chris and nicole

Red

2011-11-04T13:16:00.000-07:00

Check out this curl pattern! Such a beautiful sight. I always had a hunch I'd have a curly red head even in the womb, I knew. I'm in love with the red, though I won't lie, it haunted me for 9 months. The doctor calls him 'red' and I'm liking that nickname.

Halloween

2011-11-01T13:41:00.001-07:00

We had a great Halloween. Nixon wanted to be a big boy and walk car to car at trunk or treat. I almost died as he went right up to every candy holder with his bag on arm, and demanding candy. So big & so cute. Halloween night we partied with family at the Gillie's and went trick or treating. He pooped out early, but I'd say it was a very successful first Halloween for this guy. Maybe we will be exciting and dress up with him next year, we do get into it. As you can see from last year. I can't believe already one year ago I was anticipating this boy in my arms.

No thanks

2011-10-05T15:29:00.000-07:00

Nixon wanted nothing to do with this new hat I bought him! He was so cute I had to snap a few shots before he ripped it off.

It's here

2011-10-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

You did it San Clemente! Now I can stay here forever. Target is finally here! Oh it's a beauty. No more 20 minute hauls north, and no more stinky sticky Walmart, Yahoo!

2011-08-03T12:40:00.000-07:00

I love these two boys. The look on both their faces when they see each other for the first time at 6:00 every night is priceless. It usually then leads into something like this...

Addicting

2011-07-28T11:22:00.001-07:00

Pinterest.com, ever heard of it? Maybe I'm the last to. But I LOVE it! So many cool things to check out and as my brother in law put it.. it's for girls who have way too much time on their hands. Not that with a baby I have that luxury, but every chance I get I'm on it, it's SO COOL! Check it out. Sign up. Type in anything you are interested in and BAM you get a million ideas. Sweet!

This is a photo I found on there of how I am cutting my hair. Yippee!

27th

2011-07-22T10:13:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to this fine fellow. (The bigger one) I love you Chris Aaron. You make life complete!

2011-07-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

I could NOT stop laughing when we took these photos last night. Maybe it's that Nixon would scratch our backs & try to hold onto our shirts while riding, maybe it was the age 3+ helmet that fit his noggin, maybe it's because I can hardly make a turn on a bike now without feeling like I'm going to tip over, I dono, but everything about this was hysterical to me. Bubs... your growing up real fast.

Yum!

2011-07-20T15:11:00.000-07:00

Today is beautiful! Nixon and I were up early and had a great run along the beach trail. There's something spectacular about being up early running along the beach.. ocean breeze, crashing waves, my sweet baby babbling. So peaceful. I love where I live. It's incredible. Also I made up some homemade granola, you have to try! It's delicious and my new favorite snack.

Homemade Granola
recipe from (inthelittleredhouse.blogspot)

add to large bowl:

4 cups oats

2 cups puffed wheat (unsweetened)

1 cup unsweetened coconut

1 cup chopped almonds

1/2 cup ground flax seed

1/4 cup wheat germ

3/4 c pure maple syrup (not the fake stuff)

1/3 c olive oil

1 tsp vanilla

pinch of salt

mix until well coated.

Spread out onto two lined baking sheets, and bake at 300° for 30-45°, until oats are browned and crispy.
Make sure to rotate the pans and give them a few good shakes during the baking process.

yum.

enjoy!

Dreaming

2011-07-18T17:48:00.000-07:00

So my birthday is next month and I'm dreaming of this...

and this...

I want lovely pictures of my family and good documentation of our awesome lives. If only Santa came twice a year.

Love

2011-07-07T11:05:00.000-07:00

This little man could not be any more perfect! I love every single thing about him. I love waking up in the morning knowing he's waiting for me right around the corner. I love how he kicks and grins ear to ear when I sneak in his room, and he catches my face. I love that when he eats he pounds his fist to say more. I love that he is finally sitting up! I love his 3 little teeth.. with two more poking through. I love his constant babble of "dadda dadda." (Dadda is pretty rad so I'm not complaining) I love when he falls asleep on my shoulder and every daily care disappears. I love that he cracks up all the time! He makes me laugh all day long. I love how HAPPY he is. Happy 8 months to my Nixon!

9 days...

2011-06-08T21:37:00.000-07:00

Nix and I will be here for the next 9 days... I can't wait.

