me and him

like a little Keebler elf

2012-01-25T19:22:00.000-07:00

Last night I found a little sack of happiness on my doorstep.
No one was there to be found, so I'm assuming they must have scampered away like a little Keebler elf.

Well! Happy Monday, I mean Tuesday, to you too!!

They were delish!

p.s. anyone who can spot the the Christmas tree and snowman among the sprinkles gets a kiss.

p.p.s. has anyone heard of the Neighborhood Plate? because that little lady has been floating around our hood for the past little while. really forces you serve peeps by making them lots of sweet things to rot their bellies.... I've been experimenting with new recipes. best way to do it I say! totally anonymous.

Lately:

2012-01-21T15:22:00.000-07:00

I have had a little problem with high levels of stress.

I guess you could say I needed to blow off some steam or something.

And this was the only idea in my head that made any sort of sense.

My Sharona by The Knack on Grooveshark

My Sharona—The Knack

p.s. worked like a charm.

Our WICKED Weekend

2012-01-07T18:08:00.000-07:00

Our week was a doozy—very long and very busy. So when 6:30 Friday night hit we were both thinking a date night to Downtown Fullerton's ever delish Rutabegorz was in order. As we were circling in on our destination my phone rang.....

It was a super awesome lady from our ward who had just won 2 extra tickets from the Wicked Lottery for that night's 8:00 show!.... In LA.... At the Pantages Theater!

She asked if we wanted to take them.... we thought about it for about a millisecond and said "YESSSSSS!!!" (with some additional squealing from both me and Jason).

We jumped on the I-5 and hurried our little butts to Hollywood....

Jas drove like a champ through the Friday night traffic into LA and we made it to the theater just in time. I was so proud.

Lisa (our newest bestest friend in the whole wide world) gave us our tickets, a pair of binoculars and spoiled us with a beautiful Wicked book, Sprites and M&Ms for the show.

The theater itself made my jaw drop and I had to remind myself to close my mouth. Art Deco at its very finest—sort of made us feel like we should have maybe worn a tux and floor-length gown (the gown would be for me of course).

I cried twice during the performance and got a little choked up once on the way home. Not in the "oh how sad" sort of way, but in the "Oh my gaaaash this is so amazing! I can't believe I'm here!!!!" sort of way.

Best spontaneous date night of my life.

Bucketlist:

Fly to the moon.

Go to a Jack Johnson concert.

Take a million photos in Greece.

~~Go to a professional production of Wicked.~~ CHECK!

See the pyramids.

*ok, so that's not my actual bucketlist. I never really want to fly to the moon, I hear the commute is terribly long—but last night (& my pal Caley) has inspired me to officially write up a hard copy.

Oh hey 2012! Let's try to get along, ok?

2012-01-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

Wait. So you're saying Christmas is over? Like for reals?? What the ...... ?!??!

After a whirl-wind-family-filled Christmas vaca to Idaho and rushing back to CA to shoot a day-before-New-Year's-eve wedding in San Diego, Jas and I decided to kick it real casual on Dec 31st. We had ourselves a movie marathon in our coziest sweats and I wore my best Navajo sweatshirt (if you've been near me in the past few months I'm sure the two of you have met). It was perfect.

Jas fell asleep during our first feature and I pronounced his movie marathon abilities as royally sucktastic.

He had better luck during the second movie (due in part to the giant metal bowl of buttery air-popped popcorn in his lap). And we finished off our bottle of Martinelli's as the ball dropped and danced to C Lo Green and Blake Shelton in front of our tv.

Yesterday was January 1, 2012. The day for writing new resolutions for the new year.

I started writing all sorts of fantastic and fresh resolves like such as: exercising and going to bed earlier and losing weight and plucking my eyebrows more regularly (oh, it's on there).

But then, before I knew it, I was painting sparkly confetti fingernails instead.

I have always had outstanding follow-through.

Jolly ol Mistletoe

2011-12-12T17:29:00.002-07:00

Winter Wonderland by Jason Mraz on Grooveshark

Winter Wonderland—Jason Mraz (one of my very very merry Christmas faves)

Jas told me he wanted me to take these turtlenecks right back to where they came from. I told him I wanted to wear them to every Christmas party we go to this year. So he settled for a good, old fashioned, family Christmas photo instead.

They have posted boy scouts at the doors of almost every grocery store within a 10 mile radius to sell mistletoe and holiday cheer to all shoppers... I successfully avoided eye contact at all of my stops until I came out of Albies and saw the little guy with the freckles and the boy-scout shirt that was sort of too small. I have a problem with the word "no". Or even the combo "no thanks".

Oh well, at least that meant Jas got a little mistletoe action. Win-win really.

It's December and I bought a 15 ft garland.

2011-12-01T18:16:00.001-07:00

It's real and it gave my hands a stingy rash.

But I like it because it's pretty and I put a sparkly strand of ornaments in it. Now we are going to pretend it's our Christmas tree, turn on our string of lights around our curtains and soak up some happy Christmas spirit.

Happy December 1—go put up that tree!!!!

Required listening: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Jack Johnson

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer by Jack Johnson on Grooveshark

ladies LA fashion district trip

2011-11-22T06:23:00.000-07:00

Last month some of us ladies decided to jump in the car and scurry to LA for a girl's trip to the fashion district (check!).

We walked through the flower district first because we heard it was pretty.

Then came the textiles, where I scored myself some jersey knit for $1 a yard! In colbalt blue! And some lace! And some zippers! And lots of yards of other rad fabrics too!....... I'm feeling the itch to bust out the sewing machine and get all sorts of domestic up in here.

One thing that is super awesome about the fashion district is how the vendors there are always one step forward on the latest trends in women's fashion. SO bummed I didn't pick me up a pair of these..... dang it.

Once our little feet couldn't carry us any farther we decided it was time to take our bags back to the car and find somewhere super tasty for lunch. Our pal Sarah led us to this bratwurst place I cannot, and unfortunately will not ever, be able to pronounce (Wurstkuche. You try it).

But Ohhhh NELLY! That place is awesome! All of us girls were totally into those dawgs. And the Belgian fries. And the chipotle aioli dipping sauce. And the cucumber water. I get acid reflux just dreaming about it all....

Ok, so if you were to let's say, come to visit me, I think I would probably make you take a trip into LA for some Wurstkuche awesomeness. And then you would thank me all the way home.

Before we called it a day we asked a nice looking gentleman to take a group shot.

And the whole time I was screaming in my mind, Holy shizac!—that dude has my camera. Don't drop that! Don't drop that! Don't drop that!

Much to my relief, he was quite steady with his hands and returned her back safely.

Weewwph.

Update:

2011-11-20T17:23:00.001-07:00

Jas broke out of the hospital on Friday. We came home and threw everything in his suit case into the washer—to get all that hospital out of it. Then we threw all those warm, fresh out of the dryer clothes, on the sofa and cuddled up for a minute.

After that we sat and folded and folded and folded while we watched The Lion King.

I really like nights like this, maybe they're my favorite? So low-key, so relaxing and, with all that fabric softener, they smell pretty darn good. Juuuust what the Dr. ordered. (Ooooo, was that punny? Eyeye, I might be loosing my edge peeps.)

Jas is feeling much better than he did when he was checking himself in—but there's still some ground to make up and there's still life that we have to snap back into, catch up on and conquer.

Forward! March!!

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Thank you so much for all of your comments and support. We so appreciate you all.

This is personal.

2011-11-18T00:28:00.014-07:00

It was Friday morning, 11/11/11, and I was crying in the shower, because for whatever reason that seemed like the best place. It was an exhausted, tearless, aching, deep-in-your-chest cry. And as lame-o/uninspired as it sounds, an old Carrie Underwood song came into my head. So I sobbed to the rhythm and whispered the words (because it was oddly appropriate). Then Jas knocked on the bathroom door and asked if everything was alright.

Is everything alright?

I really didn't know how to answer that.

Sometimes I feel like I am being slowly stretched. Stretched farther and longer, in every direction, half inch by half inch, pulling and stretching, I can feel my bones creaking, my back twisting, muscles straining against the stretching, stretching, stretching.... and what will happen next is a small, simple snap.

And that's when I'll break.

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That Friday I was making another weekend trip to Utah to shoot a wedding and after his last final Jason was checking into the hospital in Long Beach. Living in California has brought us to an amazing Cystic Fibrosis specialist, Dr. Randhawa. He is our House. Randhawa decided it was time for Jas to move onto the CF unit for a week of tests and treatment and switching of meds—so he packed a suitcase and hitched a ride.

The truth:

Life's not always like this. But occasionally this is just how it is and we deal with it because that's what we can do. We can deal.

Jas hasn't been doing very well for the last two months. What we thought was a rough cold turned into pneumonia (the usual) was actually hemoptysis and pulmonary hypertension coming back. We didn't know that all of his symptoms were caused by those two nasty culprits, making his lung function and oxygen saturation plummet, until he went to the hospital. So we are happy he did—even though it smells pretty ripe down those hallways and there are millions of people coming in and out trying to run tests and ask questions and draw blood and make him pee in cups. We're grateful for those tests and those cups and those questions. We're grateful for medicine and technology and specialists. And we're grateful when it's all over and he can come home again (maybe this weekend, maybe today).... until next time.

Hemoptysis is scary, I hate it more than anything else CF related. There is something about watching him cough up mouthfuls of fresh, red blood, completely helpless, that makes my heart ache in my chest and eyes sting with tears.

Sometimes life is hard and that's that. Hard and scary and suffocating and exhausting. And my buddy, my man, my other half that helps keep our life in order, has been sick for so long. All the stress and worry and praying..... and the exhaustion. It gets so hard. And I'm tired—we're both so tired.

It's ok, I say. We're ok and we'll be ok. No worries about us, I say.

But sometimes, never longer than necessary, it's also ok to let it all sink in. Everything....... all of it.

