Whatever you are, be a good one

BRRRRRRR!

Can you tell from the picture (yes, my new fancy camera and I took this shot) just how cold it was in Whistler!? At the house we were at a blistery 9 degrees. This is the day Nic decided he would go skiing. Now, if it was 9 at the house I cannot even imagine what it was like at the top of the mountain! Therefore, I did not go up but instead went on an adventure with wilderness. Bill, Ali, Alex and I snagged our fancy cameras and gear, packed into the car, and went to explore the beauty of Whistler. We couldn't have asked for better weather (well maybe a little warmer) because the sun was shinning and the snow was glistening every day we were up there.

Here is what we saw along the way....

It is a magical peaceful world up there in Whistler! It was fun to get out and start messing with all the settings on the new camera. Honestly, I don't think you can take a bad picture with that camera! 

On to New Years Eve!! This was year NINE for me spending New Years in Whistler with my second family, The Norman's. We work on a puzzle every year and only once has it not gotten finished before we all had to leave and head home. We get a mat made and all sign it and then it gets framed and placed on a wall in the Whistler home. This year was no exception. Here we are putting in the last pieces!

Here is the group shot that will be framed next to the puzzle on the wall!

New Years Eve is all about eating and Bunko for us! Here is Nic slaving away in the kitchen starting the preparations for coconut shrimp. One of his most favorite things to make and they taste amazing!

I was too into playing the game of Bunko that I do not have any pictures of this spectacular event. Let's just say it gets a little loud and crazy during Bunko and it might be one of the top 5 things I look forward to doing every year! After we've exhausted ourselves with excitement from Bunko we turn our attention to the deck where this begins!

I was very impressed this year with everyone sabering! They all got it on the first try!!! This is Alex after her cork went flying! We made it back inside with 7 min to go until midnight! The champagne was poured the tv was on with the space needle fireworks about to go off and we toasted in the a new year with amazing friends and family surrounding us! The night continued with pool, laughter our annual photo shoot in fancy sparkly shirts! It wouldn't be New Years without some bling! We hope this year is a great one for you and your families!

CHEERS!

until next time...

The Continuing Whirlwind....

....Better known as the holidays! I always kind of dreaded getting married because of what the holidays would mean. Going to this house, driving to that house, seeing this family, running around to make sure we've covered all the bases...but forgetting to enjoy and soak it all in at the same time. Maybe I set myself up with this thinking, but our first holidays as a married couple were not a let down to my expectations.

DISCLAIMER: I REALLY DID HAVE A GREAT TIME AND LOVED SEEING EVERYONE...REMEMBER THIS STATEMENT AS I CONTINUE!

I've come to understand why Nic is so laid back and go with the flow. You have to be when you are a part of his family. One side of his family has a very and I mean VERY tough time making plans and sticking to them. This is problem number one for me. I will be working on being more flexible but for goodness sakes can't someone make a single plan that doesn't change! The plans changed for Christmas Eve as we were literally pulling into town the night of the 23rd...which did not start me in a very happy mood. I was quickly snapped back into reality, told myself to suck it up and dry the tears because we're here and there is no turning back! We stopped at Nic's aunt and uncle's to say hi and play a few games. I adore his Aunt and Uncle! They are a hoot and their kids are amazing. They feel like they have been my cousins forever! We headed to Kyle's, one of Nic's good friends, and then home to his mom's where we stayed that night.

I was slightly agitated because I wanted to start making our own traditions as a family, just Nic and I. I still wish we could have driven over to Wenatchee on Christmas Eve and drank hot chocolate and done our stockings at our place that morning. However, Becky and Bob each had to work Christmas Eve and so we had their house to ourselves that morning to share some alone time and give each other our stockings. We then spent some time with Ben and Jodi at their house. That girl can make a mean breakfast! I really wish they lived closer to us! A tasty Mexican lunch, with Becky and Bob was enjoyed next. Then a few errands and me picking my next battle.

