Dear 2012,

We started off rough 2012.  Jon and I both had bronchitis.  We had a little plumbing problem.  There was a lot of overtime at work.  Both our cars had some issues.  We had some really sever weather (tornadoes in January?!?!?!).  We had more awesome hanging out nights at Dustin and Amber's than I can count.  Well I could probably count if I wanted to.  But I don't.  February 29th only comes once every four years and this was one of them.  March came in like a lion with tornadoes that destroyed towns.  Work got super busy due to a system change, and we met a new friend who we nicknamed Swamp Thang.  April snuck in on us and before we knew it we were  spening Easter with my family.  We celebrated the wedding of an old friend and Jon and Dustin cleaned up nice as groomsmen.  My nephew Grayson turned one.  April brought migraines and that was no bueno.  Schatzi had her puppies!  Sadly, only one lived, but my oh my is she a cutie!  Brooklyn turned one and we wondered how we became surrounded by babies that are quickly becoming toddlers.  I got a BIG birthday present in the form of a treadmill!  Woop!  Aunt Sharon and Uncle Juan came to visit and see the house (along with a gaggle of other family folk).  I celebrated the big 3-0 with a party with our lil' gang.  We took Josh to Skyline for a picnic and to climb the "Tower of Fear."  We went to my home town county fair and had a great visit with my family in July.  Can you say FAIR COOKIES!!!  So yum! Unfortunately, I also got a pinched nerve in my back in July.  Not. Fun.  Fall came (finally!) and brought busy but fun times!  We got to see the last blue moon for 3 years.  It was huge!!  I thought our neighbors had lights on outside, but nope!  That was the moon lighting up our bedroom!  I photographed Jon's Aunt Rachel's wedding.  Terrifying!  We had many celebrations leading up to David and Kate's October wedding.  I donated 10 inches of my hair to Locks of Love.  I got to see the ocean for the first time.  We lost Grandpa B in November.  Before we knew it, it was Christmas.  We got to see so many member of our families and it was wonderful!  All in all you were one heck of a year 2012.  I'm glad we had this time together.  Here's lookin' at you kid.

Lately

Lately we've been drinking lots of coffee and taking in the snowy landscape.  I love winter!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!  We had a wonderful Christmas that started on Thursday night and ended today!  Thursday we picked up Josh and he got to open all his presents.  Saturday, we headed up to my parents to have Christmas with my family.  Sunday, we headed back to Seymour and had Christmas with Jon's Mom for Josh.  Yesterday, I worked until noon, then we headed to Jon's grandmas for Christmas with his dad's side.  This morning we went over to his mom's for Christmas with them.  Whew!  I love seeing all of our families and getting to spend time with them!  Merry Christmas indeed!

Merry Christmas!

Sick Day

Oh what a day.  We were supposed to head to Indy for my nephews 5th birthday party, but Jon was sick all morning.  I decided to stay home just in case I had the germs.  I didn't want to spread them around.  Ugh.  Jon was sick ALL morning and then took a 4 hour nap.  That left me with my whole day open, so I decided to girl it up.  I marathoned (is that a word?) Laguna Beach and The Hills all day!  Lol, oh it takes me back.  I did get a little laundry done so I didn't waste the whole day.  Now I'm making Honey Spiced Pork Chops for dinner (well, dinner for me.  I don't know if Jon is up to it yet.) and watching Star Trek.    Anywho, just a laid back day here!  Oh and here is a picture from Josh's 5th grade Christmas program from Friday night.

Passion Tea Lemonade

I love this recipe!  It tastes just like Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade!  Yum!  All you need is Tazo Passion Tea and Simply Lemonade.

Just brew a couple bags of the tea.  Cool it down then mix it with the lemonade.  Serve over ice!

Winter Simmer Scent

I learned this trick and I love it!  You can change it up to match your mood/the season/whatever! Since it's Christmas time, I decided to use nutmeg, cinnamon, a shot of lemon juice, and oranges.  Basically what I had on hand, lol.  I'm going to add cranberries next time!

Add around 6 cups of water to your crockpot.  Slice up your orange and drop it in!  I squished mine just a bit to get the juices flowing.  I used whole cinnamon sticks and just smashed them up a bit, then dropped them in.  I grated about 1/2 of a whole nutmeg, then just dropped in the rest of it.  I also added about 1 tbsp lemon juice.  Set your crockpot to high and let it go!  Just make sure to add water if it gets low!

