Actually posting a creation!

I was on my move up to Washington during Father's Day, but I told myself I would not forget to honor my dad with a card and gift.

We never (at least I never) tell our (my) parents enough how much they mean to us and how thankful we are for everything they've done for us. The older I get, the more I realize the amazing things my dad has taught me and given me. One thing I treasure (as does my self-esteem) is the fact that my dad would always remind me that I was beautiful. Through conversations with many YL girls, I realized this was not a common thing that dads tell their daughters. My dad never made comments like, "are you really going to eat that?" or anything demeaning. (Yes, some of my YL girls' dads have said things like this to them...it's crazy.) Anyway, I love my dad and he is pretty great.

For some reason the cards I make my dad every year seem to be my most creative cards. Here is my latest creation! Don't worry, I did write a nice note in it as well.

I also sent him a UW Dad shirt that I hope he wears even though it's purple. I made 3 other cards as well, but forgot to take pictures of them before I sealed them in envelopes. I'm going to attempt to make a paper bag mini scrapbook soon! I'm very excited.

I also bought these today:

I am SO SO excited about them. They are orange and fantastic and I don't care if I'm joining the Toms trend because they are SO comfy. Kevin and I made some SUPER tasty grilled pineapple and chicken quesadillas the other night and I am now obsessed with the Pioneer Woman! Then last night we baked chocolate chip cookies AND I am going to make banana bread as soon as my bananas get over ripened. Hooray for summer free time, which allows me time to cook and bake! Okay this is way too long (with too many links) and I have to go get ready for yet another nanny interview!

Some goodies

I realized I wonderfully failed at creating something every week and posting about it. I have made a few fun things that I'd like to share! Here are some pictures:

The first 2 are a bit blurry because they were taken on my phone. I made them over Halloween last year (obviously).

The brooms are shortbread cookies with pretzel rods and melted chocolate. They were SO tasty. The ghosts are brownies topped with jumbo marshmallows and vanilla frosting.

This is the first cake I decorated back in March for my Wilton Cake Decorating class! I can't believe I didn't take pictures of the Easter cupcakes and rose cake. I need to be better about getting pictures of my creations!

Kevin is obviously not 40, but we (more like I) joke that he has the tastes of a 35 - 40 yr old man. This cake was layered and had a delicious whipped cream / pudding mix in the middle!

Two posts in one day. Hooray! I don't have work today so I'm going to make some cards and cannot wait to be creative. Kevin wants to help me make a scrapbook table/desk and I am super super excited about this!!!

A little getting used to.

Here are pictures of a few things I do NOT like about Seattle:

1. HILLS. I have to park on one and it honestly makes me a sick...

2. There are rarely bike lanes and the lanes are pretty narrow. It's not terrible, just new for me!

3. Parallel parking. I knocked off my passenger side hubcap because I hit the curb so much. Better yet...I have to parallel park on this steep hill next to my house. It's a nightmare!!

However... who can't love driving north on I-5 into this beautiful city.

Just a small update for now. I am learning to drive better in Seattle--which means slower, more aggressive, more attentive, and more patient. Tomorrow, Kevin and I are going to the Mariners v. Yankees game and then to dinner at the Pyramid Alehouse (pyramid makes my FAVORITE beer - the Haywire Hefeweizen). I am very excited that the weather has heated up and the sun stays up until 10 pm! Soon I'll post some pictures of my great house and finally complete room! Miss you all back in AZ.

Long time update!

Holy moly, it has been SO long. Life got very out of hand my last semester at ASU. I was busier than expected and committed to spending all my free time with the people I love: my family, Kevin, and Young Life girls. I'd like to consider myself pretty successful on that front.

Anyway, I am now in SEATTLE. Kevin moved back in with his parents in Auburn (45 min south of me without traffic...which never actually occurs). I moved into a wonderful house that was originally built in 1902! It is so fabulous and my new blog background was actually chosen because it reminds me of my house. I will post pictures of that at some point.

We went to Malibu Club in BC Canada for YL camp this year. I absolutely fell in love with a group of girls who will be juniors this year at Arcadia. Here is a picture of the beautiful girls that I miss so much!

My heart was so broken throughout camp knowing that I would have to leave them. I'm going to try my absolute best to stay in contact with them & to love them from 1500 miles away. I so wish I could take them with me up here and play with them everyday. We had SO much fun and talked about such amazing things. I know that God is working in their lives and it was so fun to watch God do His thing.

Kevin & my drive up here was pretty interesting/fun/boring/loooooong. I drove my car behind him driving the Uhaul with his car in tow behind! We have quite a few stories of the 1500 mile adventure, but that is for another day. Here is my favorite two pictures from our trip!

The first is by Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach, OR. Apparently this rock was featured in the movie Goonies (which I have to admit that I haven't even seen it..)

The second is at a strawberry field about 20 minutes east of Portland. Kevin is completely obsessed with strawberries, so stopping to pick them was such a blast. We ended with 5.5 lbs and they were the sweetest, most delicious strawberries I've EVER had in my life!

I am working for an agency called A Nanny for U. So far I do not have a ton of work, which is really discouraging. However, I am trying to relish in this free time that I have wanted so so badly for the past year.

I'm already learning so much from the week I have been up here in Seattle, which is also for another blog. I just had to get one blog started so that I could break the awkward 4 month hiatus. Be back soon!