Daddy... We already miss you.

Doable?

2011-06-02T14:48:00.000-07:00

So a couple weeks ago I signed up and got in to run the St. George Marathon on October 1. Wahoo! I'm physced!! Then another challenge presented itself. I wanted to qualify to run Boston in April. St. George is just 11 days shy of the cut off for Boston's registration which is Sept 20. Dang. What now? After searching for another race around here, I had to settle for the Logan marathon, September 17. To qualify for Boston I have to run a speedy 3:40. 2 marathons in 2 weeks and a ticket to Boston, we'll see...

Then maybe I will look and feel a little something like this...

2011-05-23T09:41:00.000-07:00

If you have given up on me blogging, I understand.

I am just loving these pictures I got uploaded of Nixon. He is already 6 1/2 months! This past month he's gotten 2 big chompers, started eating baby food, loves rolling around the house, and squeals & talks all day long. We call him happy boy. I mean, look at that face.

cinco meses

2011-04-12T11:26:00.001-07:00

Nixon turned 5 months this week! He is the biggest lover of all. Check out this cute little face we are so in love with.

Brooklyn

2011-04-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

My sister in law Rachel had her little baby girl on Wednesday! We are so excited to welcome little Brooklyn Ray to the family! She is such a beautiful baby and I couldn't be more excited about another niece!!!

Proud Aunt and Uncle

Leo Carillo

2011-04-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend my little sister, Missy was here and we decided to take her to Leo Carillo in the van for a little camping trip. Still not sure what she really thinks of the Westfalia, but we had a great time. I have to throw in there that Chris the night before decided to build a baby crib that perfectly into the van for Nixon. He made it out of pvc pipe and sewed a full lining and cover for it, in one night! If he thinks something up he can create, its amazing. Our friends, Kate Pehrson met us up there with their 3 kids ;) I think Nixon really enjoyed his first camp out and we really had a blast.

circus vargas

2011-03-18T13:25:00.000-07:00

We went to the circus with the family for St. Patrick's Day. It was totally awesome!

4 months

2011-03-08T12:40:00.001-08:00

Nixon, (aka Shark/Shark Bait Hoogalaga/Prickle Pants), is 4 months today!! He is PERFECT! I love my days with him. He talks/sings ALL DAY long. He definately has a big personality and he really keeps us laughing. He is 14.8 lbs and 2ft 2in :) I don't know why but I crack up when the doctor says he's two feet. Funny to hear. He is a one big ball of love. I was also told at the appt to let him CRY it out at night now instead of the 3-4 times a night I wake up with him... so last night was our first shot. Pitiful. He cried for a whole hour before falling back asleep but then didn't wake again till morning! He made it 10pm-7am. YES! I'm getting my life back. The Doc said in 4 nights he should have it down and not wake up at all. She also informed me I should have done this 2 months ago, WHAT! Why did no one tell me. Anyway, I'm excited to say the least. I'm seeing the light that I've been waiting for. HA! Love little Nixon. MY little sunny boy. He looks like his daddy, but I'm starting to see me in him, YES :)

Grown Up

2011-03-06T10:32:00.000-08:00

Check me out. I now surf the web and enjoy a good seat in the bumbo.

smiles

2011-02-14T18:10:00.001-08:00

Everybody bounce

2011-02-09T16:53:00.001-08:00

Turning 3 months for Nixon was Big. He has upgraded from the floor to the bouncie seat. Wahoo!

far too long....

2011-02-07T11:19:00.000-08:00

No post in 2 months? Are you kidding? Nixon will already be 3 months tomorrow! He has been SO much fun! He now smiles, laughs, rolls, coos and caas. He will fully have a conversation with you nowadays, I love it. These have been the happiest and most fulfilling months of my life. Love my little boy!

400 sq ft. 3 people. No problem :)

Follow the Star

2010-12-06T14:32:00.000-08:00

On Saturday Nixon was baby Jesus in the annual Follow The Star Nativity. He did such a great job. I was so nervous for him and so proud! It was emotional watching him, especially as I imagined what it really would have been like to be Mary. As a new mother I know the love she had for Jesus is no different than mine. I can't imagine the strength she had to have as she knew what pain Jesus would endure. I hope we can reflect on the savior and his incredible life and sacrifice for us and think about the real meaning of Christmas. I'm so grateful for my baby boy and so excited to have him here with us this Christmas!

