Vampires

When I'm on a roll, I'm on a roll...3 blogs in one month!!! I couldn't not write about this....

About 6 months ago, my sister-in-law, Erica, handed me a book "Twilight" and said "seriously, read this. it's so good. it's about vampires." I think my exact words (in my head) were "yeah, right. probably not." So 6 months this book has been sitting on my bookshelf collecting dust (sorry, Erica).
Two Saturdays ago I picked it up reluctantly and I read through the entire series in 9 days. I've been obsessed and completely void of a social life for 9 days. I can't think of anything else. I entered into an entirely different world of incredibly good looking vampires, compulsive werewolves, and clumsy humans, and now I can't seem to come back to "normal" everyday life. I poked myself with a knife while unloading the dishwasher and looked around to see if a vampire smelled my blood. If someone around me does something truly impressive and skillful, I've thought to myself, "I wonder if he/she is a vampire?" Am I going crazy? I hope not. I just need to transition into real life again.
It takes an amazing author to write a book that 1. you can't put down, 2. you can't think of anything else, 3. is clean, and 4. you have a time of mourning when it's done and immediately want to pick up the first book again. I've never been more infatuated with a book (or series) than I am with this one and I've never been more depressed when I finish (Erica, I will never doubt you again!). I don't want to ruin the book, so here's my advice: "Seriously, read this. It's so good. It's about vampires."

Farewell for now, sweet friends

Goodbyes are so hard. I cried 3 times when I heard that 2 of our best friends and Marley's BFF were leaving Redding, and I've cried 5 times this week. Em and Brett were really the first couple we started hanging out with after moving to Redding. They are the kind of friends you call to come over and have a chill night, to play games with, to mix drinks with, to plan parties with, to go bowling, to BBQ with, to laugh with, to have a lot in common with, to have a dog that your dog is best friends with, to share holidays with, to cry, to reminisce, to pray, to ask advice, to jam with, to worship with, to be comfortable with, to eat sushi with, to take pictures of everyone and their dog. My heart is happy for them to begin this new adventure in San Diego, to be just the two of them again, to be happy in their jobs, to have better opportunities, to meet new friends. I will miss them terribly at the same time. I know (thanks to everyone that WILL be hiring Em to do their weddings, baby, engagement, and family pics) that Em will be back quite often (I WILL be threatening your life if you do not hire her), but that doesn't fill the humongous void there will be day to day. Their presence here the last few years has changed lives, has ministered to so many, and has brought a joy to each of us. I'll miss you terribly, Brett and Emily and Teryx, but I wish you the best in SD and you better get a blow-up mattress because Jeremy and Marley and I will be on our way to visit in a couple days (haha).
Here's to the last few years of laughter, tears, puppies, house projects, Moscato, the Stirring, bowling, holidays, and FRIENDS FOREVER. . .

Christmas and pink Santa Hats...

Delicious...

Happy New Year's before Brett passed out...
Happy New Year's AFTER Brett passed out...

Birthdays, Grad Parties, and big lips.... Marley and Teryx- BFF's...
Merch girls....



Sunbathing @40 degrees for fame (at least we had donuts and coffee).....Photo shoots and nutritious foods...


San Clemente, boogie boards, and bloody noses....
All the girls.....


Aren't you proud of me, Em? I will get better at blogging...just for you!

My Summer in a nutshell

this summer was one of the most eventful summers I've ever had. sad, I know. here's a look into it...

THE WEDDING

So, I went to Pete and Jamie Metz's wedding in Tahoe (congratulations!) with Kristena. I'd never been to Tahoe before, everyone kept looking at me as if I was insane when I'd tell them that. It was so beautiful and the wedding was at an amazing location and Pete and Jamie are such a great couple. ... PS. this blog will be full of pictures

THE INVASION
A few weeks after the wedding, Jeremy flushed out a mole. Not the spy kind, the actual rodent kind that was destroying our backyard. For some reason this summer we've been invaded (for those of you who know about our squirrel problems in Seattle-this might not be a surprise to you). I feel like Noah. It's as if God is calling them to our house two by two. First the 4 cats that have adopted us. Then the Mole we named Herbie. We drowned him the day we met him. Then the ants (only not two by two-more like two million by two million) all over our carpets, our bed, our kitchen. We've been thru 4 cans of Raid and will probably all perish early from all the fumes we've inhaled. Then the opossums. Oh, the opossums. We've trapped 4 and had them "relocated". They like cat food and my laundry room and we even found a baby one curled up with the kittens. I think they're so ugly their cute. You decide.... Then the fawn in the backyard. Yes, a fawn ("Bambi"). It got trapped in the alley behind our house and decided to sleep in our backyard until Marley scared the little guy half to death. Ok, here are the picks to prove our invasion...they're a bit gross...

The Mole...
The Opossum...
SAN CLEMENTE

Every year our family goes to San Clemente. It's my favorite thing to do all year. We sit on the beach most of the time, BBQ, play boche ball, swim, Jeremy sits in the hot tub whenever there is a spare second. This year was a little different. We slept most of the time. We were crazy tired (I think this happens more when you get old). We also witnessed a crazy drunk driving accident, where the car ended up about 10 yards from us and upside down. It was right after we took this picture:Kristena and I on the beach...
Jeremy, Me, Kristena, and the waves...
Ava, Adiah, and Erica created this sexy mermaid body for Uncle Jeremy.



DISNEYLAND
Oh, Disneyland. The happiest place on earth...that is, until around 8pm when all children AND adults start to self-destruct. Literally, there is a HUGE difference in mood in the park at the beginning of the day and then at the end of the day. Hopefully the kids have fallen asleep in the strollers by the time you try to leave, if not they are most assuredly having a meltdown on the trolley. Here is a glimpse of our day in the blessed park of mirth and wonders and log rides....


This is me, pre-drench...


Rachel joined us...
California Adventures...
Ava will be on So You Think You Can Dance someday, and they'll show this photo that her favorite auntie took...

New Mexico
The Land of Enchantment (or entrapment - as some of the locals say). I flew in right after our SoCal trip and had a blast with the fam. (Jeremy had studio work and festivals to go to). Probably my favorite time was spent with my mom-staying up late and talking talking talking, oh and the time with Grandma doing crossword puzzles, with my dad at the baseball games, and riding with Matt on his motorcycle. I'll post some of those pics later when my mom decides to learn how to attach a picture to an email. Haha. Seriously a good time with the family.

Dad

Mom

Brother

The Girls

Well, that about wraps up my 7-blogs-in-1. I hope you enjoyed the exciting happenings of my summer, and I hope this pacifies you for at least another 2 months. Sorry you had to stare at weird "alien kitty" for so long. Peace.