The homage

Not sure if Belize tired Brannon out or was it the other way around? Pretty much, Belize kicked baby tush and slept most of the plane ride to UT! Hooray!














Bis Abuela and Belize meeting for the first time. Un placer concerle.










The Strains left West Seattle, so now we're stalking them till they have babies and come back. :)











When I become famous, my first move will be to hire Christina as my hair stylist and pay her one million dollars.















Wow, the camera either adds 10 lbs or Belize is wearing a fat suit.













Miss dare devil! Belize was obsessed with the snow and tried to escape to it every time anyone opened the back door.
















What a goober, I guess I forgot snow was soft?










Brannon reminded me that vacation is supposed to be about working so we shoveled Grandma's driveway . . . for fun.









The Rodriguez clan. Well, half of them.











Eating at my favorite restaurant, Tucanos.


Waiting for the flight back to Seattle. Last week Ogden, UT, next week, Mexico.

Before & After

It's something i've always wanted to do and finally I got up the guts! Thanks to my wonderful hairstylist and fabulous friend (also style icon) Christina, hopefully I can rock this new hairdo proud. :)

She'd always run free

I found this picture while browsing through my computer and thought I'd give you an update on Belize. She is 14 months old now and as Brannon so eloquently put today, "if she were a horse, she'd always run free." She's such a happy girl and jammers on all day about everything. Her attention span is getting longer and she can entertain herself for 10 minutes or so. She loves music and points to her CD player anytime we're in her room, and also loves to dance which includes jumping, tapping her feet and twirling around until she falls over (about 4 to 5 times). She still falls down or bumps into things about 15 times in 30 minute period but doesn't seem to mind because she just keeps running (she rarely walks)! Belize LOVES to help do the dishes, take the clothes out of washer and help navigate the internet, she's my little helper. She is really good about getting something for you when asked and sitting down to put on her shoes or put on her coat when we're going somewhere. Stuffed animals are her favorite thing to play with and knows them all by name. She also likes books and animal noises, she's still obsessed with dogs. She's a good eater except when it comes to tomatoes and broccoli. Her newest vocabulary includes: What's that?, Tickle, tickle, and Nana. Her best friend is Naya Garcia and they have so much fun- talking, tickling, eating each other's food, hugging, kissing or chasing each other around. Belize makes me feel like the luckiest mom on the planet and I love her a lot!

Lost:

My camera is lost, its been about a week and a half now if some sees a silver Olympic camera please contact me- I'm dying slowly inside from lack of blogs and we're have a vacation in a week! So to make up for lack of pictures, I came across this video (note: I have no affiliation with any person in this video)
Check out this video: Atomic Wedgie - Successorize - Firing People



Add to My Profile | More Videos

Dateless in Seattle

My husband is wonderful- he's a great dad, helpful around the house, a hard worker (no one can dispute that), the list goes on and on but one of the things he's not, is a romantic. What is it about men? When we were dating, there wasn't a day went by when I didn't get a little email about how much he loved me - yada, yada, yada. Then we got married and if I wait long enough . . . well then nothing happens. Don't get me wrong, it's not just him, I think this a universal problem but I believe that all men (and women) can improve with a little effort and a reminder. As a wife, I have realized that if I want something such as a date, I need to ask for it and be specific, "Honey, I'm really in need of a date, when would you like it to be?" Usually the next sentence out of his mouth is, and I quote, "I never know what to do for a date." So in my role as an eternal wife who supports her husband's personal progress and also because of my need for a date this month, I have decided to start a dating website for married people who are in need of a little inspiration and a few date ideas. This is a group website and will only continue if people keep contributing . . . so please DATE AWAY!



www.marriedandstilldating.blogspot.com

New Year

New Year's day we spent lounging around the Gregg's house but then Grandpa Gregg rounded up half the clan to go on a small but very steep hike to the new beach (which is actually not new at all but maybe it's grandpa's way of honoring the new year, its' real name is Marine View Park).

Santa's Present

One hula hoop + a few sheets + a dog bed = one sweet-looking fort for a one year-old's bedroom. Made by yours truly and my amazing mother.

Tag to anyone who wants to- I hate the pressure.

5 Things I was doing 10 years ago:

1. Already counting down the days in my journal till I turned 16.
2. Making fudge and working out with Bethany. :)
3. Turning down babysitting jobs left and right because I dreaded watching other people's kids.
4. Joined 48 feet ballroom dance team because I loved to dance and there were lots of cute boys. Now I just have ONE cute boy who won't dance.
5. Begging my mom to let me quit piano and take voice lessons full time with Fran.

