Boston Red Socks Game!

Adam and Marci had a brilliant idea for our vacation! They got tickets to a Boston Red Soxs game in Fenway park and this was such an amazing experience! Even though Mike and I aren't big fans, it was so much fun going to the game and singing "Take me out the ball game". I think the best part of the game was the die-hard, Boston-born fan I sat next to. He was hilarious! With his thick Boston accent, he kept chatting with me - assuming I was a die hard fan as well. And I didn't want to disappoint him, so I didn't correct him and pretended to be a die-hard fan too. We talked about the pitcher, the players history - well...HE talked, I just agreed and added the general comments such as... "Oh, I know...the team would die with out him!" "Look at that play! Beautiful!" It made for a memorable experience. And even when he found out that my family didn't know what terms or plays meant...or when the World Series was...I pretended to be appalled with my new friend. It was pretty funny. We had some pretty good seats! Here is a picture to prove we were actually watching the game.

Fenway Park!

Adam and Marci bought Mike and I Boston Red Sox shirts to show the Boston love. It was the perfect touch!

Red Sox WIN!!

More Boston

Another stop on our Boston trip was a day trip to Cape Cod. We toured the cute little town, went to the beach to relax, and saw historical monuments. Mike and Adam would skip rocks, talk about old cars and search for shells to give to me. It was like two little boys on a play-date. Mike would find shells and run back to me (on the beach reading Breaking Dawn) and showme his discoveries. It was adorable and I loved to see my brother and husband bond!





Here Mike and I are cuddling up at the top of the Cape Cod monument. It was super windy, but the view was gorgeous!











Here is the gorgeous view of Providence Town in Cape Cod.












Here is Mike at the top of the monument.












Here we are outside of Adam and Marci's Church Building. It use to be a old factory, but refurnished into a Church building. It was pretty cool to see the rafters and old brick rooms while attending church. I love the architecture on the East Coast. I also loved that their ward was filled with young couples starting families. I'm a little jealous because we live in a family ward and there is just a different feel to it.

Overall, Mike and I had a blast in Boston and we were sad to leave. Spending time with Adam and Marci was also wonderful. It was just what Mike and I needed to relax and have a great vacation! I'm so grateful for my family! No matter how old I get or how great the physical distance is between us, I know they will always love me and support me and Mike! And no matter how much time passes, I love the fact that my brother still is the same old Adam who teases me, protects me, loves me, jokes with me and makes me laugh so hard I almost pee my pants. How lucky I am to have a big brother who is always there for me and to have a big sister who loves me for me. Thanks you two for having us in your home and spending time with us! It was the perfect vacation and we can't wait to come back!

Our Fabulous Weekend!

So Mike and I had a great weekend together! Friday we went on our date night which was just amazing. We didn't do anything spectacular, but with all the stuff going on lately, we both felt a little disconnected. It was nice to just shut our phones off and have a nice, romantic dinner together. We have also been watching 24 and we just finished the second season, so we are anxious to see how Jack Bauer saves the world for a 3rd time.

Saturday was just marvelous. We got up early and ran a few errands. (I.e.: Oil changes on both cars, grocery shopping and a trip to Lowes) I'm starting to plan how the front of my house should look; meaning, I think I want to plant some flowers, but I'm not sure what to plant or when to plant. But after our errands, we were able to have down time. We just wanted an afternoon together around the house without any obligations. Mike and I actually played Sega Genisus the Toe Jam and Earl game for an hour and we beat it! Yippee for team work. Playing that game brought back so many memories of my brother and I playing Sega and I started to feel like a care-free kid for a little bit. Later, we got a call from my friend Michele, inviting us over to swim. We had an hour long water gun fight with her boys, so the care-free kid feeling lingered for a while. Afterwards, we hooked up with Rachel (my sister-in-law) and her boyfriend Sean for a double date to Benihana's. Yummy food! So, Mike and I felt relaxed and fulfilled by the time Saturday came to a close.

