Christmas/New Years

We had a quiet, but relaxing Christmas this year with just us and Manolo. Mom, Dad, Cam and Grandma were supposed to come, but the weather was bad and it's an 8 hr drive. But it works out okay because they will be here soon for the baby blessing anyway.

We spent Jamir's time off cooking, relaxing, and taking trips to Lowes for the new house. We had a lot of pie left over so now I get to enjoy frozen pie in the future months.

Then for New Years we decided to head to Portland to see Sugey who had a break from boot camp and Choco and his family. We made a vacation out of it since we didn't do much for our anniversary and it will be the last child free one we have!

I also made a goal to take more pictures even if it means I use my bad phone camera. I love my DSLR, but I realized I wouldn't take pics because I was lazy and didn't want to change settings. Hence some pics are fuzzy and poor quality, but at least documented.

Christmas Eve morning

Christmas pic. Jamir got me the remote I've been wanting so family pics will be easier!

Manolo goes crazy for boxes and wrapping paper

Sunset one night. I didn't do anything to this pic, it really was that vibrant.

Making ravioli. We don't have a pasta maker so we used a mason jar lid. Maybe I'm biased, but they turned out really good!

Jamir playing Christmas music.  Manolo doesn't mind loud sounds...which will be good.

Pretty rainbow one morning

Manolo and Jamir setting up the crib

Jamir says he's never liked cats, but Manolo is the exception. I think I've converted him.

We visited Choco , Maren, Sugey and kids in WA for New Years Eve. Then we got a nice motel and shopped and sight saw the next day. 

Showing me how to find gold

Yummy breakfast in bed.

Pittock Mansion

View of Portland

It was cold. Hence my eyes watering and closed.

Powell book store. It's so large you need a map. It was fun to browse around and be warm.

Since it was New Years day, I had to get my good luck and order black eyed peas...of course the waiter didn't know what Hoppin John was.

One last pic for documentation purposes.

We made carne asada and hoppin john at home the next day. Worth cooking outside. And Manolo loves to watch from his plant (one of his favorite spots, thankgoodness he doesn't use it as a litter box!)

Installed some new shelves.

went to our first parenting class. At least our baby looks happy

Christmas pics plus a small tour

A few pictures of our house and Christmas stuff. We are mostly done moving in. At this point it is all about little projects that we can do over time. But the house was in really good condition when we bought it, so most things are things I want to do for aesthetics. And just a few pics of me playing with my camera, thought you might like them :)

We got a tree from a lot this year...we just didn't have time to hike and cut one down. But I bought the permit so we will try next year.

Getting bigger! Not exactly excited about that, but excited the due date is coming soon.

Playing around with settings.

Christmas slippers for our baby (next year).

It took a few tries to get this right...all about practice :)

I had to do it. How many times are you pregnant during Christmas?

Our tree!

It snowed last Sunday morning. It was so peaceful and Jamir's first meeting got cancelled so we didn't have to leave until 7:30 woo hoo!

Our view from the back yard...which is all foggy.

It melted by the end of the day...but still pretty. There were kids out playing early in the morning.

And some of our house...I haven't gotten around to fixing/hanging pics, but you get the idea.

Our room. complete with master bath, walk in closet and door to back deck. I really like it :)

Living room/kitchen. I love how we can cook and sit in the same room.

Kitchen...I'm thinking of painting the cabinets white..with silver pulls. Suggestions? The rest of the house has the same color scheme. 

Formal living room/music room. I think you are supposed to put the couches here, but we wanted the other space for it. And Jamir is working to finish putting the piano together. He had to reinforce some things.

And....my early Christmas present! Jamir wanted to wait until Christmas to get me one, but you would be surprised how fast kittens go on craigslist! His name is Manolo and he is very sweet. He is probably the most social cat I've ever had and he purrs constantly (to the point of waking us up at night). He follows me around the house and we are working on getting him to not sleep on our faces at night. I think he and our baby will be best friends.

Proof how much my husband loves me.

Checking out the view from our bedroom window.

Thanksgiving 2015

I am just getting around the posting this! This month has been crazy! And it's not over yet. But things are starting to slow down and we can start to enjoy our Christmas holiday. With moving to a new house, Jamir's school, church callings (and performances), and getting ready for a baby, I am so tired! Today is my first day of relaxing. Sooo...on to our Thanksgiving. Pics of the house to come soon.

We ventured to Elko for Thanksgiving. It was quite the voyage. It had snowed a lot the night before and so the roads were icy and packed. It took us two hours longer than usual. At one point we had to stop and clear the ice from around our wheels. But we made it. We were able to see the Hubbard's for a bit, cut the trees on Friday, play at the rest home, eat our own family dinner, and do the turkey trot Sat morning (I walked). And then another drive to Pocatello for Lucy's baby blessing (Jamir's niece). It was nice to have some relaxing time before heading back to packing and moving.

It was a beautiful drive nonetheless.

Jamir cutting the tree

Dad "helping"

The snow made for a pretty landscape.

In front of the tree for the house.

Always so tall

Grandma looking cute in the snow.

Some friends from Australia came with us. It was fun hearing their accents.

Cam and his tree (bush) for his apt.

Playing at the rest home. Sorry its so blurry. It's a phone pic with someone who didn't hold it steady.

Daniel's band.

Cam's arrangement for his floral design class...I may have taken over a bit.

Thanksgiving dinner with the missionaries.

Me waddling to the end of the turkey trot. Jamir came back and walked with me.

Cam got second place.

And Dad first in his category.

Jamir got first in his too.

Cold, but beautiful landscape for a run.