Then the moment passes and instead of keeping our eyes focused inward (oh it's so so easy to stay focused solely on ourselves), we have to start to look up because that's the only way relief comes. When we look up our shoulders begin to relax; a heavy sigh escapes before we realize we've been holding our breath all that time. We look up and we see we're not alone in this. Not ever. And that's when we know that everything is going to be alright. Truly. Honestly. Everything is going to be ok. We are surrounded by brilliant doctors, strong family and maybe the most kind and caring friends on the planet. We are so grateful and we are so blessed.

Yes, everything is going to be ok. Everything is alright.

I know it.

"It's better to look up." says Thomas S. Monson (source). It's always better to look up.

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K. I'm done. Sorry for being so heavy on the personal content today.

There's just been a lot on my mind lately, that's all. Back to normal next time—promise.

photo assistant/second shooter needed!

2011-11-10T20:12:00.000-07:00

Looking for an assistant/second-shooter for a wedding in

Salt Lake City UT

this Saturday (Nov 12, 2011).

Email me: geriegbert @ gmail.com

*the above photo was taken this summer while second-shooting for Jylare Ann Photography

The Case of the Most Horrible Bathroom in the World

2011-11-04T07:00:00.003-06:00

This little Nancy Drew mystery begins in St. George.

Nope! Actually it begins with me telling you that last weekend I made a quick solo trip to Utah to shoot an engagement sesh—and when I say quick trip I mean drive Friday, shoot Saturday, drive Sunday. Pheewph! I was telling peeps it took 7.5 hrs, but I got my math wrong because time change and adding hrs doesn't make a lot of sense in my head. It was 8.5 hrs, with only one pee stop in St. George both ways (because I ROCK at road-trips).

Alrighty, now that we've got that all cleared up....

On the way back to Cali it was time to get some gas because the meter on my dashboard said so; and because it was time for that trip to the ladies room. So I pulled off at good ol George, taking the weird exit with the weird round-about and a weird gas station/super old strip mall hybrid (nobody likes the weird exit).

I fueled up the car and headed into the strip mall/gas station place. A lady who was obviously on a road trip herself (it was something about the glazed over eyes and the smooshed-on-one-side hair) was hustling away from where the restroom sign hung from the ceiling. Destination spotted.

I power-walked over to the bathroom, pushed open the weird swinging door, and the grizzliest stench in the solar system smacked me in the face. The air was thick with the smell, the light was dim with a flickering florescent, and the temperature was noticeably warmer. Gaaag. Guuhhhh. Don't think about it, don't think about it, don't think about. And don't hate that lady, it's not her fault her stomach hates her. The next thing I saw was the single stall. I submit there is pretty much nothing so awkward than a public bathroom with a single stall and no lock on the main door. Yes, you just stand in here with me and wait while I take care of my business. Whatever. I was already inside.... After getting into the stall I realized the latch did not lock—at all. I can deal with this. If someone comes in I'll just make some noise with the toilet paper roll or something so I don't get barged in on.

Fast forward a minute, things were taken care of, and you guessed it—someone came in through the swinging door. Crap! I rattled the toilet paper way more than necessary, I shuffled my feet around the floor and then, just as I was about the push down the flusher I heard something..... That other person was definitely peeing out there. Where?! My mind thought back: I promise there was only one stall, I know I didn't make that up in my head.

WAIT! What was that weird divider thing by the weird swinging bathroom door?

It hit me. I stopped breathing, it became completely silent. I heard some rustling and then the sink turn on. I leaned backward an inch at a time until I could see through the crack in the stall door. And there at the sink was a very tall gentleman in an extra large white Stetson and very tight Wranglers. A man! A man a man a man a man a man a man had just relieved himself right next to me. If there had been no stall I could have tapped him on the shoulder and said "Excuse me sir, could you kindly give me a moment before you drop your drawers? Thanks."

Once I was sure he was gone I bolted out of that horrible bathroom and ran right across into the ladies (which was like night and day) and I washed my hands for a solid 4 minutes.

mustard and busy and dancing and exposing myself, the usual

2011-10-25T19:56:00.000-06:00

thanks for the photo Shonee!

Life has been so busy lately that I sometimes forget to second-check what I'm wearing. Today I looked real profesh in a shirt with a mustard stain right up front and center. Yeah... didn't notice until I had been in public (lots of public) for SEVEN hours. And at the same time I realized the mustard stain I also realized that the top four buttons of my shirt were undone. I don't know if you're keeping track—but four is a lot of buttons. Well hello there ladies!! Don't know how long that was happening.... it's ok, we cool.

On the upswing I got to go to Ellen yesterday with some lady friends! And how fun was that??! It aired today and if you saw it you might have seen little me dancing with Ellen (by the word "with" I mean a step above, middle row and 1 person in... but whatever) in my bright red awesome pants. It was LL Cool J, Jonah Hill and Jason Derulo—yeah, I had to ask my pal Krystal who all those people were because I'm obviously not wid-it.

It pretty much amazing. Even got myself a free cd—first cd I've owned in a very, very, very long time... now what do I do with this again?

photo by geri: beauty-ful engagements!!

2011-10-18T07:01:00.005-06:00

This pretty little couple is all up on the photo blog-site.

View more of this session on Photo by Geri.

Over the weekend

2011-10-04T14:07:00.003-06:00

I put on my apron and made minestrone, closely followed by a pumpkin roll. It is fall up in heeeea!!! (in here, outside it's still pretty much summer)

I just posed my minestrone-soup-that-will-rock-your-socks-off recipe here.

And for just about the tastiest pumpkin roll ever go here.

I was pleasantly surprised by how simple pumpkin rolls are to make! And WOW so delish.

So hurry up out of here and get to the store for supplies for these perfect fall dishes.

Your peeps will give you high fives I swear.

So into this song right now (You and Me—Dave Matthews Band). Been singing along all day.

LA in a Day

2011-10-03T14:14:00.005-06:00

We've lived in CA for over a year now, but Jas and I still felt like there was something missing from our California experience. Visit some fun beaches/have beach bonfires—check, double check. Drive up Hwy 1 to SF—check (and siiiiiigh). Get a Disney Land pass and go at least three times—check, barely. Go to an Angles game right up the road and stay for fireworks—chickity-check!!! (will tell ya all about that lata)

But doooood, there was a big gaping hole in our CA experience.... and what could that be? Well hit up all the LA touristy hotspots of course!!!

So we were chatting with our friends Naarah and Brian (CA native) and Brian kept coming up with all sorts of things that we couldn't miss on our LA adventure..... and we quickly realized that we had found our very own tour guide! Score. So we decided to make the trip togetha.

Pinks, because it's a mighty fine hotdog (or billions of kinds of hotdogs, I got the Martha Stewart) and famous peeps like it too because their photos are all over the walls:

Griffith Observatory, because it's beautiful and historic and has an awesome view of LA, all surrounding areas annnnnd the Hollywood sign:

Grauman's Chinese Theatre/all the Hollywood Stars, because what would a trip to LA be with out this touristy item of business?? Chello...

Plus a drive by of Rodeo Drive and some exploring in Beverly Hills (90210)..... not pictured. Woops.

'lette Macarons, because I'm a slave to the wily ways of well made French treats and it's supposed to be the best macaroons around..... and they were diVINE.

LA LDS Temple (visitor center), this visitor center is pretty amazing. So interactive and informational and the temple is a beauty.

Annnnd Santa Monica Pier at sunset. KA-POW!

We didn't have dinner at Fabiolus Cafe, but we wanted to.

We did have dinner at some place with an Italian guy's first name for the title, it was charming with a wandering singer dancing around the tables. And afterwards Jas and Brian may or may not have accidentally walked through a drug–deal when they went for the car. Yeah, so LA's a bit shady–lady after dark.

Thanks to Brian and Naarah we checked our touristy marathon LA day right off the list!!! And a very successful trip it was. There are still a few things on my LA list (The Fashion District and The Getty to name two).... but those "artsy things" will wait until next time.

Happy weekend and hellllllo October!!!

2011-09-30T16:01:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I did my hair, that was fun. And would you believe it? it looked mighty nice. That's the first decent hair day in like a hundred weeks. Jas even told me that he liked it, and then he told me I looked like a flower-child..... But I'm pretty sure that was directed to my peacock feather blouse (did I just say blouse?) and my awesome red pants that I try to wear every day (but you can't wear red pants every day because it's kind of noticeable and peeps will think you're gross).

Today I'm making soup for dinner because it's supposed to be fall and I like minestrone—plus I asked Jas what he wanted for dinner and he said "That one soup...... you know..." and oh, I knew.

This weekend we'll be watching and listening to general conference. I've been pumped for this all month!!!

photo by geri: little ones

2011-09-29T10:53:00.000-06:00

These adorable little people just made their debut on the photo blog–site!!!

View more of this session on Photo by Geri.

a good smoothie combination

2011-09-24T13:53:00.002-06:00

There was a minute there when I was making and drinking green smoothies all up in here..... then I got bored of them and my stomach told me it was thinking about a protest.

So what did I eat instead? Well chocolate and candy of course!!!

Then my stomach really did start to hate me and so did my face (I'm convinced that's where the recent break-outs have come from....).

Now I'm back on the smoothie train and this is what I made for my mucho-healthy lunch:
2 bananas
1 apple
some all natural apple juice
some frozen berries
like 3 cups spinach (or whatever fit in my blender)
+ 1 tsp vanilla

Delightful!

And it's seriously amazing how good my body feels. Much better than the left-over German pancakes smothered in syrup and powdered sugar I had for lunch yesterday—which was swiftly followed by what I believe may have been a mini heart-attack.

p.s. anybody have recommendations for a good protein powder??

photo by geri: family

2011-09-19T14:50:00.001-06:00

Here's a little session from our trip to Idaho this summa–time. These guys are pretty much awesome and Melinda (of Fancy Blossoms) is one talented little mama!