5 Things on my to-do list today

1. Help Brannon put up Belize's Christmas present, a fort (will post a pic soon) from her ceiling.
2. Empty the dishwasher, I'm hoping if I wait long enough Brannon will do it (and he probably will).
3. Pack Belize's diaper bag.
4. Drive to Federal Way to see the Garcias, fresh from Oregonia.
5. Plan fun los adventuras for our vacation to Mexico.

5 Things I would do if I were a Billionaire

1. Pay my tithing.
2. Buy a house in North Capitol Hill with a huge yard (with trees and a basketball court) that had a view of the water, then promptly hire an interior decorator who'd become my best friend for the next few months.
3. Pay off Brannon's school loans.
4. Plan a family vacations once a year and a mommy/daddy vacation once a year.
5. Donate the rest of the money after taking out our kid's college funds.

5 of my bad habits:

1. i've been saying, "I'm just saying" an awful lot lately.
2. Leaving my previously worn but clean clothes on the floor by my bed.
3. Taking FOREVER to get ready for bed because I'm scouring my face for unseen zits.
4. Blogging while I have SO many other things to do.

5 Jobs I’ve had

1. Piano teacher (that lasted all of 2 months to my poor sister, Sarah)
2. Legal document proofer (I think this was a made up position) for a law office.
3. Temp (includes letter opener, box packer, binder assembler, assistant food show coordinator, data entry, and receptionist).
4. Patient Care Coordinator in the Hem/Onc clinic at Children's Hospital
5. Belize's Mommy (the best job, yet least paying job, I've ever had)

5 Things people probably don’t know about me

1. I can't cook potatoes!
2. An incident involving a spoon. (Aubrey you really are my best friend!)
3. I HATE running, I avoid it at all costs.
4. I LOVE playing tennis and bowling but I stink at both.
5. I have documented proof of going on 100 dates the year I turned 16, yes- Brannon is well aware but he was the first guy I called my boyfriend and the first boy I said, I LOVE YOU to.

Christmas

Belize got to know her Tia Carissa a little better who was visiting from Mexico.












With a little help Belize was a pro at unwrapping presents. She is trying to say, Abuela and Abuelo now, it sounds adorable.




















Aunt Richelle gave Belize this trendy yellow sweatshirt, which she immediately threw on for a fashion show, a girl after my own heart!










Waiting on the stairs to see what Santa left by the fireplace!

Christmas Eve

This year was Belize's first Christmas where she semi-realized what was going on. She had a lot of fun running around with her cousins and chasing Dutchess (the Hawkin's pomeranian) although it was terrified of her (with good reason). And as if she isn't already the star of the show in our eyes, she tore off her lamby ears (she was originally a sheep), pushed baby Jesus aside and climbed into the cradle. Maybe she didn't want to worship him from afar. Or maybe she remembered her prior role as baby Jesus from last year and wanted a piece of the action. In any case it was fun to watch her enjoying everyone and we had a very merry Christmas eve. The other thing we tried this year was to have our own Gregg FHE (family home evening) after the big Christmas party. It was nice to have an hour or so to sing hymns and pray. Kyle gave a very thoughtful lesson about focusing on Jesus Christ's birth and what it meant to the world and to each of us. We also wrote down our gift to Him this year and we will read them again next year to see how we did. I think we will make this a new family tradition.














Cousin Marie and Aunt Richelle















Belize's Christmas talent was shaking bells to "Jingle Bells." Super cute!





























Belize and her 9 month old cousin, Madilyn.

Day in the snow,

We started the afternoon attempting to go to Snoqualmie, however when the cars in front of us stopped and we turned on the radio only to find out we had 2 hours of traffic before we could arrive at our destination, we promptly took the next exit to play in the snow at mile post 42. Belize was so delighted with the snow that I barely could keep up with her cuteness on the camera. I had a really hard time choosing which pictures to post so bare with my excessiveness.

Frango Mints

If you know me at all, you know that I am somewhat of a sweets conisuier, so believe me when I say that this recipe is simply delectable. I used to make it every year with my grandma.

Easy Frango Mints:

*1/2 c. butter * 3 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
*1 1/2 c. powdered sugar * 2 tsp. vanilla
*2 eggs * 1 tsp. peppermint extract

Line a 8 by 8 pan with foil, then using a stick of butter, coat the foil with a thin layer of butter. Melt 2 c. chocolate chips (set aside the extra 1 c.) in the top of a double broiler. In mixing bowl cream butter & pwd. sugar together. Add eggs and beat well. Add melted chocolate, vanilla, and beat until smooth. Add peppermint and mix well. Chill in foiled pan. When completely stiff, melt then melt 1 c. chocolate chips and spread a thin layer on the top. Chill again. (If desired, you can flip, and add another layer on the bottom.) After hardened cut into small squares. These make great neighborly christmas gifts.

