Fancy Camera!

Just a couple of fun shots that have come out of a few "learning the fancy camera sessions..." The lighting in our apartment is not spectacular, so I defaulted to black-and-white for a hot minute. At least the patio offers some golden sunshine while I figure the rest out! :)

On the phone with Meggie. :)

Meghan, being a teenager.

R3, adding "Smiley Face Commentary" to our calendar.

Giving Thanks :)

I routinely use this Lamb-Chop cup to drink from at mom's, and it will never stop being awesome. 

This year, R and ate with my mom and grandpa, and before you know it we were home at 9pm after two more stops at his sister's and step-mom's. Phew! I made sure to wear my stylish sweatpants (and by "stylish," I mean "has back-pockets") and managed to wait 15 whole minutes before spilling something on my shirt at lunch. The kittens had Thanksgiving at their mom's, which means it's only a matter of time before we have them for Christmas! 

But before we bust out the She & Him holiday album and start making Charlie Brown ornaments (!), here is what I'm taking the time to be thankful for this year...

1. Richard's understanding and wisdom. Ugh, thanks, Love.

2. Clients who take the time to let me know they appreciate me.

3. Moments of "alone" time with each of the kittens.

4. Mutual and obvious stalking of besties.

5. Moments of silly-ness with anyone.

Hope everyone had a nice, stuffed Thanksgiving as well! :)

Beautiful Weekend :)

We had a really swell weekend before the Chaos that is Thanksgiving Week In Retail. Richard and I managed to get so much cleaning/organizing done, which was great considering our closet was beginning to affect my self-esteem. We also watched "Brave" during our family movie night, and man, is Merida's hair mesmerizing! 

The weather was gorgeous, and the littles spent all Saturday outside. They ended up going on a walk with Daddy-man to a little trail in our apartment complex we'd yet to explore. And while I was doing really Neurotic Adult Things like cooking all my lunches for the week (party-time, right?!), Richard texted me all these pictures of their expedition. (Boy, that man sure knows how to make me swoon.)

Richard's Birthday Week!

Birthday cards from friends and mommies. :)

Richard's birthday was last week, and I'm a big believer in The Birthday Week. It's just impossible to get that much fun and tolerated gluttony into one day! We went out to Cheesecake Factory one night, had friends over for another, went to Taverna, made pumpkin ice-cream with the kids, went to King's Spa and had massages... it was just such a nice, relaxing, yummy week!

 Since I'm such a wine connoisseur (psyche!), I got wine with labels that remind me of Richard. ;P

This is a very blurry, dark picture of Richard and Darrah, but it makes me so happy. 

I love and adore you so very much, sweet man. You're the fucking coolest. :) 

(Photos a la iPhone, because I was obviously too busy for the Big Girl Camera this week!)

Halloweenies!

I just have to post pictures of the kittens' Halloween costumes because they are without a doubt the raddest kids ever. They went "Trunk or Treating" with family the Sunday before Halloween, and Meghan and her boyfriend Nick took the littles out on the big day. I incessantly texted Meghan for the sartorial details, as well as "Did you take pictures?! Did you bring your camera?! You took pictures right?!" I mean, what kind of adult influence am I if I don't encourage them to put a lot of thought and pride their Candy Beggar Wear?

Sadie, breaking my heart as a Zombie Cowgirl. I would also have accepted Zombie Zooey Deschanel.

Emmy, a pink skeleton. Simple and chic, that's my girl. (And it totally reminded me of this! :))

Richard, fulfilling Miss Kylie's hopes and dreams. (Apparently he had glowing eyes, as well!)

Meghan, the Fallen Angel. I hope she puts as much thought in her college applications. ;P

Nick and Richard making me SO PROUD.

(photos via Meghan, because she's a good, good girl)

Family Party!

We had the kittens this weekend, and we decided to have a Family Party on Saturday night. And by "Family Party," I also mean, "Fuck, I'm so exhausted, and it's my day off, so let's hope no one notices me sleeping during Wall-E!" But Daddy-man made a kick-ass fort for watching movies (those are hockey-sticks underneath there!), and we made homemade gingerbread cookies from scratch. Nom nom! 

The last time I tried to make gingerbread cookies, I got so lazy and cranky half-way through the recipe and ended up throwing out all the dough because ughhhhhh being cute and domestic is harrrd! But! Having four darling, eager beaver helpers really encourages you to get your shit together and try your damnedest---boy, I could see the difference! The kittens decorated some and ate plenty more. Basically, if the unicorn and dinosaur cookie cutters don't get passed down as cherished family heirlooms, then what the hell is the point in all of this?

Tonya + Stephen

Tonya and Stephen got married in August, and fuck, it was disgustingly adorable. Tonya and Stephen would whistle to find each other around the venue (!), their party favors were used books (I may have snagged, like, 10), and just wait till you see that wedding topper! I had the pleasure of hanging out with Hanna throughout the festivities, and she even let me put the flowers on the cake! (I still amuse myself with my florist skills.)

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR.

I mean, really.

 A Lego bride and Lego Thor. THOR.

Ugh, shut up.

The Haynes family. 

Cousins! 

They are just the coolest. And I'm related to them! Suckers. :)

opening bout '12

"You know, brie in an ultimate steak burger sounds pretty genius..."

 

 How do I zoom/sharpen this picture?!

Last Sunday, Richard's roller derby team had a mash-up bout for their season opener. The All-American Weiners vs. Bulk America! The girls headlined (as always!), and it was the first time I used my fancy new camera in a sports setting. Phew! Needless to say, the shots I manage to grab weren't as bad-ass and crisp as I envisioned (thanks, Constantly Changing Lighting!), but you gotta start somewhere, right?!

However, I did manage to take this shot, which is easily one of my favorite things ever.