Tis the Season...

For lots of driving for us. We spent Christmas weekend splitting our time between our two families which means spending 3hrs in the car each way. We had lots of fun getting to see our families and exchanging gifts. We also got to spend sometime to ourselves on Christmas morning opening what we got each other. But now we have both spent the week working and the apt. has been neglected. I guess cleaning will have to wait until after this week. As we will be making the trek back down to Vancouver :)

Happy Holidays!

Hope everyone has a good weekend. We are gearing up to do a lot of driving. Merry Christmas to you from all of us...

Gingerbread House

I feel like this week has gone by way too fast! I spent a majority of it working in downtown Seattle. Thursday we got to go watch some Cougar basketball at the Key. Friday Mr.J took the day off from work so we ran an errand and went out to lunch. Then we headed home to watch movies in our pajamas :) I then talked him into decorating our gingerbread house. It was a nice relaxing day. Now to gear up for all of our driving this weekend.

Cookies

We had a fun relaxing weekend. On Friday I spent the day cleaning and baking. Plus I also got to go to the movies with my bestie!! Saturday we ran a quick errand in the morning and then I had some lovely ladies over for a cookie exchange. I have so many yummy cookies to eat this week and maybe share :) Sunday we spent the day watching football and being lazy. Plus adding to the endless list of things we need to get or do. I'm looking forward to the coming week of activities!!

Santa Baby...

Since my very first Christmas at 3months old I have been having my picture taken with Santa. That's right I have a total of 26 Santa pictures going on number 27 this year. I few years ago I scanned some to make a book for my Mom of all of our Santa pictures. This is a tradition that we do for our Mom and even when we produce grand-kids for her that is no guaranteeing us out of the Santa pics. Here are a few from over the years.

My first Christmas

My 4th Christmas. Uncle Mike had to be in the pic because I was scared of Santa

Nick's First Christmas

One in the late 90s

The year of the cougar pajama pants.

Candy Canes

I finished the last project that I started the other day. I found it through Pinterest once again :) It is a candy cane vase. Here are some pics of it and of course I had to add a cougar twist to it!!

All it involves is a vase, double sided tape, a rubber band, ribbon and candy canes.

All you have to do is stick the candy canes under the rubber band. The tape helps the candy canes from sliding down.

Just needs ribbon.

close up of the ribbon. Bought it at Washington State Connections

All done

Just needs some flowers. 

Now to finish shopping, wrapping presents, decorating and baking!!

Chalkboard!!

So I have been finding tons of blogs with amazing ideas!! I found this one blog through Pinterest. The lovely lady on this website had made her own chalkboard out of an old picture frame and chalk paint. She has used it for many different things but right now you can see it on her blog while she keeps track of her pregnancy. Well I was inspired to make my own chalkboard. I took pictures along the way of making it. Now to just find a place to hang it. I think I'm running out of walls in our apt.

I got my frame from Arron Brothers. They always have coupons :)

The chalk paint recommended at least 2 coats. This was after two coats. I ended up doing 4.

This is after 4 coats. You have to wait an hour in between coats.

After it dries for 24hrs you are to condition the board by rubbing chalk all over it. I actually waited about 36hrs.

Here it is all done and back in the frame. I chose to buy slate grey since I wanted a black frame to give some contrast. They also have lots of other colors besides black.

Testing it out. Now to buy some chalk pens :)

Take Two

I was able to go back to the frame store and they replaced my frame for me!! A few days before buying the frame I found a cute print on Pinterest that led me to this amazing blog Eighteen25 on the blog these fabulous ladies have created subway art for every holiday and even birthdays! I loved it so much that I downloaded all of them!! They recommend printing them off at Costco which is where I print all of my pictures at. I printed one off at for Christmas put it in the new frame and perfect decoration. It is super easy and cute!! Plus I can change it out for all of the holidays Can't wait for the other holidays.

Here is my print in its frame above the fireplace. I will find a new spot for it so it doesn't block our cougar sign.