Here's what you're missin gma and gpa!

Recent

2010-11-30T16:24:00.000-08:00

My mom came in town to help me out for a week, and it was so fun to have her here! She was in love with Nixon and she was such a big help. Thanks mom, we love and miss you. The day after my mom left my little sister Missy was here for the week over thanksgiving. So great to have her here too. Love you guys. My little one is already 3 weeks old!

My little Nixon

2010-11-15T14:36:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the delayed blog post! Today Nixon is already one week old! This week has been so incredible. I have loved spending every second with my boys.

Here is the Birth Story: (It's lengthy)

Sunday night at about 2:30 am I started getting uncomfortable. Up to this point I hadn't had any contractions so I was so curious what it would feel like once I finally got one. I knew right away that I was having one! About 4 min later I got another one, lasting about 45 sec. I got out of bed and did what the doctor said, tried to walk through it and/or talk through it. I couldn't do either. Chris started to get up and around and we were both getting anxious. The contractions were coming 3-5 min apart and about a min long. I decided to get in the shower hoping this was really it. I would yell to Chris START to start timing my contraction and then I'd say finish to let him know to stop timing. YES! They kept coming. Lets just say my hopeful dream of having my hair perfectly blown out to go into labor wasn't going to happen. I forced myself to at least dry and straighten my bangs so I wouldn't look completely homely. Chris gave me a blessing and we headed out the door for Saddleback.

Once we got to the hospital it was 5:00 am, and I was eager to get inside. Everyone was telling us first time labor is forever, so wait it out and hang out in the parking lot for a couple hours before going in. I couldn't. We got inside they hooked me up to the monitors before admitting me to a room to make sure this was real labor. The nurse strapped on the heart rate monitors (which KILLED) to my stomach... I cried and begged for her to loosen them with every contraction but she said she couldn't. She asked if I was trying to do it all natural and I told her yes. She checked me and congratulated me, "all natural momma", I was dilated to a 7!! Woohoo! Chris and I were thrilled. She wheeled me upstairs to a room. At 6:00 am the doctor broke my water. The contractions were intense. I swear my nurse truly hated me. No ice when I asked for it, pillow only came after "a few more questions were answered" and three attempts before she got the IV in!! I cried begging Chris to ask for a new nurse in between each contraction. HA! Chris was an awesome coach. He held my barf bag, he helped me breath, words of encouragement (was always you're doing great you're doing great), and let me squeeze the life out of his fingers. He tried lightening the mood with comments like "cmon honey me, you, and the baby, this is family time!" Or calling them "contraptions" etc etc. He once or twice told me "shh" which really made me somewhat angry. Whoops. I did some apologizing afterwards because he was seriously amazing. Good job coach!

So the contractions became unbearable. They were over 2min long and I was getting no break in between. I kept telling Chris I was going to die. I really thought in my mind with each one that he would be raising this baby on his own. I couldn't open my eyes, lift my head, or speak at this point. I begged for the epidural. She checked me and I was a 9! Ah I was relieved but still didn't think I could take one more contraction. They called for my epidural at 8:30 am and it took a bit but was immediate relief. About 5 min later, nurses were rushing around frantically in the room. They hooked me up to oxygen coaching me to breath keep breathing. Nixons heart rate was dropping inside. What was once a steady 140, dropped to 90. I started to panic. This was a main reason I didn't want the epidural. (This happened to my mom when she got it with her first). The nurse called the doctor to have her come down and have me start pushing now, even though I wasn't ready, they needed to get the baby out! I was so scared, praying in my head for it to please go back up. After about 10 min the baby's heart rate was back to normal. Again, relief. About an hour after I got the epidural at 9:30am I told the nurse I could totally feel the contractions again and they were really strong this time in my back as well. She checked me and said oh yep your a 10 and ready to push! She had me push through a couple contractions and called the doctor to come up to deliver baby! We were SO EXCITED! My doctor made it and had me push through 3 more contractions. At 9:57 am he was here! No one called out the sex and I was like what is it what is it!!! They opened his legs and announced it was a little boy. I knew it from the start. My little boy was screaming at the top of his lungs. He was happy to be here. He was absolutely perfect and so beautiful.