View more of this session on Photo by Geri.

photo by geri: brand new family of three

2011-09-16T14:25:00.000-06:00

This happy family of three makes me smile just looking at their cheery faces. LOVE!

View more of this session on Photo by Geri.

Jas found this little lovely when he said he was studying the other day.

2011-09-14T13:25:00.001-06:00

It made me so happy I cried a little bit!
(girls are weird like that)

Disney Land date night

2011-09-08T10:34:00.000-06:00

I'm a big wuss when it comes to rides and spiders and gross stories with yucky details I imagine too vividly in my mind. Back to the ride thing: The whole idea of going to Knott's Berry Farm puts my stomach in a knot (oooo, that was dangerously close to a pun!).

Our Disney Land passes just expired, but before they did Jas and I had ourselves a date night at the good ol DL and I am proud to announce that I went on all the big-girl rides. Well, all except Screamin, which does a few loop-dee-loops and let's face it; is a sure case of the nausea.

It was one of our best date nights yet! I think it's because we were at the happiest place on earth.

Highlights: Big Thunder (my newest fave), the churro (yum!), Soarin, a close encounter with Mini Mouse and the teacups (duh)!!!

That's right!!!! Because it was so close to my birthday Jason let us go on the TEACUPS!!!! You can imagine my excitement.

A Very Merry Birthday to Me!!!!

2011-09-07T16:32:00.000-06:00

September 4th—isn't that a cute day? Pretty sure I've said this lots of time, but I think it's a cute day. September 4th. And it almost always hangs out with Labor Day weekend which is a total birthday day bonus!

All I have to say about this happy 23rd (I've been getting mixed up on which number it is—hope it's not a glimpse into my near future. memory loss at 23 is a little premature, no?) birthday is that I've got some fantastic family and friends and a Superman husband. Thanks everyone for making me feel like a rockstar! It was awesome.

We did presents in bed (because we all know that's way better than breakfast in bed) and what did I open up? A new lens!!!! So in love.

I've got lots of fun Labor Day/Birthday adventures to share later. It was a great weekend away from work and school and unpacking (yes, we're still unpacking.... and boy do we have lots of crap!).

p.s. The first time I tried the milk-maid-braid it might have been a titch embarrassing. Jas kept trying to pin-point who it was I looked like—shouting out Hiedi! Princess Leia! etc... I let him stew about it for a while, but I knew exactly who he was trying to think of. "The He-She from that one Adam Sandler movie." His face lit up "Yeeeees!!!" And it was true. So this time I followed Miss Keiko Lynn and ratted my hair up to heaven and that fixed all my he-she problems.

This made us laugh, right out loud..... several times.

2011-09-01T12:29:00.000-06:00

I just had to share.

Hi, I'm Geri and my apt smells like cardboard

2011-08-25T13:50:00.004-06:00

* Jason started his second year of optometry school this week (holla at my boy!).

* I've been under a pile of work (and launching a super rad giveaway! sign up if you haven't already!!!).

* We're in the middle of packing it up for a big move (into a luxurious two bedroom on the other side of the complex).

* And I channeled Lucille Ball for a minute to match how hair-brained my head is these days. It took the UPS man by surprise—when he looked up at my face he said, "Oh! I uhh, I like your head—hair—thing." Yes, yes, I'm feeling very I Love Lucy today. "Luuuucy, you got some 'splainin to do!!!" I nodded, Exactly. I signed the thing, and he walked off shouting phrases of that nature.

Later that day we took a time-out for a classy date at Target and In-n-Out (me and Jas, not the UPS man).

I hate buns. Hate. I can just hear my mom say, "Now Ger, hate's a strong word..." I guess I've got some strong feelings when it comes to buns.

That's why I dig In-n-Out—they give me my burger wrapped up in crispy lettuce (which is also awesome in the calorie department!) and then they give us our fries well-done and super crunchy (which probably isn't so awesome in the calorie department).

And to top it off, that night our book-club went to The Help (so good) and Jason came along as an honorary member because he sometimes reads the books right along with me...... and this one might have been his fave. It's ok, one other fella came along so Jas didn't have to feel totally overwhelmed by the chatty ladies.

photo by geri: not yo mama's maternity

2011-08-23T07:25:00.001-06:00

I have been itching to share this maternity shoot with Lil Miss Sydney from The Daybook with you!!! You don't want to miss this one, trust me. Packed full of magical-photo-goodness not to mention A FULL PHOTO SESSION GIVEAWAY!!!!

You can view the full session at Photo by Geri.

Giveaway and details can be found at www.photobygeri.com.

photo by geri: little fella

2011-08-22T14:19:00.000-06:00

Our friends Mike and Rachelle had a baby boy—he's really cool and we like him lots.

You can view more photos of this darling little dude at photobygeri.com.

she popped!!!!

2011-08-19T16:14:00.002-06:00

Our good pals Steph and Steve had their little baby boy, his name is Parker and he's super handsome. But before the little man came out to play, Kimberly and I threw her quite the baby shower.....

It was all about poppin, because she was ready to pop.... With balloons, classic soda pops, homemade lolli pops, otter-pops and two different kinds of sweet popcorn (marshmallow and snicker-doodle).

Steph didn't think she wanted a close up, but I think she makes a beauty baby-mama.
Congrats guys! We're happy for you!!

New Photo by Geri Blogsite!!!!

2011-08-18T15:12:00.000-06:00

So I have written this post several times—all resulting in incoherrant babble. Luckily I have asked Jas to come pre-read it for me before I hit publish and his response was something like, "On a scale from 1 to Exhausted where do you think you are?" Soooo I set out to yet again write something that someone out there can understand...... here goes:

There have been many many many long days and late nights working over the past few weeks and now there is a glimmer of light at the end of my tunnel (thank heaven!) and some of the projects are staring to come together (I literally just heaved a heavy sigh of relief right there).

These projects are good too.... I am so excited to share them with you!

One of the biggest things I've been cooking up is a rebrand for Photo by Geri and a whole new photo blogsite! Yay!! Photo by Geri is now a true, blue .com sort of business. For some reason web hosting and all the .com madness has been so intimidating to me—but once I took the plunge I never looked back and I am pretty happy with the results.

www.photobygeri.com

There is still work to be done—but it's finally presentable for the public and a brand new, awesome session is just waiting to be looked at by Y.O.U. Yay!!!!

lemon juice and beer

2011-08-09T17:38:00.004-06:00

I don't know how to explain this story—I don't even know where to begin. So I'll just tell you the end.

As I was drying off from my swim yesterday a guy dumped lemon juice and beer on my head. Then he poured organic coconut oil in my hand to rub on my legs to make them beautifully tan.

Yes he was sane. Yes he was sober.

I just remember covering my eyes a bit and rubbing the beer from them as well as my mouth—which had hung open in shock in the event of an acquaintance telling me he was going to pour the magic bleaching mixture on my head.

Jason asked if he needed to "pound some skulls".
Better not—this guy was mid 40s, pretty buff, bleached hair, very tan and knows karate.

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Full story: It was a beautiful day and almost no one at the pool—perfect for a great exercise (i.e. laps back and forth, running in the water which is actually great exercise, mixed with lots and lots of diving for my bright colored torpedos that I and every other 3 yr old in the complex owns).

Near the end of my swim a guy who had been laying by the pool talking on his cell phone gets in for a dip and starts some friendly chatter. I quickly mention my husband to make up for the lack of ring on my finger and he continues on with the light conversation as I tread water. He asks where I'm from. Idaho. He asks if I'm Mormon. Yes. He says he knows some Mormons—some that are really strict and some that aren't. I was confused. They drink coffee and alcohol. Oh, yeah I guess you could say that's not very strict. He asks what I do. I'm a photographer, you? He says he's a teacher. What do you teach? Karate, professional fighting, that sort of thing. Then he does some pull-ups on the metal handles by the stairs out of the deep end. Yeeks. We chat a bit more, he gets out, I finish my swim, do another dive or two (because diving's my favorite) and go to the other side of the pool where my chair/towel are.

As I'm reading and letting myself dry a bit before I head back to the apartment some friends come to the pool. We say hi, a friend sits on the chair next to me helping her little girl slip on some floaties, I continue reading. I'm soon interrupted by tan karate man putting a tall plastic cup of something by my face. "It's beer and lemon juice." I was confused. He knows I don't drink right? I'm one of those "strict" ones. "For your hair. You put it on your hair. I've got this left, don't wanna throw it out, it's great for your hair. It'll make your hair lighter, it's what I use (from his bleached hair I suspected he also used some form of peroxide too)" I shake my head, No thanks. "Here. Here. It's great, great for your hair, helps the sun to bleach it nice and light. Here. I don't want to waste this last bit. Here. Here." I reluctantly hold out my hand in dismay. He pours some in my palm, I slowly bring it to the top of my head. "No, let's just pour it on. That'll be better. Here I'll just pour it on your head. Ok? K. I'll just pour it on your head here." Too stunned to say anything or do anything I sit there as I feel liquid trickle down my scalp, cheeks and shoulders. I blink my eyes and look at my friends around me and their amazed faces.

What in the (insert word of choice here) just happened?

I wipe my eyes and the corner of my mouth where the beer/lemon juice had seeped down.

Next thing I know he is holding a smaller bottle, twisting off the cap "This is oil. Organic coconut oil, imported from (somewhere, I don't remember) put it on your legs and they will tan beautifully. Here. Here." The oil is poured into my hand and I put it on my legs as he straightens up and walks away and through the gate.

A lady I don't know gets out of the pool and says, "Oh how sweet...... is he a friend of yours?"

"No. I just met him."

"You just met him when he dumped beer on your head."

Thoroughly stunned I sit there, eyes sort of glazed over, hands oily and beer dripping from the tips of my hair.

"Uh-ha."

that one time when Rachelle was pregnant...

2011-07-28T07:46:00.002-06:00

My friend Steph and I threw a little gelato party for Rachelle's baby number 2 (who is already here and is named Ethan and has the most awesome head of hair EVER).

