Happy New Year!

New Years Eve was a pleasant mix of moving every piece of furniture in our home, eating to our hearts content and then some, and playing with fire and sparklers. Jared and I spent our night with friends Taylor and Megan at their posh pad with fancy cups and lots of card playing (hello future bridge club!). Then at the stroke of twelve I got to finally kiss a boy on New Years Eve (16 year old fantasy coming true?)! Happy New Year to you and you.





Photos: Megan Dicou

The First

It happened in Utah. There were in-laws, frozen waterfalls, tumbling through trees, Temple lights, a cook book and new shoes, slices of $300 meat, plenty of movies and plenty of food, new traditions, attempts at bird watching, Walmart sleds and sledding videos made, tastes of Lefsa, Provo tours, wagon rides, and family pictures.

Adams Canyon

Temple Lights

Christmas Festivities

Winter Activities

Lehi Crew

Jared and I loved our first Christmas and can't wait for the every-other-holiday venture to start.

Shout Out: to the girl across the Bay

Hey you! Soon you will embark on a new journey. Enjoy the bumpy, emotional, elated time you'll have getting there. I'm very excited, happy, etc....the day is fast approaching. Sending you all my love.

In the Kitchen

Tis the season! I'm making treats for friends and neighbors and got a little help from Jared. He trickled into the kitchen and started in on the marshmallow jars - I caught him! Then he stirred the fudge for me; a definite keeper.

Big Trees

December 17: Jared and I escaped to the wilderness and visited Muir Woods National Park. The scenery was breathtaking and I've never seen so many people looking at trees. After we passed the mass crowds and got onto the trail we could really appreciate the mystical forest. Six miles later we landed on Stinson Beach; Jared climbed, I read. Sunset came and our journey back started. In total we hiked twelve miles - it was great, tiring, and rewarding (hello Sol Food!).









 

Some Favorites

The wedding has come and gone, but the photos remain simply wonderful. Love, love, love.

Photography: Nudrat Owens

The Cure

I can listen to Pumped Up Kicks over and over...I think it's the cure-all to sickness, bad days, stubbed toes, and teary eyes. Play on.

Yosemite

The parents, Jared, and I spent Thanksgiving in Oakhurst, CA and treated ourselves to a five mile hike up Glacier Point in Yosemite, followed by dinner at the Ahwanhee Hotel. The hike was a bit strenuous, but we all made it to the top. Jared and I had a great time and plan to go back to hike another mountain soon.

Our fancy pre-dinner picture - we clean up nice, don't we?

Happy Thanksgiving from the Woods.

Early Bird

This year Thanksgiving came early. Jared and I traveled to Placerville for trimmings and pie - it was tasty and eventful. We started our day brunching at Red Apple Cafe and then added cider and an apple doughnut at High Hill Ranch. We then topped it off with turkey and plenty of pie...and rolls, lots of rolls.



I'm thankful for...
The Gospel
Jared
Family
Friends - old and new
Food
Red Leaves
Cider
Job
Opportunities to Come
...and Pie

One year ago...

Right before Thanksgiving Jared and I went ice skating with some students from my school. Exactly one year ago we were at this rink - we were timid and nervous to hold hands and it was only our third date. Oh how things have changed.

 

Wish List

Jared and I are making wish lists for each other because we're picky and can't shop for the other person unless we know exactly what they want. I'm going to start and update mine for the next week and a half, here goes:

Snap! or ask Chris Sharp because he knows his stuff and can find a good deal.

Mmmm, yes please!

If you happen to find some gold bars, maybe one of these?

Socks in Taupe and Charcoal ('cause I'm practical and it's buy one get one free)

M Necklace

These shoes in black and I'm a 9 (9.5 preferred)

CT215 or CT194 (Aiden can help)

Until I can think of anything else....adieu.

Autumn: Only my favorite season ever.

Over the weekend Jared and I went to my parents house in Placerville for an early Thanksgiving dinner. I love my little town in fall because the colors are phenomenal. They have a big red Japanese maple outside and the driveway is just bursting with color. This is truly the best season.

I took these around 7:15am...this is what I do when Jared's sleeping.

Brunch: the most desirable meal of any day

After eating an incredible egg sandwich and trying Jared's delicious pumpkin waffle, I concluded that brunch was my favorite meal of the day. Around 10am Jared and I walked up Russell to College - beautiful scenery - and we stopped into the Elmwood Cafe for brunch. I started with a classic, dreamy, creamy hot chocolate and we finished with a shared buttermilk biscuit. The morning was beautiful: fall colors, sunshine, droopy trees, the works.
Though brunch comes but once a month or so I concluded that it receive the best meal award - it's always good and you don't have to wake up at the crack of dawn to enjoy it - see, the best.

Photo: Elmwood Cafe

24 Candles

Today is my birthday. Due to some unexpected mono for my husband we are taking it easy this evening and reminiscing about the past year - what a year it has been. We had many plans for this birthday celebration, but they were all foiled by sickness. However, I was able to indulge: tamales, two expensive magazines from Berkeley Bowl, Semifrieddis Rosemarie bread, wearing my Christmas bell sweater during dinner.  Happy Birthday to me!

...and many thanks to:
Mom: for giving me life.
Parents: for raising me, giving me money for gas, loving me, helping me succeed.
All the Woods: for texting me birthday wishes.
Cheri and Family: for sending me lots of birthday cards and money for pizza.
Family, Friends, Students: for writing on my wall, sometimes having FB is so worth it!
My Boss: for getting me a cake with my name on it.
Jare Bear: for loving me, sending me beautiful flowers, synchronizing air kisses 'cause we can't actually kiss right now.

Sappy, but honest note: I sincerely believe in the magic of birthdays. As long as the ones you love recognize your existence and are grateful to have you around your day will be bliss. Guaranteed.

Since that beloved day...

Mackenzie:
Working Full Time
Making Delicious Dinners and Desserts
Cleaning House
Trying to Exercise
Joining a New Ward
Catching Up

Jared:
Working on a Thesis
Interning Part Time
Climbing
...And all the while being in love.

Belize

Where do I begin....







Missing:
Banana Milkshakes
Squirrel Crabs
Late Night Hammock Sessions
Underwater Sea Creatures
13 Passenger Plane Rides
Not Working
Spending Every Second with You

On the Roof...Shouting

I'm married. I'm elated.

Photo: Nudrat Owens

3...2...1....

Three days, people, three days!

Photo: Dolly's Magic Cell Phone....thanks lil guy.

Ode to Oprah

Les femmes ont besoin des femmes. Vous êtes un grand ami.