Being Crafty

So I finished my thesis and other assignments before the midnight deadline tomorrow night!! So I decided I would start working on some of my projects that I had seen on pinterest. Well lets just say things did not go a plan. I broke a brand new picture frame and realized I was missing a piece for my other project. So I put on Pretty Little Liars, wrapped some presents and decided I will try again tomorrow after a stop at Arron Brothers. Hopefully round two goes better. Stay tune to see how it goes :)

My poor frame :(

Gobble, Gobble

Thanksgiving weekend was a busy and fun weekend! Turkey day we separated out to go to our families. I had fun hanging out with my cousins. It has been awhile since all four of us have been together at Thanksgiving. We also had two little ones at Thanksgiving this year which has been awhile since we have had kids at Thanksgiving. We had fun play with toys :) We of course finished the evening out with watching Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation. It is our tradition to watch it every year to prepare for the holiday season. Courtney and I did some shopping the next day along with pedicures. Saturday Justin and I went to Apple Cup. We had fun in the beer garden and watching the game (there is always next year). Sunday was spent doing homework for both but I sneaked out to go to the movies :) It was a great weekend and I'm thankful for my family, friends and amazing boyfriend!! Now to finish the week and then it is winter break from grad school.

Baby Hilton

Cousins

Ready to eat

Apple Cup

Tim the Turtle

For those who do not know Tim or haven't heard me talking about him. He is our turtle that we brought home almost 2years ago. We picked him up on a trip to the pet store for a gift for my dog Cody. We got the gift and came home with a turtle too. Well tonight we were cleaning out his tank and I put him in his box. I then documented his attempted escape from the box, while Justin cleaned out his tank (I clean the little stuff like the filter but the tank in too heavy for me to clean). Here are some pics of his "attempted escape"...

Looking to seeing if I can escape

This is what happens when I'm trying to escape and Mom startles me.

This is Mom scolding me for trying to escape

I said see you later!

I will credit Timmie with escaping later after I put him back in the box, but it was when Dad was watching him!

A GREAT Weekend!!

I would say that this weekend was a Great weekend!! Friday I spent the day finishing my thesis proposal while Justin was at work. Saturday morning I met for coffee with the lovely Brittiany and then Justin and I ran an important errand. More to come next month about our errand but I don't want to jinx anything while we play the waiting game. If you know what it is just keep your mouth shut :) Then I spent the rest of Saturday editing my paper, cleaning, laundry and I even squeezed in a movie on the couch and a yummy dinner. Sunday was a quick trip to Target with Justin. Then I met Melissa at Michaels for some craft shopping. I came home to watch the game with Justin and to take a nap on the couch. Which was followed by being taken out to dinner. Now I'm camping out on the ground finishing my scrapbook. What made the weekend even better was the COUGARS and SEAHAWKS both won and the huskies lost. It has been a long time since that has happen. Now for a lighter week before the craziness starts. Can't wait for the quarter to be done!!

The Countdown!!

I'm ready to be done. So the countdown has started. 

Halloween Weekend

We had a blast this past weekend with the Seiferts. Visited the Rogue brewery, Halloween party at the EMP and Seahawks game. A huge THANK YOU to Wendy for our amazing costumes. I thought I would let the pictures do the rest of the explaining of our Amazing weekend!!

Issaquah Brew House

Neil needed some exercise

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Go Seahawks

They really love each other :)

Waiting for Justin's coffee

It was a long line

Seattle Game Week

Last week was a crazy busy week. The Cougars played in Seattle on Saturday. So the store had a busy week. Wednesday night the King County Alumni had an event at the store. Where you could shop, taste wine and cougar cheese and hangout with Butch. Plus Ryan Leaf made a surprise visit to sign his book. It was a fun crazy night. The next day Ryan Leaf was back for his book signing and Friday was super busy with everyone stocking up for the game. Saturday Justin and I headed  early to Seattle to have a meal at Pyrmid before the game. Lets just say that the game wasn't that good but I got to hangout with lovely ladies from the store :) Now to gear up for this weekend!!