It was at this darling little gelato place in downtown Fullerton called Frati Gelato Cafe where the gelato-maker wore a white hat and pinstriped shirt and the regulars sat close to the counter and made suggestions as to what was tastiest on the menu.

Places like this are my fave.

I had snicker-doodle/fresh strawberry and have been dreaming about it in my sleep ever since.... and this was in May or something.

Count 'em up! Four baby bumps.... and now all those babies are in cribs and strollers and those little bouncer things.

Um, it was delish and that's all.

Happy baby!!!

photo by geri: mentoring

2011-07-26T17:46:00.001-06:00

When we went to Idaho I did a mentor session with two super cool chicks and I'm telling you all about it over here!!!!

nails nails nails

2011-07-22T16:51:00.003-06:00

Since the first of the year I have been a little crazy about polish—if you've been around me you probably already know that. Every week (or twice a week) it changes and every time I can't just leave it to one color. Ooooh no! It started with just an accent nail on my bling finger, then it went to ombre nails (that was fun!), now it's just whatever I darn well please.

Go ahead, give it a whirl..... you know you want to.....

Can't stop til ya get enough!!! (cue MJ greatest hits)

It's Jason's favorite thing ever obviously—actually he scoffs, smiles, shakes his head and rolls his eyes. But we all know that in boy language that means, "You sure are fun and you make your fingernails look real pretty, wanna make–out?"

And yes, sometimes when I'm stuck at my desk all day I draw on pretty ring-hearts. I guess that makes me a bona fide rebel without a cause.

♥
Happy Weekend!!!!

lips like sugar

2011-07-19T18:04:00.000-06:00

Questions for the beauty department:

Out of foundation and need to make a purchase..... what say you ladies?? Have you found a little tube/compact of magic for your face?

I have also come to realize that I am no longer a teenage girl who can use anything to wash her face—any faves in the face wash/moisturizer department? The stuff I have stings the C-rap out of my face and I'm pretty sure it's to blame for the constant chin-acne-action (got one at the corner of my lip the other day and that baby is painful!).

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On a different note; I went for a swim today (favorite way to exercise ever, excellent) and it wasn't until after I jumped out of the pool that I noticed I came without a towel. I drip-dried in the sunshine for a while, but ultimately waddled all the way back to our apartment, flip-flops squawking and watering dripping down my legs the whole way. I'm so attractive.

And last; I listened to every word of this twice and cried twice. Jason too. It's like whoa.
p.s. maybe don't tell Jas I said he's a softy.

photo by geri: maternity

2011-07-15T11:54:00.000-06:00

My friend Rachelle and the baby in her belly and the rest of the fam too.

You can view more of this session on Photo by Geri.

and my seat hurts from sitting

2011-07-13T07:00:00.018-06:00

I decided I like me a good ol roadtrip every once in a while. In fact the drive to Idaho was downright fun (aside from the whole going to sleep at 3:30 and waking up at 5:30 thing, but whatev). The drive from Idaho to Cali was a bit more unpleasant, even though we went to sleep muuuuch earlier (like 12:30). I think it's because of all that hard partying...... At any rate, my knees are aching from bending and my booty might be numb for the next few days—both are tale tale signs of a righteous roadtrip dude. Awesome. (I said that in a stoner-voice)

Now it's back to work work work work work!!! Cannot tell you how excited I am to share the awesomeness that's cookin up in heeee-aa (this awesomeness may or may not include a super adorable sesh with my gal Syd and her man and a llama—that's right)!!!

Here are a few selected songs from our roadtrip; and yes, I did do a solo number to Macy Gray with my cell phone doubling as a pretend mic:

p.s. I cannot even begin to tell you all how grateful I am for your words of encouragement!!!! Holy moly! Thank you thank you X 5,000,000—that's the stuff that keeps a girl goin!

ten down

2011-06-30T07:00:00.004-06:00

Actually, 13 down..... but when I was 10 down I was under the weather and horribly unattractive, so what do ya do? You take the photos later, that's what!!! Here's the story on this lacy skirt: Jason gave it to me for Christmas, I wore it once while it was still obviously too small and swore I would wear it..... someday. Today. Yay!!!!

There was muuuuuuch learning during these first 10 (13) lbs. There was yo-yo'ing (lost 6, gained all 6 back; lost 8, gained 5 back... a couple times), there were some emotional battles, a few educational books, a few quotes and calendar/charts on my wall and many different ideas for workouts since I can't do one thing for very long.

After the first month of losing a whole 3 pounds I threw my first plan in the garbage and after a minute or two of self-loathing because I just couldn't lose weight I started trying other things. That's the ticket right there: If what you're doing isn't working, do something else!!!!! And do it after a week, not a month.

After a few other things didn't work so great I read Tom Venuto's book, Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle, and things started clicking. Now I'm no longer "on a diet"—I just choose to eat healthy, I choose to take note of what exactly I am putting between my lips, I choose to eat only whole grains and as much raw fruits/vegetables as possible, I choose to exercise daily, I choose to be in control..... I choose to lose weight. I don't tell my self "Absolutely NO sweets" or "I can NEVER eat anything I ever loved again" because I know myself and that will just lead to a massive breakdown and several steps back in the wrong direction. So once a week I can have something extra sweet and delectable and every day I can have a little square of dark chocolate if I want it and I'm happy with that.

It's very hard to try to eat as few fatty calories as possible when I have a husband who has CF and therefore he needs as many calories and as much fatty food as possible. This is the biggest obstacle, but I'm working on it and I hope I get it figured out real good at some point, but for right now I'm still learning.

Here are some side-by-sides from the start to now. The next ten will come much quicker and I can hardly wait!!!

Road Trip!!!

2011-06-30T05:00:00.001-06:00

We are headed to Ideeho—driving all the live long day today and we're verrrry excited about all fourteen hours of it. Yippeee!!!!

I have packed enough healthy-snick-snackity-goodness for an army. I guess fourteen hours meant the end of the world and I'm packin.

So if ya don't hear from me for a little while—I'll be eating watermellon, shooting mini sessions, going to a wedding, watching fire works, more photo sessions and hanging out with family plus a sissie I haven't seen in over a year. This is going to be one happy little trip!

And we'll be listening to some of this on our way...

Modern Love, Matt Nathanson

photo by geri: portraits

2011-06-22T12:43:00.000-06:00

It was so fun to get to know this optometric gentleman better while we did some professional headshots. He's Canadian, is checking "live somewhere in Asia for a while" off his bucket list in August and will very soon be the smiley eye doc you and all your kids go to for a check up.

You can see more of this session on Photo by Geri.

Frank and Rita

2011-06-21T13:34:00.001-06:00

Rita and Frank try to take a still photo to email to friends on their new Mac....

And then they made this video..... with a little serenade from Frank.

Didn't you just fall in love with him?!?

And I have to say she looks pretty amazing for 80. Go Rita!

(thanks for sharing Laura!!!)

We got all cute and went to Arby's drive thru

2011-06-20T14:46:00.002-06:00

We meant to go to Olive Garden but Jas decided he was "famished" so we went to Arby's drive thru instead. It was ok because I didn't do my hair (thus the turban scarf number on my head...) and I was having a hankering for an Arby's Regular Roast Beef all nicely slathered in Arby's sauce. It totally hit the spot.

I still think dates are important, even if we put on a new shirt and some perfume to go through the Arby's drive thru. Keeping the romance alive people!

Lately I have sounded like a husky man with a stuffy nose which is super attractive, I know. But it looks like things are looking up—I can smell again, my voice seems back and I have enough drive to get up, put on pants AND get some work done on the computer. Here's to a productive week! Hip hip!!!!!

And maybe next post I won't talk about food.....

green smoothies

2011-06-14T12:56:00.003-06:00

Last night I wasn't feeling super fantastic (haven't been for the last little while) so I made myself a green smoothie for dinner and boy was it delish!!!! The best part was how incredibly good it is for you—pure health!

Shared the goods over here today.

And here's a happy little ditty by Eliza Doolittle I love today......
and almost every other day. It's just one of those songs that makes you happy.

p.s. remember this? well, after several adjustments to the plan and reading some excellent books, I'll be posting my first set of 10 lb down photos very soon (just as soon as I can get myself cute enough for the camera..... yeah probably not today) hip hip!!!!

cake for breakfast, stomachache for lunch

2011-06-10T11:59:00.001-06:00

I'm an old married lady and play Bunco and stuff. I got real into it and even hosted last night.... Which was a little more stressful than I had anticipated—but buying all of the $5 prizes did wonders for my itch to go shopping. (I may or may not have purchased this scarf and I may or may not have worn it on my head like a turban... hey, it was like six bucks, $5.44 + tax to be exact. Happy bunco to me.)

For the party I made this cake of lemony-poppyseed goodness (thanks for the link, Cas).
Not the most healthy cake in the world—and maybe that's why it tastes so good.

.....and maybe that's why I insisted on having cake for breakfast too.

Which reminded me of this little 5 mins of Jim Gaffigan awesomeness.
It's seriously only a little clip; if you don't watch I'm going to have to think you're a little boring...... sorry.

Summer Mini Sessions!!!!

2011-06-08T12:05:00.001-06:00

photo by geri: family session

2011-05-25T14:12:00.000-06:00

Probably one of my very favorite photoshoots to date—yep that's right.

You gotta check it out, fo real.

You can view the rest of this session at Photo by Geri.

photo by geri: family session

2011-05-23T10:35:00.000-06:00

Hey remember when it was winter time in Idaho? Oh, it was snowing just last week? Well this family session will take right back to just after Christmas when the snow was still white and the trees were still glittery.... and everyone was still happy about it.

You can view more photos of this family at Photo by Geri.

his/hers: summer reads

2011-05-20T15:57:00.002-06:00

His/Hers is a weekly series started by Alli and Brooke (Horray and Pure & Noble)—I decided to join in the fun.

