Sunday, September 30, 2012

9.30.12 you, then

1 year old 

Saturday, September 29, 2012

9.29.12 errand

picked up this delicious hard cider while running other errands

Friday, September 28, 2012

9.28.12 a good thing

it's like heaven is shining down on it!

fashion friday - scarves

probably my favorite fall accessory...

scarves

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

9.26.12 near

shark

choo choo!


this past weekend, we celebrated with some friends for another one year old's birthday.  Gunnar is one lucky little guy to have such a great family and his mom made sure that her "last" first birthday party would be one to remember!

Cat's attention to detail was amazing.  she made that incredible train cake from scratch.  it had rolos, skittles, gummi lifesavers, candy corn, and hershey chocolate bars in each of the cars and every cake was a different flavor.  the sugar cookies (that i helped ice!) were delicious and she made those from scratch too.  i also loved the chocolate dipped pretzels.  i didn't get a picture of the regular food but she also made these delicious mini pesto pizzas, pigs in a blanket, and fresh caprese salad.

the gift bags were these adorable little suitcases that included a train conductor hat, a bandanna, a train whistle, and a few other little goodies.  and each guest also got a little Melissa and Doug train to paint and cover with stickers.  the kids enjoyed the bounce house and i may have even bounced once or twice.

it was a beautiful celebration for a super happy, healthy little boy and we were so happy to be able to be a part of it.  and as a bonus, i was able to personally deliver the first of my handmade gifts (from this challenge).  less than 4 months to finish!
i created and framed this printable which is now gracing her kitchen


Monday, September 24, 2012

citysolve urban race san diego

i have a special place in my heart for the amazing race.  justin and i even tried out for the show but (as you can tell) we weren't chosen (yet).  in the meantime, i can do fun amazing race-like things with groups such as citysolve urban race.  three friends and i took the challenge one saturday.  yes, the hottest saturday EVER.  that's the day we decided to run around for 4 HOURS on a scavenger hunt.  but i digress...

basically, it's a scavenger hunt for charity.  this race's particular charity was It's All About The Kids Foundation, which "creates new and innovative programs to benefit children's charities and enhance the lives of less fortunate children and their families."

one of my teammates posted a great blog breaking out each clue and full of fun pics from the day.  you can check it out here.  the site hasn't released the official results yet but we came in around 4 hours.  what i was proudest about was that we actually finished the race.  many teams gave up early on by deciding not to solve and find all the required clues.  all in all, i think we did pretty well for our first shot at it and we all agreed that it is something we'll definitely try again (on a cooler day for sure).

before
after
one thing we noticed while "running" around was that there were at least 3 other scavenger hunt type events going on at the same time as ours.  it seems like these are pretty popular events around the country.  so if you're looking for something fun and different to do around your town i highly recommend checking one of these out.  you'll see your city in a new way.

9.24.12 three things

three thomas the trains

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Thursday, September 20, 2012

antiquing

sometimes when i have to go up north for reserve duty, i find myself with a free evening.  lately i've been trying to take advantage of such freedom by watching a movie at the theater or eating at a new restaurant i want to try.  recently i had the opportunity to check out a (very) large antique shop with one of my (reluctant) friends.  man oh man did i feel like i was on a treasure hunt!  i wasn't looking for anything in particular so it made it a little easier to step back and take it all in but the place was still a little overwhelming.  there were literally thousands of pieces of everything from furniture and art, to knick knacks and books.  i could have spent days in there.

like i mentioned, the friend that went with me was not as excited about the place as i was but he was still a good sport.  at one point he was trying to trick me into moving along faster by pointing at something far away and saying "check that out."  of course, the direction he was pointing in was closer to the exit.  i replied "i know what you're doing!  you're making me miss treasures!" a man passing by us snorted in laughter.

so i got a decent look but it really only whet my appetite.  i will definitely check it out again the next time i'm up there.  and i may be checking some out closer to home as well...

(you will notice a lot of owls things in the following pictures.  i can't help it, that's what jumped out at me!  i will say that the one thing i did end up getting had nothing to do with owls and that there was a MUCH larger selection of collectibles than that.)


not salt, but nutmeg?!

tons of handkerchiefs



i liked this little guy but i didn't like the little chip in his mustache




all boston terriers all the time



9.20.12 man-made

she gets so excited when i make her date look like a heart

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

9.19.12 underneath

moonrise from under our persimmon tree

ahoy birthday boy!

this past weekend we went to a first birthday party for our friend Mateo.  the party had a nautical theme and every little detail was perfect.  of course it helps when dad is part of an amazing design team, the same team behind their incredible wedding.  saraya loved all the good food, the delicious bundt cake, and all of the fun stuff for the kids like the bouncy, the ball pool, the face paint and the balloons.  she even gave the birthday boy a sweet kiss.

making a card

little crochet bow ties i made


facepaint and balloon animals!


bounce!




cotton candy

piƱata

birthday kiss