My favorite part of the whole experience was they left us all alone for about 2 min right after he was born and me, Chris, and Nixon layed on the bed together and he just stared at us. We were his parents!! He knew us and we knew him. We were a family. It was the most amazing feeling I've ever felt. I'm so grateful Heavenly Father has trusted us with this perfect spirit. He fits in perfectly in our family and I have felt so much peace and love this week with him in our home. Chris is the best dad I could ever imagine. We are so lucky to have Nixon. I just stared at the fellow all week. I loved having my boys at home with me this week, it was the best. I'll never forget it. We had to take Nixon to the emergency room his first night home and to the hospital again last night. I changed his diaper our first night home in the middle of the night to find it full of blood. We had to call the paramedics and take him to the er. Everything is now A OK. I've felt my Heavenly Father's hand in every bit of this week, and I know when we trust him he blesses us. Nixon is going to be okay. It's just quite the healing process. Poor little guy. We love him so much and are SO blessed to have him!!!!!

This Guy

2010-10-19T16:22:00.000-07:00

I love. More than anything in the world. Thanks Stophie for making life so incredible.

Brazillian Gloss- Frizz-Free Shine!

2010-10-13T15:36:00.000-07:00

The Brazillian Gloss is amazing!! I love everything it does. I'm obsessed. Until Christmas I'm doing a deal for $175, after it will be $250. (The salon I work at charges $300). If you haven't heard of it, it's a hair smoothing process that softens, smoothes, and restores health and shine back to your hair. It repairs external damage, and will give you a healthy, high-gloss shine. It's Beautiful, I would call it a major "de-frizz." It will cut your drying time in half and you will LOVE the shine it gives. It's not a 'straightening' treatment so you won't lose your volume and it lasts about 4 months. I'm doing it from home or can come to yours!!! :)

on to 37...

2010-10-06T20:53:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I have less than 4 weeks until our baby is here! We have been finishing getting everything ready, and I finally feel ready if I have it any day :) We put the crib together, bought the car seat, painted, packed bags, finishing up sewing the bedding ... etc. We are thrilled and can hardly wait for him or her to get here!!!!

Hushamok

2010-09-20T10:06:00.000-07:00

Considering our small space for the baby, Chris and I have been debating if we should get a bassinet or a crib. He mentioned the other day it would be cool if there was some sort of a baby hammock we could hang under our 'loft', and yesterday we came across THIS! I love it and this will be our new baby's home for the first 6 months! I'm really excited for it :)

http://www.hushamok.com/shop

Mason

2010-09-17T11:16:00.003-07:00

Last night we went to see Mason Jennings play in San Diego at the Woman's Club. It was my first Mason concert and I loved every second of it. Best part was we got to meet him afterwards, too bad I didn't have him sign my belly.

Baby Moon

2010-09-09T22:48:00.000-07:00

Chris and I took a little trip for our one year anniversary/my birthday/and babymoon. It was a lot of celebrating and a really fun. We drove the coast up past Big Sur and loved every minute of it. It was much needed and so beautiful up there. We had lots of adventures and enjoyed our last official vaca without the babe :)

(I got lazy with pictures sorry for the simple route)

We all have one..

2010-09-09T22:43:00.000-07:00

Everyone has their dream baby bedding right? Well here's mine.. I look at it often and I really love it. $400.. eek i think ill have to keep on dreaming.

29 onto 30.

2010-08-20T17:11:00.000-07:00

29 full weeks and moving right along to 30. I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going. It's insane. I hardly feel pregnant some days. It's obvious I am of course but I feel great. I'm still running 4 miles a day, well jogging now, and that alone almost makes me feel normal. ha. It keeps me sane and I definately think it's a blessing things are going so well that I'm able to keep up all my typical daily activities. Chris is amazing and so helpful whenever I do have my 'pregnant' moments. :) I'm already getting really anxious thinking of the baby coming so soon! I really think we are having a boy.

HOUSE-click to make bigger

2010-08-10T13:38:00.000-07:00

First, I know this post is REALLY overdue, I was putting it off because I knew it would take some time. But all those who haven't been over, now have an idea what it looks like! The things we do to live near the beach... :) We love it here. Oh the office area will be turned into the baby's hideout here in a couple months, in case your wondering where we will put a child in such a space :)

Freedom Weekend

2010-07-09T10:31:00.000-07:00

I love the weekends at the river, and this one was especially great. The Gardners always make it a good time and so fun to have Kate and Pehrson along this time! Loved tye-dying, the firework show in blythe, the show at home, battle for most seen shooting stars, some classic speed, floating the river, tube wars, and the slip n slide.. to name a few standouts. Thanks everyone for making this such an awesome time!

missed you koelliker's.