DWTS!!!!!!!!! or the stars' partners!

Maybe you've heard about a little thing called DANCING WITH THE STARS?!?!?!?! You know, fake tans, shiny sequins, and flashy costumes. Well, I did . . . dance with the stars (technically the only dancing I did was in my seat but I was about 10 feet away from the real thing and resisted the urge to run on stage). My mom and my sister got me a ticket through my old dance team (Pacific Ballroom) for dress rehearsal, we got to sit on the floor . . . AT THE FANCY TABLES!!! The dancing was great and the band was the best one i've ever heard. It was AMAZING!!!! I haven't been this giddy since I got to perform at the Marriott Center for Ballroom in Concert. Then afterwards I got to meet Mark Ballas and Derek Hough, they were both very nice.!!! I'm trying not to sound like a pre-teen girl with braces and a pink cell phone but tee hee, you would have been too (I was 10 feet away from Joey Lawrence and Drew Lachey). Pretty much the best night ever.

Funny Business

Pure Joy

Oh, what can I say but I love this little girl! She lights up my life by being her joyful self.

Christmas Survey

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate?
   Tulley's grande hot cocoa w/ whip
   
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
   In the living room by the fireplace
   
3. Colored lights on the tree/house or white?
   Either one on the tree, depending on the theme but definitely white for outside!
   
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
   No but that is a great idea for extra nookie.
   
5. When do you put your decorations up?
   It gets spread out over the month of December the key is getting them all up before New Years Eve before you have to take them down.
   
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
   Does Aunt Faye's salad count as a dessert? or how about breakfast souffle!
   
7. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
   Homemade w/ Grandma frango mints (tradition)
   
8. Favorite holiday memory as a child? All of us cousins sitting on the stairs before we got to go downstairs and see what Santa brought.
   
9. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
   I can't even remember
   
10. What do you leave for Santa?
    Cookies and milk and carrots for the reindeer.
    
11. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
    Pajamas but only if we shared a special talent at the family Christmas Eve party (it was so embarrassing).
    
12. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
    Every year since I was born my parents have gotten me a Christmas ornament, somehow I was the only kid who made it to 20 ornaments ( the benefits of being the oldest). However this year Christmas will be celebrated sans tree due to the one year old who lives at our house.
    
13. Snow: love it or hate it?
    Love it for a few days, then it just gets gross here in Seattle.
    
14. Can you ice skate?
    Yes, ever been to that ghetto rink at the Seattle Center?
    
15. Do you remember your favorite gift?
    My favorite gift is just being with my family.
    
16. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?
    Traditions (ever seen Fiddler on the roof?), the feeling of Christmas (everywhere is decorated, people are happier) and remembering my Savior, Jesus Christ was born here on earth just like all of us were and the great man He became.
    
17. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
    Extended family Christmas party and spending the night at Grandmas
    
18. What tops your tree?
    Nothing, sad. But my parents' tree always has a sweet angel w/ blond hair and a red velvet dress that my Uncle Mark gave to my mom.
    
19. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?
    I actually prefer thinking of the perfect gift for each person because it makes me think of that person and why I love them so much!
    
20. What is your favorite Christmas song?
    Carol of the Bells!!
    
21. Candy Canes:
    Are okay I guess, if I'm in the mood but I prefer chocolate.
    
22. What is your favorite Christmas Movie?
    Mister Kroogers Christmas or Rudolph (the claymation one)

Holiday funnies

My grandma is the only person I know who likes fruitcake! Yuck! It should be banned from Christmas.

Showering Trey!

Trey, I think that Amanda is almost ready for you, only wait until they unpack their new house and send out those Christmas cards. Shellie Ford and I hosted a baby shower for Amanda, it was tres fun, I love the girls from our ward! P.S. Sorry, Hughy, you didn't quite make it in the picture, but we know you're handsome anyway.

Snowing in Seattle

Well, it happened. It snowed in Seattle. Brannon has spent the last week watching all of the weather forecasts, checking weather.com, and looking at the WDOT cameras on the pass (he gets a little snow crazy). It only lasted one day and practically melted the second it touched the ground but it was Belize's first snow (not counting last year) and she was fascinated. She kept running over to the window in our house and screaming and Brannon followed suit.

My busy girl!

Despite being sick last week and throwing up on Brannon, Aunt Sarah and me (separate occasions), Belize still managed to be her busy self. She wore herself out so badly that she fell asleep on the couch, a first.