I try to choose my battles. Is it really that important or can I let it go? I was trying to figure out how to mesh what Nic has known Christmas to be and what I know Christmas to be without stepping on too many toes. A few got crunched but that's life! I wanted two things....stocking alone time check and to go to church. Christmas mass was always my favorite! The small kids were so excited, the advent candles were all finally lit, you searched the crowd to find familiar faces, you dressed up and you were with your family. Nothing else mattered once I was there. Nic however does not do church on Christmas. Yes, I thought the same thing. How in the world do you go to church every week but not on Christmas. Very backwards to the norm and made me giggle a little inside! I am religious and it was Jesus birthday and I was going to church to remind myself what this whirlwind few days was really about. Nic realized it was important to me and we found a service that worked with what the plans were for the rest of the day. No, it wasn't the normal mass I am used to....BUT...it made me smile big and feel like it really was Christmas and not just another day. I actually saw ONE person we knew and the kids were antsy with excitement. The message was short and the holiday songs weren't the ones we always sing and I didn't care! My husband even wore his khaki's instead of jeans or carharts and he probably has no idea how much that meant to me as well. He looks so good dressed up and he doesn't know it.

We scurried over to his aunt and uncles with the rest of his dad's side of the family for the annual crab feed. After dinner we exchanged gifts, played games, and visited! I am currently wearing my new slippers, already used my scrapbook paper and new cricut cartridge to make a thank you card, and bought a new years shirt with the monetary gift! It was a really fun night!

As I went to bed that night, I thought about my family at home. I missed out on the Chinese food. Yes, dad has to have his Chinese food before mass...they are the only restaurant open on Christmas Eve. I missed father puffer cheeks boring gospel....I wish our old priest was still there to bring out the camel and fun Christmas stories! I wasn't there to hear the words at 9:30pm, "Okay Stef, get in your room cause Santa is coming!" He's an old guy now so he has to come early so he can go bed. It was a lot of fun to be around tons of family but I missed just having it be my mom dad and brother.

I still woke up at 5am on Christmas morning. I was excited but confused Christmas morning. I can't jump on the whole family and wake them up. I don't think Bob would have appreciated that very much. No one to tell me to go away and come back once the oven was turned on and coffee started. So I tried to go back to sleep. I woke up again at 6am. Should I call my parents house and wake them up now? No, that would be mean. At 6:45 I couldn't lay there anymore. I woke up Nic and at 7am called home. they thought they could get away from me but they were wrong!

We did a little skype, opened up our stockings, ate cinnamon rolls, drank mimosas, and enjoyed the morning. I was glad we woke up at his mom's house because she reminds me of my mom and I needed that! We were on the road again by 10:45am to journey over the pass and thru the woods to mommy and daddy's house we go! I was sooooo excited to get home and be in my element!

I asked them to not open ALL their presents before we got there...I was too late with my request to my brother so he had to sit and watch when we opened ours. I didn't want us to open ours and have everyone staring at us. That isn't fun and I like to see everyone's faces when they open their presents too! Spoiled as I say or privlaged as my dad says...choose whichever you feel fit, but Santa was good to us....guess that means we were good this year too! We have gift cards from extended family to go spend, I already started using my new coach purse from my grandparents, my flip camera is already getting me into trouble with my brother, the jewelry tree is already full (does that mean I have too many necklaces and earrings? just askin), already used my sephora gift card, cute clothes will be worn for new years, I did two workouts yesterday and used my new foam roller to stretch my muscles back out, and Nic will use the helmet camera to catch me falling on the mountain!

Year one down...a few glitches, new adjustments, smiles and laughs, quality family time, and a very Merry Christmas!

And we're off to Whistler tomorrow! I'll post some pics and flip video's on the next post!

Until next time...

A Common Problem

I have been married for 4 months. I have heard from multiple people that the first year is the worst or hardest rather. We haven't had any issues thus far. We are a pretty good team but I would have to believe that my friends who are all newlyweds as well... thought the same thing. So where did things go wrong for so many of them? One husband cheated, One couple separated, One is getting a divorce, and One almost separated. WHY?!?! All of these couples had been together for more than 5 years before they got married. AND three of them have infants now! I think we should go back to when our parents and grandparents got married and see how they did things. Because whatever we are doing now is not workin out so well! It breaks my heart to see my friends hurting and I pray everything works out for the best for all of them!

until next time....

Jamaica mon...no problem!

After many long hours spent in airports and airplanes... we made it to Montego Bay. As we arrived and made our way past customs, which was a breeze, we walked outside to find Kipson our driver holding a sign with "Nic" on it. We laughed and Nic said he always wanted someone to hold a sign with his name on it. They hurried us out the door and said wait here as they grabbed the van. Then another guy told Nic if you want a beer you can get one there and smoke too if you want it. That was just the first time we were offered what we later referred to as the vitamin G aka marijuana. I lost count how many times we were asked if we needed some vitamin G. We took our open red stripe (official jamaican beer) beers in the van and Kipson took us to the RUI resort, a whole 10 min from the airport!