I had originally photographed Jason's textbooks for this his/hers Friday, but his last final was yesterday (which he totally passed) and this will be the last of the summer breaks for my fella. So I chose not to spotlight the schoolbooks because schoolbooks are no fun after you have lived and breathed them for the past month and they make for a pretty boring photo too.

So instead these are our books to read this summer summer summer time.

I've been on a reading frenzy lately. When the day's done and I have sworn off the computer for the rest of the evening and Jason is studying I have been enjoying a good book or ten. I love good books, I don't love ok books or boring books, therefore I am a GoodReads junky. Love it for the reviews and seeing what friends are reading and enjoying.... it's a great resource. If you don't have an account, get yourself one and maybe we can even be friends.
Jas has been jealous of my books over this last quarter (I think he may have been jealous of anything besides studying) so he's pretty pumped to crack open a few of his own and he's got himself quite a little pile!

My two very favorites that I have read recently are These Is My Words by Nancy Turner (I have never cared for a character as much as I did reading this book, and I have never fallen in love with a character as I did in this book—so captivating, you just get caught up in the story) and The Help by Kathryn Stockett (loved this one! loved all of the characters, loved it all. and the movie comes out in August!!).

What books have you read or heard lots about lately??

half a half a century.

2011-05-19T13:15:00.002-06:00

It was the day after Jason's birthday and his latest hair cut from Sports Clips was actually pretty dandy (nice job Rita!) so we I thought some pictures of us might be fun to document the days just after homeboy turned half a half a century (I know a quarter century is less confusing, but it's also less fun to say).

So we took lots of photos (and I mean lots because I can get a little crazy with the button-controller-thingy) most of which were suuuuuper blurry because focusing seemed to be an issue that day—so we ended up with these four and that's it. And aren't they special too! Geeeesh! Ahhhh well, maybe next time.

Sunday morning was J Dawg's birthday and the choir was singing in church (eyyy eyyy!!! I get all sorts of nervous each and every time) so we had to be there at 8:15 (eyyy eyyy is right) so Jas didn't get to even think about opening those presents until later that afternoon.

And guess which one he opened first...... that's right. The square one with all the pink around. I even jumbled them around and he still knew exactly which one it was. No sneaking much past this kid.
It was Telestrations, this game right here, it's definitely a favorite (thanks Julia and Chris for introducing us). In the other boxes were church/dress shirts, some super cozy v-necks from Old Navy (he may or may not be wearing on in these photos, they're his fave) and Chronicle's of Narnia because he's been wanting to read some C.S. Lewis and this is his last summer break so he just might turn into a Telestrations playing book worm!!

In honor of happy birthdayness I made my first real homemade bread (aside from a huge failed attempt at banana bread and some pretty delicious lemon-poppy)........ more on that experience lata. I also made minestrone (sooooo delicious and so healthy!) to go nicely with the homemade bread, green salad, and banana cream pie becasue when given the choice between birthday cake and birthday banana cream pie Jason said pie and never looked back.

p.s. have you ever looked at the word "half"? because it's really weird and looks like it doesn't belong in our language.

Because we like friends and we like mallows

2011-05-18T18:29:00.001-06:00

Remember our first beach bonfire? I knew that it had to be a more-than-one-time thing. And I'm pretty positive there will be many more to come of these little weenie-roasting adventures over the next 3 years...... hip hip!!!

For some reason we keep having bonfires on Saturday nights, which makes church a bit interesting dealing with a wood smoke/marshmallow/salty air hangover. Next time I wanna go for a just-before-sunset bonfire—mostly I think the photos would be super beauty, but also because the hangover might not be as strong....

Fave of the night: the little frosting of lights across the top and Steph in mid sentence w/eyes closed. Perfection.

I stopped keeping track of the number of marshmallows I roasted, then thoroughly enjoyed. After 6 or 7 a specific number just didn't seem relevant any more. Golden roasted mallow is maybe my favorite thing ever. Aside from my camera, because let's get real, home-girl and I are besties (yes, my camera is a lady).

tied up with strings

2011-05-11T12:16:00.000-06:00

Soooooo it's Jason's birthday comin right up on the 15th! Say heeello to 25.

To help mount the anticipation of birthday happiness and unwrapping brown paper packages tied up with strings (literally) I decided to wrap them and sit them all on my green chair/suitcases to get stared at and longed for. I took this route instead of the other where it's me, furiously wrapping everything the morning of and Jason unwrapping everything mere seconds later..... That route makes me say 'Well that was dumb, why didn't I just hand you your presents in the shopping bag?' and then next time a gift-giving-holiday-sans-Christmas rolls around I do end up just shoving the shopping bag in his face and all the magic is gone-zo (did she just say gone-zo? yep, I just said gone-zo).

Anyway! Jas didn't even really notice these little beauties sitting there, staring him in the face, for the whole first day. By the next day he did notice them and got a little curious. And last night he was begging me to let him open just one and he knew exactly which one (the one highlighted in bright pink, naturally. can you blame him?).

I said "No way!" like the super strict mom I'm going to be someday. And he got crafty.... "What if I open one each day leading up to my birthday?.... Yeah! That's a great idea! It'll be fun!" I stood my ground, "What do you think this is Christmas?"

Like I said—anticipation is killer!
Puts the present-opening-excitement right back into birthdays. Awesome.
(little does he know it's mostly practical, grownup stuff and maybe only one toy)

ombre ole'!

2011-05-07T14:45:00.001-06:00

Alright, so we've all seen the ombre look for a couple years now...... when I moved far far away from my home-girl-rockstar-hair-sista I had lots of grow-out time between color jobs, which equals like six inch roots. Then I went ombre. Which works fabulously because the whole idea is outgrowth. Awesome. And since I've been loving the locks I decided to take it on down to the fingernails.

Check it ladies: Ombre Nails

idea from here.

All you need are 4–5 shades of nail polish in the same color family (which is actually lots easier than you think, especially if you have a top-secret box full of fingernail polish under your bathroom sink). Two (or three) coats of each in progressive order and holla! You've got yourself some sweet nails, Ombre!

Excuse me while I have a post-Cinco de Mayo veggie egg roll with my man on lunch break. Lata dudes.

photo by geri: portrait

2011-05-06T07:00:00.002-06:00

Portraits today just as promised!!! Because I'm super cool like that.

You would never know that it was windy windy windy and started to snow like four seconds after we went back inside after this shot....... Rachel looks like she's basking in the sunshine. Now that's a true-blue model.

You can view more of this session at Photo by Geri.

photo by geri: couple

2011-05-05T12:24:00.002-06:00

You have no idea how much I love this session!! I'm so excited for you to see it! So get your buns over to see more super awesome photos riiiiight na-ow! (I guess I just really like peeps who are in love and stuff, makes me happy :)

You can view more of this session at Photo by Geri.

two things, totally unrelated except I love them both

2011-05-04T15:05:00.004-06:00

I've been on the search for a super rad recipe box since we got married..... finally, after some searching on the interwebs I found myself a goodie! And I'm totally pumped. So pumped that I rewrote all the recipes on 3x5 cards and filed them all up lickity-split, giving myself writers cramp in my right hand for a few days—but way better than my not-so-high-tech system I had going on before. Now I'm all sorts of organized with all my recipes in a box annnnd under categories like "soups" and "desserts" and "breads/doughs". Holla!!!

Something else I'm loving right up right now? Karmin—Miss Amy and her boy Nick were introduced to me by Lauren (@PeaceLoveLauren) and I haven't been able to get enough! In Lauren's words, "white girl can THROW IT DOWN!" Check out the slammin rap songs is ya wanna—but they gots lots of other awesomeness up in there too!! These covers rock my socks off: Price Tag (because there's a trombone!–that is a trombone right?) and King of Wishful Thinking (fave?) and Mine and Stuck Like Glue (what the country/reggae? and for some reason I like it.....).

Like love! ♥

photo by geri: mini sessions

2011-05-03T07:00:00.003-06:00

Remember back in the winter time when I did all those Mini Sessions?

Well! Now you can see all the super rad peeps on Photo by Geri.

Saaaaweeeet!

I'll give you 30 minutes to stop that.

2011-04-29T10:25:00.001-06:00

Jas was studying late a few nights ago (and like every other night this week) so that left me home with the telly. After some channel surfing I found that my favorite show was on (America's Funniest Home Videos of course! yes, somebody out there is still watching...) and it had to be the funniest episode I have ever seen!!!

After the show I searched for quite a while juuust to find this clip:

Jason says I love this monkey so much because he/she is kinda like me (with a lot more fur). And he's probably right—that monkey does remind me of myself and my dad and my sister and.... all them other itchy peeps.

Have a happy weekend!!!

colorful eggs and our yardstick kitchen

2011-04-23T19:01:00.004-06:00

Easter is waaay up there in the favorite holiday club. Maybe just after Christmas? hmmmm, yep, Thanksgiving and St Patty's just got the boot.

Last night we turned up the jams and got all scientific in the kitchen with egg dye, vinegar, water, baking soda* and such. We did break it down when a particularly good dance beat came on and there might have been some slow dancing to Tim McGraw while our eggs sat in their designated dye cups (do you know how hard it is to be all "slow slow, quick-quick, slow" in a kitchen about as wide/long as a yardstick? let's just say we're pretty much awesome at dancing).

While the eggs dried we laughed at Baby Mama.
Overall, egg-dying-dance-party-movie-date-night was smash hit. And that's how we roll.

*what's the baking soda for?? weeelll, watch this and then go get all mad-scientist up in your kitchen. pretty cool....

Happy Easter Sundee

2011-04-22T20:33:00.003-06:00

I love Easter.

It means fresh flowers, colorful eggs, all things Cadbury and baskets full of everything good.... but above all that it's the day we celebrate the triumphant resurrection of our Savior.

