We started a new tradition with the Dhara’s this year - chopping down our own Christmas tree! This is the picture that didn’t make the Christmas card.
Dec8
Category Archives: friends
Dec7
The Perfect Gift
I took this gift home from a White Elephant gift exhange – can you believe it? Someone must be reading the blog! The hilarious thing is I didn’t even have to trade for it. I randomly picked it out of the pile of many gifts….it’s like it was meant to be mine 
Yup, the chocolate cake came with it too. Cracks me up!
Dec5
Game Night…
turned dance party! Makes me happy
Nov20
Shower and Sap
I’m a lot behind on the blog. Partly because we’ve been busy bees but mostly because I haven’t been able to put into words all the love in the air. Why is it all I have in my head is this?
My sister and AME threw a bridal shower for me the first part of November. Kind of early in the grand scheme of wedding but I think that was good for me. **Warning sappy-ness in 5…4…3…2…**
Driving to Spokane with Maris and Cousin, chatting, it really sunk in that I’m getting married. Like, married married! Love, marriage, meeting “the one” – oh my goodness, I’ve talked with my girls countless hours – me talking, me listening, tears, jeers. The one thing I’ve talked to girlfriends and Mom about since before I even knew Kevin is actually happening – for me. With Kevin. Looking back and more importantly, looking forward, I can’t imagine being with anyone but Kevin. If only I knew that six years ago….but, when you know, you know - and not a moment before!
In addition to my revelation of ”wow, it’s not just talk anymore, it’s actually my turn” there was this overwhelming feeling that all of these women from pretty much my entire Spokane life are all going to be in one place, all for me. It kind of freaked me out a bit. I like attention, don’t get me wrong but it was really overwhelming. What a feeling it is to be loved by so many people. Having all those women from childhood, who have each influenced my life in different ways all come together to celebrate our upcoming marriage was flattering and surreal and my heart was permanently warmed.
I’m a lucky girl.
Oh! And, uh, the presents were cool too!
My team didn't win. I think it was rigged!
Sister, Mamasita and me
Sep9
Gorgeous
Kevin saw his first Dave concert at the Gorge, earning his Northwest Merit Badge! 
In other Labor Day weekend news, my sister turned 30! Isn’t this the cutest picture ever? Gramma and Sis karaoke together. Priceless.
Jul10
H to the izzO, B to the izzUCK
That’s izzle for Hobuck. Where we love, love, love!
Another fantastic weekend getaway with awesome friends, three days of surf, yummy food, hours of dominos and beachfront fireworks. The sun joined us too – we could even see Tatoosh Island!
Cape Flattery
Jun5
We heart Oregon!
We had a wedding to go to over Memorial Day weekend in Portland so we decided to take advantage of the long weekend and spend a couple of days in Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast. The Oregon Coast is way better than the Washington Coast. And there are so many fun, local shops in Portland (supportland!) it makes it an adventure every time we visit. It almost makes us want to move to Portland. Almost. If nothing else I do feel badly for giving the Brick House boys such crap for being from “stupid” Portland. Sorry guys – it’s cooler than I gave you credit for. Plus now you have the “Sonics” too so I really can’t hate.
Anyway, the surf was awesome. We only made it out once but we went to Short Sands – a place Matty showed us a couple of years ago. It’s a quick quarter-mile or so hike through a grove of old growth forest that leads to a protected cove where the waves are always nice (at least the two times we’ve gone!). We surfed until we were almost too tired to hike out and were completely satisfied despite the downpour of rain the rest of the weekend. Back in Portland, Matty and Alison took us to Mississippi Street where there’s this really cool salt shop with giant peonies. Like the size of your head, giant. We loved them and want them for our wedding. I hope they’re in bloom mid-April but it may be a bit too early. Matty and Alison we might have a job for you in transporting giant peonies!
Evidently, it's hard for me to take normal pictures...
May3
Let’s go Surfing now
Our first trip to Westport of the season left Kevin, Lauren and me happy campers. The water was oh so chilly but worth every frost bitten second. Let’s be honest, the real reason we go is the stop at DQ on the way home. Three of us, four Blizzards. Check!
Apr27
Cupcake Diet
Cupcakes, cupcakes and more cupcakes! This is what my wedding diet has consisted of the last few weeks.
I’m not too sure that it’s working but….meh. They’re delicious! And nutritious?
At Cupcake Camp with KMJ, Jill and Anj. Eating cupcakes for cause - all to benefit Hope Heart Institute.
Cupcake tasting at Trophy!
Feb28
These Cupcakes are Taken
KMJ and I took the boys to our first (cup)cake tasting!
Kevin and I have quite a bit of time to figure out what we’re doing for dessert but Cupcake Royale was running a promotion where you got a cute T for coming in and tasting. Why would we deny ourselves a cute T and eating cupcakes? We wouldn’t.
The staff at Cupcake Royale were super friendly. They let us taste cupcakes until we were sick (and even let us take home the ones we couldn’t finish), you can mix and match a ton of flavors and color combos, which is fun, and you get to use their finest sprinkle supply!
While the quote for 200 cupcakes was more reasonable than I expected (I don’t really know what I expected so maybe that helped), they don’t offer any sort of bulk discount, which surprised me when buying at such a large quantity. In fact, not only do they not offer a bulk discount but if you’re looking to buy 0-150 wedding cupcakes, there’s a .25 premium from simply buying them out of the case because you get to use the fancy sprinkles. They offer a pedestal/stand, delivery and a cutting cake…all for a cost.
I’m learning very quickly attach “wedding” to anything and it seems to be ok to charge [a lot] more. On the bright side, their cupcakes are delicious and worth every extra .25 cents!
