by Alexis -

Meet the Wardens

We went to a wedding/celebration a couple days ago and was asked to help with the pictures. I was really amazed and was like, ‘um did they call the right people?!’ I then learned another friend was taking pictures which really eased the pressure.

No, I don’t struggle with low self esteem. Why are you asking?

Here are a few teases for Chris and Amelia. (you will get more pictures than you will know what to do with) And these pictures are for you too reader. I appreciate you. Why you want to spend part of your life reading about my life is beyond me….but here’s a few pretty pictures to make it kinda worth it.

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They’re pretty pretty wedding cake. One layer was RED VELVET. I literally saw people’s eyes bug out. The other was a white cake with some sort of berry filling. I should have gotten the details but I was busy photographing. I love the detailing.

(*one little Alexis tid bit: details are where it’s at. No matter if you’re dressing a plate for dinner of finishing off the last sugar ball on a cake. They will make the people amazed and hungry. And that my food friend is what we’re after.)

They got married in Hawaii. In December. Can you imagine the warm air coming off the ocean? Drinking by a pool? -in DECEMBER?!!!

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They had lots of balloons, which made me feel whimsical and sparked the little girl in me. I took way too many pictures of those silly balloons. And as I was editing I was totally digging this retro look.

This makes me want to throw a party for all of my friends.

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Most brides are pretty on their wedding day. She is amazingly beautiful when she goes camping. And she is so nice that you feel guilty for feeling jealous. Really. SO nice and caring. So imagine how stunning she was at her wedding. You’re a lucky man Chris, but you already know that. 🙂

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All together now: aaaaaaawwwwwwwww

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I really like how Trav thought differently and took a different angle. Isn’t Chris sweet by having his arm on her? He is so smitten with her. Watching them makes the world seem a little bit brighter. If there can be that much love in the world.

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I feel like I stole this really intimate and secret moment. And honestly feel kinda bad. Just a little. Like I intruded on a private moment…who would have known that there were friends and family all snapping and clicking next to me. They were great. Didn’t mind being the center of attention.

Lastly, is a picture of the cookies she makes. She is famous for her cookies and I’m seriously just waiting to hear she’s started selling them. They would sell. Oh would they sell.

She made so many cookies for this night, the present for the guests, that she had to cram the rest in a friends fridge.

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Baaaa! I can’t help myself. If there is a funny kinda almost embarrassing picture I have this almost compulsion to post it. I should start a self help group.

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by Alexis -

girly friends

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friends. they love pink, wearing princess-y dresses and eating cheese. They like spinning, dancing and holding hands and singing ‘ring around the rosies’ (which is really messed up song) They both will sit and watch too much TV if we let them and they both like to tell their parents how things will be. Born negotiators. Will do anything to swim.

Both crazy loved by mommy and daddy. Friends since well, before birth.

Rylee and Emma 🙂 Soon to be 3 year olds (whimper and whine) Such beautiful strong willed girls you are becoming. You amaze both your parents everyday with your independence and caring.

by Alexis -

Women

Thursday mornings I go to a woman’s group where we talk about our relationship with God, our lives, family and laugh a lot too. I was really looking forward to it this year, being with women who I’ve opened up to and created a friendship with.

And being close to women is a hard thing for me to do. For some reason I have…no HAD a hard time being vulnerable. I didn’t think they liked, trusted, believed or respected me. It’s a personal thing and I’m getting over it. Each time I open myself up and reveal a part of me I feel kinda like a bird that’s been locked up in a cage is let free. I love it. And it helps when most of the women tell me what I struggle with is similar to what they deal with.

It seems like an epidemic, women that deal with the same things and desire a ‘real friend’ but don’t open up to those who are in their circle of relationships. I am getting much better and now…dare I say, I enjoy meeting new women and look forward to sitting and talking with gals I don’t know that well.

I do have to make a disclaimer though. I can only take so much estrogen. Going to an all women get together can be overwhelming and draining for me. I guess if it’s tons of women who are talking loudly with ‘awww’s!’ going on everywhere. Overwhelming. That is why I give myself a time limit.  (2-3hrs usually) Which makes me feel more free to enjoy myself.

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On a side random note, I really enjoy how Trav can look at me and just tell if there’s something up. It’s annoying sometimes, sure, but overall it makes me feel secure. You know, to have someone know you well enough and just know I need to talk. Love you babe.

Well, off to do a pedi while Emma naps. I don’t want to get stuck with open nail polish and her in the same room. Bad. Things. Happen. 🙂

by Alexis -

list to myself of things to do in the winter.

If you’ve known me for any length of time you know I love the rain. I love all things cold and cloudy. Why? Because it creates cuddle time, book reading, mass amounts of soup and lots of tea/hot cocoa. This winter has been a little different though…

I find myself really looking forward to sunnier, warmer weather. When I look outside I can almost see what a ‘nice’ day looks like here. And the possibilities of things to do. Walking on a nearby trail, taking the max downtown to get gellato, street car eating!, picnics and random weekend beach trips.