He is Not Here, but Is Risen, President Thomas S. Monson

Happy happy happy happy Easter weekend everyone!!!!

my toes get the star treatment

2011-04-21T11:44:00.003-06:00

Some gals said they were going to get themselves pedicures and I said "Pedicure? Umm yes please." So yesterday I hopped in the shower right after my workout and took extra time to shave my legs (didn't want to exfoliate the crap out of anybody's hands when they had to massage my legs....I'm really thoughtful like that). And we drove over together, pumped for some ultimate relaxation.

Anybody remember this nail salon?

Our pretty nail ladies sat in a row in front of our chairs, chatting with us. The two girls I went with are in the bebe-business if you know what I mean....totally preggers—like Aubrey's having her babe on Tuesday, Krystal is due middle of May. Krystal and her husband are not finding out what the gender is and the nail ladies were full of tricks and tips of gender-guessing. "You ly sweet o sowa?" "No no no no. Dat one don matta."—"You beby pointy, you having boy. I know."—"You pom soft? Boy. Boy means soft hand."
Then our friendly little ladies turned to me, "You single?" Dang. Forgot to wear my wedding ring. "Nope. I'm married." which I promptly followed up with "But noooooot pregnant." didn't want that awkward conversation. "Oooh. How long you marry?" "Almost three and half years." "You have no beby?" "Nope. Not yet." "Oooh. Time for beby. Beby is niiii. It bring you closa togetha."

Oh I loved it.

Best day of my week. And the leg massage part was heaven aaaaaand my magician-nail-lady made my teensy-toenails look normal and nice and not abnormally small and freaky.

I think I'll be going back. Next month? I'm sure we can work it in the budget.

When it was all over I ended up with blue Hawaiian flowers on my big toes. I must have agreed to it.... somewhere in the middle the "what?"s and "oh. ok..."s. Definitely not a royal blue girl, woulda asked for a nice coral with gold sparkles, but it's all good. I think she was just matching my toes with my skirt (which I'm pretty sure, by the angle of the chair, peeps could see straight up).

Next time I'll wear a coral sweater.

I made a strawberry cupcake wreath like two months ago....

2011-04-20T12:45:00.002-06:00

Right after Valentine's day actually—and some of the residual Valentine's excitement (I was pretty excited...) carried over so it looks pretty Valentinesy. Then I added a lavender bow to bring on the Easter—but I think it might have taken it a step further in the Valentine's direction. Maybe I should have gone with yellow ribbon?

Oh well, I like it anyway so I hung it on the mirror right next to our thermostat (which read 68º the morning I took these photos).

On another Easter note: Jas and I are going to be dying eggs today and I'm suuuper excited!!

HipHop.

(that was kinda weird. alright, moving right along.....)

photo by geri: little fellas

2011-04-12T11:51:00.000-06:00

Little boys are the funniest humans ever, and I really really like them.

You can view more of these fellas at Photo by Geri.

Jason's Man-Beard

2011-04-07T09:22:00.001-06:00

Everyone, meet Jason's Man-Beard. --- Man-Beard, everyone.

I'm in Idaho this week with my family and Jason stayed home in Cali for school and stuff like that (big bummer dude). Before I left, like the morning before I left, he announced he was shaving off his beard-face and so it was time to take some glamor shots (well, that might not have been exactly what he said...).

I was actually pretty fond of the facial hair... this girl likes some scruff!But then his mustache started curling and the edges of the beard hair started to stick out and that's about the time I decided I didn't really like being kissed by Grizzly Adams. But then April came to the rescue and ended Mustache March Man-Beard. I knew I liked April.

p.s. I had a sunburn before I left CA and as I am writing this I see big snowflakes falling outside my parent's front window and the ground is white. Oh Idaho. Thanks for the warm, wintry welcome, I knew we were homies.

all of the US in a nutshell

2011-04-05T07:49:00.001-06:00

image found here

Sad story: I thought the Dakotas were kind of in the middle part of the United States. Imagine my surprise when I realized that North Dakota actually touches Canada. Woah.

This coming from the girl with the globe obsession.

Don't judge me.

Well anyway, now I'm thinking I need to get myself this infographic map (because it made Jas and I laugh right out loud and we love it) and do me some learnin.

today is my favorite day twice a year

2011-04-02T09:00:00.000-06:00

We are watching General Conference (which is our very favorite thing ever ever) and I am making these meringue cookies—they are only 20 calories and downright delightful. I think I'll add some lemon zest because everything is better with some lemon-zestyness.

I got a pretty little package in the mail the other day

2011-03-31T11:03:00.004-06:00

and I have been eating it riiiiiiiiiiight up!

The day Jose Villa announced his book coming out I skipped right over to Amazon and pre-ordered myself a copy. Jose Villa is a wedding-photo-rockstar and film genius. His shots are always brilliant and breathtaking and if I could do a workshop with anyone it would be himhimhimhim—that's why I was so pumped out of my mind that he was releasing a book!

And it is beautiful (well duh, it's filled with Jose Villa photographs) and it is amazing.
And that's all I have to say about that.
Did anyone see Idol last night?

meet Jess Berry

2011-03-30T13:46:00.001-06:00

Jessica Berry is a family friend of Jason's. She is an amazing, inspirational girl who has Cerebral Palsy. Even though she has this challenge in her life she remains happy, positive and a light to all of those around her—and she has never let this challenge stop her from reaching her goals.

Jess has been selected as a finalist in the International Video Contest for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

I wanted to share her video with you because it is a beautiful example of service and true compassion and love. She is truly inspiring, as are all of those who surround her with help and support.

Voting closes April 4th—so that means that there are only 5 days left!!!!

1.) Go to http://classic.lds.org/visitorschoice

2.) Then click onto "Amateur - US & Canada (10 videos)"

3.) Click "Next" on the bottom right

4.) Then find her video, entitled "Our Hands His Hands, Our Hearts His Heart" somewhere in the mix. The video has a picture of a girl with curled brown hair.

5.) Click directly on top of the video (it should have a play button) to watch.

TO VOTE:

1.) Make sure the box to the left side of her video is checked, and everything else is unchecked.

2.) Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page, and click "Next" on the bottom righthand corner.

There will be three in each category that will be selected as jury prize winners, and one that will be selected by visitor's choice. Visitors can go to the website and vote for any of the categories ONE TIME from every device that they have. It is not possible to vote twice (just in case you were wondering).

Thank you so much for your help!!! And now go spread the word like wildfire!

Ready....... Set....... VOTE!

photo by geri: interior

2011-03-29T07:14:00.002-06:00

You seriously have to check out this bedroom!

It is pretty much awesome, and that is all I have to say about that.

You can view more of this space at Photo by Geri.

his/hers: wallets

2011-03-25T15:23:00.005-06:00

His/Hers is a weekly series started by Alli and Brooke (Horray and Pure & Noble)—I decided to join in the fun.

Jas doesn't like to sit down with things in his pockets (is this a guy thing?) and it's not exactly trendy for guys to carry purses or man-bags with them where ever they go so somehow his 150 lb wallet (seriously, that guy collects all sorts of cards—paper, plastic, he's not picky) always ended up in my 317 lb purse. So for Valentines my suuuuuuuper romantic self bought him this new, totally rad wallet that can only hold so much (two pockets on each side and a thin middle slot for cash or whatev). Genius! Plus his other wallet was on its last stitch—literally.

And here is my little clutch wallet in all of her floral-glory. Good old Target, "where you can expect more and pay less" (catchy, no?).

Maybe I should try to develop his dislike for sitting with things in pockets. That is how I broke my cellphone, but that was 2 phones ago.........or has it been an unknown epidemic? Ooo. Intrigue.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

p.s. It's my mama's birthday!!!! That's right, March 25. I think it's a cute day for a birthday, but September 4 might be cuter. Anyways.........Happy Birthday Mom! We think you're tops.

photo by geri: family session

2011-03-24T14:45:00.001-06:00

I cannot tell you how much I love it when Jason comes along on shoots. Love it. And I love how much the kiddies love him.

Melts my little heart.

He was my trusty assistant for the Sanders' family session even though he had studying to do (which is why he ran back to the school right after and not right over to Yogurtland with the rest of us) what a guy, what a guy.

You can view more of the Sanders' session at Photo by Geri.

I have been craving a Jamba

2011-03-23T13:00:00.002-06:00

and today there are these super rad coupons for 2 smoothies for $5.

From March 21—30 2011.

Chaaaa–CHING!

I'm over at Peace Love Lauren today.

Come say hey and tell Jas how much you like his beard!

#winning

2011-03-22T12:48:00.002-06:00

Just the other day I checked my mailbox and there was a sweet surprise waiting in there for little ol me. This beauty necklace from Harold & Jane!!! ANNNND this breathtaking waterfall print.

So darling couple Theresa and Elias from Orange Juice, Etc. were doing a giveaway on this super cool blog. Well I scurried on over there and signed myself up. And then a little while later I got an email from Theresa telling me I was the winner winner winner!!
And now I get to wear that little lady whenever I can and I'm on the search for the perfect frame for my pretty picture.

Thanks guys! LOVE my little prize.

photo by geri: family session

2011-03-18T16:48:00.004-06:00

I love the Rinehart's. Love.

You can view more of this family session at Photo by Geri.

bonfire at Huntington Beach.....check!

2011-03-17T13:45:00.001-06:00

This has been on the official bucket list since I saw my very first Laguna Beach episode as a Freshman in high school. Jas and a buddy went behind a local store (which shall remain unnamed) and gathered the broken/unusable pallets. Then we jumped in our cars and headed to the beach.

What on earth is better than golden, delicious marshmallows and steak cooked on a stick over coals with the beach at your back and sand pouring into your boots (probably not my wisest fashion choice)??

Nada. Nothin. Zip. Zero. Zilch.