We had a great, relaxing Sunday as well and I was wondering why I hadn't heard from my parents at all. Sunday is the day they call me for a weekly update and chat, but there was no such call. Well, by 9:00 p.m., I check my phone and I had 10 missed calls from various people including my parents. Yup ... I forgot to take my phone off silence after church. Oops! Oh well, I needed the quiet time. I'm noticing more and more that the concept of Time-Out isn't bad - in fact, I wish someone would put me in Time-Out during the week so I could just stay in my room and read.

But, all in all, Mike and I had a fabulous weekend together and we are ready to face the tough week and a half ahead of us before our trip to Boston to see Adam and Marci! I can't wait to see them and I know Mike and Adam are going to start playing Sega Genisus together like little boys. Ahh ... the joys of a great family!

A Sneak Peek

Here are a few pictures of our little house. Things aren't completed put away and in there proper places, but I'm so proud that we've gotten this far! So, while viewing our house, keep in mind that there are a few other design elements that we still need to add and I'll point out some of my ideas.

Another side of our living room. I want to get different sizes of black candle holders and place them all in front of the fireplace space. I think this is something I'm just going to have to tackle with time and patience. Also, note that we have all hardwood floors. We love our floors and we found some great area rugs at Target that match my color palette.
This is the doorway into the dining room. Ignore my vacuum...I was cleaning right before I took this picture.
This is picture is skipping to our kitchen. Here is our fridge and my cute kitchen cart. The doorway on the left goes to our laundry room. (I can't believe I have a laundry room! Thank goodness for little miracles!)
Here is our dining room table and my cafe style curtains. I can't decide on the length, that is why they are different. By the way, I hope the people that sent the "reminders" or "death threats" realize that this was difficult for me to share pictures of an unfinished house ... so be grateful.
I call this our Granny shelf. It is built-in and it is so awkward as far as storing anything in it. I'm not 100% set on what is in the shelf, but it works for now.
This is more of our dining room. I love my big clock, but Mike calls it the Old Folks clock because of how big it is. (Old people need huge font scriptures and huge font clocks...)So...we thought it was fitting that the Old Folks clock is next to the Granny Shelf. So technically this wouldn't be our Dining room, but our Old Folks/Granny room.
Here is a close up of our shelf. I love this shelf because I get to show off my favorite platter and my cute Jessica and Mike plaque. I don't know ... it just makes me happy.
Here is our bathroom - one of the only rooms that isn't red. black and white.
More bathroom pictures. Crazy to think that I have had this shower curtain and daisy pictures since college.
Ok -this is a plaque that I made last weekend for my kitchen. My friend Michele and I are starting a new craft project with these vinyl saying and I couldn't wait to start! This was my tester project before we start the larger project. I think it is adorable. It's on a glass floater frame and I added a few ribbons to get that pizazz.
This is part of my kitchen. I mainly took this picture to show you my Scentsy Candle warmer (the tan thing that is next to the sink). I bought this from Marci's (my sister-in-law) sister-in-law, Lynsey. It is a great way to get a candle smell without lighting a wick. And, if you have a husband like mine, it doesn't burn skin when touched. I love this thing and the different wax blocks you can get! It makes my whole kitchen smell wonderful! Her website (if anyone is interested) is www.scentsy.net
This is my pride and joy! My washer and dryer...aren't they beautiful?! This is our little laundry room.
So, that is a sneak preview of our house. Soon, I'll show the bedroom, office and garage. I know you can't wait!

My Job

A few of you asked about my job. Before I go into detail, let me say I welcome blogging topics. Half the time I wonder if anyone is interested in the topics I blog about - so bring on the suggestions.

Well, I work for a company called LACED Interactive; which is an interactive advertising agency located in Redondo Beach. I started at LACED almost a year ago. LACED is a smaller interactive agency with about 10 employees.

For those that need clarification, an interactive agency is not your typical ad agency. We develop and program websites, rich media, internet-based games and much, much more. We build brands in a digital space. I am an Account Manager and my day consists of interfacing with clients, directing our Production and Design teams while staying on-task, on-schedule and under budget. I'm bossy, sweet, decisive and organized all at the same time.

