Good bye 2010...

2010 was quite the year. For me personally it brought lots of highs and lows, sort of like a roller coaster and if you know me I hate roller coasters. I can honestly say I am glad that this year is over and I am glad that Jesse and I are starting this journey through the new year together... soon to be husband and wife.  I used to be scared of change, but after this wacky year I'm not afraid anymore. I'm ready to start my life and not stand by watching as it passes me by. We've got some big plans for 2011 and even if 2011 has some surprises to throw our way I  know we will accomplish our goals, because together we can do anything we put our minds to. I'm really grateful I found Jesse and that he is willing to put up with my craziness and still able to love me through the good times and the bad. I know with out a doubt that I want to marry him. By this time next year we will be married. Let me tell you... I can not wait! Until then... Au Revoir... Adios... Arrivederci... Sayonara...Aloha...Goodbye... Farewell 2010! Bring on 2011... I am ready and waiting.

Happy New Year Everyone!

 I hope you get to spend it with the one or ones you love.

Love,

Erin & Jesse

Matching outfits...

Moe & Me in our "matching" outfits.

When we went shopping we both picked out the exact same black flowy cardigan.

 

 We bought matching shirts in different colors and I printed birds on them both.  

Her's is white and has a small pocket. Mine is red and has no pocket, but the birds are the same.

I really liked how the bird came out.  

This pictures shows you better how the full shirt looks.

The days after Christmas...

I realize we hadn't taken a picture together in ages, so I made Jesse pose for this one the other night. I love it. I think it turned out great. One of my favorites of us for sure.

Jesse went rock climbing with the guys and I went shopping with the girls on the 26th. Everyone else went out to eat for dinner, but we decided to stay home and relax. We did however go out for a nice dinner of Pho the next night with everyone. There is a phenomenal Vietnamese place on Federal that's cheap and looks like a little whole in the wall, but we all love it. It's become a sort of tradition to go there when Moe & Ben are in town. I'm going to miss it when we move away.

Christmas Day...

Our friends Monique & Ben came to stay with us for Christmas. Moe's twin sister, Michon and her friend Ali came to celebrate with us as well, but they live in Denver so they didn't stay the night.  We had quite the houseful. It was alot of fun though. Jesse and I made a big breakfast for everyone. We opened stockings and presents. We lounged around in the afternoon. They all went for a drive while Jesse and I went for a walk around the lake since it was such a beautiful day. Then Moe and I made a big dinner roast, green beans, rolls, roasted potatoes, mushrooms, veggie pizza appetizer, etc... Then for dessert Moe brought cheesecake and Ali made a date pie. Mmm mmm.... Good stuff!

 Ali & Ben opening presents.

Michon & Monique opening their matching presents from us.

Jesse raked in the gift cards this year. Always a good gift for him, 

because he is so hard to buy for.

Ben reading his book about knots. He's really into rock climbing, so Moe got him a book all about making proper knots. He loved it.

Moe showing off her kitten necklace Mish got her.

Ali got 2 gift cards to REI. Now he can get all his equipment for rock climbing (he just started).

Michon showing off the cute purse Moe got her in Taos.

Jesse showing off his animal figures that Moe & Ben got him. 

He was eyeing them at the hardware store the other day. They're anatomically correct, so they're perfect for drawing models. We might have a collection of them soon.

Showing off the circular scarf and feather earrings that Michon made me.

It was a great "Friends Christmas".  I'm so glad that Jesse and I didn't have to spend the holiday alone. Having guests made it more fun and special like Christmas is supposed to be.

Christmas Eve...

Our stockings

Our little crooked tree before I finished decorating it.

On Christmas Eve Jesse & Ben could not wait to open presents, so we let them each open one gift of their choice. I opened a couple too, but that's just because I had more to open than everyone else since my parents shipped my presents here. This was actually my first official Christmas away from my family. It was strange, but it was good. We talked and skyped with my family & most of Jesse's. We had a house full of people and 2 big meals. I couldn't have asked for a better day.

Ben opening his new Ugg slippers.

Jesse opening his present... and modeling his Broncos Snuggie 

that folds up into a pillow when not in use.

Modeling my new jacket and snow pants.

Kayden's going to be so excited, because now I've got all the gear to play in the snow. Except now we need some snow. We've had nothing but really beautiful weather lately. The forecasters said we should expect anywhere from 5-10inches of snow tomorrow. Yikes!

Headbands...

Well over a year ago I purchased 2 feathered "coasters" or so they were called by Urban Outfitters. I don't remember how much they cost exactly, but I do remember they were on clearance and I had a vision for them. Being the procrastinator I am it took me a lot longer than it ever should of, but last week my vision was realized and VIOLA!

Headbands... They were also Christmas presents for people. 

I attached them to metal headbands I got 3 for $3.99 I believe and then I added on some fancy pieces that I found in the jewelry making clearance at the craft stores. I didn't spend more than $2 on the center pieces. For less than $8 a piece I made 2 beautiful headbands. I almost wanted to keep them for myself. Too bad I didn't buy anymore of those feathered coasters back when I had a chance.

Prints...