Once will not be enough. I say this needs to be a pretty frequent occurrence.

p.s. don't judge me or my hair. the humid air turned it into quite the frizz-fest.
p.s.s. did I just say "zilch"?

photo by geri: couple

2011-03-14T18:31:00.001-06:00

So excited about this session with our friends Julia and Chris!

You can find more of these two at Photo by Geri.

Happy Monday!!

♥

his/hers: drinks of choice

2011-03-11T19:03:00.004-07:00

His/Hers is a weekly series started by Alli and Brooke (Horray and Pure & Noble)—I decided to join in the fun.

It's true. Jason always always always chooses the flower cups. He calls them our "fancy cups" and drinks his (insert gatorade or any type of juice—except prune, straight cranberry or original v8 here) in them every time. And it makes me smile every time.

That boy can down the juice/gatorade.

I am not afraid to admit that I'm a Diet Coke girl. In the can—or fountain at Horkley's in Rexburg (best fountain drinks ever)—and no other way. I think it runs in the family or something.

The whole soda thing started with a 22 oz Coke whenever I got a killer migraine, and now it's turned into a 12 pack sitting in my cupboard. Oops. At least I switched to Diet.

Don't be hatin.

bombs away

2011-03-08T10:53:00.000-07:00

The bug man is supposed to be coming to my humble abode to bug-bomb the crap out of the spiders who decided to take up residence. I found a web across my shirts hanging in my closet—and the shirts I wear all the time, not the ones in the dark back corner. If you know me, you know how creeeeeeeped out I got. Right after that we made an appointment with The Bug Man and I've been looking forward to this day.

On an another, unrelated note—this is the closest thing Jas and I got of a photo together on our SF trip and that's kind of a bummer. But at least we got these little darlings with awesome owl hats on. (I have been wish wish wishing we handed over the $$ and took those babies home. Aren't they fantastic?!)

To see the complete, unabridged version of my photos from the city by the bay head over to Photo by Geri and check them out!

Anyways.........Op! Was that the doorbell?? Gotta run folks, before I get gassed!

Why hello! You knew you had this one coming....

2011-03-04T12:14:00.004-07:00

*please note that Jason hates the above photo.......because our car is glamorously parked in the background.

So this post is going to be long, in detail, with lots of photos for documenting purposes.

Sorry dudes.

Our trip was so great! We loved it. We loved the beautiful drive up Hwy 1, where we looked out the window and Ooooed and Awwwed over the gorgeousness, were able to finish our book and Jason insisted that he needed to read another classic because he already felt muuuuuch smarter.

Never did take any photos of our hotel, Hotel Whitcomb—but it was darling and had a lot of history (that's a cute, sweet way of saying "yeah, it was pretty old and the bathroom ceiling had some rust issues in the back left corner") and access to the muni/bart was right out the front door—which is a major score for peeps who wanna roam about SF w/o having to fight traffic, find parking and then pay for parking (which is not cheap folks! not cheap.)

But we really did love our hotel, it was perfect for us and was remarkably well kept. Annnnd Jas got a great deal on it on Price Line.

Our first morning we located the nearest La Boulange Bakery (which happened to be just a block away) and walked there to catch a little breakfast. And three macaroons—which did not photograph well and they were gone pretty quick so I guess they didn't get much of a chance..... sorry. Want an amazing macaroon or quiche or fresh squeezed orange juice? Go there.

Then we mozied our way down to Fisherman's Wharf because it's fuuuun and Jason got scared by the BushMan. I saw the bush and the hands and two eyeballs so I knew it was coming, but my buddy Jas was not and he gave a yelp! And then we gave the man a dollar, ate lunch at Boudin's SourDough, hopped on the trolly and got to take a ride until the system went down (yeah, that was sad). But we broke down right next to the Cable Car Museum (which I thought was pretty convenient) and we checked out the ginormous pulley-system that makes the trolleys go. Jas thought it was totally rad.

It was pretttttty rainy so Jason got to hold our pink umbrella all day. I thought it was cute.

Then it turned night and after everything seemed to be going wrong (we planned on going to the MOMA because tickets are half price Thursday nights, but sitting in traffic for over an hour and a half made it impossible) we found Pizzaria Delphina (thanks for the awesome recommendations Dean's!!) and had a tasty Frisco-Pizza dinner. So it all ended happy.

Next day was Friday and we had a lazy morning and went to Tartine Bakery (pronounced Tar-Tan, something that could be potentially embarrassing for you......just sayin) for lunch (man, never realized that the theme of this trip was bakeries! no wonder Jas has since put a 2 month ban on all things French and all things bakery). We shared a divine eclair and then walked around the block to a little shop I spied while we were looking for parking. Tartine Bakery, the little shop obsessed with owls and suitcases (I felt so at home) and Delfina's are all on the same block! Talk about convenient.

After our little trip in the Mission District we hopped a trolly and went to Union Square which has the prettiest H&M store you ever did see. And for dinner we found a fantastic Mexican restaurant! Don't remember the name, but it's right there at Union Square, next to the Jewish Museum of Art and the pretty brick church. This was definitely the tastiest meal we had in SF.

Saturday in San Francisco means Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market. And you KNOW I wasn't about to miss that! The last time I was in the city I went crazy over the farmer's market (remember) and not much has changed in a year's time. I hopped the muni and went to the market while Jas did his breathing treatment and then we met up just in time (seriously, not a minute to spare) to jump onto the boat to get out to Alcatraz. There we learned all about crazy Al Capon and his syphilis-brain and the genius bird guy and the creepster who always walked on his toes.......good times good times. I think it might have been Jas's favorite part (that and the driving around looking at the city). I just loved that it was pretty much quiet and everyone was walking around with headsets on, moving in clumps to what the guy in the headphone said to do. Maybe that added in the creepiness, or maybe it added a bit of a comedy effect?

And that was that. We drove over to Stockton to visit family that we never never get to see (and that was so fun, thank you for everything Searls and Burkes! :) And then we drove home on Sunday and passed grove after grove of almond trees—and maybe I've got a screw loose or something, but I never really understood the concept that almonds grow on trees. But they do! We saw them and they are beauty! They've got lots of big, beautiful blossoms. Now I'm totally wishing we stopped by the road and took some pictures.......because we obviously didn't get very many.

photo by geri: little lady

2011-02-25T08:03:00.000-07:00

This little gal and I had ourselves some fun in the park. Mia's my niece and one of the cutest, sassiest little ladies I know. She also has a mad crush on my man.......girl's got good taste!

You can view more of this session at Photo by Geri.

Peace Out Party People

2011-02-23T07:36:00.003-07:00

We're taking ourselves a little vaca.

Driving up the 1......... all the way to San Francisco.

It'll be heaven! (and you know how much I love that city)

You can expect to have yourselves some major photo-overload on your hands when we get back.

♥

the search for the best taco in OC has officially ended

2011-02-22T13:08:00.002-07:00

Guys!!!! I found it!!!!!!!!!!!!! I found our taco place. So pumped. So PUMPED! And this place can beat the totally amazing Taco Bus any day (no worries, I'm still a Taco Bus girl). It's El Camino Real and it's just right over in Downtown Fullerton—and I'm so pumped! Woop–dee–Woooooop! I try to find an excuse to go there at least once a week......tacos for $1.69. Jas and I can go on a date there for under $10. Holla!

Favorite taco EVER! And the head guy wears a super rad hat.........even betta.

Amazing tacos plus ultra-charming wall decor, a menu made up of over 100 items (including cow head........say whaaaaaaat??), homemade tortillas and tortilla chips, all the fresh limes I want, three types of salsas AND those reeeeeeeeeally scary carrots/jalapeno things that I will never touch. Can life get better?

Oh! And by the way, they just started accepting checks and a debit/credit card machine is coming very soon! Those dudes are super high-tech. They're even on Facebook.

The Wizard Of Oz in San Clemente

2011-02-18T13:03:00.003-07:00

I've been working away on the photos of a super rad family I met in San Clemente a few weeks ago—and as I was finishing up I remembered these little gems I found there.

I hadn't been to San Clemente before so I figured I should go down early to see the lay of the land. While walking around the charming little beach town I found a used bookstore, Village Books, where the largest, fluffiest cat named Harry stares down every person that walks in the door. While browsing through the little shop I scored the cutest copy of The Wizard Of Oz I ever did see!!! I also nabbed The Plague and Sonnets From The Portuguese because they were like two dollars and the best colors/textures EVER.

Who said that thing about judging a book by its cover? I don't believe them and neither does Harry.

On a different note, but still related to books, Jason and I are reading The Three Musketeers together right now (like I read out loud to him while he does his treatments and he reads to me while I brush my teeth/wash my face and get ready for bed). He's waaaaaay into it. Sometimes we got to sleep around 1:30 because somebody can't put the book away until we've finished the chapter. Anyway—I didn't know I would be such a fan! But it's seriously one of my fave books ever—totally recommend it next time you're pining for a classic.

You make me happy.

2011-02-15T10:21:00.001-07:00

The crazy peeps in charge of Optometry School decided to put finals week right on Valentine's—or was it the crazy peeps in charge of Valentine's Day who decided to put Valentine's right in the middle of finals? Either way, Jas has been M I A lately and has warned that he will continue to be until next Friday.

Bummer dude.

But don't think for a second this got me down! I've been pumped about this little lover's holiday since January was still in its early twenties. There was no WAY I was about to let those pesky finals get in the way of a little celebration! I snagged my boy right after his morning test and we found our way to the Corner Bakery for lunch and it was deee-lectable.

Jas even wore his red "Valentine's shirt" (he made that one up himself) to get in the V-Day spirit—and so I painted my fingernails red and wore a pink shirt to one-up him, because that's how we roll. But he thinks he wins because he's got red hair. Dang those genetics! But I wore the coziest pumps in the wooooorld (seriously. Urban Outfitters, on sale, GO!) so I still felt like a winner.