2010-06-28T11:01:00.000-07:00

5 months and baby weighing more than a pound! Can't believe it :) This little one is getting stronger already!

BABY

2010-06-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

On thursday I had my 5 month doctors appt and they did my 20 week ultrasound! It was awesome!!! The nurse totally hooked us up and turned on the 4D for us, we were so stoked! Here is our baby. How wild. I can now see him/her (we want a surprise here people) and imagine what's inside and what it looks like!! :)

BumPin

2010-06-14T17:35:00.001-07:00

This week I am 20 weeks, 4 1/2 months! I can't believe I am already halfway to having our sweet little baby!! I've been able to feel him/her move a lot this week and I love it! We are getting more and more excited everyday :)

Also, we went to 'movie in the park' in Dana Point, saw Nim's Island, cute movie and love hangin with my boyfriend.

classic

2010-06-10T17:48:00.000-07:00

Just ran across this picture taken the night before chris and I got married. OBviously, quite a party.

riverdance

2010-06-06T15:14:00.000-07:00

Ty on the airchair :)

Last weekend we went to the river house with the Gardner's and Murri's!! It was SO nice to get away and be with great company and beautiful weather! Due to baby, my activities were limited but somehow one of my favorite trips at the river :) The best part was getting to hang with Stophie, oh I love that boy!

LockS of LoVE

2010-05-18T16:44:00.000-07:00

This cute boy donated 10 inches of beautiful locks to locks of love.

Adorable.

before...

brushed out

straighened

nervous.

after. sexy

Doheney

2010-03-29T16:33:00.000-07:00

Friday Night we went to Doheney with the Gardners and went camping! It was Chris and I's first time camping together and it was Awesome. We finally got to use all the stuff we got from our wedding! I was happy. Thanks Abe and Mer for topping the night off with that peach delight. Poor poor pan.

Run Run Run

2010-03-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

I'm really excited for this race. It is a 200 mile race split between 12 runners, relay style. I run a total of 19.3 miles, which is the longest of all 12 legs. Don't worry I'm not crazy I signed up for this before I was pregnant months ago but now have been debating whether I should do it or not. Is it safe for the baby? Too much stress on him/her? Should I be worried I might be attacked running 10 miles from compton at 2am... & so on. But after much consideration (and a male volunteer midnight bike rider) I have decided to go ahead with the race. I'm really excited and even more excited to do it with a little guy inside. My little sister is doing it with me and my awesome friend Jamie. Can't wait, less than 4 weeks. :)

Bump

2010-03-10T06:55:00.000-08:00

It's true. The rumors are true I AM having a baby!! Chris and I are Totally thrilled and couldn't be Happier!!!! I had my first ultra sound today and the babe is due Nov 4 :) wahhoooo!!

Very First.

2010-02-17T23:33:00.000-08:00

I love you sweet valentine.

buddy

2010-01-19T10:13:00.000-08:00

Dear Missy,

Thanks for running San Clemente Bike Trail.

Thanks for freaky nights at Rio and Golden Spoon.

Thanks for the bike ride in rainy Newport.

Thanks for riding the ferry.

Thanks for painting my new home.

Thanks for sharing your p m&m's and Dr. P.

Thanks for hangin out in the rain.

Thanks for attending Leap Year.

Thanks for sleeping in G Pa Gardners sheets.

Thanks Missy for coming to town, come back soon.

Catching up

2010-01-07T09:11:00.000-08:00

So sorry for all the pictures, but I wanted to catch up on what we've been doing. Yes, the first pictures are still of us in Costa Rica. I had to post them, we traveled our last week there and had a blast, didn't want you to miss it.

Last Day in Nosara.

Tamarindo.

Volcano Arenal.

Manuel Antonio.

mr. sloth

Back and in Bakersfield flipping homes.

Christmas eve with the Gardners. Knott's Berry Farm, Nativity, Pj's.

Christmas Day and that greedy little squirrel. ;)

Chris played music at the bell tower with buds. Stoked to see the Hawaii crew all there.