Yes there are tons of things to do in the winter and maybe I should remind myself of that…but man oh man I wouldn’t mind trading my gloves and thick jacket for a light scarf and blazer.

With that said…it reminds me of what my dad told me during Christmas time. He was talking to me about being content. I had asked him some questions and as he was talking to me I discovered how discontent I am. lol Kinda funny with the previous statements huh. Oh well, I’ll leave them.

So being content in the place I am now. With the season it is. I will do my best to relish and savor the days I have, no matter how many layers I have to put on before venturing outside.

I’m making myself a list  of 10 things to have fun and enjoy this season we call winter. Cold. VERY windy. Freezing rain.

1. look into experimenting with cocoa and tea. Be adventurous and try new quirky sounding items!

2. relish. covet. love.savor my cuddle time with Emma under a blanket. This time is special. Don’t take it for granted.

3. um, splash in those puddles Alexis! Show Emma how much fun a grown up can have! (but watch the temps-duh)

4. take creative different photos of this season, because it will soon be gone.

5. just because it’s crappy doesn’t mean my attitude has to mimic that. Get your booty outside! Starbucks, Borders, play dates or whatever!

6. make presents for people just because. ALWAYS makes me feel better.

7. keep doing yoga- your muscles thank you.

8. wrap a scarf around your neck, and wear leggings under your pants if you have to- but go downtown and meet Trav for lunch. it will be most fun for emma.

9. burn the candles baby! burn the candles…

10. wear a skirt/dress at least 4 times a month. I always feel better when I look nice, wear leggings, tights, boots or whatever…just do it!

and I just hought of two more:

11. buy/borrow books and enjoy a story. Ask a friend or two to read the same book and meet up once a month to talk and eat.

12. see a movie at a cheap theater. Alone? No! Friends=memories

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* I have a hard time exercising (understatement) and do not attend a gym. But if I did I would take FULL advantage of classes. And I would drag a friend to come with me so we could laugh at each other.

by Alexis -

pretty and practical

I used to do martial arts and a lot of that included stretching. Lots of memories and stories there, but for now lets stick to this one: my resolution to be more limber. You see, I have noticed how tight I’ve become just in picking up Emma and how sore my back is. I then decided to do yoga stretches I’ve memorized from doing them a while back. But when could I do it? When Emma was asleep, I did a lot of cleaning and admin things. And then Emma wakes and any window is gone.

So I decided to do it when she took her bath. I also moved it to after her nap time.

(please ignore the horrible lighting)

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It worked great. She was in her world and I was in mine, but also ready if she is in trouble. She now is OK with me stretching. She used to freak out saying, ‘no mommy! no!’ with fear in her eyes. Now she thinks I’m weird for doing it in the bathroom. I’m pretty sure I am, but at least I get to keep my resolution AND do my mommy duties.

This last one I think everyone has heard of. But I just didn’t do it till last night. (froze chicken stock already seasoned) Trav asked me what the heck I was doing and I smiled and said I felt so smart it hurt. I’m humble.

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This is just a pretty picture of a necklace I got (via gift card-thanks Eric!) from Claires. LOVE IT!

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FYI, they have tons of awesome things there! It’s not just for tweens. 🙂

by Alexis -

Chew with me

Reading the Shack and came upon some striking and thought provoking words you can chew on with me:

“Broken humans center their lives around things that seem good to them, but that will neither fill them or free them. They are addicted to power, or the illusion of security that power offers. When a disaster happens, those same people will turn against the false powers they trusted.” pg 125

by Alexis -

easy peesy

We went over to a friends house, Gail, and she made these amazing EASY biscuits. She laughed when I asked if they were homemade and asked for the recipe. She was so nice to share it. And while I was making my own first batch (first of many many! Um, can you say new comfort food?!) it occurred to me that many of you might already know how to make these. But those of you who were like me- make these. Right now.

* please excuse the lighting. I’m still trying to find out how to take nice pictures at night with our lights on.

None This is it. Not too many ingredients. Trav had many and I snatched the last two. Bake, take out and smear with butter. Which will melt all over get in all the crevices and get your hands buttery. Just sprinkle with the garlic salt (I was generous in the sprinkling, hint, hint) and your done! I’m laughing at how simple this is and why I haven’t thought of this!

Noneagain, sorry about the picture.Not one of my  best, but I was warding off a hungry 2 yr old and husband. 🙂 The biscuits didn’t last 5 min. They were the first to go. Thanks Gail. 🙂

by Alexis -

look what I have

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Look what I have! It’s yummy, red and sweet. Mom says it’s good for me.

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I like to dump out my food to see how much I have. Apples are yummy!

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