Then Jas went back to school to study, came home for a very quick dinner and scurried right back to the school again. So I popped pop-corn and invited myself over to Stephanie's (the one who introduced me to the good cupcakes) for a Lonely Girl's Valentine's/Bachelor party. It was fun and we laughed and made snarky comments to the TV like, boy! that fella sweats a LOT on his forehead. And what the.... ? Did she just lay down on the limo seat and rock back and forth. Caaaa-raaaay-cray!

OH! and here is my newest most very favorite song these days............ Love it or hate it, it'll probably just get stuck in your head anyway. It's happy and it makes me happy and I really like happy songs. So push play and dance in your chair a little bit and have a Happy Taco Tuesday!!!!!

♥

Happy Valentine's CupCake!

2011-02-14T15:07:00.002-07:00

So I have a real cute pal named Stephanie who introduced me to a whoooole new kind of frosting and I've become a little bit addicted to its amazingness. So in honor of my obsession with Valentine's this year I made little, tiny, mini cupcakes with little tiny sprinkles for my super cool choir yesterday (don't you wish you were in my choir?). There were only five left on the pan when we got in our car to go home—once we got home there were zero left on the pan and Jason had a strawberry-frosting mess all over his face (maybe I'm not the only one who's in love??).

I thought it would be fun to share the love so you can make yourself some amazingness right in your own kitchen and take all of the credit for it! ;) You might have had it before, but maybe it's time to get reacquainted!

♥

Sprinkle's Strawberry Cupcake recipe found here.
Sprinkle's Buttercream Strawberry Frosting found here (this stuff is magic).

happy early Valentine's to me!

2011-02-11T13:26:00.002-07:00

These little ladies are going to be BEAUTY! First favorite thing for today: flowers in the mail. Second favorite thing: when I get flowers before they're fully bloomed. I get to enjoy this beautiful bouquet in allllll of her stages of glory....... What's more exciting than that??

photo by geri: baby boy

2011-02-08T19:02:00.000-07:00

OH! this little fella is soooooooo charming. Just look at that face! It was so much fun to meet this happy family—they're super cool cats!

You can view more of this session at Photo by Geri.

photo by geri: family session

2011-02-07T13:42:00.000-07:00

Just posted this little goodie onto Photo by Geri...... it's all about my HS English teacher and her happy little family. Better take a look for yourself :)

You can view more of this session at Photo by Geri.

no elbows on the table and other things like that

2011-02-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

British flag image source

The other day I learned a bit about table etiquette (the old things you know—with soup spoon away from you, sit up straight always, never lean down to your food instead bring your food up to your mouth, no elbows on the table–duh! bread to your left–drink to your right, napkin in your lap....those sorts of things).

At dinner time Jas and I decided to practice our manners............

I'll just say that our fancy pants dinner of grilled cheese and tomato soup ended in both of us speaking with British accents, two backaches, three counts of pepper in teeth and a big drip of soup right down the front of my shirt.

"Betta luck next time yeh jolly ol chap!"

lots of reasons on a string

2011-02-03T14:27:00.004-07:00

I told you how pumped I was for Valentine's riiiiiiiiiight? Well I didn't tell you that I had this little number up my sleeve! Not because I don't like you, it's just that I know a special little buddy of mine checks up on me on here (makes sure I don't say dumb stuff) and it was sort of a surprise for him. So now he's seen it and opened the first 3 days already (and totally dug it, can't you see it in his happy little face?) and I get to let all of you guys in on the little surprise! Plus I wouldn't be the quintessential blogger that I am if I didn't share a little DIY now and then........

I've been feeling pretty crafty this Valentine's and I wanted to do something cute for my boy which naturally led me to making lovely little Valentines out of craft paper and paper doily hearts. On each I wrote my reasons of why I love that red headed man of mine and he gets to open one every day until they run out (not because I don't have any more reasons, because hey! I got lots. but because I made 14 in honor of Valentine's. sappy I know, but roll with it).

AND it doubles as a cute little Valentine's banner. Score!

Now let's send us off with a good old happy sappy love song.

Oh alright! How about two....

K! I'm done! I'm done! Promise. Unlessssssss....no you're right. I'm done.

calling all angels

2011-02-01T11:14:00.002-07:00

Hi guys! K, today I'm going to tell you about something pretty important. But every time I tried to write about this I couldn't do it! So I guess you'll just have to watch this little video that our good friends Neal and Angie have made for you (and everybody you wanna tell).

If you've been racking your brain, trying to think of something you can do to feel good about yourself, I just gave it to ya! You can totally thank me later. But for now just make or buy a sweet little blanket and send it over to Neal and Angie and spread the word along!

All of the info (mailing address and stuff) is given at the end of the video so keep tuned. But just as a little reminder they will be delivering the blankets on May 30, 2011 and if you have any questions write them at nealandangie@gmail.com. You can read most of their beautiful story here.

p.s. last year's video made me cry.

have I ever told you

2011-01-31T08:35:00.003-07:00

that I am a musical genius?

Because after playing with this thing long enough to give myself a full-on migrain I think I'm pretty much awesome in the musical department! You seriously need to give it a little whirl.

I hope you read the sarcasm ooozing out of all this musical-genius stuff, because I'm totally kidding. But somebody told the up-in-ups in our ward that I was slightly on the musical side and I have officially been called as the Ward Choir Director. (eyyy-eyyy!) That means that my bomb.com choir director from the ward I grew up in is going to get a few phone calls..... "Kaylene!" (I wish her name was Stella so I could yell "STEL-LA!" but it's not so I'll just yell Kaylene like I was yelling Stella. not the same, but it'll have to do.) I'm in need of some serious pep talks!

We actually just sang our first number not last week but the week before (did a certain jump-rope song from elementary days past just pop into your mind? yeah mine too) for ward conference. And despite me standing in front of them, shaking like a little leaf, waving my arms around in the air, the choir sounded awesome and we had an amazing turn out. Now I just gotta figure out how to keep the peeps coming—so far I've been bribing them all with homemade lollipops and rice crispy treats. You gots any other bright ideas?

p.s. good thing I figured out a solution to the sweating problem or all of this arms-in-the-air-action would be something we were allllllllll embarrassed of. muchas gracias dudes.

photo by geri: portrait

2011-01-28T11:28:00.002-07:00

One day a Cali friend and I did a photo shoot with Miss Ami and it was quite a party! It was fun and Ami's darling. I think we could go for round two!

You can view more of this session at Photo by Geri.

Your Heart Out

2011-01-27T17:08:00.001-07:00

You guys! I'm so excited for Valentine's Day this year! I don't think I have ever given Valentine's a second thought really, in fact back when I was deciding on which college to go to there was an anti-Valentine's-Party sign that was involved in the final decision making. But this year I've been excited since the beginning of January! What's my deal? Maybe it's because I've been watching the Bachelor and super cheesy love songs like "Kiss From A Rose" have been stuck in my head—or maybe not.

Because I've had hearts and glitter and red and happiness on the brain I decided to put together a little sampling of items I have fallen in love with this Valentine's season. I'm thinking each and every one of them would make a fantastic little Lover's Day gift....... I sooooo hope Jas didn't miss that subtle hint.

1 paint your heart out kit from Chief and Crown :: 2 glitter crown headband from Giant Dwarf :: 3 forever banner from Nice :: 4 when you know, letterpress love print from Dingbat Press :: 5 heart shoe-clips from band.do

photo by geri: discount

2011-01-25T13:04:00.002-07:00

Only six days left to book your shoot with the extra special discount! So book that baby and get ready for your close up.

Email me: geriegbert at gmail dot com
and be sure to mention The Daybook Discount. K? K.

Love ya, see ya, bye.
g

Gina Maria's Pizzeria

2011-01-23T20:31:00.002-07:00

Friday night was date night. Well, sort of. Friday night was let's get cute and go to Gina Maria's Pizzeria (say that five times fast—it's my newest game) and then hurry home while Jason goes back to the school to study some more. But it was ok because I worked on photos and then put in a movie and 15 min into the movie (something animated with lots and lots of darling owls...... ? wasn't a fave) Jas came back so we cuddled up on our floral couch togetha. Well, he strapped into his space-man-shake-em-up-treatment-vest and I laid on the other end of the couch and stuck my feet under his tush and strained my ears to hear the movie.

Like I said, we are verrrrrrrrrrrry romantic.

And we need to get some speakers or something because the volume on our tv says it goes up to 70 or something but it stops getting louder right around 30. What are those extra 40 notches for? No one knows. We like our tv—it looks real cute sitting there on my cedar chest—it just needs some little speaker buddies to help it reach its full potential.

p.s. do these photos remind anyone else of Christmas?? it might be the twinkling lights and the red-plaid-flannel-wood hauler.

photo by geri: family session

2011-01-21T18:38:00.002-07:00

Say hello to my little friend or nephew or whatever. Just posted a session with this little dude and his whole family. I gave my sister, Bobbi, a gift certificate for a family photo shoot last year for Christmas and she decided to redeem that baby before we took off for CA and you better believe we got some good shots!

You can view more of this session on Photo by Geri.

new diggs: the kitchen/dining rooms

2011-01-19T08:34:00.007-07:00

please note:

Our microwave from 1982 (must hit door after you push start to make it go).

The equally old gas stove/oven (I feel like I have finally figured out the way my oven thinks. it took a few burned batches of cookies and one near-fire with the lasagna, but I think we now have an understanding).

All Out Of pad (the best grocery store list EVER!) and if you're in my family you might be getting yourself one for your birthday coming up..... what can I say? I like to share.

The beautiful bouquet of dumdums

Our pretty rad silverware storage situation. This kitchen has NO drawers for silverware (that makes a girl think hard about how/where to put her spoons and forks). Thanks Ikea (we're tight. like BFFs or something).

My hooks!!! I've worked up quite the hook collection over the years and I had a vision of all the hooks on some thick, dark brown boards so we slipped our handy-dandy bro in law some $$ and he put those suckers on there for us! Now they're up and being all useful and stuff (thanks a mil Ty).