this uptown girl.

2010-09-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

home.

... is in LOVE with thewildernessdowntown a new interactive music video that is exploding like the Fourth of July on the world's widest wildest web.

DO IT:

Follow the link.

Download google chrome or update your browser if you need to. (It's worth it baby.)

Enter in the address of your childhood home.

Get ready for a big slice of wonderful and cool.

You're in for a treat!

seen it? thoughts?!

our august.

2010-08-27T13:35:00.001-07:00

We've been...

camping

show-going

wedding hopping

and showering beautiful brides!

August has been a

RUSH.

Dashing and Smart:

Philip has jumped head first into law school. He works a lot and he will continue to do so for the next 3 years. He's learning so much and I am embarrassingly proud. I can almost see his brain growing before my eyes. He commutes into the city everyday on bart and as a result has really gotten into podcasts (know any good ones?)

Music and Little Ones:

I'm nannying the cutest dumpling toddler boy during the week. We play at the park, build block towers, and work on sounds and words. He's my little charge. In the evenings I'm teaching voice lessons and on Saturdays I'm teaching Kindermusik!

Anytime we have to come up for air we plan little activities like baseball training (I'm learning to hit the ball) and hot tub hangouts with friends.

August has been good to us... Well, all but those putridly hot past few days. (We're talking 107* people!) I thought I might die.

parental units.

2010-08-10T14:33:00.000-07:00

Dan+Terri

my parents were awesome... in fact they still are

How hip and cool is

this blog

{The premise: submit picture of your

parents during their glory days.}

found via my most favorite wedding blog: Snippet&Ink.

Pretty please share with me what made your parents cool pre-parenthood!

phil's first day.

2010-08-09T14:06:00.001-07:00

Camille, Phil, Val.

See that kid in the middle with the socks-vans combo?

Yes, he is very adorable...

...and he just headed off on BART for his first day of law school at

Golden Gate University.

(Actually, it's just orientation this week. But STILL! We're here! Law School!)

And the wife has vicarious first day jitters.

peanuts and cracker jacks: an education.

2010-08-05T14:37:00.000-07:00

See Phil pitch.

I've said it before... Phil bleeds orange, Phil bleeds black. He is a Giant's fan through and through.

If the Giant's have a good day Phil is light on his feet. He has a special kind of smile and a twinkle in his eyes (like the kind of sparkle they put on claymation's eyes in Christmas movies).

If the Giant's have a less than fantastical game... it's another story. The word that comes to mind is downtrodden. I wonder to myself, do these ball players know the power they hold over my husband's disposition and subsequently the spirit of our home?! (Hi. I'm dramatic. Nice to meet you.)

Baseball for Philip means AT&T Park, fouls, strikes, home runs, and pure unadulterated hatred for the Dodgers. Baseball for me means FOOD. This summer I have been getting an education in both. I am actually getting it! (hooray!) As I fill my belly with garlic fries, hot dogs, and chowder... I am somehow soaking up "the game."

I wash it all down with a sundae or some cotton candy.

Yum

deliciously informative.

{It also helps to have such a cute tutor.}

by the sea shore.

2010-07-30T14:31:00.000-07:00

Warning: Obscenely long post with very little apology for waxing poetic.

We took the drive down to Monterey. Winding out of the hills, we unraveled into the flat wide bay. It was cobalt blue and open like a dish.

CYCLING: We rented bikes and hit the trail straightaway. We stopped every other minute to take peeks at otters and seals, and little turquoise tide pools. (Also poop rocks, big ocean boulders that are white with bird doodles, Phil was especially impressed with their fecal displays.) It felt good to move our sea legs after the drive, and the sea air was invigorating. To our right, the ocean went on forever, to our left Victorians and bungalows were stacked in muted tones along the hills.

IF FISH's YOUR WISH: Hungry, we went to a jazz club on Cannery Row. No jazz, too early, but some very good tacos and fried fishes filled us up (We now know we do not like calamari steak as much as calamari-the-regular-kind we thought it was. I tried it and spit it out into. my. hand.). Our fullness was also bolstered by one tourist perk: along the way down the row every single restaurant offered us a sample of "the best chowder on the row" and we partook. So many bests, how is it possible? I do NOT know.

DON'T TRICK A TRICKSTER: After lunchnering, we strolled around the touristy shopping center. We were laughing at a wax museum as we walked up a flight of stairs and CRACK! a loud noise gave us a start. Some familiar shards of grey tissue fell around us. Poppers. Teenager-mayhem. So Phil sniffed them out (he knows what a teenage menace looks like, I have no idea why!), we scurried up the stairs and spotted them. Two large sweatshirt wearing tweedle dees. I thought fast, pulled out my phone... and made a loud mock phone call to the Monterey Police. You don't trick a pair of tricksters. They ran frantically for the hills and we were so pleased with ourselves!