Feeling good about the new year people. 2010 is going to be great.

2009-12-09T16:39:00.000-08:00

Whoa whoa whoa people. I am way too far behind on my blogging, I'm not sure how to come out of it. Chris and I have been at the river and Bakersfield working everyday we've been back except thanksgiving weekend. I'll make posts asap! Love everyone.

Miss Sky ZIPline

2009-11-12T17:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Chris and I got the chance to do the longest zipline tour in Costa Rica. It was really one of the coolest things I've ever done. The zipline had a total of 13 cables and they were AWESOME! I swear I just laughed and screamed for 4 hours straight. After the 12th cable we walked down to a cool waterfall and swam. The guides were awesome, the other people kinda weird, which made for a better time of course. (howler monkeys is the noise in the background eek :)

Here we come Abe & Mer

2009-11-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

Chris and I are sooo excited to be moving to Abe and Merivales when we get back we can hardly stand it. We decided to play beach house at low tide and play in our new home. Check out our new place, cute right.

2009-11-04T18:51:00.000-08:00

So, Chris has been doing some sweet photog lately and his pictures are awesome! I think you will be as impressed with these photos as I am. They are rad, I wish I could post them all. Here are a few taken around our place. Enjoy! :)

Orphanage in Santa Cruz

2009-10-30T13:03:00.000-07:00

Chris and I had such an awesome opportunity to go to the orphanage here in Santa Cruz. We have been so excited and anxious to go since we got here and we finally got to! We had so much fun and the kids were adorable! We loved it and hope we get to go back. The orphange had about 14 kids ranging in age from 3 to 13, so smaller than what I was expecting. As soon as we got there, they all piled outside and with the biggest grins shook each of our hands one by one. We went with a family in our branch and also the missionaries. Crissy and I cut and styled hair. The look on the girl's faces when I pulled out my paul mitchell hair straightner and product was priceless. I doubt many of them had ever had their hair straight before but they definately knew what it was capable of when I motioned it next to my hair. They went crazy and an immediate line formed to transform their intense thick and curly hair into something shiny and straight. I had so much fun, and they loved every second of being pampered. I wish I could go do their hair everyday to see their faces and how happy they skipped around afterwards. I loved it! Chris and the 7 other boys from our branch got to spend time getting to know the kids and playing for a little bit. Chris impressed me afterwards remembering all of their names, and I only remembered a couple! They loved him and he communicates so well the kids here it's really neat. I loved the time we had there and am really grateful we had the opportunity to help out the children even if it was in just a small simple way. They were beautiful and happy and really left an impact on me. Before we left we sang them, "I am a Child of God" and they all went silent and still. The spirit was strong and we can only hope they will always be watched over and taken care of. Thanks Santa Cruz for such an amazing time!
....I'm sorry for no pictures they wouldn't let us take pictures inside :/

1 new Gillie + 1 new Koelliker

2009-10-30T12:45:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to have 2 new beautiful babies in the Gardner family and we can't wait to meet them!! Congrats Dani and Ray they are both PERFECT! Beckham was born October 24th and Shay on September 20th! They were born to incredible parents, we're so happy they're here! :)

Last monthly celebration.. promise. 2 months!

2009-10-29T19:14:00.000-07:00

Happy 2 months Christopher you are absolutely perfect!! I love you!

Pura Vida!

2009-10-14T15:30:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of some wildlife that hang around. Spider
monkey, Howler monkey, scorpion, crabs, turtle egg shells, iguanas and lizards, raccoon/armadillo mix? More photos to come. Click on collages if you want to see the
pictures larger :)

Hope everyone is doing great :) Here are pictures to show what we've been up to lately.
We still love it, and only 5 weeks left! We will be so sad to leave.

Just for Fun

2009-10-05T20:33:00.000-07:00

Not much new going on here. Still Loving everything about this place!! New pics so everyone knows we're alive :)

Bike Ride

2009-09-30T16:31:00.000-07:00

So, for our one month we thought we'd take a bike ride and see what there was to offer around here. We don't have a car so the only time we get out of Nosara is Sundays when we take the bus 2 hours into Nicoya for church. So we were excited to venture out on our own. We rode bikes down to Guiones, the little surf town close by. We ate lunch at a cute cafe and it was really good food and cheap! Chicken salad for $4. :) I was happy. We rode to the book store and stopped at a couple other little shops. On the ride home, Chris almost got attacked by a dog. He will say I did nothing to help. And it's true, I was scared for my life I was pedaling as fast as my dumpy bike would go. After a good kick to the face the dog left us alone. Phew. LOVE Chris and how we celebrated our one month. :)

HAppy ONE month!!

