Celebration at ROADKILL

One of the things I love most about our trips to Catalina is how everyone can find something to do there that they love.

I had been feeling sick so I spent most of our week there reading and relaxing in the house.

Nicholas wanted to be out so he went lobster diving every evening and enjoyed time riding bikes and playing football with the other guys.

and the moms did an amazing job keeping all 11 of us nourished =)

...

One day, we all drove up to the Avalon Airport and hiked around.

Nicholas and Jonathan of course decided to sneak up on a herd of buffalo and almost were killed (my life is never without adventure married to that man).

To celebrate New Years, my mother-in-law planned a Murder Mystery, which turned out awesome! Nicholas and I had been to one before but this one was really entertaining

 because everyone really got into their parts. 

The murder happened in a western town called ROADKILL, so I'll leave you to imagine the accents and plots =) 

All of Nicholas' family was there, his mom and dad, his two sisters, and both of their boyfriends. 

And then our good family friends Carolyn, Andy, and Rachel.   

Here are some pictures from the night.

Alexis and Austin

Rachel doing Jonathon's Indian Chief make-up

Jonathon and Katrina

N and I next to the ROADKILL sign.

One of our chefs for the night, Poppy.

The next morning we were woken up by the parentals and forced 

to go on a little field trip in our pajamas...

we ended up at a a sweet restaurant that was having a Pajama Party for New Years day. The video above is a clip from us walking into the restaurant, its hard to tell, but the band that is playing is a group of 70+ year olds in their jammies! 

 

Catalina Getaway

This year we were so blessed that Nicholas was able to get so much time off of work 

for Christmas and New Years. 

We got to be in San Diego with our families for a few day 

then back up to Santa Barbara to celebrate just with the two of us 

and then we met Nicholas' family and some good friends over on Catalina Island to 

celebrate the new year!

Here are a few photos of our boat ride from Long Beach over to Avalon.  

In general I don't care for boats because I get sea sick, but this trip is so easy! It only takes an hour to get to the Island, and the boat is so nice you can hardly feel the water.  

Have you ever been the Catalina?

What did you think of the little town?

Our date in LA

 It has been a few months since I have updated the blog, so there's a lot of catch up to do.


Nicholas and I made our drive back up to Santa Barbara from San Diego
after Christmas into a date extravaganza.
It was really wonderful!
First we stopped for some yummy kabobs at a little restaurant off santa monica blvd.

Then we went to the Getty Center, which I had never been to.
If you are ever in the LA area you have to go it is amazing!

view of LA from one of the decks at the Getty.

although I posted a lot of pictures of the grounds, we did see a lot of gorgeous artwork, this was one of my favorites.

We left the Getty when it closed and found ourselves in major traffic on the 405

But our night ended with a drive on the 10 to Venice Beach 

where we got Intelligentsia coffee. 

The picture above is of the outside of the shop, 

it was a really unique coffee shop. 

In my opinion, the best coffee there is, but the most uncomfortable seating imaginable (inside there were just concrete slabs in rows to sit on).

thinking about traveling.

check out the world weirdest hotels.

Christmas fun.

CHRISTMAS QUIZ (idea found here)

 

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? no kiddos, no Santa
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? white only white!
4. Do you hang mistletoe? ALWAYS.

5. When do you put your decorations up? the weekend after Thanksgiving
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Amber's Potatoes (family recipe) and tamales
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? listening to the Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas CD and decorating the tree with my mom and dad.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't remember if I ever believed in Santa or not.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? OooOoh YAH!
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? white lights, homemade sea glass ornaments and a few randoms from mom.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Love it, probably because we don't get it here in Santa Barbara...
12. Can you ice skate? Ya.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Nicholas made me a log cabin stocking hook for our first Christmas married and he wrote a poem on the bottom that told me he was taking me to the mountains for a weekend-- so romantic!
14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? enjoying Jesus with our family and friends.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? pecan pie has always been my favorite. I haven't had one since we found out I'm allergic to wheat though.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? hum... reading Luke chapters 1 and 2 on Christmas morning.
17. What tops your tree? a silly wood star that is attached to a metal hanger, haha, we need to do something about that... 

18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving? both. I love receiving gifts! I feel so loved when someone has spent time thinking about what I would like (love language?? I'd say YES). But I also love that in our family we make each others gifts. It make giving really special because you have put so much thought and time into it.

a homemade Christmas gift from my sweet friends Brandon and Nikki

19. Candy canes: yuck or yummy? the original ones are yummy the fruit flavored ones are yuck!
20. Favorite Christmas movie? The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
21. Saddest Christmas song? umm... strange question, I don't know.
22. What is your favorite Christmas song? Silent Night

Kitchen Love.

1. Tulum Napkin Set 

2. Hand Painted Mug

3. Reclaimed Wood Chalkboard

4. Amazon.com: KitchenAid KSM150PSPT Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer,...

5. Grapefruit Sugar Bowl

6. Inside Out Bowl

7. Milk Bottle Measuring Cups

8. Kikkerland® Magnetic Retro Kitchen Timer - Red - Bed Bath & Beyond

9. Homegrown Monogram Mug

10. Celestial Coasters

11. Heath Ceramics - Cooking & Serving - Salt & Pepper

12. Oxo 2.0-Qt. Uplift Tea Kettle

13. A Real Hoot Canister

the cutest way to stay organized.

I stumbled across this today and really wanted to share it... its so cute. Not totally practical (printing one for each day. Eh.) but really cute! Maybe you could print a bunch, bind them and give them as a Christmas or Birthday gift?

first found it on pinterest, but here is her blog, and she has a link for this printable.