0062 -- visit from the folks

It's taken me a while to update since we had my folks in town and then the day after they left I went right back to work. We had a lovely visit with them and I can't wait for them to come back!! My folks arrived the day after x-mas. Jordan and I hadn't been sleeping so well so we decided to get up super early and go watch the sunrise at a local park.

We had also been having some issues with our kitty, Larry David. He was showing us signs of being sick and it felt very similar to when we lost our other kitty Izzy. Fortunately, he's feeling better and it seems to just have been a bug. Phew!

Watched the sunrise and the sunset all in the day! Glorious!

Mom had a few places that she just had to go, and Powell's Books was one of them. It's an entire city block and probably 3 or 4 stories high. They have everything and then some!!

We also took my mum on four mile hike through the Hoyt Arboretum. It was so pretty and I can't wait to do more hikes there when it's a bit warmer!

We also had to walk mom through the Lone Fir Cemetery. How lovely is this headstone for a husband and wife?

We also go our first home visit with baby Phelyn!!!

And she almost got her first bite of cookie butter! 

My folks had downloaded bejeweled and by the time they left the four of us were all addicted to it!

New Years Eve was quiet and fun. My dad made us all chicken wings, the CatCamp came over with Stephen's dad, and we all passed out before midnight!!

Update again soon!

xxo

0060 -- holidaze

I've had since last Friday off work and have been trying to use my time wisely...sleeping, enjoying the cats, running errands, and trying to prepare for Marissa's arrival back home. 

While we were in Seattle Marissa and Stephen arrived back in Portland. This time for good! They're staying with us so we've been trying to make sure the spare room is all comfy and the fridge is stocked for our festive times! Larry loves Stephen and decided that he would make himself right at home so that hopefully they would think he was just a bed attachement...

We also finally got our holiday packages sent back down south. They'll be arriving late, but at least they got out! We still have to send our international packages...but hopefully before the new year!

We also got the house as decorated as we will for X-mas. We're not big fans of putting a tree up since our cats are real demons. And I had made a wreath already so the smell of pine is in the air!

On X-mas eve, after a yummy meal of soyrezo burritos we walked down to Peacock Lane, THE street to walk down during the holidays. Every house was done up with lights and some kind of fun theme! It was really incredible. We're also lucking out that the weather is holding up and staying in the 30's and 40's for us!

I'll update again with X-mas day proper soon!
Hope your holidays have been merry and bright!

xxo

0059 -- Seattle (quickly)

This past weekend a gal pal of mine from college had a holiday party that we decided to venture up for. Ms. Boots Brady (I know her as Peach) knows how to throw one heck of a party and everyone in attendance was just lovely!! I'm so thankful that our little circle is getting bigger and brighter every year. 

The drive to Seattle from Portland is only about three hours and it's gorgeous the whole way! There's tons of bridges crossing over the various rivers and streams that flow up here in the pacific wonderland. So much different than what we're used to seeing back south.

Seattle was gray and drizzly, as usual, when we got in. We don't mind this weather so much as it gives me an excuse to layer up and wear all my fun coats and hats! 

We used one of our wedding presents to stay at the Ace hotel in Seattle (we've stayed at 3 now and visited 4 of the Ace chain and we love them more and more every time we go).

I'm not sure is it's sad or just a testiment to how much fun we were having but this is the only photo that I have from the party on my phone. Boots' cheese plate was insane so was the pate, the tuna spread, olives, decor...I could keep going! Really the best part was the white elephant gifting. Jordan and I ended up with some whiskey making treats, chocolates, and a candle we're burning right now!

The next morning before heading home we walked down to Pike's Place Market to see what the artisans had for sale. We came across tons of floral arrangements I wanted to buy, scallops the size of a fist, and the freshest veggies around. I was pleased to be able to pick up a few gifts for my dad while we were there too!

Update again soon!

xxo

0058 -- wreath treats

Jordan and I had some last minute running around to do this morning including a stop at the grocery store. Since the holidays are here and that means treats galore we decided to grab the ingredients for holiday corn flake wreaths!! Super easy and sure to bring a little cheer!!

4 cups mini marshmallows

1/3 cup butter

1 teaspoon green food coloring

6 cups corn flakes

some cinnamon dot candies

Melt butter on low heat in a stock pot. Add in marshmallows and allow to fully melt. Fold in food coloring. Once fully combined stir in corn flakes. 

We wore gloves since we didn't want green fingers and sprayed them with a bit of oil and then formed little mounds on wax paper. Top off with the cinnamon dots and you're done! 

Of course you could put any topping on these so we did some nightmare before christmas, Zelda, and plain chocolate sprinkles too! 

Update again soon!

xxo

0053 -- giving thanks

The last few months have been a bit of a whirlwind adventure. We have been so lucky to have SO many amazing friends, such great experiences, each other, and our health. Really, how could anyone ask for anything more?!?

This thanksgiving we spend it with our friends Linsay and Wesley. We met them through a mutual friend from LA and have been fortunate enough to see them weekly since we met. They made a vegan thanksgiving feast that words really cannot describe!!! 

We also got to be witnesses to their baby Phelyn eating her fist solid food; an avocado of course!!!

The meal was beyond delicious and we topped it off with our homemade desserts (recipes in my next post): apple pie & Mexican wedding cookies 

and a seriously KILLER round of Cards Against Humanity (of course Lynsay's daughter Sierra won)!

All in all it was the most magical day and we are SO darn thankful for the way that everything is playing out. It's really just so amazing that we have been so fortunate. Happy holidays!!

Update again soon!

xxo