2009-09-29T09:52:00.000-07:00

We made it through our first month ;) It's been so So Awesome!! Chris is as perfect as I ever thought! I love getting to spend every day with my best friend. I can't believe I get forever with him! Love love LOVE you!

We made it to COsta Rica!

2009-09-25T16:17:00.000-07:00

We made it to Costa Rica and it's SO So Beautiful!! The coolest place I've ever seen! We live in the middle of the jungle and are about a min 1/2 walk from the beach. Playa Guinoes, the surfing beach, is about a 25 min walk down the beach. You come out of this huge jungle to an incredible coastline. It's so rad here! We are renting a vacation home and it's a nice really private lot and has a swimming pool that saves us (the ocean is so warm and rarely refreshing). Costa Rica is Hott!! We live in the city of Nosara where paved roads don't exist, which means not much else does. We have a little market across the street with a restaurant attached that serves little purpose to us, all their food has a super foul taste and smell. It's weird. We can't quite figure out why and where it comes from but the next market is about 3 miles away and in between are some homes hidden homes and nothing else really exists in this city.

Howling monkeys live in the trees around our home, iguanas on the roof, gnarly crabs with neon orange legs, blue backs, and yellow eyes like to cruise in the jungle, supposably crocodiles (we haven't seen any yet), scorpions, cockroaches (the death of me) and other little critters live about. Our typical day consists of surfing 1 or 2 times, watching a lot of the office, phase 10, chris playing music, a LOT of relaxing time, some skyping usually, and whatever else comes our way. The sun sets at 5:30 so we are finding interesting things to entertain us. Somehow we thought it'd be nice to have a maid but then we have to handwash all our clothes. Not that cool after all! We love it here its so awesome and a lot of fun!! It's really different and quite the adventure so far. I'm so happy I get to be here another two months with Chris! Thank you Costa Rica for being so good to us!

Honeymooning in CABo!

2009-09-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

The morning after our wedding we flew to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for our week long honeymoon! Woohoo I was so excited to go! I haven't been to Mexico or out of the country since I was like 5 so I was really excited. Cabo was beautiful of course. An amazing coastline in the middle of the desert. Our resort was fun and we loved it! We did a little surfing, took a glass bottom boat out to lovers beach, snorkeled, crossed over to divorce beach (pacific ocean), and checked out the little town of Cabo. We got a suprise, hurricane Jimena, the second day we were there. We were told by the hotel staff it was going to be a 5.0 hurricane out of a 5 point scale. I was freaking out. The hurricane went on for a couple days and ended up passing us by with just a 3. There are a couple pics of us blowing away when we went outside. It ended up being kinda fun, I always enjoy a little adventure. Welp, that was pretty much Cabo and it was awesome! First week with my husband to finally relax , greatest week of my life :)

Wedding DAy!

2009-09-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

The greatest day of my life! Everything was so perfect and even if it wasn't, I thought it was. The Garnder's throw a seriously good party. Our reception was a lot of fun and there were a couple unexpected twists that were awesome. If you came you experienced Aaron at his finest with his tihitian dance moves. My personal favorite. Chris was amazing as he sang a song to me he had written the night before :) What serious talent he has, as all of you know. Every time he plays I get giddy in loveand can't stop giggling. He's incredible in so many ways and this is one of my favorite things. I can't even start to explain how happy he makes me. How am I the luckiest girl in the world!!

I Guess We Blog Now?

2009-09-24T10:55:00.000-07:00

So Nicole has always been a big facebooker. Ha Ha. But I guess now that we're married we have to get into blogging? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's how it works. Anyway...we are now married, ya that's right...married and couldn't be any happier. We had a nice little wedding dinner on a yacht in Newport Harbor hosted by our good friends the Hobbins, and then the festivities began. On August 29th 2009 we receited our vows and we're sealed in the Newport Beach temple forever. I couldn't be any happier. I'm the lucky one for sure. Love.