17 MILES OF AWE: Triumph was ours and we jumped back in the car and onto our next adventure. In between Monterey and Carmel there is a very special 17 miles. The "17 Mile Drive" takes you through Pebble Beach as well as some of the most breathtaking pieces of coastline on the planet. We were giddy. We took turns reading the brochure and stopping at viewpoints famous for their phenomenal beauty (You have to know something about Phil and me, we get very excited over learning activities, we don’t just take the drive, we tear the brochure apart.). We saw whales spouting as they chased curiously after a sailboat, enchanting cypress contorting their branches, we saw waves turn vibrant as the light passed through them, we saw laughably gigantic homes. We finished our adventure with a walk around Carmel, or Danville-by-the-sea (Park City is Danville-in-the-mountains, Rice Village is Danville-of-Texas…) and peeked in the ridiculous art stores (Pastel sketch of SANDRA BULLOCK 999.00 really? Truly?!!) and the most yummy chocolate shop (the smell took my breath away).

COMPLIMENTARY EARPLUGS: Dinner number two was clam chowder and real Calamari, then off to the hotel, an old Victorian, very beautiful, very thin walls. We woke up in the morning laughing to the sound of a JACKHAMMER. Phil opened the window to show me that a group of workers had been taking out a section of sidewalk, exactly below, and exactly the same size as our window. Ah such is life.

MUSEUM JUNKIES: After breakfast we excitedly readied ourselves for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We saved the whole day for this activity and we planned to soak up every bit of every exhibit in the sprawling building. We brought Fiber One bars and a bottle of water to sustain us. We were there 4.5 hours. We saw everything. We read almost every plaque and wondered over almost every creature. We touched the bat rays and watched as the resident albatross spread his wings for a crowd. It really is an emotional experience to see the incredible creations this world harbors. The otters were last, we watched them dive and roll. We finished with a trip to the gift shop where we played: first thing I would buy vs. last thing on earth I would ever buy. Phil picked a doosy for the latter; a glass blown mess of tropical fish for a whopping 850 dollars. It’s a fun game, perfect for museum shops where everything is novelty and all purchases are emotionally tied to vacations.

CARL'S AND A LIGHTHOUSE: Before we left we ate at the glamorous Carl’s Junior (we had been sucked in by a commercial earlier this week, don’t judge us, two western bacon burgers for 5 bucks. Mmmm) and headed for one last tour, the old Point Pinos Lighthouse. It was so neat and magical. There’s something really interesting to me about a lighthouse and the life of a lamplighter keeping watch in a kind of Spartan world of solitude.

ALWAYS A SAD GOODBYE: I was really sad to go. If you ever see me at the end of a party, I'm a shade of grey. I love beginnings and could do without endings. It’s obvious to me our calling in life is to eat and travel and never be apart. Why can’t someone fund that?! Back to home and real life, and Phil starting Law School in just over two weeks… (EE-GADS!) But more adventures await us, I know, and Monterey now holds a very special place in our hearts!

Adios.

2010-07-28T09:02:00.000-07:00

I have a few days off work.

So last night we booked a hotel.

We're heading down to do an overnight in beautiful Monterey.

We're going to see the ocean and the fish

at the

most incredible aquarium

on earth.

If you're ever in California you must go there too!

Adios!

courtney lynn.

2010-07-21T14:32:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SIS!

She's 22 today.

{I LOVE U}

***

weekend warriors.

2010-07-20T13:34:00.000-07:00

The babes: Pictures stolen from their momma, because in other news, my camera is broken.

Yesterday I came home from work, took a much needed shower, put my hair in two thin braids, and essentially went into a half-coma. Why you might ask?

I had a busy weekend.

Friday through Sunday Phil and I inherited 3 children ages 3, almost two, and just darn tiny (7 months?). They happen to be our very adorable nephews and niece, Mimi, Jude, and Silas (Silas "the Beloved" in my book).

Their parents went to L.A. and we became very acquainted with the changing table.

All poops aside it was so much fun. I love the rhythm of bottles, diapers, and naps, not to mention the hilarity of Mimi-isms.

Here are the highlights:

*After church Mimi gets out of bed, because she's hungry. We negotiate the food plea down to juice because she didn't eat her lunch. She is so excited for us to drink juice together on the couch. She says "We can talk!" "About what?" I ask. "About church, let's sit on the couch and talk about Jesus!" I told her about miracles Jesus performed. She glanced up at my necklace and said, "Once somebody's necklace was broken and Jesus fixed it!" Maybe Mimi, maybe.

*Swimming with baby Silas in the pool. He laughed every time we would dip his legs in.

*It's nap time and everyone's asleep... or so we think. We hear a cat like scratching at the door, a whimper, and then a small gollum-ish satan voice (very guttural) groan: PPPHHHHIILLLL-LUUUUPPPPP.

It was Princess Miranda

and it was scary.

*Jude constantly framed his little counterpart Si for any poop smells. "Silas poopoos!"

*We all snuggled in bed after naps and gave Si tummy raspberries.

I like practice parenting. As usual Phil was a natural with all of the kids. He is the perfect balance of fun and firm. He's a wonderful Uncle, that P.G. We had to help each other out quite a bit, and quickly. "Grab a burp rag, throw me that pacifier, hold him, put her shoes on." I think we make an alright team.

It's Tuesday now and we're both still a little drowsy... off to sleep!