We spent that evening exploring the resort and getting comfy. The next morning we talked to a nice lady about the different activities. We signed up for Dunnes river falls and put our name out there if anyone wanted to join us for fishing. We then went to the dive shop and tried to figure out a day to go out and dive. Nic has his certification but I didn't, so I had to sign up for the pool session before I could go out. I've gotten used to Mexican time where everything tends to run late and now I know what Jamaican time is. Where they say "yah mon maybe we do that tomorrow just depends mon." They are rather laid back and never give you answers and for a planner like me I got frustrated. The first part of the week had some wind so diving was up to the weather God's as well as fishing. But don't worry we managed to get both in!

We did our first dive, yes there was more than one, and I thought it was so much fun! We went down 30 feet and saw gorgeous coral, brightly colored fish, sting rays as they shook the sand off themselves and floated away, and I didn't panic once! I did get stung by a jelly fish but it only stung for a short bit. The dive master said I did so well that I should really think about getting certified. I didn't have enough time there to take the advanced course but I did get open water certified. I can go down to 40 feet with a dive master present! Our second dive was even better than the first because I remember to look around more and it was only Nic and I instead of a group. We swam throughout the coral and in between it, curious fish pop out of holes in the coral to check you out, we saw a lobster (he was dead), sand dollars, more sting rays and I passed my skills! Just as we had gotten back in the boat 2 dolphins swam up and it took everything in me not to jump back in the water!!

We decided to do a half day of bottom fishing instead of deep sea because I was afraid I would get sea sick again. When we were in Mexico two years ago I didn't fair too well in the 8 foot rolling sea. Nic, myself, and Colin, our new UK friend, set sail to find the big one. As we were going out, we were trolling...this is done in deep sea not bottom fishing... and I started to get a wee bit nervous that we were not going bottom fishing. Bottom fishing is less expensive than deep sea and we had already paid so I didn't fret too much until 20 min later we were heading out to open ocean...GULP! The captain had other plans in mind and he wanted to go deep sea fishing and so I gritted my teeth and didn't say anything. I did NOT get sick and we had so much fun! Here's a picture of our loot and a me fighting a fish...er he didn't really fight much so it was easy to smile big for the camera. I caught one mahi mahi, Nic caught two, and Colin caught one and a sailfish.

Our last activity was Dunnes River Falls, 900ft of cascading waterfalls that you can climb up. The boat took at least 50 people out snorkeling first. Visibility wasn't too great and the current could have washed you away if you weren't careful. Then we went to the falls. It was gorgeous and so much fun to climb them. I don't have any pictures yet to prove our journey but after I get the water camera developed I will post some. Then we got back on the boat for "party" as the Jamaicans call it. They love their party and rum. We met a couple from North Dakota at our resort that did this trip as well. We became friends with them and hit it off. While Jen was getting sea sick, Mitch her husband was bringing mine rum and punch by the two. They were quite happy by the end of the trip! Ask for the full story when you see us next! Nic is going to try and visit Mitch and Jen when he heads out to North Dakota for labs this summer. I wish they lived closer...they were lots of fun!

We also met two Jamaican guys, Kevine and Jermaine and their wife and girlfriend, Joyita and Char. On the Wednesday of our trip, the six of us had dinner at the Italian restaurant at the resort. Jermaine proposed to Char this night. It was pretty cute and we had lots of fun! Once again if you want the detailed version let me know...because this post is already too long!

Our honeymoon was a blast with lots of sun, giggles, drinks, finding shells (my most favorite thing to do at the beach and my husbands new addiction), new friends, sippin coconuts, gorgeous color filled sunsets, great sand, and a pact that we will go back on our 10th anniversary...so long as it is still as nice as when we went this time!

 The store in the lobby had a sale on black Friday hahahha

 The beach!

 Jermaine Char Nic Me Kevine Joyita

 Nic Me Jen Mitch

 The view from our room

 Rum and Punch

 The loot

Kissy kissy mister fishy

Red stripe!

Until next time...

Packing

Why is it so darn hard to pack!?!? Really do I need 15 outfits? YES! Oh, it is a great thing I am little so my clothes are tiny and I can fit them all! A girls gotta have options now! We head out tomorrow night on a red eye to finally enjoy our honeymoon in.....JAMAICA! We are very excited and cannot wait. Nic asked me what I want to do first and I said to dig my toes in the sand. He replied with, "Well can we grab a drink on the way?" Yes, of course it's all inclusive! We will come back 10 lbs heavier! Good thing they only weigh baggage and not people! However, I am not excited to experience the new scanning at the airport. CNN was talking about it today and the TSA staff said just pretend you are skinny dipping! Um..ya no! I don't want you to scan me and see all my parts!