This is a print that Jesse did ages ago when he worked at the screen print shop. He printed it on some hoodies for his friends. We had hoped to copy this design and replicate it on some prints for Christmas presents this year. Due to the fact that we have limited space, only stencil equipment, and not actual screen print equipment we did not accomplish that feet this year. We're also procrastinators if I didn't mention that. Hopefully next year we'll have the space and the equipment to make some really neat stuff.

The following are actual presents for this Christmas, but I'm pretty confident that the people we made them for don't read our blog, so I'm going to go ahead and post them.

Scarves... I printed designs on 2 scarves for presents this year. Holy Cow! was it a lot of work. I had no idea it would take so long, but the pay off was amazing. Honestly out of all the stuff we printed this year the scarves came out the coolest. These are only pictures of them in the process of being printed. I wish I would have got better pictures of them especially once they are finished. Maybe the recipients will take pictures of themselves wearing the scarves and allow me to post them in a later post. 

Space Invader... After talking video games all day at work Jesse was inspired to come home and make a stencil of one. Here is a shirt and a bandanna he printed up right away. He was so excited. They turned out pretty good. 

A random sampling of gifts... These are all prints we made on shirts for presents. There were more, but I forgot to take pictures of all of them. We spent an entire day printing shirts. I was pretty impressed with us.

Hammond's Candies...

Kayden and I took a tour of the good old candy factory last week as a fun treat just before Christmas.

 

Did I mention that he couldn't decide what to wear, so he ended up leaving the house in his police officer shirt from his Halloween costume. That and he had toy handcuffs on one belt loop and his radio on the other side. People were quite impressed with is get up. I was just happy that he finally decided on a shirt to wear.

Out of all the things in the candy store he chose 2 gumballs and a little thing of cotton candy for himself. He chose candy covered popcorn for his mom.

The Jeongs...

If you've been reading this blog regularly you will remember seeing posts about Denton. He is one of the little boys I used to watch part time before I got this full time nanny position. Denton is one of my most favorite kids ever... no joke. He's just the best. Jesse feels the same way. He's one of those kids that makes people want to have kids.

Denton aslo has some awesome parents and an adorable little sister, Fiona. While I'm not spending 3 days a week with him like I did all summer I do occaisonally babysit for him and his sister. Jesse has been tagging along with me on these sitting adventures. Denton is my little buddy, but whenever Jesse's around I barely exist. Fiona on the other hand was slightly hesitant of Jesse at first, but as you an see from the picture... she is in love with him now. She kept cuddling up to him and not wanting him to put her down.

While my mom was staying with us just after Thanksgiving the Jeong's invited us over for dinner, because they wanted to meet her. Myrna made a fabulous vegetarian chili and we brought some tasty ice cream cupcakes for dessert. After dinner Jesse, Fiona, Myrna, Denton, and I spent the night rocking out to Jesse's music, Micheal Jackson's Thriller, and Denton's favorite song The Ghostbusters Theme song. Fiona insisted on being held and being in the middle of the dancing action. What a work out! We were all passing her around as our arms started to give out after a while. Coincidentally that weekend was also Miss Fiona's 1st birthday. We brought her presents... a pair of cute new shoes (which she loved), a bouncy ball (that lights up), and an animal book (she loves reading & usually tries to steal her big brother's books). The food was great, the company was great, and we got one heck of a work out dancing the night away. I wish I would have snapped more pictures.

Happy Thanksgiving...

Back to Front: Me, Jesse, Chelsey, Dave, Mom, Dad

My family came to visit us for Thanksgiving and it was a bit of a whirl wind weekend, but I'm really glad they came. I hope everyone enjoyed their visit as much as I did. 

My parents drove in Wednesday evening and my brother and his girlfriend came the next morning. We had Thanksgiving dinner around 12:30 and it was delicious. Jesse's work gave us a 14lb turkey for free. Mom and I made cranberry sauce, corn casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, deviled eggs, veggies & dip, and last but not least pumpkin whoopie pie cookies (thanks to Martha Stewart's recipe).  Friday morning we did some shopping and nearly froze our butts off. Saturday we scored some more deals and ended up buying shirts for Jesse, Jared, & David to wear to the wedding. Originally $50 a piece we got all 3 for $73. Score! On Sunday Chelsey, Mom, and I went to Evergreen while the guys stayed home and watched the Broncos play. We walked around and explored all the cute little shops in town and then enjoyed a leisurely lunch at Creekside Cellars (love that place). Sunday evening Dad, Dave, and Chels decided to drive back home before the weather got bad, so we said our goodbyes earlier than expected. My mom stayed until Thursday (today) to help me with wedding planning. It was great to have her. I feel like we accomplished a lot and it was much easier to do so with her here rather than 645miles away talking over the phone. Date... Check, Flowers... Check, Food... in progress, Classes... in progress..., Dress... in progress, Guys outfits... in progress, Center pieces... Check, My shoes... Check, My jewelery... Check, Venues... Check, Guest book... Check, DJ... Check, Guest list... Check. Now there are about a million other things to figure out, but we have 9 months to do that so I'm not too worried. Next up figuring out a photographer and making the invitations. I'm definitely Thankful mom was here to help me get some of those things checked off my list.

It was a good Thanksgiving. 

I'm glad we got to spend it with family.