Woopsie Daisies

To start, how exactly do you spell woopsie?  Hm.  Deep thoughts here people, deep thoughts.  Anywho, long time no blog! Some updates.

• On a sad note, I lost my Grandpa B this month.  He was 94 and had been in ill health for some time, so it wasn't unexpected.  RIP Grandpa. 
• On a happier note, Christmas season is here!  Woop!  
• We've got the house decorated and almost all of our shopping is done!  Double woop!  
• We had Thanksgiving and it was fun.
• I had my annual shopping trip with my Mom and sisters and it was great! Far too busy though.  I really don't dig all the people out shopping the weekend after thanksgiving.  Too many people + really rude too many people = No Bueno.
• I had my first paid photography gig and that was awesome!
• Jon is playing Morrowind.  Sigh.  Great game but he gets really into it and plays it ALL THE TIME.  At least he enjoys himself :)
• I really want to do a boudoir session.  Any takers?
• I am looking forward to seeing Breaking Dawn pt 2 with Amber and Kate.  Gotta plan a time
• I am super duper psyched about The Hobbit!  We are a family who loves our Lord of the Rings!
• I love glitter.  Just felt the need to put that out there.  Isn't Christmas just the season for glitter?
• That's about it!  Just really loving my family(ies) and dreaming of candy canes and pine trees.  Ah Christmas.  I love thee.  

The Ocean is Big.

I had a work conference that took me to Florida.  I saw the ocean for the first time and I've decided I need to see more.  Also, I'm going to need a cd of ocean sounds to sleep to.  Anywho, I had a great time  but I'm glad to be home.  Here are some phone pics from my trip.

Leaf Jump

I had two photography appointments this weekend, but they were both canceled due to illness.  Thiers, not mine.  THere is a nasty flu going around Seymour, so I was more than happy to let them get better before seeing them!  Anywho, that left me free to spend more time with Jon and Josh.  We had a nice laid back weekend.  Oh and Josh jumped in his first pile of leaves!

Yeah and Jon joined him!  I love these two!

Happy Halloween

We ordered pizza and are watching Hocus Pocus!!!  Happy Halloween indeed!

Photography

Ok so here's the deal.  I'm attempting to pursue photography more aggressively.  Basically, I set up another blog specifically for my photos.  I also have a Facebook page.  Check it out and pass the word if you like what you see.  I already have a few shoots lined up and I'm super excited!  So, here goes nothing!

Kate's Bridal Shoot

Check out more pics on my photography site!

Scared. Oh so scared. The Shining.

Husband made me watch the shining last night.  I am still jumping at every noise I hear.  That movie scares the bejesus out of me!  Why?  I'll explain.  Jack Nicholson.

Hm sexy. 

Holy mother of....{insert terrified anumal like scream!!!!!} That's why.

Thoughts

The wind is perfect today.  It whooshes through the leaves, sending some of them to the ground.  I could  sit and listen to it all day.  It's just a bit overcast and according to the weather channel storms could roll in, or not.  It would be a perfect day if I wasn't fighting this cold.  I still can't complain.  The temps are cooling off and fall has arrived.  I love this season for so many reasons.  Not the least of which is it signals the beginning of the holiday season.  I consider the holiday season to begin with October 1st and stretch to January 2nd.  I love this season.  There is a constant anticipation in the air.   Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years.  I love it all.  So here's to my version of the holiday season.  Thoroughly under way and as magical as you want it to be.

Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars

1 tube crescent rolls
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese
1/8 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
cinnamon to taste

Preheat oven to 350.  Roll out 1/2 the crescent rolls into an 8x8 pan.  Mix the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla.  Spread onto the rolls.  Top with other 1/2 of rolls.  Pour melted butter over top and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.  Bake 20-30 minutes.  Devour!

Oh Vacation, via Instagram

We were on vacation this week and we spent the week giving our kitchen a mini face lift.  We removed all the wallpaper and painted it! I think it looks much better myself!

 We added a chalkboard above the stove.  Jon drew a tentacle monster, lol.  I also visited my sister and saw these cuties!

And I donated 10 inches of my hair to Locks of Love!

And of course, there was the random fun.  All in all, a great vacation!