Oh gosh, speaking of parts! A request was made that I experience the world of what women call a brazillian. I am sharing this with you all because a friend of mine shared something on her blog recently that made me feel like I should share part of my private life too! Now, brazillian I found out is waxing down there, yup I said it... DOWN THERE....but you leave a patch of hair. And a sphinx is no hair at all. Well, I didn't want a "patch" but I couldn't figure out what to do because if it's all gone...I mean would I feel like I was 12 years old again? Well the patch just didn't sit well with me. If I am gonna go for it and suffer the pain why not just get it all done....and so I did. I was given lots of advice. Take some ibuprofen 30 min before, pretend you are just at the lady doctor, help pull the skin tight VERY TIGHT, use lavender oil after, and make sure you scrub to prevent ingrown hairs! I suppose I have a high pain tolerance because in all honesty...it wasn't that bad. Yes, there are certain places that hurt more than others but overall not awful. My favorite part was when she asked me if I could reach backward and pull and hold some skin.....I said okay, ya, no problem, and she said oh good because I don't want to glue your butt together! Oh life experiences, I tell you! So, what fun adventures have you gone on lately?

SEE YOU IN A WEEK!

until next time...

Tendencies

I have to vacuum at least once a week. If I tear a piece of paper out of my binder it has to be perfect... no torn edges. The bathrooms have to be done at least every other week. Laundry must be done on Sunday. I listen to Christian music in the car on the way to school and nothing else. My camera is always on me. I have to sleep on the left side of the bed. I always sit behind the passenger in a car... and never the other side. The inside of my car has to be vacuumed and clean... I hate when the mats get anything on them. I have to work out a couple times a week or I get cranky and tired. I talk to my mom and brother almost every day. I have to eat breakfast. I always have my eyelashes curled... I can't leave the house if they aren't. These are just a few of my every day tendencies. I wonder sometimes if people are as crazy as me and have to have their ducks in a row too. At times, I wish I could just be spontaneous and go but my mind always comes back to cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, eyelashes, camera..check, check, check. It doesn't bug me...I just have a routine of the way I like things. I have to wipe down the counters in the kitchen every night. I think I got this from my mom. She never, and still doesn't, like crumbs or any sort of sticky or spill on the counters and floors in the kitchen. I have become just like her and grab for the washcloth instantly. I haven't a clue how my husband deals with me but he willingly goes along with my tendencies. Am I the only one with these ocd moments? What is your routine? What are the things that have to be done? What drives you crazy?

until next time...

Califorrrrnnniiiiaaaa here we coooooooome! (or came)

Two weeks ago I took a trip down to L.A. with Matt (my bridesman) and Dee (one of the bridesmaids) to see Ali (the maid of honor). Ali and I have been so spoiled this year with how much time we have gotten to spend together. She lives in Burbank and works for Disney. She is a production manager in the animation department. Currently, she is working on Pooh!!!! It was so neat to go behind the scenes to see what she has been working on! We talked with one of the animators who does the beginning stages of the drawings. It is a lengthy process to say the least because 24 drawings = 1 second of film! We ventured to Disneyland on Saturday and yes, this was my first time. Having lived on the east coast until I was 9, we always went to DisneyWORLD. I have been there I think 6 or so times and LOVE it!!! I was willing to give land a shot even though I knew it was much smaller. We had an absolute blast but I am still partial to world over land. While we were there, we saw the world of color! It was AMAZING!! Over the lake in California Adventure, they used water cannons and projectors to make a magical short film of everything Disney. You couldn't help but sing along to all the songs! Wait, I do that in my car weekly with all my Disney cd's. I'm still a big kid when it comes to certain things and I will always love Disney. Here's a peak at our weekend!

             The seven dwarfs are some of my favorites. I even have Christmas ornaments of them all!

             We had to say "Hi" to our good friends Walt because without him there would be no Disney!

                       Minnie was looking a little cold and lost her purse so I let her borrow my stuff!

                                WELCOME TO DISNEYLAND!

My mom, brother, and I always had to go on small world....my favorite! Even if there are creepy porcelain dolls inside!

                                         Just waiting in line!

Ready for some 3D Toy Story interactive ride!

 

a small clip from world of color!

until next time....