Off to College...

As I mentioned, my baby sis has headed off to college. She's a big girl now : ) Here's some pics from our trip.

Mt Rainier

 Our flight got in and we had some time to waste so we headed into downtown Seattle. We had some lunch and went to the market.

Smelled like shit. But there were babes working the donut hut so I felt ok about it.

So cute!

We checked in to our little bed and breakfast and grabbed dinner on Puget Sound. Friday we woke up and headed to the school. We got lucky cause Andrea's move-in time was like the first of the day! So it was not to crazy and we had full access to dollies to truck our goods around, free stuff- I got a to-go mug and a bottle opener key chain (which seems like a dumb idea giving 18 year olds bottle openers then forcing them to go to a seminar on drinking), and coffee- which was magical since I was totally freezing.

Hot mama- sittin in her new dorm room.

 I found this gem while walking in the neighborhood. It's perfect.

There was the most incredible produce and flowers there. It was seriously magical. This flower was the size of my head.

Best Friends FOREVERRRRRRR.

I love her and I'm so excited for her.

Somebody Graduated [SO MANY PICTURES]

That's right! My super awesome, super hilarious, super attractive sister totally graduated high school. That's right world- WATCH OUT. Baby girl's a legit adult (kinda) and we're going wild. She's so boss.

 Senior pics by Angelina Rose Photography

 Before Graduation, being a dementor.

Graduation was on Friday afternoon and the whole crew showed up for support. My mom pretty much blew it (or so she kept saying... truth is, everything was fine) and forgot batteries for the camera and the flowers.  Luckily I had my rad zoom lens from Photojojo.

The freakin ceremony blew my mind. There was something like 350+ kids and they blew through em so fast- I'm lucky I even caught it when they called Andrea's name. Seriously like, 40 mins max.

We even got a pretty cool performance. (Yeah, that shaking is from me laughing).

Friday night we went to my grandparents for a SUPRISE wedding shower for my favorite cousin and his fiance. It was most of the family's first time meeting Kellie and her little boy Cayden and it was cool we got to bombard her with meeting like a billion people. I spent some time flying Cayden around in circles so I'm pretty sure he likes me, which was my goal for the night. WIN!

 Matt and Kellie

 Cousin-in-law Jason with baby Kaylin, my best friend :) .

Riley was sick. I just love this picture. Poor buddy.

Saturday was the big graduation party. I ran around in the morning grabbing the food and special goodies for the event. We had the best spread- for reals- wraps, salad and pasta salad from That's A Wrap (one of my favorite local restaurants and, coincidentally, the same thing I had for my high school graduation party), my sister's favorite pudding from True Food Kitchen (it's vegan, gluten free and unbelieveable), and 3 gallons of horchata. Not to mention rad folks and a custom playlist! BEST. PARTY. EVER.

Even R.Pats showed up.

Cuteness.

Oh! AAAND! My dear sister got me a graduation party present.

She made this picture I'd been drooling over for ages. She got it framed all pretty for me, so I can always remember her.

Anyways, I was gonna tell you about our sweet Memorial day hangs but I'll tell ya about it later. And come back cause I've got a heart wrenching, tear inducing letter to my sis coming in the next few days! AWWWE.

A Really Cute Video to Make You Smile

I just had to share with you this adorable video of my cousin's little girl. 

*The video is working now*

Quick story. My cousin Amber and I were basically raised like sisters.

We did everything together, including going to daycare together while our parents worked, going on family trips together, we were even dressed alike all the time.

We even fought like sisters.

The other two, yeah them on the right, they're my cousins Carissa and Kerrie- So cute right?

But now we're pretty dang close. She's got the most amazing kiddos and I'm so happy I get to be a part of their little lives. Here's the cutest video of her youngest to make your day happy.

A Very Merry Christmas

You're never gonna guess what we got for Christmas.

A puppy!!!!!!!!!

After talking about it for quite a little bit, we decided to just DO IT. We didn't tell my mom at first (mostly cause we thought she would be mad and veto the whole thing), so we snuck a picture of this little baby into one of her Christmas presents (We thought we would gauge her reaction first). Then we snuck away and ordered him real quick. His name is Humphrey. I wanna cuddle him forever.

Two more days

Only two more days! What are you doing to celebrate the holidays? For Christmas, my family always goes up to Flagstaff (a city about two hours north of Phoenix). They are expecting quite a little bit of snow! How exciting!! On Christmas eve we always go to church and have a family dinner and watch Christmas movies (I sprinkled in some of our favorites).



This year we are making homemade pizza : ). Then we wake up Christmas morning and, with a cozy fire in the fireplace and hot cocoa in our mugs, we each open our presents one at a time (that's my favorite part- I love seeing people get so happy and excited). After all my worrying and lack of ideas for presents, I actually think I got some decent ones. I am pretty excited and I hope everyone likes them.



Afterwards we have breakfast. My mom always makes this yummy chirizo (or soyrizo for me and my sister) and egg dish thing, a cranberry juice thing, and cinnamon rolls. Later in the afternoon we go over to my grandparents to have a big family get together. It's so fun, expecially with my cousin's kids.


(Secret: My sister and I looooooove Macaulay Culkin... Well, pretty much the whole Culkin clan.)

Because there is like, 16 of us, we began picking names. That way we don't break the bank each year. I got my aunt (Shhh! Don't tell!) and I am so so excited because A) I love her to pieces, B) we are a lot alike, and C) she loves cowboy-ish stuff. I hit the jackpot at this estate sale a while back and got a bunch of really awesome vintage cowboy things and I am so so so excited to give it to her!

After we exchange presents we go home and, usually, watch more Christmas movies. Gotta soak up as much holiday-ness as I can! I hope you all have super special holidays! xxoo

Thankful Thursdays v7

Is it seriously time for another Thankful Thursday post? Weeks are seriously flying by!

This week I am thankful for:
Old Friends. It's so great having those friends that, no matter how far away from each other you move, you still pick upright where you left off. Those people who know you so well you don't have to explain things or pretend.You're just you and they love you for it.

This is Lindsay and her BF.

 This is Ashley and me.

This is Kasey and her Fiancé.

Ashley and Kasey are two of my oldest friends- since 3rd grade!

Decaf Coffee. My friend AJ talked me into this detox diet. There are lots of things we can't have but the hardest to resist is definitely the caffeine. It's been a hard two weeks but I'm starting to get used to it.

Birthdays. This weekend we are going away for my sisters birthday! I am so excited to get away for a bit. We are headed to The Shady Dell in Bisbee, AZ. I can't believe my baby sis is turning 18! Crazy! I feel old. Check out this cutie!

Then

Now

Isn't she pretty?


New Friends. If I had pictures of you all I would post them. I am really thankful for this blog and having met all you sweet folks through it! I am excited to get to know you all more! Your comments are always so nice and encouraging and your blogs totally inspire me.

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Thursdays v5

This week has been sooo great. Here's what I am thankful for.

Matt and Kim- I went to the Matt and Kim concert last night and I'm still on a high. It was, honestly, one of the best experiences I've ever had. Those two are sweet as pie, make excellent music, and are so excited it's infectious. I love them even more now.

Estate Sales-I hit the jackpot this morning. I'll let you know a bit more later- let's just say there is a ton of vintage holiday goodies coming to Merry May Farm.

This post on Poppytalk (via Anniedancer)-

Yeah that's a basket woven car and it's one of the most amazing things I've ever seen.


My coworkers- With the flood damage displacing many coworkers, everyone is still super sweet and positive around these parts. What a great family we've got goin here.

My sister- She's just really cool. Here's us at Renegade in LA.

Sources 1, 2

What are you thankful for?