Aaaaand, We're Back!

Whew! That was quite a break, wasn't it? So sorry about that, life just got in the way. The Hubs and I were busy getting ready for his mom's Thanksgiving visit, the Andre Rieu concert, the pageant, I have rehearsal a lot... etc. No excuse but there are a hundred excuses why I haven't posted.

I've also been taking Christmas pictures for people. Like this couple, who were a dream to work with. They were definitely models and were so relaxed in front of the camera. If you or anyone you know in my area are thinking of Christmas pictures but don't think they can afford it, have them contact me! I can work with just about anyone's prices.


Have a great holiday season... we just put up a bunch of decorations last night. Can't wait to post pictures!

This is Why I Married Him

Conversation at approximately 10:30pm Saturday night.

Hubs: I'm going up to bed.

Me: Ok, I'm going to make marshmallows and then I'll be up. (mind you, I never mentioned my desire to make marshmallows at all during the day. It just CAME to me, you know?)

Hubs: Ok.

The man didn't even blink. Any other guy probably would have questioned my motives or wondered why I was thinking about doing that at 10:30 at night.

Nope. Not this guy. And that's just one of the many reasons why I married him.

Weekly Workout 11/8/10

I seem to be slacking a little with these weekly workout posts. I am working out but sometimes it just seems so blah to post about them. Especially when my work out week was pretty blah itself.

Monday: skip. This seems to be a reoccuring theme.

Tuesday: C25K Week 8 Day 1. This run was just fine. Felt good. Looked good. (ha, whatever).

Wednesday: Choreography rehearsal. Danced for 3 hours. So much fun.

Thursday: skipped. Can't remember why.

Friday: Off day. Should have worked out.

Saturday: C25L Week 8, Day 2. Don't remember much about this one. OH, I did run at 11:30 am which was a mistake because temps went up here again. Obnoxious.

Sunday: Was going to run the Mission Inn 5k but realized that I had to be at church at 9. 7:30am 5k 20 miles away? It wasn't going to happen if I was going to look decent for church. The children did a marvelous job singing, btw.

So yeah, last week fell a little flat. I didn't work out yesterday (slept horribly Sunday night). But I did work out today and I think have choreography tomorrow. I shouldn't replace my workouts with choreography but sometimes I can't help it. I'm tired!

How are your work outs going? Have you done anything to mix it up?

Sunday Sweet

What do you get when you take this:


and add it to this?


mmm. Heaven.


Apple crisp with caramel sauce.

Shutterbug-Shutterfly

Do you guys like Christmas cards? I LOVE Christmas cards. I like any cards, really. I think it's because I like getting mail. I might be kind of obsessed with it, actually. Every day I run into the house and ask, "Did we get any mail today?" Hubs probably thinks I'm waiting for something or to hide a piece of mail from him but it's just that I love getting personal mail of any kind.

That's why when I saw this opportunity on Katie's blog, I had to jump on it! I've used Shutterfly for a lot of projects in the past (one of them being our photo guest book at our wedding) but the chance to get 50 free cards was just too good to pass up! I've loved using Shutterfly because they are constantly having a sale, they have super fast delivery and their products are very high quality. What's not to love?

So I started looking through all the Christmas cards and they have SUCH great ones this year:

Of course, I started with the Photo Christmas Cards

This one is super cute. I like the idea of updating friends about your family and really like that it's only a couple of lines. Plus, those little boys are adorable.

Love this one. It's simple but a nice change from just one picture.


I LOVE blue and red together for Christmas. We did that for our card last year. So I'm thinking I may mix it up this year. But this is still sweet. Nice and simple.


I love me some monograms. We have M's all over the house. So of course this one spoke to me. We definitely don't have enough pictures to fill it up though.


This one may be my absolute fav. Isn't it great? I love the message. Plus it's my favorite Christmas song!


And if Christmas isn't your thing, you can't go wrong with a holiday card.

There are so many more great gift ideas on Shutterfly's site. Makes me want to have kids so I can plaster them all over a calendar or a mug. :) Just kidding Hubs! (Sorta. But really.)

So go! Check them out. I dare you to find just one that you like. And if you're a blogger, you could get 50 cards free too! Check it out here: http://bit.ly/sfly2010

Just act surprised when you guys get one in the mail, ok?

Thankful Thursday: Doing Something I Love

For this Thankful Thursday, I'm thankful for a person. A certain person:

Do you have just one thing in life you ADORE doing? Like something so challenging and difficult but still fun enough that if you were going for hours and hours, you could keep going and get past the pain?

I love dancing. Absolutely love it. But it has to be the right teacher/choreographer/drill sergeant or else I can't stand it. Or if it's not challenging enough. If I don't go home completely wiped out, I feel like it's a waste of time.

I've worked with many choreographers in many shows and only a few really make each person feel like they are dancers. Like, they appreciate we love to dance and though we may not be able to do everything, they don't dumb it down for us.

I'm in one of those shows right now. I've worked with this choreographer before and would be in any show that he was involved with. He's hard working, expects a lot, patient and really funny. He pushes us and is so creative with his ideas.

From 7-10 last night, we hardly took a break. But none of us cared. We just wanted to keep rehearsing over and over again until we got it right. I'm so proud of myself because a couple of years ago, I would have been moaning and groaning about how sore I was from doing all that but I think the working out has helped a lot. I do have bruises on my hands (don't ask) and on my knees (REALLY don't ask) but they are so worth it. I came home last night and plopped on the floor like I did 4 years ago when I was in Beauty and the Beast. But I had a huge smile on my face. I was SO happy to be doing this again.

Anyone who comes to see this show next month is going to be wowwed. Not necessarily by us but by how creatively we're telling the story. I am so proud to be putting this on stage and offering it to the community. And to have a strong leader getting us there? That's priceless.

I'm also thankful that my body can do these things. That I have the ability and coordination to dance and just let it all go.

While I'm thankful for many things this week (good job situation, lovely husband, good friends, exercise and food!), this is what is making me shine right now.

What are you thankful for right now?

My Heaven

After church on Sunday (see Hub's big performance here) we headed down to the Mission Inn for Cupcake Camp! All proceeds went towards Breast Cancer research. I'm down with that but you know what I'm MORE down with? CUPCAKES!




This group was cute: Cupcake Mama's. They had their kids with them too.


I was a bit dissapointed with Casey's Cupcakes. The frosting tasted like it was from a can!


There were cupcakes everywhere!




This guy was sporting his pink shoes for the cause.


The whole room set up. It was absolutely packed.


$10 got you 4 tastings and all the coffee, milk and water you wanted. Our loot:


The drinks. The coffee is definitely mine. Not the Hubs.


Digging in!
Chocolate and Raspberry Lemonade


CHOMP


Om nom nom nom.

That one was my favorite. Pumpkin and chocolate. Not too sweet. Perfect.

Overall, the cupcakes were just ok. I think I'm spoiled by My Delight Cupcakery. Their cupcakes are some of the best I've ever had. But it all went to a good cause. If they were to do it again next year (and they should!) it should probably be in a bigger place. It was kind of a turn off to be pushed around just to get cupcakes.

Go Cupcake Camp!