I'm the person the client praises or yells at and I buffer any client communication that needs to be passed onto our teams. Basically, everything and anything goes through me first before reaching it's final destination. I can deal with up to 10 clients a day and each client has their own unique project. We mainly focus on websites, but every day is different here.

I also help in testing websites before the public sees them, in the planning and conceptual design process and I even get to spend time testing games to ensure their quality. Some days just consist of talking to clients and team members, but other days I get to be a "Jack-of-all-trades"; meaning I can do research, test for quality assurance, and help redefine the flow of a website.

I also help internally with Marketing efforts and supporting our Sales team internally. The great thing is I don't have to do sales! I just make sure our sales team has the material they need to sell effectively.

LACED is such a great fit for me. I have been growing so much since I started here and I love that my employers see endless possibilities and opportunities in me. My communications skills have improved greatly and I'm able to learn about the interactive world quicker than most people. Interactive is so different from print advertising and some people have a hard time crossing-over, but I feel like I finally found my niche!

This month has been extremely busy due to the fact that my boss over sales and account management is off-site for the month, leaving me in charge of ALL of our clients and communications. It is a big step for me, but I've been able to rise to the occasion and prove myself capable and responsible - which is totally awesome! I feel so blessed to have found this company and to be able to prove my talents and abilities. After leaving my job in Utah, I had a hard time believing in my abilities, but after working here at LACED, I've feel like I'm coming into a field that is my forte. With guidance from my employers, I realized I had the right skills, they just needed to be tweaked a little. So...that is what I do, where I do it and how much I enjoy doing what I do. Plus, I work a street away from the beach - how could anyone resist that?

The end is near ... FINALLY!

I know everyone uses the excuse that their lives are so busy that they never have time for anything else. It is a little cliche, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it! But, because I've received so many complaints and death threats from unnamed friends about not blogging, I decided to write something ... (anything actually) to calm the masses.

So, I don't have any pictures, but we have moved into our little house and we are loving it! Everyone who has seen it calls it "adorable" - meaning it is small. But it is the perfect size for Mike and I ... and maybe a dog one day.

I have a hard time posting pictures of my house right now because it is not perfectly decorated and showing you pictures of an unfinished house is against my morals. So, that being said, I'll post pictures as soon as my morals allow it.

We have had so much help and support while moving in and I really feel grateful for family and friends that felt too guilty to say no to us. Oh, and the scores of missionaries that counted us as their monthly service project. It was a beautiful thing to see how many people love us. Even my parents - who are in Northern California - helped us get a washer and dryer which has been so amazing! This was the COOLEST thing ever! I can do laundry whenever I want and I don't need a roll of quarters. What a blessing! Seriously - I want to thank all of our family and friends that helped us - physically and emotionally - in this move. It really touches me to know that help is never too far away and how lucky I feel to have a family so warm and reliable. Thank you for everything you have done for us! I really do love and appreciate all of you.

Now, enough of that emotional Mumbo Jumbo! I need to tell everyone that Mike is as happy as a clam! He has been out in HIS garage organizing things and working on his beloved Nova. He gets excited to fix things around the house because his tools are just a few feet away from him. I came home from work a little late last night and I find Mike in the garage with this content look on his face. His universe is complete now that his three loves are near him. (aka.: Me, the Nova and the tools.)

Other than moving, Mike and I have both been extremely busy at work. I've been taking on more clients and becoming a larger part of the company. A few people wanted to know more about my job and what I do. I'll add a separate post because this one is getting long. But Mike made the Dean's List last semester (so proud of him!) and he has been juggling his full-time job and his side gig of programming for his dad. Oh, and he has been dealing with the move and his stressed out wife. So...I believe this qualifies him as some kind of super hero. But, all in all, we are happy, our move has been successful and we are just so grateful for all our blessings!

That was Unexpected...

We just had an earthquake! I was in the middle of a client conference call when I noticed the floor was shifting. Creepy! It lasted for about 5 minutes, but don't worry Mom, we aren't hurt!